Chapter 8: Mystery
Vanessa's Point of View
Annoying! I wanted to curse at myself for feeling this way. Why do I even feel like this? Why do I feel unimportant to him? Why do I feel like he looks down on me? Why do these dramas keep messing with me?
"Vanko…"
I didn't look back and kept my gaze on the students passing in front of us. I couldn't bring myself to look at him because I was embarrassed. Embarrassed? Yes, embarrassed, but I didn't understand why.
"Sorry," he whispered. I closed my eyes tightly when I heard that. It was not really his fault, or maybe it was the other way around.
"I shouldn't have done your assignment. Sorry, I was acting smart," he said sadly.
My chest tightened, as if I couldn't catch my breath. I wasn't used to his tone. I wasn't used to him being sad. I wasn't used to not being able to snap at him. But most of all, I wasn't used to being the reason for it all. I wanted to end this drama right now… no sequel.
"Sorry if I'm—"
"YOU'RE REALLY STUPID!" I shouted, silencing him. I faced him as the tears I had been holding back finally fell. Indeed, it's hard to fight against your own feelings.
"Damn! Je, you are so stupid… selfish," I said, my voice almost trembling.
I took a deep breath to calm the burning feeling inside me. I didn't want to say anything that would hurt him, but damn, it was hard. I wanted to show him that what he did wasn't right… not at all. It was confusing, and it needed clarity.
"Sorry," he said again, clenching his fists.
I grabbed his collar. My knees went weak when I saw the tears welling in his eyes. Oh, fuck! I hate it! His eyes… my weakness.
"Sorr—"
My palm landed on his cheek, and I had no regrets. If I could, I would slap him again until all my anger was spent. The pain on his cheek was nothing compared to the pain he had made me feel.
"Je, you can tell me if you can't," I whispered. I wiped the tears from his cheek. Gah! He's crying, and it's killing me.
"Don't be selfish. You don't have to do things you can't. You don't have to hide anything from me," I said.
I wanted to laugh at our drama. Just because of that, we ended up like this, but no… it's not just because of that.
"Why, Van? Do you think I'm weak? Is that what you think of me? That I can't do these things? Is that it? Huh?"
I let out a weak laugh and gently tapped his cheek. "I'm afraid of the day you give up but still don't tell me. I'm afraid you'll just disappear suddenly without saying goodbye. It's not about that fucking zero! It's about us! It's about how I want you to tell me everything. If it's not important to you, it's important to me. Everything about you matters to me. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
I want him to engrave those words in his mind and heart.
I'm just scared… scared that he'll try to do things he can't handle alone. What use am I then? What use is the love I've given him? I will stand by him and join the battle… 'til the end.
"Let's do it together… Jerome… together."
____________
Dave's Point of View....
I pouted while waiting to see the word 'seen' on the message I sent, but after several minutes, there was still nothing, until she went offline.
I flopped onto my bed, thinking about what she was doing right now. It had been three years since we last saw each other in person. Seeing her on a phone screen wasn't enough for me. I wanted to hug her. I wanted to hold her. I wanted to tell him how I felt, face to face.
"Kuya?!"
I felt someone tugging on my T-shirt, but I had no energy to talk to anyone, not even my persistent little sibling.
"Kuya Dave!"
Annoyed, I turned to look at Ash, who was pouting while staring at me. His name suited him because of the color of his eyes, inherited from Dad.
"Why now?" I asked.
"I thought we were okay?" he replied. "I didn't even tell Mommy that you came home drunk—"
"Ssshh!" I covered his mouth with my hand. His eyes widened as he nodded slightly. "What's that about?" I asked.
He had caught me coming home drunk last night. Mommy didn't want me drinking, but I only had a little to ease the longing I felt for Mia.
"There's a cockroach inside my room."
"So?"
He handed me the slipper he had been carrying earlier. He really did take mine.
"You want me to murder that cockroach?" I asked for clarification.
He nodded. "That cockroach is messing up my room! I want him dead! Kill him for me, kuya!" he said excitedly, bouncing up and down.
I reluctantly went down to his room. The moment I entered, I still couldn't believe the state of it. Damn! He's only eight years old! Yet his room had a black-and-white theme, and there wasn't a single stuffed toy in sight.
"There!" he pointed at the cockroach, frozen in one spot.
I hid behind him and pretended I was going to smash it, but just then, it flew out through the open window. Ash let out a small squeal at that.
"You let him go," he said emotionlessly, squinting at me with his thin eyebrows furrowed.
"It's gone now."
I stepped out of his room, but I could feel him following me. I walked down the stairs toward the kitchen, where one of our household helpers was cooking.
"What if it comes back?"
"Ash, it's not coming back," I said.
I poured water into a glass before taking a gulp. I leaned on the table as if exhausted.
"If it leaves, it won't come back?"
"No," I replied, but something seemed to catch in my throat, and I felt wrong about what I had said.
I wanted to take back those words, but my mouth wouldn't move. Not everyone who leaves never returns. She'll come back… she needs to come back.
I hurriedly ran back to my room and saw that my phone was lit up. My knees trembled as I read Mia's reply.
Matthew's Point of View
I sat quietly, watching Ace leaning casually in his chair, eyes fixed on his phone. Occasionally, he would smile.
I glanced at my test paper, on which I had written only a few answers so far. It was exam day, and the brilliant Ace Craige was exempted. Our teacher had challenged him with a task about a business, and it seemed effortless for him, he had completed it with ease. Truly impressive.
"Sir?" I raised my hand.
Everyone turned to look at me. Our professor furrowed his brows, staring at me, waiting to see why I had raised my hand.
"Do you believe that honesty is the best policy?"
His frown deepened at my question. "What do you mean, Mr. Hart?" he asked.
"I won't cheat… I'll be honest… But promise me you'll still pass me."
I heard the faint laughter of my classmates and saw Ace furrowing his brows as he stared at me. Honesty is the best policy. That's the only thing I could hold onto in this moment.
"Is that some kind of threat, huh?"
"Or I highly suggest it, Sir." I stood confidently in front of them all. "There aren't many honest people left today, why not give them a reward? Like extra points, or just passing them. Great idea, right?" I grinned.
I left the classroom pouting. Ace followed, laughing.
"What a brilliant idea, Matt."
"Stop teasing…"
He laughed. Because the smart ones love to tease. At least, I was honest. I didn't need to cheat to pass… I'm still proud of myself! I have something to be proud of, forget that failing grade I got.
"Have a date with me."
I nearly cursed when I realized Angel was standing in front of me. How did she get past the guard? She doesn't even study here, so she shouldn't be allowed in. I wondered.
"Uh?"
"Date me, Matthew Hart."
I laughed. She was really desperate. I didn't know why, but out of all the girls, she was the one I disliked. I don't like girls like this. I mean, they're girls, they shouldn't be the ones insisting on things like this. Damn! They're supposed to be treated like queens.
I squinted at her. "And what would you do if I don't want to, baby?" I challenged.
She smiled. "Prove to me that you're not gay." My jaw dropped at her words before I burst out laughing.
I was used to it. I knew these moves. I had seen them on TV. I didn't understand why she felt the need to do it. Psh.
"Then… I'm gay."
I passed by her, but stopped and remained with my back to her.
"But… I'll prove you wrong. Let's date."
Zein's Point of View
I couldn't help but smirk as I watched Ace nearly die laughing while driving. We were heading home since our exams were over, and this was what Mommy and Daddy wanted as well.
"You have a smart friend, Zein," he said, still chuckling.
I didn't find his story about Matt funny, though, because what he did back in high school was extreme. Matt is Matt, his mind is hard to understand, and he has quirks that are difficult to handle.
"Yeah, that's why I have a crush on him," I admitted.
"You don't have to say that…"
This time, I laughed at his sudden drop in mood. Because of this kind of attitude, I was even more tempted to tease him. He's easily provoked. And that makes it all the more fun to rile him up.
"What? That I still have a crush on him?"
"Damn!" He slammed the steering wheel and bit his lip. "Stop it, Zein," he said firmly.
He drove faster, so I knew his mood had completely shifted. Mr. President was in beast mode again.
I wrapped my arms around him while he drove. I inhaled sharply at the scent of his cologne. He was wearing a blue T-shirt and pants.
"You're jealous…"
"And so what? I have the right, darling…"
I just smiled. Matt was merely my crush, and Ace was the one I truly loved. I didn't know why Ace reacted like that over something as minor as a crush. It wasn't surprising that girls had crushes on Matt, he had the looks. Still… I like Ace's looks more.
"Did you know that love is the result of a crush multiplied by infinity?" I asked.
In short, a crush is a crush, and love is love, they are not related… at least, for me.
He shook his head and glanced at me. "No. Love is the combination of Ace and Zein," he corrected.
"That's what you say…"
We stayed like that. The car window was open, so the air conditioning was off. The cool evening breeze from outside flowed in. I breathed in the fresh provincial air.
"You can stay here," Mommy said kindly to Ace as he prepared to return to Manila.
We had agreed that he would just drop me off at home because he didn't want me commuting alone. He would return to Manila afterward to help Raze at the company, since the poor guy had a mountain of work waiting for him.
Ace shook his head politely. "No, thanks. Tita, I still have something important to do," he said softly.
"Honey, don't force him," Dad said with a laugh, teasing Mom. "Go ahead, Ace. Thank you for bringing our daughter home. Just be careful," he added, patting Ace on the shoulder before heading to the kitchen.
I glanced at Ate Allison, who was smiling as she watched us. "Is that really more important than your own sibling?" she teased.
I shot a glance at her, but her eyes stayed fixed on Ace, who was standing in front of us. Tall and composed, he carried himself with respect. Even though he appeared gentle in front of my parents, his authority was evident in every word he spoke.
"No. Zein is not important to me," he said, making my jaw drop. Ghad! I felt him take my hand and squeeze it. "Zein is my priority. I want her to rest, even just this weekend. She's tired from studying," he added.
I couldn't help but smile at Ate's frustrated expression. See? My evil sister. You'll never win against this one.
"You're so sweet…" Mommy said with a laugh. "Alright, then. Don't stay out too late… You should come by sometime. I'd like to get to know you. I find you interesting…" she said, smiling.
I smiled too, realizing I wasn't the only one curious about this man. He was still a mystery to me.
"Of course, Tita. Thank you."
I walked Ace to the car. As we made our way toward it, we were silent. It was already dark, and although I wished he could stay a little longer, I knew his mind was already made up.
We stopped in front of his car as a cold breeze blew. He turned to face me and tucked the hair behind my ear.
"Sleep well. Don't think too much about me, or you might not get any rest," he said with a laugh.
I closed my eyes as he kissed my forehead. Shit! I was certain I would miss this man, even if we were only apart for two days.
"Take care, Ace."
"Yes, ma'am!" He even saluted me before getting into his car.
"Goodby—"
"Hey!" he shouted from the window. Even in the dark, I could clearly see his furrowed brow. "What's with 'goodbye'? We'll see each other again," he explained, making me laugh.
"Alright, I love you then."
"I love you more, darling," were his final words before he drove off.
I was left staring into the emptiness. We would see each other again, yet I already felt a pang of longing. Damn! I was already missing him so much.
"That's bad."
I glanced at Ate Allison, who was behind me, also watching the road Ace was taking.
"H-Huh?"
She looked at me, a smile vanishing from her lips.
"You shouldn't get too attached to someone temporary."
"Ate!" I restrained my irritation, closing my eyes and trying to erase her words from my mind. "If you don't like Ace, please, just don't speak," I said firmly, which only made her laugh.
My chest tightened. That's just how Ate is, she loves making stories out of nothing. We're used to her, but why this time? This time, I couldn't accept what she said, even if it was just a joke or something.
"Please, stop it," I pleaded.
She came closer and hugged me tightly. "You don't fully know Ace yet. He hides a lot of secrets. He's a mystery that's hard to solve. Be careful, Zein. I don't want to see the day when… you lose trust in everyone," she whispered before releasing me and walking away.
I just stood there, stunned, facing the emptiness.