"Let me go," I demanded.
"You fought before. Are you going to fight now? Is that your hobby, huh?"
"None of your business!"
With his hard grip I did nothing when he pulled me away from there. We stopped in front of the parked cars and he just let me go. I could no longer see Klyde from there.
"You shouldn't be very impulsive," he said sternly.
"I don't need your opinion about my actions. I'll do what I want!"
"And where will your stubbornness pick you up? He was on the verge of hitting you!"
"I hope you just let it go, then. You think I'm too weak and I couldn't take it? Then you're wrong! I can handle myself!"
"Really, huh?" he challenged, there was a diminution in the way he looked at me.
"Why are you interfering? It's not because you're my friend's cousin that you can scold me! You're not my brother, Rustov!"
He closed his eyes tightly and wept bitterly. He sighed deeply after a short while and looked at me darkly.
"It's getting late, go home."
I glared and turned my back on him. I don't know what his stand on this is, but my brain is too full to think about.
I stayed late on Enzo's bistro that night. Because I didn't want to go home, Enzo forced me and he himself delivered me. I also drank a little too much so it didn't make sense. I planned to call Ate that night, but eventually I restrained myself. I can't afford breaking my sister's heart at the middle of a cold night. I just cried and was upset and angry.
I am right all along. You won't gain anything from romantic love but pain. Because that's not true. People just tend to believe about it because it's the ideal. There is always a cheater, there is always a cheat. There is always pain. And I will never consider the latter part for myself.
"Eat first, Audrey," Ate Delia said.
"Just at school," I said and left the mansion on my own.
My head was aching so bad. I didn't just drink cocktails last night. Fortunately, Enzo stopped me because he might have had to put me to sleep in the bistro. Coincidentally I can't get in now. We still have a presentation.
"Oh, ma’am!” Edu called.
"What?" I asked, slightly sniffing the sense.
"The tire got flat.”
"Fuck!" I jumped on my seat and got up. I lowered the window and looked outside. The school is a bit far to walk!
I woke up late so if we can stay here longer I won't reach the first subject. That was major and we even had a group presentation. I can't miss that!
"I hope you checked earlier, Brother! We don't expect anything else! I'll be late!"
"I'm sorry, Ma'am. I'll see if I can fix it first. If not, I'll find a way."
God! We had other vehicles but we only had two drivers. To Mommy and me. Who will deliver another vehicle here? It’s this driver’s fault for not bringing spare tire!
"Faster, Edu! I’d be late!”
And my head is damn aching! Will my head even match the situation?
I rushed out and slung the bag over my shoulder. My hair is still a bit wet and I haven't even combed it before because of the rush. I don't care about how I look, anyway. All I need to do is attend classes.
"Edu, isn’t it fixed yet?”
"I'll try, Ma'am!"
I looked at the watch. It's 7:14 AM and my first class is at 7:30!
I sighed and leaned into the SUV. The school is really far from here. If I walk I will not reach the first subject. I have no other ride!
I was about to shout at Edu again when I heard a strange noise. I turned and saw an old big bike coming. That's familiar. Eventually getting closer, I realized why. That is Rustov’s
I lost my drowsiness and hangover when the motor stopped in front of me. Rustov took off his black helmet, looking so fresh on his uniform.
He looked at me, only for a brief moment and drifted his eyes to Edu.
"Flat, Edu?”
"Yes, Rustov. I have a problem here.”
"I hope you looked at it before, Edu. It's not like we don’t have other car to use!”
"I'm really sorry, Ma'am. Next time."
Rustov handed me his helmet which surprised me. I raised an brow at him.
"What is that?" my sarcastic question.
"Helmet," he said the word seriously, his lips didn't even curve a bit when it moved.
"I know. What am I going to do with that?"
"Wear it. I'll take you with me."
I opened my mouth a little. My eyes went down on his old, dirty bike. It's not very dirty but there is a mud stain on the bottom and it's obviously really old.
"Are you serious? There?"
He sighed deeply and turned his engine on.
"I get it. You don't like dirty and old. But I'm only giving you a better choice, Audrey. But if you don't want help, it's okay. My helmet is mine."
I can't believe him! Didn't even insist! Is that really who wants to help?
"My helmet," he demanded impatiently.
"Wait!" I panicked. It's only ten minutes before 7:30. I do not have time anymore!
He craned his neck and watched me darkly. My heart was pounding, I didn’t know where more nervous. In the late or in his dark stare.
"I will come with you, okay!”
"Okay." He pursed his lips a little more.
"But... is that even reliable? I might be disgraced by that?"
"That's okay, Ma'am!" Edu replied.
"Wear the helmet," Rustov ordered.
I frowned wearing the helmet. I glanced at my pencil skirt and then to the big bike. How can I sit on that?
"You sit sidewards."
I closed my eyes sharply and sighed.
"Come here now, Audrey. We'll both be late if you stay there any longer."
He glanced over my skirt. His forehead furrowed.
"Your skirt is too short. Is that even allowed?"
"Why are you making rude comments about my uniform?”
He sighed and tapped his shoulder, gesturing me to hold on to it for support. That’s exactly what I did when I lifted myself up. I have never ridden a big bike before, this is my first experience!
Once seated I realized this was the first time we had been so close. I know him for years since I'm friends with Janice since grade seven but we've never been so close. Even now
And... he smelled so nice!
"Put your bag in your lap," he demanded again.
"It's okay with my bag in the back!"
"You'll be spotted if you don't do that. Your skirt is too short."
I stared at the emptiness.
"What now? E, they won't peek."
"What, Audrey?" he asked low but emphatically. He sounded calm yet so dangerous.
The engine roared loudly. I froze in shock.
"What the fuck, Rustov!"
"Follow my command."
God! Won't we end here? I'm late! Why can't he mind his own business?
"Fine! Here it is!" I said irritably.
He calmed down there.
"Now, hold on to me."
"Okay!" I grabbed her shoulders.
"On my waist."
What? Can it be that close? But then... I looked around. This is my first time and it's scary. I might ejaculate if I don't hold on properly. It would be okay if your branded motors, but it's still cool! Where did he buy it? During the dinosaurs?
"Fine! Fine!" I cursed softly.
I put the strap on the shoulders so my bag wouldn’t fall off. Then after, I put my arms around his waist unwillingly. The smell of him tightened on my nose. And he really smells good. Manly but not too strong.
I tensed when the engine roared. I tightened my grip on him when the motor started. His body was like a hot steel, hard but warm. Is that the body of all men? But he has the built and good physique. Maybe it doesn't apply to all?
When we stopped in front of the school I was still breathing easy. I was unmoving for the first seconds. I just realized when I remembered the class and quickly got off the motor.
"Your speed was too fast, Rustov!" I spat and put off the helmet angrily.
"You'd be late if I didn't do that. Besides, I had it under control."
I fixed my hair for a while because if before, it was messy, now it's more messy. It's like I'm being raped!
"Drink some warm drink later. You look sleepless," he said and grabbed his helmet.
He started his motorbike again, maybe he would park it properly. I didn't wait for him anymore and hurried inside.
"Did someone fight with you recently? Who will I kick out of your school?"When it comes to Mommy about the troubles I get involved with at school she always says that. Even though she is busy with many others, she still knows what is going on in my life somehow. I will always get what I want if I'd only tell her. But unlike before, I don't ask for anything. And I don't tell her to manipulate anything for my sake.I just don’t answer and let go of the anger. Even if I told him to kick that out, what else could he do?That girl is her lover's daughter. I doubt if he can do that. Besides, that wasn't the first incident. I'm used to it.Mommy asked more about it. But with my vague response, he eventually stopped as well."Ate, did you see my pink handkerchief with my name embroidered on the upper part?" I asked Ate Delia."Is that your favorite? I've already washed all your handkerchiefs. I was surprised when I didn't see it, eh."
The insides of the house was clean, that was the first thing I noticed. The furnitures are made of wood, mostly. There are a few picture frames hanging on the wall. There are also Rustov awards since elementary. He is really excellent when it comes to academics.I don’t even know how he manages to balance acads and sports. He was into basketball during high school. I keep track of her games because Janice is always watching and she always takes me with her.He was good so eventually in senior high, he became team captain. While in college, rugby football was played. We can only watch once because of the class. And based on what I have seen, he's really good at it.I realized how much we differed from the state. I am not active in any sports. I am not in the honor roll, either. And thinking of it now, I realized the only thing I had with him was wealth. The amount I lack. If I don't have my parents' money, I have nothing, no one would bother respect me. Whi
"Is Thiago busy too?" I asked Rustov as our staff unloaded the leathers.He nodded. "Every summer and there are only occasions when they come home."Well, I've heard of that. His two siblings are both studying in Manila so he only came home once. I've known those two since I was a kid. As often as seen at social gatherings. When they were in high school, they left Manila for maybe a bigger university."Let's go to the office first. I prepared a snack," I said and glanced at the workers."Okay," he replied low.“Ate Dulce,” I called. "You're here first."She nodded. I was ahead of the walk. Some of our female workers drifted their eyes at my back. I knew immediately what they were looking at. I was about to tell them to focus on their works, but I restrained myself. I might just look worse.Entering the office, I gestured to him the chair. There is food ready on the small table in the middle."I thought your Mommy wa
I don’t remember when I invited a guy out. But I really want to try that kind of event again. And I only have one person in mind that I'm comfortable with except for Janice and Enzo. Just Rustov. He's not my type of company but passable.I don't know when I started feeling comfortable around him. Maybe in our little interactions. Although I know he has his own judgments of me, he doesn't treat me badly so it's okay.Rustov:What? Go out? Are you drunk, Audrey?I stopped looking for something to wear.Me:There seems to be a party in town tonight. I want to come and I want you to accompany me.His reply took a while. I had already chosen what to wear when he texted again.Rustov:I can't be with you. I'll be with my friends.I stopped and sat down on the ottoman, disappointed. I can already choose what to wear and after all, he won't let me? He knew I had no one else to be with! And what? He will be with his
I can’t count how many times I’ve been depreciated after the oral recitation in accounting. Just the first day back of class there was a surprise recitation right away. I wasn't expecting it! I hate that old hag. Must review first before recit! I didn’t read any notes during the whole break so I couldn’t answer. I got a zero."That's okay, Drey," Janice consoled me."If I could tell Mommy to get rid of it?""Nevermind."I sighed and walked out of the room. To my annoyance, I almost shouted at the group of men who had gathered in the corridor and almost pushed on the road. They're from the other section, maybe.I would have passed by when someone had the courage to call me. Janice kissed me. I closed my eyes firmly before turning around."What?" I asked, glaring.Kabadong laughed one. "Uh, our friend would have given it to me ..."I turned to the man he was carrying. The boy looks very boyish. Tall, lean
He did not ask anything about what had happened. But with his dark look, I know. He wanted to know what happened. But he won't force me to say anything. He wanted me to speak for myself. Because he respects my silence. He respects my privacy."In Mom's room you sleep," Rustov said.I combed my hair with my fingers. He showed me his mother's room. Not as big as mine but tidy and organized enough for a one night stay. He arranged the sheets and pillows while I just stood there on the side.I wonder if her Mama is here and will let me sleep in their house? I mean, they're not responsible for me and I'm not related to them in any way. But maybe that will be allowed as well. Tita Gracia is a good person. I'm sure she will also do what her son is doing. After all, Rustov and I can be called friends, can't we? So it's okay?"Is it okay for Tita to have someone else sleep in her room?"He turned to me. "I'll tell her tomorrow. She will understand."
Instead of looking at the paper, I looked up at Rustov's face and stopped there. He was solving the problem seriously while I can't even understand what are those digits he's putting on my paper for. We were at their house because he promised to help me with some homework. Though, I don't think I'm doing anything here but stare at him."Did you get it, Audrey?"I sighed. Lazily, I looked back at the yellow paper. That's a pure number. The sight that never failed to make my eyes sore.“You journal the entries wrong so the trial balance is also wrong,” he said."I'm confused about the entries.""You should work on that," he said softly and handed the paper to me.He stood up and turned towards the kitchen. Back then two glasses of juice and two banana cues were laid out. Tita Gracia was in the municipality because of work so we were the only two left at home."Why pineapple juice? Say I don't want that!" my complaint.
Mommy again convinced me to attend Gov. but in the end, he didn't force me either so we just talked about my upcoming debut. She wanted to throw a big celebration, but I told her I only want a private dinner for it. He didn’t like that either, so I we ended up almost fighting in front of our food. What's the point of a big party if I don't want to be there?"What are you, Audrey. It's your debut, it should just be a grand celebration! Years ago, you told me you want a grand debut ..." said Janice who also couldn't understand the flow of my brain.“Things had changed,” I said."Maybe it's because you're rebelling against Tita that you don't like what she wants?"I sighed and looked at her."If I want a grand debut, then I will make that happen. You know me. What I want, that's what I will do. And throwing a grand celebration for my birthday isn't part of those."She sighed."What do you plan to do then? What about a s