"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."I went back to the room and looked for the handkerchief a
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. While him ... he don't need mone
"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 was going to meet me," he said as he sat down."Same as I thought it wou
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 friends and that girl? Maybe there's something really in them?I threw the dre
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 and angelic. Enter the standards of being handsome for me. But do we need more bac
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.""Okay," I nodded."Take a rest." Then he wen
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."Run out of mango flavor, Audrey," there was a threat in her voice."
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 short vacation abroad? Say, Paris? London?""Not anymore. A private di