Chapter 4

ARA

 As I walk towards the library I think what I should to search and read because I still have a more time.  I'll wait for Joy maybe she will follow me too.  In our class room the two of us were leading in the class.  We did nothing in our spare time but read books.

 I immediately searched for the book I was going to read when suddenly someone appeared beside of me.  I ignored it and even glanced at it.  I continued to search for the book I wanted to read, but I was stopped by the realization that I seemed to know the person beside of me.  I thought it was looking for a book too.  I looked up and checked to see if I had made a mistake.

 A sweet smile came over him, he was still staring at me with his arms outstretched.  Why is this guy is  here? "I asked myself.

 I turned my back on him and didn't want to be close to him because Crissy will be more angry on me.  I will avoid them as much as possible.

 "Wait! Is this what you're looking for?"

 I turned around to hear his question.  He was holding the chemistry book and waving it upwards.  How does he know the book I'm looking for?

 "How did you know that book is the one I'm looking for?"

 "Hmm ... I have my ways to know, Miss Sandoval. Is it am I right?"

 "No! You're wrong!"  I pretend, but in fact he is correct.

 "Oh’ come on, I know if you are lied to me Miss Sandoval. I know how to read facial expressions. Your trying to avoid me, is it?"

 He barely approached me, but his eyes looking at me without blinking.  He is trying to tease me over and over again.  I don't know why he bothers me anymore.

 "Please Nathan, if you are here to bother me, please stay away from me! Don’t close to poor people like me," I said.

 "As far as I know, there is no law or rules to get closer to poor people," he replied sarcastically.

 His smile widened even more and I could no longer figure out what he really wanted.

 "Okay fine! Why are you here? Don't you have a class yet?"

 "Ahmm ... Why are you here too? Don't you have a class too?"  he asked me back. 

 "Hmm ... Let's say I'm lucky to have passed something," I replied smiling, but raised an eyebrow.

 "So, same as you I am lucky too. But I'm more lucky to see you here."  He smiled and then he winked at me.

 Well, I'm lucky as well to be with him.  He is the most handsome guy I saw.  I know a lot of wealthy guy who studied here but Nathan is more attractive than them.

 "I am here to read some book not to wasting my time talking at you."  I said and picked up the book on the shelves.  I do not know what book is that but I want to avoid his gaze on me.

 "Can we read together? I am here to research something," he said.

 How can I concentrate on reading when a handsome man like him is in front of me.  But there was nothing I could do because the library was for everyone.

 "Okay fine, but you promise not to tease me while I'm reading," I pleaded.

 "Fine!"

 We sat at the table with the book we had picked up from the shelf.  I never changed the book I picked up on the shelf.  My eyes widened when I saw the book I had picked up earlier and I didn’t realize it was so far away from the book I was looking for.  It's embryology book which refers to the book on how the sperm meets the egg and the cycle of pregnancy.

 "Is that book you want to read?"  he asked sarcastically.

 "Can't I just say no to bullying me," I replied immediately.

 "Fine! The woman is too defensive even though it's obvious," he whispered in response.

 "Hmm ...You really waste my time, Mr. Madrid. If you weren't here I would have finished my research," I said sullenly.

 "Don't blame me because we're destined to be together today. I'm the first one here, do I know that you're also going to the library. Why don't you just admit that this book is what you need?"  he said and giving me the chemistry book.

 I looked at the book he was handing me.  I feel my cheeks blush because what he said is true.  I don’t know if I should even pretend or just accept the book he gives me.

 "Take it! You look even better when your cheeks blush."  He smiling to laid the book down in front of me.  But his eyes looking straight to me.

 I ignored him and I bent down to avoid his eyes gaze.  I calmed myself and began to open the book.  But in my reading nothing enters my mind.  I no longer know why he was such a distraction to me.

 I folded the book again because no matter how hard I tried nothing really entered in my brain.  He really steal my attention.  How can he distract me like this? "

 As I folded the book we stared inadvertently.

 "What?"  I frowned asking him.

 "Are you a thief?"

 "Huh! What are you talking about? Why did you asked me that?"

 "Because you stole my attention," he replied with a smile.

 "Wow ha! You know how to pick-up line, but it's corny," I teased him.

 He turned to me with a serious look.  I was suddenly nervous in his stares as if he wanted to say something.

 "Ara, can you be my friend?"

 "No. I am sorry, but I have my own reason. We can talk if there is important thing that we should to talk about it," I replied seriously.

 "Why? Why not?"

 "As I said Mr. Madrid, I have my own reason. You are one of my boss, and people like you are not worthy to mingle with low profile people.

 "Why are you lowering your character so much? I don't care who you really are. It's not bad to make friends with poor people like you," he said.

 I know there is nothing wrong with that but I just want to avoid what might happen.  I know Crissy will be more angry to me, if she knows that Nathan and I were close to each other.  As long as I could to avoid him I would do. 

 My dream is simple but to live quietly and happily.  I also know my limit in being their housemaid so, the thing he wants can’t happen.

NATHAN

 I'm confused why Ara doesn't want to be friends with me.  But I think she had a deep reason to reject my friendship.  As I stared at her gentle face I couldn't help but smile. I'm really fascinated with her beautiful face.

 My attention was caught when her friend Joy suddenly appeared. She rushes closer to us. We immediately stood up in shock to see her reaction.

 "What happened to you?" I asked.

 "Your sister is coming, and don't let her know that you and Ara talked for so long," she replied and pulled Ara away.

 I was confused by what she said, but I just nodded.  They hid on shelves far away from where I sit. They were in the corner of this library.  I sat calmly and pretended to know nothing and continue reading the books. My mind was full of questions but I removed them for a moment.

 Suddenly my sister came with an angry face. Her eyes full of anger that seem to resist the tug.

 "Bro, did you see our two housemaids?"  she asked angrily.

 "No! Why are you looking for them?"

 "They embarrassed me in the class," she replied and glanced around.

 "How did they humiliate you?"

 I want to know what really happened within their class. Why my sister so angry.  I know her, she won't accept her defeat in anything. She is spoiled brat, so I know if she get angry. Now I understand why the two housemaids are so scared of her. 

 "Nothing just I'm mad at them," she replied with a rage.

"Nothing? How you get angry like that if you say nothing?" 

"Because our teacher gave them a bonus point and they were let out early while we were left behind and written for our homework," she replied. 

"That's it? They are smart that's why your teacher let them out to his class with bonus," I explained. 

"So, you are saying now that I'm not smart like them," she said frowning at me. 

"No! No! No! I mean they are lucky for today, that's it," I said. 

 I immediately thought of a way to confuse her. I stood up and put my arm around her shoulder. I smiled at her and squeezed her cheeks. I knew, I was one of her weaknesses. She just needs attention and love. Sometimes I thought that she in love with me. She feel jealous if there is lady who wants to be my friends. Crissy and I were not same blood. I am adopted son of Madrid couple before Crissy is born. 

 "Forget about that no matter how angry you are with them. Let's go to have some drinks outside, its my treat. And I'll go home with you," I said softly.

 "Really bro."

 "Hmm... I nodded and smiled when I saw her eyes widen at what I said. She couldn't believe that I volunteer to accompany her. 

 We immediately left the library. I really meant to get her attention so that the two who were hiding in the corner of this library could go home too. 

 ARA

 My nervous subsided when Crissy and Nathan left.  I don’t know what mess it will be again if she catch Nathan and I were talking.

 "Wait! How do you know Crissy is coming to the library?"  I asked Joy.

 "You know me, same as you I can answer whatever our teacher ask me. After I answered our teacher's question I followed you here, but I saw you and Nathan talking. I let you and I stay near the door in case Crissy is coming, so I could see her," Joy explained.

 "Thank you," I said.

 I’m so grateful to her because I don’t know where to pick me up if Crissy sees us.

 "All I can advise you is to avoid Nathan if you can. Don't wait for Crissy's anger to overwhelm you," Joy reminded me.

 "How can I avoid him when he gets too close to me?"  I asked in confused. 

 Joy just sighed at my question. She also knows that it is difficult to avoid the person who is also with you in the same house.

 "You know, I think Nathan is falling in love with you. I think with his moves he seems to like you," Joy said.

 I was stunned by what Joy said.  I know is a big mess when Crissy finds out, she will definitely hate us poor ones even more.  And she might even think I seduce her brother.  I know where I'm going in that matter.  I also never dreamed of getting rich boyfriend and to get married.

 I could lift myself up without expecting help from other people.  I believe in my own ability to be lifted out of poverty and bring my father into abundant life. I also believed that one day it would come.

 “I’ll try Joy, as much as possible but I have to prepare every day because I don’t know what’s going on in Crissy’s mind. 

 After our nervous encounter in the library, Joy and I immediately left.  It was five o'clock in the afternoon and I knew my father was waiting outside to pick us up.

 We caught up with my father who was watching us approaching.  He was looking for something and I think Nathan was in his mind. 

 "Where is sir Nathan?" my father asked.

 "He's going home with Crissy," Joy replied.

 "Oh I see. Okay two of you get in," my father said.

 While on the way my father couldn’t help but wonder why we were quit.  He knew every time he picked us up from school we were both noisy.  He also knows how much Joy and I talk together.

 "What happened to both of you? This year, I noticed something change," my father asked again.

 "Huh! Nothing, Joy and I are just thinking about the research we will do. Our teacher asked us to do something," I lied to my him.

I am not used to lie to him but this time I need to do. Just for the sake of peace. And I don't want him to be worried about me. Just because I care him so much. He is the only one left who love and care for me. 

 "Ah... Is that so, I thought something happened to you at school," he added.

 When we arrived at the mansion Joy and I immediately dressed in our uniform as maids.  Everyday we have tasks reserved for us.  While Joy immediately went to Madam Lucia's garden to watering the flowers. My turn is to helped Mrs. Amalia to prepare a dinner for all of us.

 I'm thankful that the siblings haven't come home yet because I'm sure there will be more trouble. From now on I'm going to start avoiding Nathan for the sake of my peace.