In exasperation, Leigh unconsciously put her fingers to massage her temples.
“Rocky!’ She cried outraged.
A mischievous smile crossed over Rocky’s face. It appeared like he was enjoying her discomfort so much, like he always does.
She and Rocky had a complicated relationship. They were born on the same day to parents who were best friends since college. Since they were children, it was already drummed into their heads that they would marry one day.
But she and Rocky do not share their parents’ sentiments. They do not want to be married to each other for the simple reason that they hated each other.
Yes, they hated each other. The hate relationship started when they were five. But before that, Leigh remembered how they fought like mad cats and dogs. There was never peace with both of them around. They bicker with each other and annoy each other so much that when they reached their fifth birthday, the war between them had become so severe it wedged a gap that was never broken down in years.
When they reached their teens, they had become less obvious in their aggression towards each other. This time, they had already mastered the art of concealing their feelings, especially when their parents are around. In short, they became good pretenders. They were in a concession, surprising and delighting their parents in the process.
They kept the pretense through their senior high. They had no qualms into duping their parents into thinking they were getting along and dating if it meant getting their parents off their back. In truth, they dated other people behind their parents' backs.
When they graduated from senior high, Leigh thought that she had enough of pretending so she asked her parents to allow her to study in another city. She thought by being away from Rocky and her parents, she would not have to lie anymore.
But she thought wrong.
While she was celebrating her parent’s approval to leave the home and study in Baybridge, she did not realize her parents had their own motive in allowing her independence.
She was astounded to know that Rocky’s coming with her. And what’s worse?
They are going to be living together in a house Rocky’s parents bought for them.
“You will get married eventually, why not live together, then?” Her mom told her at the airport. It was only their location that stopped her from stomping her foot. They omitted that one detail to her!
She had no idea Rocky’s coming with her to Baybridge. They (their parents) even gave their consent for her and Rocky to play house!
Leigh was so riled up, she was speechless.
She thought she had enough of Rocky and their matchmaking parents. She thought she's finally getting her freedom. She did not realize that her parents would pull this trick on her.
Leigh was sulking on the plane on the way to Baybridge while Rocky slept through the flight.
He ignored her tantrums which annoyed her the most.
While seething with his seeming unconcerned attitude, she made up a plan to do the motions while her companion was oblivious in his sleep.
When their plane landed. She took her baggage and left in a huff. She heard Rocky calling her, but she turned a deaf ear, casually walking out of the busy airport and renting a cab to drop her to the nearest hotel.
That night, she stayed in the hotel until she found an amiable living arrangement for herself inside University premises.
She tried to act like any normal college girl and applied for a part time job waitressing in an Italian restaurant not too far from school to avoid any suspicion from anyone.
She kept her identity a secret. No one thought of connecting her surname to one of the richest families in the country - the Michaels - because her parents had always been protective of her and kept her out of the news. Besides, she shies away from crowds.
At the University, she almost kept to herself. Her only companion, her roommate who later became her best friend.
It all worked out just fine.
For months, she hadn’t had any contact with Rocky which is a bliss. Until today.
The silence of the past months were shattered with the bomb he dealt her just now.
Their parents are here for a visit.
****
After packing some of her things and loading them up in Rocky's car, Leigh texted Sam and told the excuse that her mom came to visit and she would be staying with her. She was so careful about her choice of words so it wouldn't let slip that she would be staying in Rocky’s house.
Leigh crossed her fingers at the small omission. And thought that she had to come out clean to Sam soon.
At first, she does not want to talk about her family to protect herself. Though she lives in a castle, it did not escape her notice that while people wanted to be close to her, not all of them liked her for what she is. Sometimes, it was the perks of knowing her that drew them.
It made her wary of people. When she finally realized that Sam can be trusted, it was too late to retract everything without hurting Sam with her implied mistrust.
“All ready?” Rocky asked, breaking into her thoughts. She realized that he had already loaded the last of her things to the trunk.
She nodded before latching her hand on the passenger door handle to pull. Then, without waiting for him, she climbed in and clipped her seatbelt.
Rocky followed suit. He went to the driver’s side and started the car. Since classes are ongoing, the dormitory is deserted and they bumped into no one, making Leigh heave a huge sigh of relief.
They were silent on the road. From the corner of her eyes, Leigh watched Rocky, noting the changes in him.
When Rocky turned his head in her direction, she retracted her gaze and pretended to look on his side of the window.
Rocky chuckled. She knew he caught her watching him and him laughing is a way to call her out, but she ignored him.
She won’t admit to watching him.
Besides, she was curious. She hadn't seen him in almost a year and she wanted to see how college life changed him apart from having a constant bevy of girls on his doorstep, she thought acidly.
Rocky was humming to himself while he maneuvered the steering wheel. His action annoyed her. She wanted to blot out his voice from her head so laid her head on the headrest and pretended to sleep, but from time to time, she would keep an eye out on Rocky.
A good ten minutes and they reached their destination. After Rocky pulled the car into the driveway, Leigh bolted from her seat, took her seatbelt off and got out of the car, leaving Rocky to figure out to himself how to sneak her things inside.
Leigh roamed her eyes around the property. It was large for a big family. She remembered her mom mentioned it has six rooms, a study, a dining room, and a recreation room. Outside, it has a large lawn, perfect for kids to roam around.
Her eyes continued to look around and found the gazebo and a mini-pond not too far from the cobbled pathway. It was like what she wanted for her dream home! She did not know Rocky’s home got them.
Her eyes sparkled. She could not wait to explore! She turned around to get to the cobbled pathway.
Just then, the main door swung open followed by hurried footsteps and squeals. In no time, Leigh found herself squeezed tight in a bear hug.
“Leigh! I miss you!” It was her mom.
Leslie Michaels pulled back to look at her daughter’s face before hugging her once more. She was laughing and crying at the same time.
“My baby is all grown up.” Her mom added, dabbing at her eyes while she studied every feature on her face.
Leigh grumbled when her mom asked her to twirl around so she could check her from head to toe. Despite that, she gamely acceded to the request, rolling her eyes at her mom’s theatrics.
“You look thinner. Aren’t you eating well?” Her mom demanded, looking over her shoulder to meet Rocky’s gaze.
Rocky was saved from responding when Aunt Evelyn, Rocky’s mom, talked.
“Your mom’s been so worried since you wouldn’t pick up her call. It’s been months, Leigh but you only managed to call back home a few times. It worried her a lot so I told Rocky we’re coming over to check on you.” Auntie Evelyn said from behind and in the next instant, she shoved Liegh’s mom to the side so she could have her turn of hugging Leigh.
“I miss you too. How come you’re not always around when I call Rocky? Are you so busy with school? Rocky’s schedule is more flexible.” She told Leigh, causing her to stiffen.
She decided it was now her chance to tell them.
“Mom, Aunt Evelyn, I moved out of this house.” She told them, gripping her hands while she waited for their reaction.
There was stunned silence for a full minute, both moms looked at her in stupefaction.“You did what?’ Aunt Evelyn finally asked. She was the first one to recover. “But why?” Her mom piped in. She looked at Leigh trying to take it all in before her gaze narrowed and zeroed in on Rocky. Leigh knew what’s going through her mother’s head. “I want to live close to school.” She said, exonerating Rocky from her mom’s accusing eyes. She wanted to come clean, but not at the expense of Rocky. “This is more convenient. It is also closer to the University.” Clearly her mom would not understand.“I wanted to live like a normal college girl would.” Leigh finally replied in a meek voice. It was not often she blatantly disobeyed her parents. She knew that like any other parents, hers only wanted the best for her. “Don’t tell me you’re working?” A scandalized look appeared on her mother’s forehead. She looked so horrified that Leigh had to look at the floor before mumbling her reply. “I
“What? No!” Leigh cried in protest. What surprised her was the knowledge that she was not alone. Another voice, a male one cried the same with her, surprising both their mothers. Not used to Rocky’s hard voice when speaking with her, Aunt Evelyn looked affronted. Leigh could feel where this would go, so she decided to retreat to the second floor of the house to rest. But before she leaves, she sees Rocky quietly grab Auntie Evelyn into a hug in silent remorse. Auntie Evelyn, like Leigh and her mom standing at five foot two, only comes up to Rocky’s shoulder when they stand together. They looked cute especially when Auntie Evelyn opened her arms wide to receive Rocky’s embrace. She was on the stairs when she witnessed the sweet moment between mother and son causing Leigh and her mother to exchange a look of happiness and indulgence. Leigh shook her head, sighing to herself. For all his bad-boy image, Rocky is a sweet boy to his mother. “Mom, aunt Leslie, can you let Leig
Leigh's trip down memory lane left her tired. She did not realize that she had gone off to sleep. By the time she came through, it was nighttime. She slowly opened her eyes, feeling a weight on her waist. She was laying on her side, facing the window. She realized it was already nighttime when she saw darkness spread through the skies, mottled with splotches of orange and red. She checked her watch and noted that she had slept for hours!She tried to get up from the bed, but the weight on her waist stopped her. She groped around her waist to check what was keeping her down and almost cried in horror seeing a man’s large hands.Alarmed, she threw the hand that was nestling comfortably on her waist and bolted from the bed. Then she twisted her body around to glare at the man sleeping beside her. “What the h*ll, Rocky!” She lashed out.The noise she created did not bother Rocky, who was still sleeping soundly on his side of the bed. A chagrined look crossed her face when she reme
A moment passed by without anyone moving. It was like being caught in a tableau for a few tense moments. It was Auntie Evelyn who recovered first.“What is happening here? Are you finally making up or making out?" Aunt Evelyn asked in her no-nonsense, straightforward way, breaking the silence around them. Then, before Leigh could deny anything, her mom added, "Are we intruding?" Looking quite horrified in the process. Leigh could feel heat rush up to her cheeks all the way to her hairline at the suggestion. She thought she already made herself clear earlier, but it appears both mothers are not buying her explanation. They still think about what they believe. She opens her mouth to correct the misassumption, but right about the same time, Rocky moves, bolting up from his lying position on the floor like he just got out of a trance. The sudden movement caught Leigh off-guard and caused her to lose her balance. Without anything to hold on to break her fall, she prepared herself
The sound of Rocky’s laugh grated in her ears. Leigh walked faster. She did not want to hear any more sound coming from him. The more she walked away, the better her mood became.Leigh stopped at the first door she passed by and tried on the lock. It was closed. She continued walking and tried opening the next door she saw. It was also locked. She walked further into the hall and found another one which turned out to be locked, too. When she reached the end of the hall, she pulled her suitcase up and let the handle go in resignation. All the rooms on this floor were all locked. It was like the owner did not want her here. No room was prepared for her.She turned her head around to shoot a piercing glare at Rocky’s room before angrily grabbing back the handle of her suitcase. Then, she made a three-hundred-sixty-degree turn and stomped back angrily to where she started - back in Rocky’s room. ‘Rocky planned all of this!’ Her mind seethed. When she reached Rocky’s room, she re
Leigh propped her hands on the bed and leaned back so as not to give too much pressure on her injured foot. Then, she scooted near the headrest. She wanted to lie down for a while. It was this time that the door to Rocky’s room opened, disrupting her from the motion of laying down. She watched Rocky run toward his bathroom. When he emerged he was holding a clear zip-lock pouch full of ice and a towel. He sat on the bed near her feet and very gently raised the injured one, wrapping a towel underneath before putting the ziplock pouch on the reddened sole. “It’s for the swelling.” Leigh nodded and let him apply the iced package to her foot. She felt instant relief and sighed. “You have to put on the ice every two to three hours to alleviate the pain.” He told her when he saw her nodding her head off. She could not help it. His tender ministrations and the silence around them make her sleepy. It was a relief from their usual bickering. After almost fifteen minutes, Rock
“Please stop the car,” Leigh asked Rocky, but to her annoyance, he ignored her and continued driving towards school. “Rocky, please I need to get out of the car.” “Why? The school is still far away.” Rocky turned his head sideways to glance at her briefly before returning his gaze back to the road. Annoyed, Leigh crossed her arms over her chest and mumbled. “I can’t be seen in your car.” She admitted. She did not want to say it, but knowing Rocky, he would ignore her unless he knew the hows and the whys.“Why” Are you afraid to be seen with me?” Rocky looked shocked. Leigh smirked. Of course, everybody wanted to be seen with him. Being with Rocky meant instant celebrity status in school. But she was not just anybody. She was Leigh Michaels who wanted to keep a low profile in school, not like Rocky. Maybe, it is also the attitude. Rocky has a don’t care vibe attached to his face that makes people especially girls do anything for him.Rocky shook his head no. “It’s cold.
The blaring sound of her phone’s alarm woke Leigh up. Groggily, she checked the time before swinging her feet on the side of the bed to the floor where her slippers were waiting. She slipped on the furry house slippers, stood up, and yawned. “Good morning, Leigh!” Sam greeted her. She opened her eyes, sniffing the air around them. It smells like coffee. “Where did you get those?” She asked when Sam handed her a cup of their favorite Arabica blend, not sure when she managed to sneak out first thing to get those. “Oh I didn’t get these. Someone sent it.”Surprised, she took a whiff of her coffee before she turned her head back to Sam to ask, “Who?” Sam shook her head. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s Rocky?” A look of disbelief crossed over Leigh’s face. “Rocky would never know my favorite blend nor would he make an extra effort to sneak in here to give us this.” She was trying to act logical because that is how she knew him. “But what if it does come from him? I think he alr