Chapter 4

Rey Jhon slammed the bathroom door shut. He was trying his best not to breathe in the awful smell that seemed to crawl deep into his system. The stink was so strong and it was getting into his nerves, it felt like it was punching his nose again and again. He pinched his nose while grabbing the most expensive alcohol from his bag and he sprayed it all over the bathroom. He would rather waste his alcohol than to smell that disgusting odor.

Good thing he wasn’t late for class today. While riding the tricycle earlier, he really thought he wouldn’t make it to his first class. If that happened, he was ready to buy a Barbie doll and put a curse on that rich brat. Even a stray dog wouldn’t be able to stand her attitude, he’s worse than the devil’s first lady.

After his class, he went straight to the bathroom. His head still boiled whenever he remembered the money Gabriella threw away like he was some beggar. That image wouldn’t leave his mind. That’s how the rich where they treated people like trash.

“Ugh, annoying!” he muttered as he angrily turned on the faucet. “I’ll curse you, you demon girl! I’ll buy a Barbie later and stab its face until you get pimples all over! Annoying!”

Water poured over his hands as he faced the mirror, trying to calm himself. Maybe that’s just how rich people were. After all, she was the daughter of a Don. What chance did he have? He was just an ordinary guy, reaching for things he could never afford.

But if it was only about brains, he could beat her anytime, he’s very sure about that. That was the only thing he could contribute to this world, his intelligence, nothing more and nothing less. He’d gladly shove it in Gabriella’s face that even if he was poor, he was smarter than her.

And prettier.

Yes. Gabriella was only fair-skinned and rich. If she didn’t have looks or money, she’d be nothing. She had nothing on him.

Just then, the bathroom door opened and a girl in a skirt walked in. His jaw dropped when he saw her staring back in shock. She stepped back awkwardly, glanced up at the sign, then looked back at him.

He swallowed hard. Was he in the wrong bathroom?

Another door opened behind him, and his sister came out. Her eyes widened even more than the other girls, but she quickly hid it and walked up to him.

“Kuya,” his sister said, holding his arm. “Didn’t I tell you to wait outside? Where’s the napkin I asked you to buy?”

Oh no. He really was in the girls’ bathroom. All thanks to Gabriella! Just another streak of bad luck brought by that girl.

The rest happened so fast. All he remembered was his sister, Y’da Mae, pulling him out of the girls’ bathroom, dragging him outside the building, and pinching his side.

Hands on her hips, she gave him a look. No one would believe he entered the wrong bathroom by mistake, but in his mind, it was all Gabriella’s fault. She was the reason for all the bad things happening to him.

“What kind of drama are you living?” Y’da Mae asked, raising one eyebrow. “Be thankful I was there. If not, people would’ve thought you were a pervert.”

He didn’t bother answering. He really had no intention of going in there—it just happened because his mind was too distracted.

“How much are you going to pay me?”

He blinked, meeting his sister’s eyes.

“Pay you?”

“I saved you from embarrassment earlier. Pay up! Nothing’s free now, kuya.”

He just scoffed and left her there, money-hungry as always.

REY Jhon went back to his classroom after escaping the shame he thought he couldn’t avoid. Sometimes, his sister was useful after all, though most of the time, her only talent was scamming money out of him. He often found his wallet empty without even knowing how.

Y’da Mae was only two years younger than him. The moment she was born, his days as the baby of the family ended, just like that old commercial jingle:

“I was only two, then my sibling came.”

He really related to that song. But at least he was thankful their parents didn’t add any more kids after her.

Without thinking, he pulled out a chair to sit, but someone grabbed his arm.

“Do you wanna join us?” a girl classmate asked.

That’s when he remembered, it was Wednesday. She was wearing a short skirt that barely had enough cloth. He sometimes wondered why the school guard even allowed students like her inside when they couldn’t even respect themselves.

He sighed and looked away, holding back from raising an eyebrow. His classmates didn’t know he had “mermaid blood,” as he jokingly called it.

“Why? Where are you guys going?”

Before she could answer, Carlo slung an arm over his shoulder. Rey Jhon knew it was him because of the perfume he himself had given Carlo on his birthday.

“It’s my birthday today. Did you forget?” girl said.

He couldn’t even remember the girl’s name, how much more her birthday?

He scratched his head, searching for an excuse. The girl had been courting him for almost three months now. Carlo would even tease him, saying he was lucky to have a girl chasing him. But honestly? He didn’t care. He was a girl at heart, and he wanted a guy.

“Janine, He almost forgot my birthday too, and now you expect him to remember yours?” Carlo teased.

Ah Janine. That was her name.

He hadn’t forgotten Carlo’s birthday, of course. It wasn’t until later, but he already had a gift ready. He could forget his own sister’s birthday but never Carlo’s.

“So, it’s your birthday today, Jan?” he said, still scratching his head, his hand sliding down to his neck. “Happy birthday.”

“I don’t need your greetings, Jhon,” Janine snapped, brushing Carlo’s arm off her shoulder.

What? She was making drama now? Carlo hardly came close to him, and when he did, she had to butt in?

“I just need your love. Is it really that hard for you to love me?” she continued.

The whole class started teasing loudly. Only then did he notice how many classmates were already inside, along with their instructor, who also happened to be Janine’s sister. Now he didn’t even know how to escape this conversation.

It’s not hard to love you, Janine. It’s just that I’m looking for hotdogs, not buns, he thought.

“You’re not gay, right? I’m not wasting my time on a gay guy, am I?”

He swallowed hard, again and again. He just wanted to shut his eyes and wish everyone would disappear when he opened them. Did she already notice he was gay?

Suddenly, his phone rang. It felt like cold water was poured on him. The sound echoed even louder in the silence of the classroom. Everyone turned to look at him.

He quickly grabbed it from his pocket, desperate to thank whoever was calling. But it was just a number, no name saved.

Still, it saved him from the hot seat. Good God!

“Good morning, Rey Jhon.”

He didn’t need to guess. The voice belonged to Don Franco. His nervousness doubled.

What does this Don want now? he thought.

Without a word, he left the classroom. Finally, a way to escape Janine’s drama. The very thought of her being his girlfriend gave him goosebumps. He still wasn’t into “buns.”

“Did you get my text?” Don Franco asked.

“Text, sir?” He pulled the phone away from his ear to check, but no message was there.

“Maybe you didn’t receive it. I’ll resend it. It’s Gabriella’s phone number and her schedule. I’ll also send you her adviser’s name.”

A slow smile spread across Rey Jhon’s face. Luck was finally on his side.

This was his chance!