chapter 4

ELAINE POV

I couldn’t move. My body felt frozen, and I could smell his cologne that made my chest tighten. I stared straight into his eyes, and he stared right back at me. Every instinct screamed to lean closer, to feel him closer but my mind was spinning.

I felt his lips shift slightly against mine, and I was about to respond when my eyes widened in shock.

“Ryke, here’s the blanket.”

I jolted. In a panic, I shoved Ninong back. He stumbled and ended up sitting on the floor with a muffled grunt. My heart pounded, my chest full of adrenaline and embarrassment, but I stepped forward, worried about what I’d done.

“What are you doing, Ninong? Are you drunk?” 

Mom’s voice rang out, calm but sharp, as the door swung open. His head turned toward her, confusion flickering across his face. My stomach twisted. I could feel my cheeks heating as my mind scrambled for an explanation.

“Elaine, why are you here?” Mom asked, eyebrows raised, a hint of worry in her eyes.

“Uh, um, Ninong left his phone upstairs, so I brought it down. I… I came in because no one answered, and then I saw him on the floor,” I stammered, my voice higher than normal. 

My heart thumped painfully as I realized how ridiculous my excuse sounded. I had lied, and I felt a pang of guilt, especially knowing Ninong was right there.

Mom’s expression softened, and she smiled knowingly. 

“I see, your Ninong must be tired and a little drunk, that’s why he didn’t go to bed.” She carefully laid the blanket across the bed. I faced Ninong, who was now standing, his usual composed behavior returned, but I couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes. My chest was tight, my pulse racing.

Wahh! What is this feeling?

“Go to sleep now, Elaine. You too, Ryke,” Mom said gently. 

I nodded quickly, stepping toward the door, desperate to escape my embarrassment.

“Hey.”

The sound of his voice froze me mid-step. I closed my eyes for a moment, taking a shaky breath, then summoned the courage to look at him.

“Yes?” I asked, forcing a smile, though my stomach was twisting. He didn’t move from the foot of the bed, just stared at me for a heartbeat too long.

“Go to sleep,” he said softly, his tone calm but laced with something I couldn’t name. Then he turned and lay down, the blanket tucked neatly around him.

I hesitated, heart still hammering, before finally hurrying out of the room. 

Once inside my own room, I collapsed onto my bed, the sheets cool against my skin. My mind replayed the memory of our lips touching, over and over, each flash sending a shiver through me.

Shit!

I muttered under my breath, instinctively touching my lips. I closed my eyes, trying to push the memory away, but it clung to me as if I could still feel him there.

Fuck, I’m crazy. He’s my Ninong.

I squeezed my eyes shut, twisting and turning in bed, trying to calm my racing thoughts. My pulse slowed little by little, the adrenaline fading. Eventually, I sank into sleep, my body heavy with exhaustion, but my mind couldn’t help but linger on the warmth of that moment, and the way his presence made everything else fade.

***

I suddenly sat up and looked around. The room was bright from the sunlight coming through the window. I quickly stood up just as someone knocked on the door. I rushed to open it.

“Your mom said they won’t be home today. They’ll come back tomorrow,” Yaya Esme said.

“Okay,” I answered, then turned around, but I suddenly remembered something.

“Yaya Esme, um… Ninong… did he already leave?” I asked shyly.

She suddenly smiled.

“Why?” I asked, confused because of her teasing smile.

“Nothing. But he left early. He smells so good, and he’s really handsome. What a waste, he’s still not married, or maybe—”

I quickly shut the door and locked it. I could still hear her calling and knocking, but I ignored her.

Hays! Why did I wake up so late?

I got annoyed at myself. Yaya was even lucky; she got to see Ninong earlier. I looked at the mirror, then my eyes widened when I saw blood on the bedsheet, so I quickly turned away.

Shit! Too much blood.

I ran to the shower to clean myself and change.

After taking a bath, I sat in front of my vanity where all my makeup was, and my “magic mirror,” the one that always tells me I’m beautiful.

That’s right, I’m beautiful.

I smiled while brushing my hair, then remembered again what happened last night, when my lips touched Ninong Ryke’s.

What did he think after that?

Oh my gosh! That’s so embarrassing. What if he thinks something bad? But, why don’t I regret it?

I just smiled and glanced at my phone. I read my messages. Mom sent one, and I was about to ignore it but then I remembered something and replied.

“Mom, can you give me Ninong’s F* or number?”

I waited for a few minutes, biting my lip. I was excited. Then I smiled widely when Mom sent it without even asking why.

“Thanks, Mom! I love you!”

I quickly searched for his F******k and found it right away but I noticed that only Mom and Dad were his friends. Does he really have no other friends?

I ignored it and sent a friend request. I also sent a message so he would know it was me. I saved his number too.

“Hi, Ninong Ryke, it’s me, Elaine.”

I smiled while waiting but then I suddenly jumped in excitement. He accepted my friend request! My heart! I whispered, smiling so wide when I saw him typing.

“Hi, good morning :)”

I couldn’t help but squeal.

“Good morning too ❤️”

I replied and waited but my smile slowly faded. He didn’t reply. He didn’t even see my message. He went offline.

Ugh! Where are you?

I stood up, holding my phone, and went out of my room. I decided to eat breakfast because I felt irritated that he didn’t reply.

“You’re going to eat?” Yaya asked.

I didn’t answer. I went straight to the kitchen. Manong Tony and Manang Selya were there cooking. One of the guards was also eating.

“I want coffee,” I said softly and sat at the long table.

“Go to the dining area, hija. You’ll smell like the kitchen here,” Manang Selya said.

I shook my head. I wanted to stay.

“Yaya Esme, just black coffee,” I said.

“Wait, did you drink a lot last night?” she asked while looking at me closely.

“You drank last night?” Manong Tony asked.

“Yes,” I answered shortly, still checking my phone. No reply.

“Oh no, don’t drink too much. You’re still too young,” he said.

But I barely heard him.

“Kids these days are different. They can drink a lot already,” Kuya Arnel, the guard, said jokingly.

“Here’s your coffee.”

“WHY ISN’T HE REPLYING?!”

“JESUS! Oh my! Elaine! You almost made me spill the coffee!”

I looked at Yaya and the others. They were all staring at me.

“Sorry,” I said quietly.

Hays… I’m crazy right now.

I grabbed the cup and took a sip but I cursed loudly because it was too hot. It burned my lips.

“Oh no! Why did you drink it right away? It’s very hot!” Manang Selya said.

I almost cried as I checked my lips using my phone camera. The small wound from yesterday got worse, and it’s because of Ninong Ryke again.

I stood up and lost my appetite.

“Elaine, come here. Let me check your lips,” Yaya said.

But I kept walking. I went to the living room, then outside to the pool area, and sat under the mango tree. That tree had been there for a long time, since Mom and Dad bought the land.

I checked my phone again.

He was online. I decided to video call him but even after several tries, he didn’t answer.

What the!

Then I saw him typing.

“I have a meeting. I’ll call you later.”

That’s all he said. I leaned back, feeling weak. I decided to call Cheska instead. She answered right away.

“Hey! We were just talking about you with Hannah!”

“What about me?” I asked.

“Yes, about the guy you were with last night.”

I raised my eyebrow, remembering Ninong.

“The guy? Why?”

“Who is he?” she asked.

“He’s my Ninong,” I answered simply.

“Ninong?! OMG! He’s so handsome! I thought he was your suitor. Seriously, he’s your Ninong?”

“Yes,” I said, laughing.

“Geez! He’s so handsome. Introduce me to him!”

“No!”

“Huh?”

“I mean, he’s busy. I don’t know when we’ll see him again.”

She sounded a bit sad.

“Okay, I hope I see him again. He’s really handsome.”

“Hey, I’ll call you later,” I said and ended the call.

Then suddenly, my phone rang. It was him. I almost dropped my phone while answering. When I picked up, I saw him wearing a black suit, with coffee on the table. I stared at him. He looked even more handsome.

“Hi,” he said while sipping his coffee.

I couldn’t speak right away.

“H-hello.”

“What happened to your lips again?” he asked.

“Huh? Nothing, I just burned it,” I said, feeling shy.

“Did you forget what I told you last night?”

“Forget?” I asked, confused.

“Okay, did you already eat breakfast?”

“Yeah,” I lied.

“You’re lying.”

“Huh? No, I’m not,” I said, while he fixed his tie.

“What are you doing now?” he asked.

“I’m bored, can I come with you?” I asked.

He didn’t answer right away. He checked his phone.

“I have a meeting before 10 a.m. You’ll just get bored.”

“It’s okay. But if you don’t want, I’ll just go—”

“Wait for me. Ten minutes.”

“Huh?”

Then the call ended.

My heart started racing. I quickly got ready, wearing fitted pants and a brown crop top. I tied my hair up and put on light lipstick. I grabbed my sling bag and wore my sandals.

I smiled at myself in the mirror. I went out quickly and waited near the gate.

“Elaine, where are you going?” Yaya asked.

“You know already! Bye!” I said and rushed out.

It was hot outside, so I stood in the shade. After a while, I saw his car arriving. My heart was beating so fast. He stepped out and walked toward me.

“Why didn’t you wait inside? It’s hot out here,” he said seriously.

I didn’t answer and just walked. He quickly opened the door for me. When I got inside, his scent filled the car.

“Do you always do this?” he asked.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Going out anywhere when your parents aren’t home,” he said seriously.

“Huh? Yes, why?”

“From now on, don’t go anywhere.”

“Okay, I’ll only go to you,” I said with a smile.

He suddenly paused because of what I said.