Turned Off

My eyes remained closed even though I heard Morris asking me where I was from.

"She threw up in the gutter. She said she didn't like it in the bathroom," Tasha answered for me.

I think my lips were swollen, and they stung so badly that I held them firmly.

I groggily opened my eyes and searched for my phone, I opened the camera and looked at my lips.

Shit?! He bit my lips! There's a cut!

I took a deep breath. I saw Tasha turn her head a little towards me in the backseat.

I opened my eyes again when I saw my phone lit up. My brows furrowed when I saw Tasha's name in my notifications.

From: Tasha Veda

girl, are you okay back there?

I quickly typed an answer.

To: Tasha Veda

yes of course

stupid why are you still texting we are in the same car

She glanced at me before she typed something on her phone.

From: Tasha Veda

stupid do you really want morris to know that you nearly went home to a different house and not to your condo???

My face wrinkled. She's overreacting

To: Tasha Veda

he doesn't care, wdym? he won't tell that

and so what if they find out?

I heard Tasha gasping from her seat. I also heard Morris asking her if she was okay.

From: Tasha Veda

you idiot, do you really have a plan to go home with him????

To: Tasha Veda

why not??

I saw Tasha sitting up straight in the front seat.

From: Tasha Veda

stupid, what do you mean why not

you said you won't be a slave for a man???

To: Tasha Veda

does having sex make me a slave to men?

Another gasp was heard from Tasha. She almost pulled her own hair because of the shock of just what she had read.

"You alright?" Morris asked again and simply glanced at Tasha.

"Maybe we need to go to church?" I heard her answer.

To: Tasha Veda

you’re overreacting, stupid

From: Tasha Veda

the hell girl, does he really makes you weak huh?

and you really considered doing something nasty, huh??

To: Tasha Veda

hwjdjwha shit

just kidding, i'm still sober

From: Tasha Veda

do you know that guy?

To: Tasha Veda

no

From: Tasha Veda

after all, he's probably your ex if you know him.

I raised an eyebrow and briefly turned to look at Tasha, who was sitting in the front seat. I saw that she was still typing, but I had already hit send for my reply.

To: Tasha Veda

or your ex

From: Tasha Veda

that's why you won't pursue him again

oh bitch

well, you won't pursue my exes either

stupid, but we are strong women here we don't need a man for pleasure ಠ_ಠ

I chuckled.

To: Tasha Veda

my head's throbbing from this conversation, pls let's stop talking about it

what matters is that I chose not to go home with him today

When Tasha finished reading what I had sent, she immediately turned to me with an unpainted face. He seemed surprised, confused, and disapproving. In fact, she is grimacing.

I just gave her a roll of the eyes and leaned my head on the headrest of the seat. I also closed my eyes.

I don't even know why I would go home with him just in case. I never once went out of the club with a guy, this is the first time.

What does he have? He wasn't the first one I danced with. He's not the first handsome guy to ask me out. The first guy who smelled good or the first tall guy I met. So what could be the reason?

He was ordinary and nothing exceptional; in fact, there is someone who is "greater" than him in every way. So why would I go with him? Why did I let myself ride in his car? Why would I break my own rule for him?

Maybe because of the alcohol. Maybe I really wanted to go home, and didn't notice it immediately, I just only realized when we had already left the bar.

I am Kimora Beatrix Lucien Gomez, daughter of the fucking Alessandro Gomez. I can't just agree with what men want. That will never occur. The moment won’t come. Never in my current lifetime and never in the one after that. I have already sworn that for a long time.

On Monday, I got out of bed early. I have to commute since I don't have a car.

I decided to have breakfast at Starbucks first. I was quietly eating my ensaymada when some guy approached me.

"Hi, I'm Aaron!" He introduced himself and held out his hand.

He's innocent looking, especially given the smile he gave me. He's like a ray of sunshine.

I also smiled at him and held out his hand, "Kimo," I introduced myself.

"Wow, what a nice name," he said, amazed.

I just smiled and asked what he needed.

"Uh, sorry for taking your time but I just want to ask if you're available?" He asked and scratched the back of his head.

My brow arched. Available? Is he hitting on me?

"Available for? Are you asking for a date?" I laughed.

He also laughed as his cheeks reddened, "If it's okay with you."

"Sure."

He smiled at me and asked for my I*******m account, saying he was just going to message me since he was late for his class. He said that the only reason he was brave enough to approach me was that he didn't want to miss the chance to get to know me.

I just shrugged it off and started to walk to attend my own classes.

Tasha and I were eating when I got a message from Aaron. I grinned when I saw that. He stated he was already outside of my university.

Tasha looked up at me as I quickly finished eating and fixed myself.

"Where are you going? Are you going to cut classes again?" she said with raised eyebrows.

"My last class is just a minor course. That doesn't require attendance," I answered with a shrug.

Her eyes narrowed, "Where are you going?"

"Aaron is already at the gate. We have a date today."

She scoffed and continued eating. I bid my goodbye before getting up from my seat. Tasha just nodded.

I immediately closed the distance between Aaron and me by running to him when I saw him. He hugged me right away.

"Hey, don't you have class?" I asked, smiling.

The smile he gave me was also sweet, "I want to take you on a date today," he said.

I laughed before declining his offer to carry my bag. I can do it alone.

"We just went on a date yesterday. Maybe you've forgotten?" I asked while laughing.

I didn't want to take him too far because I might decide to go to my class even if I'm running late, so I just took him to the nearby fast food place.

A table separated us from each other as we sat facing one another. Aaron reached out and took my hand that was resting on the table.

"How's your day?" he asked while playing with my fingers.

“I'm kind of busy with acads, need to catch up. One of my profs in one of the majors is a bit strict, but it's all good. You? How's yours?" I asked him too.

He pouted, "It's okay. I just spent the day at the condo. I noticed you're very busy. You almost don't want to send me here now, huh," he complained.

"Because I'm already eating with my friend earlier! You texted late! But it's okay, I'll just eat again," I laughed.

He just smiled at me before standing up because our number was being called.

While eating, I received a text message from my classmate.

From: Lisa

Hi Kimo! After class, we have a meeting for our report in Rizal. Are you free? You didn't come to classes today.

I instantly stopped eating and picked up the phone from my side.

To: Lisa

hey hi! yes, i'll go later. is it on lib? do you need to buy something in case? for starters? i'm going to a bookstore later

From: Lisa

Hi, yes at the lib later at 4pm. If I need something that you can buy, I'll just send it to you, I'll fix everything first.

"Who's that?" Aaron asked while peeking at my phone.

"Oh, my classmate. We have a meeting later for a report, then I'll go to the bookstore later. You know, stuff," I answered with a shrug.

"I'll accompany you!"

"Sure!"

While we were eating, Aaron and I engaged in the most random conversation. As of right now, he is fine. He's not possessive, he doesn't force the things he wants, and above all, he doesn't suffocate me since he respects my need for alone time.

We were already at the mall to buy the materials that Lisa told me to buy. I also bought a reference book.

I left Aaron for the meantime on the part where the fountain pens are to go to the novel section.

Since I saw Sophie Lark's Brutal Prince on TikTok's recommendation, people who have read this say that it has a strong female lead. I enjoy books of that genre, therefore I may be interested in reading it.

I looked at the shelves. I also picked up a book and read the synopsis on the back when Aaron came to me here.

"You like reading books?" he asked.

I turned my eyes on him, "Uh, sometimes. If I'm interested in the plot," I answered.

He leaned against the shelves and faced me.

"You know, I never read anything, whether it's fiction or not," he said.

I arched my brow, "Why?" I asked.

"I was too lazy."

"How do you review your lessons if you don't read?" I asked him again.

He laughed, "I don't do reviews."

My eyebrow rose even more, "What? Stock knowledge shits?" I laughed, "That's not effective in college."

He also laughed, "I don't take my program seriously," he said. "This may sound awful but, I don't really need to focus on my studies. My parents said they will raise me even if I am fifty years old," he added.

I put the book I was holding back on the shelf and faced him.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I'm just chill with my life," he answered with a shrug, "Which is, my parents should really support me because they are responsible for me. I didn't want to be born, I don't want to have responsibilities, so if I don't want to work, they should just support me financially even if I'm already a hundred years old."

My stomach felt sick because of what I heard. I couldn't stop myself from making a face at what he was saying.

"This is all. Let's go to the counter."

After we bought things, I pushed Aaron to go home and told him not to take me to the university any longer. I have done so much restraint.

My minor class still has an hour remaining, so I peeked into our classroom to see whether the professor was there. He wasn't, but my classmates were. They seem to be answering something.

I sat on the side and asked the person next to me.

"Klare, what to do?"

"The questionnaires are on the table, get some there. Why did you arrive just now?" she curiously asked me.

I just grinned and stood up to get some questionnaire in front. When I came back, I started to answer. Good thing I studied this last night.

I'm already done with the seatwork, but our prof still hasn't come back. I was about to take a nap when my phone vibrated.

From: Aaron

thanks for today, kimo! I wish we could hangout tomorrow although I'd prefer to be out of town. are you g?

hey, why didn't you reply? are you in class? you should not come in hahaha jk

My face crumpled because of annoyance. Fuck! I was so turned off.

His texts and phone number were instantly deleted. He's already fine! But he doesn't care about his future.

How dare he depends on his parents until he turns fifty and then ask me for a date? What? What does he intend to do with his future wife and child? Is that also the responsibility of his parents? Well, probably not! His mentality sucks!

Very irritated, I texted Tasha.

To: Tasha Veda

let's go to the club later, after my meeting I'll drop off at your condo

From: Tasha Veda

that’s call