CHAPTER 3

"Your driver hasn’t arrived yet?" Janice asked. We were in front of the gate and he had just arrived to pick us up. She was looking at me worriedly. I knew he didn’t want her to be the first to leave especially and something happened. She knows me too well I always have a hard time deceiving her. He knew very well what I was doing.

"You go first."

Her eyes narrowed. "Are you sure? I'll just wait for your driver to arrive."

"Edu texted that he’s still fixing the tire. You might get scolded if you take too long, so you should go first.”

"Fine. Just go home, okay?”

I nodded.

Actually, I intentionally texted Edu not to pick me up. I don’t want to go home because I’ll just remember what Mommy was doing. I am out of her filthy doings, but why am I also affected? I was disgusted and wanted to speak ill of him. If only not because of her, I wouldn't have to deal with these shits.

I looked at the hand with the bandage. I got it bad this time, huh?

I took a deep breath and ran my fingers through my shoulder-length hair. It was long a year ago. Many praised it because it is naturally straight and shiny. But it was one of the traits I inherited from my Mom. So instead of letting your long, I cut. I don’t want to be like him in any aspect.

"Audrey!"

I looked at the approaching. It was Byron, the boy Hanna referred to as his boyfriend earlier. I don’t know how I got caught up in their relationship. I don't date. And the more I don’t trip to snatch someone else’s boyfriend. I had no time there.

"I heard what happened. Are you okay?" he asked.

"I think you better ask your ex that. I'm fine. Maybe he doesn't."

"I'm really sorry about her. Uh, let's have coffee before we go home?"

"I don't drink coffee. I'll be the first," I said and turned away.

My idea of ​​romantic love was tainted with different judgments at a young age. So in the multitude of tried to woo, neither one, I did not accommodate. The rumor spread that everyone had basted on me so once in a while someone dared. If anything, I want to make a trophy to brag about.

I want to prove to myself and to everyone that unlike my mother, I can live without a man. They have no place in my life. Never, ever will I imitate Mommy.

I walked along the side of the quiet road. A tricycle driver invited me to ride but I refused. I just walked until I reached Enzo's bistro. It was just close to the school so I just walked.

Ate is Enzo's best friend, and once became a lover. He was often in the mansion then so we talked often. He was then the brother figure to me. He is three years older than Ate, which makes him seven years older than me. Despite the age gap, we are close to each other.

"Audrey!" Enzo smiled.

"Here you are..." He pointed at the table.

"What happened there?" at the same time look down at my hand.

"You fought again, what?"

I blinked. "Will you please just give a drink?"

He came a little closer and patted my forehead. I shook and stared again.

"Didn't I tell you not to fight? I'll report you to your sister. You shouldn't be in trouble. Make sure."

"Oh please, I didn't start the mess. That bitch provoked me. Who's going to just sit down after being sprinkled with juice? You think I'll let that pass?"

He snorted and for a moment looked down at what I was wearing.

"That's why you're in PE now. Why did she pour juice on you?"

"Mommy is having an affair with her dad. And she's accusing me of stealing her boyfriend too. I couldn't help it so that’s what happened.”

"Do you have a sanction?"

"Nothing."

I don't know if I should be happy there even though I know I've done worse now. If Rustov covered me up, I don't think I need to thank him. I don’t want his help. I'm fine with a sanction instead of accepting his help.

"Hey, your life is stressful, Audrey. I'll get you some food. There you go first."

I heard applause. I turned around and realized why those in the bistro were clapping. On his knees, a man just proposed to his girlfriend. The woman was shocked and still in tears. I watched them intently as the man pushed the ring to the girl's finger. Many shouted, while I had a dark look at the two.

They had the nerve to show their love in public when I'm sure it won't last at all.

According to Dad, he and Mommy have a good story. Mom was a model daughter back then. He came from a family of businessmen, while Dad was a politician. Mom was strict and studious, she didn't entertain suitors. Dad was one of her avid lovers and eventually, they became. They were very happy, they said.

But what happened? Eventually, Mommy also looked for others even when Daddy was still there. She cheated on her husband and on her family. Romantic love isn't real. It’s only pure sentiment, which eventually also disappears with time. So what's the use of exerting time on something that will eventually fade? You will just waste time.

"Congrats to you!"

Congrats, my ass. I doubt if they would even make it to ten years.

I ran my finger across the table while waiting. The noise of the couple left subsided. I just looked up when I saw Enzo approaching with a tray. He stopped midway, though. She looked back. I also looked over there and saw the familiar group.

"Rustov!”

Now he is not with those rich boys I know. Maybe he was just with that whenever there was a practice game or what. But his buddies are really these people... poor guys like him. I recognize the faces. The smart ones in their batch. They were also part of the student government back in their senior high days.

We only go to one school. At Vida Riqueza College, the only school for high school and college in the center. So even if they don’t batch, I can still see them because the senior high building is just near the college. Ate Diana was on his batch years ago.

"It's good you got to visit!" and Enzo.

Rustov and I looked at each other for a moment. The intensity of his eyes made me look away. I looked back at Enzo. He was then putting the food and drinks on my table.

“Negroni is mine, not pineapple juice,” I told Enzo.

"That's too strong for you, Drey."

"What? It's just a cocktail!"

"Did you know you're not allowed to order liquors here? You're still a minor."

"Oh, cut the crap. I'll be eighteen by the end of the year. I'm only sixteen, I've been drinking worse than that. Don't baby me, Enzo. I'm not a child anymore."

She sighed. He glanced at the back and pointed the table next to mine. Later, Rustov's group approached. I face those with him, but I don't really know about their names. A man almost dropped his glasses when I looked. I craned my neck a bit and looked at Enzo lazily.

"What now, Enzo? Bring me my Negroni. Or what about I try another one? Do you have Death in the Afternoon here? Aunt Roberta?"

Enzo rubbed his forehead.

"Didn't you think you weren't too brave, Audrey? You just drank that pineapple juice!"

"Okay," I said and stood up. "I'll just go to somewhere else, after all you can't give me what I want."

"Audrey!"

I turned. "What?"

I don't care if I'm being looked at here. Everyone here knows who I am, anyway. I don't adjust for other people's sake. If anyone has to adjust it is them.

Enzo's nose was almost smoky.

"Fine, sit down! I will get you Negroni.”

What’s the fuss when he’d just give in at the end? I smirked and sat back. I waved at a waiter and got the pineapple juice that was on the table. I hate pineapple drinks. Other than that Mommy’s favorite flavor I just really don’t like to taste.

I was sixteen when I started drinking. I really chose that strong drink because I want to forget whenever Mommy brings a man to the mansion or when the son of the one she is hanging out with fights me. I was furious and at the same time, pitied myself. If then, Diana was still there to comfort me, now she is gone. I'm all alone at that big house.

"Here," Enzo once landed on the cocktail.

"After that, you go home."

I caught Rustov's dark gaze on the cocktail. They were just at the other table and we were sitting opposite each other so I could see him. His friends were talking about something, but his attention was on me, on my drink particularly. My stomach grew cold in the darkness as he looked there. It seems to be shrinking.

My eyes went down on his left hand. It has a bandage on it as well. When did he go to the clinic? I stayed there for about thirty minutes, but I never saw him return. Or maybe he treated it himself? Or maybe someone else did it for him?

I washed my thoughts away through sipping on my Negroni. I close my eyes as the chisel goes down my throat.

When I opened my eyes, Rustov's dark eyes met mine. He was no longer looking at the drink, but at me personally.

I swallowed hard and was about to look away when I noticed something. I looked past Rustov, I could see him outside. The wall was made of transparent glass, I clearly saw the man beside a black car who just kissed the girl with him!

My hand trembled in anger as the cocktail was thrown away. The breaking of glass echoed throughout the bistro. But I ignored that and immediately stood up. I made my way out and ran towards my sister's husband.

Klyde was surprised when I stopped in front of him. Driven by anger, I punched his face so hard his nose bled after. His woman screamed at what I did.

"What the fuck?!"

"The fuck, huh? It's also your courage to cheat on my sister! What? Your libido can't be sated by one woman? There must really be many others? And you! Don't you know that this man is married? You are his mistress!”

"Stop it, Audrey!" Klyde shouted, his nose bleeding.

"Don't you dare tell me to stop! You have no right! My sister gave up her dreams just to be with you! And yet you're here, kissing a woman with rainbow colored face!"

I swallowed the flaming bile in my throat. With trembling hand I angrily slapped the woman.

"That's what you get, you crude woman! The thing is even worse with you! Are you that thirsty you settled for a married man?"

"Stop it, Audrey!" Klyde shouted loudly and violently grabbed my arm.

"You don't know what's going on with us your brother so don't interfere!"

"Let go of me!" I spat angrily.

"You’re throwing a fit when you don’t even know what’s happening between us!”

"I have the rights! You're fooling my brother!"

He tightened his grip on my arm so I struggled. His bloodshot eyes told me he's not taking this lightly.

“Let me go, you jerk!

Though before he could let me go, a sudden force pushed him away. Another hand took hold of my arm. The hand went down to my wrist like a warm steel. He pulled me back on his back, maybe to protect me in case Klyde became violent.

"It's your courage, Klyde," Enzo said angrily who was already outside.

"You hid Diana and then you showed up here?" He threatened Klyde.

Your woman cried out. I was about to approach him to drag him but Rustov stopped me. His hand on my wrist tightened like he knew what I was thinking.