–
"Althea, can you do this part?"
Althea read it and agreed. "Sure."
"Great," Sheryl smiled at her before turning to one of their classmates. "You do this one."
Althea silently typed on her laptop after determining what to do. She muted out the whispers of her group mates at the table and buried herself in her little world.
Five days ago, Tyler brought her to a botanical garden at the back of the school building. In exchange, Tyler wanted to take part in Althea's group project.
Instead of relaxing and having a peaceful time studying, she was pestered by him instead. Nevertheless, Althea still didn't tell him the place.
She never had a peaceful four days after that.
She sighed and leaned on her chair. The day had just begun, but Althea was already tired. School works after school works, everything seems so unending.
She glanced at Sheryl, one of the beauties in their room. She's also smart and soft-spoken. Althea can't help but heave a sigh in her mind.
'Such delicate beauty. I will never wish to be as beautiful as you.' She sympathized with Sheryl. 'I am pretty sure you are also pestered by a man. No, unlike my case, she might be pestered by countless of them.'
Althea felt sorry for the beauty of the rich families. She heard that they were only merchandise to be sold to another rich family.
It seemed old-fashioned, but still, many successful and big companies and businesses survived and are still striving strongly because of this method. Forced marriage is cruel to the children involved, but a rather effective method.
She doesn't want to get involved in any matters regarding rich people. It's troublesome and dangerous.
Ha, the irony when she agreed to that one particular rich man.
Althea was still floating in her ocean of thoughts when somebody suddenly sat next to her. That person’s smell immediately registered in her nostrils, and she almost groaned in frustration. When she thinks that her Saturday will be peaceful, he will never fail to show up.
"Good morning. Mind if I join you?" Tyler asked the group. There were five of them, three girls, and the rest were boys. The girls, except of course the one on his side, giggled and agreed. The boys are cool about it.
Tyler received their approval and said his thanks with all smiles. He looked down at the frowning girl. He chuckled. Her composure is crumbling.
"How did you even find out about this place?" She finally voiced out in a whisper, hoping that they wouldn't catch any of her words.
Tyler shifted his sitting position and answered, "That’s a secret."
"Fine!"
"Kidding!" He laughed again. "I have sources."
"..." Forget that she asked. "Whatever," she whispered in defeat.
Althea stayed silent, but her thoughts were running wild. Since she can’t escape from his grasp no matter what—and he knows about it well—can he, at least, give her her time? A time for peace and serenity?
‘He must have thought that just because I said I like him, he can already act like we are dating!’
Althea wanted to smack herself. How can she think of something so above the moon? Is she even worthy enough for this guy?
—The thought irritates her.
She stood up. Tyler looked at her, questioning.
"Gotta order, do you want something?' I'll get it for you."
Tyler nodded his head, "Sure, anything as long as it's-"
"Chocolate." She finished it, also nodding her head. "Okay, I'll be back."
Tyler watched her walk away. A small smile was dancing on his lips. The four that we're just observing can't help but be shocked. There are rumors about these two, but they didn't think it was true!
Now they saw it personally, they can't help but ask; is the era of Tyler being a womanizer and a party man coming to its end?
Althea went back after minutes carrying the tray of desserts she bought and sat down. She didn't have to buy for her group mates since they already had theirs. She was the only one who didn't buy earlier since she was full. But Tyler being there is draining her energy.
She gave Tyler his share and then forked a small portion of hers and got back to work. She ignored his stares and presence altogether. This lasted for nearly half an hour before she stopped and frowned.
It seems like she met a deadlock. She looked at her classmates and as expected, they too reached it. This was the part that no one in the five understands.
"Why did you stop?" He asked in a low whisper as if trying so hard to make their conversation private.
"I reached a deadlock." She just casually replied.
"Hm," he said and read the texts. He furrowed his eyebrows. "This is easy."
Althea glared at him. He grinned proudly.
Sheryl heard it and she beamed, "Really? Can you explain it to us?" She asked enthusiastically. Her voice was like it was soaked in honey. No one can easily resist.
"Sure!" He said. Althea thought that everything was normal until he spoke the next sentence that almost made her step on his foot—hard. "But I have one condition. After I thoroughly explain it to you, I will borrow Thea for the day."
Althea gasped internally. How shameless!!! Althea was fuming in anger and she looked at Sheryl with pleading eyes.
'Please! Anything but that!'
There was a slight pause before Sheryl only looked at her and smiled in apology.
"Sure—"
"Wait!" she interjected. She saluted their guts for having a deal about her without even asking about her opinion. "That's if you can thoroughly explain it so that even monkeys can understand!"
Tyler grinned, "Sure!"
--
It's over.
How? How can this be?!
Althea almost threw the cup she was holding towards Tyler after explaining everything. She knew that he was smart, but not this smart!
He explained it in a matter of half-hour that would usually take at least two hours and so if a professor explained it! What's more, he explained that even the stupidest creature can understand!!!
How?!
She glared at him, and he replied with a look of; 'I can't help it. I'm too smart for you to handle.'
And so, as per the deal, Tyler stood up and took Althea’s things for her. Althea, who was left with no choice, also stood up. She walked away and ignored Tyler, who was following behind, annoying her.
It was a spectacle that even the other people who were sitting at the other tables were looking over. Naturally, they didn't notice the look of hatred and envy that someone was directing at Althea.
—
"You bring me nothing but trouble," Althea grumbled after she sat down on a bench in a random park where Tyler stopped his car.
It's been nearly 5 hours since they left the cafe. Tyler led her here and there. They did too much walking and her feet and legs were already dead tired. She stretched it out and sat languidly. She looked at the horizon.
The sun was already setting, and the sky was tainted with pink, orange, and yellow. It was a sight to behold. The colors were just like paints painted with the sky as its canvas.
"Here." Suddenly, a plastic bottle appeared in front of her eyes, completely blocking the view.
She snatched and opened it in mere seconds. She was hungry and thirsty. Tyler just saved her in time with a bottle of juice and a burger.
Tyler sat next to her and bit his food, also gazing at the dimming horizon.
The light slowly weakens, and they remained silent as they watch it dim.
"Say, Tyler." Althea's voice suddenly sounded next to him. He glanced at her sideways, curious.
"What?" He asked.
"Why did you approach me?"
"..." Tyler was quiet for a while before laughing and facing back at the sky. The wind blew and his hair was caught with the current. "It was a bet. A game."
He waited for her reply, but she was quiet. He could not resist, so he looked at her again. To his surprise, she was eating the food he bought for her in a relaxed manner. She was more relaxed than she was every time they were together.
He can't help but wonder. "You're not mad?"
"Hm?" she asked, furrowing her eyebrows and shooting him a sideways glance. "Oh, no I am not. I am relieved."
His left eyebrow was picked up. He asked in curiosity. "Oh? Why is that?"
It took a while before she responded. "I was already doubting since you first talked to me. I mean, why? There is no significant reason for you to approach me. I bet you didn’t even know me. It was a wonder. But if it was a bet, well, now everything makes sense…"
Now that the truth is out, she should have felt relief since he won’t be pestering her any longer, right? Now they don’t have to play that silly little game anymore. She doesn’t want to get involved with him after all…
But… When he showed up in her world, it was as if there was a sweet stream was flowing right into her heart, stirring up ripples of emotions there. Before she knew it, a hint of disappointment disturbed the calm waters of her heart.
'Wait, wait, why should I be disappointed? Isn't that an ordinary love game played by the rich? I should be grateful that I didn't fall into his love trap!'
Althea gripped the bottle in her hand and thought that she was relieved that the truth was already out… If it wasn’t and the game continued, there’s no telling what would happen to her and her heart…
"You're odd. Usually, if someone knew about betting, they would be mad."
Althea rolled her eyes and laughed to hide the unpleasant emotion in her. "Don't lump me with those narrow-minded masses."
Betting and casually spending money is as normal as breathing to the rich, so she didn't take it by heart. Right? Right!
Besides...
"You were not serious about going out with me, yes?" Tyler boldly stated.
Althea looked at him in disbelief. How did he know? This was the thing she always felt guilty about!
He laughed. " 'Cause I'm smart."
"... So since you already confessed about the bet, can I assume that it was already over?"
Tyler nodded and leaned on the bench. "Yup. It ended after I talked to you for the first time. They said that I only need to talk to you and if I ever catch another expression out of you, I win the bet."
Another expression? What was that? She wanted to ask, but she couldn't. It feels like if she did; it was embarrassing that she could die.
"Then why?" Althea asked the thing that bothered her the most.
Yes. Why? Even though the deal was closed, why was he still here? Pestering and annoying her almost every day? What does he earn from it?
"Why, why indeed?" He sat up straight and looked at Althea. His smile was already gone and his eyes were full of seriousness. Their eyes met.
Althea's heart began to thump like crazy again. The warmth of his eyes was still the same as when she first saw him.
No, it was not the same—
"Althea," he said slowly and slowly. "I like you."
—it was flaming.
CHAPTER NINE: Jealousy...?—"Althea, I like you."Of all the phrases that Althea wants to hear why he is still talking and flirting with her even though the bet has ended, why this?Receiving such a confession out of the blue is too much for her. Her brain short-circuited.Tyler watched her blankly for a moment before looking away, her ears red as cherries. Amusement danced in his eyes. This was one of the reasons why he kept pestering her. Her reactions are just too cute and precious. The urge to pinch her cheeks came again."Y—you—shut up… What a lie." Her words were faltering. Her mind gears were madly turning to think of any coherent words but it just over-heated.Tyler can't hold back anymore, he laughed that almost all of his body shook. "You asked! I answered! What's wrong with that? Why are you telling me to shut up suddenly?”"A—anyway!" She almost shouted that word, obviously trying too hard to change the topic. "How much did you bet?"She can't think of any topic that is wo
CHAPTER TEN: An Odd Girl—"Yes, I understand," Althea replied after listening to her mother's scolding through the phone. "I know. I won't do it again."Althea rested her head on the soft pillow then she couldn't help but sigh helplessly. On the other side of the line, her mother was still ranting. Althea was tired of listening to the point that the words entered and exited her ears without delay.Again, she sighed and looked up at the white ceiling, still holding the phone next to her ear. Currently, she's inside the school's infirmary. According to the school nurse, she fainted in the hallway. The nurse even gave her an earful, saying that if she felt unwell, she should have stayed at home. She was lucky that there was someone who saw her fainted and called for help to carry her or else she'll be there until the bell rang for a break.After that, her parents called her. Apparently, the nurse contacted them. The moment she answered the phone, her mother started cursing her endlessly
CHAPTER ELEVEN; An Awful Feeling—“…”“…”Both didn’t say a word for a while now. The unknown beautiful girl stared at her with wide sparkling eyes while Althea looked down at her with her pair of dead aquamarine eyes. To many of the passersby, they were having a staring contest. They were both amused and curious. They couldn't see two beautiful women staring and standing near each other every day. What’s more, they are nearing a corner. The two looked like they were having a serious conversation with the other, more serious and the other one was not. Some even thought that maybe they were couples thinking about their future plans, with just the one planning everything.Althea was unaware of the curious eyes and the crooked thoughts of the people. Her mind stopped at the conversation they just had. Like a broken tape, it kept on playing itself.“So, who is this fiancé of yours?”“Uhm, I think his name is… Ah! His name is Tyler!” And when her brain finally worked normally, her mind s
CHAPTER TWELVE: Nope, it’s okay! —He called at a great time. Althea smiled apologetically at the girl. “I’m sorry but I have to take this call.”The girl smiled. “No, it’s okay!”Althea excused herself once more and when she’s out of her hearing range, she answered the phone.[Why did it take you so long to answer?] Tyler asked right after she pressed the answer button. It was funny that she could imagine him frowning just from his voice. [Are you still unwell? I heard that they gave you the permission to go home early. Are you not home yet?]He did not give her the chance to speak, and Althea just silently listened. She can hear rustling noise on the other side of the line. Maybe he is already lying on his bed since it is already evening there.Tyler didn’t hear a reply and was welcomed by silence. Instead, he frowned and glanced at the screen and saw that the line was still connected. His frown deepened even more. He put the phone back near his ears and asked in concern. [Hey, are
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Say what?—Tyler stared at the blank screen of his phone with disbelief but there was amusement in his eyes.“Dude, what are you doing?”Tyler looked back to see his roommate looking at him with furrowed brows. He was silent for a moment before a low laugh escaped from his lips. His roommate heard it and can’t help but raise his eyebrows. He knows that Tyler is weird, but he just became weirder. Who laughs without reason?“Althea is mad at me.” He plainly said.“… Oh.” His roommate looked at him like he lost his head or somehow grew a tail. He laughed because someone is mad at him. “Is that even something you can laugh about? I thought you were serious with her.”“I am.”The guy is even more bewildered. “Then why are you laughing? Should you not clear or mend things up?”“Of course, I will. I can’t let my girl stay mad at me when I am away.”“…” Your—what? Tyler’s roommate was in shock. He can’t believe that Tyler used a possessive word! “Then why were you laughing?”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Blue Hydrangea —Althea was at a loss about what to say at the sudden discovery. She stared at her dumbstruck. What was going on? Did she just misunderstand something? The girl, whose name is still a mystery to her, cowered under her penetrating gaze. She shrunk back her neck and darted her eyes everywhere but Althea’s.“U-Uhm, did I do something wrong?”Wrong? Did she do something wrong? No! It was Althea who misunderstood and jumped to a conclusion! She should have asked and clarified before snapping at him!Althea was forced to close her gaping mouth and turn the gears in her mind. Her head heated up when she remembered how she snapped and spoke at Tyler rudely. Not that she cares about speaking rudely at him because she has done it many times already, but—The way she spoke to him and the words she just let her mouth escape is a clear indication of jealousy!Althea was so ashamed that she wanted to dig a hole to bury herself in. She was wondering what kind of mal
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Ambrosia— “I am sorry if my bed is, well, not big as yours, but please do make yourself comfortable.”They spent almost the whole day planning what they had to do the next morning and before they knew it, the sun had partially sunken down the horizon. Althea realized it and because she didn’t want to be rude to her guest, she decided that they’d have dinner outside instead. The girl was delighted and she was even the one who dragged her out. Her reaction made Althea curious, as it turned out that she had never tried eating out before. She instantly regretted her decision and many dark thoughts entered her mind. If she hasn’t tried eating out before, won’t her delicate stomach reject the food outside? What if she gets a bad reaction and her family blames her? Her questions were left unanswered as they already arrived at a certain restaurant’s door. Althea can only pray for this young lady’s health. After that, the young lady was, for unknown reasons. had countless o
CHAPTER SIXTEEN:After the sweet flashback of the past, she is now back in the cruel reality. -ARC TWO:4 YEARS LATER- [BANG!]Althea went inside her apartment and shut the door loudly. Her whole body was wet, and she was soaking her carpet on the ground. It was raining outside, and she forgot to bring an umbrella. It was cold, but she was already numb. She was numb from pain. Althea strode until she faced the sofa of her small apartment and she stilled. Her head was hung low and the water from her hair was dripping on the carpet. It was silent. The whole area was void of sound as if letting her have her privacy. Althea stared at nowhere in particular but her eyes were foggy and red. She was struggling to make her face calm. But, like a broken tape, the scene from earlier played repeatedly inside her mind. The way those people looked at her with mocking eyes. The way the girls there openly laughed at her predicament.The way that girl looked at her with laughter on her face.