Chapter Two

Professor Fortez advanced two steps to my direction. My eyes grew big at his action.

“What are you doing?” I asked, alarmed at the little distance between us.

“I’m not doing anything yet, honey but base from your reaction, I can say, that you are affected by my presence being near to you. I guess that is good, isn’t it?” he said, twitching the corner of his lips into a sly grin.

“I-I’m not affected, stupid! Don’t call me HONEY that is not my name.” I said feeling annoyed.

“Watch your words, hon. I don’t like girls that are cursing, especially MY GIRL.” He said, emphasizing the last two words.

I got irritated on how manipulative he is. I am not the kind of girl who likes to be ordered around, duh!

“Don’t fucking tell me what to do, you’re not my father!” I yelled right at him.

“Don’t test me Tiara, I can do anything.” he said, annoyed.

I despise to be controlled by anyone. I loathe the thought of being ordered around. My parents always do that to me.

I hissed in irritation.

“Really? You may do anything but not EVERYTHING.” I said then left his office.

 ‘I’m keeping an eye on you. You’re MINE, honey, so don’t you let anyone touches you or get involve to you, especially that first year stupid fucker! Do you understand?’

I rolled my eyes to that statement of his to suppress the strange warmth that is forcing its way to envelope my soul.

 ‘I am just claiming my rights, hon.’

What does he mean by that?

I am gracefully walking in an empty hallway, heading to the publication office to finish some loads. Editor-in-Chief is the position I hold, so, it just implies that I am very busy compare to other students. I need to monitor each of my staffs, assign the articles to be made to my members, edit the write- ups submitted, and make sure that we can generate the volumes on time. Because if I don’t, I am pretty sure that I will be doomed!

I turned left and there, I spotted a figure not far from the corner of the hallway. I immediately figured out who it is just by looking at his built. He is talking to someone in his phone. I wonder who it is.

His aura is different from the usual. Why? Because there is this humble smile on his lips. I envy the person on the other line. I wished I can also be the reason of his smiles too.

I am getting closer to where he is standing so I get the chance to hear his convo with I don’t know who.

‘Yes baby, I already ate lunch…. Yeah, yeah I’ll let you know… thank you for telling the truth then… right! Take care.’ said he on the other line.

BABY? What was that, an endearment? So, he is already in a relationship? What a timer! I hissed in my mind but then I realized we are not in a relationship. BUT STILL----!

‘Tell your mommy to have a break from time to time, baby. Understand?... I love you too. Tell Mommy I love her okay?’ he said.

MOMMY...I LOVE HER… He is married?! What the fuck?! And he has a child already?

Just FUCK! Yesterday he has the guts to say that I am HIS, now I will hear these shits!

‘I’m keeping an eye on you. You’re MINE, honey, so don’t you let anyone touches you or get involve to you, especially that first year stupid fucker! Do you understand?’

‘I am just claiming my rights, hon.’

 ‘I’m keeping an eye on you. You’re MINE, honey, so don’t you let anyone touches you or get involve to you, especially that first year stupid fucker! Do you understand?’

‘I am just claiming my rights, hon.’

I walked faster. I don’t want to hear lies again, damn. He almost got me yesterday. I almost believed him. It is a good thing I didn’t. Men… they’re all the same.

I hastily climb the stairs up to the third floor where my office is located. I stormed in and close the door with a bang. Dear God… why am I angry?

It is raining pretty hard. I looked at the time in my wrist watch, only to be surprised upon seeing that it is already pass eight o’clock in the evening. It was quite an hour already since my last class has ended, yet I couldn’t leave the campus. I do not have my umbrella with me. Please rain… be kind to me and stop now.

Frustrated, I stamped my feet on the tiled floor.

“Want to borrow my umbrella?” a familiar voice said. Irritation filled me so I decided to ignore him.

“Hey…” he tried to get my attention.

“No thanks.” I said.

“It’s already dark. You should be home by now. Your parents might worry of your whereabouts.” he said but I did not reply though I’m slightly annoyed and irritated by his presence.

“Hon…” he called.

I hissed. I’m not buying that stupid!

“Honey…” he called again.

I remain silent.

“Don’t ignore me Tiara!” he shouted that made me jump.

“What the heck---!” I cursed.

“I told you not to curse! And don’t ignore me like a concrete wall!” he said angrily.

“Can’t you feel that I’m not in the mood to talk?!” I shouted back at him.

“You’re not in the mood to talk or there’s something else?!” he asked as if he’s interrogating me.

“What are you trying to say? Will you just tell me straight to the point?” I said feeling cheesed-off.

He calmed himself before speaking. “You’re ignoring me, will you stop that?”

“Affected much?!” I hissed, shaking my head. “You know what Professor, if you want a playmate, don’t pick me. I’m not fond of games. Stop calling me with your fucking endearment and stop acting as if you’re my jealous boyfriend because YOU’RE NOT.” I told him, emphasizing the last two words.

“Who said that I’m playing a game? I’m not fond of games too Tiara. I’m not acting like a jealous boyfriend of yours because I’m more than that! Why don’t you try to remember IT?! Use this and go home safely.” he said pertaining to the umbrella then he walked away.

I was left dumbfounded. What is he saying?

A day has passed since that incident.

I observed my block mates who are busy doing their stuffs while we are in the classroom. They are busy because… ‘Math time will start soon.’

 It is the time when I beckon all the gods to kill all those who have invented Mathematics. I may like Mathematics because of the Professor but I don’t feel like it, now. For Pete’s sake, I do not have an assignment. I badly need someone’s help!

I searched for my friends in the room, luckily, I spotted one.

“Hey Fauna, have you answered the assignment already?” I asked.

“I haven’t, I’m afraid I was about to ask you the same question.” she said.

   I heaved a disappointed sigh. We only have 5 minutes left to find a source and to copy the source’s answers before the clock ticks at nine- thirty in the morning. But the problem is, who will that be?

“Hey Babes! I have an assignment. Do you want to copy from me?” said Flora. She’s also my friend, an intelligent close friend of mine. She is good in any subject EXCEPT Mathematics so it is surprising that she has a preparation today because usually she doesn’t care at all.

Fauna and I looked at her and asked in chorus, “From whom did you copy that?”

“Copy? What a word! ‘That’ doesn’t exist in my vocabulary, duh. Look, I answered it myself.” she proudly answered then flipped her long straight hair.

We took a glimpse but after a second, we glared at her. Both of us know that she is lying.

Flora stepped back a little then flashed us her guilty smile. She raised her two hands into two peace signs.

“Okay- okay… You win. I just copied from Zein Rose. This notebook is hers not mine. You can copy from that too. Our block mates already did.” she said in submission. She let out a nervous laugh after.

We snatched the notebook from her to start copying the answers. Our eyes are glued to the answers while our hands are busy copying it when Flora suddenly spoke. “Sometimes, I hate the two of you.” she said while pouting.

Fauna and I looked at each other then crossed our arms, turning at Flora’s direction.

“And why?” we asked lifting our eyebrows.

“Because you know me too well!” she replied as she rolled her eyes upward.

A moment of silence passed. Slowly a sweet smile formed on her lips.

“I love you both!” she said then opened her arms inviting us into a tight hug.

We happily hugged each other while giggling.

We have been friends for a year now and we enjoy each other’s company. They’re my treasures.

            “Zein, I guess this notebook is yours.” I said, giving her the notebook.

She took it without saying a word. I smiled at her before taking my seat. By the way Zein Rose Monte Silva is my silent type seatmate. Her background is a mystery to everybody. She’s a naïve girl who seldom talks. We often times call her a loner because she never socialized with the group. Whenever there’s a get together such as outing, road trip or party, her presence is nowhere to be found. But she’s really intelligent and smart. Those are what I admire in her.

            A teacher went inside our classroom.

            “Good morning class.” said Professor Esquerra.

            “Good morning Professor!” my classmates greeted him sprightly.

            I wonder why Professor Jeremy Esquerra is here. I looked at my timepiece, Professor Fortez should be here already. I kept on tapping my arm chair while looking at the door. Though that guy pissed me off the other day, I can’t help to miss him. It’s not easy to throw one’s feelings into trash.

But I can’t help to think about what happened the other day in the lobby while it was raining cats and dogs.

What are we anyway? He said I am to nobody but his, just that. I’m confuse and the thing that he said that I should remember is another load to think of.

   ‘Who said that I’m playing a game? I’m not fond of games too Tiara. I’m not acting like a jealous boyfriend of yours because I’m more than that! Why don’t you try to remember IT?!....’ I remembered him said these words with so much emotion in his eyes.