Chapter 4

I never got myself in trouble before. I’m always careful when it comes to things and I’m a good decision-maker. I’m also not used to making myself look like a fool. I know how to get out of situations. I am that smart, as my Mom would say. But lately, I just wanted to bury myself six feet underground after all the embarrassment.

My eyes were wide while looking at Zandrey in front of me. I can see him suppressing a grin, making me feel more ashamed. If only I could instantly disappear right now, I would really like that.

I didn’t even know a heartbeat could be this fast. It was like it was in a race and wanted to come out as the champion.

And my mind even decided to stop functioning.

I am really doomed.

"Are you okay?" He asked, playfulness evident in his voice.

I know he already has an idea for the answer to his own question. So instead of answering him, I just stood up straight while trying to look away from him. I can't keep on looking at him when he looks so amused.

I heard him chuckle. “Did you eat?”

"I was about to," I answered. I tried to clear my throat because it seemed like something was on it. "Did you get your ID?”. This is me trying to change the topic.

"Yeah. Thank you," he replied. I tried to look at him but I quickly looked away. "Although I was hoping I'd see you."

I looked at him, my brows furrowing.

What is he saying?

Upon seeing the reaction on my face, he laughed. Ugh. There he goes again with his manly laugh.

"I was just kidding," he added. "I was also about to eat. Would you like to join me?"

First of all, I was trying to avoid him today, so why would I accept his invitation to have lunch with him?

I was about to reply when I heard someone call my name.

Here comes this person who’s about to make me nuts. Seriously, when is he gonna stop?

I turned to look at Charles approaching my direction and I saw him looking at Zandrey. I looked back at Zandrey and saw him also looking at Charles. None of them spoke a word.

God, I can’t deal with the two of them at the same time.

"Charles," I began. "This is Zandrey... a friend?" I wasn't sure about the friend part, but I just let it be. I looked at Zandrey and saw him looking at me now with a suppressed smile. "And Zandrey, this is Charles."

I didn’t even know why I introduced them to each other when they look like they have no plans in being friends with one another. But still, I thought it was some courtesy.

"Nice meeting you, Bro," I heard Zandrey say as he offered his hand to Charles. Charles then took it and shook hands with him.

But why do I feel like it was the most awkward shake hands ever?

When they stopped shaking hands, Charles faced me. "Are you free tonight?"

Fuck. I thought I’d get away with this situation with Zandrey, but here comes Charles who added more worries to my long list of discomfort.

"I was just hoping if I can take you out tonight? One of my fratmate's having a party. Maybe you want to come," he said with a smile.

I'm really not sure about Charles' intentions toward me. I did try to get to know him and when I realized there's really nothing, I rejected him nicely. What I will never understand is how he still keeps on inviting me to things when he knows I was just gonna say no. I already explained that to him. But he’s always deaf when it comes to my explanations. He's still here, still asking me out, still approaching me like this. And this is making me uncomfortable.

"Uhh, actually we're going somewhere tonight," Zandrey butted in. My gaze quickly went to him, with a question mark on my face. But he just ignored it.

"Is that right?" Charles asked. My look now went to him.

"Yeah, I'm sorry," I just answered.

"Too bad," he murmured. "Next time, then," he added. "I'll go now, Ai. I guess I'll see you around?"

I faked a smile at him, willing him to go. And hopefully, he did go.

I quickly shifted my gaze to Zandrey. "What was that? We’re not going somewhere tonight. You didn't ask me and even if you did, I would say no," I mumbled continuously.

"I saw the discomfort on your face," he answered.

"Huh?"

"When that guy asked you, I saw the discomfort on your face. Like you were pressured on answering him. I just thought you didn’t want to and you just didn't know how to decline," he explained. I can't believe he read me well.

I expelled a sigh and looked up to him. He’s really tall for me. "Thank you," I just said and tried to smile at him.

"No problem," he replied. "So what about lunch?"

I felt like I owed him something so I just agreed. I still feel embarrassed about everything that happened, but I feel like I was slowly warming up to him. And somehow, I'm starting to feel comfortable with him.

"So what's the deal with that guy?" He asked when we started walking towards the student center.

"Charles? He’s been courting me. I already said no, but I don't know why he just kept on pestering me," I answered.

Zandrey chuckled. "He likes you that much."

"Doesn't matter," I responded.. "I already said no."

"Also doesn't matter when the guy's persistent," he grumbled.

We finally reached the student center. He was gentleman enough to open the door for me. That made me arch a brow, but I went inside anyway. He was just being chivalrous.

"Are you all like that? Even if the girl already declined, you’d still go on?" I asked as I looked for a vacant table. I found one so I went straight there. I could feel Zandrey tailing me.

"Now I’m one of them," I heard him say laughingly.

We reached the vacant table so I hurriedly sat. But then I remembered we still had to order some food so I quickly stood up. I think I really lost my mind today.

"Your bag," I mumbled, gesturing for him to give me his bag.

"Why?"

"I’ll put it on the chair so people will know this is already occupied," I replied.

"No," he quickly said. I was just about to argue when he cut me off. "Just sit there. Let me order the food. What do you want?"

I looked at him for a brief moment. This situation suddenly feels weird and overwhelming for me. Were we really getting this close to each other?

"Come on, the line’s getting longer," he mumbled.

“Just buy me anything,” I just said. Even thinking about what food I want has become hard for me.

"Girls with your ‘anything’ and ‘whatever’'," he commented. That made me roll my eyes at him, which just made him chuckle.

"Just get me any veggies, soup, and rice. Get an order of leche flan too for dessert," I answered. That made him smile.

"Alright. Your order's coming up, Ma'am," he said with a smile before he left to go to the counter.

I was just staring at his back when I realized I was smiling. With that realization, I bit the insides of my cheek and looked away.

Gosh.

I just sat there while waiting for Zandrey to come back with our food. To avoid getting bored, I opened my phone and checked my messages. There was an announcement on the group chat that our instructors for the next classes won't make it to our classes. There will be an emergency meeting at the faculty. So that makes my previous class my last class for today. It made me happy, but it was just for a brief moment because I realized I am an Archi student. We don’t really have time to be happy because we have to take care of our plates.

I kind of felt bad again about getting this course. But I had really no choice. I guess sadness has become a part of my personality. Good thing, Zandrey came with the food so that’s one thing to be excited about today.

He had to go back to the counter twice to get all the orders. I offered to help but he didn’t let me so I just let him.

“How much do I owe you?” I asked as we began eating. I didn’t realize I was hungry until I started eating.

"Nah. It's on me," he replied.

“I’ll pay for my part," I insisted. "How much?"

"No, it's okay," he argued.

"Zandrey, I will pay," I muttered, my voice laced with authority. I guess it was effective because he finally said 'okay'.

"Just pay me later. Let's eat first." It was me who said 'okay' this time.

"You didn’t answer my question earlier. I just felt the need to talk about just to avoid awkwardness.

"About what?"

"If you guys are really like that. You know, can’t really accept no for an answer when it comes to girls," I replied.

"Well, to answer your question, no. There are guys who still respect a girl’s answer."

"How about those who don't understand a girl's no? What can make you stop?"

"He really got into your head big time, huh?"

"Yes. And it's scary and creepy... and annoying."

"I'm not sure if this would work, but I think I know one way."

"What’s that? Is that easy?"

"I guess..."

"What? Do I have to use black magic, or what?" That made him laugh so hard that he had to drink so much water because he almost choked on his food. His face was so red when he stopped and looked at me.

"God, no! And is that even real?"

"I don't know, but it might be."

He shook his head.

"So what do I need to do to get rid of Charles?"

"Have your boyfriend deal with him."

"Boyfriend?" I asked, confused. "I don’t have one!"

"Then start looking for one."

"I don’t even want a boyfriend, now I have to look for one just to get rid of another suitor? That’s crazy."

"Not exactly. You can ask someone to pretend to be your boyfriend."

Now that idea is absurd.

I snorted. "No, thank you!"

"Come to think of it, Aira. If he can't respect your words, then perhaps he will respect another man's words."

And that made me stop moving. I just stared at him with a troubled look thinking about it.

"Where can I find-"

I paused when he looked at me with the same intensity.

I squinted my eyes at him. "Are you offering yourself to me?"

He laughed at my choice of words. Some people in the student center even looked our way.

"You and your choice of words, Ai," he said after laughing his ass out. "I'll just help you out until he stops harassing you."

I still find the idea absurd. And I’m not even sure if that will work because I don’t know Charles that much. I don’t know to what extent he would do just to get a girl. "Okay, how about this..."

"I'm listening."

"Let's give it a try. Say... for one week? I'll pretend to be your boyfriend, to protect you from that Charles guy. And if it doesn't work within that one week, then we'll find another way."

Now that made me think. But still, I just couldn’t agree to this hastily. I still feel like there will be something at stake here if I say yes. I needed somebody else's perspective on this.

"Give me time to think about that."

"Okay," Zandrey mumbled. "As long as you want. Just text or call me. You know my number," he responded and went back to eating.

Now that I think of it, the events happen so fast. Earlier, I was just trying to hide from him, but now he’s here in front of me, having lunch with me. This situation is very much weird, but somehow I still find myself sitting comfortably in front of him. Like I trust him enough. Like I know him enough.

If Daisy sees me now, she'll surely tease the hell out of me.

I tried to shake it off my mind and just continued eating.

Ugh. Whatever. I will just leave this problem to my later self.