Chapter 4 "The Chaos"

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MANILA (ISM)

After their first subject, the group decided to hang out in their usual spot since their next teacher wasn’t around. They were seated on a bench—Psyche was hunched over, fast asleep—while the others chatted.

Someone suddenly showed up. Claire was the first to notice and squealed,

“Kenshiiiiinnnn!”

She ran to the newcomer and hugged him tightly. Everyone turned toward her direction—except Psyche, who was still sleeping.

“Kenshin?” Calista exclaimed, joining the hug.

“Kumusta?” tanong ni Lance.

“One at a time,” Kenshin laughed softly. “I’m okay—I missed you all.”

Then his eyes landed on Psyche, head bowed and fast asleep. Kenshin’s expression softened as he walked toward her and leaned down to kiss her cheek. Psyche stirred, startled—her reflex almost sent a punch flying to Kenshin’s face.

“I miss you, Sleeping Beauty,” Kenshin teased with a grin.

“Gago, ikaw lang pala ’yan,” Psyche muttered, smiling before hugging him tight.

“I missed you too! Ang tagal mong nawala,” she added, excitement lighting up her face.

Kenshin’s smile widened at her words.

“Pasalubong namin,” Psyche said playfully, extending her palm.

“Makakalimutan ko ba ’yon? Nasa kotse ko. I’ll give it to you later,” he replied.

“Kailan ka dumating?” tanong ni Lance.

“Saturday night.”

“Nilibot mo ata buong Japan sa tagal ng bakasyon mo,” biro ni Claire.

“Two weeks lang naman,” sagot ni Kenshin, chuckling.

“Si Cali nga, one week din nawala. Ang busy ng mga buhay niyo noh!” komento ni Claire na may pa-smug smile pa.

“Hindi na rin kayo active sa GC,” reklamo ni Psyche.

“Hayaan mo na, Psyche. Alam mo naman na mas ma-miss ko kayo kapag nagre-reply ako,” sagot ni Calista.

“Cali’s right,” sang-ayon ni Kenshin.

They were laughing and catching up when one of their classmates approached—the one who clearly didn’t like them.

“Wow, the elite students of ISM are actually all here—what a rare sight,”

sarcastic comment ni Miranda.

Miranda Hidalgo was their classmate, but for some reason, she had a major attitude toward them. No one really knew why she kept throwing shade.

“Nandito na naman ’tong kontrabida sa mga buhay namin. Parang palaging galit sa mundo,” isip ni Psyche, nakasimangot.

“What are you looking at?” Miranda snapped at Claire.

“You’re like a doll,” Claire shot back sarcastically.

“Vodoo doll—and a plastic one,” dagdag pa niya nang may pang-aasar.

“How dare you, bitch!” galit na galit si Miranda at akmang sasabunutan na si Claire, pero mabilis na sinuntok ni Psyche si Miranda sa mukha.

Nagkagulo ang lahat. Lance and Kenshin immediately stepped in to break the fight. Other classmates gathered around, causing more chaos.

---

GUIDANCE OFFICE

Everyone involved was called to the Guidance Office. Soon, their guardians were contacted.

---

HARRISON’S OFFICE

Harrison was in the middle of reviewing a stack of folders when Marlon entered. He didn’t hide his irritation.

“What now? Didn’t I say no interruptions?” Harrison snapped.

“Sir… Señorita Psyche’s school called. She got involved in some kind of trouble,”

Marlon said nervously.

The words hit Harrison like a bomb. Without hesitation, he grabbed his car keys and headed straight to the elevator.

“Cancel all my appointments for today. No interruptions—unless it’s urgent,”

he ordered just before the doors slid shut.

He drove off immediately, his mind fixed on one thing: Azalea.

---

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MANILA (ISM)

When Harrison arrived, he went straight to the Guidance Office. He was the last to get there—the other students’ parents were already seated.

Psyche was shocked when she saw him. She thought Marlon or one of his assistants would show up instead. Harrison had never shown concern for her before, so seeing him there left her speechless.

Gasps filled the room—the Guidance Officer and even the mothers of Claire and Miranda couldn’t believe it. Harrison Cale Ellison, the untouchable businessman, had personally come to school.

Mrs. Velasco, the Guidance Officer, cleared her throat before speaking.

“Good morning, ma’am and sir. Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

She recounted everything that happened in detail.

“Azalea, come here,” Harrison said calmly.

Psyche slowly approached, unable to meet his eyes. He gently took her clenched fist into his hands, his touch firm yet gentle.

“Do you know how deeply we protect these hands? I wouldn’t let anyone hurt them. She’s everything to us—and now, seeing her hand like this…” Harrison said in a low, serious tone.

Everyone in the room fell silent, uneasy—especially Miranda’s mother.

“But Mr. Ellison, it’s your sister who’s at fault. She punched my daughter! We’re the ones wronged here,” reklamo ni Mrs. Hidalgo.

“Mrs. Velasco, show us the CCTV footage,” Harrison commanded.

“It’s being pulled up now, Mr. Ellison,” the officer replied nervously.

---

Outside the office, Psyche and Claire waited anxiously while Miranda stayed in the clinic.

“Grabe ka, girl. Ang bigat ng kamay mo. Ang laki ng pasa ni Miranda,”

natatawang sabi ni Claire.

“Napalakas ata suntok ko sa gagang ’yon,” sagot ni Psyche.

“Thank you, ha—for protecting me,” Claire said emotionally.

“Ikaw pa, malakas ka sa akin,” Psyche smiled, hugging her tightly.

After a while, Mrs. Hidalgo exited the room, shooting them a sharp glare before leaving. Claire’s mom came out next, followed by Harrison.

“Thank you, Mr. Ellison,” Claire’s mom said, then left with her daughter.

Psyche frowned in confusion.

“Anong meron? May pa-thank you pa. Anong milagro kaya ang ginawa nito? Yung mommy ni Miranda kanina parang kakainin kami ng buhay sa tingin pa lang.”

Harrison put his arm around Psyche’s shoulders as they walked toward his car.

“What happened?” Psyche asked softly.

“How’s your fist? Masakit pa ba?” he asked, holding her hand and rubbing it gently.

He helped her into the car, then leaned in and kissed her hand. Psyche froze.

“Gagi… ano na naman ’to? Nakaka-confuse na talaga siya. Hayst. Erase erase erase. Masyadong marumi lang siguro isip mo, Psyche. Huwag mag-assume… masakit umasa sa wala,” she thought.

---

GROUP CHAT

Kenshimil: Psy, are u alright?

CalistheaChiu: Psy, I’m worried about u.

LanceOliP: Psyche, mag-feedback ka naman pls.

ClaireAmi18: Psycheeeeee...

Psyche smiled at their concern. They all knew how strict Harrison could be.

“Worried ang mga friends mo sa’yo,” Harrison said, glancing at her.

Psyche nodded silently.

“There’s no need to worry. Gaya ng sabi ko sa’yo, hindi ko hahayaang may manakit sa’yo—kahit dulo ng buhok mo,” Harrison said firmly.

“Sorry kung nasangkot na naman ako sa gulo,” she murmured.

“I’m just frustrated because I was worried you might’ve been hurt,” he said sincerely.

Psyche was speechless.

---

HARRISON’S OFFICE

Harrison brought Psyche to his office, where lunch was already prepared.

“Sir, everything’s all set,” Marlon said.

Psyche smiled when she saw the spread—steak, king crab, meatballs, grapes—almost all her favorites.

“Have a seat, Azalea. I’m starving. Let’s eat,” Harrison said.

They ate together. Afterwards, he returned to his paperwork.

---

Group Chat (continued):

PsyAzalea: U don’t need to worry bout me. I’m okay. Thank you.

CalistheaChiu: Thank God!

Kenshimil: May masakit ba sa’yo? They said your fist was swollen.

PsyAzalea: Okay lang talaga ako, guys.

LanceOliP: Hindi ba nagalit si Kuya Harrison?

PsyAzalea: Hindi naman.

ClaireAmi18: Sabi ni Mommy, galit na galit daw si Harrison kanina. He even threatened to bring down Miranda’s family.

PsyAzalea: Talaga? Sinabi niya ’yon?

ClaireAmi18: Oo girl, even my mom was scared of him.

Kenshimil: Use cold compress, rest your hand to prevent swelling.

PsyAzalea: Opo, salamat sa pag-aalala :)

ClaireAmi18: Ang sweet naman ng Kenshin namin.

LanceOliP: Inggit ka na naman.

ClaireAmi18: Me??? Baka ikaw? ’Di makaporma, huh? Palaging nababasag!

CalistheaChiu: There you go again—stop fighting, you two.

Kenshimil: Oo nga, huwag kayong magbangayan. Stop that nonsense fight!

LanceOliP: Whatever 🤷‍♂️

ClaireAmi18: Okay, I’ll stop ✋️

---

Psyche glanced at Harrison, who was still focused on his documents.

“Ganito pala ginagawa niya araw-araw. Ang daming binabasa, pero ang gwapo pa rin. Ang swerte ng babaeng mamahalin niya—hardworking, thoughtful, loving, sweet. Nasa kanya na siguro lahat.”

When Harrison finally finished, he stretched a bit, looking tired. He noticed Psyche asleep on the sofa. Smiling faintly, he walked closer and brushed her cheek gently.

“You fall asleep so easily, my love. You were so fierce earlier—throwing that punch. Yet looking at your face now, so soft, so peaceful—it’s hard to believe you could ever hurt anyone.”

He carefully carried Psyche to the room inside his office so she could rest properly.

---

Psyche woke up later, unfamiliar with her surroundings. She walked to the window and drew the curtains open, revealing the city skyline. It was almost 5 PM.

“Ang haba ata ng tulog ko… napagod siguro ako sa suntok kay Miranda,” she thought with a laugh.

When she turned around, she saw Harrison standing by the door.

“Did you enjoy the view?” he asked.

“Ang ganda pala dito,” she said, sounding like an excited child.

“Especially at night,” he replied, his gaze lingering on her.

“Bakit ganyan ka makatingin?” Psyche asked, feeling self-conscious.

He chuckled softly.

“I wouldn’t mind gazing at you for a lifetime. In life’s fiercest storms, only you can calm the winds within me. Your smile, your eyes—they speak to my soul. I no longer search for meaning… because I already found it in you, my Azalea,” he thought.

“May dumi ba ako sa mukha?” she asked again. Harrison shook his head.

“Are you mad at me?”

“Why do you always keep asking questions?”

“You never answer them either,” Psyche pouted.

Harrison stepped closer. He kissed her forehead, then her cheek, and whispered teasingly,

“Why search for answers when you’re the one who holds them all?”

Psyche froze, confused.

“I’m lost in what you’re doing. I don’t want to assume or hope… kasi baka masaktan lang ako,” she said softly.

“Like I said, no need to look for answers. Feel it—your heart already knows. Take care of yourself, Azalea… because when the right time comes, you’ll understand.”

He wrapped her in his arms, kissing the top of her head tenderly.

“I’ll wait for you—not because I have to, but because my heart knows you’re worth every moment,” whispered Harrison’s thoughts.

---