Chapter 5

N O E L L E

Nine years ago…

It’s exactly one year since the contract has signed. I wonder if the CEO found the perfect woman for himself. He should stop bitching around if he doesn’t want to live alone for the rest of his life. I sigh before shaking off my unwanted thoughts away.

We started our class and performed our laboratory experiments for five hours straight. I always enjoy this kind of activity at school. I love what I am learning about biology and human anatomy.

“My back hurts,” Alyssa complained the moment we stepped out of the laboratory room. “I think I need some therapy.” She said that made me frown in an instant. I already get what she wants to say.

“I can’t go with you to the mall, Aly. I have a part-time job today.” I announced before she dragged me wherever she wanted. Shopping is her therapy when she’s getting tired of school.

“Oh, come on, Elle. Please come with me this time, stop rejecting me! You have to come with me today!” She cried while pulling my arms.

“It’s a waste of time. I would rather use my time earning money than roaming around the mall for a few hours.” I reasoned out. It’s boring for someone like me who doesn’t want to spend even a single penny.

“I’ll treat you dinner! Order whatever you want!” She dropped the bomb. She knows my weakness which is food. She knows I can’t resist it when it comes to food, but how about my part-time job? I’m thorn.

“Whatever I want?” I asked, and she nodded. “I can order whatever I want and as many as I can eat?” I reiterate as an evil smile slowly forms on my lips. She nodded once again while smiling. I will make sure she regrets paying for my dinner.

“Okay, deal. Let’s go.” I grabbed her arm and dragged her towards the university’s main gate. She yelled in excitement as we walked. Alyssa’s parents are loaded, and so is she. She can get whatever she wants, but she’s not boasting about it. She’s just an ordinary girl with a pocket full of bucks.

She drove us going to the mall, and we quickly started her therapy. “Noelle, I like this skirt!” She exclaimed before running towards the fitting room. I laugh as I shake my head. She’s really into this kind of thing. I sit on the available chair while waiting for her to come out.

She told me to pick any clothes I wanted, but I refused. I am not into shopping or buying clothes I don’t need. I always choose needs over wants. Maybe it’s the mindset of someone like me who is not rich.

“Elle, what do you think?” Alyssa came out from the fitting room to show how she looked. I studied her appearance from head to toe.

“Isn’t too short?” I asked. “I can see your ass from here, witch,” I said as I grinned.

“It’s what we called fashion, bitch.” She said before glaring at me. I chuckled at her remarks. “What?” She impatiently asked while stamping her foot. She thinks I’m messing around.

“It suits you, Aly. You can change now. Staring at your ass makes me want to puke.” I smirked before she threw a death glare at me. I laugh at her childishness.

We continued entering different stores until I got tired and pulled her into a restaurant to eat. “You should control your desire to shop every store in this mall, Aly. My feet hurt, and I am so hungry!” I complained while eating. “I won’t let you drag me again next time.”

“You can also order some desserts, Elle.” She offered while smiling. I flashed a wicked smile before I ordered gelato and a cake.

“You can ask me to tag along with you anytime you want, beautiful Alyssa.”  I praised her as I continued eating my food.

“You’re such a glutton ever since, Noelle Lewis!” She shouted in irritation. “It’s just annoying how you can eat a lot without even gaining weight!”

I smirk to tease her. “I’m so blessed.” Alyssa is very conscious about her body and weight. She’s just actually eating Caesar salad while I have meat, pasta, desserts, and smoothies.

“Bitch.” She cursed me while throwing a death glare.

I chuckled. “Witch.” I countered before we laughed in unison.

After we ate, Alyssa went straight to the powder room to fix herself before going home. I was waiting for her outside the powder room when I heard commotions at the right side of the mall. I check what is happening, and I see reporters and girls following a guy.

I shrugged my shoulder, and I decided to turn my back on them to look for Alyssa. I went inside the powder room only to find it empty. Where is that witch? Did she leave me behind? I did not even see her come out.

I was about to exit the powder room when an unknown guy came in and closed the door. “Hey! You are in a girl’s powder room!” I yelled at him.

Who the heck is this guy? What is he doing? And more importantly, where is Alyssa?!

I was taken aback when he motioned me to shut up. I also hear commotions outside the powder room. What is happening out there? “What are you doing?! Open the door!” I shout at him.

He’s wearing a black cap, gray hoodie jacket, and black denim pants. I also noticed his silver earring on his left ear. “Hey! Are you listening!?” I ask him as I step closer to him. I gasp when he suddenly collapses on the floor. He is panting hard as he removes his cap.

“They almost got me there.” He exclaims. Oh, he must be running away, but from whom?

“Who are you?” I ask.

He diverts his gaze on me, and he is even shocked to see someone standing in front of him. This guy is unbelievable. Don’t tell me he did not even hear me shouting earlier? I use my golden voice for nothing?! “I was already here before you came in.” I inform him before he says anything wrong.

“Again, who are you, and what are you doing here in girl’s powder room!?” I hiss.

“What? I’m in girl’s powder room!?” He shouts back.

“I just said it, didn’t I? Who are you running away from? Did you snatch someone’s phone, or perhaps did you rob a bank!?” My thoughts shock me, and I can't help but gasp.

“Did you just get out of the mental institution?” He counters while looking at me in disbelief.

I glare at him. “Can you just let me out!? You can stay here as long as you want, but let me out first!”

“You can’t!” He blocks my way. “Those reporters and fans of mine are after me. I need to hide here for the time being.” He explains, and that makes my eyebrows knit together. I look at him in confusion.

“Reporters? Fans? What are you? You think you’re a superstar, aren’t you?” I shake my head in disbelief. This guy needs a mental assessment. “Get out of my way, or I’m gonna hit you!” I warn him using my fist.

“How dare you! Can’t you recognize me!?” He asks as he moves his face near my face. “Look closely at this face. Seem familiar?” I look and study his face. He even moves his face right and left to help me recognize him.

“I think…” I trail off as I try to recall if I already saw him somewhere. “Don’t tell me you are that guy?!” I yell.

“Finally! I thought you wouldn’t recognize this beautiful face!” My one eyebrow raises upward at his humble remarks.

“What the hell are you talking about?! Aren’t you the school janitor?!”

“Fuck.” He curses as he runs his fingers through his hair. He looks frustrated all of a sudden. He even heaves a deep sigh. “I don’t even know your school. Damn it.”

“Oh. You’re not him.” I said as I chuckled awkwardly. Ooopss. My bad. “Care to tell your name then, and why are you hiding?”

“Maxwell Hughes, it’s my pleasure to meet you, Miss…”

“Noelle Lewis. And why are you hiding?”

“It’s because they are interested in my private life.” He said in a very depressing tone of voice. I think he’s in the dark time of his life. He leans on the door before sighing. “I finally got a chance to escape from my manager, but those guys like prying into my life. I guess fame comes with a price.”

“You sound like a superstar,” I state, and that makes him look at me in disbelief. “What? Did I say something wrong?” I ask.

“I am a singer and an actor.” He says in a very serious tone of voice.

“You’re kidding.”

He shakes his head. “I’m not, Noelle.” He sighs. “I just want to have an ordinary life, even just for today, but heck, those guys are persistent. I told them to stop following me, but they did not listen.” He explains as he runs his fingers through his hair.

“I don’t believe you, but I am willing to help,” I admit. His face is not even familiar, so I can’t tell if he is telling the truth. I don’t think he’s a bad person, so I think helping him won’t hurt.

“What are you saying?” He asks before I open my backpack and bring out my spare clothes. It’s a white cap, a black face mask, and a navy blue jacket. “Do you want me to wear these?” He asks after I hand over my spare clothes to him.

“They are familiar with how you look today, so I think if you change how you look even a little, they might not figure out that it is you. I will wear your jacket and cap to lure them to the opposite side of the mall.” I explain.

“It might work, but are you sure?” Concern skates all over his face. I almost want to laugh at his reaction in this serious situation. I’m rude, and I know it.

I nod. “I’m sure. It’s nothing compared to your most awaited one-day freedom.” I say as I chuckle.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” He asks with a long face.

“A little adventure and excitement once in a while might shake my bored soul,” I answer before winking at him.

“I don’t have any idea what you are saying.” He counters, and I’m glad he has a good sense of humor. Take note of the sarcasm in every word. He takes off his jacket and changes it. He wears my cap and face mask. I also wear his jacket and put his cap on my head.  “So, you’re a student? From which university?” He asks before we step out of the powder room.

I told him the name of the university, and I witnessed how his eye got bigger. “Why? Do you know our school?” I ask as I grip my backpack’s straps tightly. I will run on the left side of the mall while he will run on the right after those reporters and his fans follow me.

He nods. “I’m also a student there.”

“What? Really?” He nods. “How come you’re not familiar?” I ask curiously. So, he’s still studying despite his hectic schedule?

“The campus is too broad to bump into each other. Your face is not familiar with me as well.” He said as he fixed his face mask. “Then, I'll see you at school?”

I shake my head. “I wish not to see you again,” I say with a pokerfaced.

He laughs before opening the door for me. “Thank you for helping me. I owe you my one-day freedom, Noelle.”

“Good luck, Maxwell.” I smile at him before exiting the powder room. I walk casually as I try to hide my face.

“Maxwell!” I startle when someone shouts his name. Several reporters holding a camera and girls run towards me. Shit! So, it’s true! He’s really famous! What did I put myself into this time?!