Chapter 3

Surprise

I was still pissed when I arrived here in our apartment. I immediately folded my arms as I sat on the sofa. In the middle of thinking, I felt Callie's fur on my leg. I picked her up right away.

She's getting heavier. It seems like just the other day, Lissy was still having trouble figuring out how to feed her.

I suddenly remembered what Dr. Alvi texted me earlier. He asked me if he could have a picture of Callie. 

I came up with a good idea. I picked up and hugged Callie again.

After that, we took a photo together then I sent it to him. Like I am expecting, he didn't reply quickly. I suddenly thought about what he was up to now.

"How to be you, Callie?" I asked with a sigh of irritation. She licked my hand like she usually does every time that I placed her on my lap.

Suddenly, my annoyance disappeared because of what she did.

"Wazzup, Amor!" Aziel gushed.

Holding my chest was my immediate reaction because of what he did.

"You're not funny!" I mumbled.

After a few minutes, Lissy also came out from the same room with my cousin. I looked down at the luggage Aziel had taken.

"Relle, I'll be moving to your cousin's apartment this school year. Is that alright?" she asked for my consent. Even if I told them that I disagree, they won't consider my decision since they're too in love with each other.

"It's okay," I replied sparingly before looking back at Callie who was now sound asleep.

"How's your date with that asshole, Alvidarez?"

I quickly looked up because of my cousin's question. Lissy made a peace sign as if she's telling me that she's the one who informed my cousin.

"Just fine. How do you know him?" I annoyingly asked when he messed up with my hair.

"Nothing, I just hate him for no apparent reason." I could no longer speak because of what he said.

Honestly, I'm still confused about Alton and me. What if he had a clock birthmark on his right palm? Surely, the day will come when he will also find the right woman for him.

How I hate that thought.

If it wasn't because of my feelings, I won't chase him. After kissing him the last time, I just woke up and this is how I felt for him.

Until now I was still in a mess as if destiny was playing with me.

After Lissy and Aziel left my apartment, mommy came to greet me. I already texted them earlier that I'll be staying here in my apartment for good until the  semester ends.

When I was still in my first year, this is the request that I've told them. I want to learn how to be independent before I pass away. And now that the date of my death disappeared, I want to stay here again to continue what I have started. Living here in my apartment doesn't mean that I've already decided to cut the ties between me and them. I just want to learn to make my decisions on my own because not all the time, I can lean on their shoulders.

If yesterday they were too worried about me, I don't know why something seems to have suddenly changed today.

"Mom, are you sure that you're alright?" I asked worriedly, leaving Callie on the sofa. I approached the two of them.

"I am sweetheart," she excitedly beamed. After that, daddy handed me a small maroon paper bag.

I frowned as I looked at what was inside.

"If you want to know something, everything's written in the book, sweetheart. I guess, your mom and I have nothing to worry about anymore," he exclaimed while the both of them were smiling from ear to ear.

I took out the book they were saying from the paperbag. My eyes widened after it darted to the title of the book.

"Where did you get this?" I asked, looking so confused. This book has only limited copies according to the old man the last time I went to the bookstore.

"It doesn't matter where we get that, sweetheart. Just promise us that you'll live according to what will make you happy, alright? That's all we want for you." I nodded at what they said.

Both of them stayed here for a while to cook for me. After taking a shower, they already left and texted me. I landed my stares on the book they left.

I sat on the sofa as I opened its first page. This book is too thick but only half of it has a letter. The other pages are blank and I'm still wondering why they published this kind of book.

I jumped into other pages where I could get information because I'm too sleepy already to browse the other pages.

The 106th page tackles all about the blank clock birthmarks. The absence of a date of love on the right palm indicates success. Having no clock birthmarks on the left palm means unpredictable death. While the absence of two clock birthmarks on the two palms indicates freedom. It is stated that here in our world, there are only 2 out of 10 people who are born with the same case as mine.

I suddenly felt happy upon the mysterious disappearance of my two clock birthmarks. It means that I am free to do anything I want and fate has no control to interfere with my life.

It also means that the decision is with me. I will be the one to make my own fate.

The next day, I returned to Aestwood because they will release the sectioning and schedules today. I also planned to go to the bookstore after to buy all the required educational supplies that I'll use.

I just got my schedule when I saw Led here in the carpark.

"Goodmorning, Relle," he joyfully greeted.

"Goodmorning. Are you with Alton?"

"No. My girlfriend is a college professor here. I came with her."

I looked around and it seemed like he was telling the truth. Dr. Alvi is not here.

"I have something to ask if you don't mind. Do you know if there's still a vacant apartment near Aestwood? My cousin needed a place to stay for the whole month of June so that he wouldn't sleep in my clinic. "

My smile widened because of his question. I'm so sure that the cousin that he's talking about is no other than Alton.

"I know a place. That is only a few meters away here in Aestwood. You're pertaining to Alton right?" he nodded at what I said.

"Here's the address of the apartment. Just tell him to go there right away so he can reserve the space, "I excitedly replied.

"You're really a heaven sent, Amorelle. I owe you one." He winked at me.

I already planned to go to the bookstore to buy some stuff but I just decided to go to my apartment and clean it. I also told Celine, the owner of this apartment, that a man will come later. Aside from auntie Serene, she doesn't also have a clock birthmark on her right palm, meaning to say that she will grow old, single but very successful.

After I fed Callie, I started cleaning up. It's dirtiest in the kitchen because that's where our cat often plays. After doing some household chores, I proceeded to my room and started doing what will be my surprise for Alton later.

I took one whole cartolina. I also released the various art materials that I will need. I'm not good at making this. I'm just watching random tutorials on youtube and I think that's already enough.

Even if I don't have artistic skills but the fact that I put a lot of time and effort into what I'm doing, maybe he will appreciate it.

"Callie!" I shouted when she suddenly jumped on the bed. The acrylic paint I used was almost scattered. I just decided to bring her to her own small bed here in my room.

"Just stay there, alright? I'm doing something," I explained and fortunately, after a few minutes, she also fell asleep in the small bed where I put her earlier.

It was already 11 pm when I finished doing an art for him. I heard footsteps outside so my smile widened even more. I'm so sure that he's here.

Alton will occupy Lissy's room which is in front of my room. I would have just turned the room where he was if there was no knock from outside. I decided to open it first. Sister Celine came up to me with what she cooked.

"Give this to your handsome roommate, Relle," he said before giving me the rice pudding she cooked that she also gave me when I first came here. She looked down at the white card I was holding after so I immediately hid it behind me.

"Thank you..."

"You have the same birthmark with him, Relle? You're lucky, "she commented, which made me smile.

"I still have work to do. See you later," I replied. Good thing, she didn't ask further questions.

"Goodluck to your surprise," she said teasingly before leaving in front of me.

How did she know it? Do I look too obvious?

After I put the food on the counter table, I went back to the opposite side of his room.

I heaved a deep sigh first. I was about to knock on his door when it suddenly opened. We were both surprised when we saw each other.

I cleared my throat after seeing him. Damn, he was just wearing a plain white v-neck shirt and khaki shorts but still, he looks very handsome in it.

After a couple of seconds, his eyes darted to the cartolina that I'm holding. His full name was written on it. I also try to illustrate his face but it's really hard to do it. Atleast, he's cute here.

"S-Surprise," I greeted while grinning. He didn't even smile because of what I did.

I went again out of embarrassment. I put a lot of time and effort into making this but he didn't show me any forms of appreciation.

"It's cute," he commented in a casual tone. I quickly looked up. After that, a wide smile plastered on my lips again.

"Thank—

I was in my mid-sentence when he suddenly bowed. The next thing I knew, Callie was in his arms again.

"I'm talking about her. She's cute." I couldn't believe it because of what he said. He brought Callie into the living room leaving me behind.

I was just standing there for almost a minute while processing my mind. Later, I was annoyed to follow them before throwing the card in the trash can.

Dr. Alvi was sitting comfortably on the sofa. Callie was on his lap while playing with it.

I was disgusted to stand in front of them.

"You are my new roommate so you should be aware of my rules! First, you are not allowed to enter my room without my permission. Second, you'll be the one assigned cleaning starting from Monday to friday and I'm on weekends only. Third, you are not allowed to touch my groceries. Fourth—

I stopped talking when I realized he wasn't listening to me. I was so annoyed so I got Callie from him before I madly marched heading to my room.

"You're not cute. You're too ugly!" I said in annoyance before I let her into my room. She was still trying to come out but I didn't let her.

"Stay there, Callie. You will not be eating your lunch today."

I sigh in irritation before I close the door.

I really hate Dr. Alvi. I felt so unappreciated. I swear, I won't make any surprises for him anymore!