Chapter 3

Darren's POV

I told my friends about "Jewel," and like me, they were also interested in knowing her.

But where on earth could I ever find this woman? I don't know her face, not even her real name. Well, I only knew her age and some of her likes and dislikes. She did not tell me where she lives but she only said she is currently studying as a 4th-year college student at a certain university in Quezon. The same with me, because I am also in the 4th year. But what university is she going to? There are a lot of schools and universities here in Manila, so how could I find her?

At school...

My friends and I used to hang out during our vacant time in the school's cafeteria. So one time, we were having a food trip and while busy throwing jokes at one another, I spotted someone sitting alone in the corner. She was eating a burger while busy reading something and I guessed it was a book. For the first time, someone caught my attention. I stared at her for a long time, because honestly, she is really pretty.

She has long brown, reddish hair, lighter and glowing skin, and a beautiful face. Though she is simple, her charm is definitely irresistible.

I suddenly averted my gaze because I knew she was looking at me too. I did not know that my friends were just observing me and after a while, they began teasing me. Their laughter echoed the whole cafeteria, which caught everyone's attention. I found out she was looking in our direction so I told my friends to shut their mouths up because I felt a little embarrassed now that she was looking at us. They smiled softly as they continued teasing me.

"Bubs, go ahead. Go to her and introduce yourself," Eduard uttered and tapped my shoulder.

"Go, Darren, go! Go!" Angela exclaimed and giggled.

I was about to approach her when she stood up and left the place.

"Oh, sorry for you bubs!" my friends exclaimed and teased me again.

I felt a little upset because I did not have a chance to talk to her and asked her name. She did not even look at me when she walked away. I felt like she was just ignoring me when she knew that I was staring at her. She did not even smile. Oh, so why am I affected? I shook my head because I wanted to set aside those thoughts.

"Hey Darren, are you okay?" Angela asked curiously. I did not hear she was talking to me about something.

"Are you upset that you were not able to talk to her? Well, there's always next time, bubs. Don't worry, we will find her for you," Andrew said, forming a soft smile on his lips.

The bell rang, and we went back to our respective classes.

*********

Time to go home. Angela used to ride with me in my car since our residences were just nearby each other. We were about to get inside the car when Clarisse called us.

"Bubs, wait! I have something to tell you",

I could see Clarisse's excitement in telling me about something because we saw her smiling as she approached us. I furrowed my brows because I had no idea what she wanted to tell us.

"Bubs, that woman..." she purposely left her sentence hanging, which made me widen my eyes.

"That woman? Who?" I asked intently.

Angela was also confused about who the girl, Clarisse, was talking to.

"Who's that woman, bubs?" Angela asked intently.

"That woman in the cafeteria, remember? Uhm, she is my classmate in my major subject. I did not notice her before but when she was having her class report, I realized she was that woman, whom you wanted to talk to, but you had no chance to do it since she already left."

We were just listening and did not interrupt her because we wanted her to finish talking.

"Her name is Jeyah Abby Arguello, a 4th year BS Psychology student and currently residing at Loyola Heights," Clarisse said eagerly.

After I heard what Clarisse told us, my friends tickled me, and the teasing began again. I couldn't help myself but smile upon thinking about that woman's name. I felt so glad because I finally got to know her. I called my group mates to ride with me and go to our favorite hangout place outside the school campus.

Three of my friends were riding with me. While others were inside Eduard's and Andrew's cars. As soon as we were ready, we left the campus and headed our way to NINYO Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge. I went ahead while my friends were following behind. After fifteen minutes, we reached our favorite hangout place. This has been our favorite place since the time I went back from France. My friends and I loved the total ambiance of NINYO, and we loved the modern cuisines that they offer here. The foods were superb and the service was excellent. Plus, they also offer great wines; that's why we choose this place every time we need to unwind.

"Hey, what's the occasion, bubs, and all of a sudden you're inviting us for a treat?" my friends asked me when we were seated already. Suddenly Angela butted in and spoke.

"Uhm, it's because Clarisse told him about that woman in the cafeteria."

All their eyes widened. They exclaimed all together.

"Woman?"

Clarisse told everyone about the woman who caught my attention and interest. I was just silent, but deep inside I really felt glad that I finally got to know her name.

"So bubs, does it mean you're no longer interested about "Jewel? Does it mean you will no longer go to her live stream now that you're interested in someone else?" Eduard asked intently.

"Of course not, I like "Jewel." She is different from this woman. Maybe I was just challenged about Jeyah because she was the only woman who was not showing her interest in me. As you could see, she did not even look at me in the cafeteria. She ignored me, you know what that means?" I said roughly while putting some food in my mouth.

"So, that's why you were interested in that Jeyah because she ignored you?" Alfred smirked.

"Well, it's still your male ego, bubs. Oh my gosh, until now you're still craving for women's affection?" Chanda exclaimed.

"We know you very well, Darren, we were classmates since elementary. We knew that you were trying to flirt with girls to gain their attention but as soon as they are already attached to you, you will start avoiding them, and they end up hurting," Angela snapped out.

I did not respond because, in the first place, my friends were right. My pride was hurt that time when Jeyah did not even look at me. So it means she was not attracted to me. And I found it disgusting on my part.

There was a total silence. Some of my friends continued eating while others were sipping a glass of wine. Then I told them to just forget about Jeyah because the person whom I like is "Jewel." We tried to change our topic of discussion and Sam as the 'clown' of the group was throwing plenty of jokes, and all of us burst into laughter. I looked at my watch, and it was already 7:00' o'clock in the evening.

Suddenly, Angela shoved her elbow into my side and pouted her lips to get my attention. My friends looked toward the direction where her lips were pointing out. I saw a woman who went to the counter service and ordered some food. Then I saw her sitting on a vacant chair while waiting for her order. My heart was beating fast when I recognized that it was Jeyah.

I turned my gaze to Clarisse and gladly she got what I meant, so she stood up and approached her. I had no idea what Clarisse told her—that I saw her smiling softly. Damn! She is really pretty. And now that she is smiling, she looks even more beautiful. After a while, I saw them approaching towards us.

"Hi bubs, I would like to introduce to you my classmate in Psychology 104, Jeyah Abby Arguello. You know she is intelligent and smart in our class," Clarisse uttered, showing her sweet smile.

Clarisse introduced my friends, starting with the females, then the males. And what Jeyah did was nod her head and give a soft smile.

"Last but not least is the leader in our group. The most handsome among these men, Darren Laurel," Clarisse uttered and winked her eyes at me.

I stood up and shook her hand.

"Hi Jeyah," I greeted her, trying to control the tension I felt inside.

She responded and looked at me. And oh, she has those lovely and expressive eyes. I met her gaze and held it for more than a few seconds. But she quickly lowered her head and gazed at the floor.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I uttered when I noticed that I was still holding her hand.

She just smiled and excused herself because her order was already ready for takeout. She signaled us that she would go ahead, and afterwards, she went out. Through the glass wall, I saw her getting inside her car. I never expected that she would be the one driving her own car.

"Bubs, we really feel something unusual," Angela exclaimed.

"Yes, it's obvious, Darren. It's not about your pride. But you're attracted to Jeyah," Karen seconded and rolled her eyes.

I remained quiet because I also don't know that I'm already acting that way.

"Well, I admit I am attracted to her. She is pretty, right? But it does not mean that I am in love with her guys," I insisted.

"Okay, okay, fine bubs. Anyway, it's your personal feelings. So we'll respect that," everybody uttered.

Time flies so quickly and it's already 8:00' o'clock in the evening. We decided to go home because we still need to study our lessons for tomorrow's exam. Besides, I will be visiting the live stream of "Jewel" later, so I need to finish all school-related matters at home. I told my friends to visit also "Jewel," and they said 'yes' as one way of giving their moral support to me.

Thinking about listening again to Jewel's lovely voice made me excited and gave me goosebumps at the same time.

"Jewel, you seem mysterious to me. When will I get to know you?" I whispered to myself.