Chapter 2

 

 

"So is that how it really is, Best? No flash news?" Dawn asked.

 

Earlier she asked me about what happened this morning, but my focus was not on that incident. I had a test to do, so I remained unspoken.

I shook my head and continued driving the scooter. "Why do you want to know? That person made me look ignorant. Also, you heard everything we talked about over the phone. Unless, you ended it early."

“That’s right, Best,” Dawn said. She was also busy driving her electric scooter. "Kyle is so dumb. He called me while you were having a drama with that American."

"No, he's not a foreigner at all," I corrected. "Let's just say he's a bandwagon and he's trying hard to be one."

"Maybe if you have to live there for a few years, I'm sure you'll look and act the same he's doing, once you return here."

I grinned. "As if I plan to go abroad! I have a responsibility here in the Philippines, remember?"

That was true. After our biggest downfall, I promised Dad I would take back our company, as well as the house, from Santiago. I wish I can also get his life back.

"So, what happened?"

"He almost killed me. End of story."

"You’re a kill joy, Best."

I relaxed as Dawn gave up. I was just really not in the mood at that time to relive the incident. I have trauma from accidents.

"But wait. Didn't you say he's Governor De Vera's son? I think Kyle knows him."

I stopped for a moment and looked at her. "What do you mean? How does my cousin know him?"

Dawn also stopped. "He told me before that he had a friend, the son of a politician here in Isabela. Maybe that's him."

"A lot of politicians here, Dawn."

"Hey! Haven't I said I'll drive you home?" That voice was so familiar to me. He kept pressing his car's horn.

Dawn and I went out to the main gate of the university and that moron was waiting outside. He could even peek through the open window of the passenger's seat.

I took a deep breath. He will take care of his life. I'm just, I'm acting like I haven't heard anything. We drove past to his car. He blew his horn again.

"Hey!" I heard a door open. "Why are you ignoring me?"

"Best, it looks like you're the one the foreigner was talking to. Wait — is that him? He's handsome, huh?"

I stared at Dawn, but she kept talking. She actually stopped and approached the man.

"Hi!" said Dawn. I am the one who is ashamed for her. "By the way, I'm Dawn. Raine's best friend. How about you?"

I stopped, meters away from them. The man was looking at me. I was annoyed with the grin on his face.

"Dawn, what did I tell you? We have to go."

"So your name is Raine, is it? It's lovely," the man flattered. I rolled my eyes. I'm still not comfortable with him. He approached me and held out his hand. "I'm Shawn Niccolai De Vera. If you find it long, Shawn is enough.”

I never dared to move. I was just looking at Dawn. “We have to go.”

“Shawn, are you here to pick up Raine?”

“Yeah. I owe her one. Shall we go?”

“No.”

“Best, let go of your pride. It’s five o’clock in the evening and I’m sure you’ll spend the night on the road. It’s okay for me to ride a scooter because our house is nearby.”

Shawn’s hand remained outstretched. “Please? My conscience will kill me if something bad happens to you on the road.”

My eyes narrowed. My mind couldn’t process what he’s saying. “Are you insulting me?”

Shawn raised an eyebrow. “Why would I insult the girl whom I owe one thing?”

“Idiot.” He also has no manners, eh? If I were to judge him, he would be no different from other men. “Dawn, come on.”

“Just grab the opportunity, Best. That man is already down to Earth. And he looks kind.”

“Okay,” I said. “It’s up to you then if you’re going to drive that man. I have to go. Let’s just meet tomorrow on campus.”

I turned the scooter back on and drove away from the two. I switched the acceleration below to its maximum capacity just to get them out of my sight. It was the first time I had seen that man, but when he was nearby, I saw disgrace. How fast I was running was just as fast as the two followed me. I can hear Dawn shouting my name. I didn’t bother to look back. I continued to drive.

Beep!

I almost lost control. If I hadn't just stepped on the cement I might have gone straight into the ditch. That Shawn is really annoying! Looks like he really wanted to kill me.

"Hey, are you okay?" A hand landed on my shoulder. It was Shawn's. I looked at him. "Are you—"

I never let him finish speaking. I pushed him with all my might, but his body was steel. His right hand reached mine and quickly turned me closer to him so I wouldn't fall.

"Stay away from me!" I resisted, but his grip was strong. I tried to punch him in the chest, but I had no strength. "I said—"

"I think I really need to drive you home." Shawn raised an eyebrow and grinned. "I don't accept no as an answer."

"No," I insisted.

"Ah-uh," Shawn said. "Do you wanna die?"

I took a deep breath. "Of course not!"

"Then do what I say," he said. "Let me drive you home."

"Ehem, the drama of you two, huh?" Dawn replied looking out the open window in the back seat. There was a sarcastic smile on her lips. "Come on, Best. It's a good feeling that someone will take you home. Unlike Kyle. Playing basketball is even more important than taking me home."

I ended up sitting in the passenger's seat. I would have sat next to Dawn, but she pushed me to sit next to him. He blocked the scooter in the vacant seat in the back. I crossed my arms.

"Shawn, do you speak Tagalog?" Dawn asked. I secretly rolled my eyes.

"I do," he answered.

"But a killer" I intentionally blurted out.

“No I’m not” Shawn said.

"Who cares?"

“I care,” Dawn said. Is she even my best friend? She must be supporting me. "So, you were in New York when you were young?"

"I went there when I was thirteen."

"Oh why?" Dawn asked. "I mean, why?"

I want to laugh, but I don't want that to be another reason for Shawn to tease me. He was focused in driving.

"It's my mom's decision and I never regretted living there. It gave me lots of opportunities especially to my job."

"So you're working?"

I couldn’t help but be curious about their conversation. "How can someone hire a guy like you? You're rude and very antipathetic."

"I work as a model in an underwear company," he answered straightforward.

"Seriously?" Dawn asked incredulously.

Even I was surprised, but I wanted to laugh. "I'm sure, no one will buy those products if you're the model."

"But luckily, all those stuffs were sold out!" Shawn bragged. He looked at me, then winked.

I rolled my eyes.

"When are you going back to New York, Shawn?" Dawn asked.

"Can't you speed up driving?" I asked. I can see that Shawn's driving is getting slower. It was as if he intended to do that to make the conversation last longer.

"I can't. Over speeding is a violation of traffic rules."

"You're boring to talk to. You know nothing but to follow the law!" I'm annoyed with Shawn. If I could just open the door and jump, I would. But I treasure my life.

"Get used to it." He said.

"Hey, you haven't answered my question yet, Shawn," Dawn groaned. "When are you going back to New York?"

"I still don't have a plan. I don't even know if I'll go back to New York anymore."

"You should!" My voice echoed throughout the car. I noticed Dawn was stunned and Shawn's face was slightly sad. "Well, it's your choice."

"Why do you ask?" he continued.

"Because Raine's debut two weeks from now. She hasn't found an escort yet. Maybe you want to escort Raine, Shawn?"

I stared at Dawn. "I'm thinking of someone, Dawn."

“Well, I’ll do it for free,” Shawn said. "Just leave the invitation to my dad's office or directly to me."

"You're really kind, Shawn. I don't know why Raine can't see that."

"Because he's stranger. And he's a boy."

"Luh, you can only say that because you and Vince just broke up last year." Dawn opened up the issue again. I shook my head. "It's been a while, Best. It's time to move on."

“That’s my other reason why I came back here,” Shawn said. I could feel the sadness in his eyes. "I came here to move on from my ex."

"Aww . . . The two brokenhearted came together," Dawn joked. "If I'm the only one to be asked, you two matter."

"Nonsense." I disagreed.

"No, seriously, I'm willing to be your escort on your debut. To be honest, I want to socialize with the people here. I want to experience being Filipino again."

"Oh, Shawn. It's up to you to escort her. Maybe Raine will get that from another villain. After all, I'm the one in-charge of the invitation."

"No."

"Expect me to be there. Thank you, Raine."