Chapter 4

 

 

The symposium on motorcycle riding and traffic rules lasted more than an hour. It doesn’t seem like this month is for me. What happened to me was a mess. It all started because of Shawn

Dawn tapped me on the shoulder. I turned to her. "Best, I'll go with Kyle."

Many students, in various courses, came out of the entrance of the gymnasium, where the symposium was held. I barely heard what she was saying, but I nodded.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Kyle asked as he snatched the key of his motorcycle from his pants pocket.

"Yes." I smiled slightly. "I'll just call Javier and he'll pick me up."

"No need, Best. Shawn has been texting me lately," Dawn said. "He is already outside the gate. He's waiting for you."

"He doesn't need to do that." I shook my head. "He's just exhausting himself."

"He’s so sweet, Best," Dawn insisted.

"I don't find it sweet. It's a waste of time on his part," I said. "I told him to stop bothering me, but he's stubborn. Why is he bothering me? It's your fault, Dawn. If not—"

"Yes, Best. It's my fault," Dawn admitted. "He’s just sweet, and he’s very much a gentleman."

Kyle eyed her. "Ehem, looks like I should be nervous. Are you sorry I became your boyfriend?"

Dawn moved next to Kyle. She hugged him tight. "Aww, my baby's jealous."

"Why, really! What am I up against? Shawn by chance?"

Dawn pinched Kyle's cheek, then smiled. "What are you thinking about? Why would I trade you? You're the only one for me. Shawn is only for Best if they develop together."

I frowned. "That would never happen!"

"Oh, you're still in denial, Best," Dawn said. "Don't you want that? He's a cute, rich kid and has a broken heart! It's not like that monkey Vince! He was kind at first, but he's a demon."

I heard his name again. When will be the time they'll totally forget him? I took a deep breath. "I have to go now. It would be embarrassing for Shawn if I had to wait for him because of you."

"Hey! I thought you were mad at him, Best? Why now, you seem to want to see him?" I heard Dawn shouted from afar. "Kyle, how's that, it looks like Best's older brother will be watching over her again?"

"I trust Shawn."

I just rolled my eyes and didn't bother to answer Dawn's jokes. Yes, Shawn's making an effort. That's sweet in the eyes of other women, especially to Dawn, but there's nothing he can do to change my feelings. He can't take back what he told me before.

I don't want to be rude so I have to take his bait. Also, I didn't want to bother Javier to pick me up.

The night was so quiet and dark. Only the moon and light poles provide ambient light. I saw Shawn at the gate, leaning on his car, smiling. He was in his gray sweatshirt and plaid pants, and white sneakers. It's like he's in a photoshoot. He has a good taste in fashion, but it is too distracting. The students coming out of the gate kept looking at him.

"Hey, good evening, Raine. How's your day?"

“Can we just go home?" I blurted out. "I'm exhausted."

"Oh, sure!" He opened the front door and motioned his hand on the passenger's seat. "Go inside and I'll handle your scooter."

I let go of the scooter and quietly went inside. It took him a minute or so to insert the scooter. There is a large cardboard case in the backseat wrapped in gift wrap.

My forehead furrowed. "What's that?"

Shawn went inside. "It's a surprise. You'll know what's inside that box at your house."

"Okay." I took a deep breath. "It's not that I'm preventing you from wearing those, but aren't you aware that there are a lot of snatchers here? And please stop chatting with Dawn. I want to have a private life. Maybe what else can she tell you."

"I'll keep that in mind." He smiled. "Please wear your seatbelt so we can go now."

I just kept quiet while on the ride while Shawn didn’t stop talking. He was telling me about his experiences when he was still at New York. He even told me about his ex-girlfriend. I do not care. I'm not interested in him. All I could think about was that I wanted to go home so that I can see Mom again. I don't want to miss dinner with her and Javier.

"Who is he, Raine?" Javier asked. He was in the garage and seemed to be leaving. I walked over to him, then kissed him on the cheek. He was not there the last time Shawn took me home.

"Looks gallant."

"I'm Shawn Niccolai De Vera, Sir. Raine's friend." Shawn smiled, then shook Javier's hand.

"De Vera. Hmmm . . ." Javier scratched his chin as if he was thinking of something serious. "Do you know Governor De Vera?"

"I'm his son, Sir," Shawn answered.

Javier's eyebrows rose slightly. His face lightened. "Oh, that's why you look exactly like him. Anyway, thanks for taking my sister home. I would have picked her up. One more thing, don't call me sir anymore. Just Bro or Javier. Sir sounds too formal."

Javier looked at me. "You, won't you even thank him? It's rare for a man like Shawn to do that noble thing."

"No, it's okay, Bro. I'm the one who insisted though," Shawn answered. "Anyway, I brought a gift for your mom."

"Oh, you don’t have to, but thanks," Javier said. "Did you and Mom meet? Raine, why didn't you mention anything about him?"

"No need, Javier," I said. "He just took me then and talked to Mom. Nothing special."

“But I need a help,” Shawn said. "It's a bit heavy and big."

"Oh, that might be expensive?"

“I just want to clear myself,” I said. "I didn't know anything about that. I didn't force Shawn to give Mom a present."

"No, it's okay. I'm doing this wholeheartedly." Shawn smiled. "This will surely make Aunt Maylene more comfortable using this one."

"All right. Where is it?" Javier asked.

Shawn opened the car door in the backseat and pulled out my scooter. "Here."

"It's a bit heavy," Javier said as they lifted the large carton out of the car. "What's in it?"

"Can I come inside your house? Let's open it there." Shawn looked at me. "If it's okay with you."

"Why are you asking me?" I said. "It’s Javier who you should ask."

Javier eyed me. "Maybe you can show at least a little respect, Raine."

"It's my fault," Shawn interrupted.

"Just a minute," Javier said. "What do you mean, Shawn?"

"He almost hit me on the road." That caught Javier’s attention. "So naturally I'm acting like this, Javier. One more thing, you yourself told me before not to talk to anyone. I'm just following your instructions."

Javier took a deep breath. "This boy is kind so don't consider him a bad person. Whatever he has done to you, learn to forgive and forget. I'm sure Dad will say the same thing if he's still alive."

Because of Shawn, I learned to answer Javier unjustly. I'm not like Javier really.

"I'm trying to be more careful, Javier. I'll be good to him if I see proof that this is not just his front act.”

"Okay." Javier showed Shawn the way to the house. "Let's go inside. You can have dinner here too, Shawn."

Shawn smiled. "It's my pleasure."

We decided to eat first before unwrapping his gift to my mom. While eating, Shawn didn't really forget to tell Javier about the resort. Even Javier couldn’t believe it. We both said we don't need it, but he still insisted. The resort responded to the entire reception. We will take care of the cake and outfits. He really makes it look like he has a lot of money.

We went to the living room. I just sat quietly while watching Mom who even though crippled could not hide the joy on her face. Shawn was also trying to make her happy by throwing out corny jokes.

I often see Mom happy, but this time, it's different. She's blooming. The last time I saw her face lighten up was when Dad’s still alive. So is Shawn. He’s more jolly than the usual days he shows me.

You're such a good guy, Shawn.

"Can we open the gift now? It's getting late. Mom needs to rest."

Shawn looked at me blankly.

"And you need to go home."

"Raine, I thought we talked about that before?" Javier interrupted. "Don't drive the visitor away. It's too early for Mom to go to bed."

"I'm just worried about Shawn." I wanted to eat what I had said. Shawn might give that a different meaning. "I mean, he's going home a long way. He might get injured on the way."

“I can stay at my aunt’s resort,” Shawn said.

"For no problem, you're here to spend the night, Shawn. We still have a vacant room on the second floor."

"I appreciate it a lot, but I don't think Raine will agree."

"It's up to you." I secretly rolled my eyes. The room Javier says is just across from my room. Cousins ​​often slept there when there was a full house.

"I'll sleep here then." Shawn smiled. "If you like, we can open the gift now, then we'll continue the fun."

I saw how Javier burst into tears when he saw Shawn's gift. I was also surprised. Why is he doing this? He gifted Mom an electric wheelchair. Javier has been saving for a long time to buy that because Mom's things are old.

"Why are you doing this, Shawn?" I asked out of curiosity.

"I just wanted to see your mom to be happy," he simply answered.

“I appreciate it, but what you’re doing is not a joke,” I said. "This is expensive. How can we pay—"

"No, you don't have to," he said with a smile. "I used my own money and Dad knows about it."

"Shawn, it helps a lot." I thought Sam, Javier's girlfriend, was the only one who could make him cry. It was Shawn too. "I don't know how we're going to pay you."

"I just have one favor, bro," Shawn said. "Can I ask for your permission? Since tomorrow's Saturday, I'm planning to take Raine to Four Seasons Resort tomorrow. Then I'll tour her at my place."

I looked at Javier.

"You look kind so yes, I agree." Javier answered immediately. "Just promise me that my sister can still come back alive."

"I'll promise. I'll bring her home safe."

What a nice excuse you have, Shawn.