Embarrassment.
"The feeling of self-consciousness that might be because of shameful, awkward, or humiliating occurrences."
In the most embarrassing moment of Georgia San Juan's life, one person was there for her. Someone who would rescue her from shame, someone whom she could turn to, someone who would make her feel that everything would be all right. And someone who would always be there whenever she felt the need of saving.
"Someone we are all craving for."
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GEORGIA lazily opened her eyes upon waking up. White ceiling, white walls, white blanket, white pillows. She groaned when her head throbbed and she wasn't feeling at her best. Her eyes snapped widely as she explored her surroundings once again. She almost suspected she was in a hospital if it weren't for the picture frame on the desk. Still, she gasped in wonder and shock. She was in someone else's room, and it was Walter's! She sat up instantly, her back on the headboard, butt on the pillow. She tried to recall how did this happen. Why was she in his room? She massaged her temple and shut her eyes when her head throbbed again as she tried so hard to remember what happened.
As she opened her eyes again, the corner of her eye caught a glimpse of her bag and a familiar shirt on a chair at the side of the bed. Her eyes widened when she realized it was her shirt from yesterday. She looked at herself, panicking if she wasn't wearing any clothes. She sighed in relief when she wasn't naked, she was wearing a plain blue t-shirt and still wearing her pants from yesterday, but her heartbeat pounded harder when the thought of Walter undressing her came to her mind. She shook her head and was ready to be devoured by the ground. She was even wishing of becoming a lizard right now because of embarrassment.
"This is not happening! What the hell happened last night?" she groaned as she rummage through her hair, which now was messier and full of knots.
Suddenly, the door burst open. "Rise and shine, sleepy drunken head!"
Walter went inside and headed towards the bed and sat at the edge. Georgia flinched, stood up with haste, and jerked herself toward the corner of the room. "D-don't come closer!"
Walter laughed teasingly while smacking the bed. The pillows and the blanket bounced up and down with the act. "This is so funny! Why do I feel like this happens in dramas?"
Georgia gulped and hugged herself. She was so nervous that even her voice trembled when she said, "don't you dare make fun of me, Walter!"
"Okay, okay. I got it." Walter stopped laughing but seemed to have trouble keeping it that way. He cracked up again, she glared at him. He stood up, her brows raised. He smiled as he folded his arms. "Don't worry, it was my sister."
Georgia loosened up a bit. "Your sister?"
He nodded and then made his way to the door, and leaned on the door jamb. "Do your thing and head out, don't keep the breakfast waiting." He then winked at her which made Georgia's face sour. Walter just chuckled and added, "and by the way, your shirt is clean now. You can wear it if that's what you prefer more, though I'm sure, that loose t-shirt of my sister's is more comfortable," and then he gently closed the door.
Now that she knew it wasn't Walter, she calmed down a bit. Though she was wearing an undershirt, it was still embarrassing to be taken care of by a friend's sister. Not to mention, they had never met before. She only knew her name from Walter's stories and that her little sister, Senthie, was beautiful in her dark green hair, and loose t-shirts, and that she was also independent, strong-willed, and free.
Georgia didn't know what shame she brought upon herself until a flick of memory came to her. She finally remembered how she puked all over the house and made a mess, especially on Walter's shirt while she was on a piggyback ride. She even remembered that she told him how she got rejected by Jimhuesh when they were out drinking last night after the rain. Oh, well. Now, it wasn't a secret anymore. Walter must've been thinking she was pathetic and obsessed with Jimhuesh since she told him everything from how she had a crush on him since they were little and developed it into love, chasing him, and getting rejected many times. She had just hoped Walter would act as if nothing happened, or much better if he would forget everything last night, even the tiniest detail like telling him how he once made her heart skip a beat and that she found him very handsome. Though it meant nothing to her, it might seem another case to Walter. He may not take it seriously, but he may tease her tirelessly--which would be the last thing she needed.
Georgia had decided to wear her shirt and folded the t-shirt she borrowed from Walter's sister and slid it into her bag. She was too embarrassed to face his sister. What if she was annoyed at her? What if she hated her for the mess she made in their house? What if she'd asked her to stay away from Walter since she was probably thinking Georgia was a bad influence on her brother? These were the thoughts running through Georgia's head at the moment. She would always overthink and overanalyze things that sometimes she'd forget that not all people think negatively. Just how unexpectedly, she got surprised by the warm welcome she received from the same person whom she thought hated her.
"Georgia, you're finally awake! I bet my brother got you drunk last night, he's a real jerk! He's too much, right?" Senthie said as she put the plate with fried hotdogs and eggs on the round table. Georgia was starstruck by her beauty. She had almost envied her, or so, had wished she looked like her. Georgia laughed nervously, agreeing to every word she said about Walter.
"Ouch! How could you say that Sen? And how could you agree with her, Georgie?" Walter reacted, his hand on his heart acting as if it truly hurt him, well, perhaps, it did, and he was just faking it by faking that he was hurt. It was weird, but it was Walter. No one would ever know what he was truly feeling but himself. He was always the joker and the kind of person who'd always see the light even in the darkest times. Georgia had never seen him vulnerable, or sad, even. He always had that goofy smile on his face.
"You're so harsh with your brother, Sen!" said the woman already in her seat. She giggled and pricked the hotdog with a fork.
Walter's sister just laughed and so did, everyone. Georgia glanced at Walter and then back to his sister when she said, "anyway, have you rested well? Come join us for breakfast!"
Georgia smiled shyly and neared the dining table. She sat on the chair pulled out by Walter across from the woman earlier. While Walter took the next seat beside Georgia, the same as Senthie who took the other side. The dining set was four-seaters, exactly the right number for them.
"Are you fine now or do you have a hangover? I really thought you were going to throw up all your insides last night!" the woman with curly hair in a tight bun joked as she chomped the hotdog.
Georgia's face turned red, she looked down. "I'm really sorry for the trouble I have caused last night. I'm really ashamed and embarrassed by myself...I'll make sure that I won't drink with Walter again."
"Oh, oh, oh, why would you say that? It's not like they were the ones who cleaned up the mess. It's me, Georgie, and it's fine. Just promise to tell me everything instead of drowning yourself in alcohol."
Georgia looked at him, still flustered. She didn't seem to know if she was supposed to be thankful for the cleaning thing or embarrassed and offended by everything he said. She never thought it would be possible to feel different emotions at the same time, but she would not show it openly. So, she had only picked one. "Thank you, Walter."
He smirked. "Of course! I'm your best friend, right?"

Georgia nodded. "Right."
"Okay, then. Let's eat!" Walter cheered.
Everyone was enjoying their meal and Georgia even felt comfortable as the minutes passed. Their company was light and it wasn't easy to not like them. They chat for a while and Georgia was surprised when Cecile--yes, she finally knew her name--had mentioned that the house was owned by Senthie and that she was just letting Walter stay, out of pity for her brother.
They were almost done with their breakfast and Georgia was sipping her coffee when the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," Cecile volunteered. She went to the door and opened it. A few minutes later, she was back with a bouquet of yellow lilies.
"Flowers for you, Ms. Senthie Salvador." Cecile handed the flowers to her. She then giggled as soon as Senthie checked the card. "I'm sure he's the one. He keeps on sending flowers to you, are you sure he's not courting you?"
Senthie glared at her. "I swear he's not. This is just a--"
She was cut off by Walter's sudden steal of the card in her hand. He then stood up and scurried away from Senthie's attack and when he began to read aloud what was written on the card, Senthie gave up and Walter had the freedom to do what he wanted. "To Ms. Senthie. Thank you for meeting me last night and for accepting my offer. This is a great opportunity for you. I'm sure you won't regret it. From Ji--"
Walter suddenly halted and his face went pale as she glanced at Georgia whose face was eager to know who was the sender. Walter laughed awkwardly as he gave back the card to Senthie. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that."
"What a bummer!" Cecile rolled her eyes and sighed. "Jimhuesh! Right? The card says it's from Jim--"
Cecile couldn't finish her sentence because Walter covered her mouth. But it was already said. Cecile said the name. It was from Jimhuesh. He didn't come to see Georgia last night because he was with Senthie. Georgia stood up from her seat, the chair made a shrieking sound against the floor. "I'm sorry, I have to go. I just remembered I have to come to work today. I'll just get my bag and--"
"I'll go get it, stay here." Walter rushed to his room to get her bag.
"Are you okay?" Senthie asked.
"Are you sure you have to work? You're still not feeling well, are you?" Cecile concluded.
Georgia forced a smile. As she looked at Senthie, insecurities flooded her and her eyes were starting to sting. "I'm fine, don't worry."
"Here!" Walter dashed towards to hand Georgia's bag. "Here's your bag. Let's go, I'll take you to the office."
She took her bag on her arm and nodded. She then bowed her head a bit to Senthie and Cecile to apologize and thank them.
Walter took Georgia's hand and led the way outside. When they were just outside the wall fence, Georgia couldn't hold it anymore and began to sob. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm so pathetic. I don't wanna cry but I can't help it. Please, don't hate me."
Walter tried to calm her. He wrapped his arms around her and touched her head. "Shh, shh, it's okay. Of course, I don't hate you. I won't ever hate you. It's okay to cry, it will help lessen the pain. Let it all out, I'm always here for you, Georgie."
Walter hailed a taxi for Georgia and told the driver to send her home, she didn't expect him to know where she really wanted to go. Of course, coming to work on Sunday was just an excuse and Walter probably already knew it. He was aware of her feelings for Jimhuesh, after all, though Georgia wasn't even certain of what she truly felt for him. If she wasn't in love with Jimhuesh, then why was she hurt and jealous of Senthie? Perhaps, she was just upset that he didn't choose her. Jimhuesh chose to see Senthie over her, and that made her so upset because no one ever chose her. She was always the last choice. She wondered if there was something wrong with her. Was she unlikeable? Suddenly, she remembered Walter, and just like a flash, her worries disappeared. Walter would always choose her. She smiled.
Half an hour later, she arrived at her home. She opened the door and faintly announced her intrusion. As she was making her way to her room, she passed by Jacob's, her brother, whose door was left slightly open and his voice made her halt just by his door. Her brows furrowed when she heard him sounding like he was in a quarrel. "We can't hide it forever, and you know it, mom!"
Georgia became curious and decided to eavesdrop on Jacob's conversation with their mother. He wasn't in her sight but she could imagine her brother's hostile face.
"No, mom, I'm telling you, she's old enough to understand. She's not a little kid anymore!" Jacob let out an audible sigh. "Georgia needs to know the truth."
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Hello, Noomiells!
Thank you for reading this chapter. Hope you liked it. :D
What could be Jimhuesh's offer to Senthie? Let's all find out in a few more chapters!
What can you say about Walter? He really cares for Georgia, isn't he?
Poor Georgia, nothing's going her way. Have you experienced consecutive bad luck for days?
What is Georgia's family hiding from her? What truth does she need to know? Stay tuned for the next chapter!
I would like to know your opinion. Please, let me know! :D