Chapter 17
"Not only do you need to understand the concept of the story...."
I'm currently in class. Film History to be exact and my phone keeps on beeping. It's really distracting for me. I'm trying my best to focus and understand the lesson but, today must be a special day because my phone keeps on receiving notifications and my head is wandering off to whoever's been texting me.
"...the history of film is very important. Understanding why it was made and its essence..." the professor just keeps on blabbering. I love the course I'm taking but if there's one subject that I'd drop, this would be it.
I mean no offense, I love history but the one teaching really makes a difference. And this professor is talking very slowly. It makes me sleepy. It's as if she's lazily teaching us and all I can hear is nonsense.
Finally, after 30 more minutes of boringness and last minute reminders for the exam on friday, she dismissed the class.
I opened my phone and found 15 messages. Well that's quite a lot.
Seven were from work. They're asking me if I can work today until 5 pm. My work schedule with them is every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 1 pm to 7 pm. However I work extra hours when I'm available and when they need me to.
One was from Anna asking me if I can help with the restaurant tonight and tomorrow night. One was from Jeanny telling me that she'll be eating her lunch now without me because she still has a 1 pm class. This was sent at 12 noon and it's currently 1:30. Looks like I'll be eating by myself.
I fixed all my stuff and headed to the cafeteria. I continued to read the text messages. One was from Jace reminding me not to skip meals and that he can't go home with me later because he's taking special classes.
I was about to open the last five messages when I received a call that I accidentally answered without looking clearly at the caller.
"Hello?" I asked.
"Hey! Why weren't you replying to my texts?" The caller asked back with an annoyed voice.
I looked at my phone to check the caller. Oh, it's him. I decided to tease him.
"Who is this?" I asked him.
"Someone gold." He answered. Gold? Who does he think he is? I rolled my eyes.
"What is it Chase?" I whispered.
"Why are you whispering?" He asked.
"You don't want people knowing that I know you." I asked in a sarcastic tone and rolled my eyes.
“You call me Chase, remember?” He reminded me. “Nobody calls me that except you.”
I rolled my eyes again. It’ funny how I’m rolling my eye at him yet he can’t even see me. “Well, what a privilege, Chase.” I sarcastically answered. “Now, why did you call me?”
"Why weren't you replying?" He asked again. "I sent you like a hundred messages." A hundred?
"You're so exaggerated. There were only 15 message notifications on my phone. I've already read ten of them and I haven't read any of yours." I answered him while rolling my eyes again.
"Fine. I was exaggerating. But still, I texted you! And you didn't reply. Do you know how many people would die for text messages from me?" He said. Now I can feel him smirking and I can imagine his head growing bigger and bigger and bigger.
"Didn't it occur to you that I have classes? That I'm a student studying in the university?`` This guy is very demanding and I'm not even his P.A.!
"Just read them, okay? Bye!" He said then dropped the call. I just shook my head and rolled my eyes again in annoyance.
I've decided to just buy lunch at the convenience store or the restaurants near the company. It's almost 2 pm now. I texted one of my senior colleague and she told me that I should head straight for Bluestone Building instead of dropping by the office.
While seated on the subway, I decided to read his messages that I almost forgot about.
From: demanding chase
Hey, Ciara. It's me Chase.
I rolled my eyes and smirked. Why is he introducing himself when his number is already registered on my phone?
From: demanding chase
Hey, why aren't you replying?
I smiled at his message. This was sent 3 minutes after the first one. He's really impatient.
From: demanding chase
Anyways, I texted you because I told you last time that I'll text you about the location of our FRIENDLY date.
I laughed. He really emphasized ‘friendly.’
From: demanding chase
Btw, I’m eating a cream bun right now. Jace told me you like them ;P
Is he teasing me? Trying to get me to envy him for eating my fave pastry?
Why can't he just tell me where our date will take place?
Then I read his last message.
From: demanding chase
I wanted to call you to tell you the details but I guess you're busy with your classes. I'll just tell you later!
So he was actually thinking that I have classes. I'm so bad, being sarcastic and all. Well, he didn't have to be demanding.
To: demanding chase
Why didn't you tell me 'where' when you called earlier?
I immediately went to a convenience store when I got off since I can already feel my stomach rumbling. I got a sandwich, instant noodles, and iced coffee. I was in line at the counter when my phone beeped.
From: demanding chase
Because you were being grumpy and sarcastic. It annoyed me.
I smiled. I typed a reply.
To: demanding chase
Well, you didn't have to be demanding on your first phone call.
I placed the phone back in my pocket and placed my food on the counter to pay. Then I received another message.
From: demanding chase
Can you buy me a sandwich and instant ramen?
Whoah. I laughed at that. Great timing.
To: demanding chase
Sure. But you'll have to pay me double. You know, service charge and all.
I typed and place my phone back in my pocket.
"Can you wait for a while? I forgot something. I'll just go and get it." I told the guy behind the cashier and he just nodded.
I went back to the section of sandwich and instant ramen and grabbed one of each. I don't know which flavor he'll like, but I just grabbed a spicy ramen and a ham and cheese sandwich. He can't be demanding when he's ordering me around.
I went back to the counter and paid for the goods. Then I went out of the convenience store and walked to the company building.
I sent a text message to my senior colleague to ask her which floor I should go. Then a reply came in from Chase. Well, he's quite fast. Isn't he busy?
From: demanding chase
Always grumpy. Can't even treat me some food. Fine, I'll pay you when you get here.
I laughed once again. Of course I can't just spend money aimlessly. I'm a working student! I find it really funny that he's quite annoyed even though I'm just joking. I really have no plans of letting him pay me. Yes, I'm saving up but I'm not that grumpy.
I was typing my reply when a thought occured to me.
To: demanding chase
How did you know that I'm on my way to the company? I mean you asked me to buy you food.
I sent my reply and put my phone in my pocket before I crossed the street. I looked from left to right and made sure that no cars were passing by.
But something happened as I stepped my foot on the street. I felt dizzy. I couldn't explain it properly. I feel like my whole body is in slow motion and the world is spinning around me.
Then I saw pictures. Glimpses. I was falling on the ground. Blood everywhere. People shouting.
My body felt numb.
My vision became blurry. I felt hot tears forming on my eyes. The shouting was too loud. I started to cover my ears.
Suddenly there was a loud noise.
I looked at my right and saw a car coming.
I fell on the floor and I froze. I can only hear muffled sounds.
It was like the day of the accident all over again.
"Please don't shout at her. She must be stunned. I'm sorry for what happened." I heard a familiar voice talk. I think he's calming down the driver of the car.
"Next time, tell your girlfriend not to cross the street if she's just gonna make a scene. You're wasting my time!" I heard another guy say.
Someone crouched down beside me and held my arms and helped me stand up. I feel like jelly. We walked towards the building and entered the lobby.
I was seated on a chair in the lobby.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" He shouted at her. But I couldn't answer.
"Did you know that you could've died if the car hit you?! What were you thinking?!" His voice raised as he asked me. Instead of answering him, I just stared at him blankly. I want to speak but I couldn't. My mind couldn't register anything at the moment.
"Chase! Stop shouting at her. What happened anyway?" Someone said.
"Who in their right mind will stop in the middle of the street as if waiting to be hit by a car?" Chase answered.
"Can you calm down first? People are staring." The other guy said.
The guy crouched down in front of me and he held my hands.
"Chase," he called him. "Come here." He said. The guy let go of my hands so Chase crouched in front of me and held my hands.
I saw the shocked look on his face when he held my hands.
I'm staring blankly at him but I can feel the tears dripping down my face.
"I'm s-sorry." Finally, I was able to say something. "I-it's j-just t-that...I h-heard n-noises.... I j-just---" I couldn't finish what I was saying because Chase suddenly hugged me.
He patted my back as I continued to cry.