He is interested with me?
Is he on drugs? What's interesting about me, anyway?
I cleared my throat."You're really gone crazy. Stop it now, Miller. You see, I have no time for your silly thoughts and such."
He was about to speak but I already waved my hand dismissively. Lia chased me and I readied myself for her never-ending comments on our way to our room.
"Why so heartless, Van? He's just adoring you, I guess? While you turned him down." She shook her head and pouted.
I gave her my unbothered look."If you think I'm heartless because of what I did then, think of it. And what do you want to do? Entertain him? Make him as a friend? Lia, you two are totally opposite. You're not him and he's not you." I said firmly.
Her face softened.
"What if he's true? What if he just wanted to be your friend? Remember, don't judge the person in a single look." She raised her point finger and shook it in front of my face.
"But... I only trust you. I trust no one. I'm having a hard time trusting people around me. I know you know that." Finally, I said it. I finally said it.
Her eyes flickered with a familiar thing. Hmm, concern. I'm not in the mood to any drama so I dropped the topic out and left her there. I smirked secretly when I heard her calling me while chasing my steps. Inside the classroom, everyone greeted me and yeah, it feels odd. But little by little, I decided to not just mind it. Because this is normal. Changes are normal.
Once people knows about your success, they intend to change and treat you better but less genuine.
And that's what I see Miller. We both won the contest and he kept following me these past few days because of what I achieved. Everyone wants to be my friend because I have the title, and I fulfilled their expectations.
I'm expecting after my encounter with Miller today, everything will be back to normal, between us. That he would finally stop following me and sticking with me. But I realized I was just expecting for nothing. Because the moment our lunch break came, the usual grinning Miller welcomed me right after I pulled Lia out of the room and decided to go to the Cafe.
He's resting on the wall, hand inside his pocket and the other's tapping his right thigh. His face immediately lit up when he saw me. He walked closely and greeted Lia first.
"Hi, girls." His dimple shown up along his bright natural smile.
"Hello, Miller! We're suppose to go to the Cafe, how about you?" Lia and her friendly side.
Alright, I can't do anything about it anymore.
"Oh, I suppose to go there, too," Miller replied to my friend but his eyes were fixed on me. I scoffed exasperatedly.
"Really? What if let's just go there together?" Lia suggested that I can't agree with in the first place.
I noticed the smile on his lips but he purposely hid it."But I don't think your friend right here can agree..."
"Good that you know."
"Van!"
Miller chuckled. He bit his lip and gave me a playful look. I raised my brow and looked at him suspiciously. My eyes narrowed.
"Lia, you go first. I'll just talk to this guy." Both of them was gone shock after I said that.
"You sure? You wouldn't bully him, would you?" She asked, my tilted my head.
I made a half-smirk."We'll see." Her eyes widened.
"You're kidding me, snowflake!" Miller complained.
"Bye! I'll follow, promise," I waved at her before facing the other new nuisance in my life.
"Vanez, Vanez, Vanez... you're cute. You always have this crumpled face whenever you're seeing me but here you are, wants a talk with me. Hmm, so you're not that easy to get---" I cut him off because he's started saying nonsense things again.
"Will you shut up? Do you ever know that I'm so, so annoyed at you already? Your sudden appearance still giving me creep and oh---cringe feeling." I smirked at him sarcastically.
But I'm shocked when he smirked, too."I know that, snowflake. I don't that you're so, so annoyed at me..." he doesn't sound like mocking me but why does it feels like that?
Or is it just me?
"Will you stop calling me using that fucking endearment?!" I exploded that easily.
His eyes were now filled with amusement.
"You really know how to cuss. They are right, you're not an ordinary girl. And with that, I'm getting interested day by day..."
"You are crazy," I shook my head.
"Yes, I'm crazy over you." He winked.
My mouth parted. He laughed hard at my reaction that he almost rollover the floor while holding his stomach.
God, this guy.
"You're hopeless," I can't find another words to describe him.
"Yeah, hopelessly inlove with you..." he then, laughed again.
Damn, I'm surrounded by crazy people.
After school, I'm so exhausted that I immediately searched for a pillow to rest on. Good thing there's five throw pillow inside our limousine to somehow ease my tiredness. I was closed eyes when I heard Bogart's voice.
"Miss Vanez, would you like to sleep for awhile?"
"Hmm, no. I'm just resting my eyes but my mind is totally open."
I took my headset and wore it then. He never disturbed me again until we arrived at the mansion. At first look, you'll expect that the allover place is peaceful and quiet but like the saying,'never judge a book by its cover', this place can relate. Because the moment you step your feet inside the main door, the irritating voices of the Consuellos will welcome you, especially the mother and daughter and of course, including Dad. He's always by their side, anyway.
"Really, mommy? We're going to London next week?" The first thing I heard was Akira's eager question.
My steps automatically paused.
"Yes, sweetie. Martin said he will just tell to his employee and we'll buy our tickets already." Sharon's voice followed.
I walked closer to see them there on kitchen, Akira's face brightened up, she's facing her mother and they're both sitting on a high chair. I saw Dad who's washing something on the marbled sink.
"Yay! I'm so excited! Thank you, Dad!" Akira left the chair to go to Daddy and she hugged him.
I clearly saw Dad's genuine smile amidst his wrinkles."Anything for you," he said as he caressed her hair.
He's happy and free. I can see it. Bitterness consumed me again but this time, I didn't complain. I just let it flow... because I can finally admit to myself that yeah, I'm insecure.
My fist tightened because Dad lifted up his gaze and it directly hit mine. He seem shock but I maintained my poker face.
"Vanez," Akira and Sharon looked at me also."Why don't you join our snacks, daughter?" Is he insulting me or what?
I pressed my lips tight together.
"No, thanks. I already lost my appetite." I made my chin up and rolled my eyes at Akira.
It's better to leave than to torture myself.
I can't help but to smile bitterly, remembering the day after the school event and they welcomed me with nothing but funny looks and Akira's fucking judgements. She and her mother has this insulting look at the trophy I brought. Even Dad, I'm expecting something from him. Like a praise or some words that would make me think that I'm still his daughter but then again, expectation always leads to disappointment.
He didn't say anything, he just stared at me and at the trophy I'm holding. I waited for the words I wanted to hear from here even before but it didn't happen. Innov... he acted different, well, he always does because he's a weird guy. But even I ignore it for how many times, I can't hide the fact that his simple words affected me.
"Congratulations, Vanez! I'm always proud of you," that's what exactly he said yesterday because he's gone for days because he's been busy for their exam.
I hate to say this but... he's way differ from the Consuellos' trait that I know.
Funny how I got the exact words I'm anticipated to hear even before from someone beyond my expectation.
It's just that the more I force myself not to expect, the more I can't help it because deep inside, I'm really expecting and as the result, deep inside, I always get disappointed.
My shoulders fell as I stepped on the staircase heading to my room. The whole place is empty for me. I'm used to it but why does it feel like the first time?
I remember my classmates... Rocelia and the others. They showered me with praises and compliments... telling me how proud they are. I know almost all of those were lies but atleast, they tried and they did.