It’s Monday today. I roamed my eyes around my school, hoping that someone familiar would talk to me. I was hesitant to join my classmates who were enjoying their lunch. I felt like I’m an outcast here. I felt like I was new here. Even though I spent my semester break fruitfully, it fell short for me. The time I spent with Denver was too little. And I wasn’t ready to face him.
I admit that I distanced myself after I saw Jake Hart at the elevator. I was afraid that Denver would counterattack impulsively. I feel like it will be a trigger to him if I talk about it. And I am not yet ready to hear his reason. His reason why he never tells me about the wedding. That it was called off. And his plans for this arranged marriage. I don’t want to intrude on his personal space or his decisions.
But I really want to know. I don’t want to sit and do anything. I want to help him. But he’s been secretive ever since. I understand that he must keep things for me. For me to be safe. But I am also worried. Doesn’t he trust me enough?
“Sharmienne?”
My thoughts were cut off when I heard someone call me. I turned my gaze to the entrance gate of our school. There I saw the Student Council President Harold Villegara. I smiled at him as he approached me. “Mind if I have lunch with you?” he politely asked.
“No. I’m also alone and I do not know where to eat lunch.”
“I know a place.” He beamed. I nodded. I walk beside him. This will help me clear my mind. Might as well join him than be alone here.
We went out of school. A nearby local eatery was packed with students when we entered. Harold guided me inside as we squished ourselves.
“Hoo!” Harold puffed a breath after he reserved us a sit. He immediately looked at me. “Sorry about that. It’s really crowded here, especially at lunchtime.”
“It’s fine.” I smiled.
“I’ll order for us.” He suggested it but I shook my head. “Huh? Why?”
“I h-have my food with me.”
I saw how his brows arched. He then chuckled when he realized something.
“Someone cooked for you?” It was as if a question for himself. He nodded casually. “You’re lucky. I’ll order for myself, then. I’ll be right back.”
I nodded. He left and went for the line. I was just looking at him when I noticed a guy wearing a sleeveless shirt and a black cap in the opposite direction, just behind Harold. His face was half-covered with a black mask. But what was visible to me was a hawk-like tattoo on his left arm.
I pursed my lips as I saw how his gaze when to me. I pretended to look at other things, but it still settled in his direction. He was not familiar. It was my first time seeing him. But after I saw his tattoo, it was as if recognition suddenly flashed into my mind.
Hawk tattoo… The Hawk…
He might be one of the members of that gang. I don’t want to assume this. I need to calm down or else I’ll panic. No one will console me.
Without looking back in Harold’s direction, I fished out my phone inside my bag and immediately dialed Denver’s name. It rang for seconds before someone answered it.
“Hello?”
I stayed at my place. My phone almost loosened its grip on my phone when I heard a female’s voice. My eyes welled up with tears, but they immediately rushed down my cheeks.
“H-hello? W-who is this?” I managed to answer but my voice cracked. Thinking that my husband is with someone else already broke me.
“I am sorry, but someone left his phone in this café.” I heard the woman say. Based on her voice, she seems older than me.
“O-oh. I’m the owner’s wife,” I uttered, completely calmed down. “Can you please call a contact named Daniel? I can’t pick it up right now.”
Denver’s not in Davao right now. He has work that he needs to attend in Manila. I was alone in his condo unit since yesterday.
“Okay.”
“Thank you so much, miss.”
“No worries.”
I put down the phone as it ended. My eyes gazed back at the guy but to my surprise, he wasn’t there anymore. I roamed around the place, only to see Harold bump into that guy with a hawk tattoo. He was taller than Harold, he almost stumbled because of the impact. The plate that Harold was holding spilled some of its sauce on his uniform.
I immediately went to him and escorted him back to our reserved seats. I knew he was irritated as he looked back to where that guy was though he suddenly left the place. I felt a bit relieved now that the guy wasn’t here.
“You know that guy, Pres?” I asked him as I handed over the wipes. “He’s rude.”
His eyes focused on me long before he heaved a heavy sigh. “No. He just went towards me, not minding if he will bump into someone.”
I nodded. I brought out my lunch as Harold started eating his food. He glanced at me when he saw my lunch box. I saw him smile but didn’t say anything.
Denver left on Saturday night and asked Daniel to look after me. His friend also has a condo unit in Madrigal Towers, and he will visit me from time to time. I wanted to ask Daniel about Denver. Just some information that he can share but he’s too loyal to Denver. He wouldn’t say anything and will dodge everything I will ask. I just gave up.
“Do you have a boyfriend, Sharmienne?” I coughed hard at Harold’s question. He almost panicked when I couldn’t find my water bottle. He immediately gave me his glass of water. “Here.”
I recovered after I drank water. I saw Harold scratching his eyebrow while looking at me. He cannot hide his smirk. After a few seconds, he burst into laughter that other students looked at our side. He's quite popular in C.H.U since he's the president of the student council.
“Why?” I looked confused.
“You've indirectly answered my question, Sha.” He chuckles. “Who's the lucky guy?”
My cheeks suddenly blush at his remark. He faked a cough, waiting for my answer.
“Yes, I h-have...” I stutter but I can't completely reveal my husband. “He's a good guy.”
“You're in a secret relationship?” he asked. I was biting my inside cheeks as I was hesitant to answer him. I am not sure if I should truly trust Harold about this. “Don't worry. You don't need to answer it.”
“He's good and I understand why he needs to keep us a secret,” I uttered. “How about you?”
He arched his brow. “I'm now on the hot seat, huh?”
I giggled and shook my head. This is my way to change the topic. It feels like I'm betraying Denver if I just tell anyone about us. As if no one knows about his clan.
“I'm attracted to this bratinella but she sees me as her superior.” He shrugged. “You know, she's like ordering her subordinates around but when it comes to me, she instantly obeys.”
I have a hunch but I don't want to spoil his time. It's our second time meeting on campus yet here I am having lunch with him. This speaks volumes about how I easily trust a good guy.
“Maybe she likes you? It means that she cares. She w-wouldn't act like that if you've nothing to her.”
I gulped the lump in my throat. I have never experienced that kind of admiration, perhaps, it was beyond that. The way that girl thinks is similar to mine. And I would do the same.
“Just pursue her,” I suggested. “It's best to try so you won't regret it.”
It was all I could do for him. We bid goodbye after that lunch. He goes straight to their office while I stopped near a Mango tree as it was not our class time yet.
I was about to get inside the campus when someone dragged me and covered my nose with a handkerchief. A familiar black hoodie jacket and cap were all I saw before I inhaled something intoxicating.
“You're a threat to us, Sharmienne.” That was the thing I remembered before I dozed off.