TWO DAYS LATER
SCHOOL
Desmond sat in class, completely lost in his thoughts. It's been two days after Gisella's discharge from the hospital but never had she called or texted. She had neither attended class as well and this got him worried and nervous. He tried calling but she never answered his calls or returned any of his texts either. Desmond became so frustrated that he didn't know what else to do.
" It's better I visit her at home after class– I really need to find out what's going on with her" He thought to himself. A sudden voice instinctively drew his attention.
" Hey, Desmond, here you are–" She scoffed. "I've been searching everywhere for you" a feminine voice announced. He deftly turned to the direction of the voice, thinking it was Gisel but his face instinctively went numb on seeing who it was.
"Hey, It's you– why are you looking for me? Need anything? " He asked as he stared up at her. She sneered." What's with you?– Why that face and the loads of questions? " She chortled and slightly hit his shoulders.
"Here, show some manners – Come on, scout over!" Desmond stared with a stunned gaze as she settled next to him. She chuckled.
"Enough with those looks, just came to check if you've already had lunch since you weren't with your friends at the canteen" She stated.
" Oh, sorry for that." He mumbled, feeling guilty. "I'm kind of not feeling well so stayed back– Is lunch break already over?"
" No, but hey, since you're not well– I'll escort you to the clinic first ,okay?"
" No, no never mind " He swiftly cut in. "I'm okay, really good here"
Loretta stared with quiet a shocked and furrowed brow on how he hesitated. She scoffed.
" Or is it because of Gisella?– You've been like this ever since her absence ." He glared at her.."Stop it, Lore, just let me be....", he exclaimed. Just then, Gisella walked in, gliding towards her desk.
" Talk of the devil and there she is" Loretta coldly uttered which drew Desmond's attention to the entrance.
" Oh, Gisella, you finally came to class." He hurried to her and drew her into a hug. His lips curved with a broad smile. Gisella just wore a deadpan gaze– She instinctively drew away from his bossom. Desmond's bow furrowed, a bit surprised by her attitude but shoved it off.
"But why are you so late? – I've been so worried about you" He asked but Gisel remained mute. Loretta glared at her with anger in her eyes, her chest rapidly rose and fell.
"She's such a pain" Paola mumbled, furious.
" You really need to do something about her, Lore else you'll lose Desmond to her...", Bianca added. She scoffed with a sneer.
" Don't worry girls, I sure know what to do with her. Let's go" She stuttered and stormed off, Paola and Bianca immediately, hurried after her. Just when they were about to exit, Gisel's voice drew their attention back to the class.
" I told you to leave me alone, Desmond. Don't you ever come close to me, ever!– Hope you understand what I just said. Now leave !!" Gisella yelled at him. Desmond stared at her, confused.
" What? " He howled with furrowed brow. "Why are you acting this way, Gisel?– What did I do wrong? " He asked.
" Everything, Desmond– Everything" She cried. "I hate you so much and I don't want to see you, ever!!. Make sure you never come before me, ever, please ." Her words felt like a piercing sword in his heart. His eyes squinted and his lips quivered. He felt numb without words– It felt like they were locked up in his throat.
Loretta rushed in between them, facing Gisel in the process.
"What is wrong with you? And why are you acting like that towards him, Gisel" She howled. But she just glanced away with indifference. Loretta scoffed with curled lips.
"You're such a bitch, Gisel– An ingrate if I must say. Do you even know how he felt when you weren't coming to class? And now you're here, treating him like this?" She tilted her head. "What kind of a friend are you?", Loretta exclaimed but Desmond held her hand, stopping her from saying any further.
" Just let her be, Lore– There's no need to tell her all these" He mumbled with crestfallen and a pained look. "Sorry for bordering you, Gisel. I'll never come in front of you ever again. I promise." He turned and pulled Loretta "Let's go, Lore"
Gisella stared at their back as they exited. The tears she had fought back all along, drifted down her eyes as she slouched into her desk.
" I'm so sorry, Desmond. I really didn't mean to hurt you but I need to do this to protect you. I love you so much and I can't stand to lose you as well. Hope you'll someday understand and forgive me", she cried.
THE ANTONIO'S MANSION
Natasha stood in her room, her gaze fixed on a strange mirror, showing Gisella's class on the wall. She chuckled at what she saw.
" Fool, you've really made this job very easy for me." She laughed. " There's no need to invite him over again" She howled." All I need to do is take the form of our dear, precious, Loretta and boom!, the job is done. Wait for me Desmond, no escape this time."
Her voice echoed. Her lips curved in a mischievous smile.
SCHOOL CANTEEN
Desmond with his friends, Loretta, Bianca, Paola and Martin sat at a table with their lunch. Everyone was happily chatting and having lunch while Desmond just watched on. His subconscious mind kept echoing back Gisella's words. Everything felt like a dream which he couldn't comprehend.
" Why is she acting like this all of a sudden?" He wondered "Is something bordering her or what?–But why can't she talk to me about it?" He thought but nothing seem to add up. He roared.
"Gosh, this is damn frustrating– I need to find a way to get her to talk, I can't just let her go like this. Won't give up just yet, Gisel, not until I find out what this is all about " He mumbled to himself. Martin turned, only to find him up in the blues.
" Hey, Desmond," He tapped him on the shoulder and Desmond, flipped with a faint smile. " why ain't you eating?" He asked. " Are you still thinking about what happened between you and Gisel ?"
His demeanor suddenly changed. " Oh, no–Here can't you see, I'm eating " He exclaimed, stuffing his mouth with some rice. Martin sheepishly smiled and shook his head.
" Silly head– why hide that" He scoffed and they both laughed. Desmond glanced with a smile as he turned to his plate. His thought drifted off again.
" I'll just play along as you want, Gisella, but will never give up that easily– I'll find out what you're hiding from me, I promise you that" He mumbled. Soon lunchtime was over, they all rushed back to class for the rest of the lessons.