Eighteen
– Daniel King’s POV –
“Are you sure? I can come.” Hannah offered as she fixed a serious look at my eyes.
I smiled at her, genuinely before I planted a small kiss on her forehead, “I’ll be fine.”
Hannah smiled back at me. But she doesn’t seem to be convince with my response. She just pulled me in for a hug and I did respond to it while rubbing my hand against her back.
I broke the hug and look at her eyes. She seems so worried about me, seeing that my eyes ere swollen and reddish. But I gave her an assuring smile that could ease her worries. In that way, she won’t overthink about anything.
I placed my hand on her cheek and it made her giggled. I was relief to see her natural smile. I will never get used of seeing her smile.
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” I assured her with my charming smile.
As she pressed her lips, she reached for my hand that was on her cheek and put it down as she squeezed it, “I’ll see at school.”
With my mischievous smile, I nodded. I opened the door with my free hand while my head was still on her. I enjoy watching her smile. I can’t even get my eyes off her.
Finally, I turned my back at her and meet the cold wind of early dawn outside. I started to walk away from their porch while stooping.
It was dawn yet you can saw people walking at the streets and taking routes for jogging. It’s kind of cold and the wind is getting in my skin, though I’m wearing a cotton hoodie from last night.
While I was on my way home, I instantly remember mom. I wonder how she was. I stormed out of the house last night after I overheard her conversation with grandpa. I didn’t call or text her informing that I’ll be sleeping at Hannah’s house. She must be worried sick by now.
‘It might be a fact that Hannah is Veronica’s granddaughter… But I don’t know if she’s Aunt Veronica Murfin, who was adopted by the Gallego Family in 1959.’
Her words came in my mind again. My eyes went blurry and wet. I felt like I can’t breath. Her words was so sharp that could make my heart bleed nonstop. Damn! I don’t want to remember it. I don’t want to remember how it shattered my heart and how it caused me a huge wound.
I shut my eyes. Hoping that it would stop my tears from falling. Still, it escaped from my eyes and it fell across my cheeks. I quickly wipe it away and blew out. I pressed my palm against my chest as I sniffed.
“Its not true, damn it.” I mumbled as I blinked several times.
A distance from me, I vaguely saw the image of our house. My foot suddenly froze and I couldn’t take another step. I felt like turning back and ran away. But where? Where would I go? How about Hannah if I ran away? And what will happen to her if mom would seriously send me back to California? My thoughts were shuffling and I can’t get it together.
At the end, my instincts got the best of me so I moved forward. I took a deep breath to compose myself and act like nothing happen.
I slightly lifted my eyes and saw a glimpse of my mom. Her mouth was about to drop on the ground as she covered it with her hand. She noticed my presence approaching and she was so impatient that she ran and greeted me with a huge. She hugged me so tight that I couldn’t breath.
She exhaled with relief, “I thought I lost you.” She sniffed as she sobbed on my shoulder.
“Almost.” I respond in a low voice. I don’t feel like hugging her back or even smiling at her.
She broke the hug and eyed me from head to toe. Her eyes were wet and swollen, and her cheeks were soaking wet. She gently pressed her palms against my cheeks and circling it while grinning, but I didn’t look at her.
She sniffed as she tried to smile naturally, “Lets get you ready. You’re almost late for your exam.”
I just nodded without looking at her and walked to the main door. She was behind me and grandpa was looking at me. I stoop lower to prevent an eye contact with him.
– Hannah Mae’s POV –
I was chatting with Vanessa and Clarisse when Mrs. Onevic entered the room. And just as she entered the room, Vanessa stood and it caught my attention. She usually sat next to me, on my left and Clarisse on my right.
“Where are you going?” I asked in curiosity.
“I’m sitting next to William.” She answered with eyebrows crossed.
My brows furrowed, “Seriously? Your sitting with your ex during the exam?”
“Of course.” She raised a brow, “To ask some tips on how to cheat.”
I smirked and followed up by a chuckled. Clarisse softly laughed as she covered her mouth with her folder.
Vanessa playfully winked at us and went to the other side of the room where her ex-boyfriend sat.
“Really?” Clarisse blurted.
“As you can see…” I paused as I grinned at her, “William cheated on her so she’s asking for tips on how to cheat to pass the exam.”
Clarisse replied with a half smile and I was surpassing myself from laughing.
“Why not asked for an expert to pass?”
I heard a voice next to me. It sounded cold but I do love hearing that voice. Clarisse lifted her head to have view of whoever was next to me. I turned to face him and he was smirking. When did he got there? I didn’t noticed his presence.
“We have a genius over here.” Clarisse teased as she was playfully grinning at him.
I smiled at him, “Any tips to pass?”
He was smirking while staring at me for a few minutes before he answered, “Just choose the right one.” He paused with a charming smile, “Like choosing me.”
I giggled, surpassing myself from laughing, “You can’t be Mr. Right, King.”
“But I can be your Mr. Right now.” He replied with his most captivating smile that stole my heart.
I felt my cheeks were burning as I covered my mouth with my folder. I softly chuckled while he was grinning from ear to ear. He secretly reach for my free hand and held it tight. His warm hands sent sparks everywhere in my body and I felt like my heart melted every time he touched my hand or any part of me.
– Third Person’s POV –
Jenalyn was standing in front of the main door while waiting for Alexander to come down from his room. She had been massaging her forehead while thinking twice of his decision. A lot of things happened between her and King. She knew she caused her son to be hurt and she didn’t want to cause another. Yet, they have to confirm the facts they have to put Alexander’s mind in peace.
“Are you ready, Jenalyn?” Alexander appeared behind her.
Jenalyn exhaled as she turned to face him, “Are you sure about this, dad?” She was still hesitating.
“I’ve never been this sure after 56 years. I’ve been waiting for this day to come.” He replied with confidence.
Her brows wrinkled, “But it could hurt King so much. He will be in pain.”
He peered his eyes at her, “Now your talking. You want the two young lovers to break up and this is the most valid reason.”
She swallowed and her eyes blinked, “I can’t imagine him being in so much pain.”
He fixed a serious look at her eyes, “If this fact is true, they are committing unforgivable sin. Do you want to see their souls burn in hell?”
She wasn’t able to answer as a tear escape from her eyes. She sniffed and her eyes blinked several times.
He reached for her hand and gently squeezed it, “You have to be strong and be there for him. After this, you can send him back to California.” His tone was low and calm.
She nodded and reached for her pursue to get her handkerchief. She gently pressed it on the corner of her eyes and on her cheeks. She took a breath as she composed herself.
“Okay.” She paused as she sniffed, “Lets settle this, dad. Once and for all.”
He moved closer to her and gently brushed his hand on her back. He opened the door using his free hand and they went out as he closed it behind.