Darren’s POV
I was again visiting the audio live stream of “Jewel”. And as always, I enjoyed listening to her songs. How I wished she would show me her face. How I wished I get to know where she is schooling. But how would I?
I looked at my watch and it was already 1:30 in the morning. I was about to go to bed when I received a phone call from my Dad. I wondered why my father suddenly called me at this hour. I hurriedly reached for my phone and talked to him.
“Yes, dad. How are you?”
My father responded in a harsh voice, and I guessed he was mad at me.
“I received information that you’re interested in a certain girl in the university. Who is she? What kind of family does she have?”, Dad asked me directly without any hesitation.
I was stunned into silence because I was thinking who told him about it.
“In case, you have forgotten Darren, let me remind you that you are not allowed to get into a serious relationship while you are still schooling. Or if you want to get into commitments then, there’s only one woman I want for you and that’s Bridgette Castillon, and no one else”, he uttered with an emphatic voice.
My dad was referring to his friend’s daughter, who is also a half-French and a half-Filipina. Bridgette Castillon is my classmate at UP. A slim woman who stands 5’6, has a porcelain complexion, a sophisticated and liberated woman because she grew up in France. She is pretty, but I don’t know why I am not attracted to her. My father likes her for me since she is a daughter of a businessman. And he believes that when I’ll get married to her, our business will become even more successful because Bridgette came from a wealthy and influential family in France. She was the woman my friends set on a blind date for me before whom I refused to sleep with, although she was throwing herself naked on me. Her pride was probably hurt at that time, so she was challenged to win me at all costs. So when I decided to transfer to UP, a week after, Bridgette followed me here. She is the kind of woman who will do everything to get what she wants, and so she is branded, ‘the world-class bitch”.
It’s true that it’s always been my desire to be adored by women, but not to the extent when someone becomes possessive of me because as far as I can remember, I haven’t given any false hope to anyone of them. I am not involved in any relationship. And even if I have a circle of friends, but it’s only a pure friendship and nothing else.
“Darren, are you listening to me?”, my father spoke from the other line.
“Once I heard you are involved in a romantic relationship with another woman, I will send you back here in France. Do you understand?”, Dad said harshly.
“Yes dad”, I responded just to end our conversation. As much as I could, I don’t want to argue with my dad over the phone. Yes, I respect him, but I won’t allow him to interfere with my personal life.
After a while, I pressed the end call button and dropped off my phone annoyingly. I was thinking about who could be my father’s spy. I’ve tried to think about it and there’s only one person who would possibly do that—Bridgette!
I took a quick shower and after that, I put on a dark polo and folded it up to my elbow. It was paired with blue jeans and rubber shoes. I went out of the room and headed to the kitchen to prepare something for my breakfast. Though our housemaids already served food on the table, but I don’t like to eat rice in the morning. So I brewed a cup of coffee instead and took a slice of bread. After that I left, driving my Mitsubishi Expander going to UP. I need to talk to Bridgette because I know she was the one who made a fake report to my dad.
At the school, when I was entering the hallway going to our building, I saw Bridgette together with her friends, sitting on the plastic chairs, while chitchatting and laughing with each other. As soon as she saw me, she grinned and approached me.
“Hi love”, she greeted as she wrapped her hands around my waist.
I tried to take her hands off me but she hugged me tightly.
“You are mine Darren. Remember that. So, don’t try messing around with other girls. You know who I am”, Bridgette uttered and kissed me.
“What the hell are you doing? “, I shouted and tried to push her away.
I looked around because other students were looking at us. Suddenly, I saw Jeyah from a distance going to her building. Our eyes met, but in no time she averted her gaze. I know she saw it. Bridgette followed the direction of my eyes, and as soon as she saw Jeyah, she again encircled her hands around my waist and lay her head on my chest.
“I love you Darren. And let me remind you again that there’s only one woman your father wants for you, and that’s me, got it love?”, she spoke trying to make her voice a little loud to get Jeyah’s attention.
I know Jeyah heard it, but she just ignored it and continued her way to the College of Social Sciences. I know she was upset. I could see it in her eyes. I wanted to follow her and explain to her everything that Bridgette was the one who initiated the kiss. But I was hesitant because I’m afraid that Bridgette would do something bad to her.
I was totally pissed off. I had a bad mood even inside the classroom especially that Bridgette wanted to sit beside me.
“Bridgette excuse me, I’m sitting next to Darren. So could you please go back to your original seat?”, Angela spoke annoyingly. Bridgette raised one of her brows and smirked.
“Oh really? What if I’m going to kick you out of here? Would you still not give in your seat?”, Bridgette yelled.
I told Angela to just let go and let Bridgette sit beside me. I was glad Angela did not insist, or else, a big trouble might happen inside the classroom. I know Bridgette so well because we were classmates in France when I studied there for two years. As far as I can remember, she is capable of doing everything. She is much more influential than anyone here in the campus because even the UP President is her father’s friend.
I’m glad our class went over, so it’s time for me to go to the school’s cafeteria with my friends. I told Angela and Eduard to come with me so, I could be out of Bridgette’s sight since it’s already suffocating and absolutely annoying. Bridgette doesn’t have any problem with my friends because she knew the policy of our group.
While heading towards the school cafeteria, Eduard told me that a few hours ago, he saw Bridgette in the oval, talking with Jeyah. And he was sure that it was all about me. I suddenly got worried about Jeyah because I don’t want her to have trouble with Bridgette.
“Uhm, bro, what if we will let Jeyah join our group so that Bridgette will not go after her?”, Eduard suggested.
“Yes bubs, I agree with Eduard”, Angela uttered.
“But if she will be in our group, that means you’re not allowed to get into a romantic relationship because a policy remains a policy. I’m sure you can do that bro. Anyway, you’re not interested with Jeyah, right? “, Eduard said in a more casual tone.
I did not respond to them, because I felt a sudden sadness deep within my heart. But I need to do it if this is the only way to protect her. Eduard was right. I’m not interested with her and she can only be my friend. But why I’m feeling this way? Tssk…
We reached the school’s cafeteria and ordered our favorite food. After a while, others came, until we’re nine already. I opened up to them about Eduard’s suggestion and they agreed with me. I know my friends also like Jeyah so they are very happy and excited to have a new member of the group.
After some time, I saw Clarisse approaching us, and she’s with Jeyah. Suddenly, I felt nervous for no reason. I don’t know how to face her after what she saw in the hallway. I’m sure Jeyah saw it when Bridgette wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me. Shit! That damn woman!
“Hi Jeyah, we’re glad you’re joining us today”, my friends greeted her. I just looked at her and gave a soft smile. Eduard shoved my elbow to let me pull a chair for her.
“Hi guys”, Jeyah responded softly.
She seemed so serious and I feel like she is not in a good mood today.
“Are you alright Jeyah?”, Andrew asked curiously.
I looked at her, and our eyes met. I averted my gaze because I felt like I was melting already. I can see the sadness in her eyes and I don’t know why. Is it because of that kiss? Tssk…
Everyone was speechless for a moment as if something or someone was passing by. I looked at Angela and gladly, she understood what I mean to say.
“Uhm, Jeyah, is it okay with you if you join our group?”, Angela spoke, in order to break the silence.
Everyone agreed.
“Yes! yes!!! is it okay Jeyah?”
I looked at her, and I knew she was not expecting this to happen. I hope she would not say “yes”, but, no! I hope she would join the group. Tsskk… What the hell is happening to me?
After a few seconds, Jeyah responded.
“Honestly, I don’t expect that you will let me join your group guys. You know, I’ve been longing for friends, so I’m saying ‘yes’.
My friends were yelling and clapping their hands in happiness and excitement, as they welcomed Jeyah with a handshake.
“Welcome to “One for All” bubs”, everyone uttered together, while I remained silent. Angela, gave me her wild gaze, so I stood up and shook Jeyah’s hand.
“Welcome to our group bubs”, I spoke.
“This calls for a celebration guys!”, Eduard exclaimed.
I took a deep sigh because deep inside my heart I have this mixed emotion of both happiness and sadness. I’m happy that Jeyah is now a member of the group, so it means we’ll be with each other most of the time, but sad as well because having her in the group means, there would never be “us” to happen.