Sunday morning and Japen’s fever was gone. Even though I wanted to stay longer, Papa said I needed to go home. He insisted that one night staying at Japen’s place was enough.
“I’m okay, Azora. Go ahead,” Japen said, grinning broadly.
I rolled my eyes. He seemed so happy, didn’t he?
“You sure?” I narrowed my eyes at him.
He nodded. “I’m good now. Besides, Mang Selyo will be coming home next week.” He sighed. “I start classes in the first week of next month.”
I blinked after hearing that. Okay, Mang Selyo’s returning, and Japen’s back at Community College. We probably won’t see each other much now that he’ll be busy with school and I’ll be busy too.
I sighed. I didn’t want to leave Japen; I’d gotten used to him escorting me to and from school. But I knew it wasn’t possible for Japen to always be there. He had his own life, and so did I. Plus… didn’t he have a girlfriend?
I smirked. “You have a girlfriend?”
“Huh?” A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Applying for the position?”
“Nonsense.”
Japen chuckled. I rolled my eyes, feeling my cheeks flush a bit. He had such a teasing mouth, didn’t he?
“Nevermind.” I grabbed my shoulder bag and glanced at him. “I’ll go. If you need anything, just call me, okay?”
He was still grinning as he nodded. “Yes, ma’am!” he teased.
Shaking my head, I couldn’t help but smile. Japen was always like this-always making me smile or annoyed.
As I walked past him, he matched my slow pace. Dad’s car was parked outside the gate, waiting. Dad insisted on sending his driver, even though I could have taken public transport home. Dad was… well, Dad.
“Take care,” Japen whispered, opening the car door for me.
I looked at him, raising an eyebrow. He didn’t flinch or look away, just as he always did when I questioned him like that.
“What did you say?” I teased.
Japen scratched his neck and gave me a wry smile. “Thanks for caring, Azora. You’re the only one here who takes care of me,” he said softly.
Furrowing my brow at his words, I looked around his neighborhood. I noticed a few of his neighbors staring at me. Well, I’d gotten used to that anyway.
“Where’s your girlfriend?” I asked.
“Oh…” He looked away. “She’s not here,” he said.
“Not here?”
He nodded and bit his lip. “We broke up.”
I raised an eyebrow at that. “When?”
“The first night you stayed over here.”
“Oh?” I paused, trying to remember. “I don’t recall that. I mean, I don’t remember anyone shouting at me, ready to chase me away for flirting with her boyfriend.”
Japen stared at me, amused. A slight smile played on his lips before he burst out laughing.
Shaking my head, I got into the car. The driver was in the front seat. I glanced up at Japen, who was still holding the car door. I made a face.
“Could you close the door?” I asked.
His laughter subsided, and he looked at me again. “Take care,” he said, closing the door quickly.
The car pulled away from Japen’s place. I watched his reflection in the side mirror.
The drive wasn’t long. Soon, we stopped outside Dad’s mansion. Before anyone could open the car door for me, I got out and walked towards the entrance. Some of the household staff greeted me as they busied themselves watering the plants near the large main door.
“Is Dad…?”
“He’s not here, Miss.”
I nodded and headed inside the mansion. I didn’t bother visiting other parts of the house, going straight up the central staircase. I entered my room and lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Then, I wasted time scrolling through my social media accounts.
The next day came, and I was late for class. I didn’t know why I had woken up late that morning. Dad didn’t let Japen escort me to university since he’d just recovered from his fever. Instead, Dad sent his driver while he waited at the mansion for the driver to return.
I cringed at his idea. Why not hire another driver? He had the money for it.
Since I was late for my first class, I decided to skip it and go straight to the university’s canteen. I ordered food and ate quickly, occasionally stealing glances at the students bustling around.
Afterwards, I wandered silently through the university halls. There were a handful of students around, but it was quiet, probably because classes were in session.
Out of boredom, I decided to visit the university library. It was almost nine in the morning, and I had a couple of hours before my next class. It was a good place to relax for a while.
As I made my way towards the library, a man blocked my path. I looked up and saw him staring at me. I stepped to one side to let him pass, but he moved to block me again.
Frowning, I tried the other side, but he moved again.
“Can you move?” I said, annoyed.
He didn’t say anything, just walked past me. I blinked. That was odd. I turned to look at his back. There was something about him… something unusual.
“Azora.”
I straightened up when I heard someone call my name. I looked over and saw Skylar. My eyes narrowed at him, but he just flashed his infamous smile.
I smirked. Now that I saw him again…