And I was right. After that afternoon, Simmy didn’t attempt to come in for several days. The maid who delivered my meals said that Simmy and Dad had argued recently about my relationship with Anthony Clasiso. I was right. Dad knew, and there was no doubt about that, though he hadn’t set foot in that room since the night he warned me about Skylar.
It was fine by me. Alone in that room, I just read novels, played mobile games, and enjoyed the sunset and sunrise from the balcony.
There was nothing unusual, except that I kept dreaming of Anthony over the past few nights. Sometimes, I’d daydream about Anthony being with me in that room.
I must have been losing my mind, but I didn’t stop it. I just imagined that Anthony was indeed there, smiling and talking to me. Then, minutes later, he would vanish into thin air, and I’d find myself in tears.
That was my routine all day long. But maybe it would change when my online classes started. Well, tomorrow was the first day of my one-on-one online class, and I couldn’t wait.
“Miss?”
I was brought back to reality when I heard someone call me. I looked at the maid and smiled. “Yes?”
“You’ve been staring off into space for a while.” She glanced at the bedside table. “I’ve brought your snacks. Just call me if you need anything else, Miss.”
“Y-Yes, yes. Of course.”
I watched her leave and gently close the door. I took a deep breath and looked at the food tray with my snacks. I reached for a cookie before lowering my gaze to the pocketbook I was holding. I hadn’t noticed that my mind had drifted away while I was reading.
Time flew by, and I found myself staring at the computer monitor in front of me. Dad had brought in the computer set last night. I couldn’t do anything but watch as a few men carried and set up the computer next to the closet. Dad instructed them to place it there so the bed wouldn’t be visible when I turned on the camera.
It was my first time attending an online class. I was excited to meet my professors on that first day. They greeted me and asked if I was ready. I told them I was, which I regretted a few weeks later.
I never knew online classes could be so challenging. I was under a lot of pressure. Some subjects were difficult, and the lessons were hard to understand. With online classes, I had to do a lot of self-study, which I struggled with.
I wasn’t used to self-studying. Although the professors were patient and tried to teach me, applying what I learned was difficult. What was I supposed to do?
I missed a class one day, and Dad was notified.
That night, I saw him standing in the center of the room, staring at me in disbelief.
“I arranged this for you, Azora. You shouldn’t have missed a class! You’re just here inside, so I don’t understand why you were absent.” His voice was firm yet gentle.
I sighed. “It was really stressful.”
Dad squinted his eyes at me. “You have nothing else to do but shower and sit in front of the monitor. Why were you absent?”
“Was it such a big deal, Dad?” I heaved a sigh and crossed my arms over my chest. “It wasn’t a life-or-death situation. Besides, I’ve missed classes before at the University. You’re overreacting, Dad.”
His breath became shallow and fast. “I carefully selected your professors, Azora. I was disappointed to hear that you didn’t meet them online.”
“Okay. I’ll meet them tomorrow,” I said and looked away.
I couldn’t bear to look at Dad’s reddening face. I was sure he was suppressing his anger. He turned around to leave, and I breathed a sigh of relief. At least, I escaped his disappointed gaze.
I looked at the balcony and saw the silhouette of a man. I blinked and smiled thinly.
I hopped down from the bed and walked to the balcony. I pushed the curtain aside and stepped out. I saw the familiar back of a man I knew so well.
“Anthony,” I called him.
I saw his body tense, then he slowly turned around to face me. The soft glow of light from my room illuminated his face.
He smiled when he saw me. “Azora,” he whispered into the thin air.
I stepped forward and stood beside him. I looked over the horizon, where the full bright moon hung proudly in the sky.
“You’re staying here,” I said.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him look at my profile, a smile still on his lips. “You stay here.”
I chuckled at what he said. “You know… it’s quite cold here. But well, I’ll stay here with you.”
The cold night breeze passed between me and Anthony. Silence hovered over us. Neither of us said a thing. We stood on the balcony, gazing at the full bright moon.
But I shivered when a wind passed by me. I looked at Anthony, but he was gone.
I looked around, but I couldn’t find Anthony or even his shadow. I sighed in despair. “You should stay with me a little longer,” I whispered, but I knew it was impossible.
So I turned around and went back inside the room. I didn’t bother to close the glass door. I let the gentle wind sway the white curtain that separated the balcony from the room. Then I lay down on the bed.
I stared at the ceiling, thinking about nothing. But I heard footsteps, and seconds later, Anthony’s smiling face appeared in my sight.
I gasped in shock. “Anthony!” I whimpered and then sat up.
He was standing beside the bed, leaning over to see my face.
“You were staring off into space,” he said.
I sighed and gazed at him. “Lay with me?” I offered.
But he just smiled at me and stepped back, not wanting to lay with me in bed. “I’ll watch over you.”
My heart warmed at his words. I lay on my side and stared at Anthony, who was still smiling at me. “Stop smiling,” I said.
He stopped. He stared at me with a serious expression, so I laughed. I didn’t stop laughing until I felt a tear slip from the corner of my eye.
“I-I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I’m sorry, Anthony. I hope you can forgive me for hiding what I saw that night. I was just scared to death… please… I’m s-sorry.”
But Anthony just smiled at me and whispered, “I love you…” before disappearing into thin air.