“Anthony, why are you staring?” I asked.
He shrugged and kept gazing at me with adoration. When he didn’t respond, I stopped asking.
I turned my attention to the computer monitor in front of me, where my professor was playing an educational video. I chewed my lip and yawned, making sure my microphone was off.
“Miss Briones?” my professor’s voice broke through.
I wrinkled my nose and turned on my mic. “Yes, Professor?”
“Are you sleepy?”
I gave a sheepish smile. “Of course not!” I said, then turned off my mic again. Secretly, I muttered, “Your subject is boring. I’m sleepy. Happy now?” I grinned to myself.
With the mic off, I leaned back in my chair, waiting for the session to end. The lesson wasn’t the problem; it was the professor’s dull delivery that made me lose interest. I considered reviewing the previous lessons to pass the time but hated the thought of all that effort.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Anthony said.
He was sitting beside me, amused, with a knowing smile-the same smile he had whenever I lost interest in the subject.
I chuckled and challenged him. “Guess what I’m thinking.”
“You’re waiting for the session to end.”
I laughed. “You know me so well.” I smiled at him.
“Miss Briones? Are you talking to someone?” my professor suddenly asked.
I sat up straight and turned on my mic. “No, Sir.”
“Alright. Please pay attention and participate.”
“Okay, Sir.” I turned off the mic, my cheeks burning. Anthony laughed.
“Cute,” he said.
I ignored him and focused on the time, feeling his gaze on me. I swallowed repeatedly to keep from getting flustered.
Minutes later, the video ended. The professor assigned us an activity due on Sunday. After he said goodbye, I eagerly replied, “Goodbye, Sir!” and exited the video call with a sigh.
I looked at the chair where Anthony had been sitting, but he was gone.
I stood up and walked to the balcony, inhaling the fresh forest air and looking at the horizon. The sun was high; it was probably noon. I heard the door open and light footsteps.
“Miss, your lunch is here.”
“Okay.” I didn’t turn around. Moments later, I heard the door close gently.
I stayed on the balcony for a few hours before returning to my room to eat lunch. Soon, the maid returned to collect the tray, her head bowed.
“Where’s Dad?” I asked.
She glanced at me briefly before lowering her head again. “He’s not here yet, Miss. He’s at work, I think.”
I nodded. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Anthony stepping in from the balcony, still staring at me.
I pouted. “Where were you? You just disappeared without a trace.”
“Huh? What, Miss?” the maid asked, confused.
I turned to her with a smile. “Nothing. You may go.”
She nodded and left, locking the door behind her.
I drew a deep breath and smirked. Anthony sat beside me, still staring.
“You’re staring too much,” I said.
“Am I not allowed to stare at my beautiful girl?” he asked.
I bit my lip to suppress a laugh but couldn’t hold it in. “Naughty!” I exclaimed.
I spent the afternoon leaning on the headboard with a book, Anthony by my side. I yawned from boredom, but his sweet words made me blush.
Not long after, the maid returned with my afternoon snacks. Anthony was still beside me, making me blush even more.
“Stop staring at me, will you?” I said.
“Miss? Uh, I wasn’t staring at you,” the maid said.
“Oh.” I looked at the maid, who stood a distance away from the bed, her gaze on the floor. I smiled at her. “It’s not you. You may go.”
She fiddled with her fingers, nodded, and left the room.
I sighed and looked at Anthony, still sitting by my side, staring at my face.
“Tell me,” I said. “Why are you staring?”
“I’m afraid of losing sight of you,” he replied.
I rested my head on the headboard and looked away. “That should be my line. I’m afraid of losing sight of you, Anthony.”
When I looked back, he was gone. I searched the room but found no trace of him-no lingering scent, no footsteps, no voice, no shadow. It was as if no one had been there but me.
I placed the book beside me and stared at the balcony.