I quickly entered my house, hoping to locate Ismael, but all I saw were bags of cat food and various vitamins. What the hell? Does this imply that the Mael that the cashier was talking about was really Ismael?
My chest tightened as soon as I scented his powerful perfume in my residence. How could he do this to me?
He came here but did not show himself. Why? What is his trip this time? He had the opportunity to explain to me, but he still didn’t.
He was really pushing my buttons, and because of that, I couldn’t sleep at all all night. He isn’t by my side, yet he irritates me severely.
I bid goodbye to Mael the next morning. I left him food before leaving the house. I sighed as I saw the smart door lock that Ismael had previously installed. Right. He has access to my home. So he can enter my house whenever he wants. Did he calculate my actions? How did he learn that the cat food was out of stock? Well, after all, it is not undoubtedly unexpected. He’s a calculus professor. Alright, Ismael, I’ll let you do whatever you want.
I went to the Marcus University earlier than expected. I forgot that we don’t have a professor in the first subject because there is no longer a calculus professor. I constantly forget. Maybe it’s because I’ve gotten used to going to class early. And now I am alone in the room.
Suddenly, the door opened. I’m not sure why I was nervous and hoping Ismael would enter, but it wasn’t him.
“Savannah? You’re here,” I greeted.
“Because I know you will be here,” she remarked as she walked straight to my side. Her face shows signs of dissatisfaction and rage.
“Oh, why can’t your face be painted?”
She collapsed onto the chair. “How can it not? Raviel is so damn annoying!”
“Why? What did he do? Are you two dating now?” I queried as I noticed her rolling her eyes and placing her iPad on the desk alongside her iced coffee.
She shakes her head. “No! Why would I decide to date him? All he did was talk about himself.
“Himself?” I inquired in confusion.
“Yes! As I recall, I was simply disgusted. He is the worst. He invited me to the mall and then to the arcade. He let me stand there, watching him play. Like, I assumed it was a date? He doesn’t know how to respect me or my time,” she explained. Her face indicated that she was agitated because I can observe that from her hands’ movements. Even the twitch of her brows indicates that she is annoyed with the man.
“And you know what else he did?”
“What else?”
“He wanted me to pay 50/50! What a gentleman! I never imagined I would have such a date. I thought he was rich, but he’s a cheapskate,” she said sarcastically. “Grr! I despise myself for allowing him to do that to me! I do not deserve it! Imagine why my eyes lit up when he asked me out. Terrifying! I should’ve learned my lesson when he damaged your relationship with Professor Mondalla. He’s a bad reputation!”
I remained silent, not because of her allegations against Raviel but because she uttered that name. I exhaled. I just heard the name Ismael, and I’m losing concentration again. My mind is racing again, and it takes me back to the hours I spent with him. I can hear my heart beating for him again.
I attempted to calm myself down and said, “So, are you now turned off with Raviel? You don’t like him anymore?”
She kept quiet and groaned. “You know, I’ve always wanted this feeling to stop. I’m so annoyed that I like him. I’m not even sure if he likes me or what is his motive why he asked me out.
My eyebrows rose. “Motive?” I didn’t consider that.
“I mean, isn’t it strange that he suddenly asks for me? He always wants you, right?”
“I’m not sure about that,” I replied.
“Yes, he did. I can see him looking at you all the time because I am constantly looking at him. I’m just suspicious that the man I like has suddenly noticed me. Could it be that he wants something from me?”
“Then take care. We have no idea what kind of person Raviel is. He once assisted me in landing a job as a dealer at a casino, where I am now employed. He was the one who taught me that,” I stated.
“What do you mean by casino? Are you referring to the Golden Red Casino?
I nodded.
“Raviel’s family owns that.”
I gasped when she told me the news. “What do you mean his family owns that?”
“He really is. That’s why I’m irritated that he’s so stingy despite having a lot of money.”
So, the reason I got hired so quickly was because it was their own casino?
I exhaled. I became suspicious of Raviel’s personality and what he did to Ismael, which led me back to myself. Why did he have a recording video of Ismael and I kissing?
Many questions arose, and I now have a specific purpose for speaking with him.
My classmates entered the classroom after some time had elapsed. I saw Raviel and gave him a murderous gaze. He observed this, and when the class concluded, he encouraged me to speak. I didn’t hesitate any longer, even though Savannah’s gaze questioned why I would go with that man.
“What do you really want, Raviel?” I directly asked him, causing him to scowl.
“Isn’t it the opposite way, Jothea? I caught you glaring at me,” he replied. I don’t understand him or how he behaves differently each time. I used to consider him a buddy because he helped me once and even supported my application for a part-time job. I’m assuming that he withheld his ownership of the casino from me because he didn’t want to burden me with it, but when I consider the bigger picture, Savannah might have a point, and Raviel might have a secret motive.
“Right.” I gritted my teeth. “I was dying to know what your motives are.”
“Motives?”
I attempted to corner him by bringing up another question. “Why did you unexpectedly request that my best friend go on a date with you?”
I noticed him smiling. “Why? Are you jealous? Was my tactic effective?”
I tried to see if he was telling the truth, but his aura suggested otherwise. I won’t believe his claims that he asked my closest friend out only to make me jealous. I need the true answer. “Certainly not. Why should I be? There are certainly additional reasons.”
“And what are those?” He questioned me sarcastically, moving closer to me. He caressed and smelled some of my hair strands. “It’s because I like you, and I’m taking Savannah because of you. I can see it’s working.”
I grimaced as I pulled his hand away from my face. If it is not deemed disrespectful to spit on his face, I will, or more likely, vomit. “Do not fucking kid me, Raviel! Was it anything to do with Ismael? Are you using me to destroy him?” That’s where my suspicions lead. That was all I could think about during my marketing class earlier. I stitched them all together and just brought one home. Why would he record a video of Ismael kissing me then? If he says it’s because he likes me, he’s simply not telling the truth. It was only to destroy Ismael. Why would he know us in the penthouse if he didn’t have someone on standby to look?
“It looks like your brain is damaged because of bereavement over the loss of your loved one.” He tapped my head with two fingers. “How can you believe I’m doing this for that man? That is completely absurd.”
“But Raviel, your reaction today reveals a different narrative. You are totally telling the truth, don’t you know? That is reverse psychology.”
He backed away from me, which just confirmed my suspicions. “I don’t know your motives yet, but I will make sure you won’t destroy Ismael.” I gave him a thorough look. “And be careful with your remarks. You will not use the phrase ‘loss of loved ones’ on someone who is still alive. That’s quite offensive. It should not be used for anything superficial.” I snapped my tongue. “So, who am I to judge? I won’t grasp how a shallow brain works because my brain is injured, right?”
I rolled my eyes and turned my back on him. I was ready to leave when he grabbed my hand and pressed me against the wall. We’re currently in the back of our building, where I generally smoke.
“Tell me, what does that man have that I don’t have?” He gripped my arms tightly. I know it’s red now, even if I can’t see it.
“Do you really want to know about it?” I asked. I swallowed before emphasizing each syllable. “I only know what he lacks that you possess. He does not have a shallow brain. Let go, sucker!”
I violently removed his hand and went away. If he persisted in following me, I would not hesitate to slap his face. Now I understand what his objective is. It was because he came before Ismael. I’m just not sure why. I’ll surely inform Savannah because I need her thoughts on this.