Russia Ocampo and her choice

Chapter 13

I’m currently enjoying the first day of term break. I slept the whole day. Now I’m planning to have a movie marathon. I’m in the kitchen, deciding whether to have chips or popcorn paired with soda as a snack.

My phone beeped. I opened it. A message pops up.

Asia: You know who's back?

Me: Who?

Asia: Clara, the b***h.

Me: How did you know?

Asia: A common friend tagged her on a post. They're at a bar somewhere in Poblacion right now.

Me: Does Paxton know?

Asia: No idea. I'm not home, I have a photoshoot for a magazine.

Me: Then, let's hope that he's clueless.

Clara is Paxton’s ex. They got together when they were seniors in high school. They broke up on the day of their high school graduation. The break-up is bad. The b***h told Paxton, 'We should just end this relationship. I thought there was something special about you since you're an Ocampo. That's why I said yes when you asked me to be your girlfriend. Maybe you and your family are just pretending to be something when you're not. I can’t let myself suffer any longer. I’m only suffering by being with a useless person like you.'

After the b***h told Kuya Paxton that, she turned her back and left Paxton too shocked to move. I was fuming mad at that time. I heard everything because the adults asked me to call Paxton because he’s taking his damn time coming back since he excused himself. I tried my best to control my anger that time and I might shove the face of that b***h Clara on the floor of the auditorium.

At first, I didn’t tell anyone what happened because Paxton begged me not to either. But my stupid of a cousin, he got too brokenhearted after. He rarely gets out of his room. When he's out, dark circles under his eyes are so visible that it’s even harder not to notice. So everyone asked me what I knew, and I didn’t have the choice but to spill the tea because everyone was concerned.

He almost didn’t pass the entrance exam for Secta. The school has a pre-exam if you want, if you’re not that confident that you’ll pass or if you just want to know what type of questions will appear during the final exam. But of course, when the entrance exam is conducted, the questions are different, but the style is the same. Only the last part is new. According to Paxton, the last part was not included in the pre-exam. His parents made him take the pre-exam because they were worried that maybe their son was not in his right mind to take the exam. They’re right, Paxton only got 30% of the questions right. I even had to tutor him until it was time for the entrance exam.

I also had a hard time tutoring him at first. He’ll just stay idle, staring at nothing with his blank eyes. It’s like he lost the motivation to live his life anymore. I can’t tolerate his stupidity anymore, so I talked to him seriously. He cried his heart out, then slowly, day by day, he was getting better.

Asia: I told you in case Paxton will do something stupid.

Me: Thanks for the heads-up. Appreciate it.

Asia: No, I should be thanking you. He's my brother, you know.

Me: It's okay.

Asia: Thank you. I have to go, the shoot is starting.

Me: Okay, see you when I see you.

I guess you can say that I was the one who cleaned his mess before. I had to sacrifice my summer at that time just to tutor him and get him out of the slump. To get even, I teased him hard every day when he’s already okay. I was just about to be in junior year at that time, but I was the one who tutored him, who was going to be a first-year college student. It’s supposedly Asia, but she refuses, saying she can’t endure the stubbornness of her older brother. She might just as well stab him to death than get irritated at his stupidity. Hence, I had to step in.

My phone beeped again. I looked at it thinking it was Asia again, but this time it was Red. I cursed under my breath. Goodbye movie marathon. I immediately changed into jeans, a fitted spaghetti strap top and a jacket. I wore a boot to pair with my clothes. Grab notified me that my ride was already near. I had already booked a ride while changing. I don’t want to ask our driver to drive me because it’s kinda late, and he just got better. He has had a fever for the past few days.

I just told our maid that I’m going out, and they don’t need to wait for me because I’m bringing my keys. Our driver even offered to drive me, but I told him that I had already booked a ride. When I get out of the house, my ride is already waiting.

Red: I'm at a bar with my cousins. Guess who's here as well.

Me: Who?

Red: Paxton. He's drunk, babe.

Me: Is he alone?

Red: Nope, he's with his teammates. They're trying to stop him from going to someone. Your cousin is very strong, he can still free himself from their grip.

Me: s**t! Can you tell me the name of the bar? I'm coming. Can you meet me at the entrance, so I won't need to look aimlessly inside?

Red: Babe, you're only 16. This is not Teuf.

Me: I have ways.

Red: Fine. Message me when you're almost here.

Me: Thanks, babe.

I opened my wallet to look for a fake ID. I had a fake ID that said my age was 19 years old. Badass, right? Matteo made it for me just out of fun. Thank God he did! Or else I’ll still have to rack my brain on how I can enter the bar. Don’t worry, I don’t look 16. I may look young, but my body developed earlier than it should have, so I think they’ll never know that I’m faking my age.

His with his teammates ha? Good, I’m going to have back-up then.

I opened my phone and messaged Tristan.

Me: You're with Kuya Paxton, right?

Tristan: I won't tell you where we are. He made me promise.

Me: I already know where you are. I'm actually on my way.

Tristan: No, don't come here. There are a lot of men here.

Me: I'll probably listen to you if I don't need to beat the crap out of your friend.

Tristan: Yeah, he's being a pain in the ass right now.

Me: Are you drunk?

Tristan: I just had a glass of JD. Too busy baby-sitting someone.

Me: Good, I'll need you later. See you when I arrive.

Tristan:Tell me if you're here already. I'll meet you at the entrance. I'm afraid some asshole will make a move at you. I'd punch anyone who would do it.

Me: Tssk! Possessive, ain't ya? But no need for you to meet me. Red's going to wait for me at the entrance. She's in there too. That's why I knew where you were. Just look after my dumbass of a cousin while I'm still on my way.

Tristan: Okay then. See you soon, Princess.

Me: Yeah, see you, Handsome.

Tristan and I are getting there. Me sneaking out to be with him happened for a few more times. We decided to enjoy what we have now. We’re exclusive, but not official. I was the one who asked him that. He didn’t want to, but I was firm. Kuya Arzt needs to focus on his studies now because he’s graduating. He’ll fly to America next year, so we just need to tolerate the secrecy for a few more months. I don’t want to be the reason that my brother gets distracted. I know he would if I told him that I was entering into a relationship. I also don't want to be in a relationship, not when I’m keeping a big secret. I can't tell Tristan about it because some of the involved didn't know yet. He agreed later on, he said that it’s better than not really having an us. I felt guilty for him, but I still can't choose him.

The driver told me that we were almost there, so I messaged Red. I got out of the car. I paid via visa, so I just got out as soon as the car stopped. I saw Red waving at me.