Chapter 4
1562 Words
Stella's POV
"Ugh, Seriously?!" I muttered, frustration simmering.
I'd been calling Eve for ages, only to be met with the infuriating sound of a dropped call each time. What was her deal? And then—she'd probably ask me why I wasn't calling her!!!
My data was practically vanishing into thin air because of her hang-ups!
A guy beside me, clutching a bouquet of roses and a box of chocolates, broke into my thoughts. "She's not answering?" he asked, his gaze sympathetic.
Classic move; these were clearly for Eve, and she wasn't exactly reciprocating his affections.
A mischievous glint sparked in my eyes. "Hey!" I said, a sly smile playing on my lips, "give them to me. I'll deliver them...she keeps hanging up on me, remember?"
He hesitated, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face. "Um, gusto ko lang na ako mismo ang bibigay sa kanya." Seriously?
“Sige, you go, Hanapin mo sya!! Seriously, I'm leaving—” I started, already turning to go.
"Teka, ito na... Bigay mo sa kanya ang letter" He stopped me, his hand gently on my arm. But almost didn't let him.
Unlike Eve, not exactly known for her patience with unwanted physical contact. One wrong move, and he might find himself on the receiving end of a well-deserved slap.
"Okay, okay," I said, a playful smirk tugging at my lips. I winked, then playfully mimed a gun shot at him. "I'll take care of it!"
I knew Eve only went to one place—her private room. Every time I visited, she was asleep. It was infuriating how long it took her to answer the door, especially since she wouldn't even give me a key.
Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if she started bringing boyfriends back to her room. The thought made me shudder. It's just a feeling, I know, but still...
The heat was stifling. The walk to her room felt like a marathon. "Wait nga." I muttered, grabbing a chocolate bar from the bouquet. Eve wouldn't miss it; she's the reason I've become such a chocoholic, anyway.
It's because Eve's been famous since we were kids—not just on campus, but among the children of our dad's business associates. She was always showered with gifts—chocolates, all sorts of things...even money.
But, her dad's always respected her decisions. If she didn't want to get married yet, he respected that. Even though he's quite strict.
*****
I stood before Eve's private room. The door was closed, just as I expected. I guess, another hour or more of waiting in the stifling rooftop heat.
I reached for the door, ready to knock, when I heard voices... Eve's?
"Don't be shy, open it." a voice—Eve—said, a low chuckle following. My blood ran cold.
"It's okay, it won't hurt, and keep it quick." Eve Continued.
My jaw dropped.
"ARKHAVA EVERETTE SAMLION!!! What the—?!" I yelled, bursting through the door. Then I saw her.
A baby girl.
My shout died in my throat, replaced by a hasty hand over my mouth and a peace sign.
Then, I quickly moved aside, placing the bouquet and my bag down while watching the white-haired baby girl happily munching away.
"Eveee, hehe...who's this Pokémon?" I asked, trying to keep my voice light.
"Argh, just eat already, and—she's not a Pokémon. Her name is Cleiy," Eve said, a hint of exasperation in her tone. Cleiy looked up at me, her gaze intense.
But, she'd only been focused on her food, but...her eyes! They were stunning—bright, vibrant red pupils! OMG!
"Baby girl, Ano 'yang kinakain natin? You're so cute! How'd you even get in here? And are you...albino...?" I cooed, leaning closer to Cleiy.
"I said, eat already! You're disturbing her!" Eve snapped, interrupting me.
"Owky, owkay..." I mumbled, accepting the burger she was offering. Wow, talk about a sudden feeding! I was just asking questions!
I glanced up at Cleiy again. She had the most beautiful moles...but those glasses...they looked kinda cheap. Maybe I should get her a new pair as a 'new friend' gift.
Arkhava's POV
The three of us ate together. Behind Stella's seat sat the bouquet and chocolates. I ignored them at first, assuming they were hers. Then I saw my name on the attached letter. Even then, I didn't really care.
Between managing my business and eating, I noticed Stella's intense stare at Cleiy, who remained blissfully focused on her lasagna.
"Stella, what are you up to?" I whispered in her ear, relieved Cleiy was too engrossed in her food to notice us.
"Wala! Bakit?!" Her loud reply startled Cleiy, who looked up at us.
"You're kind of annoying...hehe," I said, offering a fake laugh and smile as I playfully pinched Stella's cheek.
"Hrmmgh. 'nway eat up baby girl..." Baby girl? Why did she keep calling Cleiy that?
"Her name is Cleiy, not baby girl," I corrected her.
"Jealous much?" Stella retorted, taking a bite of her burger.
"What?! I'm just—"
"Ingay, kain kana nga." Stel cuts my word, silencing me.
"So..., paano kayo nagka kilala? At dinala mo agad sya dito?! After pa nga ako naka graduate sa grade 12 bago makapasok dito!!" Stella complained, her eyes scanning the room as if seeing it for the first time.
Then, she dropped the bomb. "Did you...you know...?"
"What the heck, Stella? Where did you even get that idea?" I demanded.
"Yung jacket nya, nasa bed mo." she said, pointing to Cleiy's jacket.
"Please, Stella. Just because there's a jacket there doesn't mean anything happened," I replied, exasperated.
"How would I know? You never wear a jacket, yet it's on your bed," Stella insisted, emphasizing the word "bed."
She then tapped the table, subtly pointing at Cleiy. "Pero in fairness, focus talaga sya sa pagkain. "
"She's just shy...I guess—" I started to explain.
"Shy?! Baby girl shy?!! Oh my god...Dapat hindi ka nahihiya—" Stella continued, but I quickly covered her mouth with my hands. This was so embarrassing.
"Hindi naman po sa ganon... Tahimik lang talaga ako kumain." Cleiy said politely.
"AHAHAHA, ang cute mo naman! Want to hang out with us after your classes? Wait, anong grade kana nga ba? bet you're a Grade 10!" Stella guessed.
"Wala pong Grade 10 dito—" Cleiy corrected.
"Ah, Grade 11?!"
"Hin-hindi."
"Grade 12? Graduating?"
"Yes po." Cleiy replied.
"Top of your class?!!" Stel shouted and even banged the table.
"Op-opo..."
"Whoa!! Pareho kayo nitong ni Eve!" Stella asked, clearly impressed. "Anyway, Anong gusto mo na course?"
"Engineering po, mahilig din naman po ako sa mathematics, like solvings."
"Ohhh future engineer? Oh hey~ labas tayo minsan? Alam mo... I'm totally into engineering students—"
"Stella, stop." I interrupted, shoving a large burger into her mouth.
I snapped a picture of Cleiy and frowned. She wasn't like this with me earlier. I wanted to ask her full name, but she barely spoke a word to me. Yet, she was so chatty with Stella.
This was infuriating. After I offered her food, she clammed up! Now look at them, having a full-blown conversation!
I even went out of my way to get her to sit and eat with me. Ugh!! Stella shouldn't have come. I wish she hadn't.
Stella's POV
“Ay talaga, baby girl?!! Ano sunod?” I asked Cleiy, who was surprisingly delightful to talk to. She was so cute and had so many stories to share.
“Hinayaan ko nalang po” she said, grabbing some nuggets.
We were chatting about her best friend who blocked her after she didn’t accept a call on Messenger. Hmm, at least I’m not like that with the girl sitting next to me...
Oh?
I didn’t even realize Eve had left my side until I looked around and saw her on her bed, headphones on, completely focused on her laptop.
What happened to her? She just abandoned her food and didn't even say goodbye!
“Uhm...by the way, Gusto mo bang sumama samin?” I turned my attention back to Cleiy.
“Kakakilala nyo lang po sa akin.” she replied.
"Hays! Okay lang yan, mabait ka naman!!" I reassured her.
"Hmmm...just some shopping, you know...Hey! Don't worry, I'll take care of you, but give me your number so I can call you!" I offered my phone.
"Ok.. but I'll just try..." she said, handing back my phone.
"It's okay! By the way, want some chocolates? Let's eat these—they're for Eve." I offered, taking out three chocolate bars and placing two beside her.
"Hm, sure, but...is that a letter?" she asked, her gaze falling on the letter, pointing at it.
"Yeah, want to read it?" I asked.
"But...it's hers." she whispered.
"Nah!! She won't care...Here" I said, handing her the letter, then focusing on my chocolate bar.
After a while, I looked at Eve again. She was still engrossed in her work. And wow, this was the first time I'd seen her this busy...
Then, I heard Cleiy whisper, "I love you, Everette."
I burst out laughing.
Everette? That's what the guy called Eve? She hates being called Everette!!
Arkhava's POV
Stella's laughter was deafening, even louder than my headphones. I saw her banging the table, her laughter echoing while Cleiy just smiled.
—You two go well together. I thought sourly.
- Writer
