When Stars Collide

Chapter 9: Exposed

The Dean thought it was just going to be another relaxing Sunday with her dog, her husband. Her five-year-old son had taken a long-requested vacation with his grandparents. However, the request came more from her parents than her child so it was a long time coming. 

But then again, fate decided to throw a monkey wrench into her well laid out plans…

Gabriela’s mobile rang while she and her husband were watching a downloaded movie of an action film starring Jason Statham, who is their favorite. Upon hearing the tone, she cursed under her breath, realizing that she forgot to put off her cell or even thought of putting it on silent. 

This is another reason why I prefer watching movies in the cinema. At least they remind you to turn off your phone, ugh! Oh wait, why is she suddenly calling me now?

"Honey, I'll just be taking this call ok? It'll just be a minute."

"I'll pause it first, dear. Go ahead and take your call."

"You're sweet," Mrs. Molave stated while giving him a light peck on the cheek. "Be right back."

The Dean walked out of the living room and through the glass door that's directly linked to a compact but flora-filled wooden deck. 

"Yes, girl. What's happening?"

"She didn't come home last night. And when I called her and asked if when she's going home, she didn't give me a straight answer."

The Dean's lips twisted anxiously as she listened to the very grave female voice at the other end of the line. She knows who this girl is and she seldom calls, not unless it's really important. And it usually is about a certain someone that they both care about very much.

"That bad, huh?"

"Ma'am, the last time this happened she had bruises on her arm and a limp, remember? And the only reason we can think of is she doesn't want us to find out what he did to her."

"Alright, I'll call her then. I'll update you when I can."

"Thank you, Dean Molave. We really appreciate the help."

"And don't you ever keep any secrets about her from, you understand? Remember, she's also my friend so she's important to me, too."

"Understood. Again, our thanks."

++++++++++

Emman planned to sleep in today considering he wasn't really satisfied with his short encounter with Vee. 

Imagine how surprised he was to be awoken around 1Oam by an insistent ringing cellphone, that happened to be his, especially since he did barely read the name on the screen since he was still sleepy and disoriented. 

"Hello? Elle? What's going on?"

"You read me well, cousin."

"Are you kidding me? You're probably with Jake right now and watching an action film before you have lunch. Pizza right?"

"Yes, and it just arrived."

"You wouldn't be calling me if it's very important considering how comfortable you are right now. Or maybe you just want me to be the third wheel in your little staycation. That being said, do you want me to come over and join the party?"

"Not exactly. I need to talk to you about Alexia."

Emmanuel's head snaps to attention, and so do his eyes which suddenly opened wide, "Alexia? Is she there with you guys?"

"I wish, but no. And I wouldn't be calling you if she was here, genius."

"I don't understand. What do you want me to do then?"

"She's in trouble right now and I need your assistance so we can help her."

Sleep now suddenly evading him, Emman was out of bed in a second and was already bounding towards the bathroom within record time.

"Ok, I'll be at your house in fifteen minutes, provided there's no traffic."

"It's fine. I'm still finishing up the movie and you need to make a call."

"Huh? But I thought... I don't understand."

"I can hear your voice echoing and I don't need the mental image of you using the toilet, Emmanuel. I'll send you instructions via text and then you can respond. Remember, we had a deal."

And the Dean hung up before he had a chance to reply.

The Professor's brows were knitted and his forehead was all crumpled up in puzzlement, but he knew better than to call back. He decided to continue with his morning preparations while waiting for her message.

Emman was already dressed by the time the instructions came. 

And now the handsome hunky academic mentor was having a hard time deciding how to do these procedures in his cellphone or is it even right that he did all these questionable "suggestions" in the first place?

Damn it, might as well...

++++++++++

"So, is she gonna help?"

"I think so. She always does anyway."

"I still don't understand how Mom can let herself get abused this way. She's always been so strong!"

"We're not sure yet if she is really abused, Michelle. We will have to find proof of it first."

"But what about emotional trauma and psychological stress and mental abuse? Those don't show any real physical evidence!"

"Besides, I don't think Mom will file a case against him. She let him get away with a lot already and I don't see her changing her mind any time soon. Abused women have that kind of mindset."

"And which part of the internet did you dig that up now Marc?"

"Hey, that's an actual case study by a very well-known psychiatrist who studied abused wives after they have divorced their husbands, ok? Sheesh, just because you're the eldest doesn't mean you're the most clever one among us, Mae!"

"Yeah, yeah sure, Marc. All I am is worried about mom ok? Let's just hope that our beloved dean can find a way to get mom out of JM's condo unit without raising a fuss. She really doesn't need it at this point."

++++++++++  

Alexia was all alone at her BF's condo that morning. 

Well, more like their condo since she did pay half of the mortgage and is currently paying the full homeowner's monthly fees for the unit. Her partner was up and gone early in the morning because he had a modeling gig for that day and it was going to last until the next day.

Which also meant: I'm going to go to the f*****g after-party event after the gig so don't expect me to be home tonight, ok? 

And as usual, he told her but it wasn't to ask permission from her but just to inform her. She knows JM's tone enough to know what he meant behind what he says. She also knows better than to go against him when he uses that tone. 

Around an hour after he leaves, a large, expensive bouquet of roses showed up at the door. The delivery guy also gave her a gift-wrapped package that was slightly larger than a shoebox. 

It contained a teddy bear that had a recording of her boyfriend singing the chorus of one of her fave boyband songs along with a tearjerking apology.  Like clockwork, this is always what happens every time she gets punished. It used to send her to seventh heaven. But now, it felt like an apology which gave him leeway to treat her the same way every single time he felt like it.

His ad verbatim recorded statement goes: If I have hurt you in any way last night, I am truly sorry. But sometimes, it is through painful lessons that we learn from the most. 

Yes, it's basically the same message in all of his gifts.     

Alexia was too tired and too achy to smile at her new gifts so she just placed them on the bed and went back to her laptop which she set up in the modern but compact kitchen of this Class A condominium building. 

I'm almost done with my emails. I'm giving myself until lunch to finish everything before I order any food for myself. No time to cook. Besides, there's hardly anything here to prepare a meal for a mouse, much more for me. 

As usual, there was nothing in the fridge or pantry that she can eat. JM insisted that it's the woman's responsibility to do all the domestic tasks and not the man. So yes, she needs to order in.

By the time she had already brought out her phone from her bag to order some grub, a call came in.

What, who is this? The number isn't saved in my phone list but it seems so... familiar.

She still answers the call even if she wasn't clear on who the caller was.

"Hello... who is... this?"  

"Hey there, Alex! How are you?"

Wait, I know that voice. But it can't be possible...

"Sir Emmanuel?"

"Drop the Sir. We're not in the classroom right now..."

"A-alright, S... I mean, Emmanuel. Why the sudden call? Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Yes, and to be honest I find this a little embarrassing. So here goes... can we meet today? It's a bit of an emergency, so I don't expect you to say yes..."

"W-what... But I can't step out today and..."

"It's that or I go to where you are right now while dragging Dean Molave along."

"Excuse me, Dean Molave? What is going on S... Emmanuel?"

"I'll explain when we get there. Expect us within an hour."

"W-what? Is this a professional visit?"

"Ask the Dean. I'm just there to discuss your submitted research paper proposal. And don't bother with lunch. We'll be bringing some over."