Chapter 6: Revelations
1850 Words
The two academic experts were taking their coffee in the Dean Molave's fully furnished and classic-themed office.
The well-built man now wearing his leather jacket due to the coldness of the air conditioner's settings, has chosen an overstuffed armchair near the small library shelves in the room. The woman has chosen to settle in her favorite full backed leather executive chair behind her luxurious and large office desk.
“I’m just glad that you have noticed how much she needs help Emman. I’ve been trying my best to coax her back and finish her Master's degree. She really has such a brilliant mind that I find it such a waste to just let her stay in her comfort zone.”
”And what is her comfort zone, Elle?”
”It used to be her children and she said once they’ve all graduated then she will continue her studies. But now, there’s JM…”
“And when did JM enter her life?”
”I believe it’s been quite a few years already.”
+++++++++
JM was cussing aloud at the scratches that he found on his car’s hood.
It looked like a large letter V carved into half of the car’s front. The damage was not deep but it can still be clearly seen even by a few feet away.
”Damn it! If Alexia didn’t take too long to text me then I wouldn’t even need to drive here! And if she had left with me awhile ago then those vandals may not have been able to do this s**t!”
He brought out his mobile and angrily punched the necessary buttons to contact his girlfriend.
Her answer came after the second ring, “Hello, I’m almost outside. Just had to go through security and they needed to clarify a few things with me.”
”They were asking about me, weren’t they? That’s got to be Roberto and Mario. Those gossip whores!”
”No, no… these are new and they needed to know what happened a while ago…”
”I don’t f*****g care what you told them anymore. Just get your ass here cause I want you to see what happened to the car, and its all your f*****g fault! So hurry up!”
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”They started out as friends and she didn’t mind his little quirks and oddities since he’s a model, host and part-time actor. She actually met him during one of our college’s sorority events, where her eldest daughter was once the president. He was the host then and was entertaining, charming, and even caring."
"When did it start to go downhill?"
"I don't know. All I know is, since her eldest daughter and I have the same sorority, I've been getting more alarming stories about the status of their present relationship. And when I ask Alex, she isn't very honest nor forthcoming about it."
"And you feel that it's ok for her to go back to studying despite this? I don't understand that...
"Currently, she is working with VVIPs anonymously regarding their marketing and promotional needs. I feel she would be able to command a bigger price along with better contracts if she finally finishes her Master's Degree in Marketing and add it to her Curriculum Vitae."
"VVIPs as in very, very important persons? In this country?"
"Not just... Recently, she has been recommended by her local clients to their international contacts."
"Whoa... you do know what that can do to a very insecure guy, right? If they suddenly feel even smaller because of the woman becoming big-time..."
++++++++++
"You're such a worthless piece of s**t! How on earth did it take you almost 20 minutes to just get to your college's parking lot?"
"I'm sorry JM, but I did say why. Please don't be angry..."
"Don't you dare tell me what to do, you stupid b***h! Get in the car!"
"O-okay... wait, what is this? What happened to the hood?"
"Don't you dare use that tone of voice on me, Alexia! If you only answered my texts which we agreed on..."
"Wait, what? How can my not texting you be blamed for this? You're supposed to pick me up, remember?"
"But I didn't have to go fetch you from the college if you answered my texts."
"I did answer it but after my class, remember? And Dean Molave did tell you why I couldn’t reply, right?”
”Shut up! I don’t want to hear that name again today, you understand! Now, get in the car before you get hurt!”
++++++++
“I never thought it possible for someone like JM to behave like that considering how pleasant and personable he is in public.”
”Ah, but remember, even within our circle of relatives Elle, we have those who are ok when facing us in our many family reunions, then show a very different side when they’re inside their homes.”
”Yes, but I never pegged JM to act like a hypocrite or be a faker.”
”People change, and sometimes not for the better. He may have been alright before, but with his girlfriend suddenly making waves, if he has any hidden insecurities, expect him to be envious instead of being proud of her achievements.”
”You are analyzing a guy you don’t know cousin…”
”Yes, and it’s all based on how Alexia reacted to his text message, his presence, and both of us seeing an encounter that we are not supposed to see. But yes, I may be reading too much into this.”
“And though they may seem accurate, I truly wish that you’re wrong Emman…”
”Me too Elle. For her sake, I truly hope I didn’t get anything right this time…”
+++++++++
”OWWWW! JM! I told you, not in the face!”
”I just hit your ears woman with my open palms! I’m sure you can hide the bruises with your hair if you’re so concerned about showing any marks when in public.”
”Please… JM, I did agree to punishments but I did specify not in the face.”
BAM!
”AGH! JM! Stop!”
”There, I’m sure your hair will cover whatever marks I’ve made by slamming your head against the car window!”
”We’re in public! That’s not part of our agreement!”
SLAM!
”Yell at me again and your head will go through the glass, do you understand?!”
”Y-yes… I’m s-sorry… I didn’t mean… to yell…”
”And stop sniveling like a weak i***t. I already know you are that so no need to prove it further. Now, put on your seat belt. We’re going to the car repair center first and see to this f****d up artwork on the hood. Then we’ll eat out while we wait for them to fix it…”
”I have work to do JM. A lot of it... My clients…”
”Talkback at me again and I’ll have a special punishment session for you when we get back home, you stupid b***h. NOW SHUT UP!”
+++++++++
“I don’t like to play favorites Emmanuel, but Alexia is one of the few people that are really close to my heart since we started as freshman block mates in this very same college. She already had problems with an adulterous ex-husband. She practically put her life on hold for her children because he won’t support them. And now…”
”I didn’t realize that you’ve known her that long, or the fact that she really had awfully bad experiences in the past. That actually is impressive considering what she's doing now. So, did you already talk to any of her other professors about her present situation?”
”That’s the thing, you’re the only professor she has this semester. She’s co-managing her children’s companies, along with “babysitting” her boyfriend so there’s hardly any time left for her to take on more subjects.”
“Hmmm… the load on my subject will definitely be challenging, given her present circumstances. Wouldn’t it be better if she just dropped my class?”
”And focus on what? Her BF? She’s not fully managing her kids’ businesses anymore and this might be an opening for JM to demand more time, effort, and even money from her.”
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“Have you got enough cash to pay for the repairs, Alexia?”
”What? This isn’t part of our budget JM…”
”Well I’m not paying for that. And since it’s your fault that happened, better find a way to spend for it.”
”I… I’ll see how much I can spare from my savings…”
”Just use your new f*****g credit card, damn it!”
”But I’m avoiding the interests of that card. They are quite high…”
”Well, I’m not driving that thing then! It will be bad for my rep and my agency is boosting my promotions these days.”
”But what about the Grab franchise we got for that car?”
”Goddamn it! Are you going to do something about that scratch or not?!”
”Don’t hit me! I already said I will JM… just don’t, ok!”
”Yeah, well, treat me to dinner and you’ll get me in a better mood. Remember, this is all your fault so don’t make me eat at home.”
”I… alright. Just not in a very expensive place, please.”
”What? You're kidding, right? I need to post a selfie on my i********: so don't you dare bring me to a cheap place. That’s final."
"B-but JM..."
"No buts! You promised to help me climb to the top and I’m worth the investment. You said that yourself, remember. So don’t get stingy on me now!”
++++++++
“I admit I really would like to help her but I do have my own relationship problems right now cousin.”
”True, but I can help you with that too if you can assist my beloved friend to finish her Masters's degree and pass your class.”
”I don’t think I like what you’re hinting at, Elle.”
”I’m not hinting at anything Emman. Like I said before I don’t want to know of any kind of “special arrangements” that you've done in the past, whether it's here in this college or another school. Alexa needs to pass your class by exerting the same effort as her classmates. I'm just asking for a little more push and motivation from you. That’s all I’m asking, cousin.”
”Before I agree, how do you plan to help me with Alicia?”
”I can keep her from showing up in your classes or even afterward. This will give you more time to spend with Alexia. I have my methods, and none of them are criminal, I assure you.”
”Alright then, that’s a fair enough exchange. You have a deal, Elle. Now I need to go home and clear my head. This has been a very difficult and complex day, though it’s quite worth all the drama.”
”Really now? Is it because you met Alexia?”
”Cousin, don’t go there, please. Just let me go home.”
”Alright, you can go Professor Antonio. And thank you for your patience and time…”
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”Thank you for your patience and time, Sir… Ma’am! Come back anytime. “
”Just glad you guys are really good with these repairs. You’re all lifesavers! Hopefully, there won’t be a next time. Bye now!”
”JM I really need to go home…I’ve got work and…”
”Guys, sorry about my girl being rude. Yeah, we need to go…”
”No offense in what she said. We understand you, Madame. Have a great evening sir!”
As they drive away, the man revs the engine and bolts through the highway without any regard to any kind of speed limit. Good thing this newly built superhighway, didn't have one yet.
”Ok, That does it, Alexia! We’re having a session later whether you like it or not!”
”What?! B-but… my work…”
”Keep yapping and I’ll make it two sessions for tonight!”
”No, please… Alright, we can have the s-session.”
”Good girl. Wear the leather slave outfit when we get home. That always gets me hot.”
- Writer
