Thorns of White Rose

Chapter 12 - What About Me?

I've been excited the entire week because Auntie Royce is going to visit me in the school this Friday. I wss really looking forward to our lunch. Aubrey wanted to go with us but she had to attend the birthday lunch celebration of her cheerleader teammate.

After our last class in the morning that day, I quickly walked to the lobby where we planned to meet. All my excitement was replaced by distress when I saw a man standing beside her. Auntie Royce was looking worried for me, but I tried to show no emotion as I processed that the father who abandoned me when I was seven is here.

Since I moved to Manila to study in Stallion, I've been feeling less pity for myself. But this moment right here takes me back to the most traumatic moment of my life. I felt my breathing getting heavier. But I cannot show any sign of weakness in front of Auntie and this man. It has been 10 years, and to be honest I almost forgot how he looks. Right now, I can tell that he looks better even he aged.

"Auntie..." I called her.

I never thought I would see him or my mother again in this life. This is a surprise and I don't know how to face the situation. All I know is I cannot walk away now.

"Laurine, I'm sorry for not informing you ahead. Your dad really wants to see you, and I couldn't find a way to bring it up to you." Her voice broke.

I forgot how his voice sounds. All I can remember is that he and my mother were shouting day and night in our house. I was there in the corner watching them went through physical fights.

"Laurian, you grew up well." That's the first thing he said. I do not have a name for the feeling I felt when he hugged me. I just stood still looking at my auntie. I cannot even cry.

"I'm sorry for leaving you behind. I will make it up to you. I'm glad that you grew up well."

"Kean, it's enough that saw her now. Please give her time to digest that you're back after being gone for a long time." My auntie softly said. I felt my father loosening the grip on me.

I had a lot to say, but nothing is coming out. In that 10 years when he was away, I made up my mind that he's never coming back and the next news I will hear about him is probably about his passing away. But now, he shows up looking good and healthy. Even though I feel like her my heart is being pinched, I still feel relieved that he's alive and well.

"Yes, okay, Royce. I'm sorry to surprise you like this, Laurian. There is no other way to see you. I'm really sorry for what happened in the past. Inworked on myself in the past 10 years so I can give you the world now. You must hate me a lot, and I understand. I'm here to let you know that you have a father who can protect you and care for you. Anytime you are ready to talk to me, just know that I will be one call away. There is no rush, Laurian." O cannot look him in the eyes, but it's okay. Being able to remain standing right now is already brave and courageous. It still hurts to remember wjat I had gone through as a kid with broken family.

I watched him walked away. My heart felt less heavier when his image disappeared completely.

"I'm sorry, Laurian. I'm really sorry for that. You won't avoid seeing me, right?"

I managed to smile at her. She must have really no choice. I don't wamt to take it out on her because she has no fault in any of it.

"No need to be sorry, Auntie. I'm grateful for everything you done for me, I hope you won't ever be sorry for the things you have no control. Let's go have lunch? I... I really look forward to show you an amazing restaurant here."

She secured a visitor ID pass from the guard and I proudly showed her the buildings that we passed by going to Blue Sapphire Restaurant. I'm satisfied to see her reaction.

"My goal is really to travel with you, auntie. I want to go to places that shine and just enjoy delicious foods. Can't wait to graduate!" I said and hugged her arm as I led her to the resto.

"Let's do that, Laury. I hope you're also enjoying the journey. I never knew such place existed. This is for the richest kids no?"

I agree with her. Not a middle class family can afford this university. I'm so proud of me and my auntie that we made it here.

We ordered seafood for a change. I chose a seat near the glass wall where the hacienda de Stallion is overlooking. We're so amazed by the sight of horses and the whole place being opened for students to casually lounge.

Auntie was also amazed by the interior of this restaurant. We also went to fine dining in the past but this one screams luxury.

"The owner seems obsessed with gold." That one I agree too because wherever you look you can see gold engraved. Next time, I will show her the Fontanilla Hall, she will be surprised by all the gold there.

"Thanks for visiting me, auntie. I really appreciate you making time for me even I'm not a kid anymore. Let's not think about what happened earlier. I'm not sad or angry about it. I will think about it for a bit and move on. If I want to see him again, I will tell you, but I need to focus now in my studies. I can't fall into depression this time." I deserve to tap my shoulder because I can express my feelings like this without crying.

"Yes, Laurian. I'm so happy that you know your priorities. I'm here anytime you need a shoulder, you know right?" I nodded with a smile. It's Friday and all, Inwas expecting this to be a happy day with her. But it's mixed emotion right now. Inwill figure it out later when I get home.

My aunt will be attending a wedding tomorrow in our province so she needed to go back right away. And I have classes in the afternoon, so we psrted ways after lunch.

"Are you sure you're okay, Laurian?" It's the second time Aubrey is asking me that question. I don't feel any pain or discomfort but she keeps saying that I look pale. I think it's because I'm still shock from seeing my father.

"Are you feeling cold? Should we adjust the temperature here?" I start getting worried too when Nate noticed my pale lips.

"No no. I'm sure I'm fine. Please don't mind me." I gave a sarcastic laugh.

Just in time, Kale entered the room. Our eyes met, but I immediately looked away. This week, all I did was avoid his gaze but it appears to me that I'm thinking more about him and I hate it. He's wearing a 3-piece suit. How can he even look that good on a Friday afternoon?

"It's too cold here. I will adjust the temperature, let me know if you have any violent reaction." He reached out for the remote of the aircon and adjusted it.

20 minutes to his class, I felt so cold. I looked at the aircon but it's already at 22. I know something's wrong already when I suddenly feel dizzy and cannot breath.

I managed to stand up. I know Kale has been lookong at me. He might have noticed the sudden panic in my reaction.

"Ms. Savedra, if you're not feeling well just inform me ahead and go straight to the clinic. Are you..." I didn't hear the next thing he ssod because my knees gave up on me and everything turned dark.

My eyes felt heavy but I'm awake. I slowly opened my eyes as I tried to remember what happened. White ceiling and IV drip are the first things I saw. Am I in the hospital?

"Laury!!!!" I felt someone hugged me and from the voice I can tell it's Aubrey. Last thing I want to do is make people around me worry about me. I moved my hand to remove the oxygen mask from my face.

"Aubrey... I'm fine now." I asked her and tried to smile. I didn't know what happened exactly. I don't feel any pain now and my breathing seems normal.

"Can you stop saying you're fine when clearly you're not?" She was about to cry so I had to be in a sitting position to assure her that I'm fine.

"Sorry to make younworry. I really feel okay now. See? Where am I by the way?"

"Are you sure? Let me call the nurse. You're in the clinic." I looked around and the whole room is painted white. It almost looks like a hospital room given the space and the medical apparatus available there. How many hours have I been here? I looked outside the wondow and it's almost sunset. Oh no I hope they didn't notify Auntie Royce. I don't want her to worry and she has an event to attend so she can't come to me.

I get off the bed to look for my things but the door opened again and this time, the nurse came in. My heart almost jumped when Sir Kale followed her. He is a sight right now with those messy hair and serious look.

"Where are you going?" He asked in a cold tone.

"I'm looking for my things. Auntie Royce, you didn't call her, right?"

"She's on her way. The first thing you should be concerned about is what happened? Did you even know that you have allergy in crab?" He didn't give any time for the nurse to say something. Aubrey came in the room and closed the door.

I looked at Sir Kale and he is really mad. Though his expression is neutral, I can tell from his tone that he's annoyed.

"I-i didn't mean to cause trouble in your class. It won't happen again, sorry." He took steps forward to me.

"I was asking if you knew you had allergy to crabs? Why wouldn't you tell anyone that you're not feeling alright? It wasn't a mild allergy reaction, Laurian. You were not breathing, you..." He tried to calm himself.

I didn't know.

"Ah Sir Kale, I think Auntie Royce is already in the lobby. She's securing the visitor pass and will be here soon. Let's not be too harsh on her." I heard Aubrey told him.

"I didn't know. But I'm okay now. I can breathe just fine. It's almost late too, sorry to make you worry. My guardian is here so you can leave." He gave me a look of disbelief.

"Stop saying you're sorry." His eyes were fiery and his tone is warning. I can't look away. For the first time, I feel like there's a man extremely worried for me.

"The whole class is worried about you. Are you sure you're okay now?" I nodded.

He put a paperbag on the bed and stopped walking in front of me.

"Medicine for allergy, but in your case you can't even tell if there's something wrong in your body. Just... be careful with what you eat."

"T-thanks. I really appreciate it, Sir Kale. I will message my classmates in the group chat that I'm okay now."

"What about me?" My jaw dropped. I blinked several times.

"What?" I asked.

"Rest at home and be careful with what you eat." He walked away.

He stopped to tell Aubrey too to go home and rest.

"Your things are in that cabinet. I left my business card. In case of emergency, you can call me." He said before shutting down the door. My heart was a mess.