Pushing Limits

Adopted

It's been a week since that incident and up to this day, we haven't exchanged a word yet. I only saw him once in a while at the mansion because in the morning I left early to go to school, and went straight to the coffee shop in the afternoon and if I went home it would be late at night.

We met once in the living room, when I once came home from the coffee shop and I saw him holding some documents when he saw me and ignored me at the same time. I just passed him and went straight to my room. I once met him at the dining table one morning, but not a word did he say. He was just busy holding his newspaper and enjoying his cup of coffee. Beside that, nothing else.

I couldn't help but wonder if he was mad at me or I just didn't know my place in this house, he was one of the most respected people in the house because if I thought he was also the boss- I don't even know how, but technically the Solidad's let him stayed in their mansion so he is.

I was so tired to go home today because it happened to be Friday and there were a lot of people in the coffee shop, it was already a week but I'm still adjusting from my life style now. There were a lot of school requirements that I had to chase because I was away for a few days and I was tired at the coffee shop. I'm not complaining because this is what I chose, in fact I was glad to finally do something new and sensible.

I'm feeling productive, well ... kind of. I shrugged my shoulders at the numbness it felt as I entered the entrance of the mansion, and there I saw Sir Levi again. This time he was leaning against a post with his arms crossed and looking at me intently. I stopped what I was doing and smiled at him awkwardly.

Different from those days that I met him in this mansion, this time it seems like he was really there standing for a long time and waiting for someone. Who is he waiting for? I just nodded and just wanted to pass him,

"Are you busy with your school?"

I looked at him when I heard him say. I kind of heard some hint of second thoughts on his tone but, I'm not sure if it was just my tiredness creeping out althrough out my body.

I just turned to him and saw him looking at the bag behind me and the apron I was holding that I hadn’t put in the bag because it was already dirty.

"Uhm, kind of."

I don't know what he's thinking and he wants to hear so I just told the truth, because I'm really busy because the finals are only a few days away, now that I've thought about it, I remember I have things to do later .

I thought the rest I wanted was something I couldn't do. I just passed him because he didn't say a word about what I said. I heard some foot steps following me, I was about to go upstairs when he said.

"I will be serving dinner, get back here if you're done with your things. I'm gonna wait here."

I turned to him and he went straight to the kitchen. Now I look around the house and realize how quiet it is. It's too late for me to realize that my housemates aren't here. I've been busy for a few days and I haven't talked to Nana Celia yet. So why no one is here I don’t know.

After I cleaned my body which is I'm not quiet sure if I cleaned properly because I chose to just take a quick shower because I can't forget someone is waiting for me at the chin. I just arranged a few things and decided to go down.

I went straight to the kitchen and here, I saw him leaning on the bar stool intently, and when maybe he would notice my presence he brought himself to a chair at the table with a plate on it.

Looking at the table it seems that it has been prepared earlier due to the neat stacking of food dishes and cutlery. I'm really the only one waiting. He didn't speak and me handling this cold air between us was the most nerve wrecking time of my life. I just walked to one of the chairs here where there was another plate and it was opposite his seat.

He started eating as if I'm not here, so even with hesitation I slowly started my meal, there were two dishes there and it wasn't just that. Did he cooked this? Probably Cyreese, Who will cook? The neighbor?

A few moments have passed and we're still like that, no one is still trying to talk to us and that's not the case with me, maybe he's just not used to eating alone so he invited me. Who told you Cyreese that you like he talk to?

I can't help but notice every single detail that he does, his flaws are screaming with manliness and table manners. We we’re silent only the clinking of the dishes and cutlery.

When I noticed that he's done,

"I'll wash them, thank you."

 Even I’m not sure what that gratitude is for. He didn't move and he didn't seem to hear anything and I felt his cold gaze on me which made me feel uncomfortable.

"Which grade are you again?"

"12, Senior High."

I hesitantly said before I swallowed near my exhausted food. I haven't heard from him since then. And since I don't know why he still doesn't leave his seat, I just spoke to break the silence between the two of us.

"Thank you for the food you cooked. I'm the only-"

"And your instructors gives you tons of responsibilities to the point that you'll get home this late at night?"

At first I didn't know what he was referring to but when I remembered his question earlier I realized maybe he was wondering why I came home in the afternoon or evening.

He was probably irritated because he has to cook for dinner and I was just here enjoying his service.

"Uhm, I'm sorry. I'm working on a part time job, I didn't know the housemates weren't there today, if I only knew I'd say goodbye to go home early to cook dinner."

 "Part time job?" He said emphatically.

I just nodded and spilled the last meal on my plate and reached for my water. I tried to avoid his deep stare at me for no apparent reason. After I drank quickly I quickly got up to put the dishes in front of me to wash them. I feel his gaze following every move I make, I don't know how to act at this moment, I don't know if I can still pretend that I'm not affected by his presence.

"What time will you go home tomorrow?"

I thought he was talking to someone else so I turned to him to see if my suspicions were correct. But i wish I was right.

"Hmm?"

 I picked up the overlapping plates and turned to her before entering the kitchen. I waited for his answer as to what he meant by what he said but it seemed like a contest of stare because I lost.

 "I-I work in the morning and in the afternoon as well."

Why? I wanted to follow but my mouth was already covered. He just nodded and I just nodded because I didn't know what to do in situations like this. I went straight to the kitchen to wash them.

Sometimes I still can't help but think why he's here at the Solidad’s mansion, my curiosity won't leave me alone, and why I've learned that the Solidads aren't here yet.

This is just the first time that a visitor has stayed at Solidads and it's been what? Weeks? The Solidad usually stays in Manila for a month or so, does this mean that this is how our situation will be here in a few weeks? I'm not even sure if it's okay to talk to him because the Solidads might get mad at me.

Now I can still really think about when we don't talk anymore compared to the past few weeks. I shrug all my worries away and just focus on finishing the dishes. I went out of the kitchen to go upstairs and rest, but I hit something on the table, and it looked like a wrap thing. It didn't exist before when I left it here, apart from Sir Levi I left nothing here.

When I approached it to look at it, I immediately took it. It was a plant.

A smile crept in my face. Only a knock on the door ruined my smile.

 Only tomorrow I express my gratitude.

  "Cy. Do you have someoneto eat with?"

I was surprised when my classmate Jomar approached me. I was sorting out the papers used in our exam earlier because my teacher had instructed me.

"Break time? Yes, with Oli."

I immediately saw him listen to what I said.

"Is that Oliver your boyfriend?"

My eyes immediately widened at what he said and violently shook my head in denial of what he said.

"I-I'm just friends with Oli."

I want to be horrified by what he said, I can't imagine Oli being a Boyfriend. He is like a brother to me. I hugged the papers I was carrying and my dad would have known.

 "Why Cy? Do you think that my friend will be interested in you? Just hope so! After all, since you were adopted by the Solidads, you have become ambitious." Someone pinched in.

They laughed with each other until the whole class looked at us who were now leaving and various sarcasm was uttered. Tears welled up in my eyes and I could do nothing but hug the papers I was carrying tightly. I tried to practice my breathing because I could feel my chest tightening at what they said.

 I even tried to convince myself that nothing happened while saying "it's okay" Such things are not new to me, they have been for several years but I still can't help but get hurt every time I hear things coming from them. It's only two hours and my class for today will be over.

I hurriedly walked down the hallway of our building to the faculty because I was sure that Oli was waiting for me in the pathway where we often waited. The faculty door was open so I entered slowly and carefully so as not to disturb the teachers there. I saw a few teachers gathered andit looks like there is something to talk about, Ms. Rodriguez just thanked me and I hurried out.