Pushing Limits

Eavesdrop

"Guys, we can finish these cut outs this week, but we have to find our personality on Friday to be interviewed. We need to make a magazine for that."

Alicia said we were the leader in the project. The project she was talking about was the magazine that we need to do for the last semester of this year. We also need to find a personality or celebrity to interview-in it. Alicia scolded our groupmates who were also her friends.

I just quietly draw what is what in the notebook in my chair because I also have nothing to do. They are all friends and I am the only one who is not in their friend group so I can't talk anymore every time we get together to work.

"Cy."

I nearly jumped when Jomar's face popped out of nowhere. He moved his chair closer to me and maybe because of the tiny space between us my instinct kicked in and I immediately separated myself from him. I smiled rawly at him because the big grin on his face shone on him.

"So you’re great in fine arts?"

He softly said.

"A-ah no. I'm just having fun."

I immediately looked at my groupmates who were still busy in their respective worlds. I checked if anyone of them noticed the short conversation of us but no one seems to be interested to pay any attention.

"You told me that Oliver isn't your boyfriend? So you’re now available?"

He brought his face even closer to me and I almost got up from my seat so that our faces wouldn't stick together. A big question mark plastered on my face, unable to understand what he's trying to say.

He smiled and I was very grateful when Mariel tapped him, the woman obviously didn't like me in this group. I have nothing to do with that, you can't just please everybody and my whole life sums that. I'm not really accepted by anyone, that's not new to me.

"How's that now? We can't in our house either, my step father is there, we're not allowed.”

Said Alicia. We're talking about where we're going to do our project because it's not possible here at school.

"Wow! We can't do it any better."

One refused. And one. And one. I just kept writing what what in my notebook.

"Why not in Solidads! It's Cy's house!"

Jomar's screaming suggestion seemed like it was the best decision he had ever made in his life. Shocked I raised my eyes to see what they looked like and they’re smirking as if I had no choice but to consent.

"I-it's not my house."

"Huh? Didn't they adopt you, so that's okay! We'll go swimming in the sea afterwards! Right?"

Alicia said happily until they were all happy with their plan. I just nodded. 

"I'll let you know about Solidad first." They cheered.

At two o'clock in the afternoon and I was able to come home, I did not enter the Caffe today because I said goodbye for three days. Because we took three days to do a project that had to be done by hand.

 I reached for the plant here in my room that he gave me last night. It still looks the same. There are sharp thorns but this is what makes it even more beautiful. It’s even smaller in my palm so I keep letting it go.

Why would he gave me this? I still can't thank him. Not gonna lie, for I do not want to deny that Sir Levi caused me a strange aura. Every move he makes, every words that he says, I don't know what to feel because I'm unfamiliar with this kind of feeling. Maybe it's because in 2 years I've met someone new besides Solidad and Oli, maybe I'm new to the attention he gives me.

A few more minutes into my conversation with the plant I decided to go out. I first looked down the hallway and the office door to see if anyone was there, but there was none. I went downstairs hoping to find someone there and I was right because Sir Levi and Ate Celest were there in the office.

Sir Levi was holding some papers and Aunt Celest was crossing her legs and her arms unto her chest while talking to Sir Levi. I slowly descended so as not to disturb the two of them. I held on tightly to the stairs as I stopped, worried about making any noise.

“Levi I told you, you can always stay here if you want too.”

Ate Celest said.

"What's the use of Vidalio Hotel Celest? If it wasn’t for the job your father gave me, I won’t be staying here."

 He said without looking at her, still busy reading the handful of documents in his hands.

"But, It's not a big deal. Is it because I'm here? Well I'll be leaving at dawn, Mr. Levi. I'll be leaving without any trace."

Ate Celest said irritably to him and if I'm not mistaken it's still my streak of sarcasm. I was taken back a little. I haven't seen them talk like this before because I thought they would get along, but it's different from what I see now.

"No."

"Please."

Sir Levi's eyebrows meet while Ate Celest looks so desperate which is not so her. Solidad don't beg. Never. I was about to fall down the stairs when Sir Levi suddenly turned to the place where I was. He might think I'm eavsedropping their conversation.

Am I? I'm not. No--?

"Yes?"

He said, reason for Ate Celest to turn to me as well. Ate Celest's wrinkled face was immediately erased and it immediately soothed when our eyes met.

"Yes Cyreese? Come here?" She softly said.

My heart immediately softened at what he said. I don't really intend to disturb them both today but I have no choice because if Celest leaves tomorrow, I won't be able to say goodbye.

Who's not eavesdropping now? My hands were clasp together while walking in their direction and next they looked at me.

"Ate Celest, I would like to let you know if I can bring my groupmates here for the project. If I can't, I'll just take them to the hut on the beach."

"Well, It's okay but I never knew you had friends? It's been two years and your only male friend I see with you."

I don't know why I turned to Sir Levi's seat and saw the coldness of his gaze on me.

"Uhm, my groupmates will be coming this time."

"Well, at least she knew how to make friends with some girls."

Sir levi who frowned at me. There were only two women in my group and five were men so I didn’t know what he was referring to.

"It's okay. Serve them snacks if you want too. It's a good thing that you are now making some friends. It must be so hard for you Cyreese."

I could see the pity in his eyes. I felt a strange warmth in my heart, only Ate Celestg can tell me this. They are like his mother who is very soft -hearted, they are intelligent and blessed in all ways.

 "Come here." She begged to hug and stand up.

I felt the heat around my eyes and when I hugged him my vision blurred completely.

"Bring them here more often. It's like you can talk to someone. Because often we're not here."

She brushed her soft hand in my skin. I nodded and was ashamed of my attitude today. I immediately said goodbye to Ate Celest and Sir Levi's gaze still could not escape me. I don't know what time I woke up when I saw Aunt Celest leaving. I just watched him get in his car and leave as well. I watched her hair bouncing and going with her flaws. She's wearing a casual clothes that made me admire her more.