TAINTED HEARTS (ENGLISH)

TAINTED HEARTS 06

Chapter 06

“We have a record of your academic performance from your old school. You got one in all your subjects this semester. You are the possible holder of the highest honor if you could maintain your good records until graduation.”

I almost lifted myself from my seat. I was in front of Mrs. Umali, the senior school head of the university. I thought there was a problem, that’s why I was suddenly called.

“Is that true?”

She nodded with a smile. I covered my mouth, grinning wide.

“I will not give you my words if they're not. Congratulations in advance, Ms. Peña Vega. This is a big step in your journey, so I’m expecting only good news from you.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

The joy didn’t leave me as I stepped out of her office. I only needed to maintain my grades or even raise them higher if I could. My left hand was playing with my lower lip while I walked absentmindedly. I couldn’t help but smile wide, so I tried to hold it back.

“Something good happened?”

I lowered my hand. My smile didn’t fade even when I faced Sir Lennox. His hands were in his pockets and he was leaning against the side of a classroom wall. I didn’t know what he was doing here since he didn’t have a class in this building, but I didn’t ask.

Since the time he drove me home, he had often been absent from school. Someone was substituting for him, but he was still the one who gave the grades. I thought I would get a low grade from him since I was avoiding him, and I only accepted his offer to drive me home when it rained—like just yesterday.

“Are you busy right now, sir?” I asked while walking and smiling as I came closer.

He straightened his posture. He watched me while his brows slowly furrowed. Maybe he was wondering since I was the one who approached him first this time.

“Why do you ask?”

“It’s lunchtime. I want to treat you, sir. My payment for driving me home,” I still offered with a smile.

“Treat? Lunch?” He laughed. He folded his arms and leaned back again against the wall. “I don’t need your dirty money.”

I tilted my head and looked at him. I really didn’t get him. Sometimes, it’s like he was just observing. Sometimes, his approach was aggressive. Sometimes, he passed me like he didn’t know me. Sometimes, rude. Sometimes… I don’t know.

“What do you mean dirty, sir?”

He lowered his folded arms and put them in his pockets. He smirked as he walked closer to me.

“How much did you pay for your workshop to be that good at acting?”

Every time he uttered a word I didn’t understand, I was speechless.

“Workshop?” I frowned. “If you don’t want me to treat you, that’s fine. You don’t have to say confusing things.”

Confused, I stepped away before my happy mood turned bitter. I felt him follow.

“Tsk! Fine, let’s go, but I’ll pay.”

He grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me toward the parking lot. While seated, I couldn’t read his mood. He agreed, but it seemed like it was against his will.

“Where are we going?”

What I had in mind was just the cafeteria or the eateries in front of the school since that’s all I could afford.

“You don’t want students to talk about us, don’t you?”

I stared.

“Ah…” Right. “But where are we going?”

“Do you expect me to eat at cheap restaurants? I have my own lunch reservation at a fine dining restaurant.”

“I’m in uniform!” I said worriedly.

“So, what?”

“Is this even allowed? They might not let me in—”

“Then change.”

“Change? Where? What will I wear? My clothes are in the locker!”

He glanced at me and scanned my clothes. My uniform skirt was short. The top was fitted. I had already removed my scarf earlier. I was wearing two-inch black heels. I didn’t wear stockings because I felt hot, so my skin was bare. If we entered together, I’d look like his sugar baby.

“Tss.” He coldly looked away after checking my clothes.

When we arrived at the restaurant’s parking lot, he stopped me from getting out. I followed him with my eyes as he reached into the backseat for a black coat. He handed it to me.

“Get out of my car and wear it.”

I took it. I pouted as I got out and quickly put the coat on. It was big on me, so it covered my skirt. Just by adding his coat, my clothes instantly looked formal. Maybe because the fabric and design were expensive.

His car beeped, signaling it was locked. He walked toward me. I looked up to see if I was properly dressed in his eyes. I had never eaten in this kind of restaurant, so I didn’t know.

“That will do.”

I followed behind him as he entered the restaurant. His broad back was in front of me. There were many people, but they were quietly eating. Only soft conversations and the sound of cutlery could be heard.

“This way, sir.” The waitress guided us to a room.

The food and utensils were obviously expensive. The exterior was beautiful, but even more so inside. Large chandeliers hung above the tables. Many utensils were arranged neatly. At the center of the table was a vase with fresh flowers.

I only saw this in pictures, but now it was right in front of me. I was nervous that I might break something. As I turned, I met Sir Lennox’s eyes. I didn’t know if he had been watching me for a while, but our eyes locked when I looked at him.

“What’s with you? It’s not your first time at this kind of restaurant, is it?” he asked, seemingly confused by my reaction.

“It’s my first time!” I answered excitedly.

My smile faded when I remembered I had told him I’d pay. I hadn’t even seen the prices yet, but based on how this restaurant looked, it was surely expensive. I immediately moved closer to him. I had to look up because of our height difference. He bent slightly, staring at me with his brows drawn together.

“I can’t treat you here! I don’t have money for this!”

His lips parted, his face tightening even more.

“Can’t we just go somewhere else? I’ll be the one to choose the place? I know one where the food isn’t cheap but not too expensive either.”

I was smiling but he was frowning. The waitress and waiter entered with menus and a pitcher of water. One of them also had wine and started pouring it into the glasses. Sir Lennox sat down and ignored my suggestion. I did the same since the waitress had already started pouring into my glass.

“Is this wine free?”

The woman froze, slightly chuckled at my question, then shook her head.

“No, ma’am.”

My eyes went to Lennox, who gave me a sharp look. Why? Because I asked? His face had been unreadable since earlier. What really was his problem? I didn’t say anything else and just waited until the waiter and waitress left. The room fell silent.

“Stop acting ignorant. You are embarrassing me.”

I stayed quiet. I wasn’t sure if the wine was free, that’s why I asked. What was so shameful about that? I bit my lip as I flipped through the menu pages. Each flip made my bite on my lower lip harder. My stomach suddenly hurt. This was extremely expensive. I didn’t think I could swallow anything here. If it weren’t for Lennox, I’d have run away.

One slice of cake, two thousand? What kind of icing do they use here? I could buy several whole cakes for my siblings with that. Nervously, I cleared my throat, put down the menu, took a deep breath, and looked up. He was already watching me, brows still furrowed, as if he was wondering and angry at how I was acting.

Just because I studied in an expensive school didn’t mean I was rich like other students there. I had money in the bank because of what Papa left, but that was for my family, not for luxuries. I didn’t plan to touch it since I was about to graduate and get a job anyway. That money was for my siblings. Besides, Mr. Andromeda was the one giving me allowance, so I had to value it since it wasn’t my own money.

“What are you doing?” he asked angrily.

I swallowed. “Can I just not eat?”

“Are you f*****g kidding me?” He closed the menu.

“It’s just that the food is too expensive. I feel like I can’t eat them,” I admitted, biting my lip. “I said I’d treat you, but you said you’d pay. But even if it’s free, I don’t think I can eat this—”

“Just order and eat the food I will pay for! You’re used to it, so stop the act already, Xena!” he shouted as if my words and actions offended him.

My eyes widened. I was getting fed up with his attitude. I was trying to communicate properly, so why was he getting worse?

“What? What do you mean?”

I shouted back. I momentarily forgot that the one in front of me was my teacher.

“I mean, there’s no need for you to act innocent in front of me! I know what you are! You are acting ignorant, and it is your first time to experience eating in this kind of place, even though the truth is that you are used to this kind of place!”

I stood up because of his shouting. My breathing grew heavy at the nonsense he was saying.

“What’s your problem? If you’re mad at me, why don’t you tell me directly? Why bring me to this restaurant? You keep repeating that ‘stop acting’ thing! Who’s really the one acting here? Am I in a shooting film right now that I need to act in front of you?”

He fell silent but his glare didn’t fade. His lips were pressed tightly as if he was holding back words. I looked up, drew a deep breath, then exhaled heavily before facing him again.

“You know what, just eat alone.” I stood calmly. “I don’t want to completely ruin your lunch. It’s better if I just go home.”

I was used to being patient because it was needed for the job I wanted. But not to the point that I would let someone disrespect and insult me. It would be fine if there was sense and I could understand his point. But no, he was pointless. I’d rather leave before it got worse.

I stepped out of the restaurant without saying goodbye. I was already outside when I remembered I was still wearing his coat. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to calm myself. After a few moments, I decided to push open the glass door and return inside.

“Get out—”

“Don’t tell me you will let her fool you too.”

“Addi, could you please stop?”

The door was slightly open, so I pushed it wider. Lennox looked toward the door. Maybe he thought it was just a waiter, but when he saw it was me, he quickly stood from his seat.

“What are you doing here? How long have you been there?” I sensed panic.

I curiously showed him his coat.

“I just arrived. It’s because of the coat, so I came back. I’m sorry… if I interrupted something?”

I looked at the woman beside him. Her glare was sharp as Lennox took the coat from my hands.

“Stay here. You can go home later. Let’s eat first.”

Before he could finish, I was already shaking my head. I glanced again at the woman before making an excuse.

“No, I’m fine. My mother might also be waiting.”

He sighed deeply. He was calm now, unlike earlier when we were shouting at each other. I just ignored what he said earlier; I didn’t want to escalate things further. The last thing I wanted was a bad record in my grades. As long as he wouldn’t repeat what he did before, I’d let it slide.

“Alright. I’ll just take you home then—”

“No need, sir!” I cut him off. “I can go home on my own!”

I smiled. He didn’t speak and didn’t move. He just stared at me, particularly at my smiling lips. Carefully, I stepped back. I didn’t give him a chance to insist; I waved my hand and left.