CHAPTER THREE
1097 Words
ELENA POV
I sat on the bathroom floor and hugged my legs. The floral scent of my soap did nothing to soothe me as I recounted Andrian's cruelty. He showed a side of himself I had never seen, one I would have sworn, doesn't exist.
He seemed like an entirely different person, and I can't wrap my head around it.
His actions and words make me doubt everything I've known about him. Andrian and I grew up together because my parents started working for his family before I was born.
My feelings didn't suddenly appear because I wanted to be a gold digger, like he tagged me earlier.
I've liked him more than a friend, and I pushed myself to take that bold step because I felt he was shy to be open about his feelings.
Andrian made me have a peaceful life growing up, especially since I was surrounded with kids from wealthy families, and they didn't like me for being friends with Andrian.
I could still clearly remember his kindness.
I sat on the floor. My dress had become dirty because of stains from drinks and food. I cried profusely as the mean kids surrounded me.
"Beggar! Pauper!" They shouted.
"You don't fit in here and never will!"
"Get out of my party."
They all continued to make hurtful comments, while the tears flowed effortlessly.
"Give way, guys!" A boy shouted, and almost immediately, there was a shower of sour soup on me.
Their laughter tore through the atmosphere.
"Stop it!" I heard Andrian yell, and the other kids shut their mouths.
In the midst of the mess, my lips tugged into a small smile. Andrian finally arrived.
"What's wrong with all of you?" He barked at them and helped me up. I looked up at him from under my lashes.
He helped me remove the dirt from my hair.
"Don't touch me, Andrian. I'm smelly," I said.
"Nonsense. It's not your fault." He frowned.
He ignored the murmurings and cupped my dirty face. "You're my friend, and I'm not ashamed of you. Always remember that"
He flashed me a bright smile and held my tiny hand in his.
"You're not supposed to be nice to her," Beverly, the birthday girl, hissed
"Why not? Because you don't like it?" He scoffed and pointed his finger at all of them.
"You all are bullies and should be ashamed of yourselves for stooping low. I refuse to be friends with you guys any longer," he declared, and most of them gasped, including me.
He looked at me and pulled me away from the party. I hiccuped as I sobbed.
Andrian stopped and stared at me. "I'm sorry for forcing you to come with me to the party," he apologized, with a sad face.
"It's no problem. I wanted to come too. I'm just sad because the dress is ruined and I don't know what to tell Aunt Carrie," I said.
Andrian sighed and wiped my face with his handkerchief. "Don't worry about Mum, I'll handle it."
"Right, Andrian. Now that you have rejected your friends, who will you hang out with?" I asked, my small eyes widened.
He furrowed his eyebrows. "Ouch... I have you, and that's enough for me. Just be happy and be my bubbly El."
My lips stretched into a wide smile, and nodded.
... Andrian was never one to bully others. So, I still can't understand what changed. Where did my sweet boy go?
If only mum was here, she would have given me a warm hug or at least I would have someone to share this pain with.
Here I am all alone. I leaned my head against the wall as the warm water cascaded down my body.
"Elena! Elena!" I heard Andrian shouting.
I quickly got out of the shower, and before I could cover myself, the door of the bathroom burst open.
A loud yelp tire from my throat. He just stood frozen, his eyes fixed on my chest.
"Close your damn eyes!" I shouted, and he turned around.
Hurriedly, I wrapped myself in the towel. My breath hitched. My heartbeat quickened.
"What the hell do you want?" I sneered, folding my arms against my chest.
He turned and walked closer to me. His eyes scanned my body, but there was something else. Guilt? Fear?
Why? Did his conscience bug him a lot?
He diverted his gaze and looked around the bathroom searching for something. His breathing was ragged.
He groaned and brushed his hair backward. The emotions disappeared like it was never there.
Andrian's eyes blazed, his knuckles cracked because of how tightly he clenched his hands.
"How can you be so damn stupid to shower at this time? Are you done with your chores?" He lashed out, startling me.
What has come over him? I closed my eyes and steadied my breath. I won't let him get to me.
"Yes, Mister Andrian, I'm done with my work," I replied in a low voice
He laughed out like a maniac. His eyes were bloodshot. "Really? What about my dirty laundry? Who's going to do it?"
I furrowed my eyebrows. I did his laundry yesterday.
"But..."
He raised his finger, signaling me to shut up. "Just because my parents and I took you as family, doesn't make you one. Do your duty right," he said in a low and deep voice.
I opened my mouth to talk, but the words got stuck I'm my throat. I could feel my tears threatening to spill.
For how long will Andrian keep treating me like this?
Andrian grabbed my wrist and began dragging me out of my room, towards his.
"Stop it, Andrian. I can't work with this towel.”
He scoffed, "Don't tell me you're shy? I bet you want more from me. So quit the pretense"
We got to his room, and I saw a heap of clothes. I looked at him, and he wore a proud smirk.
I gritted my teeth and blinked back my tears. I dare not hit or curse at him. What if he complains to his parents and they revoke my scholarship?
His phone rang, and he walked out.
I arranged them inside a bag and wanted to step out when I heard Andrian talking to someone over the phone.
"Don't you dare pull that stunt ever again? Else you'll have me to deal with.” He sounded so furious.
Andrian's anger sounded personal, and the last time he was like that was when he was protecting me, but this time, it's definitely not about me.
- Writer
