C4
1416 Words
I immediately removed from my mind the man with the hair in a ponytail. I just stayed in my room all night for the next few days and texted Clark constantly. In addition to texting her, I somehow help with the housework. Tiyang has also taught me to dig the ground (which I really don't want to do). My hand hurts and I don't want a job that involves land.
"The heir of the Dela Merceds is about your age, Ches." Teddy ordered as he watched me put corn in the food container for the chickens.
"Yes. I've seen him." I said.
"Ah! That's right. Of course, he's not hard to find." He laughed. "He's a hearthrob. Many people are obsessed with him from Alegria so I can't blame you if-"
"What? Will I fall in love with him? Hell, no, Ted. I have a boyfriend and besides he's not my type."
Koko's face is drawing in my brain and I'm just disgusted. I want to laugh at the thought of falling in love with him. What is this Teddy, doesn't he know what type I am?
"Shh... Well, then, that's good."
I winced. If this one could talk it would be unbelievable that I couldn't fall in love with Koko.
"He is also one of the Dela Merceds so his aunt is keeping that."
I put away the other chickens and washed my hands. Later, I will call it because of the work here in the field.
"Why his aunt, doesn't he have mommy and daddy anymore?" The question is not mine.
"Hmmm. Don't you know? His mommy and daddy were ambushed when they were young. You know, Don William, he had many enemies. Then when he ran for governor in the entire province, there were more."
I was stunned by what Teddy was saying. He shrugged as I turned to him.
"They thought Don William was with the convoy in the car. They were ambushed. Well, both of his parents are dead."
"REALLY?" My eyes narrowed.
Koko also suffered from a different kind.
"That's why he's like that?" Jejemon and looks like a fairy?
"Hmmm... I don't know. I don't know him that well. You know, we don't belong together." He laughed. "After what happened, he was sent to the States. To his other uncle."
"HUH?" My jaw dropped in a different way.
Is that why he's so 'See ya later, alligator?' But he's really corny and I can't accept that he's from the States!
"But that was only three years, Ches. He was also brought back here when Don William died. And since then, he's really been here."
I swallowed. Koko's experiences are really different. Even though his High Definition face reflected in the back of my mind disturbs me, he also suffered something painful in his life.
"Anyway, Ted." I couldn't stop it.
Because every time Koko's face flashes back to me, I can see the handsome face of the mysterious man more and more. Not that I'm interested or whatever...
"Hmmm?" He looked at me while putting water for the chickens.
"Do you know a man who is quite handsome who is also a friend of that Dela Merced?"
"Hmm? Who? The friends he hangs around with are mostly women. And he also has male friends but I'm not sure of the names."
He busied himself with putting on water. I want to ask a more specific question. The guy with a tail on his back and riding a horse? The man is tall, very handsome and muscular. But I avoided that.
"Clark." I ordered when I saw someone calling my cell phone.
It's hard to get away from Clark. I'm especially homesick because Teddy and Craig are busy with the walks that mom and aunt order them to take. Papa and uncle are also busy managing the Alps. So I had no choice but to meditate at home or maybe go with Craig. I was just riding in a rusty pick up. Clark's Vios air conditioner is missing.
"Hello, my love." I jumped when Koko suddenly appeared in front of me while waiting for Craig and Teddy who were shopping.
I was opposite the soccer field because their pick up was also parked there. I don't want to go to the market because it's smelly and wet there. I don't like the feeling that I stepped on something wet.
"What are you doing here, Koko?" My tone was irritated.
I immediately realized that I shouldn't treat him like that so I smiled back.
"I mean, you suddenly appear." I laughed.
"Of course, someone counted in the market." He winked. "You're with your rusty pick up again, aren't you?"
My cheeks warmed up.
Embarrassing, huh? I know, he's probably the richest jejemon around. And to call our car like that is a bit offensive to me.
"Well, I'm sorry if I'm poor." I grinned.
He laughed, "That's okay."
It's arrogant, huh? It's better to break the heart like this. But when I think about what he went through then? I just held my breath.
"Have you been to church?" He gestured to the church.
I shook my head.
"Let's go to church next time?"
My eyes widened at his invitation. From his grin now, it looks like I know where the conversation will go.
I want to back off. I was thinking of Clark. I was thinking about my dear boyfriend who I left behind in Manila. I can't cheat. It's not cheating because I don't like Koko. How are you, Chesca! This is just the same... By the time I accepted another man, it was also called cheating. I think my conscience is persecuting me.
"Hmmm. It depends."
His grin faded, "Oh I thought you liked me?"
When did I say that? I do not know! "Huh?"
"Didn't you give me a chance to flirt?"
"Huh? Ah... uh..."
I scratched my head while looking at his expectant face. It's now or never. He's easy to laugh at, but he's pitiful, my conscience still haunts me for Clark. I can't but what I said is the opposite.
"Yes."
He almost jumped at what I said. I saw him sweating in anticipation of my answer.
"THANK YOU!"
Suddenly someone honked on the side of the pick up. We turned there together. It's so tinted that I don't know what the problem is with this big black car. His tires are a bit muddy but I can see the shine of his body.
"Oh, it's here." Koko said in a whisper.
Shit! Their SUV is beautiful! Is this wealth? Looks like they're just letting this SUV get muddy, huh?
"Alright, Chesca. Anyway, can I know your full name?"
"Seriously?" I smiled because I was confused by his question but I answered it anyway. "Francesca Alde."
"Alde?" His eyes narrowed.
Dead! Alde and I know each other here and maybe he will realize my plan because of this. DEAD!
"That's why it's beautiful." He winked.
"Huh?"
"See ya later, alligator." He said and left immediately.
He opened the front seat door. I immediately saw the driver's hand holding the steering wheel. I can see the black watch there. I was terrified for some unknown reason. It's like there's something in that arm... I want to step closer to see who's driving.
"Oh come on, Chesca. It's not the driver you're going to attract. It's the damn Dela Merced."
"By the way..." Koko shouted. "Tomorrow, I'll pick you up at the gate at seven thirty. Look at your schedule."
All the hairs on my body stood up at his wink before going inside. I wanted to say no but it was too late. Their car slowly left.
On the back of the SUV I saw the Plate Number.
"MDM. Not even a number. That's not possible in Manila." I folded my arms when someone suddenly bumped into me.
"What!?" I shouted at my laughing brother.
"Who are you looking at there?" Craig asked.
Teddy patted his shoulder as he snorted at the departing car. They also said this at the same time, "Well done! It's true that you have met him."
The two laughed.
"It's a nice car, Jeep Commander. Tsk. Why do they need more land? The Alps are only five hectares. Theirs? It goes all the way to Camino Real."
I looked at Teddy.
"Is their land that big and will it reach the other town?"
He nodded.
Damn, Dela Merced. That's why.
- Writer
