Mine Alone

Chapter 3

Shaye has just parked the car when we saw Zander's black BMW parked beside her's. In fact, we anticipated that the other two would be with them, and we are right. Shaye and I went inside before they could call us.

We sat in the table for 10 and waited for them to come in. They were exuding charm even when they are just walking. My eyes landed on the prettiest of them, Zander. Dylan greeted me, but he sat beside Shaye.

Zander, Conrad and Levi sat opposite to us. I want to tell Dylan that my friend is taken, but I remained silent because I don't want to start ruining this lunch.

They gave their orders to the waiter. Zander ordered their famous dish, but I chose the salad and water.

"That's all," I said to the waiter. I thought Zander would add something to his order but..

"Another complete meal for her, please." Did he just intrude with my decision?

No one noticed what he did because everyone in that table is busy talking with one another. I remained silent, and so Zander did. He's holding his phone and it took him a while before joining his friends' conversation.

I remember he demanded a while ago that I should look him in the eye when we talk. I don't know if he's asking me to stop avoiding his eyes or asking to avoid talking to him. I'm getting him wrong.

"Are you fine?" Shaye approached me after a cat fight with my brother. I nodded to answer.

When our order arrived, everyone had something to say about the food. They are complimenting the plating. It's their first time here. Even after the food was served, the noise didn't leave the table. They are always together, but the things they want to tell to each other are interminable.

"Why are you not eating your food?" I was stunned when he spoke to me. I looked at him and he's really talking to me. I looked down to my food and started eating it again. I reached for the glass of water and sip from it. I am not hungry.

In the middle of our meal, we all decided to just watch Dylan and Shaye argue about something childish. Levi took Shaye's side, but we all know that's just to make her feel better because Dylan is crushing her already.

"What's the problem, Francesca?" Here comes Zander again. He's calling me in my second name. When I faced him, I saw his serious expression again.

"Don't mind me. I'm fine."

"Then eat your food." He's dictating me, but my heart is jumping out of joy.

"I-i'm not hungry." I reasoned out with a a quivering voice. His lips are in thin line.

"If you can't eat because I'm here then I'll make sure I will never dine with you again." That sounded a threat to me.

I picked up my chopsticks and started eating again.

"Let's affect each other in a nice way, Francesca" he whispered. I looked at him astonished with what he was doing. Usually, he doesn't give a damn. What happened, Zander? Are you finally giving me hope or are you being nice because my brother is here?

"I don't understand your standard in men. The guy you're with right now doesn't suit your personality, I can tell." I almost spit what I was chewing when I heard Dylan conceitedly said that.

Zander gave me a glass of water and his friends next to him were apparently thwarting a smile. Are they making fun of me now?

I didn't accept the glass he was offering. My mood suddenly changed with the thought that Zander is playing with me. It's suspicious enough for him to intrude with my decision, but now he's offering a glass of water and his friends have an awkward reaction for that. Am I overreacting?

He put the glass beside my plate. He didn't look offended because I didn't accept it.

"Don't be late in the meeting or else..." My heart stopped whe he stopped speaking.

"Or else I'll punish you, Francesca." My jaw dropped. He said it so seductively that he caught me off guard. I took a discreet deep breath to calm myself.

I swear! Something is wrong with this guy right now. He said it sexily and I know that he meant whatever he says. But the thought of being punished by Zander Tee is sending shivers to my spine.

"No worries. I'll be there on time."

"I need my secretary's full support and effort to get the projects done. For now, finish your food." His jaw moved again when he talked. He's shaking my whole world right now! He even referred to me as his secretary!

I remained silent until everyone's done eating. Levi and Conrad went ahead of us because they need to drop by somewhere.

"Viel, I'll go with Shaye in her car. You can go with Zander." My eyes widened when I heard Dylan's confident words. Is he paying for all the times he pushed me away from Zander? He's unbelievable!

Before I could answer, Dylan is already in the driver's seat. He has Shaye's car key with him! I knew even before that something smells fishy between them, but they keep surprising me.

"Let's go." It's the first time I'll be able to ride in Zander's car. He opened the door in the Passenger's seat beside the driver's seat for me. With trembling knees, I walked closer to him.

"You know, Zander. You don't have to do this. I can take a taxi anyway."

His face became serious unlike before. We are left together again. Maybe he doesn't like that my brother gave him order just like that.

"Get in."

He closed the door. I took the opportunity to roam my eyes around the interior. The manly scent dominates the car. It's overwhelming to have a driver as handsome as him.

"I'm sorry you have to bear with me because of my brother."

"No big deal."

I looked at his perfect face. Pointed nose, dark eyes, sexy red lips. That jaw is my favorite. My eyes went down to his adam's apple that slightly moved. And then to his defined biceps. I can only imagine what's beneath that uniform.

The travel was less than 10 minutes, and it's hard to believe that I remained quiet for that long.

"Thank you," I said smiling while looking directly to his eyes.

"You're welcome. Have you distributed the letters for the professors?"

"Dr. Leo Curtis and Dr. Tiffany Uy have classes when I went to their office earlier. I'll go later again." He nodded.

His eyes went down to my chest, and I can't imagine how flustered I am right now. I looked on that part too and saw the loose button. I immediately fixed it and smiled even I am too embarrassed to face him now.

"Your uniform is too fit. That's not how it should be unless you're trying to flaunt your curves in the students and professors." My brow raised automatically with his sarcasm.

"This is my size, and perhaps I didn't intentionally unbutton it." I answered.

"Alright. I won't meddle because I don't have the right. I'll see you later in the meeting, Francesca." He turned his back and started walking away from me.

I took a step and called his name. I used to be confident with all things, but when it comes to Zander, I become silly.

"Zander Tee!" I shouted. He looked at me with eyes slightly irritated.

"Date me." For the first time, it came out of my mouth.

I stepped back when he started walking closer to me. I looked at his eyes which grew darker each second. I have been waiting for you, Zander, for a long time. I don't mind taking the first step if you couldn't. You just have to be there to take the next ones.

"I don't date my friend's sister, Francesca. Besides, you need to focus on your studies. You almost failed in your 5-unit course last semester." He said emphasizing every word as if he was precluding something behind. His eyes screamed danger and something latent.

"T-then should I find another man who would date me, Zander?" I am beautiful and have the curves you mentioned. Why can't you like me? I looked at his car just to avoid his eyes. My tears started building up.

In my peripheral view, I saw him step closer to me.

"How is focusing on academics similar to dating just anybody? You mistakenly construed my point, Francesca." His tone became as dangerous as his eyes. I'm fighting the urge to walk away because I feel like I'm demeaning my own pride the longer I stand in front of him.

"I've been waiting for you for three years, but all I received so far was your despicable treatment towards me. You can't even smile while talking to me unless my brother or parents are around. Why can't you treat me the way you normally treat other girls? What is wrong with me, Zander?

"Why are you asking me all of a sudden?" His eyes riled as those muscles in his jaw moved. Damn!

"Because..."

The side of lips curved up as if he was waiting for what I was about to say. I bit my lower lip while thinking if I really have to go far just to talk back to him. I'm about to lose my pride.

"Because I want you now, Zander. Yes I can wait for how long it may take you to reprise my feelings, but..."

"I will never like you as a woman, Francesca." His dark eyes were luring me more, but my tears couldn't hold it anymore.

"This is why I don't want to treat you with consideration. I know you'd assume that we could happen; that will hurt you more. Isn't it still clear to you, Francesca, that I only see you as Dylan's sister?"

I looked at his eyes with the tears running down my face. He loves hurting me so this won't affect him at all.

"So you will never like me? No chance at all, Zander?" I wanted to show him a smile but a smirk showed instead.

"You know the answer to that question. I will like it if you focus on studying hard." He turned his back like he's the coldest person in the world. He did not even offer a handkerchief to this crying lady.

"Then I should look for someone better, right?" He was far, but I made sure he heard. He stopped walking for a while and turned his head while smiling.

"Do what pleases you, Francesca." His aloof voice just added to my already heavy feeling. He can torture me completely.

Now, I realized that there's really no chance for this feeling. It will not be easy to forget him because for 3 damn long years, I long for him. I was also an athlete before I decided to join in the Student Council. A lot of guys want to take me out, but this Tee won't even look at me. Damn him because I will still love him after what he said.

I leaned on his car as I wiped my tears. I can't go to class with this heavy feeling. I have everything but that person who will complete me. Why are you so far, Zander? And why do I keep choosing you over all those guys drooling for me.

An idea came into my mind after I lost the sight of his back.

4:50 PM

I am walking in the corridor of 8th floor. I am not late as what I told him. No matter what happens, I won't look at Zander's eyes. He hates it when I avoid his gaze, so I'll do it more to get his attention. You've always had my attention, it's time for you to return the favor.

There are groups of students inside the SG Office. I smiled at them as they greeted me. Let's be optimistic that things will be in my favor for this meeting.

The clerical assistant is assisting the students. I looked around, but no officer is in their table. I walked to the conference room, and saw them sitting with their laptops in front of them. Most of the officers are already there, but the professors haven't arrived. The head of the meeting is not yet here as well. Where is that guy?

I sat beside Karl. After 5 minutes, the professors arrived. They came from a board meeting. It's shame that they arrived earlier than the president and the vice. The next time the door opened, I paid attention in watching the two men came in. That was Troy and Zander.

"Let's start the meeting." His husky voice is making me weak.

In the first part of the meeting, the officers presented the new projects for the whole academic year. 3 of those projects are for revision as per advice by the professors. The old projects that will be adapted by the current SC have been all approved. After an hour, we had a break and the food was served.

I went out to go to the comfort room, and then I remained seated until the meeting resumed. Zander was also sitting quietly during the whole break. In my peripheral view, I saw him taking glances at me, but I never looked at his eyes directly. I am typing the minutes of the meeting without looking at him. He looked stressed, his voice and his jaw.

The last discussion was about the calendaring of the activities for the first 2 months only for the reason that there is no definite schedule for midterm and final exams for this semester and the next. Zander was also able to maximize the time by creating the flow of program for the Freshmen Meet Up, the first activity. He took the opportunity that the SC members are complete as well.

The meeting was ajourned and I have not seen Zander's eyes since he walked into that door. I quickly fixed my things to leave. I picked up my phone from the table when a notification pop up in the screen. The professors are still talking to Zander, and they seemed happy for the discipline, commitment and competence that the current administration showed in the first meeting. I'm happy for him.

I replied to Shaye's message before heading out of the conference room. She's in the mall. My heart is happy even with no direct conversation or eye contact with Zander. Having him around and just knowing that the things are going positively for him make me happy.

She was spacing out when I arrived. What happened to her? He kept taking a deep sigh.

"What happened?"

She didn't give me a definite answer, but she just kep showing that she's down. We had dinner in the mall and went for a coffee. I didn't ask her questions because I want her to tell me what's wrong when she's ready.

"I'm stressed."

"I'm tired, Shaye. Wanna go to our house?" She never refused that kind of offer. That's her second home. Even we wanted so bad to go clubbing, it's still weekday and we had a promise that we will never get wasted on weekdays!

My heart raced when I saw Zander's black BMW in front of the entrance of our house. It blocking the pathway to the garage. For sure, he's here for Dylan.

"What the hell is your man doing in your house at night?" Her question is provocative. I wish he's here for me.

We went inside the house and my traitor heart dictated my eyes to look for the owner of that car hoping I could sue him instead for illegal parking. They must be in the mini bar of the house; they hang out there usually. Shaye went to my room directly while I get some water for us. We are both tired. I was just about to take my fourth step in the stairs when I heard the familiar hoarse voice.

"I adjourned the meeting early, but you still go home late." I bit my lower lip to compose myself. I faced him trying to conceal astonishment. He's holding a glass wine as he stood there alone looking up to me with those sleepy eyes and messy hair. The first three buttons of his uniform are loose showing a part of his chest.

"You just dumped me, Zander. If you have a little consideration to me, please refuse to meddle with my personal life." I will inflict pain instead if you wouldn't accept my love. At least I have an effect to you.