Times Three

Chapter 7

It is another day for another stress!

As soon as I open my eyes, a wave of frustration hits me as I look on my phone and its ten percent battery life. I forgot to charge it after the call with Aspire, and now eight missed calls from him pops on the screen. I can imagine Aspire’s face right now, he must be furious that I am one hour late for practice and that man values everything like it is always the endgame. What a nice way to start your day, Celestine?

I get up from bed and did my everyday routine, good thing my eyes does not look like I was bitten by bees, but I do not want them to see anything’s wrong with me so I put a little more make up on my eyes. I went down the stairs to greet Nana and father who is eating breakfast peacefully which is surprising since we seldom eat together. They prefer to eat with other business people and talk about money. Nana asks me to join father for breakfast and I oblige her with an awkward smile, greeting my father ‘Good Morning’ and sits beside him. She places an avocado and egg toast in front of me, I smile at her and hesitantly picks it up while giving her a side glance. Father seems to notice it and gesture Nana to come close to him, I swallow and eat this toast that I am eating since last month since mother says that it can help me lose weight.

Never did I dream about modelling but mother says I have to since it is her dream, but why am I being pressured from her lost dream? What about mine?

Another plate full of bacon, French toast, an egg again and a cup of fresh milk appears in front of me. Nana, with her big and motherly smile, told me to eat it up before mother wakes up from her sleep since mother will go to another business meeting in Singapore for a day or two with the foreign partner she met in the party of her client. I look at father who is wiping the side of his lips and asks him if he will be away too and he said that later in the evening is his flight to California, he will stay there for eight days to close an important deal. I nodded and he turns his head to my side.

           “Eat up, someone is waiting for you outside for an hour.”

I did what father told me and finish the meal in a flash, drinking the milk in one shot and prepare to face the man my father said. Nana is setting the table clean when I approach her, asking why did father did not let the man sit in the living room. She gives me a smile saying that the man is who my father hates since elementary. Come to think of it, there are tons of people that father dislikes. Who is this lucky guy?

           “Hell-o~”

Now I know why father does not let this man come inside the house. If Aspire is an asshole, then this man is a complete chatterbox. He will not forget that walnut color hair when he starts a debate with my father when he stabs me with a pencil. When he starts to open his mouth he never stops, in his advantage he joins the dance club without using his bodily-kinesthetic abilities but his talent in words. Other than dance club, he becomes the Supreme Council of Saint Louis Academy lovingly Business Manager. Thinking of how the former President handles this i***t is just purely amazing.

           “Aspire asks me to fetch you since you are not feeling well. Why are you not feeling well? Did something happen to you yesterday? Someone spotted you leaving the school with him. Are you in relationship?”

I roll my eyes from his questions and wave at Mr. Santy before getting in the backseat of his car.

           “Why are you sitting there? You should sit beside me because I am not your driver. Does the heir of Shantel Restaurants really that lucky to have Fash as her driver?”

Just ignore him, Celestine. He will get tired from all the talking or just bump the car so he cannot talk until eternity. That’s sound evil but tempting. I just close my eyes and pretends to sleep until we reach the school. A devil is waiting for me in the front gate, looking like I committed an unforgivable sin and ready to punish me. It is Aspire, busy looking at his phone or he is playing Legends of Twin Towers?

There are already new and popular e-games but he still sticks to it, why so loyal asshole?

           “Celestine, do not forget about your practice with that man in the dance –“

           “I have to go, thanks you the ride Fash!”

I left without finishing his words, early in the morning and he just, I sigh and look for different path so I would not cross from Aspire who looks like he is about to explode since he is waiting and calling for me for hours. Annika sees me like I am performing a prison break and wanted to laugh but I gesture her not to, Fash must be wanting for my doom when he shouts my location to and Aspire is looking for me. How I wish to kill him at this moment and sew his mouth!

Aspire looks in my direction with his eyes condemn hell and starts to walk my way, panic starts to succumb my being and all I can hear is Annika’s laugh. Other students look at us with mix emotion, some are just shaking their head like it is a usual situation they are witnessing and most of them also laugh. Celestine Adrianna Gomez being chase my Aspire Judith Levefre since elementary days. It is as classic as Titanic. If you are asking if I am having fun? What do you think?

I run with all my might until I see KID walking in the hallway alone with a notebook in his hand and playing with his pen, approach him and hide in his back. He seems shock but I did not care, I want to live and not die in the hands of an asshole. Aspire stops running when he sees KID and arrogantly smile while Annika who follows us also halts from running and laughing. She mouthed and gesturing me something but I did not understand.

Suddenly, the busy hallway becomes as silent as cemetery, students are pause from what they are doing like they see a ghost. It is quite eerie and I can feel a cold silent war between the man in front of me. The face off of two heirs of big company, how did I forgot what mother told me? Stay away from clashing businessman.

Aspire looks become more sinister and smiles sarcastically, he puts his hands in the pocket of his jogging pants and taunts him.

“Yoh, since when did a Robles cares for other people? Is she useful in your family business?”

I cannot see KID’s reaction but I kind of get mad at Aspire when he says that. It is their ancestors feud, why are they involve? I push KID a little to face that asshole but Annika coughs like she is sick and suddenly clings her arm to KID, acts that her chest aches and told him to take her to the clinic.

“It really hurts! Vice President take me to the clinic and call the finest doctor that Saint Louis Academy can give. I cannot and should not die, just like you my family expects me to take over our business.”

Annika looks at me with urgency in her eyes and grabs me in the shoulder and pushes me towards Aspire. I am about to complain but she has a talent in acting, why did she not audition before? The students around us still not making noise and not moving to help her, KID suddenly look worried and carry Annika like a newly wedded wife without having a second thought, he even runs like he is an athlete.

Gasps can be heard from everyone’s lips as we watch them. I am just looking at them weirdly and face Aspire for confirmation about what just happen, but he grabs me in my elbow and brings me to the practice room. He is explaining something about the dance but my mind is left together with Annika and KID. Are they having a ‘thing’?

A snapping finger in front of my face makes me come back from reality and Aspire is looking at me with patience evident in his eyes. Asking me if something is wrong, but I shake my head but the thought still lingers in my head. Aspire and I start to practice the dance routine for our performance in the concert but he keeps scolding me for my mistakes. He stops the music and throws the water to me, passing the extra towel in his side.

“Are you that clouded by what you saw between Robles and Smith?”

How did he know that I am thinking of them?

“You like Robles.”

“Are you asking me or are you validating your thoughts?”

He turns his back on me and state those words before leaving, “I am not blind unlike you. Just a reminder Gomez, the last thing I want to fix is a broken heart.”