Erudite: The Intelligent

Chapter 14

Minutes after, I successfully calm myself.

"Hi." I heard the kid's small voice.

I smiled at the kid awkwardly. How dare me to feel that kind of thing in front of a child? And that child is his son.

I'm so shameless.

I faked a cough before speaking, "Hello, what's your name?" I asked, trying to make a conversation to hide the awkwardness.

"My name is Ver, I'm two." he said then showed me his two fat and small fingers.

I chuckled a little because of his cuteness.

His father glanced at us, "It's River." he butted in.

Oh, I think he couldn't say his name properly yet, he's too young. But at least he knows it. Most kids nowadays don't.

I remembered the Chocolate with almonds, hidden inside my pocket. The worker offered it earlier when I was about to go out.

I pulled it out before tearing the plastic, the kid's just watching me attentively. I offered the chocolate after opening it. The kid happily picked some before putting it inside his mouth.

I laughed a little. His cheeks look so full even though he only ate one of it.

Agad akong napalingon sa taong naglalakad papunta sa amin. Muling tumayo ang bata at sumiksik sa tabi ko.

"I told you not to accept anything from strangers..." he said dangerously before looking at me.

My face crumpled because of his statement. What? Now I am offended again, and by the same person.

"It's not like I'm going to poison your kid on your watch..." I defended coldly.

The man showed me his handsome but sarcastic smirk, "Sure." he said in a mocking way.

Oh, f**k this man. He's getting on my nerves.

"Do you have any problems with me?" I asked bravely while glaring at him.

He didn't even bother to look at me. "You were so rude the other day too, why are you not answering?" I said, pissed. "Is this how you treat your customers?" I added.

I smirked, "I can't believe I was offended by a mere fisherman."

That's when I caught his attention, his face darkened. Damn I'm so dead. And why did I picked a fight in front of a child anyway? Did I really lose it?

"A mere fisherman? Are you that rich?" he asked slowly.

"I-I am!" I said proudly, trying to be brave in his eyes.

The man smirked, "Right." he said then looked away.

That scared me, I am honestly relieved that the kid's here, sure this man can't punch me because his kid is around. I shouldn't pick a fight with him. It's not like I don't stand a chance, I care for my face and body, plus I am well known I don't want my image to be ruin.

After a few minutes, my guilt started to eat me up again. I shouldn't have said that. I really, never use the upper power just because I'm rich especially with middle- and lower-class people. Just now...

I am not here to pick a fight with anyone or offend other people. I came here to take a break to relieve my stress.

I flinched when something leaned on me.

Or someone, it's the kid. He looks so sleepy, I stretched my arms and wrapped it around his shoulder, his head fell on my chest.

After a few minutes I felt his heavy breathing.

His father jumped off from the boat before carefully lifting his son, I even smelled his body, he smells nice... natural scent. I thought fishermen will smell like the sea, fish, or the sun but no. He's different. He proved my conclusion wrong.

And that's when I noticed that we're here already.

"Get down already, what are you waiting for? Are you a princess?" he spat rudely.

I hissed after hearing his voice. My guilt flew away after that. So rude.

"I'll wait beside that store, after you do your thing, call me." he added.

My brows furrowed, "You're not going with me?" I asked.

I mean, this is a different island and it's way bigger.

"I'm not a tour guide, didn't you hear Manang Linda? Transportation only, besides I am a mere fisherman, right?" he said.

My forehead knotted and didn't bother to answer, I just walked away.