Behind Them All

Chapter 02: Guy Next Door

“I thought you had money?” Tate asked, disbelief was all over his face. We just went apartment hunting and after a long day of finding one, I settled on the cheapest one we found.

I nodded and answered, “Yes. I have but as you said, it won’t last once I start this life–me having a new place and bills and other necessities to pay. So, I need to have a budget for everything.”

Tate put both of his hands on his hips and asked me, “How much is your savings?”

“Fifty,” I answered, brow creased.

“Fifty million?” he clarified and I almost choked on my own saliva hearing that.

“Fifty thousand, Tate. Where do you think I will get fifty million?” I answered, rolling my eyes.

“Trust fund, Isobel. Didn’t your parents have one for you?” he asked.

I shook my head. “I will only get that trust fund after I get married, and note that I must marry the guy they wanted.”

“We’re just talking about your trust fund, Solly, not your parent’s last will and testament.”

“I swear you wouldn’t want to hear their will, Tate. Trust me,” I told him, rolling my eyes.

“Geez. You really had the worst parents among the siblings, e?” He said.

I chuckled from what he said because that's a freaking truth! We–with our other cousins–talk about who amongst us had the worst parents and with all the competition I wanted to win, I won on the one I never wanted. I had the worst and the cruelest parents.

How unfortunate.

"And you are lucky to be born from Mama Anne and Papa Carlos," I told him.

Mama Anne and Papa Carlos are Tate's parents. Papa Carlos, being the eldest of the third generation of de Ayala clan, fought against the family tradition of marrying their child for money. Which we all wonder why his younger siblings couldn't do.

My dad, as the youngest among the five de Ayalas, is the perfect example of it.

"Mom's just want me to know how the feeling of being in love and loving," Tate replied, shrugging.

"Lucky you," I commented.

I think none of us, the fourth generation of de Ayalas, has ever thought of being in love with someone. We honestly had conditioned ourselves for the future awaiting us—that is being married to someone we don't even know.

So, I no longer wonder how and why our other cousins turned to be the way they are now. Bunch of ass–holes and jerks.

"Back to our agenda, what do you think of this place?" I asked, rediverting the topic back to this apartment.

Tate rolled his eyes and said, "I suggest you stay at my place."

I shook my head. "I told you, I can't. And I want to be independent."

"You can't be independent with that money of yours, Isobel," he blurted. "Look, the apartment rent is nine thousand a month, and you have to give two months of deposit and two months of advance. How much do you think is left to you if you get this?"

"But this is the cheapest one we went to!"

"I know, that is why it's best if you stay in my condo. You don't have to pay me rent and food. You just have to buy for your girly stuff," he insisted.

I shook my head. "No. I want this unit."

"It's pricey for your budget," he said in a matter-of-fact tone. "If you get this, you will only have fourteen thousand left. And since this apartment is empty, you will have to buy some stuff like furniture, appliances, and kitchenware. How much do you think will be left for you after buying those? None. And I don't think fourteen thousand is enough to buy a couch," he said.

"I will not buy a couch or any furniture aside from bed. And for appliances, I will only have an extension outlet in case I need it and a fan. For kitchenware, a rice cooker and a mini induction stove is enough. Also, a set of tableware since it will be only me who will need it," I told him.

"How about your food?" He asked more, arching his brow.

"I will try to cook, but if I can't or there is no chance, then I will eat out in an eatery," I answered.

"Eastery? Have you gone crazy? You'll get sick eating in those places!"

I rolled my eyes again. " Stop overreacting, Tatum. I have been eating at an eatery and as you can see, nothing happened to me."

Tate shook his head. "No. I can't let you do this."

"You cannot stop me, Tate. I didn't risk my future just for you to stop me," I told him.

"But you're a princess! You can't live in a slump."

I don't know how many times I have done this, but I rolled my eyes again. "This place isn't a slump, Tate. It was cheap, but decent. So, it is either you support me or I will do this alone, Tatum Archangel. I've thought this thoroughly, planned everything, and I am so determined to do this. I will not survive if you will keep on sheltering me," I told him.

Tate's mouth opened but closed again, and he shook his head. He even took a deep sigh before looking straight into my eyes. "Okay. I will let you do it in your own ways and means, but please, please call me immediately if something happens," he said and I cannot help but smile.

"I promise," I said, almost jumping from happiness.

So, before the day finally ends, we already coordinated with the building owner that we are getting the unit. I paid the four thousand five hundred down payment and was told that the rest of the two months deposit and advance must be paid upon signing the lease contract the next day.

Although I was told that I can only move in after the contract is finalized. The owner said that it was one of the building's rules for the safety of all the tenants. And I think that kind of makes Tate at ease.

At least now, he knew I would be safe.

So, while waiting for the lease contract to be finalized, I will try to find and buy things I will be needing for my apartment.

"What is that?" Tate irritability asked to see me look for a wood pallet.

"This is for my bed," I answered.

"For your bed? That?" He asked in disbelief.

I nodded and showed him the inspiration I found from Pint–erest. "It's cute and price wise."

"Are you kidding me?"

"Of course, not. It's aesthetic, Tate!"

He shook his head. "That will not do. Go pick a nice and comfortable bed, I will pay for it."

"No!" I immediately said. "We have talked about this, Tatum. You can't meddle with my decisions!"

"Well, come on, Selena Isobel. This wood pallet would obviously send you straight to a chiropractor!"

"This will not, I swear. I told you to stop overreacting, Tate!"

"Malapit na akong ma-highblood dahil sa'yo," all that he could respond, massaging his temple. And I laughed when I heard that.

A Tagalog speaking Tate, is a stress Tate.

I sighed and said, "Just let me do my things, okay?"

"Sure. Whatever," he replied, shaking his head.

I proceeded on checking the pallets and when satisfied, I purchased three pallets for my bed and small dining table and two chairs made out of it as well. And since they do deliveries, I asked for my purchase to be delivered on the day of my moving in.

After that, we headed straight to a kitchenware store. And as I said before, I will only be purchasing one set of tableware. A rice cooker and a mini induction stove. I also added a small pot and pan so I could cook.

Tate was just silent throughout my shopping and I am so glad he was. I last bought a small electricfan, a uratex foam for my bed and some other stuff like pillows, pillow cases and bedsheets.

"How much money do you still have?" Tate asked while we were eating dinner.

"Three thousand," I answered and I saw how he tried so hard to stop himself from reacting too much about it.

"How will you live with three thousand pesos?" he asked instead.

"I will work," I answered simply. I took a bite from my steak after.

I'm sure this will be the last time I will be eating a steak so I want to cherish it.

"What work?"

"Barista. I already contacted my former workmate from my part time job. I asked if she could recommend any cafe that needs a barista, and luckily, she said her current job needs one. I will visit her work place after I've settled on the apartment," I answered proudly.

But Tate rolled his eyes. "You're a business financial management graduate, Isobel. It has no connection with bartending."

I nodded. "I know, but I'm sure I will not get any job related to my course, because surely, dad had me blocklisted in every company in the Metro."

"Not in mine."

"Which I will not take a risk on," I said. "Stop stressing yourself over me, Tate. I can handle this," I added, smiling proudly at him..

He just shook his head.

The day of my moving came and I cannot contain the excitement I am feeling. Finally, I will have my own space! A space that only I can step in, a safe space I have been wanting for.

"Oh, they are here," I said upon seeing the deliveries of the items I purchased the other day.

"Good morning po. Pasensya na po, late kami," I told the delivery guys. I left my suitcase on the side and immediately rummaged through my handbag to get my unit's key and opened my door.

"Pakipasok na lang po sa loob," I asked which they oblige.

Tate and I also helped bring my purchases inside the unit and since it wasn't that much, we were able to put everything inside in less than an hour.

I thanked the delivery guys and Tate tipped them for their work. I lay on my newly assembled bed after they left.

"I didn't know it was this tiring," I mumbled as I was staring at the ceiling.

"This is just the start," Tate said, checking the built-in cabinets.

"Oh, s**t! I forgot my suitcase outside," I blurted and stood up from my bed. I immediately ran to my door and opened it.

And the moment I stepped outside is the same moment I saw how the guy next door pushed my suitcase down the floor, making a loud noise out of it.