Chapter 7
1445 Words
They arrived at Porchia's home at 7:15 PM. She hurriedly gets her bag and wears it. She faces him in doubt.
"Ah--would you like to wait for your coat and wallet? It's on my room, I'm gonna get it," she said and nibbles her lower lips. Her hand grip on her bag strap waiting for him to answer.
"No, just call me tomorrow. I have a business card on my wallet just pick one and give me a call."
She swallowed her saliva, "It will be fast. I will be busy tomorrow," she replied. The truth is she doesn't want to see him again. Yes, he is handsome and hot but she can't just trust a stranger who yelled at her at their first meeting.
"Then, give that back to me in your spare time." He said in a serious tone, "I am tired, can you go out already? Just tell your mom and dad that I asked you for a question."
"Ask a question? You even bring me to the luxurious hotel where you can just eat there alone," she hardly said and rolls her eyes. She pulled the car handle to open the door.
"Don't complain, you eat there too with me." He blankly glances at her and started the car again.
"Yeah, whatever!" she slammed the car's door and ring the doorbell, "He is so handsome but he is annoying." She didn't know that she presses the doorbell how many times. She bites her fingers hearing the loud steps. She turned her look on the car that is not yet leaving.
She stomped her feet while gesturing to 'go away but he didn't listen. Porchia looks for a stone on the flowers and picks it. She chose the big one and readied herself to throw it on his car.
Arthur moves the steering wheel and presses the horn of his car. He U-turned and finally leave. She sighs and turned her back. She was clueless that her brother already opened the gate and grinning at her.
She held her chest and shouts, "Oh my goodness! Do you want me to die young, Kuya?!" she asked and pushes him out of her way inside.
Patrick hurriedly locked the gate and run after her, "Where did you go huh? Is he your secret boyfriend?" he asked and laugh. "Did you acted as he kidn*pped you to hide your relationship with him?" he added while covering her mouth in shock like his conclusions are right.
Porchia's face darkened, she slaps his shoulder, "Of course not! What do you think of me? You didn't even help me, hmmm!" she stomped her feet going inside. She is still pissed about what happened to her this afternoon.
"Hey, Porchia." He pressed her waist, teasing her. "You got your boyfriend."
She hits his hand and directly goes upstairs. Until she reaches her room and closes it Patrick still finds a way to tease her.
"I kidn*pped by my boyfriend."
"Shut up, Kuya!" she shouted and locks the door before jumping on her soft bed. She lays down without changing her uniform.
"I have a business card on my wallet just pick one and give me a call." She remembered what he said to her. Porchia is not like the other people who touch things that she doesn't own but because it is from the owner. She gets up from her bed and unlocked her drawer where she puts his bulky wallet and expensive coat. It is well placed. She takes off her shoes and foot socks. She holds the wallet and leads on the headboard to open it.
She stared at the wallet for a second thinking to open it or not, "I will open it, he already gave me right." She laughed.
When she slowly opened it, it feels like there are gold hidden. Her eyes widen and close it when she thick money.
"Why do I have to open it? I feel like it is a sin. I don't want to be sinful," she said while staring at heaven, "Lord, I will just grab a business card for his number. Thank you." She silently cried while looking for the card she is looking for.
"Where is that card? Why can't I see it?" she asked, "What is this? Why does he have a sachet of gum in her wallet?" she wonder about the square sachet that has a circle inside, "XL? Is this an XL? So, gums have their own sizes huh? I should ask Kuya for that."
"Oh? Is this his calling card?" finally she saw it, "Arthur Benjamin?"
*************
Arthur is on his couch drinking a beer while watching a movie. He drove back to his house when Luke told her about the meeting. They have a conference about the new and upgraded products.
Luke suddenly spoke, "Did you saw her?" he asked.
He glanced at him, "Why are you asking? You leave me remember?" he rolled his eyes and emptied the bottle fastly.
"No, you decided to stay there. That's different from leaving."
He sighed and get off his couch, "What time is the meeting tomorrow?" he inquired. He caresses his bare chest when he felt suddenly cold.
"5 PM up to 8 PM."
"Alright, remind me." He started to walk towards his room when remembering something, "Lock the door before you leave, I will have my rest for tonight, Luke."
"Alright, man! I am still tired of going home, I will just stay a little longer," he answered. They were close since high school. Luke is his first best friend, they get along together in playing basketball. They are varsity back then during college at the International School where he graduated as a c*m Laude.
Luke Lacsama looks older than Arthur but he is white and Arthur is semi-tan. They are both in their 26th year.
In the morning, Arthur wakes up with a loud ring on his phone. He dropped it and move sideway to sleep again. His phone continuously ringing and irritation crept into him. He answered it without looking at the caller ID.
"Hello?! Why did you call me early in the morning? I am still sleeping!" he shouted.
"Uhhmm--,"
Arthur wonder who is it, he opened his eyes and looks at his phone. It stated the unregistered number.
"Hello?" he softly answered while waiting for her to talk but she didn't. "May I know who is calling?" he added.
"It's me--Porchia." His eyes widened and stared at the clock on his bedside. 10 AM. He sits on his fluffy bed, his hair is messy, and only wearing boxer shorts, "I think, I will just call you later."
"No, no, it's okay. I am awake now. Why did you call anyway? Is your mom mad at you?" he asked.
He heard her sighed, "No, I just call because I bought your coat and wallet with me," she answered.
Arthur facepalm, "I think I can not meet you today, I have a conference meeting."
"Oh? Is that so? Then, the next day."
"Yeah, the next day."
"Yeah."
The silence has its way. They didn't end but they are not talking until Porchia spoke.
"I will drop the call, thank you."
"Did you eat breakfast?" he asked and ended the call himself.
"Why did I asked her that? Am I a crazy asshole?"
He can not calm himself waiting for her to text her answer but Porchia didn't. He sighed and pulls his hair. He started to make a message for her.
To; Porchia
That question is for my mom.
Sent.
"Damn, Arthur! You should not text her. Arrghhh..."
A soft knock catches his attention followed by his name.
"Arthur, wake up now! I cook for you!"
"Mom?"
He stands up from his bed without changing into a decent shirt. He opened the door almost naked.
The smells run to his nostrils, "What are you cooking, mom?" he shouted and walk out without slippers.
He directly goes to his kitchen and saw his mom transferring the food to the bowl.
"Arthur! Why are you naked? Will you please wear your shirt?"
She is skinny, fair skin, Arthur's pointed nose is from her, she is in a proper posture and her pieces of jewelry are more precious than anything else. Her shining earrings and wedding ring are equivalent to a house and lot.
"Why are you here? You have your own house, mom." He sits on the countertop and places his elbow above.
"I saw your fridge almost empty, why aren't you buying groceries? Where are the maids I assigned here?"
"This is my house, mom. And I will buy if I want."
- Writer
