14 Chapter 14

Today is Monday and I don't know what bothers me so much. I'm inside my room, waiting for Desirque's arrival. I don't know what's taking her so long to show up here. I guess it's all about Ago again. I hope she's fine.

"Where is Ms. Luna?" Asked by our English teacher. She's our first subject teacher for morning session.

Everyone turned to me with their nosy eyes and I looked at them one by one then shrugged, brushing the topic off.

"Maybe... she's just late." I explained. But I know they won't believe me. So I looked down and brush everything off.

After the class, I decided to visit Desirque. I'm afraid she's dead now because of Ago. Ago's such a cruel creature.

As I was on my way to Desirque's house, I spotted a familiar car and my heart abruptly hammered inside my chest 'cause I believe no one owned the car but Royal. And as I reached my destination, I wasn't mistaken 'cause I saw Royal, waiting outside Desirque's house.

"Where's your ate?" he asked Abby, Desirque's youngest sister.

"She said she'll ask some herbs, kuya. Don't worry, she'll come soon."

"Okay."

"Come inside!" Abby grinned at her and I saw Royal drew a smile beside his lips and nodded as a response.

"Sure." Royal said and walked inside the house. While me, I watched them disappearing out of my sight. I don't know if I should thank the heaven because they didn't see me or I should feel sad because no one noticed my presence.

I let a heavy sigh out and sat on the big log. Maybe I'll just wait when will Desirque show up in front of me.

"Raphaela?" Someone called out in startle and I looked up to face her. My lips abruptly widened as I realized it was Desirque who called out. I stood up and ran towards her, squirming and pursing my lips tight.

"Hey!" I greeted and pinched her. I swear, I wanna pinch her down because she didn't told me Royal's here.

Well, I guess she doesn't ever know about it.

Her forehead creased in confusion while I pursed my lips even tighter and I can feel my blood going up into my face.

"You didn't tell me Royal's here." I whined under my breath, squeezing her arms.

"What?" She blurted out. Confusion's written on her face.

"Gad, Ara! Royal's inside your house!"

"I-I don't know!" She panicked and I stomped my feet on the ground, pouting.

"Let's go inside." She declared and grabbed my hand and I did nothing but to follow her. I don't know why. Honestly, my mind wanted to protest but my feet were betraying me.

As we entered inside her house, I immediately saw Royal and Abby, who's sitting on Royal's lap while playing his phone. And when Royal noticed us, he looked up and Desirque smiled at him and gripped my hands off.

"You're here." Desirque blurted out like she just saw Royal.

"I called you. You weren't answering your phone so I decided to come over." Royal said, looking at his cousin.

"You have a phone?" I asked in furrowed brows and she turned to me.

"Yup. Royal gave me one."

"Ah." I nodded in response. I don't know what to say. A part of me envies her and a part of me adores Royal for being thoughtful.

Desirque turned to Royal, so did I and I immediately caught Royal's eyes on me.

His deep set coffee eyes are too much to handle. It's like they wanted to swallow me. So I looked away 'cause I can no longer endure the situation.

"Have you been here?" Desirque asked. "I mean, how long did you wait for me here?"

Royal didn't answer her.

"I was in somewhere else." Desirque added and walked towards the kitchen. I watched Royal watching Desirque's moves. "Just looking for some herbs." She turned to us. "Don't go too soon. You can have your dinner here." She added and faced her back at us to settle the equipments needed for cooking.

"I-I'm going home in any moment." I declared, a little bit stammering. I don't know why I'm not comfortable with the environment. Maybe because Royal's here?

"What?" She whirled around to face us.

"Y-Yeah. I-I just came here 'cause you're absent for the whole day." I strained not to stammer but I failed miserably.

"She's sick." Royal informed in his baritone voice. "That's why I come here to check her."

"O-okay." I said and swallowed hard.

I really hate myself right now. How come I'm feeling this way? I shouldn't, right? So what if Royal's here?

After Desirque finished her menu, I helped her in settling the utensils. I prepared the rice and Royal prepared the viand which is sinigang na baboy.

"Can you make it tomorrow?" I asked, breaking the silence. I was referring to Desirque. If she can come to school tomorrow or not.

We're currently eating our dinner. Only the sound of utensils breaking the hush of the environment. It's so akward here. Desirque and her siblings are sitting across from me while Royal sits beside me, making me feel uncomfortable because I can smell his manly perfume which is radiating like tidal waves in every veins I have.

"I hope so." She replied in torpor.

"I hope so?" I mouthed. "Does it mean, you're not sure if you can go to school tomorrow?"

Desirque took a glance from Royal, who is sipping his water while eyeing his cousin then turned to me again to answer.

"Yup. If I'll be okay and my body can make it."

"Okay." I pouted. "Don't worry, we did nothing for the whole day. Just some lectures and short quizzes."

"You two are classmates?" Royal butted in, sounded shocked and we turned to him.

"Yup." Desirque smiled. "We're seatmates as well."

"I see. I don't know about it."

"And, Raphaela's intelligent. She's on Top 3."

"Hey!" I whined in embarrassment. I don't like someone to flaunt about how intelligent I am.

"Believe me," she averred.

"You just need a lot of hardwork." I explained, hoping Royal would refuse to believe his cousin.

I want my parents to be proud of me. I want to prove to them that I'm worth raising for. That they won't regret for giving me birth. I don't want them to regret that I am their child.

"I doubt it." Royal demurred, which I actually expected because I know he believed in Desirque no matter what. "Maybe you're really smart?"

"Name it all." Desirque grinned and turned to my seatmate. I widened my eyes at her in warning then I bit my lower lip. I can feel my cheeks heat up in embarrassment.

After we had our dinner, I tried my best to behave. Royal and I were not talking. I guess we don't have to. We're not friends. He just knows my name, so do I. Then after in awhile, I decided to open my account and to my surprise, Bernard chatted me.

Piggy:

Busy?

I'm calling Bernard "Piggy" 'cause he eats like a pig but he doesn't even gain fats, same as I.

Skeleton:

Nope. Kinda bored here.

He's calling me "skeleton" 'cause he thinks I eat like a pig but don't gain fats as well. I'm petite, actually.

After that, his name says "active one minute ago" and I pouted 'cause I hate this feeling.

Piggy:

What's new? Hahaha.

I rolled my eyes as soon as I finished reading his message. And I couldn't help but form a smile because he knows me better than anyone else. I hope he can be mine. Or, he'll find the right one to love for the rest of his life. I know I can't be her 'cause he never sees me more than a friend. I guess he likes Desirque more than I know.

Skeleton:

Oh, yeah, piggy. How 'bout you? Busy?

I sent my message and after that, I turned to Desirque, who's busy with her stuffs.

My phone beeped, and at the same time, someone hit Royal's phone up. He pressed something on his phone and placed it beside his ear.

"At cousin's house, babe." Royal said and I looked away 'cause something whipped my heart and struck it with high voltage of electricity. "Don't worry. I'm coming home soon. I just wanna make sure she's fine." He added and just in, Bernard's message arrived and I opened it, though butterflies in my tummy just burned in jealousy.

Jelousy, Raphaela? Do you even know the meaning of that word?

I sighed in unknown reason. I admit it. I'm jealous which I don't understand. I don't have to, right? It's just that, I can't help it. I'm starting to adore Royal but the fate insisted I shouldn't 'cause Royal has a girlfriend. I don't want to be the antagonist of their love story and I don't want to be the third party.

"Yes, babe." I heard Royal said and chuckled a little lower.

I read the message of Bernard.

Piggy:

Not totally. I'm just having an assignment while eating. You know, food is life.

I smiled but it didn't last as I heard Royal's voice between a laugh.

"I did nothing to her. Maybe she's not used in eating raw foods." He explained and chuckled a bit.

I sighed in silence. My heart is breaking and I can feel my chest tightening.

I cleared my throat and took a deep breath before I replied Bernard.

Skeleton:

I'm kinda hurt right now. I don't know why.

After I send it, I switch off my phone and look down. I can still hear Royal but I pretend that I don't 'cause the more I care, the more it hurts and the pain is slowly killing me.

In a few minute before he hung up, he turned to Desirque.

"I'm going home now, Ara." Royal informed.

"Why too soon?" Desirque whimpered in a low voice.

"My girlfriend wants me to go home after I checked you."

"She must be so lucky, isn't she?" Desirque gave him a teasing smile.

"Nope. I'm lucky to have her." And Royal smiled then unexpectedly turned to me. "I know she's the right one for me." He smiled at me and I looked away 'cause I know that kind of smile. I know he's so in love like he doesn't want to let go. He'll take the risk, no matter what it takes, just to have the perfect ending of his love story.

"Oh, boy." Desirque blurted out and Royal turned to her. "You're so in love. How lucky."

"Yeah," Royal chuckled. "So... I have to go now?"

"Sure." Desirque smiled with a nod. Same thing, Royal smiled at her then turned to me.

"Good night, Raphaela. Please take care of my cousin." He smiled at me. A smile that can melt any cold heart.

"S-sure." I faked a sweet smile as I heaved a sigh in silence.

After that, Royal waved a goodbye and drove away. While me, I feel like stabbed behind my back. Or maybe it's just me who can't believe that someone owns Royal's heart. She must be so lucky. And I wish it's me.

"Show up tomorrow, okay? I miss you already. I have no one to talk to." I informed, hoping she'll come to school tomorrow.

"Depends, Raph. But I hope so."

"You have a phone, haven't you?"

"Yup." She pouted. "Royal gave it to me."

"He's rich, anyway." I commented.

Almost seven in the evening when I decided to go home 'cause my parents might kill me if I won't show up in front of them. I have memorized them for so long. They don't tolerate my wrong doings. They are so strict when it comes to me. And everything changed when Omega died. How I wish it was me who died. Maybe it'll be better 'cause I know and I believe if they are to choose between me and Omega, they'll choose Omega over and over again.

"And what took you so long to go home, Raphaela?" Asked mom in her stern voice as I was about to show respect at her by touching my forehead on the back of her palm.

"I was... in Desirque's house." I replied and cowered.

"Why? Do you have any plan in living there? Just tell us."

"None, mom. It's just that," I looked up at her. "She's sick. I was just so worried 'cause she didn't go to school."

Mom crossed her arms in front and gave me her critic look as she looked at me from head to toe.

"You have the guts to feel obligued to see her while you can't even watch over your sister."

"It was an accident, mom." I protested and furrowed my brows in disbelief.

"Accident?" She mouthed. "You cannot call it "accident", Raphaela. You were so irresponsible sister that you let her die."

I clench my jaw tight. I strain to keep my temper 'cause I feel like I want to explode in wrath. This is too much. Until now, she's blaming me for Omega's death when it was just an accident.

"Why, mom? Where were you when the incident happened? You were busy with your business-" my line was cut off when I felt a hard hand hit my left cheek and I left my face facing my side. I could feel my cheek thumping in scorn, slowly making me numb and tears dwelled in my eyes.

"How dare you to incriminate me that way!" She yelled at me. "I was working for our family! I only asked you one thing, Raphaela. And that's to watch over your sister! If you can't handle small things, don't expect me to trust you when it comes to grappling with big problems."

I looked away. I wanted to protest but my mouth said "that's enough". That this woman in front of me is my mom. I should know and learn how to respect her during tough times.