I wasn't really that comfortable staying in the student council office ever since I knew that Sir Greg will be our substitute adviser. I don't know, every time I see him that embarrassing moment with him keeps on playing in my head.
I'd like to scold myself for being so OA with that matter.
I groaned in frustration as I sort out the papers that I needed to sign.
"Miss Lemuel." I almost jumped from my seat when I heard that voice. I immediately looked up and saw my substitute adviser's face.
"Uhm yes sir?"
"I would just like to remind you about our student council meeting this afternoon," he said. I gulped and immediately nodded my head.
"Noted, sir." He nodded too before finally closing the door. I let out a heavy sigh and continue sorting the papers.
I took a small glance on my watch and I still have so much time before my next class starts, which is Philippine history by the way.
When I finished arranging the papers, I quickly gathered my things and stood. I make sure that the office was locked before I walked to my next class.
As usual, I could see and feel all the eyes that were looking at me. I just kept my poker face on and silently walked towards my building.
"Hey, Felice!" I almost rolled my eyes when I heard that voice. I walked faster just so he couldn't reach me, but his legs were just so long that his one step is equals to my five. Plus he's an athlete.
I rolled my eyes and turned to him.
"What is is Bran?" I asked. He just grinned at me.
"Well, nothing really. I'd just like to ask if you're up for some review later?" My eyes squinted.
"Since when did you have time for review?" I sarcastically asked. He let out a small laugh.
"C'mon, Fel. Am I not entitled to change?"
"Huh. Very funny joke, Bran. Just review on your own and stop bothering me." I didn't wait for him to reply and immediately walked away.
Tss. That guy is so annoying. He's been bothering me since high school. He's one of those good for nothing fuck boys who just wants to get in your pants. Sorry for him, I am not going to fall for his trap. He's like a baby. I don't want to be one of his girl toy. Never.
I raised my brow when I noticed that almost all of my classmates were already in the classroom when I got in.
Wow. They surely want to impress Prof. Greg huh. I shook my head and went to my seat immediately. Not long after, sir finally came in. And there's this unusual beating inside my chest again.
I kept on reminding my self not to attempt to sleep or even just yawn. My god. I don't want to be caught again!
"Good morning, class," Sir Greg greeted. We greeted back in chorus.
"Take your seats."
We all sat.
I made sure that I was sitting straight and not slouching so I would be awake the whole class. Gosh. What can I do? History is not my thing.
"Okay, so for today, I will give you an advance project to be passed before your midterms. This will be my requirements for your clearance signing. Beadle, please distribute. This will be individual."
I heard my classmates groaning upon hearing the word "individual". I rolled my eyes. I even heard one of my classmates bargaining with sir to make the project by group or at the least, by pair. Why are they so obsessed with group works? That's not even equal at all because whether you admit it or not, not all in the group works. Hello, reality.
I shook my head and just read the paper. They really tried their best to talk to sir about the project but sir was firmed with his decision on making it individual. Thank, God.
It was the first time that I really didn't sleep in history class. Well, I was really sleepy but I forced myself not to. I even took down notes just to keep myself busy.
I glanced at my wristwatch. Thank god it's almost time.
"So that's it for today. Don't forget about the readings that I assigned to you. Dismissed."
I slowly gathered my things and put them in my bag. As usual, I waited for my classmates to all go out before I did.
"Miss Lemuel." I stopped on my tracks when heard that voice. My heart started thumping so fast. God. What did I do again? I didn't sleep!
"Yes sir?" I asked, trying my very best to compose myself. He just smiled and put his bag on his laptop.
"You didn't sleep," he said, still smiling.
I didn't know if I should be offended or what. His smile was just too innocent. I heaved a sigh and suppressed a small smile.
"Sorry about last time, sir," I said, but he just laughed at me.
"Nah. That was not a big deal, Miss Lemuel. C'mon you're too uptight. I was just making the mood light. I know my subject can really be boring so I refuse to be boring too." He let out a small laugh again. "I hope you give the subject a chance. It's as beautiful as your favorite subject." He flashed a smile, showing his perfectly white teeth.
I was dumbfounded for a second that when I got back to reality he was able to go already. I felt my heart beating so fast again. I don't know, but I feel something odd about his last statement.
Gosh, what the hell is happening with you, Felice?!
I shook my head in frustration and stomped my feet. I heaved a deep sigh before walking out of the classroom. Another embarrassing moment! Wow, Felice, just wow!
***
I was nervous while patiently waiting for my members to arrive for the meeting. Sir Greg wasn't there yet, so I really thanked the heavens above. I don't know how to face him anymore! Gosh, I should really not embarrass myself in front of him anymore. I don't even know why I always react like that whenever he would talk to me.
Get yourself together, Felice!
"Are we all complete? Shall we start?" My eyes widened when sir suddenly came in. I sat properly and cleared my throat.
Don't embarrass yourself again, Felice.
I kept on reminding myself as I stood and went to the front.
"Good afternoon. Our agenda for today will be about our upcoming university acquaintance," I started and looked at my members. I avoided Sir Greg's gaze, but I can feel him looking at me.
I cleared my throat once again. No more embarrassment, Felice. Get your shits together!
All my life, I have been trained to be the best. I was trained to always follow the norm, the standard. I was little miss perfect. They turned me into one, and I had no choice but to be one. I didn’t have much freedom growing up because there were a lot of expectations from me. They were all watching me. I couldn’t move freely because every move that In make, they will always have a say about it. When college and Gregory came, that’s when I first got a taste of my freedom. It was forbidden, but every time we go out on our own, I just felt so free. I felt like I was spreading my wings and flying to wherever I want to go. I was out of the limelight. No one was giving a fuck about what I do and no one was judging me from head to toe. But then that freedom with Gregory has its perils. I was so much ready to fight for him, but it turned out that he was not worth to fight for. Greg is my first love and my first heartbreak. What he did to me and to my family was just so much that I couldn’t
“They will announce you already as the new CEO, hija, at the gala.” My mother said while we were in the living room. It has been days since that meeting with the family and currently, we are preparing for our departure two days from now. I just gave her a smile. “I know, Mom,” I answered before looking back at my laptop where I am reconnecting with my former boss and Flannel’s requirements for school next academic year. “Alright, you should bring Flannel to our designer, then. We need to look gorgeous in the gala, hija,” she said while smiling from ear to ear. I just rolled my eyes and nodded at her. I went back to making my Flannel’s requirements again. She didn’t bother me anyway. She just stood and went to my dad’s office. I shrugged and continued what I was doing. I want to finish everything before our flight to the US, so all I would think about once we get there will be just the house where my parents will be staying and how I will get back to work again. I was lucky enough b
I honestly don’t know if it is the right time to do this meeting with the family because of what is happening in the family, but then we have no choice as we were running out of time already. We need to do this now since we also need to go back to the US already. I don’t know but, I just felt like I needed to get away from this all ready for me to start over again. “Are you ready?” Mommy asked again when we were getting out of the car in front of the building. I looked around the lobby and saw that there were a lot of employees eyeing us. Mommy was walking with her head up. I was beside her and we were walking side by side as we went to the elevator. A lot of guards were with us. I didn’t even know why Mommy brought these guards with us. I mean, it's not as if we are going to war here, you know. Tsk. I shook my head and just walked with her though. When we reached the office, Atty. Lockheart was already there, waiting for us. Mom went immediately to our lawyer."How's your paper?"
Everything was chaotic. We were the talk of the business world for I think weeks. Yes, the issue was that long. Aside from the chaos outside, we also had inside fights of course, but then unlike before, Mommy and I didn't make Flannel available to any of our relatives. They can lash at us all they want but they are not touching my daughter.I've heard the worst things from them. They had their presscon and we just stayed silent because we didn't want this to grow like wildfire. May they want to? But then I won't give them their satisfaction. The important thing is that my daughter knows my truth and I have already explained to her what happened and why this is happening. It took me a lot of courage, but I was just so blessed that she was able to understand and that she didn't make it hard for me to explain. She understands why I needed to do it for her and she also understands why she cannot see her father yet. It's been four weeks and during those times, I did nothing but make sure
"Let's go, Felice!' I wasn't able to say anything and I just let my mother dragged me out of that cafe already. I was still so stunned because of what happened. My mom was ranting while we were on the way to the car. My daughter was asking me questions but I couldn't answer them because I was still so preoccupied with what happened. All the things that my mother was saying in the car were like air that passed by me. I couldn’t comprehend what they were saying and I felt like I was floating and everything around was just background noise. All the way to our house, I was just staring at outside blankly. I couldn’t believe what just happened earlier. Everything was chaotic when we got home! I was so shocked to see a lot of reporters outside our village and even outside our house. Shit. What the hell is happening?! “Get Flannel inside now! Secure everything inside and outside the village, am I clear?” I slumped my back on the couch. I saw Maia getting Flannel out of the living room, w
“Shall we talk about our setup, then?” I asked Greg as I watched him looking at Flannel who was enjoying her ice cream. He has been silent for the last few minutes that we were here. I sighed again and just looked at him. I saw him gulp and then he cleared his throat. "Uhh, yeah…" he said and looked away. I raised a brow on him. I don't know why he couldn't look at me, to be honest. I just didn't dwell on it and started talking. "We will be going back to the States," I started. That's when I got his attention. His eyes widened and looked at me confusingly. "What?" he asked unbelievably. I sighed. "You know that Flannel's school is in there and my decision in managing the company remotely is final, so we will really need to go home, Gregory. Plus, my parents are going with us, too."I saw how his lips parted when I said that. He gasped hard. "But what about me, Felice? How can I be with my daughter?"I let out a sigh again. "That is why we need to talk about it. We can have an a