Courting (2)

CHAPTER EIGHT: Courting (2)

–

"Althea, can you do this part?"

Althea read it and agreed. "Sure."

"Great," Sheryl smiled at her before turning to one of their classmates. "You do this one."

Althea silently typed on her laptop after determining what to do. She muted out the whispers of her group mates at the table and buried herself in her little world.

Five days ago, Tyler brought her to a botanical garden at the back of the school building. In exchange, Tyler wanted to take part in Althea's group project.

Instead of relaxing and having a peaceful time studying, she was pestered by him instead. Nevertheless, Althea still didn't tell him the place.

She never had a peaceful four days after that.

She sighed and leaned on her chair. The day had just begun, but Althea was already tired. School works after school works, everything seems so unending. 

She glanced at Sheryl, one of the beauties in their room. She's also smart and soft-spoken. Althea can't help but heave a sigh in her mind.

'Such delicate beauty. I will never wish to be as beautiful as you.' She sympathized with Sheryl. 'I am pretty sure you are also pestered by a man. No, unlike my case, she might be pestered by countless of them.'

Althea felt sorry for the beauty of the rich families. She heard that they were only merchandise to be sold to another rich family.

It seemed old-fashioned, but still, many successful and big companies and businesses survived and are still striving strongly because of this method. Forced marriage is cruel to the children involved, but a rather effective method.

She doesn't want to get involved in any matters regarding rich people. It's troublesome and dangerous.

Ha, the irony when she agreed to that one particular rich man. 

Althea was still floating in her ocean of thoughts when somebody suddenly sat next to her. That person’s smell immediately registered in her nostrils, and she almost groaned in frustration. When she thinks that her Saturday will be peaceful, he will never fail to show up.

"Good morning. Mind if I join you?" Tyler asked the group. There were five of them, three girls, and the rest were boys. The girls, except of course the one on his side, giggled and agreed. The boys are cool about it.

Tyler received their approval and said his thanks with all smiles. He looked down at the frowning girl. He chuckled. Her composure is crumbling.

"How did you even find out about this place?" She finally voiced out in a whisper, hoping that they wouldn't catch any of her words.

Tyler shifted his sitting position and answered, "That’s a secret."

"Fine!"

"Kidding!" He laughed again. "I have sources."

"..." Forget that she asked. "Whatever," she whispered in defeat.

Althea stayed silent, but her thoughts were running wild. Since she can’t escape from his grasp no matter what—and he knows about it well—can he, at least, give her her time? A time for peace and serenity?

‘He must have thought that just because I said I like him, he can already act like we are dating!’

Althea wanted to smack herself. How can she think of something so above the moon? Is she even worthy enough for this guy? 

—The thought irritates her.

She stood up. Tyler looked at her, questioning.

"Gotta order, do you want something?' I'll get it for you."

Tyler nodded his head, "Sure, anything as long as it's-"

"Chocolate." She finished it, also nodding her head. "Okay, I'll be back."

Tyler watched her walk away. A small smile was dancing on his lips. The four that we're just observing can't help but be shocked. There are rumors about these two, but they didn't think it was true!

Now they saw it personally, they can't help but ask; is the era of Tyler being a womanizer and a party man coming to its end?

Althea went back after minutes carrying the tray of desserts she bought and sat down. She didn't have to buy for her group mates since they already had theirs. She was the only one who didn't buy earlier since she was full. But Tyler being there is draining her energy.

She gave Tyler his share and then forked a small portion of hers and got back to work. She ignored his stares and presence altogether. This lasted for nearly half an hour before she stopped and frowned.

It seems like she met a deadlock. She looked at her classmates and as expected, they too reached it. This was the part that no one in the five understands.

"Why did you stop?" He asked in a low whisper as if trying so hard to make their conversation private.

"I reached a deadlock." She just casually replied.

"Hm," he said and read the texts. He furrowed his eyebrows. "This is easy."

Althea glared at him. He grinned proudly.

Sheryl heard it and she beamed, "Really? Can you explain it to us?" She asked enthusiastically. Her voice was like it was soaked in honey. No one can easily resist.

"Sure!" He said. Althea thought that everything was normal until he spoke the next sentence that almost made her step on his foot—hard. "But I have one condition. After I thoroughly explain it to you, I will borrow Thea for the day."

Althea gasped internally. How shameless!!! Althea was fuming in anger and she looked at Sheryl with pleading eyes.

'Please! Anything but that!'

There was a slight pause before Sheryl only looked at her and smiled in apology.

"Sure—"

"Wait!" she interjected. She saluted their guts for having a deal about her without even asking about her opinion. "That's if you can thoroughly explain it so that even monkeys can understand!"

Tyler grinned, "Sure!"

--

It's over.

How? How can this be?!

Althea almost threw the cup she was holding towards Tyler after explaining everything. She knew that he was smart, but not this smart!

He explained it in a matter of half-hour that would usually take at least two hours and so if a professor explained it! What's more, he explained that even the stupidest creature can understand!!!

How?!

She glared at him, and he replied with a look of; 'I can't help it. I'm too smart for you to handle.'

And so, as per the deal, Tyler stood up and took Althea’s things for her. Althea, who was left with no choice, also stood up. She walked away and ignored Tyler, who was following behind, annoying her.

It was a spectacle that even the other people who were sitting at the other tables were looking over. Naturally, they didn't notice the look of hatred and envy that someone was directing at Althea.

—

"You bring me nothing but trouble," Althea grumbled after she sat down on a bench in a random park where Tyler stopped his car.

It's been nearly 5 hours since they left the cafe. Tyler led her here and there. They did too much walking and her feet and legs were already dead tired. She stretched it out and sat languidly. She looked at the horizon.

The sun was already setting, and the sky was tainted with pink, orange, and yellow. It was a sight to behold. The colors were just like paints painted with the sky as its canvas.

"Here." Suddenly, a plastic bottle appeared in front of her eyes, completely blocking the view.

She snatched and opened it in mere seconds. She was hungry and thirsty. Tyler just saved her in time with a bottle of juice and a burger.

Tyler sat next to her and bit his food, also gazing at the dimming horizon. 

The light slowly weakens, and they remained silent as they watch it dim.

"Say, Tyler." Althea's voice suddenly sounded next to him. He glanced at her sideways, curious.

"What?" He asked. 

"Why did you approach me?"

"..." Tyler was quiet for a while before laughing and facing back at the sky. The wind blew and his hair was caught with the current. "It was a bet. A game."

He waited for her reply, but she was quiet. He could not resist, so he looked at her again. To his surprise, she was eating the food he bought for her in a relaxed manner. She was more relaxed than she was every time they were together.

He can't help but wonder. "You're not mad?"

"Hm?" she asked, furrowing her eyebrows and shooting him a sideways glance. "Oh, no I am not. I am relieved."

His left eyebrow was picked up. He asked in curiosity. "Oh? Why is that?"

It took a while before she responded. "I was already doubting since you first talked to me. I mean, why? There is no significant reason for you to approach me. I bet you didn’t even know me. It was a wonder. But if it was a bet, well, now everything makes sense…"

Now that the truth is out, she should have felt relief since he won’t be pestering her any longer, right? Now they don’t have to play that silly little game anymore. She doesn’t want to get involved with him after all…

But… When he showed up in her world, it was as if there was a sweet stream was flowing right into her heart, stirring up ripples of emotions there. Before she knew it, a hint of disappointment disturbed the calm waters of her heart. 

'Wait, wait, why should I be disappointed? Isn't that an ordinary love game played by the rich? I should be grateful that I didn't fall into his love trap!'

Althea gripped the bottle in her hand and thought that she was relieved that the truth was already out… If it wasn’t and the game continued, there’s no telling what would happen to her and her heart…

"You're odd. Usually, if someone knew about betting, they would be mad."

Althea rolled her eyes and laughed to hide the unpleasant emotion in her. "Don't lump me with those narrow-minded masses."

Betting and casually spending money is as normal as breathing to the rich, so she didn't take it by heart. Right? Right!

Besides...

"You were not serious about going out with me, yes?" Tyler boldly stated.

Althea looked at him in disbelief. How did he know? This was the thing she always felt guilty about!

He laughed. " 'Cause I'm smart."

"... So since you already confessed about the bet, can I assume that it was already over?"

Tyler nodded and leaned on the bench. "Yup. It ended after I talked to you for the first time. They said that I only need to talk to you and if I ever catch another expression out of you, I win the bet."

Another expression? What was that? She wanted to ask, but she couldn't. It feels like if she did; it was embarrassing that she could die.

"Then why?" Althea asked the thing that bothered her the most.

Yes. Why? Even though the deal was closed, why was he still here? Pestering and annoying her almost every day? What does he earn from it?

"Why, why indeed?" He sat up straight and looked at Althea. His smile was already gone and his eyes were full of seriousness. Their eyes met.

Althea's heart began to thump like crazy again. The warmth of his eyes was still the same as when she first saw him.

No, it was not the same—

"Althea," he said slowly and slowly. "I like you."

—it was flaming.