Chapter 12: Andrea meets Mr. Good-looking Samaritan

“Miss Mina!!” Andrea said, feeling surprise after she opened the door.

“Andrea, didn’t you hear me? I’ve been calling you since I saw you at the gate.” Miss Mina asked enthusiastically.

“Oh! I’m so sorry Miss Mina. I didn’t hear you because I was in a hurry for I thought I hadn’t turned off the gas stove.” Andrea created an excused. “But, what brings you here Miss Mina? Didn’t we pay enough for the rent?” She added with a confused and worried expression.

“Oh no, no. no! It has nothing to do with the rent.” Miss Mina waved her hand as she answered and uninvitedly made her way inside.

“Where’s your boyfriend?” She suddenly asked as she walked past through Andrea and skim the inside to look for someone.

“Why are you looking for him?” Andrea asked.

Miss Mina has turned around. She looked at Andrea in the eye and eagerly said, “Haven’t you seen the I-TV morning-news channel? You know, I ran immediately here when I recognized the man’s face in the newsflash. I really think that it’s your boyfriend because he really looks like him. It’s him, right?”

“So, she didn’t saw the news last night, and she just saw it today. ‘Marites’ din talaga itong si Miss Mina!” Andrea said to herself, internalizing Miss Mina’s words. “Oh, God! I’m so sorry for what I’m going to say!” She thought further.

On the spot, Andrea became solemn. She looks gloomy and was teary-eyed as she said, “So, you saw it Miss Mina!” She paused, snorting. “Yes, you’re right, the person in the news was…my…boyfriend… - the missing heir of the Jackson Corp. I was with him when the car accident happened, and he actually didn’t go home but he stayed here with me for a little while.”

Miss Mina’s eyes widened, unable to believe for Andrea to hook for a billionaire lover, but when she saw Andrea was sobbing, she instantly ignored her insinuation and immediately approached her, held her hand and said, “Oh! My poor girl, are you okay?”

Andrea shook her head, sniffling. She bowed down her head as she continued, “Before the news about him was out, he already left me because I pushed him away. You see Miss Mina? We’re not compatible to each other because he’s rich and powerful. He has a strong family background, while me?” Andrea pointed herself and continued, “Look at me, I’m not beautiful. I’m just a nobody, but a mere online seller.”

“You pushed him away?” Miss Mina was surprised. She scolded Andrea and said, “What’s into your mind? Why did you let him go? It’s already an opportunity for you to become rich. So, what if you’re not beautiful? You can undergo a plastic surgery –”

“Miss Mina!” she called and interrupted her impatiently. “I’m contented with my looks and I don’t need to change my appearance so people will not leave me. Besides, I didn’t... love… him… because of his money. I – let – him – go b-because I have nothing to offer and I don’t want him to choose between me and his family. I don’t want complications. I just want to live a simple life.” She almost choked the words as she added woefully.

Miguel, on the hand can’t hardly control his amusement. He was standing at the door and intently listening to the conversation outside. “Silly girl!” He silently remarked while shaking his head as the corner of his lips curved up.

“Ohh… my little poor girl. I get it now, he’s family didn’t accept you so, you let him go.” Miss Mina uttered, consoling her through an embrace.

Andrea reciprocates Miss Mina’s embrace. She bit her lower lip as she thought, “I’m sorry if I lied Miss Mina, but I have to do this to prevent you from spreading the news about him being here.”

Miss Mina let out a sigh and added, “Though it’s too bad to let go that handsome and rich guy, but I think you still did the right thing. You see, as early as it could, you refrain yourself from being hurt since I’m sure there are many beauties around him. He'll probably be surrounded with many of them.”

Andrea nodded. She detached herself from her hug and replied, “You’re right Miss Mina. Besides, his family is so powerful. They could dismiss us easily in this city if they want to. One wrong moved and one wrong gossiped, I’m sure, we’ll have bad fate, and I really don’t want to complicate things. So, it’s better for us to separate ways.” She added, making Miss Mina to hunch the perilous behind her message.

With a heavy heart, Miss Mina anticipates and said, “But, did he agree to leave you behind?”

“Yeah, he did! Why would he cling and stick to a person like me? Like, what I’ve said, I have nothing to offer. He’s just grateful that I took good care of him, so he stayed. But love is not about being grateful; it cannot be forced.” Andrea responded, looking sadly into Miss Mina’s eyes. She retracted her gazed as the memories of his late loving father and the problem she has also at home flashed into her mind, thus, blankly staring at Miss Mina’s side, she added, “All I want is to be with someone whom I will love with all my heart, and who will love and accept me for who I am. A love that could take off my mask for I won’t be afraid to face life ahead anymore. I want the kind of love to stay alive, even after the person is gone.” She stopped as tears genuinely streaming down her face.

Inside the room, Miguel blankly stare the door as if it was Andrea. He was dumbfounded as if a sudden jolt of electricity gushed through his veins leaving him momentarily stunned and feel her pain. Her words made him to miss his late loving mother even more.

“Andrea…” Miss Mina uttered, staring at her blankly. She doesn’t know what to say because she has no idea what she’s talking about. She just thought that Andrea said those words out of love and brokenness.

Miss Mina calling her has brought Andrea back to her senses. She immediately wiped her tears and held Miss Mina’s hand, asserting, “But don’t worry about me Miss Mina because I’m okay. It’s a mutual decision so I’m fine.”

Miss Mina zipped her mouth and she just tapped Andrea’s hand. She felt pity with her as she believed Andrea was so broken so she chose to remain silent.

Later, Miss Mina bid goodbye. She left Andrea with some good advice.

Andrea closed and locked the door after Miss Mina left. She remained clutching the doorknob as if trying to keep her racing heart from flying out her body. It took her a couple of minutes to subside her emotions because honestly, she was in mixed emotions with what she did.

“Wow! I can’t believe that aside for being a good nerdy online seller, you’re also a best actress!” Miguel remarked sarcastically with his left hand on his pocket and his back leaning on the door. He went out when he heard Miss Mina has left.

Andrea instantly turned around and faced Miguel, annoyingly, she replied, “As if I want it too! I just did that to prevent her from telling others that you’re here. I don’t want to be interviewed by the press when they’ll find out you’re hiding here.” In her thoughts, she added silently, "Once there's a press, my family, especially my stepfather will surely trace me and I don't want that to happen."

Miguel nodded in between his speaking and luminescent eyes. “That’s good then, because I thought… I really made you broken as you fell in love with me.” He noted ridiculously.

“Huh! In your dreams!” She replied, rolling down her eyes.

Miguel was entertained with her reaction. Behind his sealed lips, inexplicable and luminescent blue eyes that's still glued in her was a mischievous smile he's actually hiding.

Andrea met his gazed and felt infuriated, so she withdrew her gazed and was about to walk away when suddenly she heard continuous knocks on the door. She looked at Miguel again confusingly.

Another knock from the door made Andrea to react and move.

“Come on, you better hide again.” She whispered, dragging Miguel back inside the room. Without butting in, Miguel, on contrary quietly followed as he let her drag him.

“What is it this time? What did she come back for?” Andrea whispered after she closed the door for Miguel.

She walks through the door where the knocks came from.

“Miss Mina, why did you come ba –” Andrea’s tongue retracted. She was stunned to know that the person knocking at the door is not Miss Mina, but a striking exquisiteness of a tall guy with prominent cheekbones and well-defined jawline.

“Hi!” Marcus greeted with a warm smile.

Andrea blinked her eyes. She hurriedly cast a brief look outside to see if the guy was Miss Mina's companion, but when she didn't see her, she returned her focus at the guy and asked, “Who are you?”

Marcus brought his right hand to his nape-of-neck and with serious thought, he replied, “Have you not recognized me?”

Andrea’s brow wrinkled. She’s still holding the edge of the door as her petite body guarded the entrance. She tried to recall where did she see the good-looking guy since he looks so familiar for her.

Later, Andrea’s face suddenly lit up. Her eyes glistened as she recognized the guy.

“Mr. good-looking Samaritan?” She said amusingly.

Marcus was wondering – confused by her recognition. He was literally puzzled by her words, so he pardoned, “Mr. good-looking Samaritan? Are you referring to me?”

With her eyes still glistened, Andrea nodded repetitively.

“Marcus!” Miguel at the moment went outside the room and called his cousin’s name.

Andrea immediately turned her back and look for Miguel. Looking sideways, she was able to meet Miguel’s eyes. Her brows started to furrow again when she heard him calling Mr. good-looking Samaritan as Marcus. She turned her head sideways to glance the guy she used to call as Mr. good-looking Samaritan. She looked at them closely - one after another and realized that they shared some same features.

“Do… you… know each other?” She asked confusingly.

“He’s my family.” Miguel responded coldly without looking at her. Afterwards, he walked through the couch like he's the king and owner of the house, and with his gesturing head, he added, “Come on Marcus, get inside.”

Marcus smiled to Andrea when she makes way for him.

After closing back the door, with her arms crossed, she faced the two men who were sitting side by side on the couch. Miguel as usual stays calm and refined as he crossed his legs while Marcus has neutral seated posture.

Silence engulf the atmosphere as Andrea looks at them intently – waiting for a distinctive clarification.

"Can you tell me what's going on? I'm confused because he's the one who helped me to carry you that night and if he's really your family... so... your family knows? But, why are you still here? Why are you hiding here?" She asked, breaking her silence.