Her lips twitched and I noticed a hint of amusement in her eyes. She looked at me and then looked at the folder. "You can rest assured that the school will not ask for compensation and punitive damages from you. Someone paid for the sum. I will give you good news." "Good news?" My forehead creased even more at her remarks. "How come good news? And did someone pay for...?" She nodded and a cheeky smile appeared on her lips. "Camero. One of the most influential families paid for the sum and you should serve them." "Camero..." "Rogie Camero," the principal said. She then cleared her throat. "And not only that, but his family will pay for your tuition until your high school graduation. You are lucky to have them so don't do anything reckless starting now. Don't disappoint the Camero." I shook my head in disbelief. "But I'm not his obligation nor I am obliged to serve him."The way she stared at me was like I’ve grown another head. “It’s a blessing. You don’t want it?” she asked while
I stared at him — bewildered by what he was doing. Then he looked at me with tear-stained eyes. “You…” He laughed again before he continued. “Why is it easy for you to forget things about me, and yet, I did not forget the things that you have asked from me earlier when I wanted to apologize to you?” Things I asked from him? I went silent for a few seconds and thought hard. I tried to recall the things that we had talked about inside the art room, and my eyes squinted at Rogie who was grinning at me. “It was just a joke,” I said. “I thought that I’ll not be here tomorrow so forget those foolish things that I had asked from you. I’m just kidding earlier.” It was true. I just said those things to play with him and I never expected that I will still be a student in that academy. If I had known… “Sydnee, I gave you my word and Camero never take back his word.”Before I could protest, Rogie pulled a card from his coat’s inner pocket and put it on the table. He looked at the principal. “G
Rogie pulled away from the kiss and stared at me. My cheeks were red because of embarrassment and it burned even brighter when I noticed my classmates looking at me with ridiculous stares. I grimaced and deliberately pushed Rogie away and pulled a handkerchief inside my pocked to wipe my lips. My sharp glare was still on him. "Bastard," I said between my breathe. "What do you think you're doing?" I asked, my face flushed in anger and frustration. His shoulders moved up and down. I could hear his heavy breathing and my brows knotted in confusion. What's wrong with this guy? "Sorry," he whispered and stepped back. I lowered my gaze and sighed. "Another trick?" His gaze lingered for seconds before he averted his eyes. Rogie did not say a word when he turned around and left the classroom. Just then, numerous gazes pierced through me and I felt uncomfortable. A burst of laugher was heard on the corner of the room. I shot a glare there and the girls sitting in that area looked away whe
"You did well," Isa praised when I sat on my chair. I gestured to her with my hand and we both supressed our laugh when the teacher glared at us before starting her discussion. I shrugged my shoulders and Isa grinned at me. I just did not expect to catch Rogie's stare at me. When our eyes met, he smiled at me. I hastily looked away.I WAS tired, barely keeping up with my quick breaths as I ran my way back home. The sun had sank in the horizon and darkness enveloped every corners of the town. The faint light from inside the hut made my heart beat fast. I knew mother inside, preparing dinner for tonight. I got home late that evening because I forgot time was running fast and that night was still early even after Christmas. It was a chilly February night. But my brows knotted when I felt something was strange inside the hut. I smelt a faint scent lingering in the air. A man's perfume. Was someone been here? Before I could call Mom, a figure appeared from the small kitchen door. A man
"You're doing suicide, are you?" I blinked for a few times before I swallowed and said, "Teacher Anthony?" He sighed and ushered me towards the passenger door. "But I'm wet ---" He cut my protest. "Doesn't matter." I sat on the passenger seat and Teacher Anthony hastily closed the door. It was only then when I realized I was standing in the middle of the road when Teacher Anthony saw me shivering under the heavy rain. When he sat on the driver's door, he looked at me for a brief moment before he ran the car ahead slowly. After a few minutes, he stopped the car at the sidewalk and looked at me again. He cleared his throat. "What are you doing out there?" My eyes looked down. "I-I don't know." "Sydnee," he called. "I'll bring you back to your parents. What's your address?" I shook my head and a dry laugh escaped from my lips. "I don't have a home." "Sydnee." "Please, I don't want to go home. My mother don't want me to go back there." His brow knotted. "No parents could afford
I saw Teacher Anthony. His hair was wet and he smelt of shave and manly perfume, like the scent he usually wore in school. My throat went dry. School. I had a class. I smiled at him and looked away. "Good morning, Sir." A smile curled in the corner of his lips. "Just call me Anthony. I am six years older than you but I don't like to hear you calling me Sir in this house." "Okay." I cleared my throat and looked at him sideways. "Are you going to school today?" His shoulders shrugged. "There's no class for today, Sydnee. The roads were full of waters from last night's thunderstorm and the authorities were still cleaning the roads. The principal cancelled classes for two days." Good news then. But when I took a glance outside the balcony, I remembered the little nipa hut. Was the storm swept clean the little hut? I hoped not. My parents were still there. "Let's go downstairs. I'll cook our breakfast and I'll return you to your home after." "No." I shook my head. "I don't want to go
Then shrugged his shoulders and led me towards the kitchen where the food I cooked earlier were served. "But let me know next time," he said. I nodded. "So... I can work on your lawn tomorrow?" He stopped from his tracks and lowered his gaze at me. My eyes locked with his and I saw how amusement danced across his eyes. "You know how to work that out?" "Yes," I breathed. "You know... I can clean the whole house." His gaze darkened at my words. "Sydnee, I did not bring you here to be my housemaid." "I volunteered to do it." I sighed and lowered my gaze. "My body liked to work. Can't be idle." "Alright. If that's what you want." He cleared his throat and bore his gaze on me once again. "But when will you go to school? Examination week is fast approaching, Sydnee." "I know." I played with the hem of the sleeve of his shirt I was wearing. Anthony promised to buy me clothes tomorrow. I bit my bottom lip. "I'm not ready now. Maybe next week or so." His brow knotted but he kept his mo
"What? Did I surprise you that much?" I asked. "I can't help it." He grinned. "As you wish." His arm was still around my shoulder so I hastily wrapped my arms around his torso and looked up gently to meet his eyes. "Thank you for listening," I said. His thumb caressed my cheeks and his lips curved into a gentle smile. "Good night," he said. The warmth of his arm around my shoulders diminished as he put his arm down. I sighed and entered my room. I closed the door while staring into Anthony who was still standing in front of the door, scrutinizing me under his gaze. Only when the door closed that I exhaled a sharp breathe. I did not notice how I held my breathe while staring into his soft gaze. The air had changed around the corner of the school. More gazes fell on me as I walked in the school ground. My brows knotted in annoyance and curiosity. Why were they staring at me like I was a strange prey? "Have you heard the news?" a girl whispered to her companion sitting on the bench