Chapter 2

Brat

I woke up early the next morning for my first class. Xander texted me that he couldn’t pick me up early since his first class would start later in the afternoon. I decided to drive my car on my way to school. I have familiarized myself with the road so I wouldn’t have any problem going there.

I shivered when the cold wind kissed my skin. The rainy season is approaching and the weather is starting to get chilly.

The streets are still filled with fog even when it’s seven in the morning already. I slowed down when I couldn’t see the road because of it. Later on, the fog faded.

I noticed a figure walking on the streets. He’s wearing our school uniform. My brows furrowed when I tried to see who it is. It was that man from yesterday. That Santiago Lopez. His hands are in his pockets while walking in an almost striking way.

I suddenly remembered what happened at the sight of him. The mere thought of him embarrassing me still angers me until now. I was just trying to be polite to him and yet I get that in return. He’s arrogant, to think that he’s only poor.

I rolled my eyes and focused on the road instead. I drove past him and arrived at school not long after.

My phone rang when I was about to go out of the car. I smiled when I saw it was Xander who was calling me.

“Hi!” I greeted him.

He chuckled. His hoarse and husky voice tells me he just woke up.

“Good morning, Cian. You’re in school?”

“Yup, I just arrived. Why?” I couldn’t help smiling.

I bit my lower lip to hide my excitement.

“Good to hear that. I thought you got lost,” he laughed.

I stopped walking when I heard his joke. Gosh, he’s teasing me again. He knows I can’t get back at him cause he’s not here.

“I told you, I’m not a kid anymore.”

He just laughed. We talked for a few moments until I reached my classroom. A few of my classmates were already there.

“Cian, can you do me a favor please?”

“Of course, what is it?”

“I forgot to get some files from Santi yesterday. I badly need those for tomorrow. Can you get them for me?”

I stopped preparing my books and pens when he said that. I was thinking if I heard him right and if he said that.

“Why don’t you just get it from him later? You see each other every time, right?”

I tried so hard not to sound so displeased with the idea. The thought of seeing and talking to that man is annoying enough. I want to help him of course, just not with that snob.

“I was thinking of doing that but I forgot he doesn’t have class later.”

“Just tell him to bring it to your place later.”

“His house is far from mine and he doesn’t have a car. He’s only walking from his house to the school. I don’t want to bother him especially now that he still has to harvest mangoes after class.”

I was left with nothing to say. I can’t think of reasons to refuse him. I don’t even know why I dislike the idea of seeing that man so much. When all I need to do is to get that file or whatever. I’m sure it won’t take long.

“Please?”

I sighed, defeated.

“Fine. Just tell him I’m getting it. And where will I meet him?”

“Nice! Thank you so much, Cianna! I owe you this one. I’ll tell him to meet you on the school grounds since it's where near both of you. Thank you.”

“It’s not for free. You have to make it up to me,” I joked.

“Anything for you, Cian.”

Maisie and Elize came not long after. We chatted for a moment until the professor came in.

“Oh gosh, we’re having a test? On the first day?” Maisie ranted.

I shook my head as I listen to her rants. Elize hushed her though I can also hear the whispers of complaints from our other classmates.

It felt like the longest two-hour class. Time passed by painfully slowly. The thought of meeting that man made me thankful time went slowly. My peace was taken away from me when our class ended which means I’d have to go to the school grounds.

“You girls go ahead. I need to go somewhere. Just wait for me in the cafe,” I said as I arranged my things.

They both stared at me curiously.

“Where are you going?” Elize asked.

“School grounds. Xander asked for a favor.”

They both nodded. I went out first and walked my way to the grounds. It was not long before I got there. He sat on one of the benches alone under a big shade tree. His wide shoulders got emphasized by the tight cloth of his uniform. His back is against my direction so he didn’t notice me.

I went in front of him and blocked his view of the field. His brow shot up the moment our eyes met. I tried so hard not to roll my eyes to show my annoyance. I’m already irritated even when he’s doing nothing.

“Where is it?” I held my hand out for the file.

His brows furrowed and opened his bag to get the folder. I took it from him abruptly and turned my back to leave.

“Tss,” he snorted which stopped me from walking.

“What?” I spat when I turned to look at him.

He smirked. His brow shot up and stared at me closely which irritated me even more.

“Nothing. I was curious how a brat would act. Now I know.”

“What did you just say?” I hissed.

I think I heard him wrong. Or not? Did he just call me a brat? The hell?

“How dare you call me that? You don’t even know me,” I couldn’t help but show how angry I am.

“Your words and actions tell it all. I don’t have to know you to see if you’re a brat or not.”

It took me great strength to stop myself from insulting him back. No, I won’t.

I won’t stoop down to their level. There’s no use defending myself from people like him. And someone like him doesn’t deserve any explanation from me. Who does he think he is to waste my time like this?

I smirked even when I was about to explode inside.

“You know what? I don’t give a damn what you people think of me. You can all go to hell for all I care.”

I rolled my eyes and walked out. My chest is booming with anger.

I slid the folder inside my bag as I continue to stride my way toward the cafeteria. I stopped when a bunch of girls blocked my way. I was about to walk inside the cafe when they blocked me.

“Is she the one who stole your boyfriend, Trina?” The girl on the left asked.

I stared at them with nothing but indifference. What nonsense are they spewing? Did I steal someone’s boyfriend? Stupid.

“It’s her. Someone saw her talking to Lance the other day.”

Lance? Montenegro?

I was about to go the other way when the girl called Trina blocked my way again. Now I can’t help but be angry. It’s past ten and I still have class. I haven’t even had my snack because of Xander’s favor and I think I would also be late for class because of these girls.

“Isn’t she with Xander the other day? Or is she two-timing Lance and Xander?” The other girl laughed.

“What do you want? I don’t have time for this.”

“Cianna Juarez, right?”

“So?” I asked.

The girl in the middle smirked.

“Nothing. We just want to warn you. Stay away from Lance while we’re being nice. And mind you, not because your family is known and rich we would be afraid of you. Not us darling.”

I rolled my eyes. Gosh, this is so dramatic. Are they seriously trying to bully me? Me?

I chuckled and they seemed insulted even more. I tilted my head as I look at them from head to foot. They got angrier with what I did.

“Why don’t you tell your man to stay away from me instead? He was the one who approached me. And it’s not my fault your boyfriend got bored with you,” I looked at her in the most insulting way I know. “I can see why.”

Her cheeks burned with embarrassment and glared at me. Some of the students noticed our arguments and some even stayed to watch. They were taken aback a bit when they noticed we pulled the other students’ attention. I smirked.

They were just brave because I was alone. Now that students are watching they’re starting to get embarrassed. Except the girl called Trina.

“You, bitch!”

My eyes widened when she was about to lunge toward me. And as a reflex, I tilted my body to the other side. She lost her balance and toppled to the ground. While I was still shocked by what she did. Everyone gasped but laughed at her later on.

Her friends didn’t move an inch. I walked towards her. She stayed on her knees while glaring at me. I went closer to her and smirked.

“Don’t try to mess with me. You’ll just embarrass yourself,” I whispered. “And one more thing. Put a leash on your boyfriend and tie him around your body.”

“What the hell are you doing?!”

My eyes widened when I heard that low but loud baritone. I lifted my gaze only to see Santi’s angry eyes directed at me. His eyes are full of disappointment and blame. Trina got up and went to him, crying.

What a two-faced bitch.

“Santi,” she cried louder.

I stood straight and brush off the anger that he was throwing at me. Trina went near him and cling to his arms. It irritated me even more.

What right does he have to judge me when he didn’t even see what happened? I glared at him more. I leveled the anger in his eyes.

I remained silent. If he’s expecting I’ll explain and try to defend myself, he’s wrong. I don’t need his validation. It wasn’t my fault and I don’t care about what he’s thinking with what he saw.

“Being rich doesn’t give you the right to hurt other people. Especially to those people who have a low standard of living compared to you,” he said slowly trying to suppress his anger.

I gritted my teeth. What is he trying to imply here? That I senselessly hurt people just because I am rich? Hah! I can’t believe his nonsense.

He turned to look at Trina.

“Are you okay?”

Trina nodded and turned to look at me. Her expression was scared and tender. I snorted and smiled sarcastically. I can’t believe what I’m seeing.

“Believe in whatever you want to believe. I don’t give a damn,” I snapped.

I turned my back on them. Maisie and Elize went to me. They looked worried.

“Are you okay?”

I nodded. Bitterness filled my system when I realized what just happened. They can all go to hell for all I care.

“Of course,” I said as I swallow the lump in my throat.

To be continued...