Chapter 6

Chapter Six

I was surprised when a man approached me. His almost at my age. A smile plastered on his lips.

"H-hello." I forced myself to smile even though the truth was I was confused. I just don’t want to be rude. He laughed. I saw the dimple come out on his both cheeks.

"We were classmates in elementary school, Edward." He clutched his hands on his nape to his neck as if embarrassed, but the man looks friendly.

I watched him carefully but I can't remember him, many things happened. I’m embarrassed to explain that I can't recognize him, I just pretended I recollected.

"Ah, y-yeah. I remembered."

"Good," He was all smiles at me.

"I haven't seen you for decades, you just arrived on the island?" He asked, there is no malice in his voice. Like normal people in this island do.

I nodded, "Almost a week."

"Maybe I can help. You're buying something?"

I was about to say need, 'cause I badly need help when I saw how my Edward gaze passed me. I look back. Only to find Aristotle's big strides and he stood beside me in front of us is Edward.

"Dela Vega," he greeted the man seriously and seemingly reluctantly. I was just surprised when Aristotle nuzzle me. He pulled me closer and I seemed weak as he touched me. I felt his arm wrap around my waist. His hands stroked up and down. I was horrified at what he did.

Edward chuckled as if nervous enveloped him.

"Engineer Lecaroz," he politely greeted Aristotle.

"She have me. She doesn't need help," he said angrily, nodding his head at the man he was talking to.

"I see..." Edward whispered grinning. "Then, guard her better. You know what I mean... All right, nice meeting you, Robin." He smiled sweetly at me, "See you again," before he walk back.

Aristotle confronted me. His expression look darker, full of irritation.

"Why took you so long?" He a horrendous question, it disappeared when he realize how people disgustingly look at me.

His gaze traveled to my empty hand. He knew I hadn't bought one yet. I bit my lip hard, trying to reassure myself. Because at any time the tears might flow that I have been holding back. He clasped my hand and slowly pulled me back inside the market. Automatically, people spin whether near or far from the two of us. Who wouldn't look if a Lecaroz and Mercader were together holding hands. He's the grandson of the Governor and the son of Congressman. And we have long way history. I mean before us, there was more before. People in the market as well as some women stopped because of the elegance of a Lecaroz. As we walk back to the meat section almost everyone who sees us grimaced.

We meet a butcher shop. Aristotle is talking to the owner. I peeked and saw that the man selling meat was still looking at me. But he also immediately went to Aristotle to answer him. "How many kilos, Engineer?" Then look at me again.

Aristotle's jaw clenched, "Three."

I don’t speak as we walk around the store. This is the last thing we need buy. I can see the veins in his arms while holding the plastic bags. He didn't seem it matter to him but I was already squirming with excitement.

An old woman and seems to know a lot about me, us. "Don't try again, Aristotle. Take care of your last name," the old woman added as she whispered. There is a chisel in her voice as the purchases are placed in a plastic.

Excuse me, I'm here, I want to say. I'm listening. I just averted my eyes and pretended not to care. The old woman whispers something and I can't hear it anymore. Dammit! I sniffed and stared at the gentle face of Aristotle who nodded at his interlocutor.

"I'll be in the car first," I sounded so disappointed and annoyed. I hate it. I rolled my eyes at him before I turned my back on them. He quickly got back in the car and put the groceries in the back. I ignored him even as it rode and started to drive.

He sighed before speaking. "Why don't you get back in the car right away if you know they won't sell you?" His modest qualm.

Because you're feeling gold! I stared at him, "How about you? Why don't you follow right away if you know this is going to happen?" I said sarcastically.

He just averted my gaze. I don’t know if he was amused or didn’t like what I said.

“Because I am a Mercader,” I added emotionless. His forehead furrowed and I continued what I was doing.

"And your a Lecaroz," I sid full of fact. "Our history will forever entangled with us." "Do I still need to elaborate?" I answered in the hostile voice.

What was she thinking? That coupled with it helping him was gradually softening his heart for him? Hah! That would be so next to impossible. He never spoke and so did I. Our ride still quiet not until reaching Paadjao falls.

I'm amused by the sight of the falls as I look around. Before we arrived I almost fainted because I felt like I had run out of air inside Aristotle’s car. Aristotle opened the door for me while my eyes were still widening at what he had done.

“We finally arrived,” I said before easily getting out of the car. A few more steps and I could already hear the water falling from the falls.

"This is so beautiful!" I immediately ejaculated myself. I ran out into the trees when I saw the glimpse of the falls. The water was so strong that the noise of the people there could hardly be heard. The waterfall is quite wide and the water is very clear. Tourists are obviously foreigners. There are three floating cottages around the falls. Lots of flowers around the cottages not far away the falls itself. We grabbed the attention of the crowd as I was walking and Aristotle was behind me. Girl's keep throwing dagger towards my direction. If eyes could kill, I am dead on the spot by now. I ignore them.

Ah, my friends arrived first. Solely, reason why tons of women on my sight was because of infamous group of Sin. They quickly gain attention especially among women.

Psalm run after seeing me. "You'll enjoy jere, Robin!" Psalm shouted enthusiastically said as soon as I got out of the car. He was about to hug me, when he stopped and his eyes widened to see who got out of the car I came from. He also turned to a hut not far away. He was slightly gaping. I immediately shook him and he understood it right away. It was as if a thorn had been pulled out of his chest.

He approached Aristotle and made a fist bump. "I accidentally bumped with Ayesha earlier. If I had known you'd be here I would have included her," Psalm endorsed to Aristotle who glanced at me stealthily.

I bit my lower lip upon hearing Ayesha's name. Enough to make me taste my own blood inside my mouth. I didn't like the sound of it. I looked away immidiately. Sin laughed when I passed in front of him and so did Astrud. But when I looked back they were gossiping. Maybe the two saw another woman. I was surprised when Sin suddenly laughed as if a chicken feather was scratching his foot. He's really crazy.

"Damn that under guy! I guess she doesn't have any idea?" Sin proclaimed between laughs. I just raised an eyebrow at them and didn’t speak anymore.

"It's as if you don't know Aristotle. I think he's no different from Rizal," Astrid mumbled, which was agreed by his Damian.

"Poor girl," Celestina patted me on the back and grinning. She gave me Kaja and Grunt. Kaja and Grunt run towards me. I kissed their forehead and cheeks. I asked them to sit down.

"Daddy's here ..." Kaja whispered softly to me. It gives me frostiness at what she said. I knew it would happen. I was shocked to face him, hence signaled ‘shhh’.

She nodded as if she understood what I meant.

"We're not okay yet," I whispered back.

While putting the powder on her back. I noticed Grunt staring straight behind me. I peeked where his eyes were staring and saw that Aristotle didn't take his eyes off at Grunt. Astrud quickly picked up Psalm and Grunt didn't calm down.

"Grunt the grumpy wanted to carried by Daddy Aristotle!" Astrud walked closer to Aristotle.

You are really crazy Astrud! Sin and Psalm laughed out loud when they saw how Aristotle turned to ice when Astrud handed Grunt to him.

"Hold him tight, Aristotle! You might regret hurting ROBIN's son." Damian laughed.

Aristotle nodded and loaded properly. I bit my lip when I saw how they both looked. It's like a broken knuckle! The child clung to him tightly and hugged his as tears rolled down his eyes. Shit!

"Damn it!" Aristotle panicked after seeing Grunt's impression. Grunt would cry at any moment.

"You're done, Aristotle! You're making ROBIN's son cry." mockery of Sin.

"I'm s-sorry for curses," His eyes glow while saying that. They really emphasize the name ROBIN. I stared at them.

"Oh oh! Son's instinct ..." Celestina commented as the food arrangement continued. It was as if Nieva was mad at Aristotle and smiled at me. I'm just bothering him. Alejandro teases him with a foolish look. That scene made my heart jump in joy. I never imagined them to be this adorable. My son with his father's arms. I'm still not moving. This scenario fascinated my well-being.