Four: Entangled

[Two weeks later.]

I hurried out of the library.  I was on my way to my next class with my backpack slung to my shoulders, books in one hand, and a cup of coffee in the other hand. I was wearing a loose hoodie paired with faded jeans, and my trusted two-year-old Converse shoes.

I wore my hair, which I haven't washed for two days now, in a messy bun. I adjusted my large-framed eyeglasses (because I had no time to put on contacts earlier) before I ran down the steps of the library building. I was on the last steps when I felt my phone vibrate. 

I stopped walking, transferred my coffee to my other hand --- which is not an easy task considering the books I was carrying with the same hand --- and grabbed my phone from the back pocket of my pants with my now free hand. 

It was my mom. 

"Hola, mama!" I said as soon as I picked up her call.

"Where have you been? Why aren't you picking up my calls? I've been trying to call you since this morning!" She sounded distressed.

"Relax, ma. I'm fine. I was in the library. What's the matter?"

"How did you meet Alexander?" She was practically yelling from the other end of the line.

I scrunched my nose. "Alexander who?"

"What do you mean Alexander who? Alexander del Rosario! Louie Alexander del Rosario!"

"Louie who?" Then it suddenly dawned on me. "Oh, wait. Did you say Louie? How did you know him?"

It has been two weeks since that fateful incident, but how can I forget that name? He was like a bad dream stuck in the deep recesses of my brain. 

"What do you mean how did I know him? I was asking you. How did you know each other?" 

Alexander. Alexander del Rosario. Louie Alexander del Rosario.

The sudden realization made me stupefied.

Before I knew it, books started slipping out of my hand. One by one, the books fell down the steps and into the grass-covered ground below. And just when I squatted down to pick them up, I saw a pair of brown, expensive-looking leather shoes approach me. 

I looked up and was startled to see James. He bent down to help me pick up the books from the ground. 

My brain (as well as my whole body) malfunctioned for a bit. I couldn't move a muscle. I was just looking at him with my mouth slightly open because of shock. 

Like why would he be here at the university? 

I watched as he picked up my books before he brought his eyes up to meet mine. He smiled at me the moment our eyes met. 

"How are you, Aerabella?" he said. 

I found myself sitting on a bench under a huge oak tree five minutes later. I was now talking with James. 

"What did you say?" I asked.

I heard what he said the first time. I wasn't sure if I heard him right though. Because it didn't make sense.

"Louie wanted to see you again," James repeated. 

So, did I actually hear him right the first time? My brain still refused to process the information. 

"But why? I kept my end of the bargain. I kept my mouth shut. I didn't tell a single soul about what happened," I said. 

"Yeah, we know. But that's not the problem here," he replied. 

"Then what seems to be the problem?" I asked.

"Your photos are all over the internet. It even made its way to the front page of a local paper back in the Philippines," he explained. 

"Wait. Wait. I don't think I follow." 

What the fuck was I hearing? 

"You don't really know him?" James asked, looking me in the eyes.

"I got a call from my mom earlier and she asked me how I knew Alexander del Rosario. There's only one Alexander del Rosario I know..." My voice trailed off.

He slowly nodded as if he had read what was on my mind. "Yup, you're right. Louie was the first grandson of the former president, Alexander del Rosario. His full name's Louie Alexander del Rosario," James said, confirming my hunch.

"Ohmygod," I gasped, covering my mouth with my own hands in the process. 

Yeah, of course. Who doesn't know former president Alexander del Rosario? One of the most, if not the most, controversial presidents of the Philippines.

The del Rosarios are known for being a political dynasty. Plus, they own multiple businesses in the country. Who doesn't know them? 

"What do you mean by my photos all over the internet?" I asked again.

"Unfortunately, someone saw you that night. Someone took a photo of Louie dragging you from the elevator to the hotel room."

I gasped. "Really?" I could feel my eyes grow wide. 

He nodded. 

So that man wasn't exaggerating when he said that someone was always following him.

"How bad are the pictures? And… is my… is my face visible?"

"Unfortunately, yes. We're not talking about some amateur photos here taken from a phone cam. We're talking about high-definition photos taken by some high-powered cameras owned by some professional paparazzi."

"The fuck." The words were out of my mouth before I could stop it. 

"Yeah, I know. It sucks." 

A pregnant silence followed. It was as if my brain was having a hard time processing everything I heard. 

"Don't you have classes right now?" James asked when I didn't say anything. 

"I have. It doesn't matter, though. I'm already late." 

And I think that's the least of my priorities right now. I mean after everything I heard. 

I saw James check his phone. 

"Louie will be here in twenty minutes."

"Here? At the university?"

"Nope. In Barcelona."

"And where is he coming from?"

"Beijing."

"China?"

"Yup. Our main office is in Beijing, China. He's flying here just to see you."

"Oh, wow. That's crazy."

"Well, everything about Louie's life is beyond normal."

"What if I don't want to see him?"

"You have no choice but to see him."

"And may I ask why?"

"Because sooner or later, the media will find you. And trust me, those people are ruthless. They'll do anything to get something out of you. They'll manipulate you, they'll even fabricate stories if they have to. They'll make a mess out of your peaceful life."

"Are you scared that I'll tell them the truth? That your boss tried to harass me that night."

"I'm sorry to say this, but believe me when I say you don't want to start a war with Louie's family. They would do anything to twist the story. They'll turn everything against you. You don't want to do that, trust me."

I don't want to admit it, but he has a point. 

"What do I get if I talk to your boss? I mean, what assurance do I get that I wont get further involved in this mess? My life has already been crazy. I don't think I need another complication."

"That's for you to find out," James said before he stood up. "So? Let's go?"

I had no choice but to slowly stand up. Gosh. Who would've thought that I'd be seeing that man again? 

Arghhhh.

***