CHAPTER 4

Author’s POV

LUCAS just stood for a few moments as if waiting for an opportunity. His eyes widened when he heard a rustling in the distance. A small smile appeared on the young man’s lips, which he licked as if he had a good appetite. He jumps down from the top of the tree and follows the rustling sound and smell of its prey. He even surpasses the wild animal in his extreme agility if he moves.

“Bloody breakfast would be great,” Lucas whispered while running. And that widened even more when he glimpsed what would be breakfast, a BABIRUSA.

Lucas suddenly disappeared and in an instant, a cry echoed through the forest. Even the other animals returned to their dens in fear as if they were aware of the attack of the monster they were afraid of.

A month later..

“Okay class, I have an announcement to make,” said Miss Gillany, Maxine’s Class adviser. “Our class with my subject will be tomorrow, so don’t wonder why I’m here. Actually, Miss Macalisang is not around yet so you don’t have class either. She's on a trip right now. I was instructed by the dean to forego the whole classes for today for the preparation of up-coming camp that will be held in one of the mountains here in St. Monica.”

“Camp? When?” asked one of Maxine’s classmates.

“The day after tomorrow.”

“Is that just for BSHRM?” Maxine also asked a second question.

“That would be boring, Maxine!” The girl next to Maxine, Meghan, is against her.

Maxine sighed and tormented the girl next to her.

“Enough guys,” Miss Gillany reprimanded the two even before they started fighting. “Don’t worry Miss Bodegas, the whole COM will participate.”

“Alright!” Meghan grinned in triumph. “That would be fun, right classmates?” He said to his classmates. The students made a small noise in agreement.

“Everyone is mandated to participate. No one will make an excuse,” added Miss Gillany. “Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes ma’am!” The students responded in unison.

“And last thing, we won’t go there for fun. We will have activities there.”

---

Maxine’s POV

I'M leaving the Campus. There is no class the whole day so that we can prepare for the next day.

Another expenses again. Of course, I will ask ‘Mom for pocket money for that except for the registration fee because it was Alfonzo’s shoulder.

“Awww!” I got hold of my senses. I hit the shoulder of the poncho pilot who wasn’t looking at what he was going through.

“S-sorry Miss, I didn’t mean to,” said the guy while picking up my things. I was still holding the head while staring at his back.

“It's okay. I didn’t notice you either..,” I couldn’t finish what I was going to say when the guy raised his face.

“Hi!” He seemed as surprised as I was.

“Hi!” I just responded. I took the stuff from him.

‘Maxine, right?”

I only responded with a modest nod. He still remember my name.

“I’m glad we met again. It’s been a month. Remember me?”

I didn’t speak.

“I’m Hevo. I was the guy on the mango tree.”

“Yes, I remember.”

Who can forget that? Make the tree a hang-out place?

“Are you going home?” He asked again. He walked with me.

“Yes. We don’t have school all day.”

“Are you also from COM?”

“Yes why?”

“We are in the same Department then. I am Business Administration. It’s fun, at least I have a friend at camp.”

“Ah.,” I just stammered. I can’t say anything about his chatter.

“I’ll take you.”

“No thanks,” I refused. It’s embarrassing because my place is in the other village.

“I insist.”

I scratched my head at the nastiness of him. Why is he like that? Do he has crush on me?

I dumbly scolded myself for that thought. I assume too much. Not because someone is being nice to you has feeling right away, can't just a person be nice? Embarrassing.

“Why, does something hurt you?” I heard Hevo ask.

I was surprised to see him. “N-nothing. I’m just thinking.”

“Wait for me here. I’ll just get my car.”

I would still like to protest but he’s already gone. I could do nothing but wait. It’s okay, I can also save my fare today.

WE reached the mansion fast. It didn’t take thirty minutes which usually happens when I ride a tricycle.

“You live here?” Hevo asked when he opened the door for me.

“Ah, no,” I laughed and shook my head. “I work here.”

“I see.”

“Sorry, I can’t let you come inside. My boss might scold me.”

He smiled. “It’s okay.”

We both turned around when suddenly someone honked, it was Miss Beatriz's car. It stopped in front of us, the car window opened and my d*mn boss looked out.

“What else are you messing with there? Open the gate!”

I quickly went to the gate and opened it. I saw Miss Beatriz talking to Hevo while I was away, her smile was still steady at the end. After a while, she moved the car forward when she probably noticed that I was done.

“Thank you again,” I said to Hevo when I went to see him. Miss Beatriz’s car got inside so I had a chance to say thank you to my new friend.

“My pleasure. Gotta go..”

“Alright..”

He was about to enter the car when he turned around again. To my surprise he came back.

“Um, if you don't mind." He scratched his head before speaking again. “Do you have a cellphone?”

It took me a long time to answer. The truth is, I was shocked. “Yeah.”

“Can I use it?”

I scratched.

"Ah.." I shyly grabbed the phone from my pocket and handed it to Hevo. I am assuming again. “I prefer the keypad one, it's easier to use," I explained. My phone is not the latest, time has left it. But Hevo just smiled then dialed something there. He is calling someone.

“Here, thanks!”

I suddenly accepted the cellphone. How did it turn out okay, I don’t think he talked to anyone.

“Alright. Bye Maxine!”

“Alright.”

After Hevo left, I entered the mansion. I caught up with Miss Beatriz in the living room, sitting on the couch fiddling with her expensive cellphone.

“Where did you meet him?” She suddenly asked.

I stopped and looked in her direction.

“Me?”

Miss Beatriz rolled her eyes and looked at me. “Idiot. Is there anyone else besides you?”

Really, just stupid?

“At school.”

“Did you know he’s a famous football player in LA?”

I shook my head.

“He is Hevo Fontanella.”

I didn’t say a word. Well, I don’t know.

“I think he likes me. Did you see how he smiled at me earlier? Gosh, I’m thrilled.”

“Ah,” I responded clumsily. I thought I was the only one assumed. It’s like she is the one with the constant smile earlier.

Miss Beatriz stood up and went down the stairs.

“You are useless to talk to. Since you have nothing to do with anything but rags,” She said artfully.

Tsk, That’s better than people who is insane.

“Before I forget.” She stopped and looked at me. “Don’t stick to me at camp. I’m disgusted by the way you look.”

Wow! Who would want to stick with bipolar like her?

“The feeling is mutual.” I whispered.

You would have fallen down the stairs! My bad.

Tsk, acting like a Goddess. She looks like a clown with too much make-up. Duh!