Chapter 4

I turned to my mother who had just given a customer's order. "What is it?"

"Are you done eating lunch?" Traces of weariness was on his face.

"Ah, Yes. Do you have anything to do?"

"Can you take the vegetables I ordered from Aling Maria?" I didn't hesitate to nod. Aling Maria is our source of vegetable supply for those we cook here at the karenderia. Usually it's because Mom does it or Aunt. I only do it on weekends so that I can somehow help. I entered the house and briefly changed into a blue blouse. After just a few minutes I went out and said goodbye to mama. I immediately found a tricycle to ride.

It's already two o'clock in the afternoon. As I stepped out from the motorcycle, the sun greeted me with its warm light and the cold breeze hugged my body. I looked at the wide plot in front of a large wooden house. A woman who was quite old came out of the door and when she looked at me, she immediately smiled. I smiled politely before walking towards her.

"Good afternoon." my polite greetings.

"Oh, you're Amara. You arrived just right. I just finished preparing the vegetables your mom ordered for me."

"It's okay then."

"All right, sit down first and I'll just take you inside." he said and gestured to me a wooden chair under a large mango tree. I sat there and looked around. I pinned to my ear the strands of hair that covered my face because of the strong wind. If you look at the whole place it seems like a very peaceful town. The mountains and mountain ranges surrounding San Alfresco are full of trees and plants that are so delicious to look at. Even the vast plot I’m staring at now is comforting to feel. Different shades of green can be seen easily around the place. So lively and so calm.

Because of the light feeling, I didn't realize that I was smiling. It's just, the atmosphere is quite comforting. As my eyes traveled from one angle to another, a familiar figure of a man riding a black stallion came into my sight. He was speeding his horse along the asphalt road and as he got closer and closer his appearance gradually became clearer to my eyes.

My heart started to pound faster when I realized who it was. The man I had two weeks out of sight, the lone Raxon Diego Bermudez. He's only wearing a simple white t-shirt and jeans yet he still managed to look so cool and... hot.

Oh God. Get down — you’re not Amara! This should not be my thoughts. I shouldn't be looking at him like that on the first place.

I thought he was just going to pass but I almost froze in my seat when I saw him stop two meters from where I was. I gulped when I saw that familiar dark eyes looking at me with so much coldness. The sun kissed his tanned skin that made him looked like a blazing fire. Dangerous and untouchable.

"Amara, hija. Here are the vegetables. Your mama has finished paying for that." I was distracted when I suddenly heard Aling Maria speak. He handed me a large polished bag wherr he put the vegetables.

"Thank you." His gaze moved to my back. I bit my lower lip because I already knew who the person he saw was.

"Raxon! It's good that you passed. Do you need a son?" I did not look back until I could just feel his presence on my side. My heart became more and more agitated.

"None." he said in a calm voice. The calmness of his voice is like telling everyone that he can handle everything. "I was in the middle of riding but I stopped suddenly when I saw that you were beautiful..."

Out of the corner of my eyes I noticed him glancing at me. "Good what?" Aling Maria asked.

"Good .. vegetables."

The lady was happy to laugh. "Is that so. The climate is good so the vegetables grow well." he said and turned to me. "Raxon, it's Amara. She's the daughter of one of my customers."

I was secretly depressed mentally. Damn. Why do we have to repeatedly introduce each other?

This time, I looked at Raxon and formally smiled. The side of his lips rose a bit like he just found something amusing. I just ignored that and faced Aling Maria again.

"I'm leaving. Maybe mama is already looking for me."

"All right-Oh, just wait!" I was stunned. "I forgot about the eggplants. Wait a minute and I'll get to the vegetable first. Sit there first."

At what he said I almost let go of the bag I was holding. What does he mean? Will he just leave the two of us here? Oh damn. Your skill Aling Maria. The ganda rin ng timing niya noh?

I sighed when I realized that I need to sit back and wait for her to finish her business. Raxon sat next to me but we weren't so close to each other that our skins were touching.

"You are rushing?" he broke the silence. Even though I was counted, I still didn't lose my self -confidence to answer.

"No but I don't want to linger either."

I could feel his gaze on me but my eyes remained on the plot. "Are you here often?" he asked again. His voice was light as if a child was drying up.

"No. Only on weekends."

"Mike is flirting with you?" I was caught off guard of his question. I didn't expect him to ask such things.

I met his gaze then replied. "H-No." He sighed as if he had lost a thorn in his throat.

"That's good to hear. You're too young to go astray."

Child. I bit my lower lip. I was just a child in his eyes. But what else is there? He's five years older than me so I think it's just normal that he thinks that way. But why do I sound so bitter?

"You're right." I promise.

"Are you--"

"Amara!" we looked at the person who suddenly shouted. It was Sander. The eighteen -year -old son of Aling Maria whom I now consider a friend. He quickly ran towards Raxon and me with a smile on his face. I automatically smiled as I saw how he smiled like a happy innocent child.

"Oh, Brother Raxon! It's good that you passed!" he rejoiced when he stopped in front of us. I looked at Raxon and he smiled politely before speaking. "Because I'm riding a horse and I just thought I'd stop here for a while."

Sander nodded then look at me. He came closer to me and then suddenly touched both my cheeks. "You're really cute labs!"

I pushed him so he backed away a bit. The fool just laughed. "Are you really stupid anytime?"

"He's handsome." I smiled but when I looked up at Raxon my smile faded and I slowly swallowed. After all, the way he looks at me now is darker and colder. Even a single trace of softness in his features can't be seen. Wait, what did I do wrong and that's how he would look at me?

"Wait a minute labs ah, I'll just go inside." I just nodded to Sander. I looked at Raxon again. This time, he's looking at Sander while his jaw is clenching like something happened that was out of his control.

"I-Is there a problem?" I asked him. I do not know. I feel like there's something he doesn't like, or maybe that's just how he really behaves?

"Labs..." he stated that word with bitterness in his cold voice. He then moved his head to meet my gaze that made my heart beats so fast. I felt myself and I felt as if I was out of breath even though the strong wind was blowing in my face.

"Not misleading but there's a guy you call labs? Seriously, Amara?" I saw how his fist clenched.

I was stunned. If he could act now, he would be like a jealous groom. But I know I'm the only one who thinks like that. He's the one who said I'm too young, isn't he? That means, he will never like me romantically.

"No. Sander isn't flirting with me. Just friends--"

"Friends? Are you sure of what you're saying young lady? That kind of endearment is not for friendship."

"You're thinking wrong." He had the wrong idea about that. Sander calls me 'Labs' because it's a short term for r****h that is as white as my complexion. Often people really misinterpret that so I reprimand Sander in case the madman doesn't let go so that's it, I'm just used to it.

"If I'm thinking wrong, tell me, what's right?" he asked seriously.

"You're just--"

"Amara, these are the eggplants." We both looked at Aling Maria walking towards us. I chose to keep my mouth shut rather than continue explaining to Raxon.

"Thank you." I stood at once reaching for the eggplants in the big bag. The lady smiled. "I don't know, you're going to meet this Raxon. It looks like you had a good conversation."

I just smiled politely. I didn't even think to look at Raxon anymore because it might just be a dark look that I would receive from him.

"I'll be the first, Aling Maria. Mama is already waiting for me."

"All right. Just wait and I'll call Sander to deliver you." Sander came out of their house just in time and immediately walked towards us. Usually when I pick the vegetables, Sander will take me home.

"No need." we looked at Raxon who suddenly spoke. The darkness in his eyes were evident that made me gulped.

"What do you mean, son?" Aling Maria. Now Sander is on my side. I don't know what this Raxon is thinking and all of a sudden he's interfering with my life.

"I will deliver Amara." my mouth fell open at what he said. It's just, I didn't expect him to say those words.

Aling Maria smiled. "Ah, it's up to you."

I couldn't stop myself from responding. "Don't. I could go home alone." I met Raxon's serious gaze and I could almost let go of the carry. Damn. Why would he look like that? It was as if he were saying that I had no choice but to follow his wishes.

"I'll be the one to take him, Kuya Rax. Aren't you going to ride a horse?" Sander in a calm voice. I think I really need to leave, alone.

"No. I am." he answered emphatically. Sander didn't even plan to speak because of Raxon's dark aura. Why is he like that? What does he really want to happen and is he playing a role?

I was about to speak to oppose him but Aling Maria preceded me. "All right hija. Send it to Raxon so you can go home safely. Don't worry, that's nice."

I forced a smile and nodded. I can't reject Aling Maria just because I don't want to be with that man.

"All right, I'll leave you and I'll plant more." Aling Maria then looked at Sander. "Come Sander, help me."

"Bye bye labs!" Sander promised before obeying his mother. So here it is, Raxon and I are left again. I looked at him and saw his dangerous eyes blazing with coldness.

"I-I can go home alone. No--"

"The ones you brought are mine." he cut me off. "Don't. I'll take it. I can--" before I could finish what I was going to say, he snatched my things from me. I was almost amazed at what he did again. His actions are so unpredictable.

"Let's go." I just sighed when I marealized that I had no choice but to follow him. But it will be just this time. Just this time.

He immediately got on the tricycle that we could ride. The driver asked where we were going so I immediately answered. Raxon was just silent. While I was very isolated because of the closeness of the two of us. I don't know what's going on with myself and I feel restless every time he's there. For me, he's so intimidating and rough. Physically, I can't blame him. He got all the looks that any man would wish for.

"You're staring at me, Amara." he said with an amused tone. I automatically averted my gaze. I don't seem to realize that I'm staring at him too much. Damn. Embarrassing. I felt like I was a criminal caught by a police officer.

"I-I'm not." I denied.

"Really?" he asked sarcastically. This time, he was already smiling. And I think, that smile made him look even sexier. At the thought my cheeks warmed.

"Stop it."

"Stop what, Amara?"

I sighed. "Why did you think of taking me?" I wanted to ask him that before.

"I don't have any reason. I just like it. Why, do you prefer Sander to deliver you?" a hint of bitterness was evident in his voice.

"N-No. I can handle myself. In case you're struggling so .."

"Good. Why does he call you labs? You still didn't answer that question."

I swallowed before answering. "Labs, that's the short term for r****h. They say I'm as white as r****h so that's what he calls me."

I looked at his expressive expression but nothing changed there. Still cold and serious.

"Still, you shoudn't allow him to call you that way because people will surely misunderstand it." I nodded and didn't speak anymore.

A few minutes later the tricycle stopped in front of our karenderia. I was about to hand over the fare to the driver but Raxon preceded me.

"That's three. Two for me and one for him. I'll be back there in La Teresita." I didn't fight him anymore and just thanked him. He didn’t even get off the tricycle and I awkwardly said goodbye to him before turning around. Just a few steps away I heard the roar of a receding tricycle.

I stopped, placed my right hand on the upper part of my chest and felt my heart beat.

Damn. Why does my heart is pounding so fast?