Chapter 3

In exasperation, Leigh unconsciously put her fingers to massage her temples.

“Rocky!’  She cried outraged.

A mischievous smile crossed over Rocky’s face. It appeared like he was enjoying her discomfort so much, like he always does. 

She and Rocky  had a complicated relationship. They were born on the same day to parents who were best friends since college. Since they were children, it was already drummed into their heads that they would marry one day. 

But she and Rocky do not share their parents’ sentiments. They do not want to be married to each other for the simple reason that they hated each other. 

Yes, they hated each other.  The hate relationship started when they were five. But before that, Leigh remembered how they fought like mad cats and dogs. There was never peace with both of them around.  They bicker with each other and annoy each other so much that when they reached their fifth birthday, the war between them had become so severe it wedged a gap that was never broken down in years. 

When they reached their teens, they had become less obvious in their aggression towards each other.  This time, they had already mastered the art of concealing their feelings, especially when their parents are around.  In short, they became good pretenders.  They were in a concession, surprising and delighting their parents in the process. 

They kept the pretense through their senior high.  They had no qualms into duping their parents into thinking they were getting along and dating if it meant getting their parents off their back.  In truth,  they dated other people behind their parents' backs. 

When they graduated from senior high, Leigh thought that she had enough of pretending so she asked her parents to allow her to study in another city.  She thought by being away from Rocky and her parents, she would not have to lie anymore. 

But she thought wrong. 

While she was celebrating her parent’s approval to leave the home and study in Baybridge, she did not realize her parents had their own motive in allowing her independence. 

She was astounded to know that Rocky’s coming with her. And what’s worse? 

They are going to be living together in a house Rocky’s parents bought for them. 

“You will get married eventually, why not live together, then?”  Her mom told her at the airport.  It was only their location that stopped her from stomping her foot. They omitted that one detail to her!

She had no idea Rocky’s coming with her to Baybridge.  They (their parents) even gave their consent for her and Rocky to play house!

Leigh was so riled up, she was speechless.

She thought she had enough of Rocky and their matchmaking parents. She thought she's finally getting her freedom. She did not realize that her parents would pull this trick on her. 

Leigh was sulking on the plane on the way to Baybridge while Rocky slept through the flight. 

He ignored her tantrums which annoyed her the most. 

While seething with his seeming unconcerned attitude, she made up a plan to do the motions while her companion was oblivious in his sleep. 

When their plane landed. She took her baggage and left in a huff. She heard Rocky calling her, but she turned a deaf ear, casually walking out of the busy airport and renting a cab to drop her to the nearest hotel. 

That night, she stayed in the hotel until she found an amiable living arrangement for herself inside University premises.

She tried to act like any normal college girl and applied for a part time job waitressing in an Italian restaurant not too far from school to avoid any suspicion from anyone. 

She kept her identity a secret.  No one thought of connecting her surname to one of the richest families in the country - the Michaels - because her parents had always been protective of her and kept her out of the news.  Besides, she shies away from crowds. 

At the University, she almost kept to herself.  Her only companion, her roommate who later became her best friend. 

It all worked out just fine. 

For months, she hadn’t had any contact with Rocky which is a bliss.  Until today. 

The silence of the past months were shattered with the bomb he dealt her just now. 

Their parents are here for a visit.  

****

After packing some of her things and loading them up in Rocky's car, Leigh texted Sam and told the excuse that her mom came to visit and she would be staying with her. She was so careful about her choice of words so it wouldn't let slip that she would be staying in Rocky’s house. 

Leigh crossed her fingers at the small omission.  And thought that she had to come out clean to Sam soon. 

At first, she does not want to talk about her family to protect herself. Though she lives in a castle, it did not escape her notice that while people wanted to be close to her, not all of them liked her for what she is. Sometimes, it was the perks of knowing her that drew them. 

It made her wary of people. When she finally realized that Sam can be trusted, it was too late to retract everything without hurting Sam with her implied mistrust. 

“All ready?”  Rocky asked, breaking into her thoughts.  She realized that he had already loaded the last of her things to the trunk. 

She nodded before latching her hand on the passenger door handle to pull.  Then, without waiting for him, she climbed in and clipped her seatbelt. 

Rocky followed suit. He went to the driver’s side and started the car. Since classes are ongoing, the dormitory is deserted and they bumped into no one, making Leigh heave a huge sigh of relief. 

They were silent on the road.  From the corner of her eyes, Leigh watched Rocky, noting the changes in him. 

When Rocky turned his head in her direction, she retracted her gaze and pretended to look on his side of the window. 

Rocky chuckled. She knew he caught her watching him and him laughing is a way to call her out, but she ignored him. 

She won’t admit to watching him. 

Besides, she was curious.  She hadn't seen him in almost a year and she wanted to see how college life changed him apart from having a constant bevy of girls on his doorstep, she thought acidly. 

Rocky was humming to himself while he maneuvered the steering wheel.  His action annoyed her. She wanted to blot out his voice from her head so laid her head on the headrest and pretended to sleep, but from time to time, she would keep an eye out on Rocky. 

A good ten minutes and they reached their destination.  After Rocky pulled the car into the driveway, Leigh bolted from her seat, took her seatbelt off and got out of the car,  leaving Rocky to figure out to himself how to sneak her things inside.

Leigh roamed her eyes around the property. It was large for a big family. She remembered her mom mentioned it has six rooms, a study, a dining room, and a recreation room. Outside, it has a large lawn, perfect for kids to roam around.  

Her eyes continued to look around and found the gazebo and a mini-pond not too far from the cobbled pathway. It was like what she wanted for her dream home!  She did not know Rocky’s home got them. 

Her eyes sparkled.  She could not wait to explore!  She turned around to get to the cobbled pathway. 

Just then, the main door swung open followed by hurried footsteps and squeals. In no time,  Leigh found herself squeezed tight in a bear hug. 

“Leigh! I miss you!” It was her mom.  

Leslie Michaels pulled back to look at her daughter’s face before hugging her once more.  She was laughing and crying at the same time. 

“My baby is all grown up.” Her mom added, dabbing at her eyes while she studied every feature on her face. 

Leigh grumbled when her mom asked her to twirl around so she could check her from head to toe. Despite that, she gamely acceded to the request, rolling her eyes at her mom’s theatrics.  

“You look thinner. Aren’t you eating well?” Her mom demanded, looking over her shoulder to meet Rocky’s gaze. 

Rocky was saved from responding when Aunt Evelyn, Rocky’s mom, talked. 

“Your mom’s been so worried since you wouldn’t pick up her call.  It’s been months, Leigh but you only managed to call back home a few times.  It worried her a lot so I told Rocky we’re coming over to check on you.”  Auntie Evelyn said from behind and in the next instant, she shoved Liegh’s mom to the side so she could have her turn of hugging Leigh. 

“I miss you too.  How come you’re not always around when I call Rocky?  Are you so busy with school?  Rocky’s schedule is more flexible.”  She told Leigh, causing her to stiffen. 

She decided it was now her chance to tell them. 

“Mom, Aunt Evelyn, I moved out of this house.”  She told them, gripping her hands while she waited for their reaction.