CHAPTER 06

CHAPTER 06

"Honey, someone's looking for a job in Manila. A friend of mine knows someone who's hiring. I can recommend you, especially since I know the owner," Mom suggested. We were preparing lunch for Dad, which I would take to him at the rice fields.

When I didn't have classes, I'd bring him lunch. Dad could pack his own food, but he preferred hot rice, even if the dishes were cold. He didn't mind as long as it wasn't all cold.

"I'll look into it, Mom. A classmate of mine offered me a job at a company in Manila, as a secretary. I'll see which one has better benefits and apply there," I said. I put the adobo chicken in a tupperware and the fried fish in another, while Mom prepared the basket for the food.

I planned to eat there with Dad, and Mom would stay home.

"That's good, you won't have to struggle finding a job. They're offering you the job, all you have to do is apply and do your best if you get it," Mom said. I was happy, it was true, I wouldn't have to search for a job, it was coming to me.

"I know, Mom! Thank you so much to you and Dad. It's because of you that I was able to finish this course, and I'm almost graduating!" I boasted, excited for the day we'd all been waiting for.

"Honey, your Dad and I couldn't give you anything else but your education. We didn't force you to study, but because you wanted to, we worked hard for you. We're always here to guide you when you need us. Don't mind it when you see us arguing, it's normal for married couples. Just know that we love you, and your Dad loves you too."

"Mom—" My eyes were welling up with emotion. I hugged her tightly. I was so lucky to have them. So lucky. "I love you, Mom!"

"I love you more, honey. Your Mom loves you so much. Okay, go take this food to your Dad, he's probably hungry. Tell him to take shelter if it gets too hot," Mom reminded me, and I smiled. She really loved Dad.

"Okay, Ma..."

"Okay... be careful, honey."

I took the basket Mom handed me and headed to Dad.

I checked my clothes—I was wearing a black v-neck t-shirt and pajamas. It was fine.

It was about a twenty-minute walk to Dad. The basket wasn't too heavy.

The rice field where my parents worked was owned by the Sullivaños. In short, my jerk classmate, the playboy/bad boy, was one of the heirs to their vast rice fields.

None other than Ryker Matt Sullivaño.

Tsk... why was I thinking about him? I still couldn't forget what he did to me. Just kissing me out of the blue.

And because I was thinking about him while walking, his image was getting closer and closer. He was riding a horse towards me.

I quickly stepped aside because he was coming right at me. I didn't want to be trampled by the horse. I wanted to graduate college, not die because I didn't get out of the way of a horse.

"Whoa... whoa..." I heard him tell the horse to stop. I wasn't sure if I was right.

I continued walking, maybe he was just going this way.

"Hello, beautiful! Where are you headed?"

"Us?" It was Saturday, no classes, but seeing him again, I felt like I was cursed.

"To... Jupiter. You coming?"

"Of course, yeah!" he said, laughing.

"You're crazy! How are we going to get there? Even if he spent all his family's money, it wouldn't be enough to get to another planet, especially if you're just hanging out there for a few hours."

"I hear you..."

"Well... wow..." I said, continuing to walk, while he followed me on his white horse. He was just going back where he came from? He was crazy.

"You're so grumpy. Something is bothering you?" I stopped walking and turned to face him, glaring.

"And so... what if I told you nothing was wrong?" I challenged him.

"Wee... let me see..."

"Yeah! What are you looking at? Hey, if I have someone I want to show this to, it's my crush, Sebastian. So don't be like that—" I said, and he suddenly stopped the horse.

Whatever...

I kept walking. Dad was probably waiting for his food.

"Get on!" I was surprised to see him right behind me.

"No way, this basket is heavy, the horse wouldn't be able to handle it," I said, being a concerned citizen. Animals get tired and sore too, especially when they're carrying a lot of weight.

"Then I'll get off and walk, and you can ride?" he suggested.

I was about to say yes, my feet were starting to ache from walking, and the path was a bit bumpy.

"Come on, beautiful, it's embarrassing to be seen riding while you're walking," he said. When did he become so eloquent?

I stopped and thought about it, and finally agreed because my feet were really hurting.

"What if I fall? You know, this is my first time riding a horse," I said.

"I'm here, I'll catch you. Don't worry," he said. He got off the horse so we could switch.

I didn't trust this guy, but I was going to take a chance. He wouldn't leave me alone, and the horse might run off. He could throw me into the woods or over a cliff. Tsk, what was I thinking?

"Trust me!" He convinced me, so I gave in. I put down the basket and stepped onto the saddle. He helped me climb up, and thankfully, I managed to get on okay.

But this jerk of a horse wouldn't stand up straight. He kept bending his front leg. Ryker and I made eye contact, I had no idea why Maro, the horse's name, was doing this.

"I think... he wants me to join you, Binibini."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I understand him, I've been with him since he was a baby, so I know what he wants," he boasted. Oh, that's how it is. He's so full of himself. Maybe I should try taking care of a cockroach at home and see how effective my communication skills are.

To speed things up, he got on his horse too. He was right, Maro was waiting for him, and now the horse started walking.

He didn't want to leave his master alone, aww... this horse is so sweet.

"Ahhh... Ryker! We're going to fall!" I yelled, holding on tight to the bridle for support. The horse was speeding up. Maybe it was because I was holding the reins. He probably thought I was urging him on.

I didn't know how to breathe, because of what this guy was doing to me. My soul was in shock. He wrapped an arm around my waist, still holding the lunch basket for Dad.

"Just stay focused and don't be afraid or move around, or you'll fall off the horse. Don't worry, I'm here, okay?" he said softly, close to my ear.

"O-okay, I'm just a little..." I stammered.

"You'll never fall to the ground. You should only fall for me. Not the ground, not anyone else, got it, Binibini?" he said, and I thought about it.

Where was this conversation going?

I didn't know if he was always joking or serious. And now, hearing those words, I was confused about what they meant.

I calmed myself down because we were almost at the rice fields, where Dad was. But then I thought about our situation, and what Dad might say if he saw me riding with his boss's son.

I mean, on the horse...

"I'm getting off here!"

"Huh? Why?"

"Dad might see me with you, and he'll ask a million questions," I explained.

"Okay! Whoa... stop... Maro..." I was impressed, his horse stopped.

Ryker got off his horse, and I was about to get off too, but he stopped me.

"Why?"

"Why do you think I would let you walk while I'm riding? What would your Dad say?"

"Ha? Of course, he wouldn't say anything, you're our boss."

"Tsk..." he just rolled his eyes.

He wouldn't let me get off. He just guided me on how to hold Maro's reins properly so he wouldn't run off.

And Ryker Matt Sullivaño, the haciendero's son, was walking, acting as my escort.

What a life! It felt like I was a princess.

"Dad—" I called out to Dad, I could see him with his workmates under a big tree, with a hut. I waved and smiled at Dad.

"Honey! You're with Sir, good afternoon, Sir," he said to my companion as we arrived.

"Hello po..." Ryker said.

He helped me get off the horse. He spread his arms so I could hold on as I got down, and I did.

Since it was lunchtime, everyone took out their food.

"Have you eaten, son? If not, join us," one of his workmates offered.

I went up to him and handed him a paper plate. "Do you eat adobo chicken? And fried fish?" I asked him.

He wasn't there to check out their rice fields, he was just taking his horse for a ride.

"Huh? No, I'll eat at home," he said, but we both laughed when his stomach growled. He had no choice but to eat with me.

"In a month or two, we can harvest the rice, and..." While we ate, Dad and Ryker talked, mostly about rice.

I ate and listened to their conversation. Dad's workmates were also busy eating. We shared our food, it was a habit.

While they were still talking, I kept giving Ryker more food, and he was happily eating.

I thought this guy just partied and got into trouble at school, I didn't know he was interested in things like rice and business.

Good for him. His parents would be happy, instead of him always getting into trouble and going to the guidance office.

But still...

No matter how nice he was now, I couldn't help but be annoyed with him.

Because he was the first one who kiss me.

It should have been Sebastian. Not Ryker Matt Sullivaño.

Haizt...