Chapter 6

Before I finally went home, I went through the town, where I found clothes that could be bought. I don't know if there's a mall here, but the clothes I see here are new. I haven't tried to buy some things in this kind of store, but why not if I try it today?

I think I bought some things from all the marketstalls there. I especially enjoyed shopping, and the ones there were not expensive. I also bought clothes for Johny, Manang Gina, and her husband. I just stopped buying when I couldn't carry everything anymore, and I can't believe that I spent less than three thousand!

"This is so cool!" I laughed to myself as I walked to my car.

I smiled as I put everything I bought in the back of the car. Then I got on board to go home. It looks like I'm going to enjoy this place just for shopping!

When I got back home, I immediately organized my purchases. I separated what I was going to give to Manang Gina's family, and while I was busy doing it, my phone rang because of a call.

When I saw my mother's name on the screen, I immediately took my phone and answered her call.

"Hello, mom?" I happily greeted her on the call.

I hope that she will inform me that she has convinced my father, and they will send me back to Manila.

"How are you there, Z?" she asked. The tiredness in her voice made me frown before speaking again.

"I'm good, mom. How about you? Have you talked to Dad again?" I asked one after the other.

I heard mommy's sigh; that's why both my shoulders fell slightly. I have a feeling that Daddy won't change his mind no matter how much Mommy convinces him.

"I'm also good, sweety. I'm just tired and just wanted to ask if how are you there," she answered me.

"And I can't convince your father anymore. He told me that if I don't stop mentioning you to him, he might send Bettina there too. I'm really sorry, Z," Mommy added.

Now I'm the one holding my breath. As expected, that's what he said. I just nodded, even though she didn't see it. I just have to accept reality now. I don't even want Bettina to be sent here because I know she can't handle it well. I don't want to ruin her dreams of graduating from that school.

"It's okay, mom. Just don't mention my name ever again to dad. I can survive here. I don't want Bettina to be involved here," I answered even though I felt bad.

Miss Daza said, I'll get used to it. I know it won't be easy for me, but I have to face it.

Mommy and I finished talking. She was worried about me, but I tried to show her that I'm fine here because that's the truth right now. I'm okay, and I don't worry about my first day of school tomorrow.

I'm more worried about my mother. The girl who was with my father the other day came back to my mind. I know mommy already knows something, but she's just trying to close her mind. I also know that Daddy loves Mommy, but what I don't understand is why Daddy is able to hurt her feelings.

Is love really like that? Including hurting the person you say you love every day? If that's the only love that will come to me one day, I hope it doesn't come. I would rather be alone and grow old for the rest of my life than to spend the rest of my life with a man who will make me feel loved but at the same time can hurt my feelings.

I just spent time at home. I fixed what needed to be fixed in my room. I also started putting all my things in my cabinet because I have no hope of going back to Manila until Daddy tells me.

Johny also arrived at five in the afternoon, so I changed my clothes again and put a little make-up on my face.

"Johny, it's getting dark. I hope you messaged or called me so you didn't walk here," I said to Johny when he said he just walked from them to the house.

He laughed a little.

"Sister Z, how can you go in our house if I don't pick you up here? You don't even know where it is," he answered me, then scratched his head.

I couldn't stop laughing and nodding because he had a point.

"But, at least now I will know which way is going to you. You don't have to walk because I have my car," I replied to him.

"Even if we use your car, we'll still walk, because cars can't enter us," he explained.

"Oh no. Really?!" I can't believe the question.

"Yes, Ate Z. Your car is just around the corner," he answered.

I was exhausted and breathless. Well, what else could I expect from this place, right?

"Fine, but we'll still use my car to go there now," I said to him.

Johny nodded at me and shrugged his shoulders. We finally left the house, and he just showed me the way to their house.

"Are you excited about your first day tomorrow?" he asked me while we were on the way.

I couldn't help but laugh because of his question.

"Why would I be excited? I never dreamed to study here," I answered him.

"Hmmm, yes, Sister Z. If it's all right with you, why did you come here when your school in Manila is so good?" he asked, curiosity in his voice.

I sighed before answering him.

"My father sent me here as his punishment for me because I left the house without saying goodbye to them to go to a party," I told him.

He nodded at me.

"I know you were wrong about that part, and I know you apologized to them, but didn't he at least give you another chance? Is your daddy really that strict?" he asked me with a frown.

"Yes, Johny. That's why I won't wonder why other people in the market were saying that about him. Knowing my father, I know that would be possible, but I still can't help but defend his name. I'm the one who's ashamed," I said one after the other and then took another breath.

I don't know what went through my mind and why I opened up my other problems with Johny even though we just met yesterday. It's not like he's different from me, so I'm especially comfortable with him, and it's like I've found a boy brother.

Johny and I quickly reached the place where their house is. We entered a wooded area and stopped at a single corner surrounded by trees.

"Your car is safe here, Sister Z, so it's fine that we leave it here," said Johny.

I nodded at him. I didn't think that my car wouldn't be safe here, because as usual I didn't see anyone else there. The way in was just scary because it was like a jungle with so many trees around.

"There must be no snake here, right?" I asked worriedly.

Johny laughed and started walking, so I followed him.

"There is, but don't worry because they don't kill the pretty ones like you," he said, then laughed teasingly.

"You know how to tease, Johny!" I complained to him, then was tortured.

He continued to laugh while walking, so I quickly followed him. I think we walked for five minutes until I saw some houses, and we reached them.

"Oh, Johny! There you are." An old man said that I am sure, Mang Julio.

"Hello! Good afternoon!" I greeted with a smile.

Mang Julio had another old man with him. They are doing something, and I think those are the fish they caught earlier.

"Good afternoon, Ma'am Zariyah! Come and enter," he greeted me back with a smile.

I nodded while smiling. I followed Johny inside and couldn't help but look at their whole yard. There are many animals there, like chickens, and different animals that you can see in the province.

"Z!" I heard Manang Gina call me.

She was at the door waiting for us to come, so I approached her with a smile.

"It's good and you're here. The caldereta I'm cooking is about to be cooked. Come and enter first," she said to me.

"Thanks, Manang!" I said and finally entered their house.

I was about to look around Manang Gina's house when my eyes widened slightly at what I saw. It was Brandon! He was reading a book, but when he heard my voice, he immediately looked up at us. His lips parted when he saw me, while I remained shocked. What is he doing here?

I remembered paying their bill earlier at the cafe!

"Yes, by the way. This is Brandon, our neighbor. His father is a good friend of ours, so he's like a family member," Manang Gina explained.

"Brandon, it's Zariyah, by the way. She's the one we'll take care of here. She's the daughter of the owner of the mansion," Manang Gina introduced Brandon to me.

"Hi. Good afternoon," he greeted me.

I smiled because he finally spoke to me.

"Nice to meet you, Brandon." I was shy to greet him back.

He just nodded at me and returned his gaze to the book he was reading.

"You're the same age, and you're going to the same university, Z," Manang Gina said.

"The two of them met a while ago in front of the church," Johny laughed at the conversation.

"Oh? That's good! It's good that you two know each other. Brandon! Give Z a tour of your school tomorrow after your class is over," said Manang Gina.

My eyes widened slightly, and I shook my head because of what he said. I was also suddenly ashamed of Brandon.

"No, it's okay. It's embarrassing for Brandon, Manang. Maybe he'll do something after school. I can do it alone," I said, then looked at Brandon.

"It's alright. My last class is at three p.m., and I don't have anything to do," he answered, then shrugged his shoulders while his eyes were on the book he was holding.

"Oh! That's right. Go ahead, Hijah. You agree because Brandon has memorized your university," insisted Manang Gina again.

I just held my breath because I couldn't do anything but agree, even though I was ashamed. I don't even know why I feel ashamed of Brandon. I've never experienced such embarrassment from any man I've ever met!

I sat on the wooden chair. Manang Gina left me with Brandon in their living room because she said she was going to continue what she was doing. I insisted on helping him, but he did not agree. He said it would be better if Brandon and I just talked so we could get to know each other, so Johny was the only one who helped him with the preparations.

I can't help but hold my breath while scrolling through my phone. There is no signal there; that's why I can't open my social media. I couldn't talk to Brandon because I didn't want to disturb him while he was reading a book.

I was bored, so I just scrolled through my photos. I saw Braddy's picture there, so I sat up to look at Brandon again. Their faces are almost exactly the same. I don't see anything that they are not the same, even if the difference between the two of them is their hair style. Brandon's haircut is clean-cut, while Braddy's hair is quite long.

I put my phone on the camera to take a picture of Brandon. I want to show it to Lexy, because she doesn't want to believe that Braddy looks like this man in front of me. Later, I will show Johny the picture of Braddy so that he will also believe what I am saying.

It was as if I suddenly wanted to sink into my seat when the shutter of my phone rang when I finished pressing it. I just forgot to mute it! My eyes widened when Brandon looked at me, so I immediately focused my camera on something else.

"What's that?" he asked me with a frown.

"Huh?" I asked him back to pretend that I didn't know what he was asking.

"Did you take a picture of me?" he asked.

His question almost made my heart skip a beat, and my throat almost went dry. I didn't answer right away, but I shook my head at him.

"Let me see your phone," he said, then held out his hand.

I just looked at his hand with a frown and quickly moved my phone away from him.

"Why would I give my phone to you? Also, why would I take a picture of you?!" I answered him while continuing to deny.