Chapter 6 (Part 1)

Advice

That same day, we went to a restaurant to eat. Even lunch we didn’t miss and we quarreled in the face of grace. After all, he just notices everything and opposes my every move.

“Thalia, I will pay for our lunch and I am not suffering either but why did you order more vegetables? I wish I had just taken you to a restaurant with no vegetables served! ” He said seriously with a frown.

I don't know if I will laugh at his reaction because he is very serious while what he says is funny or I will be embarrassed because he is kind. It’s like I bruised his ego once again. I don't think it's because this asungot is saving his women. After all, is unico hijo the son of one of the richest families in the Philippines? All her girls ’whims and caprices would be gladly acknowledged and given to them. I was just shaken by the thought.

Eventually I struggled and got bored. “Would you mind your own business? Consecutive nights with a grand dinner at home! I’m on a diet right now! ” I said irritably, refraining from screaming because it was embarrassing to other eaters.

I’m very conscious with my figure, my looks. I always go to the gym or if I don't have time I just workout at home. As for what I ate, I was also careful. I also always visit my dermatologist regularly and I also buy salons. For me, physical appearance is an asset for a woman (for Aldrin to notice) though I know that one should also have a good heart to be called ‘beautiful’. I don't know why but because of my consciousness, my body is somehow well -shaped along with my average height.

He burst out laughing even more that my eyebrows met.

“Diet? Oh come on, Thalia. You don’t need it. You’re petite already. ” He said sarcastically.

Anger burned inside me. How dare him call me petite ?! Everyone says my body is beautiful and just now I was told I was skinny! And he actually said it, huh?

"How dare you!"

I was about to hit him but he caught my wrist. “Just kidding. I know you have a good body, a body that would past my standards. ” He said and looked down at my chest with a whistle.

My cheeks got hot. I struggled with his grip and covered his chest. "Pervert!"

Gosh! I can’t take his words! He’s wild! How about in bed? Argh!

He laughed and shook his head.

Even when we were eating, we didn't argue for a second. Embarrassing to eat.

I don’t really think I’ll be at peace every time I’m with this ‘person’.

During the week, Aldrin did not go home either. I don't have his contact number and I have no intention of calling him. I have no plans to go to their house and ask him out on a date. I still have a little bit of embarrassment left to myself when it comes to him. Later, her parents thought I was too desperate, but didn't they? I'm also not upset about Aldrin's failure to comply with the conversation because first of all, I'm the one who insists and even if that's the rule, I don't want to demand from him. I like him so I will adjust. I hope he's just busy and I'm not Indian by accident.

It's good that Jared didn't go out last week either. He said goodbye to car racing. I don’t know if that’s true or he’s just an excuse to date another woman. I don’t care, though. He doesn’t need to lie to me about him dating other girls because I know him and I’m very fine with it. Don’t just let Aldrin be like that.

When it was Monday and I was on my way to the dining area for breakfast I could hear loud laughter from where I was standing at the table.

I went there and frowned when I saw Jared at the table, with my whole family.

I don’t understand him. Their chain of hotels has the best chefs and he’s here dining with us? E wherever you go in the corner of Manila, they have a hotel plus their hotels outside the city! He’s really putting so much effort on trying to get me, huh? He was just sorry and I was even more irritated.

Daddy turned to me. “Oh! It's good that you're down. Jared has been here before, he will take you. ”

My eyes rolled and when I recovered I looked badly at Jared. What is this gimmick? He's even conspiring with my family!

He just raised an eyebrow.

"Ate, sit down," Daphne glared at me because I was secretly staring at the visitor.

Jared stood up and pulled up the chair so I could sit down.

I looked at him badly again but he just raised an eyebrow.

"What are you doing?" Whispering but emphatically I question.

"Taking care of my mate," He smiled and said loudly that everyone heard.

My cheeks got hot. I don’t even think it’s embarrassing and even managed to sneeze in front of my family, damn it!

They were stunned and Jared confidently returned to his seat, in front of me.

When she recovered, mommy giggled. “That’s too sweet of you, Jared. You always remind me of your uncle Joseph back then. I’m sure you’ll be a good husband. What do you think, hija? ” She glanced at me.

"Mom!" I'm ready.

Stop praising this man or he’ll boast it to me later!

He just laughed. “Don’t worry, son. I’m sure my daughter is moved by your actions, ”

I was stunned by what mommy said and stared at her sharply. What the hell, mom?

Jared laughed. "I hope so, tita." He said then turned to me with a smile.

After breakfast, half of them were teasing us and half of them were talking about business. Jared joins the conversation while Daphne and I are just quiet, can’t relate yet.

"Brother Jared, I'll just send our driver." Daphne when we were out of the house.

I turned to him.

“Huh? It’s okay, Daphne. Come with us. ” Jared.

“Of course. Let's work together to scratch his car. ” I intruded.

He was shaken. “No. You guys take your time. Don’t want to be a third wheel. I’ll go now. Bye ate, ”She kissed my cheek. "Brother…" He turned to Jared.

My jaw dropped. Am I right in suspecting that my brother will betray me to this ‘idiot’? He has never done this to Aldrin before!

“All right, Daph. Be careful, ”he said.

Smiling Jared turned to me.

“You heard that, Thalia? Your sister wants us to take our time, ”

I glared at him. “Tse! Let's go! ” I said and walked towards the car.

He opened the door for me.

Part 2

On the way to school we still couldn't stop arguing.

“I hate you! Because of you, I didn’t greet Aldrin on Saturday! ”

“Tss. She's not welcome, Thalia. ”

“Excuse me? You're just jealous of him because he's good at basketball! ”

He turned to me while driving and looked at me seriously. I just raised an eyebrow.

“Real boys don’t only play basketball, Thalia. They also do car racing, ”he said calmly.

When we arrived at school I hurriedly got out of his car, worried that someone might see us together. I don’t want them to think that I finally gave into him.

He raised an eyebrow when he noticed what I had done.

“I-I don’t want anyone to see us together,” I said shyly.

“Come on, Thalia. They saw us on Saturday. I even told your friend that we’re dating. It’s useless to hide and deny it because I’ll really make it obvious. ”

My eyes widened. “Are you crazy? Not allowed!"

He laughed and approached me. He lifted my chin and we looked at each other. My heart thud. “Don’t tell me you’re embarrassing me? You should be proud that I’m dating you, baby, ”

My forehead furrowed and he removed his hand from my chin. "Your arrogance!"

He laughed out loud which made me even more annoyed.

"I don't know about you, Arevalo!" I walked out and walked over to the inside of the campus.

“Hey, baby, wait! I'll take your things! We’re dating, remember? ” He shouted so everyone around looked at us.

I close my eyes in annoyance. You can't really ask for this!

"Don't follow me!" I shouted at him even in the corridors he was tailing me.

"Maybe you forgot I'm also a business ad student and this is also my building?"

I think sharply turned to him. “Don’t tail me! You should be walking meters away from me! ”

“Why? Is that what I’m going through with you? ”

I think the nerves in my head are going to burst. Gosh! I think I'll grow old sooner when it haunts me every day! What happens to my tortures with him and why do I still seem to be struggling?

"I hate you!"

“Woah, woah, woah! It’s still early in the morning and you’re fighting with your fiancée, Mare? ” Brent said sarcastically that suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

I looked at him sharply. “Can I, Brent? He’s not my fiancée, and will never be, ”

Brent burst out laughing.

"That hurts, Miss." Jared whispered.

"Hi, Jared," my friend greeted warmly.

“Hi. Brent, can you guard your friend for me? Don't let them meet Aldrin, okay? I gotta go, ”He winked at me then left.

My jaw dropped.

When he got away Brent let out a resounding scream. “Mare, I hate you! I’ve been fantasizing about him for years now and then it’s just you? I can’t believe this! ”

I shot him a sharp stare. “As if I really want to, Brent! If only he could ask you, eh! ”

He laughed. “I’d gladly accept him, mare! You know, you should be thankful! Everyone dreams to be with him! I just don't really know what's in your brain and you can't appreciate it! ”

When I told Brent the concept of modern arranged marriage that we both didn’t know and Jared was the ‘other mate’ he almost forgot that Aldrin was also there if he was thrilled.

“Can you tell me why would I appreciate a playboy dating me? It’s like I’m one of his girls, Brent! ” I said as if disgusted to turn to his women.

He laughed crispily. “Uh-huh. You know that playboys don’t go serious, right? They just want flings. And a good-looking playboy like him doesn’t need to persuade girls to flirt with him, they will flock to him without doing effort! He would just buy which of them he would fling. But looking at how he efforts for you, ”he paused and scanned me from head to foot. “Gosh, that’s different, mare! Heaven will be ruined when the playboy is proven to be serious with the person who still doesn't like him! ”

I just shook my head. It’s impossible. Even though Jared is handsome it’s impossible that he doesn’t make an effort especially with beautiful women to get them… or get to bed. How can he be called a playboy if he doesn't know how to dance? Come on, Brent.

“I don’t know about you! Wait for me here, I'm just cr. ” I said and headed to the nearby cr.

I just ignored what he said because it wasn’t really convincing. An Arevalo not making effort to get girls? You’ve got to be kidding me. That's any other man.

When I came out of the cubicle I looked in the large mirror there and adjusted my face. While applying the powder, someone came out of the other cubicle and also went next to me to retouch.

"I heard you're going out with Jared,"

I turned to the woman's reflection in the mirror. I recognized that as Krisha, one of the flings I saw of Jared back then who was a third year tourism student.

I simply put him head-to-foot. She has a model-like body. The one that suits Jared’s ‘standards’. Like me his skin is also pale and of the right height. She is also beautiful and if I just didn't know that she raped that idiot I would have idolized her.

She laughed gently when I didn’t answer her question. “Thalia Ysabel Villegas, the only woman who hasn’t given up on Jared. That everyone knows who hates Jared so much. I didn't know that he was weak and would give, ”She mocked.

My brows furrowed. I can’t blame everyone for thinking that way. They don’t know my situation and I won’t bother to tell everyone about it. It’s up to them to think what they want to think. They’re all just a waste of my precious time. Like this one who just concludes everything. It’s that Arevalo’s fault! I told him to keep this a secret but he just won’t. Damn him!

I just shrugged and ignored him. She’s talking nonsense.

“Well, I can’t blame you. Jared is just so breathtaking. He will take you to heaven in no time, ”

I was stunned by his vulgar remarks and confronted him. Isn't he delicate and is he really proud of me that he put him to bed then?

“Oops, sorry, just slipped. I just can’t move on to that one precious moment in their hotel. I’m just saying, he’s good in bed. It's so fierce, "he said.

My cheeks got hot. This girl is a whore! Shameless! As if I would be affected by what he says!

“So I advice, you better be good in bed, too. He might get bored of you soon, darling. ” He said and passed me to get out of the cr.

My jaw dropped at what he said and when I recovered I just laughed. She’s even boasting it, huh? Shame on her! She even gave me an advice. I'd rather die than go to bed with Jared! Damn you, man! Your girls are now starting to pester me!

I felt a little annoyed with Jared and I can’t explain that. How dare him say that he's attracted to me when he's this jerk? He has no right to say he is attracted if it is not true! Playboy galaxies!