Chapter 3 3

"I'm sorry for the years that we've lost."

Here we are today on the balcony talking seriously. Even though we are close to each other, I still feel that there is a wall blocking us.

"I-it's okay," I should be the one saying sorry.

All my life, this is the first time I've felt intimidated. I glanced at him; Aunt Sarra was right. I got my eyes on him, and I bit my cheeks inside, stopping myself from crying. It's just fulfilling that I've inherited some features from him.

I want to brag my success on him, but I'm ashamed because our topic is far from my medals and awards. Suddenly the question I wanted to answer and hear from his mouth sank into my brain.

I sighed. "A-Am I a product of a one-night stand?" it's like I want to withdraw my question when our eyes meet.

I'm chickening out!

He smirked and loosened his necktie.

"Yes, I won't lie about that," he replied with a bow; he didn't hesitate to answer. "Me and Jul-"

He didn't finish what he would say because my Aunt suddenly came with a tray.

"Sorry to interrupt." She smiled at me sweetly. "I brought coffee and juice, Abel said you like dark coffee, so I made one." She explained as she put the drink on the table. I thought she was leaving; instead, she sat down on the other sofa.

"Oh, Cain, don't you ever hurt my niece-"

"Aunt." I gently rebuked.

Papa and I looked back and forth. He's my father, so maybe it's okay for me to call him that? My Aunt ignored my rebuke.

"Jasmine must be happy wherever she is! Finally, her child and her father met." Then she clapped like a child. Only now have I seen her energetic side.

"Yeah, Jasmine..." Dad said.

Annoying! If she didn't show up like a mushroom, my question would have been answered. Somehow it seems like she and Aunt Sarra are exaggerating right now.

"Uh..." Aunt shifted her eyes to me. "Psalm, why not invite your father on your special day?"

I bent down and closed my eyes firmly. I was making my move right here, but Aunt was constantly intruding.

"Special day? Your Birthday?" Dad asked, confused. I laughed, he didn't know much about my life.

"It's not my birthday... It's my graduation day." I replied shyly and handed him the invitation. It was not meant for him; it was for Aunt Juliette. But now that he's here, he can have it.

He smiled, and it melted my heart.

A simple gesture, but I don't know why I feel this way. Now that he is here, all my anger and hatred seem to have melted away, but I have lost my anger for him since I learned everything from my Aunt and Aunt Sarra. But the rage for my mother is still here in my heart, and I think no one can erase that.

"I haven't received anything like this from your siblings," he said as he put the invitation on his coat, it was so small that it fit in his coat pocket.

He didn't read, so he didn't know I was valedictorian. I want to tell him, but I won't; I'll let him find out himself.

"I have brothers? How many?" I asked happily as I remembered what he had said earlier.

"Three." I can't help but be amazed; I've always wanted a brother, though; even if Henry is there (he looks like my older brother to me), it's still different when it's your real brother.

I nodded at his answer. I have three brothers. Great!

He cleared his throat. "Can you please leave us for a while, Juliette? I just want to talk to your niece." then he smirked.

Aunt shook her head first before she stood up. I was stunned as she slightly messed up my hair and then softly tapped it thrice.

"When I got a perfect time, Psalm, I'll introduce my world to you," he smiled slightly.

I bowed down, a daughter like me who is longing for her father's love and care; a simple gesture means a thousand for us.

I nodded happily. "I'll wait for that perfect time."

"I'm sorry for being rude, but It's getting late, Cain; we need to go home," suddenly, a man like him appeared in business attire. My father is an inch higher than him, and well, he got this calm aura.

Even if I got hung up on our time, he had to go home; we weren't his home. I left on the balcony along with me because they went inside again. I was about to let go of my tears when Henry's friend suddenly came out. He calmly sat down where my dad was sitting earlier.

I immediately wiped away the lingering tears and gave him an irritated face. The side of his lips raised, then he arched his brows, and I arched mine too. We stared at each other no one wanted to let go. I guess he has a connection with the man later ago. He got a calm aura too, and some delicate features.

He suddenly winked as if my eyes were burned because of it; the tension between the two of us got stopped because of that.

"I won," he concluded, and sarcasm in his tone.

"I won," I mocked, then rolled my eyes. "What are you doing here in my territory?" I asked him a vexed question.

"I didn't question you like that when you were in my territory," he said gently.

"You don't own that school, so you don't-"

"You don't own this house, too," Then he shrugged.

I cursed silently; I stared at him. I don't want to ruin my father's impression of me, so I'm holding myself back from cursing him loudly. My gaze flew to the paper bag he was holding. It's my paper bag! Didn't he give it to Henry?

"Why is that still yours? You didn't gave it to Henry?" I couldn't help but lash out while looking at the paper bag.

Immediately his eyebrows rose. "You're so judgmental. Stop that," he calmly shook his head.

I was silenced by what he said. "Then stop pestering my life-"

"Am I?" he smiled evilly. "Then I will be the pest in your life forever."

"Seriously?! I won't let our paths cross again." I was immediately alert.

I will not let such a person like him enter in my life; I cannot quickly move on! Every word of who is stamping on my brain will distract me from studying. I haven't even forgotten how he teased me before!

"You should blame our destiny-"

"The fuck, what the hell are you talking about!" I smirked, disgusted at the words he used!

Our Destiny? Cringe!

"Up to you," he said and shrugged. He's pouting, and he means it!

"Such a boastful driver," I teased.

His jaw clenched. "You're hurting my ego too much, Psalm. First rapist, second thief, and then now a freaking driver?" he asked in disbelief.

Bingo! I got him! I rolled my eyes at him and ignored him. I was ready to leave him when someone suddenly came; Aunt Sarra, what is she doing here?

She leaned against the door; her stance was kind of seducing someone?! I turned to Anzai (the name I had heard before). He's standing now; he averted his eyes. I returned my gaze to Aunt Sarra.

"Old carabao eats young grass," I commented in a disgusting tone.

I turned my back on them.

A few minutes passed before whatever Aunt and dad were talking about ended. Auntie let me take them; of course, Aunt Sarra didn't stop there in annoying me. When we were at the gate, I realized that they had carried two cars.

"Anzai, let's go," said Dad's friend; he smiled when our gaze met.

"Yes, dad," Anzai emphatic answered and followed the man. So that's his dad?

Anzai's jaw clenched again; I just sighed and didn't bother to look back at him. I happily confronted my father, who was now pulling something out of his wallet. He handed me a black ATM card, but I immediately refused.

"No, I don't need that..." I shyly refused.

"No. Take this, Psalm, it's your allowance-"

I have no choice but to accept the card.

"Take care..." I reminded them before he opened the car door; he nodded at what I said and then hopped in.

I waved, hoping he might see the fun on my face now. I just couldn't handle my feelings. My emotions are mixed now, happy because I saw and met him, sad because we are separated again.

Why the time right now is so fast?

"I'm going to buy condiments tomorrow!" I turned to Aunt Sarra, who was now checking the atm card that my dad gave to me. She giggled. "How much money does this card hold?"

I crossed my arms. "You think much?" I smirked. "Is that enough for you to buy jewelry?" She immediately frowned at my mockery.

She rolled her eyes. "Even if I buy the whole jewelry shop, it's just a coin for them! Don't get in the mood, Psalm Bernice! You really inherited your mother's attitude!" she said and smiled, then stormed into the house.

I sighed violently. A lot happened today and all that I did not expect.

The next day was quite okay? I spent my whole day shopping. I'm not into fashion; only Aunt Sarra insisted that we do this for my graduation, even though I had already a dress to wear for that event. Auntie is not with me because she's at work.

It was a long day because I was not the only one shopping but also Aunt Sarra! She bought some stuff for herself! When I couldn't contain the boredness anymore, I snatched the ATM card from Aunt Sarra's hand. She didn't notice it out of excitement because she was once again with her whims!

I went straight to a bookstore. I was devastated, yes, my father had a lot of money, but he might say I was abusing him! I took a deep breath and then sighed; this would be the last. I'll buy my favorite book.

"Gotcha!" I whispered when I saw the book. I was returning here again.

This book is about Engineering, and I'm pretty interested. This book was also costly, so I didn't buy it right away; I even saved money for this.

I would have put the book in the basket I brought when someone suddenly snatched it. I almost sneered when I saw who it was! Him again! Anzai looks good in black jeans (and because of his height the edge of the jeans only up to his ankle), matching them with a blue striped tee, his grin will not disappear there.

"I found this first, so it's mine," I said emphatically and grinned.

He smirked. "I like this book," he said and pulled the book closer to him. "And I own this store."

I sneezed, tightening my grip on the book, and so did he. Gosh! How can I get rid of this man?! This jerk!

I also pulled the book closer to me. "Since when?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

He pulled out the book again. "Right now, I guess?"

I pulled out the book again. "Shut up!"

He pulled the book again, and because of that force, I hit his chest. My eyes widened at what he did-stunned, probably. The people inside this store are gasping. I immediately stepped away from him, as if I was getting burned!

I glared at him when I saw that he held the book we had snatched earlier. He snorted as he examined the book slightly crumpled.

"There's a lot else out there about Engineering-"

"This is what I want." He spoke calmly and shrugged. "I'm gonna buy this store anyway." He looked around the entire store.

Wow! Wow! Over and over again? Is he insulting me? He is rich, and he can buy everything he wants! There are so many books out there! I worked hard to save for this!

"Asshole." I cursed. "You're an architect, so why are you taking that book away from me?!"

As far as I know, he's Henry's block mate.

"Why? Are you going to take engineering? Or..." his brow arched. "An Engineer?"

"I love Engineering, but I don't like male engineers," I crossed my arms. "They know how to build a strong building but don't know how to build a strong relationship." Bitterness escaped from my mouth

"Is it a quote?" I answered him a rolled my eyes. "How about Architect? Aren't you interested in them?"

"You mean, you're just changing the subject! Give me the book-"

"Let go of the book, Psalm."

I frowned at my Aunt, who was now in the middle of us.

She's wearing corporate attire. And behind her was Aunt Sarra giggling as she examined her ring.

"What are you doing here, Auntie?"

She ignored my question and handed me a new set of books. My brows furrowed when I saw what was written on the book cover. What did she mean by that? It's a book about Pre-Med.

"What's that?"

"A book, I guess?" the sarcasm in her voice lingered.

I heard Anzai squeal. My jaw clenched; sometimes, there were things that my Aunt and I couldn't agree on some things. It can't be avoided.

"Why are you giving me that, then?"

She smiled sweetly. "Because you'll gonna be a doctor soon, honey." Her soft answer made me angry.

"It's a good course-"

I immediately confronted him. I'm so pissed right now!

"Don't meddle with my..." I'll call this a mess!

I never finished my sentenced and turned my back on them. I passed on Anzai, and our shoulders collided slightly. I don't want to stay there long because I don't want to lash out in a public place if I am.