Chapter 5 5- The Encounter

''When do you think our son will have a girlfriend?'' I asked my husband Noah, but he just smirked at me. I raised my eyebrows at him.

''How would I know about our son, Shane? Maybe when pigs fly.'' He laughed at me, and I playfully rolled my eyes at him.

''You're really something, Noah.''

''Well, from the beginning, Austin hasn't been serious with any of his past girlfriends.'' I said seriously to my wife Shane. Now she's staring at me and slowly pinching my ears.

''In time, Noah. Our son will improve when struck by Cupid's arrow.'' I said seriously and started slicing the ingredients for the Caldereta we're cooking for Austin.

''When will that happen, Shane?'' Noah sighed before speaking again.

I checked my watch to see what time it is. The time check shows it's already 8:59 pm in the evening. Wow, I've been standing here for two hours waiting for a taxi. My gosh, Kathlia, prepare yourself when you get home because Max will surely scold you. I just hope someone kind-hearted will offer me a ride.

Austin's pov...

I'm already outside the school gate and saw a girl standing outside, waiting for a ride. I wonder why she decided to commute; she probably knows it's hard to find a ride here. Most students in this school have their own cars because there aren't many passing vehicles in Blue Valley.

End of Second Point of View:

''Manang, I'll be in the garden for a while.''

''Okay, Sir Max.''

I decided to invite her to ride with me for her safety. I hope she'll accept and I can safely take her home.

''Hey! Need a ride?'' She's just staring at me, contemplating whether to accept or not.

''Hey! I'm not going to harm you. I just wanted to offer you a ride because I'm heading home too.'' I said to her. I wish she could see how handsome I am; she'd surely accept right away.

Oh! How did she know what I was thinking? Is she a mind reader?

''Okay, I'll go. Take care here. There are still many rapists nowadays.'' I tried to scare her. I was about to leave after starting my car, but she suddenly spoke.

She was hesitant to accept at first, but her fear of being attacked made her decide quickly. I opened the door for her, and she sat down. I gave her our home address.

''You had to scare me to get me to ride?'' I seriously told her. If she could see how handsome I am, she would have accepted right away.

''Okay, I'm leaving. Take care here. Many rapists nowadays.'' I tried to scare her, but she laughed at me. Oh!

''Stop laughing! Nothing's funny.'' I shouted at the guy in the hoodie.

''Hey--''

''Yes?''

''Can I ask for a favor?''

''What?''

''Can you please take off your hood and mask?'' I asked, scared because I can't see his face; it's covered by a hood and mask. I'm afraid of what he might do to me.

''Well, if I take off my hood and mask, you might find me attractive. You might even decide not to go home and just come with me to our house.'' He said with a smile, teasing me. He even outsmarted Tristan in flirting.

''Oh! It's windy. Oh, it's cold.'' I said.

''You'll really get cold. The air conditioner in this car is on.'' Wow! This guy is really a tease. He beat me in this conversation. So, I just kept quiet and fell asleep.

''Okay, you don't have to remove it. I'll take a nap for a while, wake me up when we arrive at the address I gave you. Thank you. You're truly heaven-sent.''

'Wow, huh! Am I an angel?'' The guy in a hoodie weakly exclaimed.

''Ugh! I'll just take a nap for a while.'' I told him.

''Sure, take a nap there. I'll wake you up later when we're at your place.'' I said to the girl in my car.

Max's pov...

I'm by the pool near our gate, waiting for Kathlia to come home. It's already 10 o'clock at night, and she was supposed to be home by 7. I didn't plan to go to her school or pick her up wherever she is. But damn it! I hate her for hanging out with my friend Tristan.

''By the way, why did you bring me here, Ziggy?'' I asked him, genuinely curious as he stared outside from his terrace.

''Nothing, I just wanted to let you know.''

''About what?'' I inquired.

''It's about Mom and Dad.''

''And?'' I wasn't interested as Tristan and I watched movies on their wide sofa.

''They arranged me to be with Elana again.'' Ziggy blurted out while standing by the window overlooking beautiful buildings.

''What's the problem, Ziggy? Don't you like that? You might have a second chance with Elana.'' Tristan said seriously. I sat closer to them.

''No way! I don't like that girl. I don't like nerdy girls like Elana.'' Ziggy said with a disgusted look. I adjusted my seat and faced him.

''Even if she's a nerd, and you don't like her, you can't do anything about it if your parents decide for you, Ziggy.''

''Nope- I'll find a way. I won't let Mom and Dad's plan happen, so Max, you have to help me.''

''Why don't you try to love Elana? She seems nice.'' I suggested to Ziggy, but he was stubborn when it came to girls.

''Nice, maybe... But not pretty.'' I sighed and scratched my head while saying this to Tristan.

''Come on, Ziggy, if you keep insulting Elana, it's like she's the ugliest girl ever. Be careful! You might get hit by karma. Then one day, you'll wake up and find yourself liking her.'' I said, pointing at Ziggy. But he just rolled his eyes as if he didn't care about karma.

''Do you hear the things you're saying, Tristan?''

''Of course, because I'm not deaf, and I'm the one who told you that.'' I replied to Ziggy, who was now busy scrolling on his phone.

''I'll never like that girl, mark my words!'' I shouted at Tristan.

''Hey! Wake up! We're already at your house.'' I told the girl still asleep.

''Hey, wake up! Get up already.'' I said again to the girl still asleep.