Chapter 4 4

Natasha's Point of View:

On the second week of July, the flower shop is finally open, with Apollo helping to set up while I'm busy putting up signs in front to show that the shop has a promo today.

It's already 8:00 am, and when I saw Jacob, he mentioned that Shaira suddenly went home to their province. I asked why she left so abruptly, considering she just returned two weeks ago.

"Is the shop's color okay?" Apollo nods when I ask him. The shop is light blue with a subtle cloud design on the side, pleasing to my eyes. The tables are set, the flowers I worked hard on yesterday are arranged into bouquets and smell delightful. The coffee vending machine is ready for use, and I can make my own coffee with different flavors if they prefer.

"It looks good, refreshing to the eyes and clean," Apollo comments, and I can't help but smile. He's right. I see it too, and my heart is filled with joy because finally, I have my own business to earn from.

"Oh, a customer..." Four students enter the shop, looking at the menu near the counter.

"I want a black coffee today," the girl on the side says, her voice hinting at wealth. The leading girl is also beautiful and seems suspicious by her posture.

"Oh, Apollo?" Apollo just looks at her when she calls him. "I thought you liked Trixie. Why are you with another girl?"

"She's my friend, Samantha," I turn to look at Samantha, imagining how I could convince her to buy flowers. She exudes wealth, even her bag looks expensive.

"If I didn't know any better, you're just like Stanley."

"If you know anything, I don't care about your opinion." Apollo walks away, leaving Samantha behind, asserting himself over her beauty.

I approach her with a smile. "Are you ordering?" She looks at me, raising an eyebrow before nodding slightly.

"Can you give us four cappuccinos?"

"Mine's black, Samantha."

"I said cappuccino." Samantha repeats before smiling at me.

"Four cappuccinos, miss."

"Okay, five minutes." I walk to the counter, and there's Apollo already preparing cappuccino in four cups.

I help him, adding some ingredients before pouring hot water. I cover it quickly and place it on a tray to serve to the waiting students.

"Your shop isn't boring; it's cool," Samantha praises the place. She's actually my first customer. The opening is sure to be great if someone as wealthy as her leads.

"Keep the change." I stare at the thousand-peso bill she handed me; they leave with their cups.

One thousand? It's only forty pesos per cup. How rich.

"She's just showing off," I comment to Apollo as I watch their group from inside, thanks to the glass front.

"You know her?"

"Yes, and you should not trust that woman."

"Huh?"

"The other day, she bullied your friend, Shaira. And I know her secret; she ordered Sabrina to take pictures of Shaira and Noah kissing."

I pause, processing what he said. Shaira and Noah kissing? But how? Shaira doesn't even like Noah, and if anyone kissed, it would be Noah initiating.

"W-what do you mean kissing?"

"I don't have all the details, but Noah got beaten up by Jacob the other day. He's in America now."

I blink at what Apollo said. That flirt is in America?

We haven't seen each other for a few weeks. What is she doing in America?

"W-what is she doing in America?"

"Probably cooling off. You know, Jacob is too into Shaira. Every guy who looks at her is sure to be intimidated, even her cousin."

I sigh before looking away. If that's the case, Noah likes Shaira. It's not impossible, and besides, if I were Noah, I'd find someone else instead of getting involved with her.

"Surely there will be a good turnout in August here. Fatima's celebration starts on the first day of September. Students will likely come here to relax and unwind."

My thoughts about Noah fade as Apollo speaks again. That's what I'm thinking too. I hope they'll patronize this shop I built.

"And when I manage to save enough, I'll surely have my father's foot treated so he can walk again.

At ten o'clock, Apollo left. He skipped his class to accompany me briefly. I can handle things on my own; I'm not always swamped with customers, and sometimes only two are there simultaneously.

The shop was busy all day, but it was worth it as I earned something. I sat behind the counter, and suddenly the wind chimes at the door rang. I looked up, surprised to see Brandon touring the entire shop.

I stood up, and his eyes met mine before he approached. 'You've opened already,' he said. I nodded; he's my younger brother, second eldest.

We're close in age, but I'm five months older. Complicated, right? Our mother and his are pregnant at the same time. My confusion lies in the fact that my mother isn't the one with him now.

I'm the firstborn, yet it seems he chose Mother Helda.

'Passing by, need something?' I quickly asked, knowing their routine. They approach me and ask for what they want.

'Doreen is pregnant, sis.' I stared blankly at him. Pregnant girlfriend? Highly likely, considering he's the father.

'It's not impossible since you're living together.'

'But, sis, we've only been together for two months. I can't meet her parents' expectations.'

I avoided eye contact, upset. 'Do I need to deal with that, Brandon?' I glanced at him again, his pleading face turning into a fierce animal.

'You won't help me?'

'I've given you all the help, Brandon! I let you step into college, even though you often go back and forth. But now? You're about to graduate, and you're getting a girl pregnant!'

'Don't blame me if you won't help!' He glared at me angrily, and I felt bitter because they never appreciate my sacrifices.

They're the kind who can abuse me.

'You caused this mess; solve your own problems. Chloe is still studying. If you don't finish your education, you'll never get help from me.'

'Tsk, just because you've set up a business, you act all high and mighty! I'll tell everything to Mother; it can't be like this!'

He left after yelling at me. I can't believe his attitude. He fools around with a girl without any caution, and the news has it she's his classmate.

I touched my forehead. I left the shop and went to the side to bring down the metal shutter; it's night. It's very quiet, and even the neighboring computer shop and school supplies store are closed. I'm the only one eager for a peso.

That night, I'm alone again. This scenario has been going on for weeks, and it seems I've gotten used to being alone. Fortunately, I am strong in the Lord, and He never abandons me.

In the following days, flowers became a hit. Students often hang out in the coffee shop, which I allowed to have company. I decide to put wifi for my customers, and I earned more. Some customers purposely visit my shop to customize flowers.

When August arrived, it meant the rainy season. It was raining outside while some students were inside taking shelter. But when I focused on the outside door, I saw Shaira standing, letting the rain fall on her.

I quickly went out, worried about her. As I approached, I saw that some of her bags were wet.

'Oh my god, what happened to you?' She looked up at me, crying.

'My dad...'

'What? What happened to your dad?'

'He was arrested by the police, Jacob...'

She was crying, and I couldn't understand, so I let her in. I quickly went upstairs and found a towel, then hurried back down to wrap it around her.

'Thank you.' Her lips were trembling. I decided to make her coffee before asking her. I placed the hot coffee beside her while staring at her.

'Tell me, what happened?'

'My dad has a case. He was caught. He was arrested yesterday, and now he's in Muntinlupa.'"

"Shhh, calm down. Stop crying," I tried to comfort her, but she continued to cry like a child. Our customers glanced at us, seemingly eavesdropping, but when they saw me looking, they returned to their conversation.

"Take a rest for now; we'll talk about this tomorrow," I helped her stand as her body weakened. "Change upstairs," I fetched spare clothes, letting her change while closing the shop. Despite the awkwardness with some customers, I needed to attend to Shaira.

"Worry not, Natasha. I apologize for the inconvenience," she said.

"You're not a bother. If anyone is, I might just smack them," I sat beside her, readying two beds in case of unexpected visitors.

"I don't know where to start. I can't sleep because of what happened," she confessed.

"Tell me what happened," I encouraged, and she began to share a heavy story. Her father was arrested for killing Jacob's father.

"Oh my god," I muttered, shocked. "What did Jacob say?"

"He didn't fully break up; he wanted space, but next week is my dad's first hearing," she explained tearfully.

"Everything will be okay. I'll help you; we'll go to the hearing together," I assured her.

In the middle of the night, a commotion outside disrupted us. Someone was knocking and shouting.

Shaira woke up, and we went downstairs. I opened the door, annoyed at Noah for waking us up.

"Is Shaira here?" he asked.

"Yes, and she was resting until you showed up," I replied.

"How is she?" he inquired, revealing his concern for Shaira.

"She's asleep. What's it to you?" I retorted, feeling a strange irritation.

"Can she stay here?" he requested.

"Of course, that's what friends do," I replied, feeling unwanted as I noticed his concern for Shaira.

"Thank you," he said, and I couldn't help but feel annoyed again. Why did his presence affect me this way?

As he left, I couldn't shake the feeling of being unnoticed and unwanted.

"Why is your temper so hot towards me?" she asked, eyes fixed on my body as if wanting to see through my clothes.

"You really don't remember me?" she frowned. "I knew it, you're not worth talking to!" she raised her eyebrow before running her hand over my body.

"Oh, stop drooling over my body!"

"Who said you should go out just in panties?" I gave her a look. "This is the real me. I might sleep with just panties, and if it's too hot, I might even be completely naked."

"You seem to like it!"

"Not totally my taste, but it'll do."

"W-what!"

"I'm leaving, close the door and wear some shorts."

She left completely, headed to her car, disappearing quickly from my sight.

"Not my taste? What taste does she prefer?" I rolled my eyes before angrily closing the door.

She disrupted my night, and I hoped she wouldn't be on my mind until I fell asleep, or even show up in my dreams if I hadn't seen her.

Why did she have to appear again?

__

The following week, I helped Shaira attend the hearing. We were by her side, along with her sister. Her mother was watching over Mayumi, who had just undergone surgery and couldn't be present.

Alfred Santos, her father, pleaded guilty to the murder of Limuel Monteclaro. Tears filled the eyes of the two sisters as their father was sentenced to life imprisonment.

I could only support Shaira until the trial was over. Uncle Alfred had a conversation with Manuel Monteclaro, whom I got to know during the hearing when his name was mentioned. But one Monteclaro named Samuel didn't appear at the hearing.

I felt saddened by what happened. I let the father and son talk briefly before he was taken back to Muntinlupa. I regretted Jacob's relationship with him; he left without saying a word to Shaira.

She was consumed by anger, and it seemed like it would last until the end.

I sighed for the second time, facing the front door while waiting for them. It was quiet until reporters swarmed the door, almost knocking me over if someone hadn't pulled me back.

"Excuse me!"

"We just need an interview!"

"Is Alfred Santos still inside?"

Various questions echoed from the reporters, blocked by the police. But what couldn't escape my mind was the hand that embraced me.

"You really like blocking doors," Noah said before I pushed him away, my eyes narrowing before hitting him.

"Why do you have to touch my private parts!"

"It's an accident, Natasha," he said, leaving me stunned. This was the first time he mentioned my name. But for him, it seemed like nothing, even as I struggled to get up, surprised that he had spoken my name for the first time.

"Tsk..." He turned his gaze to the reporters, while I couldn't forget the contact between our bodies. Did he really not remember me?

Why can't I move on from that moment?

"You'd be beautiful if you weren't so sulky."

If I could faint, I would have, but after I responded, he turned his back and left me speechless.