Chapter 9 You're not her boyfriend either!

I laid out on the table the snacks brought by Marcus, next to the large box of imported chocolates that Martin brought. My emotions were all over the place now. I wish it were one at a time, not all at once. I don't know how to act normally with this mix of feelings. The two of them were left in the living room with Marcus's friend Niloy and my brother Leroy. I wanted to peek at them, but I hesitated whenever I thought about what I might encounter.

Weird. I threw the hanging dishcloth from my shoulder onto the chair. I looked around because I didn't know what to prioritize. Should I have juice first or bread? I'm not even sure if we have any in stock.

I paused.

I opened the refrigerator and checked its contents. "It's hard when you're not prepared... sigh!" I bit my lip due to the pressure I felt. I saw a pitcher of water, took it, and closed the fridge. I also grabbed a sachet of orange juice. First step, juice. I placed it on the table and started to mix it. I also took some plates, opened and sliced the snacks. I sprinkled coconut on them too. As I was finishing, Grandma entered the kitchen. She was smiling, her face radiant. She stood beside me and arranged the dishes slightly.

"Dear, why don't you go out and attend to those young men? I'll take care of this, go on." I smiled gently, took the tray, and arranged the plates. "Sure, Grandma. I'll just bring this out." I saw Grandma take some glasses and pour juice.

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

That's what I did before leaving the kitchen with the tray of snacks. I knew my hands were a bit shaky, and I still felt nervous. But I hid it with all my might and tried to make everything seem normal. I got this!

Marcus and Martin looked up at me simultaneously. I got nervous; the anxiety in my chest was thunderous with the two pairs of eyes staring at me. I cleared my throat and walked closer. The two of them were seated on our small sofa, while Leroy and Niloy were on facing single sofas. Marcus immediately stood up and took the tray I was holding. I slightly recoiled as our skins touched, as if an electric current ran through me, and his fragrant scent enveloped me, almost melting the anxiety that gripped me. He didn't speak as he took what I brought, as if it were just a normal thing he did at our house.

"H-have snacks. Martin, Niloy.. Marcus.." I still found it hard to look at him. He was standing next to me, looking at me. I couldn't handle the way he was touching my heart with his gaze. And it's frustrating! I should be angry with him for not reaching out for so long, but damn, I couldn't feel the irritation I had earlier. I just saw him, and I melted. It's even more frustrating because Martin is here; I can't express my true feelings. So, it's better not to look at him.

I took a plate and handed it to Martin. He took it with a smile, "Thank you, Claudia." I smiled back.

I also handed a plate to Niloy, who seemed to be waiting for what he would do next. I shrugged it off and turned to my brother to feed him. I stopped abruptly when Marcus was the only one I hadn't given a plate to.

What now, Claudia? I gulped. Why am I like this?

I glanced at him briefly. He was looking at me while his hands were in his pockets. "D-Do you want to eat too, Marcus?" He didn't answer. Did he want me to give it to him? Damn, he's being so indifferent. I took a deep breath. I approached Martin, sat in the vacated seat next to Marcus's, and took a deep sip of juice. It calmed me down a bit.

"Sorry for the sudden visit, Claudia."

I looked at Martin while taking a sip, then smiled. "It's okay! It's not that late yet. Your timing is perfect because I just got home too." I glanced briefly at Niloy, who seemed to be almost done eating. He looked in a hurry.

"I know. I just... really wanted to see you." He chuckled slightly. I hesitated to smile. I'm not used to this kind of attention. He looked at me, and I felt self-conscious. I took another sip of juice to divert my feelings. "How was your day? I mean, your project. Maybe I can lend you a hand." He said, putting the empty plate on the table without finishing its contents. He drank juice while looking at me, waiting for my answer.

"Uh, it's about our research subject. It's not that critical yet, and my groupmates are cooperating. Do you remember Zera and April, the ones I introduced to you?" He nodded and smiled, "They're my groupmates."

"I see."

"But when we need help, I'll be the first one to approach you, okay? You offered, after all," I teased him.

"I'm always willing, with open arms and...heart for you," he joked.

I think I paused at that small banter. My cheeks warmed up, and I suddenly felt shy. I looked at Niloy, who seemed to have choked or coughed. I helped him reach his glass of juice. "Are you okay?" I asked.

He raised his eyebrows while hurriedly taking a sip. After a deep breath, he spoke, "Yeah, I'm okay. Just choked. Hehe." He smiled as if to assure me that he was fine. "Wait, where's the boss? He's being left behind! Just a moment, let me check." Then he stood up. I watched him head towards the kitchen.

"Really, bossing?" Niloy entered the kitchen.

"Is he also courting you?" Martin immediately asked me.

"Who, Niloy?"

Martin pursed his lips, his face serious. The warmth in his expression slightly faded. "No. The other guy named Marcus," he stared at me.

My lips parted, and my chest suddenly throbbed. I couldn't come up with a suitable answer. "Marcus? No..." I even shook my head. "He's not courting me. We're just close friends. He just showed up again now, tss..." My irritation resurfaced as I remembered.

"Maybe he's not telling you yet," he said softly.

"Huh?"

He smiled and shrugged as if realizing something. "Earlier, when I arrived, he looked at me as if he wanted to devour me alive. The way he looked at me, it was a death stare." Then he laughed. I didn't know if it was a joke or if he really understood. I saw that look Marcus gave him, but I thought Martin didn't notice. I was wrong. He seemed to understand the meaning better than I did.

"Sorry about that. That's just how he is. But it's nothing." I assumed.

He grinned. "I knew what he meant by that stare." He chuckled.

I tightened my grip on my glass, and my heart seemed to leap out of my chest. We locked eyes, and it felt like he was trying to convey something he saw in me. It was interrupted by a sound in front of us, and we both turned to where the noise came from.

It was Niloy, smiling, and behind him, Marcus, with a face darker than an impending storm, his eyebrows furrowed as if angry.

"Oh, Claudia, I'll go ahead. I'll just check on my buddies at the site hehe..." I just nodded at him, and then he looked at Marcus. "Bossing, I'll go ahead. Do well, okay." They even high-fived each other as if they had plans.

I stood up to escort Niloy to the door. "Take care, Niloy."

"Thanks for the snack!" he shouted as he went outside. I smiled and nodded. When I returned to the living room, Marcus was already sitting in the chair Niloy left. He leaned back and remained silent. Both he and Martin were quiet.

The atmosphere seemed to have become heavy. I noticed that Leroy still held the guitar Marcus used earlier. "Leroy, isn't that Niloy's?"

"I'll take care of it. Just use it, Leroy," Marcus said coolly. I just nodded and went back to my seat.

I felt like I was caught between colliding walls. I took the juice glass again and drank.

"Do you have someone to accompany you when you go to and come from the college?" Marcus asked suddenly. His voice was firm and deep, resonating in a way that made my flesh tingle and my heart race.

"I-I'm being escorted by Martin," I replied. He shifted his gaze to the side of me. His face had no emotion-no smile-and I couldn't read anything from his expression.

"Starting next Monday, I'll pick you up and drop you off again," he stated. He didn't ask for permission or inquire. It was a clear statement. I heard Martin chuckle.

"Shouldn't you ask Claudia first if she wants to?" Martin suggested.

I swallowed hard at the sudden change in Martin's tone. Marcus furrowed his brow.

"I've been doing that for a while now. I even informed your grandmother about it, Claudia."

I looked at him. He was really confident.

"But I insist. I'll be the one to pick her up. It's already scheduled."

I wanted to protest because I knew he was also busy with his work, but Marcus beat me to it.

"Don't bother, bro. Claudia is more comfortable with me. Just go to work, and we might inconvenience you."

"Claudia isn't an inconvenience to me, not at all. And besides, I'm courting her, so it's natural for me to do that," he said proudly.

I became even more uneasy. This conversation is making me uncomfortable.

"You just said you're still in the courting phase, so give her some space."

"Marcus..." I called out to him. There was a different emphasis in Marcus's words, and I was starting to worry.

"Whatever I'm doing is part of the courtship. I like her, that's why I'm doing everything to make her feel safe. What about you, what are you to her?" Martin challenged in his voice.

Marcus clenched his jaw, and his lips tightened. "You don't need to know. It's between us," he said with a smirk. I looked at Marcus, and he looked back at me. He grinned at me, so I shot him a glare.

"Martin, I'm also worried that your work might be compromised by picking me up at college. I can come home on my own. It's okay if you don't come..." I calmly explained to him. That's really true.

His face softened as he looked at me. He smiled. "It's not a problem for me, Claudia. I just want to make sure you get home safely. I'll be reassured if I do that."

"But you're not her boyfriend. You have no obligation."

I saw the sharp look Martin gave Marcus. "You're not her boyfriend either, so don't be picky, bro."

They stared at each other. Those sharp looks, if looks could kill, both of them would be lying on the floor. I needed to make a decision. Because if their conversation was the basis, they would end up fighting. I cleared my throat. "Leroy, give the guitar to Marcus. He's going home now." I ordered him, and he immediately looked up at the two.

Leroy seemed slightly surprised when I called him, but later, it seemed like he was going to protest before reluctantly handing the guitar back. "Thank you, brother," he scratched his head and took the plate and glass used towards the kitchen.

I looked at Marcus, who was now staring at me intensely. "Go home, Marcus. Thanks for the pasalubong. Let's talk later," I said in a cool tone. This was the only way I knew to separate the two.

"C-Claudia..." he responded in surprise.

"Please, Marcus..." I pleaded softly. I avoided looking at him. I couldn't handle his deep gaze. I didn't want to push him away, but there would be no resolution if he argued with Martin. I felt his temper rising since earlier, and I couldn't understand it.

Several seconds passed before he sighed and stood up. He took the guitar and silently left the house. I couldn't help but notice the slump of his shoulders.

I knew I hurt him, and when I saw him in that state, it felt like I was stabbed in the chest. I clenched my hands to keep from stopping him. My breath deepened. I hadn't seen him for a long time, and this is what happens. I bowed my head and just waited for him to leave.