Chapter 4 4

(The News)

Winter Pov.

In my shortness of breath because of what he did. He finally stopped kissing me, he pulled away with a smirk and re-inclosed the buttons he had opened earlier. I swallowed, my face heating up until he finished. He bit his bottom lip before looking at me again.

"I'll just peek at mommy if she's still outside." I nodded involuntarily, he opened the cabinet door. Before he left, he took my hand and helped me out from where we were hiding. "Locked the door." he ordered while I just stood dumbfounded, he left the room and as he said. I did lock the door, I didn't want to move back to sit on his bed.

I was still swallowing as the sweat gradually disappeared from my body because of the air conditioner in his room.

I don't know if we can finish what we are doing. I'm already feeling shy and I don't know if I'll be fine while facing him.

I covered my face with my palm, it was still hot because what he did earlier came to my mind. I combed through my sweat-dried hair, I never thought it would feel like that. I can't say and explain because it's really strange, my body liked it so much that I could hardly imagine that I almost gave up all my sanity. Will I be grateful because he really has a lot of respect and that's all he did to me.

I was startled by a knock on the door. Because I heard ashong's voice, I quickly opened it, barely able to look at him directly.

"Mommy is gone." he heard the news and finally entered the room. He closed the door which made me swallow. "Would you like to eat or just have a snack here?"

"It's up to you."

"Are not you hungry?"

I shook my head. I don't know if I'm hungry or full, I can't explain it because I'm outnumbered. "Why are your cheeks red?" he laughed loudly after he asked that question, I wanted to glare at him but shame was overwhelming my system.

"Are you teasing me?"

"No." he laughed again. "Are you not comfortable? Do you count?"

I looked away after he bowed to me. "N-no.."

"Really? I will not apologize, I like what I did. Your sexy, gorgeous. I'm even more crazy about you."

"W-can you not say anything more?"

"That's only natural, winter. You'll get used to it." he grinned when I looked at it. I couldn't respond because he went to the table with food and there beckoned me to come to him. "Let's eat." I let out a heavy breath. I liked that too so I didn't moan, I just couldn't be comfortable like him.

"Mommy wants me to go with her." he said in the middle of our silence while eating. "I don't want to go with him, I'll just be bored. I want to see you more."

"What is he going to talk about?"

"I don't know, but he will attend the gathering tonight. He has a lot to go to now, he's busy and he probably won't be able to come home."

I gave no answer, then. Will he be left here until tomorrow? Maybe he's used to his parents leaving, I guess I can't picture that to me if I'm in the province.

Because I often spend time with mom and dad, if that's the case. Their work is just a farm, they are not like Ashong's parents who are big CEOs.

I held my breath.

Since I didn't feel comfortable, I decided to just deliver. Ashong didn't force me to stay at their house because he knew I was alone in what happened.

Before we went straight to the house, he bought fruit for grandma and some snacks from the bakery. I didn't refuse anymore, because he was driving the car and he also went out to buy. I can't do anything if I don't like what he gives to grandma. He often did that, I guess grandma got used to it so when Ashong handed her the pasalubong, she smiled and thanked him.

"I thought you would be home later tonight." said grandma after placing what Ashong bought on the table.

"I just helped winter arrange my room, just like the design in her room."

"Did you finish?"

Ashong nodded. I went into the kitchen and got some cold water. I've calmed down a bit because I've left their house, I just can't forget what happened earlier.

I went out with the jug and glass, I handed Ashong some water which he quickly took. I stared at him while he was drinking water, I could almost follow the movement of the lump on his neck. I didn't realize that Ashong was handing me the glass now with a wide grin because of my stupor.

I sighed after taking the glass, I went into the kitchen and put the jug back in the fridge again. When I came out, I said goodbye to Ashong that I needed to take a shower. I didn't even wait for his answer because I knew he was going to leave.

I went straight to the bathroom because there was a reserved towel there. My room doesn't have its own bathroom, the bathroom is downstairs near the stairs. It's not like ashong's room has its own bathroom and whatnot, because they are rich.

I shook my head, I used to watch a lot of TV dramas where the man is rich and the woman is poor. And because of the woman's condition, the man's parents are not in favor of their relationship. It's like what I'm watching is happening to me now, and the end of it is that the hero didn't stay together because he married another woman.

I quickly poured water with the mug, I almost used up the water in the bucket even though I hadn't soaped or even shampooed. I was just annoyed because I suddenly thought, will that happen to us as well?

Won't we be together eventually?

I closed my eyes tightly, I hurried up the shower because I just wanted to read a book to relax. I will definitely forget what happened earlier and all my problems with Ashong will be fine.

When I came out, the pink towel was just draped over me. My wet hair was falling because I didn't have enough, but I didn't move immediately when I saw Ashong still sitting in the living room. Because the house was open and there was no partition, he saw me come out of the bathroom.

"I did not say anything." I replied, looking away.

"I'm just bored at home, I'll only go home tonight. I'll just have dinner here, if that's okay with you." I was devastated. Maybe I should forget that, is that really part of the relationship? But I know ashong is right, being passionate is part of a relationship. I'm not really used to it because calix only kissed me once, and I even avoided it. So almost everyone kissed and held me first.

"It's obvious you're not comfortable, we'll see each other tomorrow. Maybe I'll just sleep at home." he doesn't sound sullen. His voice was fine and he was really waiting for my answer.

I sighed.

"If you want to stay here, you can."

"Are you okay?"

y

"Why not? I'm sure you'll tease me on the cellphone too." he laughed.

"You really know?"

"Tsk, I already know you. Eat there, I'll do the laundry later. Just watch."

"I can help you."

"Gosh, that's your hand. Not used to handling laundry soap, anyway. The washings here are only for women. Not for you guys."

"Great, I can do laundry! judgmental"

"Really? Nanny Corazon is also washing your clothes, I saw earlier that she was hanging up your briefs!"

He was stunned, he stared at me and eventually cried. "Why are you looking at my brief? You, you're peeping!" I widened my eyes at him.

"Wh-what's snooping!" I stammered because I just realized what I said, but it's true. Nanny Corazon was really pinching her briefs earlier, even her boxers in the back of their house were hanging there.

"Tsk tsk, you're too late." he shakes his head before approaching my ear. "Do you want to know what brand of briefs I have?" I moved away and pointed the spoon at him.

"Just eat!"

"Why are you shouting?" we both turned to grandma. "These two kids! You two are close together but the louder your voices get, I can't understand what I'm watching."

"Sorry." ashong bit his lip, I almost forgot that grandma was monitoring that drama because this guy is really naughty!

_______________

On that day, Ashong went home late at night because he also said that he had no one to be with at home but only the nanny. And I'm sure we'll just talk on the cellphone and I can't do anything else but show up.

I did laundry that day while ashong watched me, of course I didn't wash my undies because I was ashamed to show it. I put them in the bathroom and just wash them the next day.

TOMORROW, because there are two weeks of practice for graduation. I went to Fatima early even though ashong said he would pick me up. But I replied to him and said that I was already in Fatima even though I was just on my way.

I know that there will be many whispers when we enter together. That's what's happening that I don't want to hear this morning.

I'm still awake, I'm in a different mood and my facial expression is really good.

I went straight to the library first to return the five books that were borrowed and piled up at home. The librarian even smiled at me and congratulated me even though the graduation wasn't over yet.

"No one will diligently borrow a book here." I smiled.

"There is that, next year." he smiled again. I didn't expect that he would hand me a book about my course.

"That's yours, I know you can use it when reviewing for the exam."

"T-thank you." I took the book, even though he was rude to me at first. He gradually became kinder to me because I used to go to the library a lot.

After saying thank you, I put the book in the bag and went straight to the cafeteria to buy candy because I was sick from the coffee I drank earlier.

In the long queue because the practice was about to start, the surroundings were almost noisy. I could hear someone talking behind me which suddenly drew criticism from the listeners.

"Philip is engaged." said the voice of the woman I can't name. I didn't turn around, I stayed in line even though the people behind me reacted to what he said.

"Really? Is it his girlfriend's?"

"No, to a son of the patria. They are rich, he is the son of a business man!"v

"Wow, then. Won't his fiancee finish his education?"

"No! His face is so thick, he just stole Philip from his cousin! Philip deserves to be with a rich man like him!"

"Yes!"

"It should be!"

"Too ambitious!"

I swallowed, I didn't realize that the people in front of me were gone, so the shopkeeper looked at me badly.

"There are so many people in line! Why are you so slow!" shouted the shopkeeper.

They pushed me from the back causing me to be hit, I sat down while thinking about the news they said.

"Queuing in line won't buy it!" I stood up quickly, they didn't recognize me so I left the queue. But before I could leave I heard a woman say something.

"Philip's mom was interviewed yesterday, she told the media that her son is getting married. So I found out that it's engaged, watch it on youtube!"

I swallowed, but it was as if there was a stone blocking it which caused me to take a deep breath.

I walked away and left before they even recognized me.

***