Chapter 2 2

"Uy, let's buy fishballs outside. My treat," Kimmy called out to me as we were in the hallway.

I ignored her and just kept walking. As we exited the building, I automatically stopped.

Right at the entrance of the building were the college students we saw yesterday in the garden. Our dismissal time was the college students' lunch break, so they had time to ogle the senior high students coming out. That's what some of the male, flirty college students did. Our buildings were just close to each other.

I raised an eyebrow at the guy named Gabriel Marquez because he was literally blocking the way. When I realized they had no intention of moving, I adjusted myself.

But just as I was about to pass them, they started clearing their throats.

"Ahm, Veronica Montehermoso, right?"

I looked at Gabriel again, who was smiling at me. "Yes, why? What do you need?" I frowned at him because he was staring at me like an idiot. What was his problem?

He seemed to suddenly get shy with me and touched the back of his neck. He really looked like a nice guy who looked awkward, which irritated me.

"Ahm, can I invite you two for lunch? My treat, don't worry," he said, looking hesitant because of the annoyance plastered on my face.

I could feel Kimmy elbowing me from the side, which I ignored. I just intently watched the person I was talking to, then sighed impatiently.

"Come on, shorty. We're both hungry!" the devil beside me whispered emphatically.

"I don't wan-"

"She said yes! Maria hasn't had breakfast yet, so she's hungry. She's just shy-ack!"

I choked her with my arm and gripped her tightly. "You're crazy, huh!"

"Sorry, master!"

I immediately let her go and glared. She just laughed and laughed at my reaction.

"Come on. The canteen's just there anyway," Gabriel interjected, which made me turn to him again.

They high-fived before his companions went ahead to the canteen. I couldn't do anything when Kimmy, cackling with delight, pulled me along.

"Order anything you want," Gabriel said, smiling subtly at me.

I didn't know how to react when he even pulled out a chair for me. I just cleared my throat, especially seeing how his companions were looking at us mischievously.

I dropped my bag at my feet and sat up properly. There was a menu displayed at the front, so I picked from there.

I almost salivated seeing the different dishes. Shit.

"Just pork adobo for me," I said, which made Gabriel look at me.

"Alright," he said before noting everyone else's orders. He went to the counter and paid, so I found myself staring at his back.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

That's what I saw on his ID lace.

When the guy returned, he was carrying a tray. His companions helped him. And when everything was complete, he faced me again.

He smiled at me before they started eating. So, even though I was a bit shy around them, I started eating too. My stomach had been rumbling for a while, so I finished my food quickly. They did too, and Kimmy was the last one. She eats like a stevedore. Even the extra rice probably wasn't enough for her. No wonder she'd accumulated so much on her body.

"Thanks for the treat, huh," I thanked the guy, who looked at me and touched the back of his neck.

He smiled shyly and cleared his throat. "You're welcome, ahm, Veronica." He cleared his throat again and pointed to his other companions who had the same last name as him. "My cousins. And these are my friends here." He pointed to the two beside him.

I offered a faint smile. "Veronica. And this is Kimberly, my neighbor," I introduced, and she immediately nodded.

He fell silent, and then managed to throw out a question that made both my friend and I stop.

"Uhm, if you don't mind, may I know why you weren't able to have breakfast earlier?"

Suddenly, shame washed over me. If I admitted it, would he not mock or judge me? My life status is far from theirs. Maybe like other well-off students here, they might also ridicule me.

So, to cover up, I looked at him with my head held high and forced a smile.

"Because my allowance ran out yesterday. My Mommy didn't give me any because I was too stubborn."

Kimmy suddenly kicked my foot, which made me look at her meaningfully. But her mouth really wouldn't stop.

"Veronica doesn't have a mother anymore! And she's the only one working in their family because her siblings and father are all lazy."

"Damn it, Kimberly!" I retorted, frowning at her. Why did she have to say that? Damn it!

"You're already working?" Gabriel asked, surprised, which made me look at him.

What's so surprising about that? So many young people are working these days.

"Yes, she's already working. A vendor at the market-"

I covered that shorty's mouth and angrily pulled her hair. It seems she wants to expose everything about my life to other people.

"It's fine. We don't have bad intentions," interjected one of Gabriel's cousins. "Gabriel just wants to get to know you..."

Why would that guy want to get to know someone like me?

I had already gone home, but that thought still bothered me. My stomach was full, so I just lay down all afternoon. There was nothing else to do anyway.

I swung my legs while lying on my back on the bed. I let my things be scattered on the floor, too lazy to tidy up. My father and brothers weren't home either, so the house was quiet.

"That Gabriel is weird, Rosalinda. He's handsome, but I don't know, he's not my type. But he's rich, huh," I said to the cat lying at my feet, licking her paws.

This one's amazing too, having the nerve to lie beside me.

"Oh! You should get adopted there so you'll have delicious food every day. He could give you a good life."

We only stopped when something thumped from outside the room, making me abruptly sit up.

"Boss gave a lot! Until next time!" It was my brother Damien's voice, followed by a burst of laughter.

I opened the door, leaned against its side, and watched the two lazy guys walking.

"Hey! Where did that money come from again?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, which made them turn to me.

Damien grinned at me and even flexed the thousands he was holding. "Given by our Japanese boss, Maria. If you want money too, we'll get you in there. You'll be a soldier on the island."

I immediately doubted that. Whenever my brothers offered a job, it was likely connected to illegal activities.

"No way! Just go to sleep, you're too noisy. I'm tired from studying!" I snapped before closing the door again.

Good thing I didn't hear any more noise from them.

The next day, I prepared for school. It was still the same routine. Cook, shower, and get dressed. When I finished, I left my brothers at home and went to Kimmy's house, which was also nearby.

I called her, and she quickly came out of her lair.

"Oh! I forgot to do our assignment!" she frantically said while flipping through her torn notebook.

Her handwriting looked like a chicken scratched it. It really looked like a non-human wrote it.

"Look at Papa, it's so early and he's already at Uncle Eman's place again," I annoyed commented as we passed by the house of Papa's friend, Uncle Eman. I don't know, it seems they have another get-together.

When we arrived at school, I ignored Kimmy because she was busy copying the assignment. I just sat with my arms crossed, watching the front.

Class hadn't even started when a group of college students passed by in the hallway. My classmates, hungry for handsome guys, eagerly followed them with their eyes. I wouldn't have paid attention if I hadn't heard a familiar name.

"That's Gabriel! First time he's been here!" one of my female classmates exclaimed, surprised and excited, which made me stop.