“It still hurts. We should just throw her into a river.” They both laughed, they really crazy sometimes.
I just laugh too but then suddenly John spoke, and that made my expression serious.
“Hey, bro! Do you have a picture of Alyana?"
“I... don’t have any.” At the same time, I averted my eyes.
There was really nothing! Why would I have a picture of that woman on my phone?!
Is she special or important to me? Of course, she will never be! She’s too common and... Damn! Nevermind.
“I think it’s your first time stuttering, Mr. Wilson. Hey, nanny Daley is here!” John pointed at my side and I turned around.
I scratch my shoulder. “Damn, there’s no one there, John!” I said, looking around at them at the same time.
My eyes widened when I saw that they were already holding my phone.
“Just lend me this finger for a second. I need your fingerprint.” I couldn’t stop him because he immediately pulled my index finger.
“Oh, what the! There she is...woah, not that bad.” I looked at him badly. I want to choke him now!
“Stephen, you know how to lie to us now, huh!” He keeps teasing me.
“Shut up! Give me that!” I said in a serious tone and took my cellphone back.
“But you know what, she’s kinda familiar... It’s like I’ve seen her face before...” I slowly turned my gaze to Flyn.
“Right! I remember now, I already saw her before. She’s my Xenon’s best friend. He introduced me to that woman when we accidentally met at the mall.”
Xenon is Flyn’s brother. I know him, but we are not close. I know he doesn’t like me hanging out with Flyn and fyi I don’t like him too. I hate it when he acts like a gentleman and concerns girls, tsk what trash! Why do girls in that school like him, anyway? Because he’s kinda handsome and nice? That’s it, tsk!
“Then she must be the same age as us-- “
“No, Alyana is in college. She must be 24 years old.”
“Oh, Stephen, you heard that you’re only two years apart. That’s okay, right?” why does he doesn’t stop teasing me!
I looked at John badly. “Do you want me to cut your tongue?”
“I’m just kidding, bro.” He said and even peace sign to me.
“Where is she studying? Is she busy today? Does she have a class right now?”
Flyn smiled..
“Don’t just smile Flyn, answer my question.”
I was surprised when John held my both cheeks and forced my face to look at him. “Are you going to her school? Bro, wake up! Don’t you have any work? Have you forgotten that you are not just a f**kboy but also a CEO.” John reminds me.
“I already called my secretary to handle everything.”
“I feel bad for your secretary, Stephen. I would immediately resign if you are going to be my boss because it’s nice to be just your friend.”
“Damn, stop it, John!” I tried to push him away, but he hugged me tighter, and also Flyn hug me too, so I can’t move now.
_
Flyn told me where she was studying.
I’m here in the parking lot, waiting for Alyana to pass by, just in case I see her now. I don’t think she will be absent today; I guess.
Flyn told me that Alyana is not the type of person that will never be absent for no reason. So, I guess she has no reason to be absent today.
Some students that are passing by keep looking at me and girls when they passed by, wink or bite their lower lip while looking at me.
I am used to it though but I am not used if a gay did that, that’s honestly disgusting. I don’t punch gays as long as they don’t do disgusting when I am around them.
My forehead wrinkled when I saw her with another man... Wait, that’s Xenon. He is Flyn’s brother. I mean stepbrother, to be exact.
I remember Flyn saying earlier that Xenon and Alyana were best friends.
Suddenly my head heats up. That’s where it all starts, right? Strangers at first, after knowing each other than become friends and friends, turn into in relationship!
I hurriedly walked to where they were. Alyana was about to get in Xenon’s car, but I immediately pulled her hand.
His eyes widened to see me. Do I look like an alien to surprise her like that? A handsome face like this can be mistaken as an angel... angel f**kboy.
“Stephen? What are you doing here?” He asked, confused, turning his gaze to my hand holding Alyana’s hand.
“Can you let go of my best friend’s hand?!” he sounds irritated and even clenched his fist while still looking at my hand.
I knew it. He was obvious! He likes Alyana, I can feel it! Damn! Then I should tell her to stay away from this man.
“No, we need to go somewhere,” I said seriously, and he looked at me seriously.
“Where? Just the two of you, Alyana. Do you know Stephen?”
“Ahh, uhm yes!”
“You two are friends? Why didn’t you mention anything to me?” he looks disappointed.
“H-He’s not my friend...” Alyana looked at me.
Why does she seem to be afraid of me? It’s not like I am going to eat her alive. Do I look like a monster? I don’t eat people, maybe pussy--
I was just shaken by what I was thinking.
“Yeah, we’re not friends!” I agreed with what Alyana said.
I added. “Because she is my girlfriend.” I pressed her waist closer to me at the same time.
(End of flashback)
_
“It’s not that it’s a bad thing to—“
“Can’t you understand?”
“I do, sorry...”
“Don’t use ‘po,’ Alyana. I’m not that old." I couldn’t help but beam smile as I saw her pout.
I held her cheeks and granted her a kiss on her lips. “Hey, the kids are around. They’ll see us.” I saw her cheeks turn red.
“Why? Do you want me to do it in a room so that no one will see?” Her cheeks flushed even more from my question.
“S-Shut up, you’re being a flirt!”
“At least you’re the only one I’m flirting with for now,” I firmly retorted, reason for her to throw a sharp gaze at me.
“For now? So, you’re planning to flirt with someone else?” I chuckled because of how cute she is whenever she’s mad. Ah, she’s jealous again.
“Your face should be like that, too, whenever someone’s fighting you,” I mumbled and caressed her cheek.
“Thanks for everything, Stephen.”
She hugged me suddenly which made me stiffen, I’m starting to get nervous again. “Why does it feel like you’re somewhat nervous, Stephen?” I pushed her softly to get out of her embrace.
I gulped consecutively for I couldn’t grasp any words to say. Are you being gay now, huh, Stephen?!
“Is it because of me?” she shamelessly queried.
I cleared my throat before muttering an answer. “I-I don’t know...” I stood up and went behind her so that she wouldn’t see my face starting to blush.
I picked up my phone when it suddenly vibrated.
From an unknown number: Are you taking care of her well?
I frowned. Who the hell is this? Ever since Alyana moved to my house, this person had been texting me nonstop. Is it Xenon? But no, from the way I know him, he’s not this kind of guy.
I just ignored it and heaved a deep breath to calm myself down.
That dwarf was just from not far away, playing with the girls. Nash might not be a boy, he’d be gay once he grows up for sure. I’d really laugh my ass out if my hunch is correct.
My eyes suddenly widened when the little girl punched Nash straight to his face, the reason for him to end up falling onto the grass.
Alyana stood up and rushed towards Nash so I followed.
"S-Sis Alyana, s-she punched me!”
he complained while pointing at the girl who was just around his age while the little girl only raised an eyebrow at him.
Why does this kid look familiar?
“Baby girl, why did you punch Nash?” Alyana calmly asked the girl. Maybe Nash did something silly so he got punched.
“It’s because he’s such a pervert! While I’m going up there, he was peeking at me!”
“Is that true, Nash?”
"No, Ate Alyana, I am not! I didn’t even see her pink panty—“ Nash covered his mouth as if he didn’t mean to tell he truth.
“You jerk! You literally saw it, you’re a pervert!” The girl approached Nash and suddenly pulled his hair while here I am, laughingly watching the two of them.
I feel something else with these two. I think they have a future... just like from what I always see in some of the drama series. ‘The more you hate the more you love.’
“Ellie, where are yo-- Hey, hey, what’s happening here? Ellie, let go of his hair!” Gween suddenly showed up in the view. What is she doing here? Does she know this little girl?
“Gween?” She averted her gaze at me.
“Oh, Mr. F-- I mean, brother Stephen.”
“What’s up? Why are they fighting?” she asked.
“Ate Gween, he took a peek at me! Come here, you jerk, I’ll hit your face again!” She tried to pull Nash’s hair once again but Gween stopped her.
Oh, I remember now. She’s Ellie, John’s and Gween’s little sister. Well, I wouldn’t be surprised anymore if this kid will get to adopt her Ate Gween’s personality. Ellie was still 5 years old when I last saw her that’s why I didn’t recognize her immediately.
“I’m sorry for what Nash did,” Alyana apologized. Tsk, that dwarf was the one who should say sorry, not her!
"Tsk, I didn’t even mean to see her panty that has a hole,” Nash murmured and it seems like I’m the only one who heard that.
“Gween, have you found Ellie—Oh, so you did...” John arrived and diverted his gaze on us, surprised.
“Oy, you’re also here, Stephen. What are you doing here?” he asked and looked at Nash.
“Eyy, your son? Aren’t you being too fast, Stephen?” he mumbled, laughing, reason for me to hit him as things entered his mind.
“Shut your trap, John,” I firmly retorted.
“Chill, I was just asking. Alyana, how are you? Is Stephen giving you a hard time?” Giving her a hard time? You should be asking me that, I’m definitely the one doing the housework, I even cook for her.
“U-Uhm, not really.”
“Whose son is that boy? Oh my... don’t tell me he’s your son, Alyana? Are you a single mother that’s why you’re taking a part-time job?” Her son? Do they look alike, huh!? They look like having an auntie and nephew relationship more!
“What you’re thinking is wrong, John. Nash is not my son, I’m just taking care of him.”
“Ah, I thought he’s your son, pfft...”
“Kuya, do you know that alien?” Ellie butted in.
“Who’s alien, Ellie?”
“That boy!” She answered, pointing her finger towards Nash.
“What do you mean by alien, ha! You’re really a hole!” shouted Nash.
“What hole are you trying to say!?”
“Your panty has a hole, bleh!” We suddenly fell into silence because of what Nash said. Nash must have seen that Ellie clenched her fist so Nash hid behind Alyana.
“Sis Gween, did you bring my knife? I just have to stab an alien here,” she stated, glaring at Alyana’s back. This kid is scary, I hope my children won’t be like that.
“Ellie, that’s bad. You can only do that when you reach my age.” This Gween is also nuts, and definitely a bad influence.
“Okay, fine. I’ll just stab him once I grow up!” she said with hostility.
Tsk, you really must prepare yourself when you grow up, Nash. A danger already awaits you.
“Stop that, you two. And you, Gween, don’t teach your sister such things.”
“I’m not teaching her, bro. She’s learning herself. This sister of ours is smart, didn’t you know?”
“Alyana, let’s go.” I held Alyana's hand and she held Nash’s hand.
We were about to walk away when suddenly, John spoke. “Where are you going? Going home or going on a date?”
I draw near him. “Go on a date? Can’t you see, we have a dwarf with us, so how will Alyana and I go on a date?” I lowered my voice so they won’t hear what we were talking about.
“Bro, just leave him somewhere.”
“Idiot, it won’t do good to Alyana if that kid disappears. You’re really a jerk. What if I do that to your little sister, would you be happy?”
“Of course not!” See? He himself would be angry if you do it to him.
“Alright, we’ll go now.” I tapped his shoulder and we went straight to where my car was parked.
“Sis Alyana, let’s go to the mall,” Nash suddenly spoke as soon as we got inside the car.
“Seriously? I thought you only want to go to the playground, why does it seem like you want to wander all day, huh?”
“You’re a driver, right? Why are you complaining?” My jaw almost dropped with what just he said.
“You already said that I’m a driver so I have the right to complain because driving is already tedious as hell!” It would have been okay if it was just me and Alyana, just the two of us for a date. Hays, this is pissing me off!
“Tsk, we’ll pay you, don’t worry. I’ll ask money from Mommy when she comes back to pay you, you know, it’s because we have tons of money!” he boasted.
Damn! I’m rich so why would you even pay me? I even have a lot of money than you!
“Do you think I don’t have money, you brat? I also have a lot of money, they’re even millions.”
“Just millions? Sorry, ours are billions.” I ended up doing a facepalm, he really doesn’t want to lose.
“Well, we have a lot of coins, you know...” Our attention diverted to Alyana who butted into our conversation, the reason for me to chuckle while shaking my head.
“Ate Alyana, do you want me to give you billions and billions?” This kid is really arrogant, where did he even get that attitude?
“No, I’ll be the one who’ll give you that, Alyana,” I intruded.
“Shut up! I’ll be the one who’ll do that. Don’t just break into our conversation here.” What, do you want me to just remain silent here?!
“Aren’t you being full of yourself, you little dwarf, huh? That’s not even your money, it’s your parents.”
“It doesn’t matter, they’ll also be mine once I grow up. Use your brain, don’t just flirt!”
“Tsk, look who’s talking.” I just shook my head in disbelief.
“Stop that now, why are you two even fighting?”
“It’s all Mr. Driver’s fault, Sis Alyana. He’s been picking a fight with me since earlier!” he complained. Hah! He’s literally trying me!
“Hey, I’m not. Stop lying!”
“Won’t you stop?” The two of us halted when Alyana’s voice suddenly turned cold as she looked at us. Why does it seem like I felt a little scared for a split second?
I started setting the engine while the three of us remained silent. That dwarf might have been scared, too, since he also suddenly went quiet.
—
He slightly bumped into me, but because this dwarf is only about my chest and his strength isn’t enough to break me, there he goes, he almost fall down.
Tsk serves you right. Do you’re tall enough to bump into me?
We’re already here at the mall and all we do was to stride and I was just following the both of them.
But he just continued bumping into Mr. ‘This kid is really trying to piss me off.’
I also did to him what he did to me. I suddenly feel curious when there’s no one bothering beside me anymore.
Alyana and I stopped in our tracks when we suddenly heard a whine.
We slowly turned on our backs, only to be surprised when we saw that dwarf on the floor crying while glaring at me.
I didn’t mean to do that strongly. Is it my fault that I’m that strong? Is it my fault that I’m so handsome—I mean, it’s also his fault since he started it first!
“S-Sis Alyana,” he whined then Alyana hurriedly draw near him and hugged him. He stuck out his tongue at me before hugging Alyana back.
“What happened, Nash? Did you accidentally stumble?” She helped him stand up. The crowd’s attention was already on us as they started murmuring nonsense things.
“I didn’t stumble, he bumped— hmm!” I quickly covered his mouth before he could finish his words.
“He said that guy bumped into him.” Then I pointed out a random man and Nash glared at me even more but I just gave him a wink to piss him off more.
He then raised his middle finger and he immediately hid it behind him when I was about to speak to tell Alyana about it.
“Let’s go, where do you want to go? Do you want to eat or buy toys?” she asked the dwarf.
He wiped his tears and then beamed. “I want to go to the arcades, Ate Alyana.”
“Arcade? Is there an arcade here at the mall?” she confusedly asked herself. Hasn’t she ever experienced entering an arcade?
I held both of their hands and strode toward the direction of where the arcade is. I placed my hands on top of Alyana’s shoulders from her back as we went inside. “This is what the arcade looks like,” I told her and she looked at me.
“Can you just set aside your flirting? And you, Mr. Driver, don’t flirt my future wife!”
“W-What? Future wife? Aren’t you being too assuming, Dwarf?! Don’t keep your hopes up for it is I who will marry Alyana first—“ Alyana and I looked at each other and it was as if I was telling her that it was just a joke. She just smiled at me and the glint of sadness in her eyes didn’t escape my sight, I know that smile was forged.