"It's good that you're finally home so we can all have dinner together," greeted Doña Estrella to Deanna and her two grandsons.
"Bless me, Grandma," Deanna said, reaching for the elderly woman’s hand.
"God bless you, Hija," she replied. "And you two, what now? Looks like you've forgotten to bless," she added, glancing at her two grandsons who acted like they didn’t see her.
The two hesitantly blessed her. The truth was, they were used to simply giving cheek kisses instead of blessing, though lately, even the cheek kisses had stopped.
"Alright, go and get changed first. I'll wait for you in the dining area," Doña Estrella said.
"Yes, Grandma," Deanna replied and quickly went up the stairs, trying to avoid walking alongside Amaury. I can’t walk with him or I might catch his bad aura.
She rushed into her room and took a deep breath. She changed quickly since the old lady was waiting downstairs. But just her luck—she and Amaury ended up leaving their rooms at the same time. She sped up her steps going down the stairs.
When she arrived in the dining area, she immediately sat in her usual seat. Amaury was about to sit next to her, but she shot him a glare. "That seat's Claude’s." She smiled, thinking he'd back off, but to her annoyance, he still sat down. This monkey is so annoying! Always pushing my buttons.
When Claude arrived, he simply sat next to Doña Estrella.
"I wanted us to have dinner together so I can hear about how things are going in school," Doña Estrella said. Deanna gulped. Oh no, I’m doomed. What if I get expelled because of all the fights I’ve been in with that bully? Well, whatever happens, happens.
"There’s a new club opening soon, right?"
"Yes, Grandma," she replied.
"We’ve entrusted it to you and Amaury because we believe you can handle it. Many students are dealing with bullying, and you need to help them." She nodded.
"But how can we help those bullied students when the club's vice president keeps getting into fights?" Amaury asked, staring straight at her. Seriously? He really told Grandma about that?
"She wouldn't fight if she wasn’t provoked," Claude interjected.
"Deanna, what really happened?" Doña Estrella asked.
"Well… it’s Claire. She’s always out to get me. She bullies a lot of students and even uses them against me. This morning, she ordered someone to crack an egg on me and pour water over me. The student only did it because she was scared of her threatening her parents. When I found out it was Claire’s doing, I confronted her, and she got mad, slapped me with cake, and poured more water on me. So, I did the same thing back to her," Deanna explained.
"Good job, Hija. You did the right thing," Doña Estrella agreed, making Deanna smile with relief. At least someone was on her side.
Amaury sighed deeply beside her, clearly annoyed. She still couldn’t understand why he even told on her in the first place.
"You three, I don’t want to see you fighting, alright? Now, let’s eat," Doña Estrella added.
After dinner, Deanna went straight to her room. She was shocked to find Claude lying on her bed.
"Hey! What are you doing in my room? Don’t tell me you’re drunk again!" she yelled.
"I’m not drunk. The aircon’s broken in my room, so I’m sleeping here tonight," he answered.
"What?! You’re sleeping here? No way! Get out!" she shouted.
"I’m not going anywhere. Don’t act like we don’t know each other," he said.
"Don’t guilt-trip me! Get out! I want to sleep!" she snapped.
She sat at the edge of the bed and shook his legs. "Will you leave or do I have to drag you out?"
"I’m not leaving. Do whatever you want," he said stubbornly.
"Fine, you asked for it!" She grabbed his legs, but he quickly sat up and pulled her arms, causing her to fall onto the bed.
"So? Still want me to leave?" he teased. Their faces were only inches apart, and she could feel her cheeks heating up.
"Yes! Leave! Or I’ll kick you!"
"Go ahead, but I’m still not leaving. I’m sleeping here whether you like it or not," he smirked, even winking at her.
She started tickling him, making him burst into laughter. "You really think I’ll let you sleep here? I’ll keep annoying you all night if you stay!" she warned, continuing to tickle him.
But he suddenly grabbed her hands, stopping her, and hugged her tightly, immobilizing her. Their faces were now just inches apart. They stared at each other in silence. His face moved closer and closer. Is he going to kiss me? Oh no! I need to push him away, but why is he so handsome? She froze until his lips finally touched hers.
"Ew! Gross!" she screamed, pushing him off the bed with all her strength.
She wiped her lips furiously. "I never want to see your face again! Get out now!"
"Nope," he said with a mischievous grin. But then, someone knocked on her door. Amaury stepped in.
"We need to talk, Deanna. I have something to say," Amaury said.
"Oh, did you hear that? Get out, now!" she told Claude. Thankfully, he finally left. Thank God he came. What a lifesaver!
Amaury closed the door behind Claude.
"Sit down," she said. "So, what is it you need to say?" she asked again.
He hesitated. The truth was, he didn’t really have anything to say—he just wanted Claude out of her room.
"I accidentally deleted your number from my phone. Can I have it again?" he asked, grasping for an excuse.
"That’s it? Fine. Where’s your phone?" she replied.
"In my room."
"Okay, I’ll text you so you can save it again," she offered.
"Thanks." He turned to leave but locked her door behind him, making sure Claude couldn’t get back in. He didn’t trust his brother, especially after hearing rumors that Claude was only betting on Deanna in some cruel game.
As he walked away, Deanna thought, Why did he really come here? It’s impossible he just accidentally deleted my number. She sent him a quick text anyway, but her mind kept replaying everything that had happened that night.