Chapter 4

Abbigayle's POV

Monday came by and no matter how stressful yesterday was, I still have to face another day at school.

I went to my class and saw that Klaress was already there.

“You’re early,” I told her.

“Hey Abby, I’m really sorry about yesterday.” She said.

“I told you it's fine Klar. I’m okay.” I said.

“Okay. I just want you to know that I don’t think of you that way. I really want us to be good friends Ab.” She said.

“I know Klar and that’s not really what I’m up to. I’m not a gold digger or a social climber.” I said. “I want us to be really good friends too.” I smiled at her genuinely.

“I know you’re not one of those. Thank you, Ab.” She said and she pulled me in for a hug.

At around five in the afternoon, our last class is dismissed. Klaress and I were about to approach the school’s gate when we saw that girls were looking at something and they were giggling. They seem to be looking at something or someone. They might be looking at some handsome bad boy type of guy on the other side.

“There might be a celebrity outside our school. Look how giggling those girls are.” I said.

“Whatever. I’m not interested in any celebrities right now. I wanna go home already.” She shrugged.

We passed the gate and were outside the school’s premises when we saw who the girls were looking at. Standing proud and tall across the street is the guy that I definitely don't want to see today or ever again.

It’s none other than Mr. Ethan Ledesma himself.

He approached us. I wanted to leave but it would be so disrespectful.

“Hi. Klar, would you mind if I talk to Abby alone?” He said.

“No. Just don’t be an asshole.” Klaress said.

“I won’t. I promise.” He said.

“Okay but that is if she wants to talk to you.” Klaress laughed.

“Abby, can I talk to you please?” He asked me.

“If you’re gonna rant about me being a gold digger and a social climber then you better leave.” I said.

“I won’t. Please just let me make it up to you.” He pleaded.

"Why would I do that? Give me a good reason why." I said.

"Because I've been so mean to you?" He said.

“Alright,” I said. "I'm glad you're aware of that." 

“Okay then. I’ll leave you two alone. Bro, I’m going home already. Make sure you’ll drive her home.” Klaress said.

“Of course. I’ll take care of her. Don’t worry.” He said.

“Seriously Klar, I’m fine. There’s no need for someone to drive me home.” I said. “I can manage.”

“Okay, I’m leaving.” She said and she hugged me. “Bye bro.”

We watched as Klaress went inside her car and it drove away. I waited for him to say something right after his sister left.

“Where do you want to talk?” he said.

“What? I only have a limited time. Why not here?” I said. 

“Well, there are too many people here and we’re in the middle of the street.” He said.

“I don’t know,” I said. "You tell me."

“Since it’s getting dark already why don’t we go have dinner instead? We can talk while eating.” He said.

“Alright,” I said. "This won't take long I still didn't forget what you did yesterday."

“Will these flowers lessen your irritation towards me?” He said as he handed me the flowers he was holding.

“Well, maybe,” I said. I didn’t think that the flowers were for me. 

“That's good to hear.” He said. I was dumbfounded. I followed him. This guy can be sweet huh.

He led me towards his car and he opened the door for me. He then went to his side and entered the driver’s seat. The drive to the restaurant was painfully awkward and silent. No one dared to talk.

“Do you like pasta?” He said to break the silence.

“Yeah.” I said.

“Good because we’re here.” He said.

We stopped at an Italian restaurant just near a mall. He parked the car and went out. I went out too and didn’t wait for him to open up my door. We went inside the resto and were greeted by one of their staff.

“Good evening Sir, Ma’am, table for two?” She said.

“Yes please.” Ethan answered.

“This way please.” The waitress said.

She led us to a table at the corner part of the resto.

“Would you like to order now?” She asked as she was looking at Ethan as if he is her dinner.

“Yes please, can we have a wine first?” He asked.

“Okay, sir. I’ll be right back.” She said and headed to their kitchen. She even swayed her butt in slow motion. What a flirt!

The girl returned with a bottle of red wine. She also handed us the menu and waited for our orders. I can see how she bats her eyelashes at Ethan and the latter didn’t seem to know. He was too oblivious to what the girl is doing.

“Would that be all Sir?” She said as Ethan gave her our orders.

“Yes, miss that would be all. Can you please leave us now?” I said. It’s so annoying to see someone flirting right in front of you.

“Of course ma'am, enjoy your dinner.” She said and left us right away.

“Woah there. There’s no need to be mean.” He said.

“Cut the crap, Ethan. We know she’s flirting with you and you seem to like it.” I said.

“Why? Isn’t she gorgeous?” he asked smiling like an idiot.

“I don’t care about her. I just find it annoying to flirt in front of someone.” I said.

“Okay, if you say so.” He said. “Anyways, I really wanted to talk to you because I want to apologize for what I said yesterday. I know it was really foul of me to say that and I’m really very sorry.”

“Is that it? You came all the way because you’re sorry?” I said.

“Yes. I was guilty and Klaress has been throwing things at me.” He laughed. “But seriously, I’m really sorry Abby.”

“Are you sincerely sorry?” I asked. "Or were you forced by Klaress to do this?"

“Yes, of course, I am. and Klaress never forced me into doing this." He said. “It’s just that Klaress never had a true friend before. They would either get money from her or use her to get to me.”

“What? They use Klaress to get to you? Why?” I said. "Why would they do that?"

“Because they find me attractive? And for them to get closer to me they’ll befriend Klar.” He said as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

“And you think that I am attracted to you as well?” I said and laughed my heart out.

“It’s not impossible you know with my looks we can’t tell at all.” He said while laughing.

“How humble of you,” I said. "Very down to earth."

“So you are not in any way using my sister to get closer to me?” he asked.

“Of course not! I don’t even know you before I met Klaress.” I said. "I don't even know who Klaress was at that time plus she was the one who approached me."

“If that’s the case then I accept you as Klaress’ friend.” He said. “I just don’t want Klar to get hurt in the end. Believing that you are her friend but in the end, you’re not.”

“Bitches.” I said. “Only low-class bitches does that and I am not one of them. Poor Klaress.”

“You’re right. That’s why I am so overprotective when it comes to her.” He said.

“Now I understand why you said those words to me,” I said. “It’s kinda understandable.”

"Thanks for hearing me out." He said. "I know I shouldn't have done that.

"What's done is done, it's fine now. Let's just forget about it." I said.

He smiled and I saw his perfect white teeth. He's really handome especially when he is this close to me. I can even smell his very manly scent from where I  am sitting. 

The dinner was served and we started to dig in. We talked about so many things and I was surprised that we got along well. He mentioned that he was once a student at our university. We also talked about Klaress, their hotels, and even their family's background.

“So am I forgiven?” He asked as we were about to leave the resto.

“I’ll think about it.” I said while laughing and he laughed with me.

We went to the parking lot because he said that he’s gonna drive me to my apartment. I agreed because he said that Klaress will get mad if he doesn’t do what she said. 

Tonight turned out fine and fun as well. I never thought we would get along so well after what happened yesterday. Thanks to Ethan's effort and sincerity, we've settled this dispute. 

I was inside my apartment when my phone beeped. I looked at it and saw that it was from an unregistered number. I opened and read it.

                “Hi, Gayle! Thanks for tonight, I had fun.” – Ethan

Oh my God! Why is he doing this? I felt like thousands of butterflies are in my stomach right now. Gayle? Why would he call me Gayle? Oh my God! Gayle sounds nice. Dammit, what is he doing to me? It was just a simple message and nothing more. Maybe he was really sorry for what he said and just wanted to make it up to me.

“Hold your horses Gayle, he is your friend’s brother for God’s sake! Don’t tell me you got a crush on him!” I said to myself.

I decided to ignore his message and go on with my night routine before sleeping.

Ethan's POV

I was smiling like an idiot after driving Abby to her apartment. She isn't so bad after all. I guess Klaress was right about her. She even has this angelic face that's so refreshing to see. She doesn't wear makeup but she's way prettier than the girls who wear make up as their life depended on it.

I reached the penthouse of our hotel where I am staying since my university days. I threw the keys on my bed and went straight to the bathroom. I was done with my night routine when I decided to get my phone and text Abby. I got her number from Klar yesterday with the alibi that I wanted to have it in case of emergency purposes. 

"Hi, Gayle! The dinner was good." I deleted it though. It sounded so odd. I typed another one. 

    “Hi, Gayle! Thanks for tonight, I had fun.” I sent the message and smiled like an idiot while waiting for her reply. Minutes have passed by but she still didn't respond. Well, it's late already so maybe she's already asleep.