The trembling of her hands worsened as Care neared the POD office. She clasped them together so it would not be obvious before she opened the door leading to her doom. Helena Aragon was already sitting with her polite, stoic face. She took her place across as precaution in case the woman started attacking her.
I wish Daddy was here, she sighed inwardly.
Arnaldo Aragon was away for a business trip. Worst timing, indeed!
"Caress, I briefed your Mom. I also talked prior to Mayor Salvador and Madelaine. We all agreed not to make a big deal out of this. I presume you desire the same thing so I suggest you abide by their one condition. Madelaine demands a sincere public apology from you." Ms. Sanz explained, directly to the agenda.
"I..." Care was about to reply, however Ena answered for her, rudely interjecting.
"Verily, yes! Mayor and I actually discussed this last night on the phone. We are very grateful for Salvador's consideration of my unica hija. Please do understand she is experiencing a rough time after what happened at the Gala."
"I know where you're coming from, Mrs. Nevertheless, this institution strongly believes she must reflect on her wrongs hence young Miss here will commit herself to a three day community service. Though, only if a heartfelt apology will be made. Otherwise you're up for suspension and worse, subject to transfer school. Bullying is a serious case, Mrs."
"Suspension it is!" Care quickly replies before her mother speaks for her again.
"Caress!" Ena chided.
The calmness in her voice was replaced by grave hostility. Care glanced up to Ms. Sanz who seemed indifferent to her Momma's out of character display. At any rate, the counsellor might be used to witness people show different skins depending on the situation.
"Pegging as a troubled child, aye? Since you're being difficult, I'd call for a deliberation between parties involved. Remember you asked for it, young lady." Ms. Sanz decided in finality.
Her insides twisted and knotted. The old hag sure knows how to feed one's fear but she kept her head high. Defiance flows in her blood, after all.
"Why will I ask forgiveness to a person who doesn't acknowledge her sins. Bitches gotta stay true to their color, aight!" She even added totally driving Ena to madness.
"I said shut up, you wretch!" Ena roared, almost a desperate outcry.
Oh-uh...
She never expected the queen of indifference was actually capable of raising her voice that high.
Ena's veins remain protruded in her forehead despite her forced soft features as she turned to the mediator, "My apologies! I implore you to disregard whatever nonsense she spouted. I'll thrust reason in that thick head of hers. Please, offer some leniency."
By the stern unsmiling look on Ms. Sanz determines what reply she will give before she could articulate it in the gentlest possible manner. Ena went pale as paper.
"Forgive my honesty if you'd find it offending, too ---Frankly speaking, your daughter is spoiled rotten, Mrs. Aragon. I decided that we should go for deliberation. Therefore, I'd hope for your cooperation and will no longer entertain your appeals."
Inasmuch as Care felt the urge to applaud the woman who rendered her Momma mute, the glares she received from Ena compelled her to behave as a tamed dog on leash.
They left the office shortly after. Her feet itched to flee yet she had to send Ena off for formality's sake.
"How dare you humiliate me." Ena fully recovered her poise, spoke low and airy.
If her delivery of words sounded harmless, why did it bring chills to her spine?
There was this ominous feeling from her surprisingly passiveness Care was unable to shrug off.
The much lifesaver posh car arrived. Helena Aragon slides fast to the passenger seat before the bodyguard could open the car door. Care braced for last icy side glance or agitating threat. Nothing of sort happened because the vehicle sped off leaving her gripping her chest hard in fear.
"I'm a fighter through and through!" She convinced herself.
She veered on a cornerstone leading to the left wing of the administration building as she repeated the mantra mentally. Oblivious of her surroundings, a man grabbed the golden opportunity to wrap his arm around her shoulders then treaded alongside her. She wriggled in protest only inciting him to tighten his hold.
"HANDS OFF!" She spat.
"Heard you'd sleep with anyone if I do your bidding. Try me, sexy." he whispered right next to her ears.
THE NERVE!
"What an idiot! I said hands off! She yelled, frustrated.
It must have crushed the moron's ego because his eyebrows nearly intersected while his fingers started digging their way to her skin. She readied her knee to strike his crotch. Let's see how this all brawns no breeding reacts to the feminism force, she evilly thought.
"Man, let her go." an imposing male voice interrupted.
The first name that instantly popped on her mind was Eli. But, who was she kidding?
This time around, her knight in shining armor is the most ideal guy inside the elite circle, Skylar Rivas. A lot of girls say he was Jack Frost from the Rise of Guardians, born to real life except the adorable white hair. They would state in giggles he was the polished version, more charming and whatever nonsense.
Compared to Eli's rough features, he possessed gentle complexions especially his doe eyes. In other words, he isn't the type to scare people unlike Eli's natural authoritative and intimidating presence. Hence she was very much offended when the shameless prick who knew nothing about respecting personal space backed off within a split-second after being told by Sky.
She frowned at him, gesturing a thumbs down.
"Boo! That was outright sexist, Sky. How could he deafen my protest but listen to yours?!" She complained.
Fully aware that she lashed out on the wrong person, she threw hands up in the air in fit of irritation.
"Be my girl if it's too hard. I'd protect you so no one can ever lay a finger on you." He offered and took her hand, his lips brushed against her knuckles afterwards.
For a good five minutes, she stared at him waiting for the punchline. His statement was so random that she could not believe her ears. However, he wore an earnest expression as if hinting what he meant the real deal. Still, she subtly got her hand back after seeing nothing appear.
Is the red string seriously the real deal?!
"Rivas, you are such a douche. You don't ask a girl to be your girlfriend as if you're merely lending a pen." she berated, a hand on her hip.
He smiled. And affirmative, angels nearly sing. He was a scenery worth thanking the Creator for blessing humans with a pair of eyes.
"Negotiable. You want a grand gesture?"
"I rather seek true affection. You don't particularly like me. What you desired is who I am, the celebrated trophy girlfriend. Will having me by your side please your parents?"
"You're too smart for your own good or perhaps, Mama made it obvious?"
She chuckled and so did he. They gazed at each other, finding the compatibility but not the connection. He broke eye contact first.
"My proposal stands as long as I'm single. A beauty like yours shall eventually become a poison to you so run to me when you change your mind." he said, stealing a kiss on her right cheek in the process.