EVE
Horrified, I opened my lips to say something. An apology perhaps.
"I'm so…I'm sorry I didn't mean to…"
"don't bother apologizing. Just please… get out of my sight."
He snapped with a loud voice and I got out as soon as I could. For a moment I didn't know the exact thing to do but as what he said, I needed to get out of his sight. So I did. I didn't look back even once, but I am certain the anger I saw in his eyes were still there, burning my retreating back. I breathed slowly, calming down. I don't like it when people raise their voice at me. It doesn't happen that often but I shook the thought away. Again, this does not mean anything. He could just be stressed or the news of us being married has still not gotten out of his system. I couldn't blame him. I went back to the moment I was given the news. I was pretty shocked too.
I saw Alfred walking to my direction with a glass of orange juice. Halfway, he stopped and frowned. I avoided eye contact, as if he can read what just happened in the living room by my eyes.
"is everything alright, Miss Eve?"
I gulped before answering. Not knowing whether I was saying the truth or not, I only nodded.
"thank you for the photo album, Alfred. It's with Xenon right now if you need it."
I said and walked past him. I didn't get to catch his reaction. Anyway, I went back to my room, closed the door gently and leaned at it. Xenon's just stressed. I won't take it personal. With that, I closed my eyes and walked towards the bed. I sat and got my phone out. I called someone from the school. I took a three-day leave without saying any reason. I only told my assistant to call and notify me of everything that's happening in there.
"hello Jane?"
Luckily, the call was received on first ring. I guess Jane's on his cubicle, scribbling on the paper works I left to her custody. I imagined her holding the office telephone now in between her slender fingers, the curly wires wrapped on her wrist. Perhaps her other hand would be playing with her hair. Just a mental picture of her usual demeanor.
"yes, miss Eve?"
"did someone come to the school today to look for me?"
"yes, actually. Your father, miss."
I frowned. My father?
"really? why did he come?"
Before she responded, I heard cackles of laughter from the other line. I guess it was the students passing the halfway. I should get the office walls soundproofed, I noted mentally.
"he was looking for you. when I said you took a day off, he didn't ask anymore and just walked out. I guess he called you?"
He didn't.
"nope, he didn't. thank you, Jane. I'll call him right now."
I didn't wait for Jane's response anymore and ended the call. I dialed Dad's number, which is something I don't do too often. It rang… but he made me redial before taking the call.
"EVE!"
It was Mom. I checked the name on the phone. I dialed dad's number, that's for sure.
"mom?! Where's Dad?"
"oh, he's driving at the moment. Did Rusty tell you already? Do you have your clothes there in the manor?"
I swear to God, I don't have any idea what she was talking about.
"mom, what are you-"
And then I heard a "is that Eve? Tell her we're almost there" from the background. My confusion grew.
"yes I will, honey." – Mom said on the other line.
"Eve, are you inside the manor? We're almost there. can you meet us in the front lawn?"
I frowned but the message became clear. They're coming… no, they're already here. After Tito Rusty left me in the living room with Xenon, I didn't know where he went. I presumed he went back to his office but as it turned out, he called my parents.
"I don't know why you're both here, mom… but okay, I'll be seeing you in a moment."
I bet there is a logical explanation behind all this.
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After combing my hair and dabbed some powder on my cheeks, I jogged to the front door. Then I saw someone else in there, I figured I wasn't the only one given such short notice. Xenon was standing there too. Both his hands were on his jeans' pockets. The frown on his face told me that he didn't expect this to happen either. Or at least this early.
That makes two of us then.
I stood beside him and he gave me a single glance. Yep, just one glance and then he refocused on the incoming black Sedan which I know was recklessly driven by my father. They were coming closer and closer each second. Then a third person joined our small group of a welcome party. I glanced at Tito Rusty who stood on Xenon's right. He caught my eye and gave me a wink.
The car stopped less than ten meters away from us. I gulped and stretched my lips to welcome them with a smile. It was Dad who went out of the car first. He waved to us and circled to the other door to the passenger's seat's side. He opened the door for my mother, who at the moment was wearing a red Trench coat and a huge khaki bow as a head band. Her permed black hair looked like a halo atop her head. Really? Someone looked like she forgot she's in a tropical country. Dad, in a rather simpler clothing of white polo shirt, a royal blue tie and black pants, escorted my mother and walked towards us. Tito Rusty motioned to a man beside him and Dad gave the man the car keys.
Closer, Dad gave his friend a bone-crushing hug. They were chuckling, giving each other banters which made mom roll her eyes.
"… and this must be Xenon. Wow, you've grown into a fine young man, son." – Dad said. Did he just call him son?
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Guinzon." – Xenon said and shook my dad's hand
"oh please, call me dad."
I facepalmed.