บท 18: The Unwritten Agreement
Her lips curve into a smile and at that moment I knew there was something between us and neither of us wanted to admit it. Like an unwritten agreement that we both know but don't want to put a label on it.
Jaden's POV
"How's school?" My uncle asked while cooking his usual recipes. "Anything new?"
We're in the kitchen and I'm just sitting on the counter and watching him cook. I can only eat decent food when I'm at school but after two years of being under my uncle's care, I got used to his awful cooking. He's trying his best and he's more than a father to me.
"Good," I vaguely said and looked down at my hand where I held Emerald's hand into mine. Maybe this school isn't all that bad despite all the chaos and drama. I just wanted to get by and finish my senior high school years in peace but now I couldn't see myself leaving that school again if my uncle wants us to move somewhere far away from my father.
I wanted to stay.
"Give me more than just good," uncle said and I snapped back from my thoughts. When it comes to my uncle, details are important.
"Grades are fine. I'm having a research partner and we're almost finishing it."
"I forgot to ask who your research partner is. Is it Daniel?" Uncle knew Daniel since I hang out a lot at his mansion to play online and the latest games. I don't have that high technology equipment to be able to play it at my house.
"No," I shake my head and my uncle looks at me. "Her name's Emerald."
"A girl?" Uncle asked with excitement, happy for my improved social life. "Glad to know you're talking to girls too. Who is she? Is she pretty?"
Yes, she is.
"A Sandejas." His smile slowly faded and he just watched me with curious eyes and even tilted his head. "You know their family? I've seen them mostly on television," I asked trying to understand his reactions. He shakes his head in disbelief then smiled and murmured something to himself.
"Have you gone crazy, John-ow!" He spanked me with his unused spatula on my elbow and gave me that warning glare.
He hates it when I just call him John.
"You're classmates with her?" I just nodded even though I don't know why he was asking such questions. "Are you friends with her?"
"Yes-why are you even asking these questions? Did you serve their family before too?" But he just laughed and even patted my shoulders.
"Let's just say I knew them long ago. Particularly Miss young Emerald." The way he said it piqued my curiosity.
When it comes to Emerald, I wanted to know everything.
"How? Since when?" But he was back at focusing on whatever he was cooking.
*...*
It's Monday and I would usually drag my feet out of my bed but this time, I feel different. I was more than thrilled to be in school and I was never been this excited before. It was great to look forward to something in the morning.
I was walking on my usual way to school when I noticed someone walking ahead of me. She wears the same uniform as the girls at my school and she looks familiar. Is that Olivia? She looks different without her eyeglasses on and her hair was not in a ponytail. I walked faster to match her pace and tried to call her attention.
"Good morning," I even waved at her but she was still walking and didn't even notice me.
"Olivia," I held her wrist to make her stop walking because of the cars passing by and the traffic light was on a green light. She snapped out of her thoughts and even flinched when I held her. She looked up at me and I didn't realize she was crying.
"J-Jaden! W-Why are you h-here?" She asked and looked down trying to hide away her tears from me.
"Why are you walking to school?" I have never seen her walk to school before and she's the most punctual student I have ever known. Emerald's words must have hurt her until now.
"N-Nothing. I just woke up late."
"Let's walk together to school then--" but she was already walking--running so fast I didn't even have time to finish my sentence and just watched her bumping other people on her way.
Olivia Sanchez. I don't know much about her aside from the fact that she likes Daniel and what Emerald said to her about who she is. I didn't really notice it until Emerald pointed it out. She just reminds me so much of Chubby and sometimes see her in Olivia but Chubby might still be Chubby until now with her cute glasses and chubby cheeks.
If Olivia is hiding who she is, I feel like I need to know why. Maybe we're the same after all and I wanted to help her. I have this need of wanting to help her and I couldn't rest without doing something for her.
When I went inside the classroom, I immediately looked for Olivia and she was already in her seat. She's now wearing the glasses and her hair is in a ponytail. She noticed me enter the classroom but she evaded my eyes and looked down. Daniel was already beside her.
"Man, I'm still sleepy!" Daniel said and faced his seat to mine. I seated in my seat and looked again at Olivia. Her eyes are still puffy from crying. I looked at Daniel when I noticed him looking at me with those questioning eyes and even looked at Olivia too. He suddenly grabbed my elbow and whispered into my ears.
"Are you--wait how should I say this? You know, like her? I thought it was Emerald--"
"What are you two doing early in the morning?" Emerald greeted us and seated beside me. Daniel pushed me back to my seat and even pretend like we didn't talk about Emerald just a second ago.
How am I friends with this idiot again?
I smiled at Emerald and she shyly looked away from me and cleared her throat. I wanted to talk with her but Daniel had to ruin it.
"We're talking about who Jaden likes." I immediately warned Daniel by secretly kicking him under the table and he flinched and held his injured foot but still smiled at Emerald as if nothing happened.
Don't fucking screw me up, Astero.
"Who does Jaden likes?" She asked Daniel, curiosity was written all over her face.
"Emerald, I forgot to tell you that our homeroom teacher called for us to the faculty room." She looked at me with questioning eyes and Daniel just smirked at me. "We have to go to her, now."
"But class the class is starting--"
"We're excused." I held her hand and we both walked outside the class while everyone was staring at us, surprised to see me and Emerald holding hands in front of everyone.
I know I'm starting a rumor about us and people will not believe it anyway since they all witnessed how Emerald and I have each other's necks but when it comes to Emerald, I never think twice.
When we were out of everyone's earshot, I let her go and heaved a sigh.
"You lied to Daniel and drag me out of the class?" She asked and sat on the bench. "I'm slowly starting to understand you Jaden and one of your weaknesses is lying. You're terrible at it." I stared at how she chuckled and tucked the loose strands of her hair behind her ear.
I fought every facial muscle I have to stop myself from stupidly smiling like an idiot in front of her and put my teasing face on.
"You've been taking notes about me?" I teasingly asked and her cheeks turned into crimson red. "I didn't know you've been studying me, Emerald."
"S-so what?! You're hard to figure out so I have to observe you to know more about you--what are you smiling at?!"
Darn it. I didn't know I was smiling at her again.
"Nothing, I just didn't think you would take time to know me--"
"Only because you're not telling me things about you." She grumpily pouted and looked away from me. I couldn't stop myself from laughing and she angrily snapped at me.
"Alright, what do you want to know about me?" She was taken aback and stared at me when she couldn't believe what I just said.
"But you said you don't want me prying into your private life?"
"I did but it's not prying when I'm the one giving you what you want to know, right?" Her lips curve into a smile and at that moment I knew there was something between us and neither of us wanted to admit it. Like an unwritten agreement that we both know but don't want to put a label on it.
I smiled when I sat beside her, she didn't move or shift away. We were used to sitting together that it became a habit and we both don't mind at all. Her very presence was enough to drive me crazy and sitting beside Emerald crumbles my self-restraint.
No, I didn't want to be her friend anymore. I've never wanted something so much in my life and right now, I want to hold her hand again but I clenched my fist and enjoyed this little moment with Emerald.
Olivia's POV
"Because you're a great pretender. Wearing that fake glasses and braces to look like a nerd even though you aren't makes me hate you, Olivia."
"Stop pretending to be someone you're not."
Stop. I just want it to stop ringing in my ears. I crouched down and hugged myself.
Why? Why can't everybody like me? I just wanted to be friends with her. I just want to have a friend. She's just hurt, I know but why must she say something like that?I wiped my tears and took a mirror from my night stand.
Why...why do I have to be a daughter of a prostitute?
I bit my lower lip as my tears fall down to the mirror and blurring my vision again. I cried hard and threw the mirror somewhere creating a loud crashing sound.
"What's happening? Why is it so dark in here? Olivia?!" I looked at my mother who just entered my room. She's not going home again tonight. How do I know? She's wearing those stripper outfit she has whenever she goes out for her job.
I ignored her but she switched on the lights. I hated to look at her when she's wearing those kinds of dresses. It only shows how promiscuous she is. I bet she's having another client to pleasure tonight.
"What the heck we're you doing?" I lowered my head so she couldn't see how miserable I look like. She hates it when I look more pitiful than my usual look.
"Will you clean up your room? It looks so dull and boring and will you please stop wearing those funny looking glasses?" I clenched my fist but just remained silent.
I hated her. I hated her and whenever I could see myself in the mirror, I could see her in me making me loath myself. I feel disgusted of myself because I am a daughter of a whore and she's spending nights with different rich men so that she could afford this luxurious life. She wanted this life but I didn't want anything with it because she's materialistic and a slut for money. If she loves me, she would have been there for me when people tease me when they knew who my mother is.
Those look on their faces...full of disgust.
She spends the night in different arms of men and barely comes home during the day. She doesn't even care if the guy's married or not as long as he's rich. All she cares for is money.
"Hey! Are you even listening you brat?!" She lifts my head by grabbing a handful of my hair and I winced in pain. "Are you crying? What the hell is happening-"
"Why don't you just leave me alone-" She slapped me real hard that I even gasped in pain. I held on to my cheek and looked angrily at her.
This is just a casual thing between us. She likes to slap me maybe because my eyes reminded her of my father.
"You're an ungrateful bitch!" She pointed at me and then threw the pillow that was within her reach and hit me. "If it weren't for your rich father, I wouldn't have given birth to you! You're lucky you're attending that fucking expensive school and eating three meals a day!" She stormed out of my room and harshly closed my door creating a loud bang. I cried again and covered my face with my hands.
I don't even know who my father is. She just said that I am a daughter of a rich businessman but that man didn't believe her when she told him that I am his daughter. He just gave money-millions of money to my mother to stay away from him. I don't need him and I don't even blame him for not believing my mother. Who will believe a prostitute that slept with different men and then claim that her daughter is a daughter of a millionaire or billionaire-I don't know. That would sound a lot like she's lying to have money for giving birth to me and I don't know if she is.
She never told me my father's name or even showed pictures of him to me. She hates him for making her life miserable by having me and I don't really need a father who will only neglect me.
I wore glasses and braces to at least cover up my face who looks a lot like my mother. I have her body figure, skin tone and shape of my face but not my eyes and nose. I think I inherited it form my father who is still unknown to me.
How did I enter the School of Elites? I'm a scholar too. I didn't know how my mother helped me enter in that prestigious school and even have a scholarship but I'm still thankful I can go to school and be away from home even for just a day.
My mother was an actress before. She's mostly known in hot erotic scenes and because of that, nobody would want her to be the lead role of another movie other than erotic movies. They called her Erotic Actress Cassandra. Even now when people could see her and know her, they still call her that name and then as time passed by and she's not having any movies other than those erotic movies, she was forgotten in the acting industry. She had me after her career was over and thought she could have my father but my father loved another woman. She was devastated and in order to survive in life, she ended up being a prostitute to different rich men and famous personalities.
She couldn't have a normal job because as I said, she's materialistic and doesn't want to end her life financially struggling and with full of debts so she resorted to that unholy job every night or most. She doesn't even love me as a daughter and I think she's keeping me as a last resort if my father would claim me back, hypothetically.
The day Jaden saw me walking to school is my everyday struggle. I walk to school if I don't have enough money to pay for transportation. Thankfully it's just a 20 minute walk from my house to the school. I was usually early to avoid other students but that day I slept late and woke up late and even forgot about breakfast.
I don't blame Emerald or everyone if they don't want to be my friend. I even hated myself.
*...*
Lunch came and as always, I was sitting and eating alone. I sighed and started eating my food when someone suddenly seated in front of me.
"Jaden?" I looked around if Daniel was with him but everyone's eyes were at me and Jaden.
Yeah. They may be wondering why a certain guy like Jaden would want to sit with a lame loser like-
"Relax Olivia. Let them stare," Jaden said and when I looked at him, he was already watching me and observing me. I gulped and just seated properly-
"I said relax. I'm just your classmate. Daniel has something to do and I didn't want to eat alone in this cafeteria." He said with a hint of sarcasm in the last part.
He doesn't like the attention but it's unavoidable. I suddenly remembered how he pinched Emerald's cheek. Yes, it was quite a scandal for the school that even other students form different classes and levels knew it. They thought that Jaden and Emerald are somewhat in a relationship.
"-glasses." I looked at Jaden again when he said something I didn't hear. I was so deep in thoughts that he's been talking about something I barely listen.
"W-what? I'm sorry I-I didn't-"
"I said you look good on glasses." He motions his hand and pointed at my glasses. I unconsciously touched my glasses and became conscious.
What is he saying? Jaden is like a puzzle with a lot of missing pieces. You can't understand him and he doesn't want you to know and understand him either. I already talked to him once in the library and I know how he controls the conversation to avoid talking about him.
"Thanks-"
"But you look better without it." I froze on my spot again and watched him with fear--fear of being known again and hear those painful words Emerald had said to me.
Please just don't. I don't need to be reminded of how pretentious I am and other much colorful words...
"Why wear it?" He asked but I think he already knew the answer and he just needed me to confirm his assumptions. I lowered my head and clenched my fist under the table.
How many of them knew? School is the only place I couldn't think of anything. School is the only place that I am just a student and not a daughter of a slut.
"You're manipulative," I firmly said and I didn't know where this confidence is coming from but I just don't want to hear anything. Maybe the fear of pain gave me this confidence. I raised my head and looked at him without any emotion. He was just watching me and maybe having fun knowing my secret.
"You're questions leads to the answer you want to hear. I'm not born yesterday Jaden. I know those methods of questioning." He didn't say anything but just looked at me with curiosity as if I was an interesting specimen to be studied.
I'm afraid--no terrified of the words he's gonna say to me. He's Daniel's friend and he's more than just the top 1. He's smarter and I fear him more than Emerald. Jaden's powerful enough to swipe my entire existence and maybe fighting him is a wrong move but I won't stay put and wait for him to strike.
"Then why, Olivia? This doesn't have anything to do with Daniel. This is just me and you. I consider you as a friend."
Does he want it that bad that he's sitting in front of me and even talking and wasting his time trying to find out my secret? Is he that bored that he finds my pathetic life interesting? How I wish to live your life than mine, Jaden.
"I'm not a fool either," I said and avoided his gaze.
"You're just afraid and maybe we're both the same."
No, we are not the same, Jaden. Your secret and life are way far more better than mine. I'm an accidental baby of a whore and an unknown rich dude while he's a son of a what?
We're not the same! How dare he compare our life? I'm not playing around acting like a mysterious boy who aced the top spot. My life is in actual hell while he could have a choice.
"Stop playing with words to me Jaden. You wouldn't understand. You manipulated me once but even a fool could learn." I tried to stand up and leave him but he held my wrist making me sit back.
"We should not be upset when people hide the truth from us when we often hide it from ourselves." I looked at him confused but he just smiled at me. "I couldn't really understand that saying before but now I think I know." I feel like he's talking to himself more than me. "I wanted to talk to you Olivia not because of your secret. I just want to say that how we look doesn't really define us. It's how we feel for who we really are. Am I who I really wanted to be? I hope you understand." He let go of my hand and leaned on his seat.
"Then can I ask you a question too?" I asked and looked at him in the eyes. "Who do you really want to be? A top student with the highest score in the entrance exam or someone else? I'm not the only one with a secret here Jaden but I won't tell anyone." The smile he had before was slowly turning into a thin line and just looked at me with a stern face.
I thought so. I accidentally heard him and Daniel talked about a man. The multi-billionaire Arthur Kim is Jaden's father. I was about to return to the classroom that time because I left my book under the desk but I heard him and Daniel talked.
"I'm Axcel Arthur Kim, the son of Arthur Kim and Emily Kim but I simply live as Jaden Samaniego now"
Before that it was Jaden that I saw sitting on a tombstone of Emily Kim when I was visiting my grandmother's tombstone too. I just confirmed that it was him because of his talk with Daniel.
I stood up and he didn't stop me this time.
"Thank you for still encouraging me," I said and left him.
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