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Chapter 4: Friendly gift

Even before my alarm clock sounded, I woke up already. It’s still early. It’s only four-thirty in the morning so I decided to go jogging.

I changed my sleepwears into leggings and a sports bra. I also brought my earphones and cellphone and brought one hundred pesos in cash.

I found Mom in the living room watching TV while Dad was reading his newspaper and wearing black reading glasses.

Mommy glanced at me with a raised eyebrow.

“It’s not even seven-thirty yet, dear,” Daddy teased. I usually wake up at seven-thirty, so it’s often Mommy or Daddy who knocks on my door to get me up. I instantaneously frowned at my dad’s jest.

“Be back before 6:00 o’clock, your class is early today,” Mom added, her attention already drifting back to the 36 inches flat screen television.

“Okay, I will go now,” I replied and left the room.

I strapped my cellphone to my arm with a holder and plugged in my earphones to listen to some music. I didn’t max out the volume so I could still hear the noises around me. I chose to play ‘What’s makes you beautiful’ by One Direction.

I started jogging. I chose to jog on the side of the road, running down the middle would have been dangerous due to traffic. I exited the subdivision and just jogged around it.

Sweat was trickling down my back and forehead. I wiped it with my clean hands and decided to stop at a seven-eleven that was already open. I bought a fifteen pesos water bottle to quench my thirst.

I hung out there for a few minutes, watching the cars pass by on the road.

I resumed jogging and was so preoccupied with my thoughts that I didn’t even notice I had company.

I stared at him. His scent was familiar and I felt like I had seen him before. His familiar icy gaze met mine when he realized I had been looking at him. His eyes were black and cold. I felt like I had seen those eyes before.

Soon, he stopped jogging while I averted my gaze and continued jogging, distracting myself again with One Direction’s music.

I subtly glanced back at him and noticed he was still looking at me, seemingly in disbelief. He stood with his hands on his hips and his mouth slightly open. I quickly looked away when our eyes met. I caught a glimpse of a smile forming on his lips.

I shook my head and focused on jogging. After a while, I decided to head back home. I was tired, so I chose to walk since I was already close. While walking, I messaged Luis on messenger.

Kyle:

You go ahead. You don’t need to fetch me. My dad will drive me to the University.

After I sent that, I immediately turned off my data and secured my phone on my arm holder to prevent it from falling.

Upon arriving home, I immediately had breakfast with my parents who were both dressed in formal attire. As usual, Daddy always teases Mommy in the morning, especially at the dining table. Even when Mommy gets annoyed, she just plays along with Daddy’s tease, ending up laughing in the end.

I went to school with Mommy and Daddy. They both had to go to the Company because they had a meeting with the Fuentes. I got in the backseat while Mommy sat in the passenger seat and Daddy drove.

I was silent until we arrived at the University. I kissed my parents goodbye and said I was going in.

“Just buy your lunch, Yvonne. Your mommy and I might not be able to come home early so have your lunch here,” Dad instructed, while Mom handed me two thousand pesos for my allowance.

I promptly took it and put it in my wallet. I’ve already told my mother that they no longer need to give me an allowance. After all, I’m earning my own money because I own a café close to the University. However, I rarely visit there due to my hectic schedule and it’s difficult to squeeze that in. But because my mother is persistent, I just accept it and save it in my bank.

I trust my employees and of course, my cousin, who is the one managing my café. I seldom call to ask about what’s lacking or any problems, but he already resolved them and found solutions.

I arrived at the University. My dad’s car doesn’t go all the way to the College of Law building, so I had to walk the rest of the way.

Many students greeted me and I would just respond with a tight smile since I didn’t know them.

I continued walking when suddenly, some high school students blocked my way. How did this one end up here? She seems to be only in grade eight based on her uniform.

She handed me a dutchmill proyo with strawberry flavor. I furrowed my brows. For me?

Obviously. She handed it to me.

“He wants me to give it to you, ate Yvonne,” the little girl said.

“Who? Why not him?”

She shrugged her shoulder. “He said you’re taken and it’s not appropriate for him to give it to you, and according to him, so the students won’t spread rumors about the both of you.” She rambled on.

“Then it’s still inappropriate if I accept that,” I retorted.

The girl pouted and glanced somewhere. I followed her gaze but furrowed my brows again when I saw nothing.

“This is just a friendly gift, just accept it. I still have a class,” she insisted.

My lips parted but eventually, I nodded and took the offered dutchmill proyo. The kid quickly said goodbye and ran off.

I curiously looked at the dutchmill proyo in my hand. Well, it’s fine because I forgot to grab one from our fridge. I have something to drink now. But who could have sent this kept bugging me. And what’s with the friendly gift? I don’t befriend people I don’t know. Tsk.

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