Chapter 14

CAIUS' POV

I finally drifted back to consciousness. Rubbing my eyes and nose as I moved upright the bed, I tried to look around.

Clinic. Even I stared blurredly, I could clearly tell that it was Pino. He was sitting near the door, browsing his phone.

"Pino?" I called him.

He instantly walked towards me as he slid his phone back inside his pocket.

"You're awake. How are you feeling?"

"Oh. I'm... I'm okay," I answered. "But where's Levi?"

"Ah, Levi... um..."

Rubbing both of his hands with his face crumpled, it was telling me that there was something wrong.

I frowned and asked, "Why? Where is he?"

"He is... he's at the hall. He called an urgent meeting again."

"Why? Don't tell me..." Slowly, he nodded.

It's because of me.

I stood up and grabbed his shoulders. "Let's go there," I told him.

"Are you sure, you're fine?"

"I'm okay. Come on."

I was sure, he's going to scold the students again. From walking turned into running, we arrived at the hall hearing Adalee's name being uttered by Levi on the microphone.

"Adalee?" Levi said, a bit surprised when Adalee started to walk towards the stage.

"A-about the rope... it's... it's my fault," Adalee stated.

It built a commotion among the students as they started to swear against her.

"Levi, it's m-my f-fault," she repeated.

"Damn her!"

"All of us got scolded because of her!"

"Idiot!"

"This is really not good," Pino mumbled beside me.

"Is it really Adalee?" I whispered. "Anyway, if it's really her, I know she didn't mean it."

If the microphone was just an easy thing to break, it's probably already been crushed by Levi's hand.

"Quite," he said, but the students remained creating loud noises.

First warning.

"I said quite!" Levi's voice boomed.

Last warning. Everyone shut their mouths when they saw how mad Levi was. I knew it wasn't about the rope that made him mad at all, but instead how the students bad-mouthed Adalee in front of him.

"Fine," Levi said with firmness on his voice. "I told everyone that I won't let this slide, so as I've said, she will... she will be responsible for the mistake she made. I will—"

That was my cue to enter the hall.

"Levi!" I shouted. Everyone inside the hall turned to me, including him.

"Caius..." he whispered.

"You don't have to impose the punishment against Adalee," I said as I glanced at Adalee. She was already sobbing and she kept on wiping her tears on her cheeks.

Now looking at the students wearing their scrunched up faces, I stated, "Everyone, please stop mocking about her. It's not necessary to cussed her out or swear against her. Even if it's true or not, I'm sure she didn't want it to happen."

"It's really her fault!"

"How could she be that so stupid?" a girl yelled. "We were all informed and told not to bring that damn thing yet she—"

"Please stop!" I cut her off. "Don't be so rude. I'm very sorry if you were all upset because of me. Forgive me for disturbing you. These are just simple misunderstandings, so don't get too worked out about it. I just don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me, so please, stay calm. I hope everyone would understand."

"All... all of you," Levi announced. "You may now leave. Thank you... for making time for this. We're done here. Just please... please, still, be aware. I don't want this to happen again."

The noise didn't stop as they went outside the hall. They kept on blabbering such things.

I moved closer to Adalee and gently tapped her shoulder. I asked, "Gwaenchanhayo?" Are you okay? She nodded as she still tried not to burst into tears.

"Caius!"

Levi came running towards us with Kakang Julio behind him.

"Levi, I'm okay. You don't have to worry about me anymore," I uttered and smiled at him.

"Kids nowadays are so scary," Kakang Julio said, shaking his head. "Hija, don't be sad. These kindhearted men won't let you get hurt."

"I agree," Pino uttered.

Pino and Kakang Julio was trying to console Adalee. Pino brought her water while Kakang Julio tried to talk to her to make her calm.

"Caius, are you sure that you're okay now?"

I turned to Levi and said, "I'm fine. How many times do I have to tell you that?" Giggling, I playfully punched his arm.

"Tsk."

"Geokjeonghajima," Don't worry, I said. "I won't die yet."

"Funny," he sarcastically said.

"Just kidding!" I laughed. "Just don't be so cranky. Relax."

"I'm just really worried," he snorted.

"Don't worry about me, instead, worry about her," I said as I nodded to the seats where Pino, Kakang Julio, and Adalee were sitting.

"Yeah," he whispered as he stared at Adalee.

I had simply tapped his arm before I told him, "Let's talk again later."

I left him standing as I inched towards the three. Together with Kakang Julio and Pino, we stepped outside the hall. Only Levi and Adalee was left inside.

How considerate me, right?