Chapter 12 - Texts

Forgot to return?

I looked at Red having no idea of what he's talking about when I suddenly remembered his shirt.

Of course. How could I forget that but the problem is I didn't have it with me today. I wasn't expecting to see him today anyway.

"I'm sorry. I'll return your shirt tomorrow. I promise. I brought it yesterday and--"

"Was it the reason you waited for me outside?" he cut me off. I think I can't deny it to him so I nodded to confirmed what he said.

"Why you didn't give it to me then?"

"Are you sure? You're really asking me that? Hello! Your girlfriend is there. How would she feel? Duh!" I seriously said to him but he just laughed at me causing others to look at us.

Here I am so concerned about his girlfriend's feelings and he just laughed at me. Is he crazy? I rolled my eyes at him which made him chuckled more.

I said my thanks to him for giving me the attendance stub and then walk away.

"We're not done talking!" I heard him say and tried to walk with me.

"You're leaving the others?" I asked him and looked at the officers who are still distributing the attendance stub.

"We have different tasks and my business there is done. What did you just say again? My girlfriend?" he asked me with amused in his eyes. "Who's my girlfriend, then?" he's grinning now like he really loves what we are talking about.

"Of course, it's Kelsey!" I said and tried to walk fast.

"Kelsey?" he asked me like he's not sure if he heard it right. "Kelsey is my girlfriend, since when?" and then I heard him chuckled again. "Who told you about this? Kelsey is not my girlfriend!" he said and tried to look at my eyes just to see if I really believe what he just said.

"You don't believe me? Do you?"

"Does it matter? Anyway, I have to go. I'll return your shirt tomorrow. I promise" and then I walk past him.

I'm almost at the parking when I felt my phone vibrated. I checked it and it's Dad. They are waiting for me outside and we're going to have dinner with Cheska and her parents. That would be lovely. With that, I walked even faster.

***

"Sabrina! Here!" Cheska raised her hand even if I already saw her. I can see in her face that she's really happy that they are back here in the Philippines.

"Guess what? I'm officially enrolled!" she exclaimed the moment we have taken our seats.

"Really? I'm so excited to see you at our school"

Our parents talk about business while Cheska and I can't wait to spend the coming days together. We were already eating our desserts when Dad pop the good news.

He will be staying here for good and proceed with the construction business that he has been planning for years. I'm so happy that we can be with Dad every day.

***

I just finished my shower and I'm about to go to bed when I received a text.

*0917*******

Hey, this is Yuseff. Our basketball practice is canceled tomorrow. Can we meet instead for our report? After our class? Thank you!

Me:

Sure, no problem. Where should we meet? Library?

I replied. I waited for Yuseff's reply but minutes passed but he's not responding. While waiting, I logged in to my social media accounts. Cheska posted our family dinner earlier. We look all happy together.

My phone beeped and it's Yuseff.

*0917*******

"Yeah. Library. Thank you.

I didn't reply to his text and just saved his number instead. I suddenly remember Red's text to me. I look for the number again and saved his number. What should I name him? Red is boring so I put Smiling Devil as his name. I can't help but laugh after saving that name.

***

"Were here," Yuseff said as he expertly parked his car.

I'm in Yuseff's car and we had just arrived here in Cafe de Cita and Restaurant. We planned to meet at the Library but the Library was full and we can't concentrate. Yuseff offered that he know a cafe near our school so here we are.

I was impressed with the Cafe's design and structure. Simple but elegant. Before entering the cafe, you will walk through a stunningly beautiful garden full of different flowers that seems to welcome you and invite the customers to get inside the Cafe. On the left side, there are man-made falls that add charm to the place, there are few tables near ideal for customers who prefer outdoor ambiance.

When we entered, I was in awe by a large tree in the middle protected by the floor-to-ceiling glass. The tree is literally still outside because the center is open but it became part of the aesthetic of the Cafe. I love the idea that instead of cutting down the tree, the owner came up with an amazing idea just to preserve it.

The lightings are just right and the ambiance is very relaxing. I'm glad Yuseff suggested this cafe. I can't believe I didn't know this place.

"Welcome to Cafe de Cita Ma'am and Sir --" one of the staff greeted us.

"Thank you. Table for two please!" Yuseff said and then the staff looked at me before escorting us to our table.

"You're a regular customer here?" I asked when I noticed that even the security guards at the cafe know him.

"Y-You can say that," he said like he doesn't want me to know that he's a regular here. Why would he be shy about it, the place is awesome and I do hope the food is great here as well.

"Then, any recommendation on what food to order for a first-timer like me? The first impression lasts!" I said to him as I scan the menu but I noticed him stilled and stared at me intently.

I equaled his stares as I wait for him to talk but he looked at me like he's weighing things on what he's about to say. He cleared his throat before setting his eyes on the menu.

"They have b-blueberry cheesecake. That's the cafe's specialty" he said.

"Really? That's my favorite dessert. I'll have a slice of it, then." I excitedly said and added a frappucino then Yuseff called the attention of the waiter.

"You'll have blueberry cheesecake, too?" I asked the moment the waiter left us. I heard him ordered a Cappucino and a blueberry cheesecake too.

"Yeah. It's one of my favorites!" he said and then open his laptop. We didn't waste any time and started discussing our report. We made sure that we've tackled the topic that was assigned to us.

"Wow! This cheesecake is great!" I said and can't help eating it all at once.

Yuseff smirked at me. He looked like he's suppressing his smile. I can't get enough so I ordered another slice of it and I'm already planning on buying one later and have it at home. Gosh! I'm so excited and I can't really believe that I didn't know this place before.

I'm memorizing some terms of our topic when I felt that someone is looking at me. I couldn't help but look around. One more look to then I met two pairs of eyes that were now seriously looking at me.

It's Red. What is he doing here? I got intrigued by who he's with. The girl is in her red off-shoulder dress that hugged her body well and complimented her white skin. Is this the reason why Red is absent in our class? I was supposed to give him the shirt but he's not around.

The girl is talking to Red but unknowingly Red kept looking at me. He puts his hand on his chin like he is thinking.

My eyes drifted to Yuseff when I heard him yawned.

"Sorry about that, I suddenly felt sleepy now that I'm full," he said after another yawned escaped from his mouth.

Like a domino effect, I yawned after him. We both laughed because of that.

I felt my phone vibrated. Thinking it was Dad who volunteered to pick me up today, I excitedly check the message I received.

*Red (Smiling Devil):

You're done with your class?

Who are you with?

It's Red. Now that I saved his number, it kinda feels weird seeing him texting me, especially that we are just in one place. I looked at Red and I couldn't help but raised an eyebrow.

Why is he asking who I'm with? He probably did not recognize Yuseff as his seat can only see the back of Yuseff.

I typed my reply.

*Me:

I'm done with my class.

Then, I hit send. Yuseff lifted his eyes when my phone beeped again.

*Red (Smiling Devil):

Finally, you've got time to save my number. Who are you with?

I rolled my eyes before glaring at him. He looked at me like an eagle spying on his prey.

*Me

Mind your own business, please. I don't even ask who you are with.

I replied to him. I looked at Red and his attention is on his phone now. Is he even listening to the girl she's with?

I looked at Yuseff and caught him checking who I'm looking at.

"Is that Red?" he asked and sipped on his coffee.

"Yeah" and then I put my phone down on the table and tried to concentrate on the report.

My phone beeped again. I can't help but check it.

*Red (Smiling Devil):

I'm with a friend. Now, who are you with Sabrina?

A smile crept on my lips as I read his text. Why is he desperate to know the man I'm with? What's in it for him?

I intentionally did not reply to his text. I pretended that I was busy reading my report. I waited for a few minutes more before I replied,

*Me

I'm with a friend too.

That's it, then I hit send. Let me test his patience.

In my mind, I was already laughing. I sipped on my frappuccino and pretended that I was just looking at someone near their table just to check his reaction when I saw him stood up.

Where is he going?

I stilled when I slowly realized where is he heading to. Is he walking towards our table?

Gosh! He is!