Matteo

Smile

Nate's Point of View

"OH MY GOSH!"

"YAAAAAAAAH!"

"OMGGGGGGG!"

I heard people shouting so loud. I can't blame them though, who wouldn't make a fuss like this? I'm in the cinema now and currently watching a horror movie so that explains the shouting of the people.

The movie ended without me feeling scared because I was only laughing at the people screaming. Especially the one next to me earlier, he almost peed in his seat every time a ghost appeared on the screen.

I went out of the cinema and went to the grocery store where my cousin was.

She did not want me to go her with her there because I will only take everything that I want and she's right.

"Xariya!" I called her when I saw her paying at the counter.

How can she shop so fast? Or did I just really spend a lot of time watching the movie? Maybe I did spend a lot of time.

"Oh, you're here! Kindly lift those." She ordered while pointing the two big boxes in front of her.

"Let's just kick it." I joked and she laughed.

She really laughs even in small things.

"Kick them yourself, see you in the parking lot!" And she ran away. Tsk, what a good cousin she is.

"How can I lift this alone? I should have brought a back up." I whispered to myself as I looked at the two shining boxes in front of me.

"Let me help you, Sir." The staff offered to help me but I shook my head because I saw a familiar face not far away. That's it! That person will help me!

"Thanks, but no need, I have a back up now." I even tapped the staff on the shoulder before I called the person I saw.

"Doc!" I shouted but he did not turn to me so I finally called him by his name.

"Luke!" I shouted again so he looked at my direction before approaching me.

"Is there an emergency?" He asked me worriedly and I shook my head.

"No Doc, just help carry these boxes because Xariya left me here." I told him and he looked at me with pure shock in his face.

"What?" He asked again and I laughed.

"Can you help me, Doc? I don't want to break my back bone." I said again and he nodded even though he was surprised.

Think about it, the doctor that others admire. I just let him carry these boxes! I'm so smart!

***

Xariya's Point of View

"I'm really sorry, Doc." I am apologizing to Dr. Matteo because of what Nate did. I was so embarrassed because he made Dr. Matteo carry the boxes with him even though they are not friends, they are not even close!

"Xariya, it's not a problem. Don't worry." He said laughing but I did not stop apologizing. I can't even look at him because I'm so embarrassed.

"I'm still really sorry, Doc." I said sincerely but he just laughed at me.

"It's okay, next time you need a lifter again just call me." He was still laughing so I blushed. "I'll be going now, I still have a patient." He added.

"All right Doc, thank you! Until next time!" Nate said. Wow! This guy is a jerk!

After Dr. Matteo left, I punched him very hard on his stomach so he looked at me shockingly.

"What's wrong with you, my cousin?" He asked in surprise so I punched him again before speaking.

"You're crazy! You're just like Pau, you two should be together!" I was shouting but he just laughed at me.

"We are not allowed to be together Xari, she already have a suitor." And he laughed again and laughed. Tell me! How did he become my cousin? He's so crazy!

"What you did was embarrassing Nate, seriously."

"I'm sorry. Promise, I won't do it again."

"If it was someone else, they might talk bad about you." I said again.

He is older than me but he is the one who's acting like a child.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry. That's four sorry for you."

And I just scratched my forehead. What else can I expect from this one?

I ignored him and just got in his car and he followed too. I really want to go home, I feel so tired today. Wrong! I am tired every single day because of him and Pauline!

I just focused my attention on the road the whole trip, because I was too lazy to talk to Nate. I'm not mad at him, I'm just really lazy just like what I said.

After a while, he suddenly stopped his car so my eyes widened, feeling annoyed, I turned to him but he got out of the car so I immediately followed him.

"What the hell, man? Are you going to kill yourself?!" I heard Nate shout at the man but the man only laughed at him.

"Nah, I just want to escape from those guys who's following me for hours now." He said so Nate and I frowned and looked at each other.

"Then hide, you idiot!" Nate spat angrily at him but the man ignored him because he suddenly got into Nate's car.

"Nate..." I called my cousin because I am so shock now. Nate did not answer, he looks so shock too.

"Why don't you get back inside now? I'm telling you, they're following me, so if you don't want to die, hop in and drive." He said and we followed him because his voice was very serious.

"Hurry up, they're just behind." He ordered so Nate stared at him. I stared at him too and I caught him looking at me too, or not?

"Why will I follow your order? Who are you? Maybe you are a criminal! Then the one's chasing you are police officers?" Nate asked and the man laughed sarcastically.

"Someone is chasing me but not a police. So just follow me and you two may get hurt." He suddenly became serious so I was even more scared. I averted my eyes and look at Nate instead.

Nate did nothing and just follow what the man said. I guess, there's nothing wrong on driving him home, right?

"Where will we drop you?" I asked and I saw him thinking because of the rear view mirror.

"Are you going home? If so, I'll come with you." He answered and my eyes widened as I turned to him.

"What? Why? We don't know you!" I shouted and he calmed me down. He even smiled but I find it creepy.

"I know you don't know me, but I need some place to stay at."

There he is again, he is really serious and creepy.

"You're one hell of an idiot. They're following you and then you want to live with us? What do you want? We'll be arrested just like you? I still love my life, so no, you're not coming with us." Nate spat angrily again and stopped his car.

"Please? I'll just stay there temporarily. I just really need to escape." I looked at him once again because I heard the desperation in his voice. I saw him looking at me too. What the hell?

I looked away again and look at Nate instead.

"All right, I'll take you to our house but you have to give me a good reason." He said and smirked evilly.

The hell? I thought he don't want to come with this man?

"I need to live." The man simply answered and Nate made a decision. I didn't complain coz I trust his decisions.

___

We are here at home now with the man we met on the road. Our parents were also very surprised because it was as if the two of us adopted a child.

"Ah, Dad. Can my friend stay here for the mean time? He has a problem at their home so he needs some place to stay at. Just for two weeks, I guess?" Nate lied and our dad's seemed to believe it.

"It's okay with us, but Nate, you don't have enough space in your room and I would never allow him to sleep with Xariya." Said my dad.

"I can sleep here in the living here, the sofa's pretty big so I'm fine with it." Suddenly the man spoke so everyone looked at him.

"Are you sure?" Nate's dad asked him.

"Yes, Sir. You already let me stay in your house. That's enough for me." He said so our parents smiled at him.

After that, my mom and Nate's mom excused themselves because they'll cook our dinner. Dad on the other hand, took some pillows and a blanket that this man could use later.

"Thank you, because of you, my life will be extended for a few days." I was stunned by what he said but I ignored it though.

"Just make sure you have a clear conscience. I lied to our parents just to save you." Nate said and pointed at him.

"And make sure we can't be followed because I don't want my dad to end up in the hospital again." I added so he nodded before sitting on the sofa.

Nate and I just looked at him and suddenly something came to my mind.

"Uh...." I didn't get to continue what I said because he looked at me intently that I have to look away just to say something.

"I wanted to ask you this earlier. What's your name? It's weird because you live here in our house but we still don't know your name." I said and he laughed out loud before answering my question.

"Lucas. I'm Lucas Matteo."

_______

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Montero Anthology