004

IF this is a normal day where I am eating alone in this place, I'll feel fine. Like it is more than enough to have myself but now that I have someone as I'm in the middle of something felt better than sulking alone. I can't really go to Joanna cause she have her own problems, I don't want to add mine onto what she's already facing.

A tear fell and I immediately wiped away. He didn't seem to notice as his eyes are already on the food that we ordered. He kept inspecting the food like he's thinking whether or not the food is poisonous. I rolled my eyes and started eating.

"You sure this is safe?" yeah, for a moment I thought he'll be quiet.

"Yes?"

"You're not sure?" he exaggeratedly said.

"Do you think I will recommend this place if it's not safe?" I once again said because he's being ridiculous.

"You're never safe anywhere, anyway" he looked away and mumbled but I heard him.

"What did you just say?"

"What?" he acted like he didn't said anything.

"I heard you"

"You did? I didn't said anything" and there he ate. I looked at him, what does he mean by that? I ignored what he just said and also ate. Thinking that it's true, there are a lot of bad people that I might met on the streets, who knows?

When I wished that Eros will be quiet, that's when he'll talk and now that I need him to do so, he's being like this. We ate until we finished a bowl of our order. He seemed to enjoy it so I'll bring him here next time. Next time? There'll be next time? He's not even looking at me so what are the chances that he'll come with me.

"We're going straight home?" he asked when we're inside the car.

"Yeah. I need to go to school tomorrow" he nodded and continued driving.

We reached home, that's when I got my phone and purse. I got off the car and he did too. Before I went inside, I looked at him, smiled and said "Thank you"

I didn't gave him a chance to say anything as I run upstairs, showered and laid on my bed. I slept with a better feeling and never thought of discouragements that I received from my mom.

My alarm woke me up. I checked my phone and saw that it's battery is only 30%. I forgot to charge it last night. I showered and changed into my school uniform. I sprayed some perfume and some tint on my cheeks and lips. I'm good to go. I got my bag and went downstairs.

"Are you going to have breakfast, Ms.?"

I looked at the dining table and felt bad that she cooked a lot.

"Yep" and smiled. I already brushed my teeth but I will eat. I got some pancakes and egg. "I will eat a little cause I'm kinda late for school. Please prepare my toothbrush" she nodded. "Anyway, have you seen Eros? We need to go after this"

"Yes, Miss. He's already waiting for you at the garage"

"Have he eaten yet? Why isn't he here and eat with me?"

"With all due respect, Miss. He's your driver and we have a rule regarding those who work for your family and not eating with our employer is one of them" she bowed and left the premise. I ate silently then brushed my teeth after. I went to the garage and found Eros leaning on the car. He looks cute with his white polo, black slacks and black Italian shoes. Just cute. He seemed to notice me because he jogged towards me and got my bag.

"You're not mad anymore?" I asked.

"When did I ever been mad?"

"Let me think" I acted thinking and he's there standing, looking amused with my bag on his hand. "Oh! Yeah, last night. You didn't even spoke a word until we went home"

"How could I? When you run away after saying thank you with your a little cute smile"

I looked away and bit my lip. I started walking to the car. Just when I was about to open the car's door when he did it for me. "Thank you" I whispered then went inside. I'm sure he heard it. We're too close for him not to. He closed the door and went to driver's seat.

He even looked at the rearview mirror. "Your seatbelt, Miss." I did and that's when he started driving.

"Oh, please. Don't call me that"

"Why not? Your maids briefed me about how to treat you, Miss. And I'm not allowed to talk to you casually"

"Did they include the 'follow all the orders that I might give'?" he nodded. "Don't call me 'Miss' and drop the formality"

"Just let me do my job, Miss. I'll face consequences if I did what you just said" I rolled my eyes. I have no choice but to tell him this.

"This car also has a recorder. My mom can definitely hear us and if she has problem with it"

He turned his head on me "Are you being serious right now?"

"Yes. Why would I make a joke about such thing?"

He shook his head and continued driving. We've reached the school and he's still on his silent mode. As soon as I closed the door of the car, he drove off. Thankfully, I immediately saw Joanna waving her hand at me. I ran towards her. She instantly hooked her arm on mine. Something we're used to do. We started walking to our room.

"So, how's the 'talk'?"

"As you can see, I lived" she suddenly pouted and thought that she's being her usual self again.

"Aww. I thought you'd be dead so I bought you white rose" she showed me the rose she have on her other hand.

"Too bad that I didn't, huh?" I snatched the flower. "Thank you, though"

She rolled her eyes and said "I was worried that you might be dead. I was ready to look for your body"

"You're being overdramatic, Joanna"

She gasped and put her hand on her chest "I am your bestfriend. You'll your bestfriend, who's worried sick about you, overdramatic? How dare you!" she then wiped her unshed tear. I rolled my eyes and laughed.

I am smiling as I hold the flower. My favorite flower. We entered our room. We're late and it seems like our prof's more late than us.

We sat on our seat. "What is the reason of the 'talk' with your mom? I remembered you had your firs when your grade became 80, the second one is our secret slumber party."

"Well, it's all about Eros. She asked about him and his stay in our home"

"About Eros, you just said that you just met him but you didn't exactly told me how"

"You said that Eros has the same name with..?" I motioned my hand into circular for her to continue what I was about say.

"Eros?" then she laughed.

"Which is the character in my story. You're so smart, Joanna" I said in full sarcasm.

Her eyes widened but just when I was about to tell her, our prof came. Not even breaktime became our free since we're packed with activities and exams that day.

We're at the front of our car. "You have to tell me tomorrow" she said pointing at me at the same time walking towards their car.

I nodded my head and we bid our goodbyes.

When I got in the first statement that I heard from Eros is.. "A rose. From your suitor?"