Chapter 9
It’s Saturday night. Say’s expensive watch says it’s already 9:30 PM. Yet, her volunteer partner isn’t around to dance with her still.
The mansion was almost empty tonight, her father was out of town for an important political meeting somewhere. Bored waiting for Nick, she went out of the small ballroom hall to the 1st floor and out the lavish grounds of their 8000 square foot mansion. She was looking for anyone she could ask if Nick just arrived or something.
How busy is he to even forget he has a practice with me? Does he really need to work two-three jobs a day even on weekends?
Say pouts but instead had to understand thoughtfully, Nick wasn’t privileged like her.
While waiting, she let her gaze drift over the stately splendor of the immense De Plaza Mansion - their ancestral home for 3 decades now since their family, starting from her grandfather to her father now, holding a government position.
It's an 8000 square foot, 5 floors Colonial architecture-based house - with lavish grounds that feature an extensive garage where 7 of the Governor's cars are parked, a zen garden, an Olympic size pool surrounded by the pool house, and cabanas. Along with it are the Leisure space and facilities that include ballroom halls on the 4th floor and basement, a home theater, a wine bar, a big library on the 3rd floor, 10 rooms including 2 massive guest rooms, a master bedroom, and her own room called The Queens.
After a couple of minutes more waiting, she decided to go and retire to her room. Perhaps, Nick has forgotten their schedule tonight.
***
A soft knock somewhere in her room is what she hears.
Say looked and listened if it’s coming from her door - but it wasn’t. Half-awake, she rolled from her bed and check the side clock - it says midnight. Her bedside lamp is still on, perhaps she fell asleep while she was still waiting for a sign of Nick to come.
Another knock came. This time, she hears it distinctively from her glass window.
The Glass window??? She hurriedly went to her windowpane after turning on the whole light in her room. Then she saw Nick waving his hands, giving her some signals. He was outside her windowpane, out from the rooftop again!
“Nick!” she opened her window quickly. “I was waiting for you the whole time!”
“Sorry, Say. I had a part-time job that could not be completed fast with my co-workers, so we ended up late and -” Nick stopped in mid-sentence after seeing Say from the open windowpane.
His eyes slid over the luxurious tumble of her silky black hair that framed her face and fell in glorious abandon over her shoulders and back. His stunned gaze shifted to her face, noting her vivid hazel brown eyes sparkling with her beaming smiles beneath thick, curly lashes, her pert nose, finely sculpted cheeks, and soft lips. She was just in her silk shorts and silk short-sleeves but the Governor’s Daughter looks completely enthralling.
“And what?” She asked.
He cleared his throat before answering. “And also, my motorcycle’s tires went flat on the way here.”
She looked at Nick’s hands and forehead and saw some machine grease. She smiled knowing that he utterly looks hopelessly dirty now but still has that striking attractiveness. “I can see that.”
“Although, I know you didn’t wait for me, I still want to say sorry for not coming on time.”
“You were not listening. I told you, I waited for you the whole night.” She admitted frankly.
“You do? Why?”
“I ah….I was ahm…” Say started to stutter as she tried to find words to back up her frank admission. Can’t I just tell him I just want to see him? She clears her head, that’s going to be too much admission. “W-Well, because…because you promised you’d come at 9 PM time! And… It’s also Saturday, so I don’t have anything to do, so I was really hoping you would come. Should I just give you my number, so you can call me next time?”
“I don’t have a phone, remember?”
She rolled her eyes. “Then maybe you can use someone’s phone to text or call me at least.”
“Okay.”
She widely opened her window this time, trying to usher him inside. “Get in.”
“It’s midnight. Isn’t it too late for practice?”
“Why, are you already sleepy?”
“No, I am not. But you were sleeping when I knock. Go back to sleep, all I came here for was to apologize.” And I can’t come into your room knowing how you look so enthralling. Nick thought.
“Okay, let’s just forego the practice tonight but don’t forget tomorrow okay?”
“Alright. Gotta go now…”
“Wait…I have an extra phone here that I don’t use anymore and --"
He smiled wryly. “I can buy mine soon, Say. Thanks for the offer. Goodnight, my queen…”
“Hey, you look like an intruder again tonight.” She bemusedly told the leaving Nick.
He gave her a warm smile as he left. Say can’t help but smile too.
Yeah, a hot intruder…
****
“Hey! Nick! What are you waiting for, the light is green now!”
Walter's shout woke Nick up. He maneuvers the motor on board quickly as he saw the green monitor from the traffic light up the town of San Agustin. He and Walter were about to send letters from the bank. It was Monday again - he was kind of sleepy from the late dancing practice he had with Say last night and his early shift today working at the bank.
“Why did you stop earlier? You don't seem to be yourself today while driving. ” Walter said to him at the next stoplight.
“Nah…” Nick just shrugged.
“You were looking at Governor De Plaza's huge tarpaulin on the street earlier, the one with his family. Do you support the Governor's party? ” Walter was referring to a huge portrait of the political family that hangs in most parts of the town for the upcoming annual fiesta.
Tell the truth, Nick, you stopped because your attention was caught with the picture of the beautiful Samantha Yvette De Plaza... When did I start thinking about her anywhere? Why does she suddenly enter my mind?
He muttered in his breath, unable to look at Walter.
“Oh now I remember, your mom works at the Governor’s mansion, so I assume you also support him, right?”
Nick thanked the traffic light turned green so that his friend would not ask him any more questions.
Because the truth is he is also confused about how he feels.
****
Say finally had breakfast with her busy dad. In almost every week, she typically only sees her father for a breakfast once or twice, especially since it's already the start of his campaign as 2nd term governor. Previously it was her late mom who alternately stepped into his shoes after her father’s first and second three-term ended. Her father expects her to join him in his political wagon by the moment she turned 21.
“Say, I heard what happened in your school a week ago. If the USAI director had not told me, I would not have known that you were assaulted at the hands of some frat boy trespassers at the university. That's why I shouldn't have bought you your own car. Gino or Steve will pick you up from here on.”
“Sorry, dad. I know you are busy with politics, and I don't want to add up another horrible news that might tarnish your name or sway the attention of the people while you are on your campaign. Don't worry, someone helped me that night so nothing happened.”
"Who helped you?"
“It’s Nick.”
The governor's mouth dropped when he heard her answer. "Nick, Sabina's son?"
“Yes, dad.”
“I’ll talk to him soon. Tell that young man my gratitude. And that if he needs a job after he graduates, he can come and ask me. ”
“That’s wonderful dad...” Say was literally delighted to hear it. She is already excited to see Nick tonight to tell him the good news from his dad. Or maybe she could see him in school later this afternoon - although she highly doubts it because he typically arrives at the university at 4 PM for the night class.
“By the way, Kumpadre Julio asks about you and Drex. Of course, you know, my main funding for this election is their large enterprise, right?"
“With Drex and me?" Confused by her dad's question, she remarked nonchalantly. "We are okay at school. Other than that, nothing. ”
He put down his coffee when he heard her answer. “I thought you two were dating?”
“No... Dad, I thought you said no dating for now until I turned 18?” Say countered quickly.
“You'll be eighteen in three weeks, little queen. So that’s what I’m talking about.”
The governor teased suggestively and she knows exactly what her father has in mind - for her to have a relationship with Drex!
"Ha, I'll think about that when that day comes..." She stood and picked up her bag. "Okay dad, thanks for breakfast, gotta be leaving for school!"
“Be good to Drex Say, remember that...”
She just kissed his father goodbye instead of answering his match-making remarks. She knows, she is not into anyone right now and the only thing that she wants to think about is their upcoming Cheer dance competition in a week. “Bye, dad!”
When Say got to the first subject class, she wondered why their classroom was full of flowers. Tori gave her a single red rose. "Here, they have no place to put these roses anymore. Might like to hold this one. ”
“What’s this, Tori?”
"Flowers, what else."
“From whom and -"
“Are you still asking? Of course, it's from the hopelessly romantic basketball dreamer Drex. He is the only ‘can-afford guy’ to fill our classroom with all these roses of the expensive kind.”
And in seconds, Say's phone rings. Her classmates are also watching because they know there is only one caller they expect, the famous Basketball team captain and son of one of the richest people in town."
“Did you liked it?” She heard Drex from the other line.
"You sent all these flowers?"
“Yep. I actually want Tulips but the delivery from Germany might take about a week so I just had those expensive roses from a farm in Japan, instead. The red roses match your lips, by the way.”
She just rolled her eyes hearing Drex’s conceit.
“I’ll see you later?” He asked when she didn’t reply.
“Why?”
“Well...your dad told me that you wanted to see me? I thought perhaps you had forgiven me from last time. Time to mend my little broken heart, baby.”
“My dad???”
You're annoying dad…She can’t help but think before snapping back at Drex. "I’m busy. I have a cheer dance practice."
“I already talked to your friends, they all have exams later today so no practice.”
"I have -"
“I knew your schedule. So I’ll see you later, okay. Bye, my Queen...”
How can I escape from that scum two-timer? Ah... I can't stay longer in school. Where will I go? Wait, I just remembered - I can't just drive anywhere now because Gino will be picking me up! Oh! Heck!