Chapter 9

Alitha's POV

njohnson?

Only one person I knew had Johnson by name. And he is the person who I can't get off of my head. My mind is confused now because of what Glaiza said. And then this Johnson is also messing around inside my brain.

I open my Instagram to find out who is this new follower of mine. Njohnson's profile picture is a tribal tattoo. I was intrigued by the tattoo so I open his account only to found out that he had no picture in his account. And he only made his account twenty five minutes ago.

So he's only new here. But how can I recognize him if there is no picture of his face? And how do I know that he is Nikolai Johnson?

I no longer tortured myself. I turned off my cellphone and prepared to go to sleep. My day has been long and the circumstances have been exhausting. I also need to rest my mind so I can at least forget that man's face.

When morning came, I did my daily routine before I opened my cellphone. But I was halted when my Instagram notification rang in succession. When I opened it, Njohnson likes my posts one after the other.

I have posted fifty two photos and he liked all of those. So I've got fifty two notifications. This is crazy. Who the hell is he? Is he some kind of stalker?

But instead of feeling scared, I became very angry. Once I find out who this njohnson is, he will really feel my rage!

My mind was interrupted when my cellphone suddenly rang. My Mom is calling and I compose myself first, tone down my anger before I answer the call.

"Hello, Mommy?"

"Where have you been last night, Mabel Alitha?"

Oh. It's Daddy. "Hi, Dad."

"Answer me!" He's really angry. How did I forgot that there are people who secretly following me every day? And I am sure that they were observing us last night at Josh's house.

"I just accompanied Glaiza attended some party at her friend's house."

"You're attending some party now at someone's house?" Why can't he tone down his voice?

"Daddy, it's because of Glaiza. I wouldn't let her go alone. Besides it's just some simple party. We just eat, talk and.. eat." I can't tell Dad that I drank that fruit punch alcoholic whatever drink last night.

"You were drunk! Alner told me that you smelled alcohol when you passed through him." I rubbed my forehead and sat on my bed.

"Dad, okay I'm sorry. I drank some fruit punch but it's just a small amount. I even drove home last night."

"That's not the point, Alitha! Didn't you think of yourself last night? What if something bad happened to you?"

Here we go again, Dad.

"No one there knows that I am your child, Dad. Only Glaiza knows so please just relax. And you also said before that you still follow me with your bodyguards. Even without them, you know I can take good care of myself."

"How sure are you that no one knew you there last night? I agreed for you to live there because I know you are not like your sister. Shame on your Auntie and your Uncle. They have waited for you to come home last night. I have been calling you last night but you turned off your cellphone!"

"I already slept as soon as I got here."

"Your Mom is worried and she wants you to come home."

"Daddy? I will call her right away. You know the reason why I can't.. yet. Besides that's not our home."

"Alitha! We're not done yet. I will call you again!" Daddy is gone on the other line. I even heard him calling someone.

"Ali, darling?"

"Mom, I'm sorry. I just accompanied Glaiza last night." All I don't want is for Mommy to worry.

"I heard everything, Ali. It's okay. I understand. I will talk to your Dad later. He is in the conference room right now."

"Thank you, Mom. I am so sorry. You know how I want Glaiza to be safe."

"Don't worry, darling. I understand. Next time, please go home early. And don't attend parties like that. I know what's happening in those kinds."

Huh?

"I didn't do something bad, Mom. I know what I am doing and I promise you I won't do something in those kinds of whatever you mean."

Mommy and I talked for a long time. She always told me to be careful. Even if she doesn't say it, I will still do it. I know they will be hurt when something bad will happen to me. Auntie Caroline and Uncle Dan were eating when I came down. Even they were angry at what I did last night. I explained to them everything.

"I understand you, Ali. But next time, you should call or text us if you have some important gatherings to attend to."

"Yes, Auntie. Again, I am so sorry."

"Okay. You should eat now. You can't be late for school."

"Thank you." I'm not angry that they scolded me. I understand them because I know they only care about me. Knowing our status in life, I should be more careful everytime I went outside the house. A lot of people may not know me as the second daughter but it doesn't mean that I will not be careful. I know how to take care of myself. Because there are many bad people in the world. Whether you are rich or not, something bad will happen to you if you are not careful.

I went straight to the parking lot when I arrived at school. I got out as soon as I parked the car. But I was almost run over by the big bike next to me. I stopped and looked at the person who is driving the bike. He parked beside my car.

I felt my heart kicked when the driver removed his helmet. Nikolai's eyes cast upon me as he placed his helmet in front of his bike.

"What are you staring at?" He asked raising his brows.

Here comes the rudeness again.

"Get out of my way." He was parked so close that I could barely pass.

"I am not blocking your way, Ms."

"Yes you are. And what are you doing here? Can't you see the sign?" I said pointing at the sign in the brick wall saying EXCLUSIVE FOR CARS ONLY.

He smirked while looking at the signage. He got off his bike and walked towards the cement wall. He stopped right in front of the signage.

"This?" He grabbed the signage and to my shock he violently removed it from the wall.

"What did you do?"

He threw it in the trash bin and faced me after. "There is no signage anymore. So there's no reason why I shouldn't park here."

He turned to me and started walking away from the parking lot. I knew he was temperamental but I still didn't expect what he did. He removed the sign just so he could park? Can't he just move to where his bike should be? Jesus!

I am walking to our department when I suddenly heard a beep tone of my phone. Someone texted me. I get my cellphone from my bag and open it.

Unknown number: Hi

Who is this?

Only important people in my life, including Glaiza, know my cellphone number, so why does it seem like someone got lost? I just let it go and deleted the text of whoever it was. I continued walking towards our room. Glaiza was already there when I entered. She keeps telling me what happened to her when she came home.

I don't want to tell her that I was scolded this morning. It's not that I am shy but I don't really like telling my everyday life to anyone even if it's her. Especially when it's a family problem. My phone beeped again as I settled in my chair. I took the cellphone out of my pants pocket.

Unknown number: Hello

Jeez! I didn't delete the message this time. I want to know who this is so I leave it for the time being. I put my cellphone over my armchair and continue to listen to what Glaiza is saying. She told me that her parents scolded her. So we were just the same.

Her parents compared her to Glen. Because Glen went home right away while she was, still having a drink. Glen is a homebody. Lucky to be his girlfriend because he won't be a headache. My phone beep again. I saw it immediately because I just put it on top of my armchair. The message is from that unknown number again.

Unknown number: how are you, baby?

What the heck?!

Baby?!

It really drains my patience. So I answered the message.

Me: who the hell are you?!

Glaiza didn't notice my actions because she was already busy with her cellphone. I'm sure she's texting Cedrick.

I received a message from an unknown number again.

Unknown number: I really love it when you curse.

Me: I think you got the wrong number

Unknown number: Mabel Alitha

Me: where did you get my number?

Unknown number: I have my ways

Wait.

I have heard this before.

"I have my ways."

Nikolai! Is it Nikolai?

Me: I think I already know you

I have waited for his reply but I just finished my two subjects in the morning, my text mate didn't reply back.

My plan is to go to Nikolai when I have vacant time. So when it was time for our breaktime, I went with Glaiza. Good thing because she was supposed to meet Cedrick in the cafeteria so we just go there instead.

Just a short distance away we saw their group at their usual place in the cafeteria. And there I saw Nikolai sitting beside Tracey while he was holding the woman. He did not saw us coming. Cedrick got up as soon as he saw us. It would be embarrassing if I joined their table with such friends and their girlfriends. Who am I to join them? I am just the third wheel of Cedrick and Glaiza. But I have something to ask Nikolai so I went closer to them.

"Hi, love. You can sit here beside me. Hi, Ali." Cedrick greeted me same with his friends and the girls except Tracey and Nikolai. He didn't even glance at our direction.

I greeted them back. But refused to sit with them. "I will sit there with Glen." I said pointing at Glen's direction. Although he is not alone, that's okay too than facing the partner hanging out and almost making out in front of the food.

"Why not sit here? It's okay here than there." Andy said.

"It's okay. I have something to talk to Glen also." I saw Nikolai looking up at me. So before I change my mind, I approached him. "Can we talk?" I can't seem to look away from him. How could I? He's been looking at me since I told his friends that I will sit with Glen instead of them.

"Why?" Snobbish as usual.

"I have to ask you something."

"What is it? You can ask him here." Tracey and her bad attitude.

"No, it's okay." Nikolai stood up so I started to walk away from their table. He followed me.

"What is it? Make sure it is more important."

"Are you texting me?" I am expecting a surprise reaction from him but I couldn't see anything. His face is blank and just staring at me.

"What made you think that I am texting you?" I could not answer. Is my reason enough to confront and accuse him?

"I have my ways. You texted me exactly what you have told me."

He laughed suddenly. He has already caught the attention of some.

"Is that your reason?" He laughed again. "Don't give me that bullshit, Miss."

"I was just asking if it's you. If you're not then fine!" I get my phone in my pocket and dialed the unknown number who kept on sending me messages earlier. I secretly glanced at him if he picked up but he didn't. Same goes with the unknown number I am calling.

"I'm sorry to disturbed you. I am wrong. Thanks for your time." I started walking pass through him. I didn't look at Glaiza who I bet is looking at me. I stared at my cellphone and decided to block this unknown number.

Whoever you are, you're just wasting my time. You don't deserve any second of it.