Anatomy of an Heiress

Chapter 08

"Asher?"

I was surprised to hear a different version of my name from him. He stopped calling me Tiarra since the day he asked me if he can refer to me as Carmela.

Nakakapanibago.

"I was calling for our group project. Alin pa ba hindi natin nagagawa?"

"Ahh, hindi ko pa nache-check. P'wede pa naman 'yun bukas!"

"I'll be forwarding my contributions. Just communicate with me if there's something I still need to do."

You need to bring back your enthusiasm, gago.

I checked the caller ID if it was really Asher. It was really him. Something's off.

"Are you okay?" I managed to ask. I don't know... why do I feel disappointed?

"I have to go. Thank you."

Then, he ended the call.

Bakit ba ang formal? Ano ba ang problema n'ya? Was there something I said before he went home tonight?

Okay naman kami kanina. We had a decent goodbye. He even told me that I was free to call!

I decided to just sleep but my thoughts just couldn't stop. I was still asking myself so many questions.

Where was I wrong?

I woke up early because I had class again. I brought everything that was needed for the group activity. I created a checklist for the things that we still need to do. Isiah asked for it last night.

Gusto ko tumambay ngayon sa library para matapos na ang mga kailangan tapusin. Mamaya masumbatan pa ako nung isa. Ugh.

I fixed my things and went down only to find my father. I wanted to talk to him about me, moving out. I decided to take the car he was offering so everything would be easy for me once I have settled. I'll just save up money and dispose of the car then, buy a new one.

"Good morning, sis." Mapang-asar na bati ng Kuya Lucas. I rolled my eyes as I walk towards the dining table. I grabbed the paper bag prepared by Manang for the snacks I'd bring to school. Kailangan ko na kasing magtipid.

"I need to talk to you later this afternoon. Go home early." Papa reminded me as I was filling up my water bottle. Kingsley wasn't here yet.

"I will. I also need to talk to you about something, you are just never home." I shrugged and walked past them to head out the door.

There were no bodyguards that asked to drop me off at school. Well, dapat lang.

I rode the jeep today because I wanted to take the long way. Nakasabay ko sa paglalakad 'yung mga tropa ni Asher. I didn't plan on greeting them but they kept on talking to me and I didn't want to be such a snob. I was surprised that Don and Asher were the only ones not around.

"Papasok ba ngayon si Asher?" One of them asked me. Hindi ko sila kilala pero feeling close sila kaya sige, ako na rin.

"Hindi ko alam. Hindi ba at kayo ang magkakaibigan?" Sagot ko, naglalakad pa rin.

"Kaibigan lang kami, blockmate ka. Wait, blockmate ka nga ba niya?" Sabat pa nung isa.

I just nodded. I don't know where this conversation is headed. Ayaw ko na isipin si Asher.

Hindi ko na iri-risk ang last remaining brain cells ko for him. My brain cells are worth more!

I passed by the entrance and hoped that they would leave me alone but they kept on following me, or I thought that they were following me because I realized where I was going. I was headed to the library, maybe they were going there too.