Winter
The day passed so quickly, but one thing's for sure. Jezzrel has become a part of our group, and we've grown closer to each other.
I would often tease her and call her Jellyace because it's cute. And she would just pout and roll her eyes at me after. Our friends would also tease us from time to time. Knowing Luna and Kippy? Ah, this teasing won't end for sure.
And since she's become a part of our friend group, she would always have lunch with me and Ryle when the time permits. Of course, the whispers of her being my girlfriend always come after because we're seen together. Ah, I just wish she is.
Rumors started spreading that we were dating. That she's the reason why I stopped dating Frances, which is absurd to me. Since Frances and I stopped dating because I saw her kiss another man. She might not know that I saw her. But I saw what I saw. And when you're dating someone, you invest affection, time, and feelings towards that person only to find out that they are intimate with another person. That shit hurt big time.
For me whose life has been planned throughout because of the family I belong in, investing time and effort in a person is never really included in the plan. Just because it would take so much of my time when I could use that time for something else.
That's why it hurt, I chose to invest so much into this person, and yet they get to betray me in the end. Because what? I'm not an ideal guy to be with? Because I'm not doing enough? Not that I care what they think. I just regret the time that's lost.
I'd always remind Jezzrel to never listen to the whispers that she hear, cause most of them are just pure lies and bullshit. They made up lies just for something to fit their narrative. About me, Frances and someone else.
Gusto lang nila humanap ng pag-uusapan, and Jezzrel is the unlucky one to have come to the spotlight since she's getting close to me. Especially now na alam na ng buong campus na kaibigan ako ni Sebastian at Martin. They'd always treat me like a fucking celebrity. Sometimes, may rumors parin na kaibigan lang ako ng mga gagong yun dahil sa pera nila.
Not that I mind those rumors, because I know I don't need any of their money. My family has our own and it's sufficient until I probably die.
One morning, an incident that I never expected happened. Napag-initan si Jezzrel ng ibang mga students, social climber daw kasi ito at nakikipag kaibigan lang sa amin dahil mayaman kami.
These people have got nothing to do with their lives and it frustrates me. And Jezzrel being as nice as she is, just stood there doing nothing to fight back. My blood boils upon the sight. The girl is soaking wet, I don't know what they poured in her. But I'm fuming mad because of the situation.
'Bakit di ka makasagot? Ginagamit mo lang sila Zeo para tumaas social status mo diba? Mahirap kasi kayo!'
'User! Nakikipag close ka sa squad ni Zeo kasi mayaman! Layuan mo na sila!'
I rushed over to her just so I could protect her, I wouldn't let anyone under my care be hurt. Lalo na si Jezzrel.
"What the fuck do you think you're all doing?!" I shouted in anger, "Sino may gawa nito?" I asked while looking around. No one wants to answer me. Not a single person wants to speak.
"Walang magsasalita? I'll have all of you expelled from this fucking school. You hear me? I have all the connections that I need to get you all kicked out of this school." I said, still heaving in anger. "No one gets to mess with the people I care for. Not in my sight." I added.
Naramdaman ko namang hinihila ni Jezzrel ang manggas ng damit ko kaya agad akong napalingon. She's soaking wet, from I don't know what, kung ano man ang ibinuhos ng mga gagong to sakanya.
"Grys..." she uttered, as she sobbed, my heart ached at the view of her hurting.
I stoop down to reach her ears and whispered, "I'll protect you, okay? Just stay beside me."
Then I saw Ryle moving towards us to help, he tapped my shoulder then whispered, "Si Frances daw may gawa nyan kay Jezz. Saka dalawang kaibigan niya." He said to inform me, my forehead automatically creased upon hearing that.
Wala na bang gagawin si Frances sa buhay ko kundi manggulo?
"I need the names of her friends. I'll make sure to get them expelled." I said through gritted teeth. Still fuming mad because of what happened. I looked at Ryle then continued, "I'll take her in my penthouse to change, paki-excuse na ko sa next class."
But before I could even escort Jezzrel out of that scene someone dared to speak, and it annoyed the hell out of me.
'Bakit mo pinagtatanggol yan, Zeo? Eh, social climber yang babaeng yan eh. Girlfriend mo ba yan? Dapat hiwalayan mo na!'
I don't know who she is, but who the hell is she to say those things?
"She's not my girlfriend. Well, at least not yet. So if any of you have plans on doing this again, then make sure you're all ready for the consequences. Besides, so what if she's my girlfriend? None of you knows her as I do. Kaya wala kahit sino sa inyo ang may karapatan pagsalitaan siya ng masama."
I immediately escorted her out of there, I guided her to the school car park, so she could calm down.
"You okay? Do you need anything?" I asked with full concern in my voice.
Nag-aalala ako. This is the reason why I always avoid the limelight. This happened to Luna and Yani during high school just because they are friends with me. Not that they are poor, but jealousy and greed from other people who would want something from me will always resurface.
This is also the reason why I always make sure my driver would be the one to get my friends home. Or why North is so protective of Yani.
Nakita ko namang umiling si Jezzrel kaya napa-buntong hininga nalang ako.
"T-thank y-you."
I just can't see her so vulnerable right now, so I pulled her into a hug. "Shh, I'm sorry that you have to deal with this."
Mukha namang nagulat siya sa ginawa ko kaya agad niya rin akong naitulak, "Hala! Basa ako saka malagkit! Wag mo akong yakapin, madudumihan ka!"
I just smiled at her as an answer, "Do you want to go home? Or I can bring you to my penthouse. May mga damit doon si Yumi na pwede mong ipamalit."
"U-uh, o-okay lang bang gamitin ko yung mga damit ni Naomi sa condo mo?" She asked shyly, kaya agad akong tumango at ngumiti. "I'm pretty sure, she won't mind. Besides, you're already a part of the group. Kapatid na turing sayo nun." I replied.
Jezzrel just nodded, so I opened the door of my car for her. Isinara ko rin ang pintuan ng kotse pagkasakay niya at saka naglakad papuntang driver's seat para sumakay.
I fished my phone in my pocket and dialed Kielle's number, "K, can you do something about what happened a while ago? Yeah, just those who bullied her. Thanks."
I turned on the engine then drive to my penthouse, gusto ko rin sana tawagan ang magulang ni Jezzrel sa nangyari pero ayaw ko siyang pangunahan tungkol dito.
I let her use the bathroom to shower pagkadating namin sa penthouse. Then I sat on the couch, then sighed feeling exhausted all over.
I'll protect you, I swear I will.
A/N: Did not proof read. If there's any grammatical errors and typos, I'm sorry.
