The Next Thing I Knew

THE CUNNING SHAM

CHAPTER 5: THE CUNNING SHAM

VAN

"Class dismissed."

The deafening silence earlier was replaced by the sound of bees. Everyone started to get out of the room. As I was about to join the noise outside, I halted when I heard my prof's voice.

"Mr. Clarke, please follow me."

Lumingon ako sa propesor. "Yes sir..." Nagtataka man, sumunod pa rin ako sa kanya palabas. May ilang napapalingon dahil nakasunod nga ako sa kanya. Usap-usapang bihira itong makisalamuha sa mga estudyante kaya napapaisip rin ako kung bakit niya ako tinawag.

Sinundan ko lang siya hanggang makarating kami sa Admin Office. Wait, Am I in trouble? I am sure that I didn't do anything that could put me in that situation!

"Uh, yes ma'am. I'm... uh, I'm... him."

Shit. Is it because of what I told Ash? Is she also here? 

"Mr. Clarke? Earth to Mr. Clarke?" As I heard someone calling my name, I came back to reality. I carefully looked around and the professor who escorted me here was gone.

"Can you be one of our editors? I saw your previous projects and we liked the way you write."

Art said in a persuading tone. He waved their school paper in front of me. Oh, so he's asking me to be part of their editor team? It's quite an honor to be asked by the school paper adviser personally, but it's kinda suspicious that he's asking me personally.

"I'll see sir. I am currently busy with academics and my dad's business, but I'll think about it first." Which is not a lie. I've been multitasking all my life, and when I say life, I meant even from the past life, and I admit it's pretty hard. But this offer is tempting! I wanna know what has he been doing after all those years...

"Great! I'll just fix these papers for you to take home. Don't worry, these are just for formalities."

This man's voice gave me goosebumps! I already know him yet I feel like I should fear him. We fell silent and he continued typing until...

"Come to think of it... your name sounds familiar to my ears."

I gulped. I can feel some sweat building up on my left temple. I know he's talking about me.

"Tell me kid, who are your parents?"

"Uhm, it's Elisa and Cloud Clarke. They are both lawyers, sir"

"Hmm... Anyway, do you know any Cidelerwick?"

"I'm not familiar with the name po. Is it... your friend sir?"

"Nah, never mind. He's just a part of the past." He looked stiff after saying that.

Hindi na ako nagtanong pa para makaiwas sa suspetya. But he really remembers me!

We suddenly heard his phone ringing. Napatingin ako doon at nakita ang pangalan ni Ash.

Why is her number saved on his phone? How do they know each other? What's their relationship?

"Hello, yes?... Hang on Ash," Art said then looked at me. "I'll just print these. This will be quick..."

And she's calling her Ash too! All the hesitancy earlier vanished when I became curious about their relationship. I should accept this offer. I want to know what's with them. And I have a feeling that he knows something, that I'll have some progress with my case.