When the Flower Falls (Fitzmael 7) - COMPLETED

01: Who Is She?

HUNTER PAID THE TAXI FARE when we arrived in front of a dormitory building near Fitz University. "Keep the change," he said, then tapped my shoulder, signaling me to get out.

"How are we supposed to get to M's Mall if you already paid the taxi?" I asked, confused, stepping out beside him.

"Jenna said the four of us will just take a jeepney to save money." He walked toward the gate, phone pressed to his ear. "Love..." he said, then slowly turned to look at me. He tilted his head and scratched the back of it nervously. "J-Jenna... W-We're already outside."

I couldn't help but laugh a little.

I squinted under the sunlight. Even though it was still early, the sun was scorching. I really needed to plan another tree-planting event for our foundation. Back in our village, we were surrounded by trees. My parents loved nature—obviously, since our names alone were plants and flowers.

My thoughts were cut short when I heard the sound of women laughing. I slowly turned my head toward them... and my eyes locked onto her.

Was that Elimae?

"Hi, Kuya Hunter!" she greeted cheerfully and hugged him.

"Eli!" Hunter exclaimed, equally excited. "Love!" he called Jenna and kissed her cheek.

She hugged him back.

"What's your name, Kuya?" Elimae asked me.

Her crimson-red lips curved into a smile, her eyes sparkling. Her wolf-cut hair framed her face perfectly—she looked effortlessly cool and pretty.

"Don't call me Kuya. We're about the same height," I said.

"Well, I was blessed with long legs," she teased. "But Ate said you're much older than me."

I nodded. "Yeah..." I cleared my throat. "How old are you?"

We started walking. The lovebirds went ahead while I walked behind them with Elimae. I moved to her other side so she wouldn't be too close to the passing motorcycles.

"Twenty. How about you?" she asked, opening her umbrella and sharing it with me.

"Twenty-nine," I answered. "Let me hold that." I took the umbrella from her—I didn't want her to get tired holding it.

"Is this your first time commuting?"

"Yeah."

"You must be rich."

"Not really..." I said, then stopped when Jenna and Hunter did.

Hunter looked back at me and nodded before he and Jenna climbed into the jeepney.

"You go first." I gently held Elimae's hand to help her up.

She was wearing a mini skirt, and I sighed quietly—if I weren't there, someone might have seen something they shouldn't.

"Sit next to me, Kuya."

"Don't call me that."

"But I don't even know your name."

"Ren. My name's Ren. And you're Elimae," I said with a small smile. "Nice to meet you." I took out a handkerchief from my pocket and placed it over her lap.

I'd noticed how some of the passengers were staring at her.

"Thank you, Ren."

"You okay?"

She nodded slowly. "Yeah. You?"

"I'm fine."

The jeepney started filling up, and soon we were squished shoulder-to-shoulder. It was sweltering inside, and the jeep still wouldn't move even though it was obviously full. The driver said they were still waiting for one more passenger.