FORBIDDEN LOVE SERIES: CROSSING THE LINE

THREE

"Yes, Grandpa" I waited for him to put down the call. I was only reminded of getting my schedule fixed so it will fit Ares'.

The head of the family, Don Juanco Herrera, told me to call him that way. He told me that I am like a granddaughter to him but I know too well. He told me that I am also one of them but he treats me the opposite. I am not one them, I belong to the people who's below them. We can't be in the same level because I am on the bottom while they are on the top.

"What is it?" Ares was looking outside when he asked that. We're still on our way to the school.

Umiling ako. "Just reminding me to babysit you. Don't create a mess for a first day. Don't ever make a first impression—"

"Just shut up, Ava. You don't have to remind me"

"Oh yeah?" Taas ko ng kilay sa kaniya. "Parang hindi kita nakitang hubad kanina kasama ang isang babae"

He tsked. He was completely annoyed now but I remain on my cold stare. He looked back at me. Another emotion crosses his eyes but it quickly vanished.

"Do you want to know why do I keep on fcking other women?" Seryoso niyang tanong, he was looking at me now.

I looked outside the window. Ramdam ko kasi ang pagsalit-salit ng tingin ni Paul sa akin at kay Ares.

"I don't want to hear anything about your sexcapade, Ares" Saka na ako nanahimik nalang. I know he was still looking at me but I stopped myself from looking at him too.

Nakuntento na lamang akong manood ng mga gusaling nadaraanan namin. Alam kong ngayon lang kami ihahatid ni Paul dahil madalas naman ay may sasakyan si Ares at dapat ay kasama niya ako. The last time I let him out of my sight was a mess. He just made out with a teacher. Mabuti nalang at ako ang nakakita sa kanila at hindi ang iba, kundi ay malaking eskandalo 'yon.

"We're here" I was about to go out of the car when I remember something. "Ares" tawag ko sa kaniya.

"I know, I'm not going to do anything"

"Katatapos lang linisin ni Alyanna ang eskandalong ginawa ni Paris at Eros"

He tsked. Tila pumasok lang sa kaliwa niyang tainga ang sinabi ko at lumabas sa kabila. Bumuntong hininga lang ako.

"I'll message you later. I prepared a lunch for us. Nagprepare din ako ng breakfast mo kanina pero wala ka pala sa kwarto mo kaya paano ka makakakain" I checked his schedules. May dalawa siyang subjects mamaya after lunch. Kailangan ko na nga sigurong asikasuhin ang schedules namin. "You should go to your room, I'll buy something for you"

Hindi ko na hinintay ang sasabihin niya. Nagtungo na ako sa cafeteria at umorder ng kape doon at sandwich. Tinake-out ko nalang.

I was about to walk to his room when someone pulled me. Handa na ako sa pagsusungit ko nang makita kong si Ares lang yon.

"I told you to go to your room, Ares. Binilhan lang kita—"

"Oh, fck it" inis niya akong tiningnan. Nakasandal ako sa pader ng cafeteria habang siya ay nakayuko sa akin, inis na inis. Nakalapat ang palad niya sa kaliwang gilid ng aking ulo.

"Ares—"

"Huwag mo akong bine-baby. Nakakairita ka, alam mo ba?"

Hindi ako nagsalita. That's right. You should be annoyed to me. Hate me. Just don't go to the other way.

I found myself admiring Ares before. He was like a heroine in a book, and I was the one who was a damsel in distress. He saved me. Hanga ako sa kaniya pagkatapos nang araw na yon, pero hanggang doon lang dapat 'yon.