Lost in May, Chasing a Forbidden

Chapter two | Other Woman

I rushed into the classroom, my breath uneven, and slid into a seat at the farthest corner. My chest still pounded from running, and I tried to calm myself when-

"Boom!"

"Tangina!" I exclaimed, startled. Emily. Of course, it was her.

"Anong problema mo? Baliw ka ba?!" I snapped, pressing my fingers to my temples, still trying to catch my breath. My heart raced, though whether it was from the run or from the annoyance that Emily brought, I couldn't tell.

"Bar tayo mamaya?" she asked, completely ignoring my irritation.

I scowled, "Hoy, no'ng huli nating labas, iniwan mo ako, 'di ba?!" I pushed her face away when she leaned too close, her grin still plastered on her lips.

"E ikaw nga nang-iwan! Sabi ko magc-CR lang ako, eh. Bubulwak na pantog ko, gago," she pouted like a spoiled child. "Sige na, bar tayo!" She batted her lashes in that playful, exaggerated way she knew I couldn't resist.

Emily. My constant companion since we were kids. We'd been through thick and thin, sneaking out of the house when our parents wouldn't let us play outside. The mud, the scolding-it never mattered. It was fun. But lately, my mind was making up strange stories. It was always just me and Emily.

"Sige na nga," I finally gave in, "Dapat may chix, ah! Pero 8 pm curf-"

"Is going to a bar part of your assignments?" a familiar, cold voice cut through. "I don't recall assigning you a task to party like you have no sense of responsibility."

Emily froze, her words catching in her throat. "S-sorry, Miss," she stammered.

I stared, my jaw still hanging as I turned to face the source of the voice.

"You... why are you here? Babysitting me again?" I smirked, though my heart beat faster. "Afraid I'll cause a scene like last time?"

Emily pinched me sharply, and I shot her a confused look.

"Anong problema mo?"

"Tanga! Professor natin 'yan! Mag-sorry ka," she hissed back.

I shut my mouth immediately, feeling my face flush with embarrassment. Wait, what?!

Then the professor leaned in, her voice low, sending a shiver down my spine. "I'm still your instructor, Miss Lee. Don't drag your personal issues into this classroom. What happens at home, stays at home." She straightened up, giving me one last cold look before walking away.

No. Way.

Emily nudged me. "Ano sabi niya?"

"Wala," I lied, feigning ignorance. "Ang hina kasi ng boses niya."

I couldn't tell Emily. She could never know that this woman-my professor-was my father's mistress. She'd lose it. After all, Emily wasn't just a friend, she was practically family. My mother adored her. She'd comb our hair while humming lullabies, and Emily would always join us for dinner. In a way, she was the only family I had left. I couldn't afford to lose her, too.

But now, this same professor... she knew too much. Too many secrets I wanted buried.

"Class dismissed," the professor said, gathering her things, and for a brief moment, our eyes locked before she turned away.

What's her problem? We were fine just yesterday...

Whatever. I wasn't going to let this slide. I stormed out after her, grabbing her wrist just as she reached the hall.

"Bakit 'di mo sinabi?" I demanded, my voice trembling with the weight of the words left unspoken.

She looked back, her face impassive. "Said what?"

"Na dito ka nagtuturo. Since when? I haven't seen you around the campus."

She raised a brow, her expression cold. "Did you ask?" Her voice was sharp, cutting.

I clenched my jaw. "We need to keep this as a secret."

She stiffened. "What secret?"

"That you're my father's mistress." The words felt like poison leaving my lips. I turned on my heel, hoping to walk away, but I glanced back just in time to catch a flicker of something-sadness, maybe-in her eyes. But she quickly buried it.

---

Later that night, I stood in front of the mirror, brushing my hair absentmindedly. Lola was coming home soon, and I'm excited. She was the only ally I had left in this house.

But the moment of peace was shattered when I noticed the door slightly ajar. I turned, startled to see her-the professor-standing there.

"What?" I raised a brow. "You don't know how to knock, do you?"

She rolled her eyes. "Your other woman is outside, banging on the gate like a lunatic," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "Womanizer."

Other woman? What the hell? I'm not a cheater! I'm not my father!

I rushed to the gate and saw Achilles, my ex, pleading for my attention.

"Olivia! Please, babe! I miss you!" Her desperation was almost pitiful, but I pushed her away.

"We're over, Achi," I said, my voice cold, final.

"No! You can't just break up with me! I didn't agree to that!" She dropped to her knees, tears falling freely.

"Our relationship ended the moment you kissed someone else," I spat, turning to leave when she grabbed me from behind.

"Please, I'm sorry! We can fix this-"

"Get your hands off her," a voice interrupted, and suddenly, I felt someone pull me away.

"What the-who the hell are you?!" Achilles screamed. "Don't mess with me, you bitch!"

Before she could say more, I slapped her. But then, the professor leaned in, her words sending a shock through me.

"Her girlfriend."

Achilles' face twisted with disbelief. "What? Olivia would never stoop that low! Prove it to me. Kiss her."

I felt a surge of anger, but before I could react, the professor stepped closer, leaning in to kiss me-not on the lips, but just close enough to make it believable.

"I can't believe you, Olivia," Achilles sobbed, her voice fading as she was dragged away.

Once she was gone, I turned to the professor. "Ayos ka lang? I'm sorry. I just needed her to stop..."

"I'm fine," she said, brushing me off. "Go clean yourself. You're covered in filth." Then she walked away, leaving me standing there, utterly confused.

Sorry for ghosting you for a month, anons. na-busy lang sa acads, and exam week na, siningit ko lang sa sched ko. Thank you :)