Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (English)

Chapter 10 - Was Usually Calm

December 17, 2010

Odi never expected that his brother actually knew where Lee lived.

"How did you find this place?" he asked his brother as they approached the entrance of the village where Lee resided.

"She brought me here once. She fed me a cheeseburger with so much cheese."

Odyssey's face suddenly fell. Maybe it really was the cheeseburger that made him snap that day.

"Who were you with?"

"With her nanny. Lee's mom and dad were at work. And look at you, all jealous," Perseus joked.

But Odyssey ignored Perseus's teasing and continued questioning.

"No one else? Any other visitors?"

"Visitors? I don't know. I didn't care about visitors; I was just eating."

"When was that?"

"I can't remember. Just sometime last year."

"Why didn't I know about this?"

"Come on, Kuya Di, stop asking so many questions. Just ring the doorbell and say sorry. Don't worry, I'll serve you some food. But just a little, since I know Lee's going to feed you too."

"You're crazy." He threatened to punch his brother. "Just go home already."

After Perseus walked away, Odyssey finally pressed the doorbell, practicing how to calm his facial muscles.

The house was intimidating from the outside, with its three stories surrounded by glass panels. He had never really thought about entering Lee's house. Even though they had been classmates last year, they had never chosen her home for a practice or project location. It was also quite far.

"What am I doing here?" He sighed heavily, as if a headache was forming.

"Yes?" A woman opened the gate. She smiled but looked puzzled, clearly not recognizing him.

At that moment, Odi regretted sending his brother away. Maybe the household staff would remember him more if Perseus were there.

"Ah, is Lee home? Are you Miss Melay?" he asked quickly, trying to gain an advantage.

"Ah, I'm not her nanny," the woman replied but opened the gate wider. "Come in. Are you also her classmate?"

Odyssey felt a bit embarrassed, realizing that his supposed advantage wasn't really that impressive. It was clear that Lee had more than just her nanny at home.

"Ah... yes."

He was even more amazed as he entered the house. It was nothing like the apartment he lived in. The garage alone was bigger than his entire house with Perci. This only deepened his discomfort.

He didn't understand why Lee chose to come and eat at their place when she lived so comfortably—clearly able to get anything she wanted.

"Sit down over there. I'm Marie, by the way. Lee will be down soon. Just wait here."

Feeling shy, Odyssey sat on the soft sofa, hugging his bag that contained the book Lee had given him. He didn't know why he brought it; maybe he just wanted an excuse to carry a backpack.

Moments later, he stood up as a man emerged from a room downstairs. He exuded a regal energy that made it clear he was Lee's father.

"A-ah... Good afternoon, sir."

"Good afternoon."

Thankfully, the man smiled and showed no signs of hostility. Odyssey silently thanked the heavens that not all wealthy people were snobbish. But he also chided himself for thinking that way, knowing Lee wasn't like that. So why did he assume her parents would be?

"Are you a classmate of Lee?"

"A-ah... yes." But as he answered, he tightly gripped his hands, nearly pinching himself, since they weren't classmates this year. He didn't want to say otherwise, fearing more questions would arise.

He noticed Mr. Gabriel nodding and speaking on the phone. Odi wasn't sure where to look or what to do while waiting for Lee with her father in the room. Luckily, after the call, Mr. Gabriel turned back to him and gestured for him to sit.

"Please sit down."

"Ah, Odi. Odyssey."

"Sit down, Odyssey."

"Thank you, sir."

"Are you courting my daughter?"

Odyssey was caught off guard by the question, having only just settled down. He hadn't expected that.

"W-what?" His bag almost fell from his hands.

His mind went blank. He was usually calm, proud, and rational. But now, he felt like he was losing it.

"N-no, I just have something to give her."

His heart raced. He didn't know what would put him more in the hot seat after talking to Lee's father.

He took the book from his bag and showed it to Mr. Gabriel.

"Ah... that's good."

Something sharp pierced his chest. He didn't realize something could feel so physically painful, like his pride had been crushed since childhood.

"You're still young..." Mr. Gabriel continued.

He was about to say more when they heard the doorbell ring. Moments later, a man entered and greeted Lee's father.

"Tito Arthur!"

It was Aldrin.

"Oh, how are you, hijo?" Mr. Gabriel welcomed the newcomer, who immediately noticed Odyssey.

"Oh!" Aldrin pointed.

Odyssey didn't know how to respond to Aldrin's gaze.

"There are a lot of you here today. Perfect timing; let's eat together."

Lee's father smiled. "Lee's mom isn't here, so it's nice to have more people at the table."

Odyssey was about to excuse himself, feeling embarrassed to join them for a meal, but then a girl came down the wide marble staircase.

"Tito, Lee doesn't want to eat!" Mizzy said, raising an eyebrow when she saw the three guys in the living room.

"Oh, Kuya Aldrin? Odyssey?!"

Before any of the guys could speak, Mizzy dashed back upstairs.

"Lee! Lee!"

*later*