Elected To Love

Chapter 16

Over the course of the following two days, the boundary between attraction and responsibility grew narrower. The two began to feel so much more comfortable with one other than they had before after what had happened on Friday night beside the shore.

They talked for hours on end and into the late hours of the night. Whenever they flirted, their messages would often turn into a chat session, but they always dismissed it with "sarcasm"

The day after the celebration, Aliara talked to her parents about everything and was glad to have followed Ivan's advice. She had never felt more at peace.

After talking to his wife and daughter about their issues, her father made the decision to always listen to them and let things calm down.

On the other hand, Ivan had already had enough of his mother's constant questions. She had been suspicious of him, continually enquiring him about his and Aliara's relationship, even after he had denied it.

As Ivan prepared for today's appointment at the school, he packed up his laptop and the exhibition documents. He hurriedly reached for his phone to message Alaira, but before he could, a very delighted Federico interrupted him.

"So what was her ANSWER?!!" The shining guy posed the first question upon his arrival, which made Ivan's mind spin; he had completely forgotten about their bet and had not asked her anything about it; indeed, he didn't even have a plan to deceive Federico!

"Good morning to you, too," Ivan remarked as he sighed softly before walking out without answering his friend's question who was following him from behind. "Oh come on, I knew you were a cutie, you couldn't ask her right?"

Federico questioned, wiggling his brow in front of Ivan's face, causing the latter to make a cranky look before speaking, "I will, don't worry," to which Federico screamed, "I will give you time until this evening," as he bounced out of the house, followed by an annoyed Ivan.

"You mean to say that the teachers are unaware of the page?" As they entered the seniors lobby, Alaira asked Saint and the other nodded.

 "It's as if they have an idea but no proof, so we don't have to worry about them knowing it or questioning us about it," he continued, grinning, which caused Aliara to smile.

As they made their way to the SC room, she remarked, "That's good, I don't want any more drama. Let's head to the meeting room."

When Aliara first entered the room, she was surprised to discover that everyone had already taken a seat. However, as soon as she looked up at Ivan, she saw that his group was having a pre-meeting to discuss the exhibition.

Despite her current feelings for the head boy, Aliara could not let go of their competition. She scoffed at him, and he grinned back, saying, "Head girl, your team members are late."

He mockingly spoke, almost giving Aliara the urge to hit him. "Don't worry, Mr. Ivan. Late or early doesn't matter; what you present does," she remarked, taking a seat next to Saint.

"And I suppose, Saint, we have a lot more to show than just these three slides of yours?" Ivan arched an eyebrow at what Aliara stated, causing Saint to nod slyly.

The atmosphere intensified between them as the other members of Aliara's team entered, Uma trailing behind them. The council members shrugged at the tight mood as Aliara spoke, "I meant your presentation three slides" to which Ivan laughed before adding,

"Trust me it's more than what you would have gathered" "We will see" he heard Aliara reply mockingly, but before they could continue, Mr. John entered.

"Okay, that's enough both of you, it feels like I'm in an action drama, so please cut it out for later," he added, making everyone feel relieved as Mrs. Nancy laughed.

"Now you present to us and we decide who's theme and idea is better, and there should be no disputes," she stated, making the others smile before Zara continued. "We were not going to fight Mrs. Nancy but the presidents surely took it as a challenge"

Making everyone nod and crack up in agreement, the meeting began with Ivan's group presenting first, followed by Aliara's group.  

After the presentations, Mrs. Nancy and Mr. John asked everyone to take a little break while they decided on the outcomes.

Uma sat next to Aliara, biting her nails, causing Aliara to smack her hand away. "Why do you keep doing that?" she asked Uma, who turned to face her. "What's going on with you and Ivan?"

Uma's abrupt question caused Aliara to widen her eyes and keep a hand on her mouth, "Don't speak so loudly here, there are people" She said as she darted her glance around to ensure no one heard Uma, but she ended up gazing into Ivan's eyes.

He looked at her and smiled softly as if attempting to make her forget their current circumstances; seeing this, Aliara swiftly hurried Uma out of the room, confusing Ivan.

.

.

"Gosh, it's unbelievable that so much had occurred, and you kept it from me? Is everything now alright?" Uma enquired, her tone seeming worried. Uma was taken aback when Aliara informed her about the latest happenings.

Aliara quickly nodded in response to her friend's question, who smiled back, then her gaze changed: "What the hell, Ivan can comfort too?" Uma enquired with wide eyes, causing Aliara to grin and mutter a small yeah.

Uma smirked at her response, asking, "Well, so what's going on now?" as she quickly folded her knees and sat down on the wooden bench facing Aliara, who scoffed, "Nothing at all,"

"You like him" Uma let out a heavy sigh, causing Aliara to break their strong eye contact while the other spoke. "You break eye contact, which is a confirmation that you like him."

Aliara scowled at her friend and smacked Uma on the forehead. "I— I don't know, it's just that he is c-caring," she nervously replied, getting Uma to nod. 

"If you don't want to explain, that's okay," she continued. "We can wait until you're ready," she murmured quietly, her tone conveying Aliara's sudden anxiety.

She nodded in response to Uma's words and parted her lips to say, "Thank you," to which Uma sent her a sidelong glance. "It's your privacy, woman," she added, causing the other to chuckle. After that, the two remained quiet until the break ended.

.

.

Federico fake coughed in an attempt to get Ivan's attention, who was staring at the fading figure of Aliara leaving out the door.

"Why don't you just ask her out?" Federico questioned, making Ivan's brows furrow in stress, "Can you stop that 'ask her out', 'ask her out' thing?" He enquired with demanding hands.

"And at least not here," Ivan continued, making Federico roll his eyes, "I am just pushing you to try something new; that is what a friend is for." Federico made a statement, and Ivan grumbled.

"No need, now please get lost; your little Sofia the first is waiting," Ivan remarked, pointing in Sofia's direction. Sofia sat there with heart eyes as she opened the lunch box and showed it to Federico.

Federico sighed heavily before agreeing and walked away, his reaction making Ivan worry since he had never seen Federico like this, but before he could stop him, Mrs. Nancy called him out.

"Ivan, please follow me to Mrs. Anna's room," she said as she stepped out, obtaining a nod from Ivan. 'What could the Section Head possibly want from him now?' he wondered, trailing behind Mrs. Nancy.

He felt a quick rush of unease as the door opened and Mrs. Nancy went in before he entered; to his surprise, he noticed Mr. Emerson, the student counselor, seated there, "Oh good morning, Ivan, come take a seat"

He took a seat next to Mr. Emerson and said, "Good morning, Mrs. Anna," further greeting the councilor.

"So we'll get to the point," Mrs. Anna said, prompting Ivan to nod and swallow at her serious tone.

~Maria