The Last Rule

Chapter 48 - Walk Away

I woke up alone in a huge, empty mansion.

Thankfully, Armani and Uno were there to provide some emotional support.

When Tita Den and I arrived here last night, my things had already been delivered. My clothes, my essentials, my car, and most importantly, Uno. I didn't even have to ask who arranged all of it. I already knew. It was definitely Astro. He probably marched around our house collecting everything I needed while pretending he wasn't worried about me.

I got out of bed and followed my usual morning routine, trying to convince myself that nothing had changed. As if I wasn't waking up in a different house. As if my entire life hadn't shifted over the past few days. As if I wasn't currently living in a mansion because my grandfather had been rushed to the hospital and my family was busy trying to keep our world from falling apart.

After getting ready, I headed downstairs. I needed breakfast before leaving and I was definitely going to be late.

"Ah! Mahapdi!"

My footsteps immediately stopped. I frowned. I thought I was the only one here aside from the household staff. Out of curiousity, I followed the voice until I found myself peeking into the living room.

And there they were.

Astro was sitting on one of the sofas while Kuya Calli stood in front of him, wrapping something white around his wrist. I walked closer.

"What's that?" Both of them looked up while my eyes immediately landed on Astro's hand.

"What happened?" I asked suspiciously. "Did you get into a fight?"

"It's nothing," Astro answered quickly, refusing to look at me which immediately made me even more suspicious.

"He's okay," Kuya Calli said calmly as he continued wrapping the bandage. "You should get going. Baka ma-late ka."

I narrowed my eyes at both of them. Astro suddenly looked very interested in the television that wasn't even turned on. Definitely suspicious.

But before I could interrogate them further, reality hit me.

School.

"Oh no." I immediately turned around and rushed toward the kitchen.

I forgot I wasn't staying at home anymore. The mansion was definitely farther from school. I should've woken up earlier.

A few rushed bites later, I was already grabbing my bag and running toward the garage and by the time I arrived at school, I was already stressed because I usually arrive at school thirty minutes early.

Today?

I was two minutes late.

Two whole minutes.

I parked as quickly as I could and hurried across campus, mentally preparing myself for whatever lecture I was about to walk into.

Then I saw him.

Standing near the entrance. Waiting.

Of course he was.

For a moment, I considered turning around and avoiding him.

Pretending I didn't see him.

Pretending he wasn't there.

Pretending my heart didn't immediately recognize him from a distance.

But then our eyes met.

Too late.

The moment he recognized me, his entire posture changed. He straightened immediately, hope flashing across his face so quickly it almost hurt to look at but I kept walking.