Delectable Benefits

Ten

Nick was proud of himself during Anya's exam week. He took his welcome home kiss just before Anya went to bed. He silently promised he wouldn't distract her from her studies. She already had enough things to worry about.

He was surprised though, his house maid no longer came and Anya was the one doing the cooking and cleaning of the house. She was also the one doing the laundry. "What happened to the maid?"

"Chadwick fired her. I think she tried to make a pass at him one time. I thought he mentioned it to you."

Nick nodded, "Who has been doing all the house work?"

Anya shrugged, "I am. I only have a few subjects and you usually clean up after yourself. Laundry is not much of a challenge since we don't have to share the washing machine with other people."

He regarded her answer for a while, "Fine. I'll pick you up later after your last class. Have you packed your things?"

She nodded, "Yes, the laundry has been done. My suitcase is sitting on my bed, ready and waiting. My exam will end by lunch."

He nodded, he didn't need to tell her he had her schedule. "I'll wait for you outside your building."

She nodded and pressed the button for the elevator. "Where are you going?"

"I'm taking you to class. I have nothing else to do anyway." He said with a shrug.

There were a lot of students hanging out by the time they reached her building. All of them carried hopeful expressions. When they saw her, most of them turned to look. She smiled at them in greeting, some waved back the other just smiled. Mary just jumped in from behind her. Anya didn't shriek in surprise but simply handed Mary her breakfast. "I believe this is yours."

"Yes! Santini Princess is a real treasure!" Mary said and pumped her fist into the air.

Anya ignored that, "Where did you sneak off to last night?" She asked.

"I went to see Ryan. I am not going to take the test with you, Anya. Contrary to popular belief, I don't want to take the same test twice." She said with a face.

Anya smiled, "I bet you did wonderful."

Nick scoffed, "She barely passed by the skin of her teeth."

Anya glanced at him, "She still passed, that's good enough for me."

Mary smiled, "Atta girl! Thanks for the food. I'll take this home." She stepped away from them.

Nick was frowning, "I thought that was your lunch." He was watching Mary walk away.

Anya shook her head, "Paul buys me lunch after class everyday. He sees me as a charity case since back then, I usually didn't have enough money because my mother couldn't send me enough. It took a while for Papito to find out what was going on. Now it's become a habit of his. Pam and Paul have become my parents here. They have gone through everything with me."

Nick wrapped his arms around her, "I am not going to let that happen again. I'm here now. I'll protect you."

She returned his embrace, "You have done more than any stranger would, Nick. Thank you, you came into my life just when I needed you most."

"I'm still a stranger to you?" He asked with a worried frown.

She chuckled, "Of course not, I don't kiss strangers, Nick."

"Finally getting some, Santini?" one of her classmates asked.

Anya turned red and pulled away from Nick's embrace. "I'll see you later," she whispered to his ear and ran inside her building.