(Professor's Series #1) EFFLORESCE

Chapter 4

"Is it far?" Feniel asked

"Just few walks before you reach the college of engineering building. You want to go to my office?"

"Are we allowed?" I asked after chewing another tapa and rice na niluto ni Ken kaninang umaga.

"What? Of course as long as you'll go only during your free time" he said and handed me the glass of water I mouthed him thank you. I'm full already.

"We have 2 hours break time today according to Dr. Jin. Fortunately with my overwhelming charms and cuteness she let Cat and I to have the same break time, 4:00-6:00pm every monday. How about you Kenny?"
She winked at me napailing na lang ako.

Pinatawag kami kanina ni Dr. Jin she said required magkaroon ng 2 hours break time everyday. Supposedly magkaiba ang break time namin ni Feniel tuwing hapon but of course as she said she used her charms to ask Dr. Jin to give us at least one day na magkaparehas ang break time. Who can resist her anyway?

"One hour break 5:00-6:00"

"Wait one hour only? Diba 2 hours dapat Ken?"

"I think Engr. Marco, our program head hold a grudge in me. Solely I had the worst schedule." he said and leave us to wash our bento box. Lito ko syang tinitigan sa likod.

"When we first went here to apply Engr. Marco was with his girlfriend. I don't know what happened during his interview but he told me that instead of Engineer Marco his girlfriend seems to asked more personal profile to him. Luckily, the Dean was there to suggest that the girlfriend should leave obviously because her questions was absurd not to add that she's not even a staff here she should know she's not in her place to intervene, that only made her more stupid."

"At that extent you still think you don't know what happened there? Are you serious Fen?"

"Hehehe" she gave me a peace sign before she went in the comfort room.

I'm not even surprised that the girl was interested to Ken. He's a sincere gentleman with a kindheart, a good looking engineer and a crazy rich person hence girls flocked and got insane over him. We had seen how they bended their knees to plead for his love believe me it wasn't a good sight. I can't wait to see the unprofessional and unethical Engr. Marco. Does he even know where Engr. Ken Eugene Collins family came from? Tss.

Ken left after he advised me not to make it a big deal and assured me that he's okay. Thus he is always overprotective of us we are protective of him too. He knew us very well.

"If only looks could kill-"

"Comfort room lang" Naghilamos ako ng mukha at nagtoothbrush malapit na din palang matapos ang lunch break may class pa ako. I dried my face using my face towel and angled my lips to fix my lipstick.

...............

I unlocked my car and open the door para makaalis na kami ni Feniel. Ken already went home hanggang 8pm lang kase ang klase nya ngayon. He didn't wait us because he'll cook our dinner daw. Typical Ken.

"I never thought Engr. Marco was your ex." I was shocked that the Engineer Marco we're talking about earlier was the Marco I met in Paris.

"He's not my ex. He just magnified our friendship but we really became closed when I went to Paris for a shoot and that's just it." I explained to her after we got out of the gate. I knew Marco he was always playful with his words and just by thinking of it I know he was trying to annoy Feniel.

"Okay I get that he's handsome but seriously his freaking annoying." she wrinkled her nose and started typing on her phone.

"Did you... did you just say his handsome?" my mouth dropped open on her remark.
"Frankly, every guy you described handsome became your boyfriend" I added and laughed on my realization.

"And those guys became my ex too. Stop whatever you're thinking Cat." she exhaled loudly and look on her side window.

...............

"By the way do you think that annoying Engr. will change Ken's schedule?"

"That's what I'm not sure of. Do you want me to ask him Ken?"

"I don't think its necessary I already went to my class today I don't want to confuse or make my learners adjust only because I don't like my schedule, besides I'm enjoying my class."

"But Keeeeeeen––"

"What? You want to talk to Marco instead?" I teased her she just rolled her eyes and clung her hands to Ken's arms. I laughed at her reaction and began eating.

She told him how annoyed she was to Marco and how I teased her ealier inside the car, Ken laughed while tapping he head. He even told her Marco was a nice guy and they will make a good couple. I laughed hard that made Feniel finish her food and leave us in the dining. She even shouted on the stairs "kayo maghugas ng pinggan! Bully! Hmmp"
Ken raised his bottle for a cheers even it only has water I toast it with mine and laughed.

After I cleaned the dishes I went to my room to take a bath.

Napaigtad ako ng marinig kong nagring ang phone ko gosh I slept on my bathtub. I immediately went to the shower and put on my bathrobe to answer the call.

"Hey its Pablo" I checked my phone it was an overseas call.

"Oh Pab, is there something wrong?"
I asked worriedly.

"Wow shall I only call you when there's a problem?" I rolled my eyes I thought something went wrong.

"Whatever. So what?"

"Nothing. How's your first day at work?" he sounds concern now

"It was fulfilling I felt nice being a teacher"

"Really? Should I teach then?"

"Why not? Anyway when are you coming back?"

"I don't know yet why?"

"Both Ken and Feniel won't take the board exam this year."

"You want me to accompany you on your review?"

"If only you'll take the board" I don't want to bother him. Kaya ko naman siguro magreview mag isa sa manila? Every weekends lang naman yun. Pero kung uuwi sya at magtatake din ng board why not?

"Alright, I will"

"Oh great! Thank you Pab"

"Anything for you Cat. Anything for you."