Chapter 19: Chapter 19

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So I'm gonna buy a gun and start a war. If you can tell me something worth fighting for

"You played volleyball?" Kavana, one of my blockmates, widened her eyes in surprise. "Like real volleyball?"

"Yeah. She's good at it," Clea, my high school batchmate, stated. "Much better than our captain. She was supposed to be the captain. Why didn't you accept it, by the way?

"I'm too lazy to be the captain," I replied, not really giving much attention to what they are saying since I was busy finishing my research paper. "Is there a fake volleyball?" I added.

"Fake people who pretend to know about volleyball," Clea answered and I agreed.

"Aren't you going to tell me why you never became the captain?"

"It's not my passion. I just joined volleyball because I want to be excused from the class," I lied. The real reason was my parents told me to join sports instead of the band, so I had no choice. Eventually, I realized I have the talent and learned to enjoy it.

"Oh my gosh! Why didn't you tell us?" Savie's eyes glittered like she won a lottery. "C'mon, we've been looking for a volleyball player since freshman year."

"I never thought it was a big deal," I answered, still focusing on my paper while some of my blockmates gathered around me.

"It is a big deal. You could have been a varsity player. You could have joined UAAP!"

"They recruited me," I turned to them. "Offered me a scholarship, but I didn't accept it. Don't make me regret it."

"Why? If you accepted that you wouldn't have to work. It's a full scholarship," Kavana couldn't believe I declined that offer.

I closed my notes, kept my pen on my case, before giving them an uninterested look, so they would leave me alone. Well, they couldn't get it as they continued to pry me.

"If I accepted that, I would not be able to do what I love," I smiled, giving them assurance that I never regret it. "I love singing more than playing volleyball. So, how about we skip this conversation and just review?"

"Which high school did you come from?" Kavana is still not getting it. If I wasn't grateful to her because she paid a lot when I wrote papers for her, I would be extremely rude right now.

"Dominican Sisters." I felt nostalgic saying those words. I wished I could just go back to high school.

"Why are you even asking about volleyball?"

"Dominican Sisters? Omy! So, you knew Zack Zendaya? I have a huge crush on him. I'm from a rival school. Where is he right now? Did he go to UAAP school? Did he continue playing football? Gosh! He's so hot!" Kavana held her breath.

"He's no longer here in the country," I hid the sadness in my voice. "Zack is a close friend of mine, but he's off limits because he's already taken. Period. Not gonna say anything, so leave me alone, please?" I begged.

They are making me sick. I'm trying to make myself busy because I don't want to think about Zee, she's still not waking up. And, here they are asking me about high school and even mentioning Zack Zendaya whom I wished was really here so he can help me wake up Zee.

"How sad!" Kavana scowled. "Well, back to the agenda, we want to recruit you to join our team for the intramurals. We need a setter."

"How sure are you that I can set a game?"

"I told them you are the best setter in town,” Var’s husky voice echoed across the room, making us all turn.

“I’d like to excuse Ms. Tan. May I?” He intentionally licked his lip to attract more girls.

What an ass!

I shook my head as I packed my things. Savie started to giggle while I saw Kavana tucked her loose hair behind her ears, she even bit her lower lips while staring at Var, who is actually staring at me with amusement.

If things were in parallel, I would have fallen for Var.

“For the record, I am not the best setter in town,” I glanced at Kavana who seemed to forget she was recruiting me. “And, no. I don’t have time for intramurals.”

Before Kavana could start flirting, I pulled Var away from them. He’s pretty famous. No wonder, girls started looking at us as we passed by the hallway.

“Do you actually need to do that?” I emphasized the question.

“Do what?” he innocently asked.

“Whatever!” I clicked my tongue. “What do you need from me?”

“I have two NCAA tickets. Watch with me!” He waved the tickets in my face. “Please?” He blinked, trying to look cute, when clearly he’s not cute. He is freaking handsome!

“Why NCAA? Don’t you have UAAP tickets?”

“My younger brother is playing for the NCAA. And, I heard that some of your high school friends are actually playing for the NCAA. So, let’s cheer for them. Plus, you’ll be graduating soon, but you have never watched any UAAP or NCAA games. It’s finally time. You are missing half of your life!” he urged.

“Are you asking me on a date?”

“I am.”

There was a second of silence before I laughed. I mean, I don’t know how to react and I think laughing helps me when things get incredibly awkward. I shouldn’t have asked because I already know the answer. He always told me that. Sometimes, I feel guilty knowing I couldn’t give back the love he has for me.

“The last time I checked, you still have a fiancee,” I reminded him because he seems to forget it all the time. “Wait, who’s your fiancee? I’ve never seen her.”

“She’s not important. You are. So, if I don’t have a fiancee, will you allow me to court you?” he said in a serious tone that I will be so insensitive if I laugh, yet I did laugh because what could I say?

“Take me seriously, Gabriella.”

I stopped walking and almost bumped into his chest when he stopped. I cleared my throat, inhaled, exhaled, as I gave him my most serious look, I don’t even know how it was supposed to look.

“I am taking you seriously that is why I am reminding you about your girl,” I glared at him. “I know you don’t like her, but at least try to get to know her.”

Var raised both of his hands in defeat. “Fine, I’ll let you meet my father,” he bargained.

Oh, he knows what I want. I thought for a second then shook my head.

“What? You said you want to meet my father.”

“Yes, meet, talk, discuss, uhm get to know him enough to tell me a secret. That is what I want,” I smirked.

Var scratches his head in disbelief. “Do you like my father? Should I be jealous?”

“Ew,” I initially reacted, but realized I should pretend to like him. “I mean, he’s a great jurist. I just want to get to know him and talk about cases, or anything under the sun.”

“You are giving me a headache. Are you really sure you want to meet my father?” he blinked twice, trying to convince himself that I was only joking. I am not.

“Why? Is he some sort of evil? Wait, let me find the metaphor for it,” I started thinking. “Devil in disguise? I mean, people told me he’s fair, just, benevolent. Never heard bad things about him or is he just pretending?” I circled my mouth. “Should I stop idolizing him?”

Var blankly stared at me, didn’t let go of his gaze for a minute, until he nodded. “Fine, meet him and be the judge.”

That crept me out a bit.

The crowd was already wild when we went, even though the game hadn't started yet. Var was greeted by some students from different schools which made me realize that he is indeed famous, not only in our school, but even outside the school.

“You are indeed famous,” I told him with amazement. “What did you do to be like that?” I looked at him from head to toe.

Var chuckled. “I was born to be like this.”

“Woah, it’s windy here,” I joked.

“Actually, I knew them because of my family. Some of their parents were clients of our law firm, so we usually see each other at gatherings,” he explained while we headed to the ringside.

“And, some of them or most of them rather are girls secretly admiring you,” I commented as I felt the presence of girls following our lead.

“You are my date now. There’s nothing to be jealous about,” he winked.

I suddenly froze and laughed at my thought. It’s a bit corny except when Loud does it. Or am I just being biased because I like him?

“If this is a different circumstance, perhaps I’ll tell you just made my heart beat fast,” I teased him.

Instead of him getting caught off guard, he made me speechless and a bit nervous when he dropped, “If this is a different circumstance, I’ll kiss you.”

Someone coughed from behind which made us turn the other way.

Did I just blush? Well, I am still a girl and Var is such a handsome human being.

But, wait…

“Is this the reason why you aren’t answering my calls?”

I blinked faster than usual when I heard his voice. I don’t have to look back to make sure it was him because the scent of brewed coffee is enough for me to know it was indeed Loud.

What is he doing here? He called?

I quickly unzipped my bag, pulled my phone out, and started cursing at myself when I remembered putting my phone on silent mode during class hours. I forgot to check it a while ago because I was busy.

“I wasn’t informed you have a date with someone,” he whispered next to my ears. It gave me goosebumps, and my heart was ready to explode any moment. I felt like a child caught from doing illegal things.

“He is not my date. We were just watching because - wait!” I turned to Loud who doesn’t look amused at all.

He glared at Var who innocently looked at him. Var is definitely enjoying this and I am not especially when Loud looks at me like some kind of criminal. He’s upset.

“What?” Loud raised his eyebrow. He had his arms crossed.

“I don’t even know you are here. And, why do I need to explain?”

We like each other, love each other, but we are not together. We are not a couple. He didn’t even tell me he was singing with that girl or he was doing this thing or this thing. I mean, since when did we start telling each other about our errands?

We’re even. .

Okay, I realized that’s foul when the color in his face turned pale and started to straighten up. For one second, I thought he was going to punch Var in the face as he closed fist.

“Yeah, right,” he said, defeated. “You made it clear that I don’t have the right to be jealous. Copy,” he nodded. “Enjoy your date,” he sarcastically laughed, glared at Var for a second, and then stood up.

He walked away.

“That’s ouch, Gabriella,” Var circled his mouth. “Like, are you sure you are not going to follow him?” he slowly said, still trying to grasp the moment.

“I’m sorry,” I stood up. Damn! What am I thinking? “I have to go-”

“Luchinvar.”

“Dad…”

I was shocked as Var when his father stood in front of us. The man I’ve been wanting to see is now in front of me, wearing a blue polo shirt, half pants, Adidas shoes, which made him look like he was just done playing tennis, and decided at the last minute to watch his son’s game. Nevertheless, he’s the older version of Var. He’s freaking hot at his age. How old is he? I think I know the reason why Var thought I like his father as a man because damn, who wouldn’t fantasize about him?

Well, uh. I shouldn’t be thinking about it. Gross! But, I wasn’t prepared. I seemed to forget the things I wanted to ask.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, surprised as I am.

“Asking what I am doing here doesn’t seem respectful, Lunchinvar,” his father reacted or more like acted hurt, but not really because there’s no emotion written on his face. I doubt it. He is just mocking Var who is now looking at me mouthing for help.

“I am here to watch your little brother,” he crossed his arms as he eyed the crowd. “Where is he?”

“Well, you don’t often watch our games.”

“Someone told me that my eldest son is having a date right now. So, I wanna know the reason why he isn’t taking his engagement seriously.”

I gulped when our eyes met. I wasn’t naturally nervous, but he had that intimidating look that would make you pee in your pants. Is this the reason why Var doesn’t want me to meet his father? I shouldn’t have asked.

“Uh…”

“Hey, how’s your mother?”

“Oh…” I muttered. I didn’t see that coming. Ugh. Do I really look like my mother?

“It’s been a while since we last saw each other,” he clicked his tongue. “You look exactly like her.”

I raised an eyebrow after hearing his tone. I never knew anything about my mother’s dating life before she met my father, well, she never told us. All I heard was that their marriage was arranged, typical Chinese family.

My parents were together for years. I could prove that they love each other, they’re happy, yet there’s always a missing piece. It never bothered me before because I know that love has shortcomings, and what do I know about them? I am just their child, pressured to live a life she never wanted.

Uh. Right now, I felt like...why do I have this kind of feeling?

“Did you date my mother?”

Oops. I should really teach myself some control. Where did that come from?

I looked at Var’s father. His cold expression slowly turned into a playful one.

“Did I?” he meaningfully stared at me. “What makes you say I did? Do you have any proof considering this is our first time seeing each other? Did she tell you that?” he chuckled a bit.

“Instinct.”

“What’s the probability of winning a case based on instinct, future attorney?”

“I’m not trying to win a case, just curious,” I defended. “It’s just yes or no.”

“Do you like her?” He turned to Var. “Is she the reason why up until now you showed no interest in marrying your fiancee?”

Var titled his head a little, bit his lower lip, and sighed. He stared at me before saying, “I’m still young to get married. Give me time.”

“Give you time to make her fall for you?” He tapped Var’s shoulder as he stood up. “Love isn’t that easy, Luchinvar.”

He smiled at me.

Should I smile back? Damn, why are we talking about love? I have things to ask about the case. I’m losing time. I’m not liking this. This may be the first and last time I’d see him. Uh. How do I ask? I am not prepared. This is killing me.

“Guess, I see your brother in the locker room. Enjoy your date.”

Var stood up, so I did.

I was still composing of words to stop him from leaving when he held his hand towards me, “Nice meeting you, Ms. Tan.”

“Yeah.” I shook his hand and bowed a little. “Likewise.”

Okay, this is awkward.

“Uhm, wait. I have a question before you go,” I bit my lower lip. How not to ruin this moment? Uh. Whatever. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. He will lie, but at least, I’d asked, “What--”

“Save your question for later, Ms. Tan,” he passed by me.

However, he stopped from behind, tapped my shoulder, and whispered just what I needed to hear, “If I hadn’t loved your mother, do you think I’d help her bury the evidence?”