Chapter 29: Chapter 29

David’s P.O.V.

“Okay, then I know it. Thanks for answering my question anyway. Well, it was pretty obvious that you still liked her… end of story! So, what do you expect me to say?” Helena’s tone was a bit exasperated.

Now, she was getting ill-tempered again. I did not expect that my intentional lie would incite her peevishness once more, that she would finally stop eating.

“It was only a joke, Helena. You’re getting peevish again! Hmm, you know what? I liked it more when you stare at me with fire in your eyes. It looks like my walkout queen could become a fierce tigress real quick.” I could feel that my smile would reach my ears.

She painted an even more reddish blush on her natural rosy-white cheeks, but she rolled her enchanting green eyes after. “Whatever, and I don’t know about you, Cristoff! I’m done eating here.”

“Wait, you haven’t even finished your food yet.” I reminded her. There was still one-fourth of mixed rice and viands left on her plate.

“I guessed I already lost my appetite,” she said with a blank expression.

“But I thought that this one became your favorite food too? You declared it a while ago. So, why don’t you consume everything, Helena? Many children could not even eat, so don’t waste your food.” I argued.

“Oh, did I declare it? I don’t remember saying anything. Maybe because I did not really enjoy it, and please, do not act as if you are my father!” she groaned.

“Are you jealous?” I asked before I burst myself into good laughter.

She gave out a fake chuckle. “Me, jealous? Are you kidding, Cristoff? For the second time, I will tell you this. You were not even my boyfriend, so do not assume I would be jealous of you from linking with other girls out there!”

Using my bare right hand, I touched some food on her plate then extended my arm while trying to feed her. “If you are not really jealous, then eat this.” I continued smiling at her.

“Seriously? Did you even realize how our schoolmates were staring at us here? It all started the moment we entered the canteen earlier and now, you’re even doing this? Stop this gesture, Cristoff! Are you out of your mind?” she snapped at me.

“No, but I would surely be out of my mind if we will fight again just because you are jealous for no apparent reason. Vanessa was already my past, and I’m currently here with my present, Helena. Can’t you see? I’m with you, and I could no longer care even if people outside the school will stare at us. Let them be. Now, eat this.” I pretended like I was gritting my teeth.

Even though my right arm started to get tired already, I still did not lower it. I patiently waited for Helena because I had a feeling that she would accept what I was offering her. It was a good thing that before I became a Corps Commander, I was used to feeling physical pain from hundreds of training.

“Alright, I’ll eat this, but it doesn’t mean anything,” she remarked before her mouth accepted what I was feeding her. I felt that she even bit my fingers, and that was purely intentional. But I endured the pain just for her to be happy and if that was what she wanted.

“Now, if you don’t want me to do that again, finish your food. It is such a waste of my effort to prepare all these, and yet, you will not be able to eat everything,” I acted like sulking, even pouting my lips.

“Okay, fine… you win, just don’t pout your lips because you look like a monkey! But let me clear things first, okay? I just want to let you know that I wasn’t jealous of your whore ex-girlfriend, and I don’t care if you still have some feelings for her! You’re not my boyfriend, and you’re not even my type! You’re my rival, Rivera! Always remember that.” She ended her statement with an odd smile on her lips.

“And what’s that smile all about? You even called me Rivera, huh! So, you want me to kiss you?” I suspiciously looked at her.

“Nah, I think you heard it wrong. I said you’re my rival, that’s it! You thought it was Rivera when it was just the word rival. You were hearing things you were not supposed to hear, I guess? Oh, but as I thought more about it, Rivera was indeed close to the word rival so I wouldn’t blame you.” She insisted on making up an alibi, even though I heard her say my last name.

“Okay, if you say so.” I did not want us to fight again, so I gave up on teasing her.

We enjoyed our lunch together, and everything went completely fine for the rest of the day. I accompanied her to the clinic, and it was a good thing that she was getting well. Her temperature came back to thirty-six-degree Celsius—it was normal, and I thanked God for that.

Mrs. Gutierrez canceled the afternoon class, so Helena just continued copying my Physics notes in the library before we parted ways. There, I used the opportunity to stare at her face even more. While copying my notes, her expression would change from serious to bland, to absent, to sullen, and to beatific.

When I saw a garbage can on my way home, I opened my bag to get Vanessa’s book and mindlessly threw it away. Why did I forget about it in the first place?

Going home while whistling, I went to my bedroom located on the ground floor of our duplex house to change my clothes. My father was a late Police Chief Inspector, and it was a good thing that he left us with our own house to live in. At least, it had lessened our overall expenses, and our eldest sister would not worry about the additional monthly rent in case.

While changing my school uniform into a plain white T-shirt and camouflage-designed shorts, I reminisced about Helena. I never expected that we would be eating our lunch with just the two of us. The setting was so perfect, and I felt like I could not be happier! We were getting closer, and gratitude swelled within me, making my heart dare to hope for something more.

It was already four in the afternoon, so when I sauntered out from my room, I went to the kitchen and opened the fridge to find something to eat. Our big sister never failed to bake us some cookies despite how busy her schedule was.

After that, I gave some of the cookies to my younger sibling, Denise, who was four years younger than me. She was currently playing with her paper dolls all over the floor. Together with her, I stayed in the living room and opened our family computer.

And I did not know how to react to what I saw. It was as if Helena already gave her sweetest yes to me even though I had not yet started courting her.

“Yes!” I shouted as I even punched my arms in the air because of my sudden glee.

“Why, big bro?” Denise innocently asked.

“Hmm, nothing! Just focus on playing with your paper dolls and never mind your brother,” I replied without even looking at her. I could not erase my smile anymore, as if I won the lottery. I even looked like a fool smiling while my eyes seemed to be stuck at our computer’s screen.

My Famebook notification says: Helena Mari Delgado accepted your friend request.

She seemed to be firm with her previous decision not to accept my friend request. But what changed her mind? Was it because we were getting closer by now? No matter what, I would leave it to Helena. I did not know how to react further until my heart literally jumped. My hopes soared up high, and my emotions dialed up way too far. I was so shocked.

Barely concealing my delight, I clicked the Mezzenger icon and planned to send her a private message. But what would I tell her? We had been together this afternoon, and if not for their family driver to fetch her on time, then we could still be together. However, I didn’t know what urged me to type a mischievous message on the keyboard, but I had no plans of sending it to her.

I like you so much, Helena. I didn’t know when, I didn’t know how.

I just like you… and I think, I’m starting to fall for you.

“Starting to fall for you?” Denise, popping out of nowhere, startled me as she innocently read my last message to Helena. It made me quickly type in ‘Ctrl + A’ or select all, followed by the ‘Backspace’ button.

“Hey! What are you doing here? Haven’t I told you to just play with your dolls?” I made a loud creak while moving my chair against the floor. I stood up, playfully carried Denise, and gently placed her back on the floor where her paper dolls were.

“But who’s Helena, big bro? Is she your girlfriend?” She gullibly asked as her eyes grew much bigger than usual.

“Not yet, but soon! But you have to behave here first and do not look at the computer so that big bro can tell you his biggest secret, okay?” I told her while slightly ruining her hair.

“Pinky promise?” Denise asked again while showing me her pinky finger. My younger sister looked so cute as she used to blink unstoppably while waiting for me.

“Promise,” I confirmed before knotting my pinky finger with hers.

Denise just obediently smiled at me before playing with her paper dolls again. I came back in front of the computer and tried to type another message for Helena, but what I saw next made me drown myself in panic.

Shit! What have I done?

It was indeed true that I typed in ‘Ctrl + A’ a while ago, but instead of the ‘Backspace’ key, I clicked in the ‘Enter’ key and sent my previous message to Helena out of my mistake. I opted to delete it, but it was too late.

Her small profile picture suddenly appeared in line with my message with a notification: Seen by Helena Mari.