Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Isabella's pov;

"You get tense whenever you hear about the exams, but you seem so happy. What happened to you? Did you get haunted by the exam spirit?" Tracy asked me while I was smiling at my notebook.

I laughed and closed my notebook and said, "After this exam, I can be free from someone who I want to get rid of. So I'm happy."

"And who's that person you're referring to?"

I moved closer and whispered, "Harry."

She laughed and said, "Oh, he's in final year, right. I forgot to remember that. What if he comes to college even after he graduates? You said he's the one who's taking care of the sports club. You know that graduated seniors often visit the college."

"I'll then report him to the principal."

"Why aren't you doing it now if you're going to report him later?"

"If I report him now, he'll have trouble with his exams so it's better to do it later when he graduates."

"I thought you hated him but it seems like you like him somewhere in your heart."

"Actually, I liked him in high school but things happened, a lot changed between us. We tore apart, he became more furious than before..."

While I was talking about Harry, Jose came and asked us, "Who are you talking about?"

Tracy answered, "Bella's bully. She's so happy that he's going to leave this year."

Jose, "Are you? I thought you'll be sad since the only person you fight with is leaving."

I said, "Why do I have to be sad? I'm so happy that he's leaving. After he left, I could go anywhere on campus without having to fear him watching me. I can be assured that I'm going to be free from his manhandling."

"He manhandled you?"

I nodded and said, "When he gets jealous or mad, he changes into someone else and will hurt me. Because of him, I got a bruise on my wrist one day. Beside him, you can't be calm at all. We have to be aware of what's going to happen every time. But, if he's not jealous or mad, he's really a good guy. He treats me like a flower petal. I'm not kidding though. That's the side which made me like him. I'm happy that he's leaving but I'm feeling a little upset that he's leaving me again." And smiled.

Tracy and Jose patted my shoulder while I was talking about Harry.

I continued, "Who knows I would have proposed to him if those things didn't happen in our lives."

Tracy, "What happened?"

"Sorry, He asked me not to tell anyone."

"It's fine. I think you have to talk with him. You can't go on showing hatred towards each other. You're not kids anymore. You're grown-up so you have to know how to sort it out rather than ignoring it. Have a talk with him before he graduates."

I nodded and thanked Tracy.

After the classes started, Tracy went back to listening while Jose moved closer to me. He tapped on my desk to make me look at him.

"What?"

"Does Mr Martinez know about Harry?"

I nodded and said, "He knows. He doesn't like Harry at all."

"Make sense." And smiled at me.

Ms Greta called out my name while I was talking with Jose.

"What does she want with me now?"

He shrugged his shoulders and looked at Ms Greta.

I stood up from my place and walked among my classmates and came to the front.

She gave a paper and asked, "Can you go and give this to the principal and tell her that the meeting is scheduled at 2 pm?"

I nodded and received the paper from her. When I came out of the class, I remembered that the principal's room was in the seniors' building. Anyways, I'm going straight to the principal's office and I'll just give this paper and return back quickly.

I walked out of the juniors building and walked on the pavement. While I was walking across the playground, a ball came from somewhere towards me. I stopped the ball with one hand because I was holding a paper in my other hand. When I looked at the students who were playing on the ground, a guy ran towards me and asked, "Did you just catch that with one hand?" And looked at me being surprised.

"Um... Maybe a fluke."

I throwed the ball over to him and said, "There's people walking around here so play safe."

When I tried to leave, he asked me, "Do you know how to play volleyball?"

I shook my head and said, "That's not my area of expertise." And smiled.

"Handball? Throwball? Basketball? Anything that is played using hands?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"You looked professional when you stopped that ball. And, that wasn't just a fluke."

"Um... I have to go somewhere. Can I?"

While I was walking, he shouted, "Which year are you in?"

I raised my hand and pointed my index finger up in the air.

He shouted again, "Which faculty?"

I ran away from that place and made it to the cafeteria. From the cafeteria, I started walking to the seniors building.

When I came to the seniors building, I wished not to bump into Harry. I came to the principal office which is on the second floor and gave the paper Ms Greta asked me to deliver and told about the timings of the meeting and came out of the room.

While I was stepping down to the first floor, I heard Harry's voice in the stairs. Is he coming up? What should I do now? Where should I hide? I looked around the place and couldn't find anywhere except behind the noticeboard. He can't find me here. I walked to the noticeboard and stood behind it.

While I was hiding behind it, I heard people coming towards it. After they walk away, I will make my move and run away from here. While I was waiting for them to walk past the noticeboard, they stood in front of it and started talking. Oh, really? I let out a sigh and waited for them to leave. Everyone was talking about some game and shared among themselves.

While they were talking, a guy said, "You should have seen her catching the ball. She only used her one hand to catch the ball."

Was he talking about me? Was the guy I met in the playground Harry's friend? Sh*t!

I heard Harry asking, "What is her name?"

"She only said she's from first year, she didn't even say which faculty and ran away."

"What did she look like?"

"Why do you want to know about her?"

"You said you liked the way she catches the ball so I thought I could help you by getting her into your team. If you don't want to, it's fine. Let's leave it."

"Okay, I'll tell."

I listened carefully to know how he's going to describe me to him.

He said, "She looked a little taller than average first year girls in our college. She dressed up as tomboy style. Her hair wasn't long or short but medium length."

Harry replied, "I don't think I know any girls how you described. I can't help you with this."

What!? You don't know me? He knows how I dress up. He even bought me clothes many times during high school. How could he say he doesn't know any girls in the way his friend described.

After some time, I couldn't hear anyone's voices. I think they left so I came out and started walking to the stairs. My phone rang. When i tried to pick it up,

"Bella!"

I heard Harry's voice from behind me. I turned and looked at him.

He asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Ms Greta asked me to deliver information to the principal."

"Did you?"

"Yeah, I'm on the way to my class now."

He gave a nod and said, "Okay."

His friend came and said, "She's the one I talked about." And pointed at me.

Harry said to him, "She's not interested in games. I think you're confusing someone with her."

"Dude! I'm saying this is the girl i saw and I'm not saying i think it's her. The height, outfit, hair everything matches well. Wait, you just said you don't know anyone who dresses up like I said. Who's she?"

"She's a friend from high school." And said to him, "Didn't you say you have a class to go to? Leave." And pushed him away.

Harry turned to me and asked, "Aren't you leaving yet?"

I nodded and started walking to the stairs. When I came out of the building, I heard someone calling out my name. When I turned, Harry was walking towards me.

"Harry?"

"My exams are coming next week."

"Yeah, I heard about it."

"I'm going to graduate soon."

"Lucky you. Leaving so soon. Anyways, all the best for your exams." And smiled at him.

He held my hands and took me to a place where there were not many people around.

"Why did you bring me here?"

Suddenly, he gave me a hug and said, "I'm leaving for New Orleans after graduating."

I broke the embrace and asked, "New Orleans? Why?"

"You know that my parents have moved to New Orleans while we're in highschool, right? So they're asking me to move with them after my graduation."

"You said you chose to stay. Why are you leaving now?"

He held my hand and said, "The reason I chose to stay is because I fell in love with this girl. But after knowing that she's not going to love me back no matter what, then why do I have to stay here. When my parents asked again about moving to New Orleans, I accepted it."

"I thought you would be here after you graduated."

Harry placed both of his hands on my shoulders and said, "Look at me."

I lifted my head and looked at him with teary eyes.

He wiped the tears in the corner of my eyes and said, "Why are you crying?"

"I didn't expect it. It was sudden. I thought you will be here somewhere and I can see you."

Harry looked right into my eyes and asked, "Do I still have a chance, Bella?"

Without hesitation, I shook my head and said, "No."

He gave me a quick hug and left without a word.

I came to the class.

Ms Greta asked, "Did you give it to her?"

I nodded and said, "Yes, mam."

I walked to my desk, seated and looked at my notebook.

Tracy asked, "Hey, why's your face like that?"

"Maybe I got tired."

She gave a nod and went back to listening to the class.

While I was taking notes, I couldn't control my tears so I stood up and excused myself to go to the restroom.

In the restroom,

I washed my face and looked into the mirror, why are you crying, Bella? Are you crying for him? Don't Bella! Don't be like that. He's finally going away from you. That's what you're waiting for. You should be happy but why are you shedding your tears? I washed my face and came to my class.

I couldn't concentrate in the class since I heard Harry's moving away. I stood up from my place and walked to Ms Greta.

"I don't feel good. Can I take my absence, mam?"

She gave a nod and said, "Inform your class teacher and leave."

"Yes, mam. Thank you, mam."

I walked out of the classroom and informed Mr Davis and came out of the college.

I sat in the bus terminal and waited for a bus. I wiped my tears and took my phone which was ringing for some time.

It's Big brother. Why is he calling me now?

I answered, "Hello, big brother?"

"Are you at college right now?"

"No, I'm on the way to the house. Why?"

"Oh, thank God. I need help from you."

"What happened, Big brother?"

"Call me when you reach the house." And ended the call.

What's with him?

I got on the bus which came right away when the call ended.

At the house,

I called Big brother since he asked me to make a call to him when I reached the house.

"Did you go to the house?"

"Yes, I'm going to enter."

"Okay, go straight to Mr Martinez's working space."

"But Mr Martinez said I'm not allowed to enter that room."

"I'll talk with him later so just go to the room."

"Okay, Big brother."

I entered the house and saw Rose.

Rose asked, "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in college now?"

"I took a leave."

"Are you feeling sick?" She touched my forehead and asked, "Your temperature is normal."

"Big brother asked me to go to the working space so I'll talk to you later."

"What about food? Did you eat in the cafeteria?"

"No, I didn't."

"Shall i ask to prepare something?"

"Okay."

I climbed the stairs to go to Mr Martinez's working space which is on the third floor.

"Big brother, i came to the room."

"Okay, go to his table and open the second drawer."

Like he instructed, I pulled out the second drawer, and saw a sealed envelope in it.

"Did you get it?"

"Are you talking about the sealed envelope, big brother?"

"Ah! Yes! That's the one. We need it for the meeting today. Can you bring it?"

"Where?"

"To Mr Martinez's office." And ended the call.

What?! I haven't been there even once. Should I ask someone to deliver it to him? But what if I got missed somewhere in the middle? Why did he forget it in the beginning?

I came downstairs after changing my outfit.

"Where are you going?"

"To Mr Martinez's office. I'll be back."

"What about the food? Aren't you going to eat?"

"Can you keep it in the refrigerator? I'll eat it later. Sorry, I'm in a hurry. See ya later, Rose."

Mateo asked to see me, "Mr Johnson said you came to the house. When did you leave college?"

I got into the car and said, "Let's talk it on the way, now start the car. We have to hurry up."

"Mr Johnson asked me to drop you at Mr Martinez's office. If you have something else to do, you can hand over the envelope to me. I'll deliver it for you."

"It's fine. I'll do it myself. I have never been to Mr Martinez's office so I want to have a look too."

"Have you ever been there?"

"Yup!"

"Then you'll be amazed for sure."

"Why? Does it look that good?"

"You'll see when we get there, Bella."

After a while, Mateo stopped in front of a huge glass building.

"Mr Martinez's office is on the tenth floor. Once you get there, take the right and walk past the waiting room and his office will be on the left. If you get confused in the middle, ask someone on that floor to direct you to his office room."

"Do I look like a kid, Mateo?"

"Okay, tell me what will you do if you get lost?"

"I'll ask someone."

He let out a sigh and asked, "Shall I come with you?"

I tapped on his shoulder and said, "I'm not going to get lost in a building. I'm not stupid, Mateo."

After a while inside the office, Where am I? Why does this place look the same on every floor? Is this my unlucky day? Because the elevator was under maintenance, I had to take the stairs. How do I get to the tenth floor now? If I take the steps, it's going to take all day to get to the tenth floor. Why did I agree with big brother? Can't he remember to take the file if it's important? Why does Mr Martinez have an office in the tenth room? What's wrong with the first floor?

I whined all the way while I was climbing the stairs. Mateo said he'll deliver it, why didn't I listen to him. I should have given this envelope to him when he asked me in the first place. I'm stupid!

A guy said, "You don't look familiar to me. Are you new here?"

"I'm not in a mood to talk so please don't ask me anything and leave."

"You should watch your words when you're speaking to a superior."

"Who's superior to who?"

"I think you're in a bad mood."

"That's what I said in the beginning! Duh!"

He left after giving me a weird face. Why did he look so active? Is it because he's working here? I would quit if I got a job here. Where's my stamina? Why am I so weak?

A girl asked, "Hi."

I ignored her and continued climbing the steps. She left quickly. How does everyone look so active while I'm like a snail?

I sat on a step and looked at the floor number. It's 6. What the hell! Still 4 more to go???

A guy came and asked, "What happened? Are you alright?"

I lifted up my head and said, "No. I'm so tired. Can you carry me to the tenth floor?"

He laughed and said, "I think you didn't know that elevator is fine, now."

I stood up and asked, "What? Is it working?"

He nodded and said, "Yeah."

I held his hand and said, "Aw! Thank you so much for informing me!"

When I tried to leave, he asked, "Don't you want me to carry you?"

"It's fine. I'll take the lift. Thank you again."

I entered the elevator and tried to press the button but someone asked, "What floor would you like to go to, miss?"

I looked around and came to find that the elevator is AI. Wow!

I said, "I want to go to the tenth floor, miss." Since it was a female voice.

The elevator played music after it started moving up. When I turned around, the elevator was glass again. This whole place was made with glass like we could see through the building. I could see the ground floor while being inside the elevator. Now I know why they call it Skyland corporation, it really makes me feel like I'm floating in the sky.

Elevator stopped and a guy stepped in. It's the guy I shouted at. I turned and faced the opposite side of the door.

The guy said, "Tenth floor. Turn off the music."

Is he coming to the tenth floor as well? Why did he ask to turn off the music? It was a good song though. I let out a sigh and continued looking outside.

The elevator said, "We arrived at the Tenth floor, you can leave now."

When the door opened, I waited for him to move out but he took his phone and looked into it. Is he moving out or not? What if the elevator door closes and goes to the ground floor? Ah! Finally, he moved.

I walked out of the elevator car after he left. When I came to the tenth floor, I couldn't believe my own eyes that Mr Martinez was working in a place like this.

I walked into the office with a sealed envelope in my hand. There were a lot of cabins on a single floor. I wonder how many cabins will be on every floor. Thinking about the workers, everyone was so sweet and cool.

"What are you doing here?" It's the guy I shouted at.

I apologised to him for being a douchebag and said, "I got irritated by the elevator so I shouted at you. I'm sorry for behaving like that."

He smiled at me and asked, "Are you new here?"

I nodded.

"But you look young. How did they hire you? And, this is not how you dress up while working here. You have to wear outfits upto knee length."

"No, I'm not working here. I'm here to deliver this envelope to Big brother."

"Big brother?"

I nodded.

"Bella!"

I heard Big Brother's voice.

"I got to go."

I ran to Big Brother and gave the envelope to him. He took it from me and said, "Thank you for bringing it to me." He called one of the staff and told her to take me to the waiting room and turned to me and said, "Go with her."

I came to the waiting room. It looked like a hotel suite. Cushions were damn soft, the coffee table looked like it came out of a mafia's house. The walls, the colour of the paint. I can wait all day here.

A guy came and placed ice cream in front of me and asked, "You can call me if you want anyone, mam."

"Got it!"

I started digging in the ice cream and ate before everything melted down. I walked around the waiting room and felt sleepy.

Someone tapped on my shoulder and woke me up. I rubbed my eyes and opened it to see Mr Martinez who was standing in front of me.

"Mr Martinez?"

"What are you doing here?"

I stood up and said, "Big brother asked me to deliver some envelope since it was important to the meeting."

"You could have given it to someone else, right? Why did you come?"

"Can't I come to your office? Are you hiding something from me?"

He gave a flick on my forehead and said, "Okay, come with me. I'll introduce you to my coworkers."

"Why?"

"They asked me to bring you many times but I didn't have time to do it. Come with me, let's go and meet them."

I clenched my sleeveless top and said, "I'm not dressed well."

He left and came back with a coat and said, "You can wear this but remember that you look good in your outfit. There's nothing to be embarrassed about. That's you. Do you still want the coat?"

I shook my head and said, "Let's go."

When we entered the office, it felt like I'm in a kdrama. The people looked classy in their suits.

Mr Martinez held my hand and said, "She's the one I talked about." He put his hand over my shoulder and said, "It was her idea I talked with you about."

"What idea?"

"The restaurant business you're wanting to open. I was talking about the ideas you told me about the restaurant."

"Why did you tell them? It's just a small restaurant."

One guy in forties said, "Even if it's a small restaurant, I liked the idea of advertising it. I would like to invest in it but Mr Martinez stopped me and said that you don't like people investing unless you gain a profit from it.

"Yeah, I mean yes, Sir."

So many people talked at the same time and a guy asked, "When are you planning to open? After hearing the menu, I'm excited to have a meal there."

"You told them about the menu too?"

Mr Martinez nodded and said, "Like you said. I'm fishing out the customers for the restaurant." And smiled at me.

I burst into laughter and laughed together with him.

"Did you eat the ice cream?"

"I thought it's Big brother."

"Does he know your favourite flavour?"

I shook my head and said, "Um… your coworkers are looking at us."

"Don't bother them. Come on, let's go and have lunch together. Wait, did you eat?"

"No."

"Then, let's go."

Before leaving, he turned to his co-workers and said, "Let's proceed with the meeting after lunch."

In the nearby restaurant,

"Do you talk about me to your coworkers?"

"Why shouldn't I? I got a cute girlfriend so I should boast it out, right?"

"Who said I'm your girlfriend?"

We ordered food and waited for the food.

"Aren't you supposed to be in college now? Did your classes end?"

"I took a leave."

"Why? Don't say that you took leave to deliver the envelope to me."

I shook my head and said, "No, it was another thing."

"What thing?"

The food came.

"Let's eat first."

While eating, he asked, "What happened in college?"

"Nothing. The usual stuff."

"I saw it before but i thought it was because you slept in the waiting room but it wasn't, right?"

"I don't get you."

"Your eyes are red. Why is it still red? Did you cry?"

I avoided looking him into his eyes and said, "Maybe something fell in my eyes." And rubbed it.

He stopped me from rubbing my eyes and said, "You went to the house in the middle of your classes. Your eyes are red. What happened in college?"

"Harry's leaving."

"Yeah, you said you're happy since he's passing out the final year."

"No, he's not just leaving college. He's leaving for New Orleans."

"Oh."

"Was that all you can say?"

"What do you expect me to say?"

"Nothing."

"Did you cry because he's moving to New Orleans? Okay, When is he leaving?"

"After graduation."

He leaned back and said, "What are you worrying for? He's still going to be here for another two weeks."

"I know you're feeling happy deep down somewhere but he's my friend. I can't take it lightly like you."

"Who said deep down? I'm feeling so happy upto the surface but I don't think he leaves that easily."

"What do you mean by that?"

"What did he say was the reason for him to leave?"

"Me. He said I'm the reason for him to leave."

He let out a sigh and said, "He's lying."

"What?"

"He said he's leaving then he says it's because of you. Can't you see that he's lying to you?"

"Did you see his face while he's saying that? No, right? I'm the one who saw it. I'm not stupid to believe everything. And, don't think everyone lies just because you did."

I stood up to leave.

"Where are you going?"

"To meet him."

"Now?"

"I don't want to waste two weeks."

"So?"

"I'm going to be with him till he leaves."

"Like how? Are you going to stay at his house?"

I walked to Mr Martinez and warned, "Don't ever speak like that to me."