4 II

Chapter II

I was lying in bed, it was already 8 o'clock yet I still can't forget about what Deilan said earlier.

'Is it possible for him to like Margarette? Is it even possible for him to actually like someone?'

Margarette is beautiful, smart and kind. People say that the three of us are similar, that's why we're friends. But I know Deilan's type, he doesn't like soft girls and I know that my bestfriend isn't a soft girl.

But I don't think I'm a soft girl too. I mean, Marga is more extra than anyone I know, but that doesn't mean that she's a stronger girl than I am. Why am I so bothered? It's not like Marga will date Deilan. Not just because I like him but because he's too quiet for her.

'But they did say that opposites attract.'

"Ah, I don't know!" I said and started punching my pillow. I stood up and looked inside my mini fridge. I sighed when I realized that I ran out of my favorite yogurt drink. I went downstairs and looked at the refrigerator in our kitchen but there's none left here too.

So here I am, riding my bike to go to a convenience store to buy my yogurt drink. Mom told me no but I used my charms, she even offered to take me their using a car but I refused. Besides, I wanted to go out on my own too since I always go out with some guards.

I'm just going outside our village, what could possibly happen?

I looked at the surrounding houses while I pedal. Most of them have high gates like ours so I can't really see those houses, but some houses don't so I got to take a peek.

All of them are really beautiful and big, as expected.

The guards in the exit of the subdivision greeted me and I greeted them back. I parked my bike outside the convenience store and went inside. I did buy more than I intended to like some chips and other foods, but it's okay since I can still eat them some other day.

While I was pedaling, someone suddenly jumped in front of me so I slowed down. He looked like a beggar, his clothes were ripped, hair messy and body dirty. I must admit that I was surprised and quite scared. I looked behind him to see if I'm near the village, but sadly, the entrance is still quite far. There was also nobody in the street.

I continued to drive my bike, this time faster. As I continue to pass him, the more relieve I felt. But suddenly, I felt cold hands in my left arm and shoulder, only to realize that I've been pushed to the ground.

"Fudge!" I screamed when my body hit the road. I stood up, struggling because of the pain, and removed the dirt on my lower body. I realized that I was in pain because my leg got a scratch.

"Stand straight and don't move." the beggar, now behind me, commanded. His hand was holding a knife pointing at my waist while his other dirty arm was around my neck. It was so tight that it makes me wonder how the heck am I still breathing.

"HELP! HELP M--"

"Shut up!" he reprimanded me and pulled me towards a giant tree where it was darker. He pressed the knife harder, now my shirt is ripped and I can feel the blade in my skin. "Give me your money."

I just closed my eyes and cried silently as I reached into my pocket.

'What do I do? What if the money I have is not enough and he gets mad.

But instead of getting stabbed like what I feared, I just heard a loud thud and a shout. The moment I felt that the arm in my neck loosened, I opened my eyes and ran.

I was near my bike when someone pulled my arm. My cry got louder and I closed my eyes again. I was trembling so I breathed deeply, trying to calm myself.

I felt someone's presence in front of me, but I didn't open my eyes for I was too afraid.

"Miss, are you okay?"

He doesn't sound like he's the guy who was trying to rob me. I opened my eyes and looked at the angel in front of me. He was so close that I can feel his breath while he was panting in front of me. My legs were trembling, feeling weak and I think he saw that. He offered his arms. "Hold on, at least, we don't want any more wounds on your leg.

'What the? He looks handsome.'

I looked at the beggar behind him that was slowly getting up. Afraid, I held into this man's arms. Luckily, the guards arrived and took the man away.

"Took you long enough." he glared at them.

"We apologize, sir, ma'am." they said, obviously flustered, as they hurried away.

"Oh, uhm, thank you." I smiled a little to the guy as I removed my hands on his arms.

'I was feeling better so I didn't need assistance anymore.'

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yeah, of course." I assured him. I walked towards my bike and was about to pick up the groceries that I bought when that guy snatched it from me. I looked at him. "Oh, well, you can have those if you want them. I was actually also thinking of what I should give you for a pro--"

"I know this may seem rude but..." he trailed off.

"What do yo--AAH!"

He didn't hurt me, but instead he picked me up. Like a sack of rice, with my stomach in his shoulder.

"What are you doing?!" I panicked.

"Look, I would carry you bridal style but if I do that, I won't be able to hold your things. And please, don't shout." he sighed. "Look at your bike, the chains are broken. And even if it wasn't, you're hurt so I don't want you to just continue pedaling like nothing happened."

'What the? Should I be suspicious of him? Well, he doesn't look like he's a bad guy and he did save me.'

"F-fine, but just put me down."

He just walked towards a car and opened the passenger seat, that's when he put me down.

"Get inside, I'll take you home." he offered.

"No, it's alright." I rejected his offer. Even if he did save me, he's still a stranger. He placed one hand on his pocket and took his wallet out.

"Here." he placed it on my hands. "My ID is in there, take a look at it, do anything you want. I just really want to get you home safely."

I looked at his wallet in my hands and sighed.

"Fine." I sat down inside his car and he closed the door. After that, he went to the driver's seat. "Wait, you don't know where my house is."

"Well, it's a good thing that you're here to tell me the directions." he answered as he fixed my seatbelt.

"Right." I answered. I looked at his wallet. "Do you mind if I look at your name? Just your name."

"Sure, I did give it to you." he smiled at me.

'What is this? He's so handsome?'

His features were sharper than Deilan, but he does look more approachable.

Timothee James Diaz.

'Huh, cute name.'

When we arrived home, Mom was, obviously, panicking while Dad was trying to calm her down. Timothee explained the events to them and told them that everything is now settled.

My parents told me to go to my room, with some of the maid's assistance, of course. When I arrived there, I immediately ran to my terrace to maybe wave him goodbye because I didn't get to talk to him with al of my mother's fuss. But his car was already driving away when I got there.

I went to bed and lied down.

"What the? So many things happened today." I mumbled as I closed my eyes.

It was our lunch break right now and me and Marga were at the cafeteria together. Thea was called to talk to one our teachers. Marga was even giggling earlier because Francis and Marx was the one who called her.

I told her all about what happened last night and she's now teasing me. She was worried about the wound on my leg, so now I was forced to tell her.

"You never know, maybe he's your the one!"

"What are you saying? I admit that he's cute, but I like Deilan." I told her. She rolled her eyes.

"Anyways.." she started. "I saw a transferee earlier, girls were talking about him."

She was like a worm sprinkled with salt giggling like that.

"You bitch, then what about Marx?" I smirked.

"Huh? O-of course, I only like Marx. You can have this one."

I shaked my head at her remark. Marx was back at their table, chatting with two girls while Deilan was quietly eating.

"OMG!" Marga shrieked while hitting my arm.

"Ouch." I mumbled and tried to stop her. She was looking at the entrance of the cafeteria so I also looked there.

"What the?" I whispered. Margarette hit me again and scolded me for being noisy so I frowned at her.

'Me? I'm the noisy one?'

"That's Timothee, the one with me last night. I informed and smiled excitedly at her. When I looked at the entrance again, he wasn't there anymore. "Oh? Where did he go?"

"It's you." a voice behind me asked. I looked at him and stood up. Almost everyone was looking at him, smirking as he continues to ignore the whispers and giggles that he caused.

I blushed when I realized that he slightly pushed his face near me. Embarrassment filled my entire system. I gently pushed him, making him laugh so his dimples became visible. He sat on our table and pouted.

"I didn't know you were kinda grumpy." He mentioned. He looked at Marga. "Last night, she was more gentle."

Marga gently coughed to hide her laugh.

"Margarette Estrada, Mara's most beautiful friend." she introduced herself while smiling sweetly.

"I'm Timothee, with double E and not Y, Diaz." he said smiling, showing his white teeth. "It's a pleasure meeting you."

He looked at me.

"Until now, the only thing I know about you is your address and your first name."

"Mara Felicity Andrada." I sat down again. "You want me to order you some food?"

"Oh no, how could I?" he frowned. "I'll order on my own, but can I sit here with you, guys?"

"Sure." Marga answered.

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-yany :)