CHAPTER 12

Adela's Point of View:

"He said it's better to be safe, it's hard to get lost," she said, so I just nodded and followed her lead.

She held my hand as we arrived at Olivia's restaurant.

She seated me and the waiter immediately asked what we wanted. I quickly ordered the same as Primo.

We waited at our table.

"What course did you take?" she asked me while my eyes were focused on my hand resting on the table.

I looked up at her and sat up straight.

"Landscape Architecture," I replied, and she nodded.

"Oh, you and Grandma have the same course," she said.

"I heard you like gardens."

"Yes, I find gardens delightful; it's refreshing to be there," I said.

"Have you designed a landscape before?"

"Yes, I have, but of course, with the help of experts," I answered.

I have worked on several landscapes, and I hope to do more if I have the opportunity.

"Wow, you must be a very good architect if experts agree to work with you," she said, and I smiled.

"I'm not that great yet, just average," I modestly replied to her compliment.

"I want you to design the landscape of my house too when I build one," she said, widening my eyes in surprise.

"Are you a civil engineer?" I asked, and she nodded, leaving me even more amazed.

"It's good you didn't take a business-related course," I said, and she just shrugged.

"I'm not interested in business; Mom and Dad are okay with it, so I pursued what I really wanted. Besides, Archer is more into business, and he enjoys it, so I know he can handle it."

"What about you? Why didn't you go into business?" she asked me.

"I didn't want to either. Dad played a big role in influencing my decision. Since I was young, he taught me about landscapes and plants, so I grew up with a passion for it."

Almost half an hour passed, and we still hadn't finished our meal due to our conversations.

"Oh my gosh, Primo, is that you?" a woman approached us, and I turned to look at her with curiosity.

Who is this? His ex-girlfriend? Girlfriend?

"Oh, Jillian, it's you," Primo said, and Jillian gave me a snobbish look as she sat on the chair beside Primo since I was in front of him.

She shamelessly sat close to Primo, and by the way she acted and touched his arm, I knew exactly who she was: a flirt.

The way she talks annoys me so much! She's conyo, and I have no problem with conyos, but she irritates me whenever I hear her. I can't explain the irritation I feel towards her.

"She's not your girlfriend, right?" she asked with her snooty tone while still looking at me.

"Ah, yes," Primo replied.

"Let me think, your current flirt, perhaps? Since you said she's not your girlfriend? Am I right?" she whispered, but it felt like she intended for me to hear it.

"She's not my flirt, Jill," Primo said calmly, trying to remove her hand from his arm.

"Oh really, then who is she?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Your friend? Or your maid? Where did you pick her up?" Jillian said, making me furrow my brow in annoyance.

"I'm sorry? What's your problem? If you want to flirt with him, just focus your attention on him!" I snapped in irritation, continued eating, and I was grateful that Jillian didn't make any more remarks.

While I was eating, I noticed how Jillian was flirting with Primo. Primo was doing his best to avoid it, but with Jillian's persistence, it seemed like she didn't care about Primo's efforts to distance himself.

"Oh my gosh, Primo, are you in love now? Tell me who she is!" Jillian said, making me furrow my brow. Why did she have to be so loud?

"Is that me? Are you falling for me already when you see me again today?" she asked with a grin.

"Tsk," I muttered, probably louder than I intended, catching Primo's attention.

Damn, why did I have to be so loud!

"Okay, Jillian, it's her!" Primo said, pointing at me, and my eyes widened.

"I'm pursuing her, okay? Now go! You're like a leech!" Primo said in annoyance, and Jillian looked at me with disdain before leaving.

Tss, I think Primo just said that to make her leave. Duh, even if I were Primo and a woman I didn't like was being clingy, I'd say anything just to make her go away.

Finally! I thought I would have to endure her annoying voice all day.

"I'm sorry about that, baby," Primo said, reaching for my hand on the table, which I quickly withdrew.

"Tss, I'm not your baby," I said, and he looked down sheepishly.

"Sorry," he replied, so I felt guilty for being so snappy and looked at him.

"Sorry rin, I got annoyed," I said, and he pouted.

We finished our meal and took a short break before heading to the national bookstore before going home. He said he needed to buy something for his drawing.

I went to browse through the books while he shopped. Even though I brought drawing materials, I wasn't in the mood to create new landscape designs, and nobody was asking me to design a landscape anyway. Designing landscapes can be exhausting!

After selecting a book, I paid for it and waited near the exit of the national bookstore.

"Adela? Is that you?" a guy asked from the side, and I squinted my eyes, trying to recall his name.

"Arthur!" I exclaimed, remembering his name. He gave me a high five and struck up a conversation.

We were high school classmates in Baguio, so he recognized me.

"Why are you here in Zambales? Aren't you busy with work?" I asked, and he shrugged.

"Our boss gave us a vacation, so I decided to spend it here," he said.

"Wow, that's great. I hope you enjoy your vacation," I said, and he grinned.

"I just felt like coming here. Maybe it was destiny for us to meet again because I'm the one meant for you," he said jokingly, making me laugh.

"Wow, so confident!" I teased, and he chuckled even more.

"Of course, it's better than dying of jealousy because of my clumsiness. That's tough," he said, making me smile.

"I just bought some stuff I needed here," he said, showing me the paper bag of his purchase.

"How about you? What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I'm just here with someone—" I didn't finish my sentence when someone grabbed my hand. I looked and saw Primo. I glanced back at Arthur, who looked surprised.

"We're leaving," Primo said coldly and pulled me away.

I waved at Arthur and he smiled back, waving too.

I followed Primo's lead until we reached his car.

He opened the door for me, but I hesitated to get in, especially when I saw his dark expression. What's bothering him now?

"Are you okay?" I asked him, and he nodded, but I kept staring at him.

"Sure?" I inquired, and he looked at me, clenching his jaws again.

"Get in the car," he said calmly, but with an air of authority, so I had no choice but to get into his car.

He turned around and placed the groceries in the backseat before sitting in the driver's seat next to me.

"Put on your seatbelt," he instructed, noticing that I hadn't put it on.

I quickly followed his command and looked at him while he drove.

"Are you really okay? What happened?" I asked worriedly.

"I told you back at the restaurant. I am courting you, and I am jealous of that man. Who is he?" he said irritably, furrowing my brow.

"He's Arthur, my high school classmate."

"And what do you mean by courting? Are you going to court me? It's not possible, Primo!" I said with a frown, feeling hurt as I said those words. It's as if my heart didn't want to say those things.

"Why isn't it possible?" he asked, stopping the car and parking at a suitable spot.

I didn't answer his question. I don't know why it isn't possible.

"Tell me, Adela, why I can't?" he asked, making me swallow hard.

"I have a fiancé," I replied, which was a pointless response because both of us knew that Archer and I were not getting married.

"Bullshit," he said, and I looked at him in surprise as he took my hand and placed it on his left chest.

"Feel that? It's beating fast, isn't it?" he said, locking eyes with me, which only made his heart beat even faster.

I could feel my pulse racing too.

"Your eyes, they tell the opposite thing," he said, and I felt his thumb on my wrist, so I quickly withdrew my hand.

He would feel my pulse race too if he checked it.

This can't happen. I can't fall for him.

I will stop this before I get drowned.

"Stop talking nonsense, Primo, just drive us home already," I said, avoiding his gaze. He sighed, and I noticed his jaw clench slightly when I glanced at him.

I know he's angry, and I can't stand him being angry with me. What should I do?

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