16: new found friend

It’s weekend so I don’t have classes today. I’m just staying in my room, particularly at my study table and browsing on my social media account’s newsfeed using my netbook.

I’m just logging in my account once a week because I’m not really into social media. I mostly prefer having an anime marathon the whole day than to browse on my newsfeed.

“Oh, a friend request,” I uttered the moment I saw the notification.

I clicked it and I was surprised from who it is.

Ryan Chester Morgenstern sent you a friend request.

Chester just added me? I smiled unconsciously then I clicked accept. After that, I saw someone familiar on my suggested friends.

Kiara Michelle Rivera. Then I sent her a friend request. I hope she accepts it. I scrolled on my newsfeed again, then a notification suddenly popped out after just for a while.

Kiara Michelle Rivera accepted your friend request.

My lips curved a smile after seeing it then I stalked her profile quickly. She’s a freshman student at the University of the Philippines, taking Communication Arts course.

Kiara looks fascinatingly pretty in all of her photos. She really looks like a model. And all of her pictures, the highest number of reacts was 3000, while 500 was the lowest. She’s obviously a popular girl.

Meanwhile, here I am. Being happy with 10 likes. But it’s okay because I don’t have many friends. I just have less than 400 in my friend list. All of them were acquaintances, classmates, and relatives.

And taking selfies was never my thing. My profile could be mistaken as a poser or dummy account because it’s almost empty. Anime-related and memes are just the things that you can see on my profile instead of my pictures. I even take a year to change my profile picture.

After a few moments, a notification popped again.

Rendel Caden Morgenstern sent you a friend request.

My brows raised by seeing it. That stupid jerk added me? Hmm, fine. I’ll accept him. I don’t want his effort of adding me gets into waste.

I logged out my account before turning off my netbook. Then I stood up and went to the bathroom to take a bath.

After half an hour, I’m done taking a bath then went to my bedroom to wear clothes. After combing my hair, I decided to went out of my room to go outside the mansion.

The moment I stepped out of the door, I heard someone called me.

“Hey.”

I turned around to see him.

“Where are you going?” Caden asked.

“I’m just going to take a walk somewhere out there. I’m getting bored here.”

“Okay. Let me come with you.”

I raised my brows at him. “Okay? Whatever.”

“Wait,” he said then he went at the backyard.

After a while, I was surprised when I saw what he got.

“Wow. That dog is so cute!” I marveled.

“This is Miykal, an Alaskan Malamute,” Caden told me while he’s holding its leash.

It looks like a wolf. It’s huge and covered with fluffy fur that was colored white with some shades of black.

“Can I touch him?” I asked.

“Sure.”

I slowly reached my hand to the dog’s head, then gently rubbed it. The dog wagged its tail and he looks happy and excited.

“Hello, Miykal,” I greeted the dog using that cute voice whenever we see a cute animal.

I went out from the gate with Caden and Miykal then we took a stroll nearby.

“Roma.”

“What?”

“Do you like my brother?”

I was caught off guard by his question. “What are you talking about?”

“Well, if you like him, I’ll just give you a warning.”

“Warning?”

“Beware of my brother. He’s not that good at handling woman’s heart.”

I’m just staring at Caden while I’m trying to comprehend what he said and why did he say it. And it seems like he’s not goofing around this time.

“Rendel!”

We both looked at that person who called him.

“Kiara.”

She’s also walking her dog—a shih tzu.

“Hello, Miykal!” Kiara greeted Caden’s dog.

Then she looked at me. “Wait. Roma, right?”

“Uhm, yeah,” I answered.

“Why are you together here?” she queried.

Caden and I went panic after she asked it.

“Uhm, because. . .”

“Baby!”

We looked at that person who suddenly came.

“Chester.”

“Oh. Hi, Kiara,” he greeted her.

“Hello,” Kiara greeted him back.

Then Chester quickly went onto me and put his arms around my shoulder.

“Hey, I’m looking for you.”

I felt confused. “Ha? Why?”

“Wait, don’t tell me. . .” Kiara suddenly blurted, “Roma is your girlfriend?”

We’re shocked by what Kiara have said.

“Yeah, she is.”

But Chester’s answer shocked me more.

“So, we have to go now. Excuse us,” Chester bade then he brought me with him away from Kiara and Caden.

“I’m sorry,” Chester suddenly uttered.

“That’s the only good reason that I’ve thought so she wouldn’t ask anything at all. Caden doesn’t want Kiara to know that he’s already engaged,” he explained.

I nodded, “Okay.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll just pretend in front of Kiara. Okay?”

“Okay.”

--

I just arrived at the mall that Kiara was talking about. I’m here standing right at the mall’s entrance while waiting for her. I’m looking around while checking my wristwatch from time to time.

Kiara asked me to hang out with her through chat earlier. Then after several minutes, she finally arrived.

“Hello, Roma!” Kiara greeted me with her pretty smile.

“Hi,” I greeted back.

I looked at her from toe to head. She’s wearing wedge sandals and her well-manicured toenails were shown up. Its nail polish was baby pink in color.

She’s also wearing a yellow floral pleated skirt that was thigh-length, so her long smooth pair of legs were shown and she’s wearing a pink chiffon blouse on top with a cute ribbon on her chest.

Her outfit is very cute and suits her very well. Meanwhile, I’m just wearing a plain shirt, skinny jeans, black cap, and black and white high-cut shoes. And I felt more intimidated.

“So, where should we go first? Are we going to eat? Or shopping? How about salon?” Kiara queried.

“Uhm, whatever you like,” I answered then I smiled awkwardly.

“Okay! Let’s go to the salon first. Let’s go!” she beamed then grabbed my arm and pulled me inside the mall.

“Do we really need to go there?” I asked.

We’re walking now inside the mall and she’s still clinging on my arm.

“Mm-hmm,” she answered with a nod.

“Why? You don’t want to?” Kiara asked and I gasped when I saw her eyes languid.

“N-No, it wasn’t like that. I’m just not used to that place.”

“Oh, is that so? That’s okay, Roma.”

I’m not really going to salon. I just go there to have my hair trimmed or my bangs fixed, and it’s just once every two years. Nothing more.

After a while, we entered a salon. It’s cold inside here because of the AC and the smell of air freshener, mixed with scents of hair products were filling the air. When I turn my gaze round, I saw some customers getting their nails manicured, having hand and feet massage, and getting their hair done.

Then I saw myself in the mirror and realized how basic and boyish my style is and it’s kinda boring.

“Roma!” I looked at Kiara when I heard her called me.

“Roma, this is Sir Leo, the manager and owner of this salon. And Sir Leo, this is Roma, my new friend,” Kiara stated.

“Hello, Miss Roma. Nice to meet you,” Sir Leo greeted me and even he’s obviously a middle-aged gay, his style was still masculine.

“So, what’s yours today, Miss Kiara?” he asked.

“The usual. And the same with my friend.”

“Don’t trim my hair, okay?” I noted while touching my hair. Kiara and Sir Leo laughed because of it.

“Don’t worry, Miss Roma. We’ll just do some hair treatment for you,” Sir Leo assured.

Sir Leo made some of his staff to assist us. They’ve done our hair first. There are some substances that they put on our hair and let us wear a shower cap.

And while our hair was being left on, our nails are being manicured. I just told them that I don’t want a nail polish on mine. We also had foot spa and head massage. And it feels great and relaxing!

After our hair was done, we went out from the salon.

“How does it feel, Roma?” Kiara asked while we’re strolling.

“It’s really relaxing. Especially that foot spa and massage,” I answered while touching my hair.

My hair felt light and soft, then I also felt a strange relief in my body after the massage like all the bad elements evaporated away from my bones and joints.

We entered a clothing shop next. I strolled around and when I checked the prices, I was shocked and appalled. I’m used to cheap clothing that you can buy at the thrift stores.

Kiara gave me some clothes that she finds pretty and suits me. I’m declining those clothes that was backless, low-back, low neckline, spaghetti strap, and dresses that were body fit and has really short skirts.

From all of those clothes that Kiara chose, this is the only one that I liked. A cute chiffon blouse with a Peter Pan collar with lace, has a bit puffed sleeve, and color baby blue.

“See? It’s pretty on you,” Kiara commented while we’re both looking at the body mirror.

After that, we went on a restaurant to grab some lunch.

“Why did you decide to hang out with me today?” I asked Kiara while we’re eating.

She swallowed her food before answering. “I just want to know you better.”

I wrinkled my forehead. “Why is that?”

“How did you meet those two? The Morgenstern brothers?”

It made me sip some juice on the straw of my drink. If she ever knows why we met and why I’m with them right now.

“Besides, you’re also Chester’s girlfriend.”

I just forced a smile and nod. I almost chocked because of that. Then I thought of a good alibi.

“Because of DOTA,” I said.

“DOTA? Ah, yeah. That online game? Right. I know how Rendel was addicted to that game. So, you’re also playing it?”

I nodded. “Yes. All of us met at a tournament.”

“Wow. You’re really cool,” she responded with a smile.

“Both you and Caden have known each other for a long time, right?” I changed the topic.

“Yeah. Since fourth grade, we’re classmates. We both attended an exclusive international school, then we’re also neighbors. Both our parents are friends too. So, they feel relieved and comfortable whenever they know that we’re together.”

“If that’s the case, may I ask. . .”

“Yes? What is it?”

“If ever Caden is actually in love with you, does he have a chance?”

Kiara looked surprised by my question, but then she smiled.

“Well, honestly. He isn’t bad, right? He’s handsome, kind, smart, and came from a well-off family. So, yeah. If ever Caden pursued me, there’s a chance. It also depends if how he will pursue me.”

A hopeful smile formed in my lips. Yes! I’m so glad to know that that jerk has a chance to his love interest! He doesn’t even have something to worry about being rejected. There’s also a huge chance that I’ll be free from our engagement and to our debts! I hope I can tell them how rejoiced I am.