CHAPTER ELEVEN
THIRD PERSON POV
As they stood outside talking, Aquilina tried to divert her attention from them. It felt like she was prying. But her eyes landed back on the screen from time to time.
They looked like they were arguing. She sighed and gazed at the ornate clock on the wall and gasped.
It was almost 5:30 and she had not informed Jason of her whereabouts... and Javier. They had a project to work on.
She decided to grab her bag and clothes, wet or not and tell Francesco that she had to leave. She was almost done collecting her belongings when a very upset looking Francesco walked in.
"Hey," she said warily, an eyebrow arched. "Is everything okay?"
"Of course," he responded a little sharply.
"Okay... I'm sorry but I just remembered I have something to do and will like to leave, if you don't mind."
"Fine," he said coldly. He had never used that tone on her before. "The driver is waiting right outside to take you home." He nodded a farewell and walked inside.
She did not know why... she felt hurt. Maybe somewhere deep within, she had thought they had become friends.
Well, I guess I was wrong. She swallowed hard, the pain with it and stepped out the door.
—————
"Where have you been?" Jason asked the moment she passed through the door.
"I'm sorry, I was supposed to work on something with... someone." She had almost said, a friend.
He sighed.
"Javier's in the study. He's been here for over an hour. Really, Lina you should have told me you were going to be so late."
She flinched inwardly when he said Lina, for that was what Francesco also called her. But she willed herself not to dwell on it.
"I'm sorry, Jason. It won't happen again." She gave him a forced smile.
He stared at her for a moment and walked into the garden shaking his head and muttering some unintelligible words.
Aqui hurried on upstairs, she was famished but that would have to wait. She had to see Javier first.
She dropped off what she needed to drop off and entered their study room.
His back was to her, and he was reading a book.
"The Queen finally graces us with her presence," and he turned to face her.
"Look Javier, I'm so sorr — what?" She was puzzled by the look on his face.
"Who gave you that dress? Frances?"
She glanced down. Of course, he would have recognised it.
"You were with him all this while?"
"Something happened and he lent it to me," she said expecting a snarky comment from him.
Surprisingly, he was silent; expression unreadable.
"Shall we get started then?" He asked after a moment of silence.
———————
"So, you will be doing this project work with your assigned partners for the year," and the class groaned.
"Now, don't give me that," Miss Ivy went on. "All you have to do is learn more about each other and write down something significant about the other person."
"What did you mean by learn their languages?" A boy in front asked.
"Well, I assume you all know that not all of you originate from here. So by the end of this project, I will be expecting you to be able to say a few words in your partner's native tongue if their native language is not English. Nothing much."
The bell rung.
"Okay guys! That'd be all for now."
And she left the class.
"I think I've got mine covered,"
Natalie said leaning on Aqui's desk.
"Oh? How is that so?" Aqui raised an eyebrow and grabbed her bag, rising up in the process.
"Cassie is a mean rich snob who doesn't care about others feelings. Throw in some horns and a few pictures of hers, then I'm done. Simple as that." She beamed, pleased with herself.
Cassie was her partner. A pretty brunette who seemed to have had enough plastic surgeries that the doctors might not have enough to work on the next time.
"Right... a simple way to get an F."
"There is no way I'm gonna stick close to that girl." She placed her hands on her hips.
Their playful banter was interrupted when Audrey Clarkson, an aspiring singer, and a said relative of the Italian Royal Family, approached her with her posse.
"Hey Aquilina," she said in her high pitched voice. "I hope you are doing well?" She asked condescendingly.
"Of course, she's doing well." Natalie responded firmly, clearly peeved.
Audrey had a reputation of bullying those not in their social circle.
"Well, I just wanted to make sure she doesn't need any calming medicines. I saw Rosa Vega at school today — and she was speaking with Francesco."
And the girls around her giggled.
Natalie opened her mouth to respond, when a voice spoke up.
"Well seeing how you all are so hyper, I think you should keep those medicines for yourselves. You'll need it when you go to bed at night," a male voice caused their giggles to cease.
Francesco walked to Aqui and took her hand.
"Let's go, dear." And he led her out.
He did not say a word till they were in the confines of the MediCentre.
Gladly, no one else was to be seen around.
"I think it will be best to stay here for now." Francesco finally said.
"Why is that?" Aqui said, her cold mask back on.
"They will say all sorts of things and I don't want you to hear them."
"I will be okay." It's not the first time. She almost added.
"I know you're strong. But I will be hurt if you go through that because of me," he gave her a sad smile.
"Okay, fine. I'm supposed to come here anyway."
"Okay. And I also wanted to apologise for the way I spoke to you yesterday. I was well... upset about something. Forgive me?"
He looked worn out. And she couldn't hold it against him.
"Sure," Aqui said.
And he finally smiled.
"Don't worry. This will all soon be over," and he gently patted her cheek.
"Oh, and remember the event I told you about? The one I want you to attend with me?" She nodded. "It's this Saturday. And after that, you would not need to pretend to be with me anymore, okay?"
"Alright."
"See you later, Lina."
After Francesco had left, Aqui heard a voice behind her,
"So it is all a lie."
———————
Anyohaseyo! I hope you're all doing well by GOD'S Grace. Here goes another chapter.
Love you all! ❤️❤️❤️