Chapter 51: The Christmas Ball Assignment

*I caught up with Fire sitting in his usual spot. He was looking down, that's why I thought to surprise him. I slowly approached him but he faced me and caught me.*

*I frowned and heard his soft laugh.*

*"Come here. Sit beside me," he said and pointed to the seat next to him.*

**Chapter 51**

I followed and sat next to him. I put down the lunch I brought and looked around the entire campus. I won't get tired of saying that it's really beautiful here on the rooftop. It calms you down and allows you to think clearly.

"Why are you so far away?" He pulled me closer to him. I can smell her perfume. It's nice to sniff because it's addictive, just like the owner.

"Have you had lunch yet?" I asked.

"Nah! I waited for you."

I brought two lunch boxes. I gave one to Fire and the other to me. I cooked shrimp porridge, it's his favorite. I because of the one memory

"Is it good?" I asked but he didn't answer. "Is it good?" me again "All right," he said.

I was embarrassed. Can it be? That's all?

"Maybe I can make you my wife.” He said out of nowhere

I blushed.

Where did he learn to be unpredictable kike that? My God!

"You're weird," I said.

"Okay!" he said smiling and continued eating. Surprisingly he didn't object. He's weird, especially now that he's smiling. He's like a mental institution’s fugitive. But he's a handsome escapee if that was true.

"Can I ask you something?" he suddenly asked. I didn't answer and just waited for him to ask. "How much do you know about your father?"

"We weren't always together because his job was here in Manila, but he came home every end of the month. To me, my dad was kind and I know he really loved my mom and me."

As I say that, I relive the happy memories with my dad when he was alive. Even though I only spend two or three days with him every month, he never failed as a father to me. Even though I know he did something wrong to my mom, I know he still loved us.

"Why?" I asked.

"Just curious about the person who raised you. a good father just by looking at you." And I could see he was

"Really? Uh, you? Tell me a story about your dad," I said.

"What do you want to know?"

"Where's your daddy? I've never seen him before."

He smiled but sadness could be seen on his face. I automatically held his hand. He looked at me so I gave him a small smile.

"I won't force you to tell a story. But if you're sad, I'm ready to listen."

He locked our fingers before he leaned his head against my shoulders. I also leaned on his head and waited for him to speak again. My emotions are overwhelming at this moment and maybe his holding my hand is helping.

"I will introduce you to him when you are legally mine."

Those words were so simple, but the impact on my heart was too much. It made me fall in love with him deeper and it's scary because I feel like I'm already in love with this man.

I'm afraid of what could happen if I lose Fire. I'm afraid to think what if we're not meant to be? Can I still handle it now that I know I love him so much?

My thoughts were only interrupted when my cell phone rang. After I read my classmate's text, Fire and I quickly went downstairs. He wanted to accompany me to the dean's office but I forced him to go back to his class.

When I arrived at the dean's office, I was surprised because I wasn't the only one he summoned. Franklin is here, the journalist at our college. Albert, the photographer whenever there is an event at the university, is also here.

"Good afternoon to you three."

I turned to the dean who had just come out of his office. I sat down next to Franklin and continued to listen.

"Ms. Ramirez , I decided to make you the head of our upcoming Christmas ball."

I wanted to react but I stopped myself. I'm facing the Dean now and not just anyone.

"You're running for Summa Cum Laude and this event will be a big help for your extracurricular later on."

She has a point, especially since my grades were not good last semester, so this is also an opportunity for me. But the question is, can I handle a big event and to think that I still have a part-time job?

"Thank you, ma'am..." I said.

"Don't worry, Franklin and Albert are here to help you. The student council will help you too," she assured. That's why I can breathe easy because if I'm alone I really can't handle it.

She had Albert and Franklin go out first, meanwhile telling me to stay. I was a little nervous because I was the only one inside.

She's a bit strict so I'm really nervous every time I have a one-on-one conversation with her.

. "You have three weeks to prepare. I'm counting on you, Ms. Ramirez and don't disappoint Mr. Callante ."

What does Fire have to do with this?

"Why?" I asked.

"He highly recommended you. Funny thing, he's not even from our college department.”

I was surprised and calmed down so I just thanked her before leaving. After I left the dean's office, I hesitated whether to call Fire to say thank you. I told him last week about the drop in my grades and he told me, "You will graduate as Summa Cum Laude, Solene. Trust me!"

I held on to what he said and I didn't think he would do it. After all, he's Fire Dashin Callante . He can do everything. He can make impossible things possible. He's all that, the one and only Fire Callante and he's in love with me.

I walked out of the building because I thought it would be better if I thanked him personally. I hadn't even made
it out of the building when someone pulled my arm and forced me into the boys' restroom.

Sh*t!