Chapter 21: Six Years Ago pt. 15

Two months fleeted by as Rian and Xander's relationship started to grow more than it should be. The walls they built is now crumbling to the ground as they find themselves baring each other from the masks they have worn.

Last six weeks, Rian's grandmother thankfully opened her eyes again. She is now back to her office attending to the works she have missed.

She visited Rian once in the restaurant after her discharge. They discussed her about her newly hired bodyguard to which the old lady wasn't quite satisfied.

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"Are you really sure about him?" She questioned Xander's qualification in terms of securing her granddaughter's safety.

"Yes Lola. He fought for me before. He also doesn't know anyone here. I doubt they can buy him with money." Rian assured her.

"He's also quite nice. He even does the chores when I'm unable to. So he's the perfect one for the job." Rian added slightly smiling.

"In that case, he deserves a bonus." Her grandmother said as she looked at her with boring eyes that sees through her twinkling eyes.

Rian took Xander to the mall that night and helped him buy clothes that he can use.

"We'll take that one." Rian nodded as after examined the pair of clothes that Xander fitted.

The saleslady on her side then went to get a stock of the same pair to give to the customer.
*At this rate, this lady will buy an entire collection. Thanks to these two I'll reach my qouta early for this month.

"That one too."
"That looks good on you."
"Oh, that's perfect for everyday use."
"You can keep that for a special occasion."
*This is quite entertaining.

Xander looked in dismay om the array of clothes that he still needed to fit. He then looked at Rian who doesn't seem to get tired judging his appearance.

"Rian, we have taken enough. Shouldn't we call it a day already?" He suggested.
*Looks like you're having so much fun doing this that you forget about your classes tomorrow.

"Just one last pair, okay?" She pleases with puppy eyes.
*I'm sure the next pair will suit you even more than the others.

Xander can't do anything once Rian insists on something. He finds himself quite powerless to her.

The bill towered to more than fifty thousand pesos (more than a thousand dollars).

Xander was hesitant on accepting everything but Rian demanded him to take it as a bonus for doing the chores everyday whenever she's too tired to do them.

Rian was walking ahead of him when she paused and waited for Xander to get the door.

He then slowly opened it and entered the house first while she's waiting.

After that he gestured her to come in. This has been their safety measure in case someone was already waiting inside for her.

Xander also lets himself be behind her while they walk. This lets him inspect her surroundings and anyone who gets close to her—he's literally watching her back.

In addition, he makes sure that their distance won't take him more than three seconds to cover her from any attacks.

He made these rules by himself to ensure her safety. He too drives her to school using the car that was provided to them by Rian's "sponsor".

This made the students stare at Rian in awe during the first time he dropped her off. Their jaw dropped more when Xander went out of the car to take a look at her campus.

"Who was that guy Rian?" A classmate once asked her curiously after she got off the car.

"He's a relative temporarily living at my place." She smiled awkwardly and hastened her steps leaving her classmate to avoid more of her questions.

"Oh really! Do you know if he have a—

Rian pretended not to hear her for she was already steps away and continued walking until she reached her classroom.

There she was greeted by her classmates' different expressions who saw her through their room's window.

She didn't paid attention to them until she reached her desk where her girl classmates began to flock and stone her questions about Xander.

"Who's he Rian."
"What's your relationship with him?"
"Is he your boyfriend?"
"Do tou perhaps know his phone number?"
"Where does he live?"
"What race is he?"
These deafining questions buzzed in her ears that morning. She stopped herself from going berserk due to irritation.

She replied to them based on what she said with her first classmate to make her story consistent. She faked a smile and held everything in while she waited for their first period teacher to come in.

*These people hasn't even talked to me since the beginning of class but are now excitedly asking me about Xander.

Xander picked her up that afternoon right after their classes ended.

"How's school?" He said as he starts the car's machine.

"Great. It was a bit bothersome this morning thanks to a certain someone." She said jaded in the back seat.

Xander furrowed his brows.
*A certain someone? Why do I feel like it is me that she's talking about?

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A scene one saturday morning while the two is peacefully drinking their coffee and admiring the sunrays passing through the glass window at the kitchen:

The sweet and bitter aroma of black coffee fills the air as both of them are seated facing each other by the dining table.

*Knock,knock,knock*

Both their eyes widened after hearing the knocking sound at their door as they both pinned their gazes at it.

"Are you expecting someone today?" Xander looked at her.

"No", she whispered

"Is it Ms. Corpuz then?

"It's not her, she would have texted me before coming here." She answered him. "It couldn't be one of them right?" She asked nervously gripping the side of the table.

"Who knows?" Xander said standing and walking silently heading to the door.

She held her breath.
*It's broad daylight for them to attack us like this.

Xander was one step away when a voice suddenly called out.

"Rian, are you home?" A familiar voice said.

Rian sprang up from the chair and ran towards the door. She opened it and she was welcomed by Mayla's warm smile.

Her friend's eyes widened upon seeing Xander standing beside her.

"Oh it's you Mayla!" She breathed, "Come, come inside."

"Okay", Mayla stepped inside without removing her questioning look at Xander who was also staring at her.

Rian noticed the uneasy atmosphere.

"Mayla, this is Xander, he's...he is my cousin." She blurted out.

"Oh, I see." Mayla nodded and greeted Xander.

"Xander, this is Mayla. She my friend." Xander smile at her.

"Then I'll leave you two to talk. I'll be out for a moment." After saying this, he left with his phone at hand.

"I didn't know you were living with a relative." Mayla said to her friend.

"Yeah right. It was unexpected." Rian reasoned.

"Is it just the two of you here?"

"Yeah", Rian hesitantly replied.

"Don't you find it uncomfortable?"
*I'm quite worried for you.

"No, I'm used to it now. He'll be leaving soon anyways." She told her even if there's still eight months left to their contract.

"But what brings you here?"

"Oh, it's my mom's birthday this coming week. I'm wondering if you can come then."

"Oh really." Rian was stoked.
"It's been a long time since I have seen Aunt Yula."

"So you're coming?" Mayla was expecting.

"I won't make a promise, but I'll do my best to come." Rian giggled.

"Make sure to come or else my mom will no longer give you Cassava cakes every Christmas." Mayla threatened her with a smile.

They both chuckled until it was time for her to say goodbye.