Twenty Three

Then I saw Vienna enter the cafeteria. When Duke waved at her, she returned the smile, but she didn't even look at me. I know she avoids me. And I'm not numb to feel it.

"Will you eat?" Duke asked.

"Yes, but that's where I'll eat in my classroom," Vienna replied.

Join us here. Since it's not yet the time, "said Duke.

"That's it. I still have a lot to do, " Vienna replied.



"Don't you want Zander and me anymore? And then I noticed earlier that you were not talking to Zander. Do you have a problem with him?" Duke asked.

Duke is the kind of person who will say what he is noticed by fellow teachers, even outside of school. He does not know what the words "privacy" mean.

"Nothing. Why would Zander and I have a misunderstanding? We are not friends. Except he's a teacher like me. Excuse me." Vienna said as she exited the cafeteria.

I noticed Duke's head shaking.



"She is angry with you. She never used to be like that. Suddenly, she liked that she didn't notice you, "said Duke.

Let her go first. You will say what you think, " I said.

I’m curious. Is it bad to ask? "

It's not bad for you to ask, but respect the silence of others. I said.

"Someone is waiting for you outside." Duke pointed outside.

"Who?"

"Look," said Duke.

And I looked again, and I saw Davianna standing outside the dining room.

My forehead wrinkled. What else does this woman need from me? Is she numb? I told her I would never court her again.

"Wait a minute, Duke, I'll talk to her first," I told him.



I stood up and walked out.

"What do you need, Davianna?" I asked her as I approached where she was standing.

"You are being visited. Aren't you happy to see me? " She asked me

I smiled mentally.



"Look, Davianna, don't expect it. I've already ceased courting you. And I already have a girlfriend. So avoid going here. " I said.

It fell silent and suddenly sighed.



"Seriously? I hope you two last a long. But I’m sure tomorrow or the day after tomorrow you will also separate. " She said, smirking.

I am back inside the dining room with a frown. She pissed me off. She didn't have the right to say those things.

"What did she say?" Duke asked.

"She just seemed to visit me." My answer.

"Maybe she missed your courtship as well," Duke said.

"Stupid! Maybe her face is too thick when she doesn't stop following me, " I said.



"Yes, what else does he need from you if he already has another man? She is a two-timer. Maybe she wants two men in her life. " Duke shook his head.

"Let's go. I'm done paying. " Duke told me to walk back to school together.


When we got inside, we went into our classroom one at a time. A knock on my bedroom door woke me up. When my eyes wrinkle, I get up. When I opened the door, the Genie's face appeared. We stayed at Genie's house. I'm not sure why they're all still here when they all have houses.


"I'm sorry for waking you up, Miss, but Captain Celso has been waiting for a while and needs something from you," Genie explained.


"All right, I'll follow; I still need to get dressed and take a bath," I said, closing the door and leaving Genie.


I hurriedly showered and dressed. Mang Celso has been waiting for a long time, which is embarrassing. I exited the room and walked to the house's balcony. I only saw one Genie, and it was in front of Mang Celso.


"Where are they?" I asked.

"They all go home, Miss." She answered.

I just nodded.

“Good morning, Mang Celso, I'm sorry I slept too much. I'm really tired. ” I said, with a smile.

He is with a woman who I think is his wife. The woman smiled at me. I reciprocated with a smile.

“It’s okay, ma’am. No problem."



He gave me a document that he put in a brown envelope.

"Is everyone here yet?" I asked.

"Yes ma'am."

"Are you going to the city now?" I asked.

"Yes."

"All right, I'll call my assistant first to go straight."

I picked up my phone and called Donald.

In the three rings, he had not yet answered. Where is he?

I called him again. It's good to answer.

"Where have you been? I've been calling you. ” I told him.

"I ate breakfast, Miss, and I left my phone in the room," said Randolf.

"Okay."

"Do you have a problem there?" he asked me.



My eyes rolled. Every time I call, he always asks if I have a problem with it. How I wish I had a brother.

"Nothing, I'd rather live here," I replied.

"It's good that way because I'm the only one with the company and your wealth here," Donald replied.

" It's also possible if you can deal with the habits of the boards and investors there," I said with a laugh.

"No way!" Donald replied.

He does not want to be left behind in the company when investors arrive, especially if they require a lot of information about the company. When I speak, he is more prepared to take notes. Rather than him speaking in front of the group,

"Someone will be there, and you'll be the one to speak with him," I explained.



"No way! Come home and talk to whoever it is," Donald exclaims.



"He's not an investor or anything, he's the barangay captain here. He needs a sponsor for their place. funds for the project they're going to build," I explained.



"All right, I'll take care of him," Donald replied.



"Did you breathe easily?" I joked with him.

"Of course!" I'm laughing.

"Go ahead," I said, lowering the phone at once.

Then I face Mang Celso again.



"Everything is settled, Mang Celso. I'll just text him to have the company driver pick you up at the terminal so you can get there easily. " I said.

"Thank you, Ma'am, we're leaving."

They both nodded and left. I sat down next to Genie.

"Miss, are you hungry already? Dad and mom left. So they cooked you breakfast, "said Genie.

"Thanks, where did they go?"



"The truth of the matter is that we have a shop, vegetables, and meat. So they left early to keep an eye on it, "he replied. Are you an only child? I will ask.



"There are five of us. But all four of them are married. And they have separated. They are all in another place. I am the youngest and only girl.



" Seriously? What's the feeling that you're the only woman? " I asked.

"It's not fun, Miss. They're making noise. They're always fighting. And then it's frustrating because there are a lot of guards when I have a date, "said Genie.

"That's better; you're always safe," I said while smiling.

"Yes, Miss, so then no one dared to do anything bad to me. Because I will hang out tomorrow. When I'm alone, they won't be angry because they know they will follow me, "said Genie.

"It's really fun when there are so many of you at home," I said.



"Yes, I missed them all. I couldn't visit her because I was too busy with work. "

Then the gate opened and eight of them entered.

"You're not dressed yet?" Lazzy asked.

"It's early to leave." My response.

"It's better early, Miss because the sun wasn't high."

They were each carrying a backpack and a tumbler filled with water. And I noticed a girl with them. Which children is that? Will you take that with you?" I asked.



"My niece, my brother's daughter, Miss, and her mother went to the city, so I was the first to watch, "said Laica.

"Should we take her on our hike?" I asked.



"Yes, she's used to walking here in the province," Laica replied.

"Seriously? It doesn't seem obvious because the complexion is rich. And that boy is so beautiful, " I said.

"Thank you for appreciating my beauty. You too, you're beautiful." The child's answer caused us all to laugh.

"Thank you, darling. Come in here first, " I said.

"That kid daddy is American, ma'am," Genie replied.

"That's why, when you don't want to get married, there are popular dating sites where you can chat with American people. Just get pregnant. Somehow you have a child of a different breed, " I said.

Miss? You're good at giving advice. You're good at being single," Lazzy replied.



"You haven't found a man who will love you. After all, you already have everything. You can only shower us with grace and beauty, "said Laica.

Anytime. Laica has a lot to say. I'm laughing. True, I'll just leave it.

"Do you know that I also ask myself that sometimes? What's wrong with me? Didn't even go through the men who knew me to court me? " I said.

They all laughed.



"Please don't come to the point where you just beg for love, Miss. What a waste of your beauty." Hannah joked.

"Seriously, Hanna? Are you the one who speaks? I just only know that I heard your voice." I joked with her.

"She's inspired, Miss, because..." Lucy said.

It’s refreshing because they just now joked with me. They are very quiet. "Shut up!" said Hannah.

"Really why?"

And the other girls were waiting for what Lucy would say next.



"Hannah has a suitor, Miss."

"Who else?" Genie asked.



"His name is Mark Alonzo, and he works for your company," Devora explained.



"You're all gossipers!" Hannah exclaimed, making us all laugh.



All of my employees are unfamiliar to me. But I know Mark Alonzo, the accounting department head. That man is attractive but shy.



"Ah, miss, isn't there any news that Mark is flirting with his coworker?" Hannah asked solemnly.