First Blood: The Perfect Mistress

CHAPTER 11 - Year 2012

Nancy didn’t die on the spot and she was taken to the nearest hospital. Well, it was favorable to my mom or she would be charged with reckless imprudence. She helped with Nancy’s hospital bills and she also gave her family enough money to take care of their child.

One afternoon, I was in the garden, admiring the fountain and the birds who drank freely on the water when Dave arrived. I tried to ignore him but he sat beside me without asking for permission.

“What do you want?” I asked him angrily.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized.

“If you’re sorry because you stood up at our meeting, then don’t. Just forget about it, Dave. How’s Nancy? Did you visit her at the hospital?”

“She asked for you, Cassie.”

My brows lifted to the highest level because Nancy had no business asking for me. We were not friends. “Why? My mom gave more than enough for her bills,” I responded nonchalantly.

“She blamed you for the accident,” Dave admitted the real reason why Nancy asked for me and I just stared at him.

“She’s crazy! To sum it up, it was her fault, Dave. She was focused on her phone that she didn’t walk properly.”

“You’re mean, Cassie.”

I laughed at Dave’s statement because it was far from the truth. “Well, you are entitled to your own opinion, Dave.”

“You changed so much since your father died,” he commented before standing up.

“People change, Dave. By the way, I saw your post and your sister is pretty.” I talked about Rachel and Dave automatically smiled as if he was daydreaming.

“She’s not just a pretty face, Cassie. Rachel has the kindest heart amongst all of my siblings,” Dave replied. “She paid for my tuition and shouldered our parent’s maintenance expenses. It’s just a shame that some bastard impregnated her!”

Dave’s eyes blazed with anger and I was surprised at the information that he shared with me!  Rachel’s pregnant and if I wasn’t mistaken, she’s pregnant with my father’s baby. Cold shivers ran through my veins when I imagined having a sister or a brother from a different mother.

Should I tell my mom about it?

I was torn between telling her the truth and hiding it from her. I didn’t want her to be heartbroken over menial things but the information was something I couldn’t keep by myself. “How did you know she’s pregnant, Dave?”

“How? Possibly because her tummy is bulging with a baby, and her due date will be next month!”

“Next month? Are you sure?”

“Yes, I am sure!  But wait, why are you interested in Rachel?”

Dave’s brows snapped together as he waited for my response but I would die first before telling him the truth. “Oh no, please don’t take it the wrong way, Dave. I’m just amazed, you know that I am an only child.” When he nodded his head, I took a deep breath. To be honest, I was relieved, but when he looked at me there was something in his eyes that I couldn’t comprehend. I lifted my brow and he smiled.

“If you’re hungry, we can grab some snacks now. I heard that banana fritters were prepared for our afternoon snacks,” he announced.

“Right now?”

“Yes,” he replied.

I agreed and we left the garden together. “Are you and Nancy dating?”

“Of course not! We’re just friends,” he replied.

“She said the opposite at the canteen.” I saw how he clenched his jaw when I mentioned the incident in the canteen a few weeks ago.

“It wasn’t intentional, Cassie. I don’t know how to explain this but I didn’t mean to offend you,” he said.

I waved my hand at Dave to stop him from explaining further. We’re almost there at the canteen and I couldn’t let anyone overhear our conversation. On second thought, why should I care? I smirked at some of our classmates who dared to look down on me just because my family wasn’t perfect.

The canteen was located in a separate building. It looked cheerful and pleasant from the outside,  but it’s tough to check what’s going on inside the cafeteria because of the tinted glass and window blinds.  

Dave and I entered into a glass door and the aroma of delicious snacks welcomed us. The attendant was engaged in a deep conversation with one of the varsity players but she managed to welcome us with her sweetest smile.

The cafeteria was packed with students. Varsities, groups of friends, and classmates could be seen grouping together. They occupied several long tables while various lovers occupied the smaller tables.

Despite being packed with noisy students, we managed to find a seat. “Can I invite you for dinner tonight?”

“Are you serious?” I inquired because I doubt he could afford a nice dinner befitting to my status in school.

“Yes. Rachel will celebrate her birthday tonight. It’s a few weeks  advance but she was worried that she would be in the hospital on her special day.”

After hearing the word Rachel, nothing else matters anymore! My thoughts were filled with possible scenarios on our first meeting. “Would you mind if I’ll bring my mom? You know it’s going to be late if it’s dinner.”

“Sure. No problem, Cassie,” he said and then he dictated his complete address.

“Then I’ll see you again tonight,” I whispered and he gazed at me.

As agreed, we had banana fritters and a bottle of soft drink. I was tempted to try their popular siopao but I wasn’t that hungry. The salad sandwich I had in the morning filled me up. The fritters were delicious so Dave paid for additional order.

After we had our snacks at the canteen, we returned to our classroom. However, when we arrived together, several brows were lifted to question why we were together.  I just smiled at them while Dave ignored them.

In the evening, my stomach churned in anticipating my meeting with Rachel. My mother wasn’t available but she drove me to the party. She promised to come back later and I believed that it would happen sooner.

Dave assisted me in getting my food for dinner but afterward, he was gone! He was just there earlier! Anyway, I tried to clear my head of any thoughts concerning David because we were not an item.

“Hi, you must be my brother’s classmate. I’m Rachel,” she introduced herself.

I looked to see who’s talking and I was confronted with a goddess. Rachel was only a few inches away from me and I gaped in surprise that she’s lovely even with a bulging stomach! “H-hello Rachel. Finally, I meet you.”