Secret Rendezvous

MY GIRL

The next day, I got up early. Yeah, I know. Does not sound like Summer. I am never an early bird. Today is an exception. I need to leave home before Storme arrives. First, I don’t want my first day back on the campus to get ruined by him. Second, what would students think if they see me with him? Everyone saw what happened that day. It’s only been a week since Storme and I had crossed paths again, but it already felt like years had passed by.

“You’re home, Ma?”

“Don’t you want to see me home, sweetie?”

“Of course I do. Good morning, mother!” I greeted her, putting my back down by the empty chair on the coffee table.

“You're early,” said my mother.

She’s cooking breakfast when I went down to the kitchen to grab a glass of milk. I treasure the moments like this because it’s always once in a blue moon that my parents are home.

“Yes, Ma. I have to prepare for the welcome assembly for freshmen and transferee students today. First day of school.”

“Come eat before you leave, Skylene,” she said while pouring scorching water on her teacup.

“I have to go, Ma.”

“Devin is picking you up. Isn’t he?”

“Yeah, but I wanna ride my bike to school.”

“Did you let him know? At least call Devin. The poor boy will waste his time driving over and you’re not here.”

“I don’t have his number. Let him know I left early if he drops by. I have to go, mother,” I put my backpack on my shoulder, ready to leave.

“Please, have breakfast. I cooked for you, baby. Will you?” my mother said, hugging me from my back.

“Ew! Mama, let go! I’m not a baby anymore.”

“Sweetie, you’ll always be my baby.”

I rolled my eyes in disbelief that my mother is being extra sweet. I wonder if she’ll be traveling again for a few weeks.

“You always say that. What about Snow? If she sees you being sweet to me. Ma, she’ll go crazy again.”

“Don’t worry about her. Your father took her with him. She needs to learn a lesson.”

“About time you guys teach her a lesson. You’re spoiling Snow too much. If you only know how knave Snow is on the campus. You’ll probably chain her up.”

“I know everything, Skylene. You don’t have to tell me. Your Aunt Carey reports to me,” she explained.

“You’re holding me up, Mama,” I protested.

“I call the driver to drop you off.”

“No, Ma. I told you. I’m driving my Ducati today.”

“I am reminding you, Skylene. Be careful driving. I don’t want to see you in a vegetated state again. I can’t handle it, sweetie. It would be the death of me.”

“Mama, you’re being overly dramatic,” I glanced at her while she’s sipping her cup of tea.

“I will miss you when you leave for New York. Can you stay in the house more often than hanging out with your friends?”

“Can you spend more time with me than your out-of-town meetings?”

“I only need to close this deal with the Saavedra’s, and I promise to have a mother and daughter bonding time with you and Snow.”

“Ma, If you can’t. It’s okay. I hate promises. They're meant to be broken,” I muttered, sulking. I was right. She’s being a mother because she’s leaving again.

“Are you speaking about me promising you or Devin?”

“Ma! Stopped. Don’t mention his name.”

“Okay. Okay. Grab a bite before you leave.”

“Fine, I’ll eat.” I turned away from her and grabbed a plate on the kitchen counter.

“You're gone often. I don’t eat breakfast, mother,” I mumbled while opening the fridge.

I poured myself a glass of milk and grab a bite. On the table has crispy bacon and of course, my mother knows best. She cooked a white egg benedict omelet for me. I munched my food so quickly that I almost choked.

“Slow down, sweetie. It’s too early. You have plenty of time.”

“I’m done here. I have to go, Ma. See you tonight. I will be late so don’t wait for me,” I kissed her on her cheeks, hugged her to almost a cuddle, and left.

I was hoping my father would still be home, but he left early. What do I expect? He’s hardly home. My parents traveled back and forth between Masbate to Camarines provinces a few times a month. Mama mostly does the out-of-town and out-of-the-country investors, suppliers, export meetings. They are workaholics. My father grew his empire from rags to riches. Mama was supportive of him. They go hand in hand until they reach the status they have now.

Mama is always on the go. I traveled with her once to Singapore, and Snow hated we left her home. That was the time I can’t tend to my own needs. As simple as bathing myself. It was not a business meeting but a medical consultation with my mother’s neurosurgeon specialist friend who lives in Sentosa Island.

“Careful with your bike, Skylene!” Mother reminded me again.

“Rajah, Ma!”

“I love you, baby!”

“Love you too, Mama!”

I rode my bike in a haste, and in a few, I am inside Elizabeth Almeda University campus. I have an hour before my class starts. Like good old days, the professors will give us the entire semester’s syllabus, collect our class cards for grading, introduce ourselves, and off we go.

I was parking my Ducati in my designated parking space when a red Pontiac Firebird snatched my spot. Luckily, I’m paying attention to my surroundings and the impact did not cause me to fall on the ground with my precious Ducati. Scurrying, I walked to the Pontiac and knocked on the driver’s window.

The driver rolled down the window and said, "What’s the matter, Miss?”

“What’s the matter? You almost killed me!” I said exaggeratingly dramatic.

“You're standing fine in front of me. You look fine. I don’t seem to see a problem,” she said, twanging. Her shrill voice is very annoying to listen to.

“Get out!” I shouted.

She ignores me. No one ignores me when I’m talking except Storme.

So, I kicked her bumper hard. Hard enough that it almost fell off.

My war freak mode is on. Students are gathering around us. Gossipers! They don’t want to miss a show. It’s showtime, Summer! No one steals your parking spot, not even once since my freshman year. My father customized the parking space for my Ducati. He had the parking renovated, especially for my bike and, of course, Snow's, Jaguar XJ 220.

My parents do not have time for my twin and me. They shower us with all the luxury for their luck of time. This special treatment is ridiculous. But, oh, well, Snow wanted everyone to know she owns the university, and everyone must bow down on her.

I remained just a shadow to my sister, and nobody knows we are twins. Snow lets everyone think we are only cousins.

Aggravatingly, she squealed,” Bloody hell!”

She briskly stepped out of her car in her Chanel sunglasses, Louis Vuitton purse, Christian Louboutin black high-heeled shoes-wearing her EAU uniform. Another wretch added to the campus! In no time, she will be Snow's puppet.

“God damn it!” She cussed again.

“Unbelievable! Did you just cuss at me? Open your eyes and see what’s written on the parking space. You want me to spell it out for you, Miss?”

“Oh, I did not see that,” she put her hands on her mouth, acting

like she did not see the sign.

I pointed to the humongous sign that says,” Private Parking.”

“Now, you see?” I asked in a low tone of voice.

She started walking away from me like she did not understand what I just said. I stood still in front of her blocking her way out.

“Let me through!” she said, sassily, bawling her eyes on me.

“Move your car out of my parking! Now!” She just stared at me from head to toe. Did she just body check me? In irritation, I kicked her car forcefully, causing the fender to fall off.

“Why did you kick my Pontiac, Miss? Don’t you know how much this is? Oh, my god! What did you do?”

“Mm-hmm. I kicked your car. Don’t tell me you're blinded by your oversized Chanel sunglasses that don’t match your face,” I said, mockingly. “If you don’t move your second-hand 1980s, Pontiac, right now. I’ll wreck it into pieces.”

“You don’t own the campus. I can park wherever I want.”

“Well, not here, lady! Summer 727, and that is my space. See my Ducati? 727! Does your car say 727?”

“I don’t care. Move out my way. I’ll be late for my class.”

“I said, move your car out of my parking, or your poor Pontiac

will turn into dust.”

“Go ahead! I can tell Dad to buy me a Ferrari, and I will still take this parking of yours.”

“You are pushing my limit, Miss! I have no patience with a good-for-nothing brat like you. So, please move your car out of my spot.”

“What did you say?” she hissed.

“I said, move your car out of my spot!”

“No! Not that,” she raised her evenly plucked brows on me and flipped her telephoned curly hair.

“Oh! I said you're worthless. A good-for-nothing brat. Aren’t you?”

She didn’t waste her time and pulled my long black silky hair and pushed me to the ground. I didn’t see it coming. I got up and felt blood dripped off the ground.

Then I heard Storme up roared,” Get your hands off my girlfriend!”

Students gathered around and whispered to each other.

“Isn’t he the one Summer was fighting with last week?”

“Yeah, that’s right,” said the other student.

“I was right. They knew each other.”

“Summer is lucky his boyfriend is damn hot!”

“She’s freakin’ lucky! I heard his family owns La Casa Buena.”

“Poor thing. You think Summer will be in trouble?”

“Nah! She’s in the student council. I doubt it and that is her parking space since forever. No one dared touch that garage before.”

“ Summer is not that wealthy, right? I know her cousin Snow is the school owner's daughter.”

If they only know I am wealthier than Snow. I own stocks while my sister relies on my mother’s inheritance for her. The girl was about to slap me, but Storme held her hands.

“Try to land a finger on her again, Chantelle, and I wouldn’t think twice

that you are a woman!”

“You know each other?” I asked.

Instead of answering me, Storme lifted me in his arms and carried me away from the students gathered around us.

“Put me down! I can walk,” I said, baying. “I’m fine, put me down,” I said, jabbering,” I’m not crippled.”

“Shut up! Can you keep your mouth zipped for a minute? You’re chattering too much. Look at your face. . . and your arms. It’s all bruised.”

“Storme, I’m fine. I’m alright, okay? Please, put me down. It’s just a slight cut. I won’t die from it. It wouldn’t kill me.”

“Princess, please, keep still. Your father will kill me if he sees you in this condition. I promised him, I’ll protect you,” he said, anxiously.

“Storme, I can protect myself. I just didn’t see it coming.”

“Talk some more, baby, and I’ll kiss that loquacious mouth of yours,” he said, winking his right eye. Earlier he said ‘girlfriend’. Now ‘baby’. What’s next? Wifey?

“Where are you taking me, Storme?”

He didn’t speak a word. I don’t have any idea how he opened the passenger door. He carefully put me down on the shotgun seat. He buckled me up before going around and into the driver's seat. He was so close to me. Our faces almost touching. I can smell his Davidoff Cool Water cologne. Making me want to sniff his scent all day.

Why is he suddenly a gentleman? Why does he care for me? This is up to no good. I can’t fall for his trap. I can’t! I unbuckled myself. I reached for the door handle, but he locked them.

“Storme, please, let me go.”

“You ain’t goin’ anywhere, Princess.”

“Storme!”

“Don’t try me, Skylene Summer. I’ll tell everyone your pretty little secret.”

“No! You can’t,” I screamed blue murder.

“Then, let’s do a bargain,” he replied, a grin on his lips.

“Fine! Spill the bean,” my lips twisted with scorn.

“First, you are breaking up with Red,” Stormes’ lips curled into a smile.

“Today!” he added.

“What? Ridiculous! Why am I breaking up with Jared? He's not my boyfriend,” I said, laughter breaking through my lips.

“Why did you say you're dating when we were at the hotel?”

“For Pete’s sake! How moron can you be, Storme?”

“If you are not dating Red and you are not together. That makes y-you —,” he said, focused intently on my face. “—my girlfriend.”

“What?!” I replied, snapping at him thunderstruck.

“You heard me right, Princess. You are stepping out of this car as my girlfriend. Starting today, we are exclusively dating.”

“Unbelievable! You’re framing me up, Devin Storme!”

“Take or leave it, or else?”

“Fine! Whatever! Goddammit! Now, let me out. I’m going to the clinic, my head hurts.”

As soon as Storme unlocked the door. I run as fast as I could away from Storme, but in a split-second, he caught up with me.

“You can’t run away from me, girlfriend.”

“Who said I’m running away? I need to get my backpack from my bike.”

“I’ll come with you.”

I walked in big strides. Storme followed me. Our private parking is a couple of minutes away from students' and staff’s regular parking area. Reaching my bike, I grabbed my backpack from the compartment and the jacket that I stashed inside.

“I need to go to the restroom.”

“Okay, after you,” he said.

“What after me? I said I need to use the restroom.”

“I heard you,” he replied.

The ladies' room is five minutes away from the parking across the management building near the cafeteria, north of the assembly hall.

“I’ll wait here. Take your time.”

A smile curled my lips when he said take me time. Don’t you worry? I’m taking my damn ass time and I will leave you waiting for hours, Storme. I smiled with delight. I waited for a group of students to come out of the ladies' room. I tailed them, hiding in my red hoodie. Storme doesn't have any idea, I left the ladies' room two hours ago and I am here relaxing at my secret rendezvous. My sanctuary. The rooftop of the sports building.