BUT ONLY LOVE CAN TELL

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Marinel's POV

AFTER a few minutes, our professor arrived. He handed out books and returned to the front.

"Okay guys, I need you to study what’s written in those textbooks because tomorrow, we’ll do a dry run on saving drowning victims—whether in the sea or a swimming pool. Those are just examples. Anyway, the person behind you, which is the second row, will be your partner. You’ll demonstrate it in pairs. So start practicing CPR," he explained.

I froze at the word CPR. No way! Enzo’s behind me. I covered my face and stomped my foot. Can I skip this dry run?

"Nel?" Enzo tapped me.

"What?" I replied, not really in the mood as I turned around.

"Let’s practice CPR," he said with a cheeky grin.

"Ha-ha-ha! Practice by yourself," I snapped.

Oh my god! My precious lips!

"Andy, go easy, okay?" I heard one of my classmates flirt.

"Sure. I got you," Andy replied flirtatiously. Enzo laughed behind me.

"Nel?" he called. I turned around.

"Are we good?" he asked, looking really cheerful.

"Good for what?" I asked.

"For our date later." I flailed a little.

"Of course!" I quickly said and turned back to my book.

I thought he’d keep bugging me about CPR. I was getting nervous. Why does this dry run even exist?

"Nel?" Enzo called again.

He even sat beside me. Seriously!?

"Oh?" I replied, flustered.

I was nervous! He grabbed the book I was holding.

"Maybe we won’t have class tomorrow morning. Let’s practice the basics," he said while flipping through the book.

My eyes widened at what he meant. I scooted away a bit—but Andy suddenly sat on my other side. I glared at him discreetly, but he just gave me a mischievous grin.

"That’s right, Nel. You two can practice at the swimming club. Right, bro?" Andy chimed in.

My eyes almost popped out. I stepped on Andy’s foot under the table, and he yelped—but still kept laughing. So annoying!

"Yeah! I’ll pick you up tomorrow, Nel," Enzo added with a smile.

"Seriously?!" I gasped.

"Of course!" Andy echoed from my side.

I slammed my book down on Andy’s hand. He groaned again but kept laughing. Crazy guy!

"Of course," Enzo agreed, chuckling at Andy’s antics.

"Ha-ha-ha! Just basics, right? N-Not including the—"

"Yeah! But we’ll do the major part," Enzo cut me off and bit his lower lip. It was hot! I shot up to my feet.

"Call of nature!" I blurted and rushed out of class.

Ugh! What a lame excuse! Call of nature?!

I smacked my forehead. I couldn’t think of anything better. I looked like a total fool earlier. So many weird thoughts were running through my head. I covered my face and stomped in embarrassment as I walked without watching where I was going.

"Oops!" someone said just as I fell to the ground.

"Ouch!" I groaned softly.

"Oh god, Nel!" he said, helping me up quickly.

"What’s wrong with you, Nel?" he asked.

"Oh? It’s you, Enzo. Sorry," I apologized shyly. I’m such a klutz!

"Are you okay? Did you get hurt?" he asked, checking me out from head to toe.

"Huh? Of course not!" I quickly replied.

"Let’s go back to class," he said, grabbing my book and walking ahead.

I slumped my shoulders and followed him. When I got inside, I went to my seat—right between the two Greek gods: Andy on my right, Enzo on my left. Whoever gets there first, that’s your seat for the rest of the semester.

"We’re classmates in all subjects?" I asked Andy.

He grinned and nodded. I grimaced. Then suddenly, our professor arrived and stood at the front.

"Hey guys! Next week, we’ll have a medical mission in Baguio, so be there and bring these items," he explained, handing out small coupons listing what we needed to bring.

We’re going to Baguio? I don’t have money for that. I bowed my head.

Enzo suddenly nudged me, so I looked up.

"Stop worrying. Let’s go shopping this weekend. My treat, Nel," he said with a smile.

"That’s right, Nel. He’s treating me too," Andy added. Enzo hit him with his folder.

"What did you say?" Enzo said, trying not to laugh.

"Nothing! You just can’t take a joke," Andy pouted. I chuckled softly at how silly they both were.

AFTER class, I immediately left because I still had something to do.

"See you later, Nel!" Enzo called out, so I just waved back. I needed to fix the event place for their date. Enzo had even let me borrow his credit card. I took out my phone and called Veronica.

"Is it ready? Did you find one?" I was referring to the venue for Enzo and my cousin’s date.

I heard Nica curse under her breath. She really hated doing this.

"Yeah! It’s in Eastwood, I’ll text you the address later," she said.

"I love you, best friend! Thanks!" I said and ended the call.

WHEN I arrived at the address Veronica gave, I immediately talked to the hotel receptionist about the date setting theme, which was going to be in a private garden at the hotel. I also paid for everything used for the date. When the staff finished setting up, they showed it to me. I wanted to feel jealous because it looked so beautiful. There were rose petals scattered all over the red carpet. In the center was a table set like a paradise — it looked like you were on a private island.

"You like it, ma’am?" the staff asked.

I bit my lip hard and forced a smile.

"Yes. Thank you," I answered briefly.

My cousin is so lucky, but she couldn’t even see it. My phone rang so I quickly answered.

"Nel! How was it?" Enzo asked happily on the other end.

"Everything’s okay," I replied, glancing at my watch.

"Okay, I’m on my way now," he said and ended the call.

I put away my phone and waited in the hotel lobby. I paced back and forth for several minutes when suddenly the receptionist approached me and handed me the receipt. I smiled at her and checked the bill.

"What?!" I exclaimed, startling some of the hotel guests.

Crap, Nel! I quickly covered my mouth and stepped away from the crowd. I only reacted like that because the total cost of the date reached over thirteen thousand pesos!

"Nel!" someone suddenly called me.

"Enzo," I looked around.

"You’re alone?" I asked in surprise.

He gave a small smile.

"Yup! She’ll catch up later. They still have something to submit," he explained.

I nodded even though I had a bad feeling.

"In that case, I’ll go ahead," I said.

"Yeah. Thank you so much for this, Nel," he said, then kissed my cheek and walked toward the garden.

It felt like my whole body froze from what he did. I was like an i***t holding the part of my face where he kissed me. My heart was pounding like crazy. Why am I like this!?

"Ma’am, are you okay?" the receptionist asked.

"Huh? Ah! Yes!" I quickly ran outside the hotel and sat on a nearby bench.

Why am I being so stupid these past few days? I rubbed my temples. Then suddenly, it started pouring, so I stood up and went back to the hotel entrance to take shelter. I leaned against the marble wall out of boredom, waiting for the rain to stop.

"Sir, what time is it?" I asked the security guard.

"It’s nine o'clock, miss."

I slapped my forehead. Enzo! I quickly ran back inside the hotel and headed to the garden. I didn’t care about the heavy rain and looked for Enzo. I found him sitting, still waiting for my cousin. My shoulders dropped as I stared at him. My cousin is so heartless! She didn’t even feel sorry! Tears suddenly rolled down my cheeks. It hurts so much seeing him like this. I ran toward him. He looked up at me sadly. I quickly pulled him to stand and hugged him.

"That’s enough, Enzo. That’s enough!" I kept saying over and over.

I heard him sob and he hugged me back. What I felt wasn’t pity — it was anger. I hate seeing him like this because every time he’s sad, I’m the one who’s deeply affected.