Crush
We finished the preparations early with the help of each other. My night ended with a view of End slowly closing the door after saying goodbye to us.
Friday came, the birthday of Sorano's daughter. The celebration has been on my mind ever since I woke up that day. Vice Mayor Yukino dropped me again to the school after reminding me of the tasks we needed to accomplish later that day.
"Are you going to help with the decorations later?" Vice Mayor asked the familiar gates of our state university appeared.
"Yes, Vice Mayor, but Sawyer might do most of the decorations because I might be late. My last class for today would end at three pm and the party starts at five. We might be rushed if they'll wait for me."
"I have a meeting later. Is it fine if I were to ask End to fetch you later if I cannot make it? Or do you want me to ask Orga instead?"
I blinked a few times. Orga is fine but why would I reject End? Thus, taking the bus if fine with me, after all.
"It's fine, Vice Mayor. I can just take the bus."
"Sting would also attend the celebration because Sorano invited him. The invitation extends to End, too, so it's fine if End would take you with him to the party and Sting and I would go together with Orga."
"Oh. Okay then, Vice," I gave a small smile.
Vice Mayor Yukino's eyes stayed with me before confirming again.
"Are you sure End is fine?"
"Yes, Vice. Why not?"
I saw questions in her serious eyes but those were left unspoken in the end as she decided not to ask. She proceeded to call her assistant to confirm if the preparation for the party would be smooth.
I bid goodbye to Vice as I closed the door of the SUV. My eyes quickly caught the glimpse of Karen and her group of girls at the stairs. I just sighed. No matter how hard I wanted to distance myself from them, I couldn't do anything since they're on the only stairs that I needed to take in order to get to my first class which is on the second floor of the building.
Sometimes, I think they're doing it on purpose. No, they are, indeed, doing it on purpose. What other reason do they have for staying there this early? I don't know if I'm the only one they treat this way or they also do it to others that do not suit their tastes.
"Good morning, Maid Cyan!" they greeted.
I continued walking without giving them a reaction.
"Our maid's love life here seems to bloom, eh?" they laughed.
"Yeah! She and her boyfriend are really suited for each other!" Karen's friend added.
Just like what I always do, I shrugged them off. But Karen's remark made my head turn.
"I heard it's the freighter! Or is he Mayor Eucliffe's driver? Anyway, I didn't know that freighters are your type, Maid Cyan."
I was already on the third stair when I froze. I saw their satisfied faces. I thought they're just going to randomly throw insults at me like what they did in the past but because of what Karen said, I already know who they are talking about. It's End!
"And he's driving her home! It would really be romantic if the SUV is his but," Karen smirked before continuing, "It's Mayor Eucliffe's!"
"Do you know what wheels you'll have after your wedding, Maid Cyan? A push cart!"
They burst out laughing. I stared at them with a frown while starting to feel irritated with their mocking of a person with an honorable work. So what if End is a freighter or a driver? He's not a bad person and he doesn't trample over anyone so why is he being made fun of like this?
"I guess your freighter boyfriend is really ugly. But all is well, right? You're fit for each other?"
"That's right. So stop hoping for Hibiki because he's rich and you're as poor as a rat. Your place is with your dirty freighter!"
"End is a freighter and a driver but he's a good person and his work is honorable. And more importantly, he's not my boyfriend," I said when I couldn't stop myself.
"Oh! She's defending her Mr. Freighter boyfriend!"
They erupted in laughter again. I just shook my head and realized that there's no hope. No matter what I say, they would still react this way. If I continued arguing with them, I'll just get angry and irritated because of their childishness.
I tore my eyes away from them and continued walking. I was on my fifth step when I heard their persistent teasing.
"Tell us the date of your wedding, Maid Cyan. I'll give a push cart as a gift!" Karen said before laughing.
"Yuck! I couldn't imagine how dirty her boyfriend must be."
"They're totally for each other!"
I fasten my footsteps. My mood immediately turned sour after that. I couldn't smile during the class which wasn't left unnoticed by my classmates.
The one time when I realized that Karen's group wasn't the only one with rumors was when a groupmate started a small talk as we clean the area we used after our reporting,..
"Bad mood, Cyan? Is it because of the rumors about your boyfriend?"
"What boyfriend?"
My classmate smirked. Another male classmate when to us to gossip until it became our whole group.
"I didn't see but someone said that you boyfriend fetched you and that he's a freighter in Sinistra?"
"I don't have a boyfriend. The one who fetched me yesterday is not my boyfriend."
"Oh, come on, Cyan. Don't be shy..."
"He is really not my boyfriend. He's Mayor Sting's driver and Vice Mayor Yukino just asked him a favor because she was busy yesterday."
I didn't know if they believed me. The important thing is that I told them the truth so I didn't pay attention to the rumors anymore. It was already our lunch time when I saw Hibiki on the cafeteria. Unlike in the past, he didn't wait for me. It's fine with me, though, since I can eat alone anyway. But what shocked me was his frown when I smiled at him.
"Are you okay?" I cheerfully said while transferring the plates of food from the tray to the table.
He kept silent and maintained his frown in his face. As much as I want to concentrate talking about his problem with me, I only have a few minutes of break before my next class. I started eating and turned to him after a few spoons.
"Are you angry at me? Sorry, don't mind me, I just really need to hurry for my next class."
I resumed eating. He glared at me and finally talked after a long sigh.
"Who is that boyfriend of yours? You said that having a boyfriend is not a priority, right?"
I looked at him with my fingers covering my mouth as I finish chewing my food. I grabbed my glass of water and drank for my digestion but it seems that it my slow response irritated him more.
"A freighter? Really, Cyan? Is that what you want as your boyfriend?"
I closed my eyes as I cleared my throat before answering him. I didn't like what his last statement was insinuating.
"First of all, I don't have a boyfriend, Hibiki. And what's wrong with being a freighter and a driver? Those are honorable professions and —"
"So you're saying that you're studying hard right now just to end up with those?"
I couldn't stop the violent gasp, "I'm studying to learn and to provide a better future for myself. I don't have a boyfriend and what I wanted to say is there's nothing wrong with being a freighter and a driver."
"You're just wasting your education if you're going to end up with those!"
"I told you, I don't have a boyfriend! If you're going to base on the rumor about the man who fetched me yesterday, he just did it because Mayor Sting asked him to. He's Mayor Sting's driver, yes, but he's not a bad nor a cheap person like what you people are saying."
"I didn't say anything like that, Cyan!" he became angrier at me, "Is that how you see me? A haughty and conceited person?"
"I didn't mean it like that! But earlier you were downgrading people in those professions, Hibiki, and what I wanted to say is —"
I didn't finish my explanation because he turned his back and left. I felt bad, but I managed to survive that day. I thought that End fetching me yesterday wasn't a good thing for me. He was also the one who fetched me that day but I thought of it as the last time. Vice Mayor Yukino is not always busy, after all. It's just a coincidence.
I was fixing my seatbelt after I got inside the SUV. He started the engine. His fixed eyes on the road didn't stop him from asking.
"You have a problem?"
Was my mood earlier that day still etched in my face for him to notice and ask that?
"Ah.. Uhm, just a problem in school."
He turned to me with a frown for a moment before turning again to the road. I noticed how frozen I am as I sit here. The SUV is huge so I won't bump into him skin to skin with my minimal movements so I don't know why I am this nervous.
"Difficult subject?"
"Not really."
"A difficult professor, then? Or... friends?"
"It's not that bad. Just... a problem in school. It's fine."
He nodded slowly but his eyes looked like he was thinking deeper. Especially now that he kept quiet. I was caught off-guard by my thoughts about me not liking the silence between us. I suddenly wasn't a conversation because seeing him deeply thinking about my problem is bothering me. I deliberately asked him a question that I regretted afterwards.
"What course did you finish?"
I shouldn't have asked! I don't want him to see me interested about him in anything! I just asked because I don't want us to stay silent!
"Business," he simply said.
I just nodded and didn't ask anymore despite my want to know where he studied. Maybe in Ermina?
"You? Do you want to teach? That's why you're taking that course?"
I cleared my throat, "Uh, yeah."
"What school do you want to work for after graduating, then?"
"I haven't thought of that yet. Maybe... I'll go home."
His grip on the steering wheel tightened a bit for a curve.
"Don't you want to make your own... your own school?"
Shock drowned me which didn't enable me to form a response. I was amazed with his idea. I have never thought of that because I don't have money. I cannot even fathom how he thought that I have a plan like that.
"I mean... if you only want to manage a school of your own... in the future," was his careful explanation.
"It's a good idea. But I don't have money for that."
He slowly nodded and twisted his lips. It made me more uncomfortable. After a while, the fact that it was our most decent conversation since we've met dawned upon me. We had no argument and I was not... that... pissed of him.
But the downside was, I didn't want us to talk anymore. He also didn't utter a word when he made a turn in the intersection. I knew that he hasn't been there yet so I initiated to guide him to Sorano's house.
When we arrived, I quickly helped with the decorations. End helped too but Sawyer asked a favor to help him in grilling the meat. He quickly finished it and went back to help me so we finished early.
Sorano's house is a small and comfortable two-story grecian house which has a spacious backyard circling it. As the eldest of the Agria family, she inherited most of their businesses but the carefree Sorano just passed it to her little sister and their competent cousins after declaring that she wanted to live a normal life. Sawyer has an automobile corporation which provides for their family.
In short, they're well-off. The reason that we're the one preparing for the party and not some hired party organizers?
The answer is Sorano.
She never wanted the word rich to be associated with her so she's trying to live a life where she is not rich. Except that she really is rich.
The arrival of Angel's classmates interrupted my train of thoughts. I proceeded to greet the celebrant before she got busy with her other guests.
"Happy birthday!"
Her smile was wide when I hugged her. I imprisoned her in my left arm as my right grabbed my schoolbag to search for the gift I bought in the market last time.
"Here's my gift for you!"
"Thank you, pretty Cyan!"
She gave me a bright smile and tiptoed to reach my cheeks for a kiss.
"Thank you, sister Cyan!"
"You're welcome! Put it on the table and don't let your playmates wait for you," I said while pointing to the table that holds all her gifts.
Angel nodded before walking towards the table. My eyes caught a glimpse of End who's staring at me. He's sitting on the sofa while talking to Sawyer's friends and acquaintances. They're conversing, his mouth was moving when he's asked but his eyes remained on me.
It was such a relief for me when Mayor Sting and Vice Mayor Yukino arrived which prompted the start of the children's party.
A wide and circular table was placed on the veranda right beside the front steps of the house. We ate there with the Mayor and Vice Mayor Yukino. Some of their employees were invited too so I wasn't that shocked when Nobarly took a seat beside me.
Our huge table became fully occupied when some of our acquaintances joined us. My eyes quietly searched for End in the lots while making a small talk with Nobarly.
"Vice Mayor do not visit Sinistra, anymore, huh? Is it because Mayor Sting is always here in Dextera?"
I saw End took a seat on a nearby table. He was looking intently at me at first and then he looked away, his jaw moved for a clench. I was shocked at that. It was only then I realized that he can look very snobbish given a certain angle. He didn't look at me anymore. He just talked with the men at their table and laughed.
"Hey, Cyan?"
"Ah. Yes, Nobarly. Mayor frequently visits."
"Do you think they have a plan to get married? I heard that Vice Mayor Agria is tired from her work and is thinking of not running for the next election anymore..." Nobarly whispered while the people at our table was chatting about politics.
My eyes involuntarily went back to End's direction and caught his stares at me. I pouted and returned my gaze to the talkative man beside me.
"That's why, I think that they'll get married soon and would relocate to Sinistra. You'll go, right?"
"Ah! I don't know yet, Nobarly. Vice Mayor hasn't said anything to me yet."
"I hope so! We miss you there in Dextera. There are no beauties there. Whenever you're in Dextera, our eyes were really pleased, Cyan!"
"You're exaggerating, Nobarly!" I laughed.
"I'm not! There are many men who likes you there! Do you see Dan?" while pointing to the direction of a man who's also one of Mayor Sting's employees.
The said man around my age met our eyes and gave a wave and a smile. I greeted back and turned to Nobarly again.
"He's one of those who like you. There are many of us! I mean —"
I chuckled, "You're so funny, Nobarly."
The man beside me blushed and acted shy before grinning again.
"Are you really doubting your looks? With that face, you're doubting that there are many who adore and admire you? Maybe you even have a boyfriend and you're just hiding it?"
"Oh, no. I don't have one!"
Our talked continued on and his humorous topics kept me entertained. But it was halted when Mayor Sting called him.
"Nobarly!"
"Yes!" was his startled reply in the middle of our conversation.
I laughed at the antics of the funny him.
"Buy Sawyer and your mates some more beer. Take Dan with you so you'll have help in carrying the cases!"
"Oh, okay, Mayor. Thank you!" Nobarly grinned at me before standing up and walking towards Mayor Sting who gave him the money while calling for his other employees. He also gave commands to his other three men that were sitting on our table. The moment I realized that it's only us on that table, End's shadow and scent was beside me. And before I got to process his sudden appearance, he already took the now empty seat that Nobarly previously occupying.
He glanced at the Mayor before returning his gaze to me. He snobbishly glanced at the drink he put on the table. I cleared my throat and awkwardly sat properly as the silence between us grew. All of them were noisy. They were all singing and comfortably talking to each other. Even Vice Mayor Yukino was cozy with Mayor Sting. The two of us were the only ones that didn't have interactions.
"Is it fine if I sit here?" his deep baritone broke the silence.
"Uh... Why not?" I wanted to laugh.
Our eyes met. His brows furrowed.
"I thought you won't like it."
I pouted, an unnamed feeling was overwhelming my senses. In the end, I returned his gaze.
"What about you? Is it okay that you sat here? Or you want to stay where you were earlier?"
I glanced at the group he was in before. Before my conversation with Nobarly got long, there were not girls there and because I got engrossed with our talk, I was able to stop myself from turning my head in his direction again so I wasn't able to see that girls flocked to his table that time.
"Oh, the councilor is there," I noticed but the good official looked tipsy already, "It's fine if you wanted to return to them."
"I want to be here," he said.
I quietly cleared my throat and somehow regretted why I busied myself with Nobarly because I wasn't able to see the girls flocking to End's table. I wonder if he enjoyed the presence of those girls while I was busy joking around with Nobarly.
"Really? It's really fine if you want to take back your word and return to your friends. They're having fun. You might miss a lot."
He looked at me with a frown. My cheeks heated up after I confidently said it. I just sharpened and eyes and looked away. I can sense his stares in the corner of my eyes.
"I like it here more."
"There's nothing funny here," I quickly said, "You're having fun there, you shouldn't have left."
He didn't talk. He just continued staring. No matter how my pride stopped me from returning his look, my eyes involuntarily moved slowly to see him. His lips were curved in a sensual smirk while his eyes were playful. I quickly got irritated. The familiar feeling returned like it never changed or disappeared. I'm still nervous and irritated with his presence at the same time.
"What's funny?" I asked, irritated
His eyes got clouded and softly shook his head in the end. He licked his lips and answered...
"I really... really like it here more," he said, almost like a whisper.
His words sent shivers down my spine. I didn't know why his simple words made me feel like I'm on the center of an electric field. His voice made me feel like I was surrounded by electricity currents and lightning bolts.
I wanted to ask why he wanted and liked to be here but I also do not want to ask such question. I couldn't understand myself. I was scared.
"Why are you shooing me away? I'll just return back there if you'll say that you don't want me here," he added.
"Oh, no... thing," I couldn't say anything.
"Don't you want me here?" he asked.
I want to. Why does that phrase sounds so wrong right now?
"I-It's fine with me."
"End, it looks like Riko and the others were drinking a lot, huh?" Vice Mayor interrupted, not knowing anything about what we were talking about.
I saw how End's eyes became more intense as they were glued to me. He looked so amused that it took him a long while before he answered Vice Mayor Yukino's question.
"They said that she's already drunk before arriving here," End said without taking his amused eyes off me.
"Oh, really? She should stop drinking, then."
I glanced at their table but End continued on staring at me. I saw Councilor Riko who's almost asleep on that table. My eyes returned to End and noticed how his gaze never left my form.
The next days were like that. The days were silent but it was peaceful. Our conversations got more frequent and peaceful too. The stares between us that were already there on our first meeting didn't disappear.
Mayor Sting got busy the following week so my ride home returned to normal. I sometimes took the bus whenever Vice Mayor was busy and sometimes I was fetched by Orga. What remind the same was Mayor Sting's visit every night. And of course, with End.
I got used to that routine. Even the teasing on the school about my rumored boyfriend who's a freighter didn't bother me anymore. But of course, I tell them immediately that I don't have a boyfriend
Hibiki's treatment towards me slightly got better but I can still sense his sulky attitude. It got better when there were no rumors about the one fetching me anymore. It's almost two weeks since I wasn't fetched by End so the rumors got quiet by now.
"I'll ditch my class so I can drive you home," Hibiki said when he completely got over his sullenness.
"No, I'll take the bus. It's not really needed."
"Why don't you like me driving you home? Is there someone who'll get angry? Are you hiding something?"
"There none! Aren't you tired of those rumors already? And why would I hide my boyfriend from you if I had one, then?"
He looked at me with a frown. In the end, he believed in me. The only weird think that day was when I met Karen on the hallway. I really thought that she'll make fun of me so I avoided her because I don't want my mood to be ruined.
"Cyan! Wait!"
I took a deep breath. Her friends who walked with her left when she called for me. I tightened my hold on my books, bracing myself for more of her hurtful words despite noticing her odd and casual approach.
"He's not really your boyfriend? That... driver?" she asked.
Where is this going?
"No."
"Of course, between Hibiki who's born rich and a driver, you would like Hibiki more, right?"
I was stunned at what she said. I turned to face her.
"I only see Hibiki as a friend. He's not and would never be my boyfriend and —"
"But End is really not your boyfriend?"
"No."
"We researched to see if what you were saying is true. We learned the name of the driver and how he looks and you're right. You're not together."
I'm still not understanding her words.
"Just stick to Hibiki, alright?"
"What do you mean?"
"The driver that you're very disgusted to be linked with is my crush. He's far more handsome than Hibiki so you can have Hibiki now. I don't care. When would that driver fetch you?"
I blinked. I felt the heat crawl to my cheeks.
"I don't know."
"Tell me, alright? We were friends, after all. I'm sorry for what I've done before. I was just blinded by my irritation. We're okay now, okay?"
I blinked a few times, still too stunned to digest her words.
She winked at me before chuckling and tapping my shoulder before leaving.