Page 48 of Chasing Mr. Prefect

“Not to be rude, Vinnie, but what are you doing here?”

I blinked. It was a bit out of character for Liana but maybe this was me getting a taste of my own medicine and I thought I deserved it.

“Gian asked for help with the outreach for the kids,” I explained.

“Since when do you go to kids-related things? Is this part of your deal with your marketing prof?”

“No. I just wanted to help. Or at least try.”

She answered me with a look that clearly said she didn’t want me there.

“Look, the club kids’ events are kind of my thing. Can you…let me have this? Just this year?”

I blinked.

“I know what time of the year it is. But can you not spoil it for me this time? I’m graduating soon and this outreach coincides with my birthday. I just want a quiet one with my friends, please, if that’s okay?”

I felt lightheaded after that statement. She was calm. Polite, even. But there was so much weight with her words.

I should have just left it there but as usual, my mouth beat my brain to the punch.

“Hey, look, I’m sorry,” I said. “I know I was rude to your friend and I’ve been mean to you all our lives but I can promise you this is not me carrying out an evil plan to spoil the outreach for you.”

She sighed again. “Can you blame me, though? It’s what youdo.”

Each word was like a knife to the heart. That did sound like stuff I would do. I was that person—one who didn’t care who I hurt just to make a point—and I always got away with it. The fact that she never had a proper birthday celebration before this was my doing. Deep down I knew that and it was why I made an effort to help Gian with this.

But that didn’t matter now. Her anger was valid.

“No, I really can’t,” I replied. “Well, my task was mainly the groceries, anyway. I’m free to go. I’ll see you at home tomorrow.”

I gave her a small, defeated smile and did as I was asked.

Cholo would not heara word of me telling him I was going home alone and I just went along when he offered to drive so we would not cause any more of a scene.

“You’re planning to leave me there? Seriously? You know how OP I would be in that group? They’re all under Finance and Pub— huy! Ba’t ka umiiyak?”

It was dark so he did not notice until then that the waterworks had been flowing. I shook my head and just cried it out. Cholo understood, as always, and just drove off.

I did not even know where we were going. He just played music in the background and did not talk. He eventually stopped driving and I realized we were in front of his house.

Cholo faced me and put a hand on my shoulder.

“How are you feeling? Do you need a few more minutes?”

I shook my head no and followed him out of the car. He offered me the sofa and said he would be back.

I sat down, getting annoyed with the hiccups. Cholo came back a few minutes later with two cans of soda.

“Sorry, I had to clean up the litter boxes so it won’t be so smelly. And don’t worry, I washed my hands. You can drink straight from the can.”

I smiled in thanks and Cholo sat beside me on the sofa.

“I’m getting spoiled na, ha,” I told him. He looked at me and opened his mouth and then got distracted by something behind me.

A ball of orange fur made its way towards us. It passed me with one look and went straight for Cholo’s lap, spinning once and contentedly lying there for a nap.

“Oh, hi, Potato,” Cholo said, stroking her fur and looking up at me. “I think she heard you say spoiled and thought we were calling her.”