The water from its spring is beautiful to look at. I decided to sit on its side and touch the cold water. I am here in the park near our village. Trees and weeds are blown away by the wind as children play hide and seek.
It is sunny now and the blue sky shows as a beautiful weather. I was not doing anything so I hung out here first because I just wanted to refresh myself. I have been busy in the last few weeks since our mid-term exam.
Dylan has been busy these past few days and he has not even been able to text or call me. I sighed and checked my phone but there were still no signs of his response. I texted him when I woke up but he did not answer, maybe the rumor is true? No, it is impossible to happen!
I just decided to walk home and erase those things from my mind. I was close to home when I saw a black Honda Accord so I ran home when I caught my father taking care of my brother.
"Celestine," he said while smiling at me.
I quickly ran to my father and hugged him. He was busy with our own school, the Delmiguez International School and even though we had our own school, I did not want to study there. I want a normal low-key life with no one praising me for my wealth.
"So, how is your study?" Dad asked as we sat on the sofa while my brother played with his toys.
"Everything is okay. I am always good at every subject and maybe after this school year I will have the highest honor." I said.
"That's good news, Celes. Do you have any plans to move to our own school? Someday you will inherit that school," dad said.
"Dad, you know I want a low profile and we already talked about me transferring to St. Gabriel University, right?"
I explained and he just sighed as if he could do nothing to change my mind so, I changed the subject.
"By the way, how was your seminar in Cambodia?"
"That's good. Our school is getting a partnership with NICS and we may have an exchange student next school year," Dad said.
"If you really made your decision, I will let you go and I will trust you. If you change your mind to move to our school, you can talk to me." He added and I just nodded.
We talked a lot until mom called us to eat our lunch. I couldn't help but smile and stare at my parents laughing because of dad's jokes. I smiled and shrugged then continued to eat while my brother sat next to me.
The next day, I woke up early to prepare the things I needed for school. I looked at my phone to see if there was a message from Dylan. At night, when I got a message from him, he told me he was busy and I said it was okay even if it wasn't.
"I'll take you to your school, Celes." said dad when I got to the kitchen and mom was preparing our breakfast.
"Sure, dad." I said as I sat down.
"By the way, our mom and I were having an acquaintance on Wednesday night," I said.
"Really? So, I think we need to buy a new dress for you, Celestine."
"No need, mom. I have a lot of clothes I haven't used in the closet yet."
After that, we said goodbye to mom and Ethan, I first kissed mom on the cheek and we left the house. I got out of the car and stood in front of the school when I saw Dylan waiting for me to enter the school.
"I have to go, Dad. Be careful," I said and hurried to the entrance gate.
I greeted Dylan and we entered the school together. As we entered the room, I saw Jayson sitting near the window and seemed to be deep in thought, I just shrugged. I sat in my seat and arranged my things in the bag when the teacher entered the room.
"Good morning, class," Miss Cherry said.
I couldn't help but look at him from a distance. Dylan has been my boyfriend for almost 2 years and our 3rd anniversary is near. What will I do? I wanted to surprise him but how?
"Jade Celestine Delmiguez"
Maybe I will ask Jayson for help and what a great gift for men.
"Jade" I felt Kristy holding my shoulder causing me to go back to reality. I looked at her and she pointed in front of me. I saw my teacher shook her head and start calling other students.
"Next, Madeline Kristy Del Rosario"
"What was that for?" I asked Kristy confused.
"You will be my partner in the activity. You look like a fool a while ago," she rolled her eyes.
I gave her a look but she looked away and turned her attention to the front, so, I looked at her body. She has a long black hair that reaches to her waist, thick eyebrows that fit her, a thin lip, has a skinny body and a long leg that anyone can love.
While in class I felt my phone vibrate in my skirt pocket so I secretly checked it to see who it was until the bell rang.
"All right, Good luck! Class dismissed," the teacher said.
I opened the message and I saw a picture. I stared at it and recognized who it was. I couldn't help but to cover my mouth and look in Dylan's direction as he fixed his belongings. I felt like I was about to cry.
Calm down, Jade, don't think about anything. I looked at the picture again. He was eating with another woman and they seemed to have a good conversation. I don't know who this woman is, maybe his friend but there is another message that comes, a picture of Dylan kissing another woman. I couldn't help but hold back my tears and immediately sorted out my things and ran out of the room.
Maybe I'm wrong? I was already in the living room and just lying there staring at my phone. My friend Noime took this picture and she said she saw Dylan with a girl dated at one of their restaurants and just by chance he visited his mother.
Dylan called me several times but I did not answer. I need to think carefully before acting and I need to see it with my own eyes. I decided to go down because it was 2:30 in the afternoon and I had not eaten lunch yet.
"Oh, Jade? There's food in the kitchen, eat it. Anyway, Jayson came and asked if you were here and I said yes. He said he would come back later," I looked at mom watching TV with my sibling.
"All right." I just said.
I just stared at the food and just sighed when my phone rang again. I decided to answer it.
"Love? Are you alright? Why did you leave so early? I would have invited you to eat with me," he said on the line.
I remembered the image again with the other woman. I adjust my posture before I respond.
"Sorry, my dad texted me and told me to leave for a while so I hurried." I lied
"Ok, I'll just go home and hang out now," he said.
"Sure," and he hung up.
I glanced at my phone screen for a moment when I heard a voice.
"You're lying." Jayson said.
I smiled at him then he walked closer and sat down next to me.
"What's wrong? I know you have a problem." He said and was willing to listen to me.
I sighed and started telling him about the picture. He just kept listening to me until I finished. After I showed him the picture, I saw his hands clench and his forehead began to wrinkle.
"I want to punch him!" he shouted and I covered his mouth.
"Shhh! Don't make any noise! My mother might hear you!" I reminded. "Please don't tell anyone this, I have to confirm everything and I want to see it for myself," I said.
"This is wrong! He cheated on you, Celestine," He emphasized the word 'cheated'.
"I know! But please Jayson, not now," I pleaded.
"Fine! I'll cover my mouth! But just make sure we know it soon," I nodded at him.
I looked up at the sky and smiled because of the stars. I am here in the garden and sitting alone on our bench. I can feel the cold air because of the shirt and pajamas I was wearing.
I looked at my Instagram account and pressed the heart button of the one I liked to avoid thinking about that picture until a message from Ryleigh popped up.
Ryleigh: Hi, Jade! Are you free tomorrow?
Me: In the afternoon, Ry.
Ryleigh: So, we can meet? After lunch?
Me: Sure!
We chatted more and I found out he was already engaged to someone. I told her I wanted to meet her fiance and so she agreed and said tomorrow she will take her fiance. I also told her that I already had a boyfriend and I think she did not know because we had not been in contact with each other for four years. Suddenly we met again, she was studying at our school before I even met Noime and Kristy so they were not familiar with her.
The next day, I was at the library with Dylan. I had to act as if nothing had happened and not look more suspicious. I saw Jayson enter the library and he stared at me before the one next to me. He started walking somewhere.
"Love, where do you want to eat?" Dylan asked.
"Hmm, Noime's restaurant?" My answer. "By the way, after lunch I will meet my friend and I want to introduce him," I added.
"Oh! Really? Sure, love," he nodded.
Delight Noime's Restaurant
There were a lot of people when we entered the restaurant when someone approached us and asked for a reservation.
"Delmiguez," I said and accompanied us at our reservation table and when we got to our table we started picking something to eat.
Our meals arrived and we started eating when Dylan's phone suddenly rang. I couldn't help but stare at his phone on the side of the table.
"I'll just answer this call, just continue your meal," he stood up and went straight to the CR.
I can't help but suspect him. I shrugged. Arghh! Stop it, Celestine! Don't be paranoid maybe it's just a relative or friend of his. I suddenly dropped the spoon and touched my head. I suddenly felt a headache until Dylan arrived.
"Are you okay?" He asked with concern.
"I'm okay. So, who called you?" I looked at him
"Oh! My mom called and she told me I had to go home after we ate. Sorry, love," she sat down to continue our meal.
"No, it's okay. I'll tell my friend that you had an emergency and you need to be there," I smiled.
I kissed his cheek before he left and I contacted Ryleigh. I was distracted when someone called my name.
"Sorry, I'm late. I contacted my fiance and he said he was coming because they had just finished class and he had lunch with his friends, so, let's go?"
"Sure, anyway, what's his name again?"
I asked again because I forgot.
"Steve," he replied.
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