HEARTFILIA'S POV
---
Everything was back to normal, following the events of the previous day.
I was staring at our teacher as she discussed the lesson, but nothing was sinking into my brain. Still fresh in my mind, my confusion about my feelings still lingered. I shouldn't feel this way toward him. I shouldn't be falling for that brute. But this heart of mine, it goes crazy when I see him, especially when he touches me. It nearly jumps out of my chest from beating so fast.
Could I be falling in love with him? Waah, no way.
"That can't happen!" I exclaimed, jumping out of my seat. I opened my eyes wide as I realized that I was in the middle of class. I looked at our teacher—she was staring at me seriously. My classmates, on the other hand, sure were surprised by my outburst.
"What can't happen, Miss Mereles? It's obvious you're not listening in class. Are you okay?" Mrs. Dotimas asked several times. I swallowed my own saliva.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Dotimas, I just don't feel well," I replied politely. She shook her head.
"These young people nowadays, getting pregnant early… they just aren't careful." She continued shaking her head. My forehead furrowed.
"Miss Mereles, next time you don't feel well, you just don't have to come to class, okay? It might be bad for what you're carrying," she said seriously. I nodded before sitting down.
Was she implying… that I was the one she was talking about?
"Class dismissed," she said, gathering her things to leave the classroom.
"Is everything really alright, Filia? I have been observing you. You appear to be contemplating on something," Joseph asked concernedly. I nodded only.
"Actually, it's Girlfriend's Day today," Nicole said, peering at her phone.
"Girlfriend's Day? Is that a thing?" asked the gay guy. "When did that become popular?"
"I didn't notice. I just saw it here on Facebook," Nicole said sharply.
"Aww, why am I even asking you? No one's ever tried to court you anyway," Joseph teased Nicole. I almost burst out laughing because it was indeed true; after all, every time a guy would approach her, she'd shout at him.
"You, Filia, when did this day become Girlfriend's Day?" Joseph asked me.
"How should I know? Who started that trend?" I replied with my own question. His eyebrow went up.
"Seriously, I don't know either. Didn't Jharied greet you?
It was my turn to raise an eyebrow.
"We're not dating, duh!" I answered, rolling my eyes.
"They're married, you're not using your brain again, Josephine!" Nicole cut in, emphasizing the *Josephine*.
"Don't interrupt, Nicole, because you don't know what it feels like," the gay guy responded.
"You know, a lot of couples get together through that," I said playfully. Both of them rolled their eyes at me.
"Over my sexy body! I would never go for that girl!" Joseph answered dramatically.
"How dare you. I would especially never go for someone like you!" Nicole shot back, rolling her eyes. "Muscular gay man!" she added. I could see smoke practically coming out of Joseph's nose.
"You think you're so beautiful, *che*! You're more like a man than I am, that's why you don't have a boyfriend!" Joseph did not back down.
"Jharied is so sweet, he gave me chocolate!" Samantha said happily as she entered the classroom, holding a bar of chocolate.
"That only means one thing, Samantha: Jharied wants you to get fat so he can leave you," Joseph teased.
"You know, Joseph, if you're jealous, close your eyes, okay! Did your friend get anything? I thought she was his wife?" she asked over and over, laughing.
"Yes, she's his wife. That's why she wasn't given chocolate, because she was given his last name instead, you idiot!" Joseph replied, laughing. I nudged him.
"Chocolate is what you give mistresses… not the last name," Nicole taunted. Joseph and I laughed, while Samantha's face darkened in clear annoyance.
"She may be his wife, but he cheats on her right in front of her face. You only got his last name but not his heart," she said harshly.
My ears started to feel hot. I even felt a twinge in my heart.
Why did her words hurt me?
I shouldn't care about them.
I shouldn't feel that!
But this treacherous heart of mine refused to cooperate.
So what if he gave her chocolate? I can buy my own!
Nicole was just about to say something when someone called from the doorway.
"Miss Heartfilia Mereles, Mr. Cojuangco is calling for you in his office," he said seriously.
My heart immediately started racing again.
I stood up, grasping my bag and book.
"Oh my gosh, maybe Jharied will give you more than just chocolate!" Nicole exclaimed, while looking at Samantha.
"You two, you had a date, and you didn't tell us!" Joseph teased.
"Well, I just don't brag about it," I replied, smiling.
"Go, girl! Papa Jharied might be waiting," Joseph said, pushing me. I gave him a glare.
"Fill us in on what you do—maybe you'll have a honeymoon again," Nicole said, laughing. I shot her a raised brow and headed out of the room.
I passed many students who were accompanied by their boyfriends or girlfriends; all carrying flowers and chocolates in hand. I rolled my eyes. Bitter if bitter--I didn't care. They'll all break up eventually when they get tired of each other.
I reached the doorway to our philandering president's office and knocked first. Better safe than sorry, he might be kissing someone inside again.
I was just about to open the door when it suddenly opened. A woman emerged, blouse crumpled and two buttons undone, and raised an eyebrow at me while walking past.
I felt a surge of annoyance.
Is this why he called me?
Was it to rub it in my face that he could womanize even though we were married?
I shook my head.
Why was I thinking that?
I shouldn't care in the least!
I stomped inside, and the door slammed shut. At that moment he came out of the bathroom.
"What? What do you want? Hurry up, I have class!" I asked sharply. I didn't actually have class yet, but I was irritated.
"What, are you just going to stare at me?" I added, when he didn't respond.
"Here. For you."
He smiled and handed me a chocolate bar he took from his drawer.
My eyes narrowed-it was the same as the one Samantha was holding.
"What is that? Samantha's leftovers? Why don't you just give her all of your leftovers?" I snapped. His forehead furrowed.
"What—"
"Don't you 'what what' me. I don't need your chocolate. I can buy my own, I'm leaving!" I announced. His eyebrows met.
"What are you talking about, Filia? I just bought this! And what leftovers from Samantha? I didn't give her chocolate. Wait a minute—are you jealous?" he asked, confused.
My brow furrowed.
Me?
Jealous?
"No I'm not! How dare you. I wouldn't care even if you brought her home!" I exclaimed, rolling my eyes. He smirked.
"Take it if you're really not jealous," he said, offering the chocolate again.
"I said no, didn't I?! I don't need chocolate!" I insisted stubbornly. Then I looked at my watch; it was already lunchtime. No wonder I was starving.
"I'm leaving. Nicole and Joseph are waiting for me," I said, "Goodbye." I walked out without looking back at him. Outside, I took a deep breath and slammed the door shut.
I walked towards the cafeteria. I ran into Jharied's friends.
"Hi, Filia," they said. I smiled.
But they blocked my way.
"This is for you," Roy said, smiling, handing me a red rose. I took it.
"Than—" I didn't finish because Zander handed me a rose next.
"This is for you," Alex said, handing me one too. Despite feeling a little embarrassed, I smiled.
Arman and Lara followed.
"What's all this fuss? You guys, you shouldn't have spent money," I chided. They just shrugged.
"Here, Filia, there's more!" Kris called out, handing me another one.
"That's not complete yet, there's still something missing," Rey said as she passed me a cake box.
"Of course, there are balloons, too!" Kara interjected, holding three red balloons.
I took everything, though they were almost falling out of my hands.
"Wow… what's going on? Why the cake, roses and balloons?" I asked tearfully. It wasn't my birthday.
"It's nothing, Filia. We have to go now," Roy said goodbye. They left.
Me--I was still processing.
I looked around—so many people were watching. I ignored them. I walked toward the cafeteria.
I was about to enter, and then, someone bumped into me, causing me to drop the flowers.
"Sorry, Miss, I'm in a hurry," the guy said. I looked up—the voice was familiar.
"Jacob?" I called out as he picked up the flowers. He stopped and looked at me.
"Heartfilia?" he muttered in disbelief.
"Oh my gosh, Jacob, it's you!" I exclaimed in delight.
After many, many years, he was back in the Philippines.
He was my childhood friend.
They have relocated abroad for the sake of their business.
And now… he's here.
"How are you?" he asked me cheerfully.
"I'm fine. When did you arrive? You didn't even tell me." I pouted.
"Just yesterday. We came home suddenly. Is it true you got married? You didn't even invite me." He said in a sad tone. I nodded.
"Mine was a sudden wedding, too. Btw, aren't you busy? Come on, join me for lunch--your treat." He just shook his head.
"You're still cheap. Fine, my treat. Since it's our first time seeing each other again." I replied. He smiled.
"Don't I get a hug? I'm hurt. You didn't even invite me to your wedding." He complained. I raised my eyebrow at him and smiled, as I was about to hug him when someone pulled me from behind.
"I leave you alone for one second, and you're already flirting!" Jharied said coldly while still holding my bag.
"What the hell, let go of me, you brute!" I snapped.
"When it's me, you're so cranky. But when it's this guy, you act all sweet!" he snapped back. I shot him a dark look.
"Hey, who are you? Let go of Filia!" Jacob told him.
"I am her husband; leave her alone!" he replied at once.
"Ah, I see… so you're the one Filia married," Jacob said, nodding slowly.
"Is there a problem?" Jharied asked coldly.
"Wait a minute, why are you even here? He is my friend. Is it wrong for me to talk with him? And let go of me!" I complained to him.
"Let's eat some other day, Filia. I have somewhere to go. See you around." Jacob said his goodbyes.
I frowned as he walked away. I glared at Jharied. His face was dark, and he was glaring at me too.
"Let go of me!" I said, struggling to break free. He immediately let go of my bag.
"Can you just mind your own business!" I snapped at him.
"You two just had to flirt right in the hallway. You're painful to watch." He responded icily before passing by me.
Wow… now it's like I'm the one at fault. If he hadn't interfered, I would be with Jacob now.
That man infuriates me! Because I was annoyed, I didn't go to the cafeteria.
I walked directly to the garden—where my world was quiet. I'll just eat the cake Roy's friends gave me. I'll be full, and I won't have to be annoyed by that brute!
As soon as I approached the garden, I sat under the shade of a tree. I opened the box. It looked delicious—ah, it was even heart-shaped. My gaze fixed on the writing… I felt frozen in my seat.
"This came from Jharied?"