Chapter 5

Chapter 5

I took the opportunity to surprise them. I ran fast. I no longer knew which path I was treading. I don't even care if I get lost. The important thing is that I stay away from people who have bad intentions towards me.

With each run I felt more and more in my chest. I could hardly think straight. Even when I fall it seems like nothing is just because of the fear I

feel. The wounds I sustained I could not feel the pain. Several times I stumbled over the roots of large trees. But instead of focusing on the leg that was pinched, I quickly resumed running.

I just want to go home.

My tears kept flowing. I'm so helpless. I lied so much when I said I could do everything.

I ran again. I wasted no more time looking at those who were chasing me.

The road I was on became busier and more crowded. I no longer just feel afraid of the pursuers. Even the fear that there might be a venomous snake in the weeds.

A few moments later I saw the road that Ms. and I walked. Arin kanina. I wanted to celebrate because of the joy I felt when suddenly someone pulled my arm. I let out a scream.

"Bring it's me!" The person holding me said emphatically.

"E-Elliott ..." I said tearfully when I saw him. Somehow I felt reassured to think he was with me now.

"I saw you running while crying. What's going on? Why do you seem so scared? You didn't even try to look back when I called your name." She said worriedly.

I was silent for a moment. Elliott and Sir Cace are the reason someone is chasing me. But he doesn't seem to know anything about it.

I shook slowly. "W-No ... there's a snake like—."

"Bring it! I've been looking for you for a while. You suddenly ran away." Smiling said Ms. Arin when Elliott and I saw it.

"Arin? What are you doing here?"

"Ah, I volunteer as one of the organizers. Another one, my friend Remy. So it's okay maybe I'm here, Sir Elliott."

"But, you're my Mom's secretary, did you say goodbye to her?" Elliott asked as he led me to walk back to the site.

"Yes, he knows, Sir Elliott." Still smiling, Ms. Arin once turned to me. "You left it, that's complete. I went through the one on the last list earlier."

Reluctantly I handed over the basket of herbs I had slapped on the men with him earlier.

"Let's go?" Ms. said. Arin.

"I'll go with you, ours is complete."

I breathed a sigh of relief when Elliott said that. For now, I will allow him to be with me. Because maybe what will Ms. Arin when only the two of us return to the campsite.

"What just happened and you have so many scars on your body? Not just scars ah, you're still crippled!" George said angrily. We were at a table while having lunch.

The school nurse had just finished treating my scars. I sprained my ankle, so George or Lois had to help me just so we could get to our section table quickly.

"Didn't I say when a snake fell in my basket. I was scared so I ran away. This is what happened." I say showing my earned scars.

I don’t want to tell anyone what happened before. Maybe that won't happen again. I will try to really get away from Sir Cace and Elliott.

"How about later? Edi, you won't be able to participate in the presentation of our section?" Said Sammy. Only now did I remember that someone

was being asked to do our presentation. Each section will perform a folk dance. Since we're here in the mountains, that's what we thought we'd do tonight.

"I'm sorry, let me, I'll get back to another activity." I said smiling.

My classmates just smiled at me. Others even asked me if it was really because of the snake why I looked like this. I just didn't answer. I don’t want to talk about that anymore.

"Where's Sir Cace? He said he'd have lunch with us?" Janine said smiling. It glanced at me for a moment and winked. It was horrible that I tried to harden the expression on my face. What does he mean to think that?

"No, someone is taking care of it. Elliott was suddenly pulled away when he arrived with Dalha." Lindsay added with a smile.

"Do you think Sir is jealous?" Sammy asked.

"Guys!" I said out loud that my classmates just laughed. They did not stop talking about Sir Cace and Elliott.

"Will you stop ?!" I was annoyed when he said that. Fortunately, the long table we were at was almost over. There is also a vacancy next door because there are no other students looking for herbal medicine.

After dinner I just led Dylan. He helped me sit in a chair in the shade of a tree. While my classmates were already sitting on the lawn, circling an organizer speaking.

None of my own looked around. I can't see Sir Cace or even Elliott. I don’t know what they’re doing, but it’s probably better that they don’t.

"Looking for someone?" My chest throbbed again. I did not look at Ms. Arin. "They're back, Dahla."

"I don't care."

"Are you sure?" She said with a smile before I turned to her. I noticed the disgust in his eyes. "Which of the two do you type? Is it Sir Elliott? Or Sir Cace?"

"No—."

"Ah, either of the two is still chasing the same money. That's all, Sir Cace is no less rich than Sir Elliott. He's a lot—."

It doesn’t finish what it says. I immediately stood up even though my foot hurt. My classmates looked at us.

"Take where are you going?" Georgia asked.

"In the tent, I feel bad." I excused myself before slowly walking away.

The school nurse was surprised when I entered the tent. I could no longer reach the tent that was for our girls. My foot hurt more so I just stayed here.

"Dalha, is there anything wrong with you?"

"Uh, Miss Ann, can you excuse me to the other teachers and organizers? It's the pain in my foot. As well as the scars—."

"Excuse me Dalha." Said the baritone voice at the entrance of the tent.

"Sir Cace, go ahead." Miss Ann said before gesturing to the chair next to me.

"What happened?" He asked Miss Ann.

"Oh, this is Dalha, he is confused and running because a snake fell into his basket. That's why he fell and got scars and temporary lameness." Miss Ann's long answer.

I looked away as Sir Cace stared at me. I focused on the outside of the tent. From here where I am I can see my teammates enjoying the activity they are doing now.

"Wait a minute ah, I'll just take these first aid kits to the table outside." Goodbye Miss Ann.

When it finally left, I just sighed. The tent is open, those outside can see that Sir Cace and I are together. But they probably won't think badly because many people know my condition.

"Tell me the truth, Dalha." Sir Cace said coldly. I was suddenly swallowed. I don’t want to say that her Mom is the reason why my situation is like this.

"Because aha—."

"Don't make a fool of me, Dalha. Elliott reported to me that you were so scared while he was talking to Arin. What did she do to you?"

"Sir ..."

"I know Arin, Dalha. He's Mama's man and I know Mama has something to do with why he's here now!" He said angrily that my chest was pounding. "Tell me, what did Arin do to you?"

My tears flowed. I could no longer look away. Sir Cace's stares seemed to absorb me. His eyes were full of anger. I cried because of the sudden rise in his voice. That caused other students to look at us.

Fortunately, the tent was far away. They will think Sir Cace is just scolding me.

"Are you mad at me?" I asked having difficulty breathing due to suppressed moaning.

"Don't cry, Dalha. I'm not angry. Why should I be angry with you?"

"But the strength of your voice. I'm scared of you, Cace." I don’t know what’s going on with me. Why Cace? It should be Sir Cace!

The expression in Sir Cace's eyes softened slightly. He was about to touch me when he suddenly realized the tent was wide open. Students and other teachers will see what he will do. Obviously, he wants to hug me.

"Alright, tell me what really happened, Dalha?"

I bit my lower lip. Miss Arin glanced for a moment at a distance where Sir Cace was looking at us. I was afraid to open my mouth because I felt like it could read every opening of it.

I slowly turned around and simply faced Sir Cace. He stared at me as if at any moment he would lock me in his arms if I told the truth.

"I just want to go home, Sir Cace?" I said softly as I looked around at Miss Arin's seat.

"Bring ..."

"Please, I want to go home. It's a big reason I'm crippled to allow me to go home."

"What are you going home for? To work? To oppress your aunt again? Bring it on, your lameness will get worse. It's good that you're here." He answered while approaching the first aid kit next to me.

I just silently watched Sir Cace clean the wound in my hand. I didn't notice that my fist was being pressed. My wound bled again so I had to change the gauze.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked as Sir Cace stopped what he was doing.

"Am I bad to worry for you?"

"Not like that, but you're a teacher. It's wrong for us to be close to each other Sir Cace."

Sir Cace finally stopped what he was doing. He stared at me as if it was a mistake that I said those words.

"I know that, Dalha." She said with a sigh. "I know it's wrong, but what can I do? You made me fall for you without you realizing it."

I didn't hear much of what he said last because he had almost no voice when he said that. Whether he meant it or not I don’t know. Whatever it is, it's up to you.

"I'll stay here—."

"I'll inform everyone about your condition. Maybe they'll let you stay in the big house at the bottom of this mountain." Said Sir Cace as he placed another gauze in my hand.

"Huh? I'm okay here. There are layers I can—."

Sir Cace let out a violent sigh before staring at me. "I'll lift you up if you're having trouble coming down the mountain."

"Sir, we can't be together—."

"Stay here, I'll talk to Mrs. Capistrano." Sir Cace said emphatically before leaving me in the tent.

I was tempted to just bow down. I want to avoid because I know it pays a lot when the whole school knows we are getting closer to each other. Also,

their mother may not be able to do more than just what happened earlier. It's only now that I'm scared. What if their mother also found out that Elliott was planning to date me?

I don’t know how many times I’ve let out a sigh. I am isolated in the situation Sir Cace and I are in now.

"Ahm, g-do you want to rest?" I asked looking into the distance. I do not want to turn my gaze to Sir Cace. He might suddenly turn to me, maybe something unexpected would happen again like when we went up the mountain.

"I'm fine, Dal." whispered Sir Cace.

None of my own pity my mouth. I immediately turned to Ms. Melissa; another school nurse. It will be with us going back to the big house.

"D-Dal?" I asked suddenly tightening the embrace with Sir Cace from behind. He's giving me a piggy back ride.

"What? Then, I'll call you Dalha if you don't want me to call you Dal." He replied that I turned to Ms. Melissa. Maybe he can hear what Sir Cace and I are talking about. But it doesn't seem like it's because she's busy fixing her hair.

I did not reply to Sir Cace's last words. I just kept quiet until we got to the big house.

He immediately made me sit on the sofa when we entered. After that he arranged my belongings in a room. While Ms. Melissa, on the other hand, is still busy grooming herself.

I'm already wondering about Ms. Melissa. It doesn't have to fix itself, especially since it will just keep an eye on me. Sir Cace will return to the campsite tomorrow morning.

"Dalha, is my eyebrow even?" Later, Ms. asked me. Melissa. He glanced for a moment at Sir Cace who was still busy arranging my belongings in the room overlooking the living room. I can see how serious he is in making my bed.

"It's okay." I winced to say. It obviously does that for Sir Cace to notice.

Ms. continued with a big smile. Melissa is fixing. When Sir Cace approached me he even pretended to have pierced the eye. So according to, this is what Sir approached before me.

There is no case against me. But Ms. does not have to do that. Melissa. If she likes Sir Cace, why doesn't she just admit it to Sir?

"I'll cook, go ahead Sir Cace, take Dalha to her room." It seems that Ms. Melissa. You thought 'i love you' was told by its crush.

I don't know how I will react to what Ms. Melissa. I want to wince because I’m terrified. But I also seem to want to feel sorry for her because Sir Cace doesn't seem to care.

"Rest now—." Sir Cace stopped speaking when Ms. suddenly returned. Melissa.

"What do you want to eat?"

I glanced softly at Sir Cace. "Ah, anything, Ms. Melissa." My answer.

"You, Sir Cace?" This is a gentle question to Sir.

"I'll eat anything you cook." He answered before holding my arm. "Let's go, Dalha."

Before finally leading Sir Cace, I looked at Ms. again. Melissa. It was still singing as it walked back to the kitchen. It seemed to tremble again at Sir Cace's simple answer.

"I'm fine here Sir — are you okay?" I asked when we could enter the room. I noticed Sir Cace's sudden frown and a simple touch on his shoulder.

"Yeah, just a little tired. Take a break, I'll just call you when Melissa is done cooking."

I nodded slowly. It was obvious to Sir Cace that he was tired of carrying me down the mountain. I'm also heavy even though I'm not fat.

"Ah, Dalha, is it okay if I don't close the door?" Sir Cace asked stopping me to finally lie down on the bed.

"All right ..." I answered before lying down slowly. The air-con is on but Sir Cace doesn't seem to care. So I just let it go even though the door was open.

I forced myself to sleep. But for five minutes I must have been lying down with my eyes closed and my mind seemed wide awake. So I quickly sat up in bed.

I would have liked to complain because I suddenly felt hot. By the way, I just noticed that my clothes and jogging pants are thick.

I slowly got up and reached for my bag that was at the bottom of the bed. From there I picked up a pair of sleeping bags.

I quickly took off my clothes. All that was left was my thin shirt and cream colored underwear. I was about to take off my top when I heard a

squeak. As I looked around I noticed Sir Cace sitting on the sofa, with a laptop in front of him and with a ballpen in hand. He also wore reading glasses. Only now did I remember that the door was open.

I was suddenly swallowed up when our eyes met. Sir Cace gently removed the wearing glasses. He raised eyebrows and widened his eyes at me as if to say what I was doing.

"Use the bathroom." He mouthed.

I felt my cheeks suddenly heat up. Why did I forget that the door of the room was open? The long sofa where Sir Cace is now still faces it.

I quickly got out of bed. I even tried to get dressed in a part that Sir Cace could not see. The room I was in had no bathroom. I was embarrassed to go out to use what was in the kitchen.

I had just finished fixing the last button on my dress when Ms. entered. Melissa. I almost screamed at the thought of Sir Cace.

"I'm sorry ..." he said with a scratch. "I'm done cooking, we can eat."

I nodded slightly before picking up the clothes I had taken off. I was about to put it in my bag when I caught sight of the full-length mirror next to the bed. I think that's enough for two people who want to reflect at the same time.

I swallowed a few times. "Shit." I said emphatically when I saw Sir Cace's reflection. He was bent over and busy with what he was doing. Maybe he didn't see me. Hopefully ...

"Bring it?"

"Ah, yes, I'll be next." I quickly replied to Ms. Melissa.

Ms. supports me. Melissa while out of the room. The pounding in my chest still wouldn't go away. Especially when Sir Cace lifted his face.

Our eyes met again. I don’t know what to say or do. The expression on Sir Cace's face was very serious. Fortunately, Ms. replied. Melissa. He also invited Sir to eat.

I had a hard time breathing and swallowing my food. How could I notice Sir Cace glancing at me from time to time. If that's because he's just

worried about my condition that's fine. But if my suspicion was correct that he saw me change my clothes, I don't know! I might just ask the floor to open up and swallow me.

"I'll just let the air in for a moment." I say goodbye to the two after I eat. I don't want to be disturbed because it's obvious to Ms. Melissa that she still wants to be with Sir Cace.

"Where are you going to air?" Sir Cace asked as I stopped walking.

"Ah, just outside, in the swing house." My answer. I noticed earlier that there was a swing house here. I want to spend time there first. Another, for the two to be alone. That way Sir Cace might let me go. Ms. will not bother me anymore. Arin and their Mama.

I went back to the kitchen for a moment when I suddenly remembered something. My eyes

automatically widened when I saw that Ms.'s face was almost a fiber distance away. Melissa in Sir Cace's face. Sir was still sitting in his chair while Ms. Melissa.

"Ah, sorry, I forgot something." I winced when I saw Sir Cace suddenly pushing Ms. Melissa.

"Bring ..."

"It's okay, Sir. I didn't see anything. I'll just take your cupcakes to the refrigerator." I said as I slowly walked closer to the refrigerator. I quickly picked up a box of chocolate cupcakes that Sir Cace had given me yesterday. It's my birthday today. I will not allow the day to end without me celebrating it.

"Dalha, it was—."

"C'mon Cace, you don't have to explain. Dalha understands that. That's why he's planning to go out first, isn't it Dalha?" Smiling said Ms. Melissa. I noticed its hand anchoring to Sir Cace's arms. So I quickly averted my gaze.

"I'm going out." I said just before turning around.

"Dal—."

"What the heck Cace ... you haven't drunk this tea I made for you yet." I even heard the soft voice of Ms. Melissa before I finally got out of the house.

Whatever they do, I don’t care anymore. It is more important to me to celebrate my birthday even when I am alone.

To Be Continued.....