chapter 5

I narrowed my eyes when I saw Akihiro busy herding the cattle. It was four o'clock in the afternoon so the animals had to be put in the cage. But what the hell is he doing? He is not a worker! Is he making good shots because I already know his plans?

Yesterday when we met I never left my room. I'm irritated. Horrified, because I couldn’t bear to say that the man who caused Daddy’s death was with me now under the same roof. Not only that, it still seems superior to me. It seems more entitled compared to me who truly owns everything here.

"Yumi, you have a phone call." Manang Susan woke me up. From my sharp stare at Akihiro I turned my gaze to Manang. I took a deep breath before getting up from the hammock attached to the bodies of the two mango trees. I quietly walked back to the big house. I can feel Manang Susan's stares. I ignored it. When I got home, I immediately went to the phone next to the stairs.

"Mayumi Lazaro?" Question from the other line.

"It's me..."

"Ma'am, I'm letting you know you're welcome. You can start tomorrow." The woman I was talking to said. I can hear the excitement in her voice. It seems like good news that I applied to them and now I can start work tomorrow.

I nodded slowly. "Okay, I'll be there tomorrow morning. Thank you."

Before I came home from Australia I submitted my resume to a small company. I graduated with a Business Administration course. In fact, I can just work at the Hacienda or maybe at the LGC. That's why I don't want to add to our meeting with the treacherous Akihiro. I knew he was in charge of the businesses Daddy left behind. Right now I have to work and start at the bottom. Once I have proven something to myself, I will take everything back to Akihiro. And he also needs to be incarcerated!

I went to my room and prepared my things. I will bring two suitcases and a backpack. I already booked a room in one of the hotels in Manila. I also found a condominium near the hotel. It was for sale, when I found it online. I can go straight there. But I want it renovated. So I would stay at the hotel for a week before heading to the condo.

"Where are you going?" Akihiro, who had just arrived, asked. He must have noticed the suitcases I had placed in front of the door. I'm going to lower it to the opponents so that when I leave the next day, it won't be an obstacle. It's hard to go up and down.

"Going to the precinct to put you in jail." I didn't feel like saying that his jaws tightened. He's mad. I can see it, I can feel it.

"You're unbelievable, Mayumi. You're very different from Tito Arnold. Are you sure you're really his son?"

My head suddenly heats up. I shot him a sharp look before I passed him. My forehead furrowed slightly as the mixture of Akihiro's perfume and sweat entered my nose. I tried not to close my eyes. But, shit — I just pinched myself to wake up.

I went down the stairs and headed to the dining room. It's already dinner time. I'm a little hungry too. I sat on my chair, followed by Akihiro sitting in the opposite chair. He gave me a smirked. Asshole.

"Did you apply for a job?"

"None of your business." I said. Annoyed I ate the sliced ​​chicken meat.

"You're not leaving, Mayumi."

"Who are you, my father?"

"I'm your ... step-brother."

"Wow! I don't remember accepting you as my brother. I hate you, and that's the last thing I'll do." I say sarcastically. I quickly finished the meal. I have lost my appetite. I might just throw up what I ate because of the man in front of me. I immediately stood up and was about to walk away when I heard Akihiro's voice.

"They knew you're a Lazaro, Mayumi. Your life is in da—."

"I know."

"They want you dead."

I let out a loud laugh. I tried to erase from my mind the concern I saw in Akihiro's eyes. "More like, you want me dead."

"What made you think that I'm capable of ..." He paused. He heaved a sigh before continuing. "... hurting you?"

I ignored the hint of sadness in his eyes. I will not be deceived by those ... never again. If he slept with Dad, well, not me! "You killed my Dad. Isn't that reason enough for me to think that's what you want to do to me? You can easily kill me, Akihiro. Put poison in my food. Choke me while I'm asleep. Or even— . "

"My mom died with your dad, Mayumi. We both lost." Cold as an ice. I shivered. I can't read the expressions lingering on his face — nah, I could, I'm just afraid to name them. For what reason? I don't know. "With the two of us, I must be the one who thinks you planned all that. You never liked the idea of ​​your father marrying my mom. You hated her. But I tried to put myself on your shoes. And I understand why don't do him. "

"She used my dad—."

"Your dad approached her! Goddamnit! Mommy and I are fine, Mayumi! But your dad came into her life. They fell in love! Sometimes I wished they never met! Because that stupid love took her away from me ... forever."

I could not speak. I want to fight for my righteousness. But, do I have any proofs? Nothing. It doesn't matter if I raise my voice to Akihiro. I'd let him win, for now. I will look for evidence. That way I can prove him to be to blame for what happened.

"I'm still leaving tomorrow morning." I said emphatically before finally leaving the dining hall.

I went outside. On the swing in the garden I chose to cool off. Many things run through my mind. Like the thing Akihiro said a while ago.

What made you think that I'm capable of hurting you? What does he mean? That he'd never hurt me? He's gonna protect me? For whom? From what?

As if on cue, his voice rang on my mind, again. They want you dead! Who wants me dead? I can think of no enemy of our family. Unless he was referring to Emily and Tito Manuel.

At the thought I was suddenly nervous. It was Emily who told me about what happened. She told me that Akihiro planned to keep everything for himself. Reason for me to think Akihiro was the reason Dad died. Right, his mom — Aunt Elizabeth died too. Oh why. I'm so stupid.

I looked up at the sky for a moment. My eyes widened when a shooting star appeared. It was fast, but I managed to whispered a wish. Help me please ...

A small smile I let out. I shivered from the cold, wild wind of the farm. Because of that, I decided to get up so that I could enter the house. My eyes caught the outgoing Akihiro. He's holding some folders. Both hands were occupied. So I no longer wondered why his cellphone was stuck between his shoulder and ear.

I examined his face. Nothing changed. Except for his relatively long hair, he needs a haircut. His thick, black eyebrows furrowed. His eyes were glowing like the stars of the night. I looked down at his arms. Veiny and strong — I don't know if it's really strong, I guess they are, they should be. His chest was wide. You can see that in his white shirt that covers his body. Oh I want that damn shirt off. I want to see what's behind it. If he has a hard rock abs or hot — what the hell am I thinking ?! Crushing on my ex-profe — no, he's my step-brother. Fuck.

I sat down on the swing again. I admit I had a crush on him when I was still a teenager. He's handsome. He could pass as an international model or something. Everyone likes him. Love him. Lust for him. But I'm not. Wait, then what about my stupid confession and him riding on it?

I close my eyes tightly. I let myself drifted back to the Akihiro I once knew.

-

"I'll give you five minutes to prepare your things." Sir Akihiro said seriously as he was now standing in front. Today's the last day of our final examination. Last day Sir Akihiro will enter our class. I still remember that time we fought. After that happened we ignored each other. Well, not that we had something between us and we have to broke apart. Maybe that’s just the right thing to do, because we know we’ll never get along or understand each other.

Minutes later, he handed our test papers. When he was in front of me he released a tikhim. It was just weak, so no one heard except me. I looked up at him angrily. "Yes?"

"You were absent last week from my class. You didn't hear the last lessons—."

"I can answer them." I said coldly as he sighed. I intentionally didn’t go in last week. I was sorry and guilt ate up my whole being because of what I said to Barbie, so I decided not to go in for a few days. It's also a good thing I didn't go in so I wouldn't have to answer the exam. That way I will no longer be accused of cheating.

"Of course you can, I believe in you—."

"They're waiting for the test papers, Sir." I said, trying to avoid his gaze. Again, he let out a sigh before leaving in front of me. I bit my lips, I blew air to release the tight feeling. What's happening to me? I do have a crush on him. But ... oh God, don't make it hard for me. I'm not falling in love! Not with my Professor!

I answered the questions quickly. I'm on the last page, I have to write an essay about computer games, about the effect of that on young people. I know what to answer. I was ready to write my answer when Sir Akihiro suddenly caught everyone's attention. He stood in front with full of authority.

"Sorry for the inconvenience, but I have an announcement." Introduction by Sir Akihiro. I put down my pen, letting him to take a little of my time, the essay can wait. Our eyes met, I shifted my gaze, his eyes remained on me. "I know some of you decided to continue studying here, I mean, college level. I want to see each other grow further. But sadly, I won't be able to do that. I'm moving school, close to My mother's business. I'm sorry kids, I guess this will be our last meeting. "

"Sir! That's why I'm going to college here because you're here!" One of my classmates said tearfully. That was followed by other complaints. Mostly women speak. The guys remained silent, but I know for sure they're sad.

I raised my hand. Sir Aki called me right away, so I didn't hesitate to ask. "How about graduation?"

"I ... I don't know." He said.

I was not satisfied with Sir's answer, however, I did not ask any more questions. I just bent down and started reading the instruction on the paper again. I already have an idea for an essay. But I was not able to write the first word. Then once again, I glanced at Sir Aki. I was surprised. Even though my classmates surrounded him he still managed to catch my eye. Minutes later I found myself writing the four words — including his name — on my test paper. After that I immediately stood up and handed it to him. Without saying anything I walked out of the room.

The next day I almost dropped my jaw. Slyvia, my classmate, distributed our exam results. I still got the highest score — but that's not the reason I was surprised. But Sir Akihiro's reply to my answer on the last page.

"I love you, Aki."

"Oh I love you too. But, you didn't write an essay. Minus 10, Ms Lazaro." He replied with a small heart on top of my name.