The Man She Desire

Chapter 1; Demeur

"Anaya, have you done our project yet?" Essa asked me.

"Yes, are you?" I asked back to her while sipping a sandwich I had made earlier at the mansion.

She sighed and at the same time gasped, I seem to know why she reacted like that.

"You haven't done what yet?" I asked her with a laugh as her snout lengthened, it looked like I was right.

"Why aren't you working yet? The next day, Essa will be handed over, make sure. "

"I'm too lazy to do–"

"I guess you don't want to graduate from High School, Essa ..." I said shaking my head.

I didn't like what she did. she needs to do her project otherwise she will fall if she keeps that. Sixty percent is the performance task and if she won't cooperate she will fail.

We were in High School last year and we need to graduate so that we can move on to the next stage. i can't wait to finish this year and be a college student, I can't wait to become a doctor.

That was my dream.

"It's not like that Anaya, I really want to finish High School, even if it's the only time I've finished that's fine with me," she said sadly, which made my heart heavy.

"Are you really sure you won't be studying next year Essa? We're in college then, aren't you and your dream is to become a lawyer?"

She laughed but I knew it was a joke. My heart became heavier because of that laugh, it was so painful.

I first put down the sandwich I was holding because I wanted us to talk without hindrance, I also drank water and after that I faced her again who is now deep in thought.

"How can I achieve my dream Anaya if we don't have money and I don't have the talent like you to get a scholarship?"

I swallowed my own saliva because of what she said. We were born poor and we raise as a poor kid so we have a hard time studying. we can't afford to study in prestigious school, we can't afford to buy nice clothes because of poverty.

we are both poor but I have a scholarship that Madame Irina has offered to me because of the service that grandmother gave to their family, I am more than her even though we are both poor because I can study.

"I can ask Madame Irina to give you a scholarship as well," I told her.

She was shaken.

"It's not easy she wants you Anaya.you yourself said that it is difficult to talk to Madame Irina because she is stubborn and strict that we all know is therefore impossible, " She said to my regret.

Madame Irina can stand it, her stance is frightening, the people here in our area respect her. marina Judeya Paqua is pure of elegance and she's a wealthy old woman. She's the famous billionaire in this place - their family is the famous billionaire in this place.

Paqua is the richest family living here in Surigao and she is also one of the richest families in the country. So their family is respected in all people here, even with us.

"But I don't want you to just be here. If I go to Davao to study, you won't have anyone with me and I won't have anyone with me there," I said sadly.

I have become accustomed to always being with Essa wherever I go. she's my friend since then so I'm really used to her presence.

She laughed.

"What are you kidding? Your sign is Anaya, you're at the right age but you're still scared to be alone?" She asked with a laugh.

I'm the one who's blown away now.

"I'm not scared–"

"Excuse me, I know you're really scared! Don't deny Anaya because I know you very well .."

I couldn't answer because she was right. I'm scared, I'm just alone because I know the feeling of being alone. my parents had left me and I was alone for a few years and it was scary to be alone.

So I was afraid of not being with Essa there because I was scared. I would be the only one there if she wasn't going to college. I also want Essa to study because she has a dream.

we ended our conversation and we immediately headed straight to our classroom. There we waited for our teacher to arrive but before he arrived I talked to Essa first.

My other classmates did the same. that's exactly what is done when the teacher isn't always around. The girls are talking, making up, texting while the boys are playing mobile legends on their android phones.

When the teacher came in, we immediately fell silent. I listened to the discussion and it continued until only one subject was left.Ma'am Phoebe came in right away and there was a quiz that I had prepared for so I only made one mistake because I was able to study last night while Essa was complaining because she forgot there was a quiz to be held today.

"So irritating! I forgot to study, and I'm still bored because I'm not next to you on that subject! " She complained as we were about to leave our classroom, we were going to the library.

We went to the library before we went home. I'm used to doing this while she just came with me today because she doesn't have any work to do.

I laughed.

"Why did you forget to study? What did you do last night?"

She was tangled in her own hair and was still stomping her foot as we walked in the middle of the hallway. I was just shaken by what she was doing.

"Because, I was bothered to look at his picture!" Disgusted she says as she continues to stir the hair.

"Who?" I asked with a laugh.

She stopped walking so so did I. She looked at me and fixed her hair which was now messy but she still looked good. She took something out of her pocket and took out her cellphone from there.

I frowned because I didn't understand what she was doing. She pressed something there and a minute later she turned the cellphone over to me.

I looked at that and I saw man. the man's hair was disheveled and his eyes were gray as if he were of a foreign race. The eyebrows will thicken and the nose will be pointed. His body was in perfect shape and he was wearing only pants.

I can't deny he's handsome.

"Who's that?" I asked when I finished looking at the man.

She giggled as I looked at her in surprise.

"Why are you giggling there?"

She bit her lip so hard and jokingly slapped my arm which she always does when she is happy, thrilled, laughing or whatever she is feeling.

"I'm thrilled, he's handsome!" she said like a worm because she was moving.

My forehead frowned. Was she like that just because she was shaking? Because the man is handsome? I was also nice to her but I wasn't like that.

"He's my crush, He's an CEO!" thrilled she told me I smirked.

"Before you crush again?"

Her crush is always fickle. Yesterday Raven was our classmate, she was said to be a crush because he helped her open the door and now it's different.

Sometimes I really don't understand her. she would change the crush, I don't know if she really crushed those people she said crush or not.

"It looks like you're shocked, Anaya. It looks like you're not used to it," She said laughing, which made me laugh as well.

"I'm just shocked, what time is it?"

I asked her as she looked at her cellphone. I saw her press the side of the cellphone to see the time. she presented it to me again and I looked at the time.

3:45

Early on, I still had an hour and more. I must be there by five o'clock. We will be preparing for the mansion because Madame Irina's grandson from Davao is said to be coming today.

She said that it will stay here because she has a business to take care of here. I didn't know who it was because I had no desire to gossip and another time I was at the Paqua mansion to work and not to talk to the housemates there.

"Why did you ask the time Anaya?" she asked when we were at the entrance of the library.

"Madame Irina's grandson is coming tonight, we need to get ready and clean," I replied to her and walked into the library.

She followed me once saying, "Really? Do you know? Is that grandson of her is coming Anaya?" full of her eager question I laughed softly as I picked up the book about medicine.

"I don't know if it's a boy or a girl and even more so I don't know I haven't seen Madame Irina's grandchildren because they are all in Davao, "I said and walked over to the table where I used to sit.

Essa followed again. We sat down together and I immediately opened the book without looking at her because I knew this woman would just talk to me.

"Is that so? Tell me tomorrow if it's male or female and if it's handsome or beautiful."

I just laughed and nodded because of what she said. Whenever this woman is really handsome or masculine in her mind.

I just refocused my gaze on what I read and immediately drowned there. I could no longer answer Essa's questions because I was carried away by what I was reading. I love reading and I am hungry for new knowledge especially when its about medecine and science.

An hour came and I was still reading. I just stopped when I heard Essa's faint snoring sitting in front of me. I laughed closing the book I was reading.

she is already asleep. I looked around and saw that it was dusk. I got up first and put the book back in its place earlier and then I went back to our table to wake Essa. I shook Essa so we could get out of here. Maybe she was drowsy in anticipation.

I even saw a book placed next to her. That turned on. I didn't notice that she took a book to read.

Maybe I was too focused on reading so I ignored her.

"Essa, wake up ..." I woke up here while shaking her gently.

she moved and slapped my hand which made me laugh softly. I immediately returned the motion to her and softly called her name.

"Hmmmm ..."

"Essa is awake, let's go home," I whispered to her as I patted her cheek.

It just shook and growled a little. Even her growl says she doesn't want to wake up yet. I just sighed and didn't stop patting her.

A few minutes after waking her up, she woke up immediately, which made me happy. she rolled her eyes around then it landed on me.

"Let's go home Essa."

Her forehead furrowed but it also disappeared immediately and I was surprised when she suddenly stood up and took her belongings. I laughed following her.

She doesn't really change. This is exactly what she does when newly awake. does not speak and abruptly leaves without informing.

I just shook my head and followed her and left her book in the correct container. I have to chase her.

When I got out of the library I saw her. standing in the middle of the hallway and looked at me. she frowned and looked around.

"Anaya!" she shouted my name which made me just smile.

It looks like she really woke up completely.

"Just be there, wait for me," I shouted back when I saw her about to step closer to me.

she just nodded so I approached. I ran closer to her and when I got closer she laughed. she laughed because of what she had done before.

we laughed out loud at the same time. While on the tricycle we were still like that. The noise of the two of us and fortunately we did not have a passenger with us but it was embarrassing.

she went down first because her house was closer than Paqua's mansion. when I got to the mansion I immediately looked at the clock.

4:50

I was just right. I wasn't late and neither was early, just right. I immediately went straight to my room here and dressed for the house and then I went straight to the kitchen where my colleagues were.

"It's good that you're here Anaya, I thought you weren't going home," Jahra, who is my companion here in the mansion, said cursingly to me.

I just smiled at her and did not speak back to her but I went straight to where Manang Corazon was standing.

"What can I do to help Manang?" I asked her.

She turned to me. "Don't you have any projects or assignments to do now Anaya?" She asked me.

Before I could open my mouth someone answered me.

"She's done doing grandma! let that help you here and don't do any housework! "Jahra replied to the conversation.

"Don't talk like that Jahra. Anaya is studying and I'm just asking her, that's why we're here."

"Even!" It was Jahra as she exploded slicing the condiments.

I laughed out loud. "I'll help Manang, I've finished what I have to do at school. What am I going to do?" I asked her.

"Are you sure you've finished all your assignments Anaya?" she had a doubtful question that I smiled and nodded at her.

"Yes! I'm done with everything so where can I help? "

she nodded, looking convinced that my answer was not like before as if she didn't believe.

"There ..." She said while pointing at the chicken whole. "Chop it up and cook it, you are good at cooking marinated chicken Anaya so you made it, "She said with a smile.

"All right, Manang."

Manang just hugged me so I went to the chicken on the table. no doubt I started with the slice and by then I had prepared what was needed for cooking.

When I finished preparing I immediately started cooking. I know a lot to cook but I am better at cooking marinated chicken. maybe because that was the first thing Mom taught me so I got used to it.

The marinated chicken I made was cooked and at the same time what Manang and Jahra made was also cooked. we put it in a nice container at the same time and made sure the plating was good before putting it on the table.

Some of our colleagues have also arrived here at the mansion. Kc, who is my close friend here in the mansion, immediately approached me.

"Did you come earlier?" She asked when she could get close to me.

I nodded as I wiped my hand with a cloth. "Yes, it was close to five o'clock when I got here. I love reading in the library."

"Reading a book or finding a man?" she asked teasingly, my lips twitching.

"When else have I had an interest in Kc men?"

She shrugged.

"I don't know about you. I can't hold your brain so I don't know when."

"It's a book, Essa is the only one who likes to look handsome or can't afford to go hunting. She even told me to tell her if Madame Irina's future grandson was handsome. "

She laughed softly at what I said and even slapped my arm. she and Essa are really the same when it comes to acting. I always feel sorry for the two.

"Madame Irina's future grandson is said to be a boy and I heard that he is handsome," She said and I nodded.

After all, there is nothing wrong with Madame Irina's grandson or not. they were all blessed by God. Her son's were like a greek God's and her daughters were like greek goddesses. I haven't seen them in person, just in pictures but I can say I have blessed them.

"I can't wait to see Sir, I wish I was our age so I could–"

"Flirty?" I cut to what she said she laughed again and slapped my arm again jokingly.

"No. To be our friend," she sneered which I didn't believe.

I know she wants to pull too. I just nodded at her as if I was convinced but the truth is not really.

Kc and I continued our conversation. that only ended when Manang Corazon told us to prepare the cutlery because Madame Irina's grandson was coming.

When it was all over I could hear my colleague talking here. Jahra and her friend Sofia are talking. we have six housemates here. Two are elderly Manang Corazon and Aleng Lordes. While we were four children.

"You're so excited to see Demeur again," Sofia told her friend Jahra.

if my friend here in the mansion and the one I always understand is Kc, these two are the ones who understand each other.

"Of course, I haven't seen him in years either. I'm really worried because he might not remember me," I heard Jahra say.

I frowned at what the two were talking about. We are now in our room to put on new clothes. Madame Irina ordered this because she said she didn't want us to stink in front of her grandson.

I saw Sofia poke Jahra's side once saying, "You can't forget that, someone kissed you when you were young and then you forgot? "Sofia laughed and frowned at me.

What are they saying?

"I heard that he has a lot of women there in Davao," Jahra said, sadly.

"That's just news! You believe that news! "

I just shook my head and didn't listen to them. It's bad to listen to a conversation you're not involved in and another one might catch me two and hit me again but I'll be heard all night and tomorrow.

I picked up the uniform to wear for tonight. It was black mixed with white house clothes. This is what we wear when there is a guest and Madame Irina's granddaughter is no exception even though she is not a guest.

I went into the bathroom and got dressed. I didn't bother to take a bath because I would be late. When it was over, I immediately went out and there I found Kc, already dressed like I was wearing.

"Let's go outside, Madame Irina's grandson is coming in here," She told me with a nod.

"Are the Jahras out yet?"

She nodded at once saying, "Yes, why?"

I was shaken.

"Nothing, wait. I haven't combed yet," I told her.

"Don't comb, come on!"She said and even pulled my arm which I winced.

"You're so excited to see Madame Irina's grandson," I said as she sighed.

"I heard he's so handsome."

I laughed because of what she said. That's why the witch is so angry because the future grandchild is handsome.

"All right, come on!" I said and pulled back the arm I had been holding she had held earlier.

She smiled so wide at me that I just shook her head. Can't believe how tall she is. she came out of our room first and I was shaken to follow.

when we got to the kitchen, Aleng Lordes and I were immediately directed to the dining room because Madame Irina's grandson had arrived. We immediately followed and dressed for the dinning room.

Kc was the first while carrying a cake and I was next carrying a glass of water. When I entered the dinning room Madame Irina was the first I saw and Jahra and Sofia standing side by side.

I looked at Madame Irina's side. I immediately saw the familiar man sitting there. The closer I got the more I confirmed that he was. Our eyes met and I could clearly see his gray eyes.

He is!

that man that Essa liked again which caused her not to study last night and failed the quiz earlier.

And He's a CEO?