Chapter 2: Beauty

"Hey Ash, you've been quiet for a while now. I've been talking to you and you're not even listening. Are you still thinking about what happened yesterday?" I turned to Gizelle who looked at me sadly.

"Of course not, I'm just not really in the mood to talk." I lied.

She winced because of my answer. Well, I'm not talking because I'm not in the mood to do so. I do not know. Since what happened yesterday, I have already lost my appetite.

"It's better if we go back at the organization a minute before our break is over." said Gizelle.

We just threw away the plastics of our food and then we went straight to the organization. Every week, donations come to the organization and every week we also prepare them before handing them out to the poorest of the poor.

                              

"Gizelle, count the canned foods so we can divide how many canned foods we will give to each one," said Joy, one of our fellow volunteers.

Gizelle frowned because of Joy's order. I don't know about Gizelle. As soon as I entered here, she didn't really like Joy anymore. I didn't ask her about it because I don't want to gossip around. But what they say is really true huh? Time is the best truth teller.

"How dare she order me? Does she think she was the one who built this organization? Tsk, we're just volunteers here." I heard Gizelle's whispers.

I just shook my head at what my friend said. Since I've been here for a long time, I know the things she usually does and says when she doesn't like someone. Well, specifically if it's Joy.

I didn't pay any more attention to it and just started counting the cans. I saw from the corner of my eyes my friend who just continued countng too. She also knows that she won’t win with Joy.

After we counted the cans to be distributed, they also started putting them in each bag. These are the only foods missing as we already put the other foods and other necessities in each bag.

After distributing the canned foods in each bag, we put them in a safe and secluded area and we made sure that it is safe.

Tomorrow afternoon, we plan to distribute them. Atlas ordered us this so that we will have time tomorrow to go to Church.

"Hoo! It's finally over," Gizelle sighed heavily and secretly looked at Joy.

"I'm really disgusted with that Joy, huh. What? Does she think of me as her servant? Tsk, she’s a witch for assuming things.” she stopped in her litany when I stopped walking and sat on the bench of the waiting shed.

"Why are you really upset with Joy? Is it really because she commands you? Or are there any some other reasons?" she tormented me when I caught the real reason why he was annoyed with Joy.

"Ah, I'm just annoyed with her! She and Atlas are just same…" She then sat after me.

I looked at her then wondered why she's acting this way? Earlier she was only annoyed by Joy? Why now with Atlas?

When she saw my stupid look, she looked away like she was guilty. Well I have a feeling that she really is.

*****

I watched Gizelle as she rides the tricycle. There was only one seat left, so I just let her ride it. After all, their house is much farther away compared to mine and even more dangerous at night.

"Are you really sure?" she asked which I immediately nodded and smiled in return. "Oh fine, just call me when you get home, okay?"

I said yes to her so she could go home already. Now, I'm all alone in this waiting shed. I looked at the dark sky.

It seems like the sky won't be on my side right now, huh? And I wasn't wrong because not long ago, it started to rain heavily. Fortunately, the waiting shed here is quite big, so I can avoid myself from getting wet.

I keep looking at the road, trying to find a tricycle but it seems difficult to find now. It's getting late already. I opened my phone and checked the time. It's already 5:57.

Mosquitoes are also getting on my face now but until now, I haven't seen anything that I can ride with. If any tricycles passes by, they are already full and don’t have any available seat.

I just returned to my seat while waiting for a tricycle to pass by when suddenly, a car stopped at the side of the waiting shed.

I ignored it because it might just be waiting for someone else. Ten minutes passed but I still couldn’t find a tricycle. The rain has stopped already but I'm still here in the waiting shed, still waiting.

I turned to the parked car when it suddenly opened. Shock filled my system when I saw who it was. I blinked my eyes and squinted to regain my previous posture.

I stood up when he got closer. He raised a brow at me then smirked.

"Do you need a ride?" he still couldn't remove the mischievous grin from his face. I know this very well.

I looked around again, and saw that it was already dark. I had no choice, so I agreed. Rather than wait here for a long time, it seems that there are no tricycles available to pass here anymore.

"Is it okay, Sir? I can't find a tricycle anymore, so if it doesn't bother you, I'll accept your offer."

The smile on his face that he had been wearing suddenly disappeared. I expected him to deny it and say that he was only joking because he immediately turned around… but I figured out it was only to open the door on the other side.

We have been quiet inside his car as he drove to the house where I live.

"Do you always go home late like this? Today is Saturday and you don't have a class. Where have you been?" I turned to him because of shock when he suddenly asked.

He looked at me, maybe sensing my shock. I took a deep breath to calm myself down before answering.

"Uhm, I don’t usually go home late. It’s just now because I have nothing to ride in. Also, there's an organization where I'm one of the volunteers, I work there…" I smiled at him sparingly.

I saw him tighten his grip on the steering wheel and tighten his jaw as if he was trying to stop himself from asking more questions. A few minutes passed and he didn't speak again so I asked.

"How about you, Sir? What are you doing there? I thought you were waiting for someone so you stopped there."

"Stop calling me Sir. I am not your Professor anymore. I was just a substitute. And to answer your question, there is... but it's not your fault, huh. She texted me that she doesn't need a ride anymore ." he could tell from my face that I was guilty. I feel like I'm the reason why he didn't wait for what he should have waited for. "I said stop thinking about it because it's not your fault." I could hear the slight irritation in his voice.

Is it forbidden to be guilty? I didn't speak anymore just to avoid problems. After minutes of driving, we've finally arrived at my home.

I looked at Sir Jake and smiled. "Thank you for the ride, Sir."

"I said stop calling me Sir. Call me Jake." now he was looking at me darkly.

I bow down. "I'm sorry, J-Jake." I hesitated at first because I used to call him 'Sir'."

He just nodded at me and I was about to open the door when he suddenly spoke. I turned to him when he handed me an invitation.

"On Friday night 8:00 pm. It'll start your job on me. I'll pick you up." said Sir Jake while looking away from me.

I accepted the invitation letter then went out from his car. I entered my house when suddenly something came to my mind. How did he know that I live here?

The day passed quickly and now we are here at the mall to find clothes and masks for me to use. It's a masquerade party so I need a mask to cover up my face.

Gizelle and I have been looking for it in various places for a while but until now we still can't choose anything. At first, Gizelle didn't even want to come.

If I hadn't said that the fare and food were free, I might still be forcing her to join me.

"Ash, the moon will fall first before we find you something to wear," Gizelle said while scratching her head.

An hour has already passed and still... there's no dress that fits our tastes. When I noticed that it was time for lunch, I invited Gizelle to eat at a nearby cafeteria.

I ordered four cups of rice and three different dishes. I also ordered drinks for us because I know how tiring the things we did.

"I'll go eat already, Ash. I've been really hungry for a while now." Gizelle said after serving the food I ordered.

I just grinned at her then started eating too.

We were in the middle of finishing our food when my phone rang. I looked at whoever's calling me and it's Jake.

I quickly picked up my phone and informed Gizelle that I would answer the call first because it was important. Jake initiated to put his number on my contact list. I don't know what for but now... I think his idea was great.

"Hello Ash." he answered from the other line. "My bodyguard called me and says you're not in your house?" I frowned at his question. Why does he have his bodyguard follow me?

"A-Ah, we're here today looking for a dress to wear for your party. But we haven't found anything yet, so we're still here-" I was cut off by him.

"No. You don't need to search for it. I already sent your dress for Friday. Don't worry because it suits you too well." he then put down the phone.

Maybe, that's the reason of why he knew I was not at home.

*****

"Huh? Going home? We haven't found anything yet?" Gizelle asked me when I asked her to go home.

I told her that I already got my dress delivered to my house. There was still confusion and wonder in her eyes but eventually, she agreed.

And that's exactly what Jake said. I have something here to wear already. Different accessories were also included. You can see that the materials used in this dress are really well managed.

The dress looked like a gown. It's simple but elegant. Its beauty can be seen by just looking at it once. I never imagined myself wearing this kind of clothes. Because the only right dress for me are the clothes that can be bought at ukay. Because those clothes were just the clothes I could afford to buy.

The day passed quickly and now, I'm getting ready for my face. I only put on light make-up because I don't really like thick make-up. After putting make-up on my face, I fixed my hair.

I stood up and left in front of the mirror to put on the clothes that were ready for me. The dress just fit perfectly on me. The color red dress with shining gold in it. The dress just perfectly fit on my fair skin.

I looked at myself in the mirror and when I received a message from Jake, I went downstairs.

I saw him on his car. He was leaning on it while staring at me, gaping. If I didn't know why he was here… I might think he was in love.

"Damn you're so beautiful," he said with full of adoration, desire, and hunger in his eyes.

My cheeks warmed a little because of what he said. This is not the first time I got complimented for my beauty but this is the first time I feel pretty because of the compliment that I have received.

"Miss, will you let me guide you in my car?" he asked me while in the act of asking for my permission.

I grinned a little and shook my head before accepting his hand.

"Yes, Jake," I said with a smile on my face.

He helped me into his car and when we got inside, he suddenly kissed my hand. His lips lingered there for a moment before he removed them.

He didn't waste any more time and got into the driver's seat and drove the car to the venue.

"The dress just fit perfectly at your body and beauty." Jake praised me.

He couldn't stand the silence inside his car anymore so he started to talk.

I gave him a small smile. "T-Thank you," then my eyes snapped down his suit. "Your suit just fits perfectly on your body and muscles too, Jake."

He raised an eyebrow at me. "I love that dress. But... it's too bad it might just get ruined later," he said meaningfully and I know what he means by that.

I am not surprised by this because I know the reason why he is doing this.

He paid me. And I must abide and oblige to everything he asks me to do. I saw many fancy cars parked in front of a big house. I guess this is his house.

But before we got there, he stopped his car in a dark part. He removed his seatbelt then went near me.

"Fuck, I can't stop thinking what it must be like to kiss your lips and body," he touched my face then guided me to his lips.

He kissed me with so much pleasure and hunger. I felt my body being surrounded by heat and I knew what it was.

I pushed him for a while and took off my seatbelt. I then kissed him back with the same intensity he was giving me. We kissed and savored each other's lips like it was our first time to drink water.

We were both panting when we stopped kissing. He smiled and straightened himself before looking at me who was still stunned by the kiss we shared earlier.

"Fix yourself. I'll wait for you outside." he then walked out of the car.

I was left stunned there. I looked where he went but he didn't go far. I swallowed all the shame and pain I was feeling and composed myself.

I called him up when I was already done fixing myself. I didn't look at him again until I got to his house. He told me to put on my mask before opening the door for me.

He took me by the hand before leading me inside his house.

People treat you better when you are beautiful... because that's what only matters to some of them. Only the beautiful things. And when your beauty starts to fade... those who confessed that they love you... starts to fade too... as the time passes by.