More Than A Maid

Bella’s POV

“Boo!” Francisco tapped my shoulder from behind. I turned to her; smiling wildly.

“How was the test?” I asked her.

“It was very awesome. Thanks to you” She said.”What about you?”

“Not bad as well,” I told her and she smiled then she said;

“What a relief”

“Uhn, why did you say that?”

“I didn’t see you write anything, your head was on your desk. I thought something was wrong with you, I kicked your seat but I couldn’t even get your attention ” She said.

“Oh,” Oh My God I was so engrossed with looking at Peter.

“I was already answering the test, so I.. errm took a brief diverted reflection ” I told her then I saw Peter walking towards me.

“Uhm… Francisca, let’s go to the library” I stood up and told her.. holding her hands already; to make her feel how urgent I wanted to leave the classroom at that moment.

“The library? Why?”

“Because errm… I have never been there. I mean I have but that was during the school tour” I said looking at Peter as I spoke to Francisca.

“Oh, it’s a free break again. I’m sorry Bella, I don’t wanna go to the library” She replied.

“Okay let’s just go anywhere” I said but it was already late.. because Peter…

“Uhm… Bella looks like Peter is here to talk to you” Francisca told her then I turned to look at him but I didn’t know that he was already beside me. Oops! Our eyes met.

“Geez,” I exclaimed and looked away immediately.

“Hey Bella, Hi Guys” Peter said.

“Hey, Peter” Francisca said.

“Hi” I muttered softly, avoiding gaze at him but through the corner of my eyes, I could see him looking at me.

“The gathering at your place was not in vain after all” Francisca said and he nodded.

“How about you Bella?” He suddenly faced me.

“Uhh what.. what about me?” I asked and summoned up the courage to look him in the eyes.

He smiled.”How was the test?”

“Good” I replied immediately. “Excuse me Guys” I said and rushed out of the classroom. Sincerely, I didn’t know what was wrong with me.

“Is there any problem? … with her?” Peter asked Francisca.

“Absolutely not. I… I don’t know” She replied.

Peter nodded his head and went after Bella.

*

“Hey Bella, wait up!”  I heard Peter’s voice behind me and walked faster instead of waiting for him but he caught up with me because he was running.

“Wait up” He repeated panting.

“What is it Peter?” I asked him as if he was disturbing me and he felt that.

“Is your test really not good?”

” I said it was good” I said snappily.

“Okay Okay… Bella, are you avoiding me?” He asked me and I was mute for a while.

“No.. no I’m not avoiding you Peter” I shook my head but he held my hand instead and said:

“come with me Bella”

He didn’t say anything until we got to the back of the school and only a few students were roaming around.

“Are… are you mad at me Bella?” He asked me.

“No” I replied and he smiled as he nodded. When he was about to speak, I interrupted him. “Why do you think I’m mad at you?” I asked him.

“I don’t know Bella, did Monica threaten you?” He asked me.

I rolled my eyes at the mention of Monica.

“No” I blurted.

“Is it because of last time, I mean the group reading? Oh, we were almost caught” He guessed again.

“Not that either. Peter, I’m not mad at you. I just wanna be alone..” I said walking slowly away from him.

“No Bella, you don’t wanna be alone. You are avoiding me” He followed me behind.

“Or is it because of Monica? I mean this morning, you mentioned something about her being my girlfriend” He said.

“No… No Peter” I shouted at him. Uhm, he’s right though.

“Uhm, I know that can’t be the reason” He said; he didn’t even deny it this time around.”It’s because of the extra work I am indirectly making you go through. I’m sorry Bella; the tutoring stuff would never happen again” He apologized.

“Enough already Peter” I huffed; “No I should call you boss or master Peter or something ”

“Uh, what’s that? where’s that coming from? Put away the extra respect, I told you Bella we are friends now” He said… I was mute for a while then I sighed again.

“I’ve heard you Peter. Please don’t follow me. I just need some space to clear off my head right now” I told him. Clear of my rising feelings for him rather.

“Clear off your head?” He muttered, anyways I began to walk, leaving him behind.

“Bella” He called my name.

Oops, What is it again? His caring attitude is only making it hard for me.

I stopped walking but didn’t turn to look at him.

“I really hope whatever that is bothering you is settled very soon” He said. I didn’t say a word, I just continued walking away.

I didn’t know where I was headed exactly. I just didn’t want to see his face for a while.

*

I went to the restroom; washed my hands in the basin and sprinkle some water on my face to brighten up my mood, literally forcing myself to feel good… I bumped into Monica just when I was about to come out of the restroom. She obstructed me and made him take a few steps backward.

“Hi baby girl” She said to me.

“What do you want from me Monica?”

“A thank you. Wait is it supposed to be a thank you from me to you or from you to me?” She said; acting like the bully she was as she came closer to me.. tryna make me scared of her.

“Whatever Monica. You are welcome” I told her and she laughed.

“Really??”

“Okay Monica, Thank you for everything. Thank you for not exposing my true identity” I told her and she smiled.

“Now that’s what I wanna hear from you” She said folding her hands underneath her b**bs.

“Uhm… Monica, I am really not in good mood now” I told her when she wouldn’t still let me leave.

“That’s bad. I’m in good mood Bella”

“May I ask you a question?”

“All Ears”

“Why are you doing this to me? Why are you making life miserable for me?”

“No dear, you are making life miserable for yourself”

“How do you mean?”

“I mean… You should have been true to yourself too”

Okay, I was the one who gave her the chance to treat me this way.

“But you know you can simply stay out of it and let it slide like you know nothing about my true identity..” I told her and she rolled her eyes.

“Stay out of it? You are flirting and living alone with my guy and you want me to stay out of it?”

“I’m his housemaid.. and.. and I am not flirting with him”

“You know what… I can of course let it slide”

“Please just let it slide” I repeated.

“But do you know what the rich students do to poor students in this school?”

“Nothing at all..”

“Nothing at all? The White school is for the wealthy people, didn’t you see that?”

“But there’s Francisca and she is doing very fine..”

“Francisca, Francisca is not a softie”

Oh so I am a softie…

“Besides, Francisca was true to herself from the very first day she stepped her foot in this school”

“Monica I would let everyone know my true identity at the right time or the issue might even pass by without anyone knowing about it… You are not making life in this school easy for me  ” I told her and she laughed hysterically. Just then; some students came in… She didn’t say anything; … She watched them do their thing in the mirror until they left.

“Do you know what happens when the students here find out the true identity of a fake person especially when she is from the slum?”

“I don’t wanna know”

“Of course, you already know. I’m gonna help you anyways”

“Thank you. This is what I want from you. Your help..”

“But on one itty-bitty condition” She smiled mischievously and I sighed.

“What condition Monica?”

“Stay away from Peter. Oh, you are his maid, that may not be possible. I mean just don’t flirt with him”

“That’s what I’m already doing” I muttered.

“No, you are not doing that yet”

“Monica; I’m already avoiding your boyfriend!” I said clear and direct.

“Oh Boyfriend? Wow I love the sound of that especially when it’s coming from you”

I rolled my eyes.

“Stop shutting off my way. Let me go already” I begged her.. but she wouldn’t pave the way for me yet.

Fortunately for me, Francisca walked in at that very moment and I sighed.

“What’s going on here?” She asked..

“I’m conversing with your friend as you can see” Monica said but as if Francisca knew that was going on, she didn’t believe her.

“Are you fine Bella?” She asked me and I nodded.

“I have been looking for you; I checked the library and everywhere for you” She said, walking closer to me and she held my hands when she got to where I stood.

“I… I’m good. I came here to wash up” I told her.. I didn’t know why she was gazing at us as if she knew I was lying but was I?

Is it that obvious that something is wrong with Monica and I? And that I’m hiding something?

“Let’s leave here Francisca” I gawked at Monica as we were walking out of the rest room.. She was gazing back at me. A very stern look.

*****

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