•••

•SALOME ALAN•

I pull my bottom lip in between my teeth, tasting the sweet taste of the lipgloss Zara gifted me. Here I am in front of my teacher's office, taking deep breaths before rasing my knuckle to knock.

I haven't gotten the chance to talk with Mr. Alex since the other day. The day I would never forget. He day he showed me just how much he desire me, completely clouding my whole self.

Whenever it crosses my mind, my heart leaps in ten folds. The way his lips synced with mine, how intentional his touch was, and-

"Come in." His deep voice enunciates from inside. I grip the knob and push it open, bliss rushing through my entire self. With pursed lips, I raise my head to meet his eyes, instantly indulged in his relaxed orbs. His body heaves down in a satisfactory manner, his eyes following my movement. I close the door behind and make my way to where my butt is used to.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Alex," I mumble with smiles all over, settling down on the foamy grey seat. He draws in a breath, leaning on the desk, face closer to mine. I blink down at his pointy nose to distract myself.

"Are you that happy to see me, Salome?" He ducks his head, honey eyes dancing around my face. Damn it, I didn't check myself before coming in.

I shrug casually with pursed lips. "Maybe..."

Mr. Alex stretches his long hand and poke my forehead. "Me too."

My lips cracks in a chuckle, my palm going up to rub my forehead. "Is something on my..."

"Yes." He doesn't let me finish, peering at me intently, still in a leaning position. My eyes widens.

"Oh, what?" I try to rub my forehead more to clean it off.

"Beauty." He utters with a straight face, although the way his eyes glistens shows he likes what he's seeing.

My breathing seize for a second as my brain tries to fix the puzzle. A cocky grin form on my lips almost immediately, just as he goes back to arranging his already organized desk.

"Oh, that's..." I shake my head, my lips hurting in a good way from smiling too much.

"So, how was today?" Mr. Alex rests his back against his seat.

That question is by far, one of my new favorite questions. From my teacher of course because, him leaving his duties and sparing his precious time just to hear me rant and complain about anything warms my heart. Makes me feel so valuable and worthy of been around him.

It doesn't take up to thirty minutes before my teacher and I walked through the hallways of Victoria high. It is the most aesthetically therapeutic scene I find myself in. A scene that I would watch over and over again if It was to be acted. A scene in a book that I would come back to glance at if I ever come across. But it's real!

He opens the door for me as the gentleman he is. I try as much not to question myself If I'm worthy of things like that but I would rather bask in the moment than overthink my current position as just a student.

"Mr. Alex?" I call, watching him stir his brown eyes to my direction in a nanosecond. His eyes lightens, making my legs weak.

"Hmm?" He hums, turning to the road for a second.

"What do you enjoy doing apart from teaching?" I plainly ask, satisfying the urge of knowing more about him. His eyes moves to me again, a deep chuckle vibrating from his throat and spreading his lips apart.

"You want to know my hobbies?"

I nod repeatedly, "Yes..."

"Hmm okay," He makes a smooth turn into the estate gates. "You know, my hobbies might actually sound weird to you, and it's quite bad of me not telling you till now."

I make a cute face, humming. "Hmm... we weren't so close I guess."

"Right." He throws me a look that shows how sorry he is. Could see it in his honey eyes. "I enjoy editing videos, I create the most amazing cocktails, and uh, yes, I love asking Salome questions in class."

My jaw drops, laughter winkling my eyes. "Oh my God, really?" I blink at his smiley face, and he just nods.

"Hmm yes, you asked so there you go."

"Just wow." I try to recount the amount of times Mr. Alex has asked me questions, either relating school or not. Which is definitely uncountable. Probably a zillion times!

"I-I mean, could that be a hobby?" I ask between laughter. His honey eyes graze my face, then he shrgs.

"It is to me."

"Hmm... I am so speechless right now. I thought you hated me" My voice was low at my last words, because I wasn't quite sure. Me. Alex was so damn confusing. Still is but not like then.

"There's a thin line between hate and love, Salome. But no, I never hated you." He replies, his eyes dancing from me to the road now and then. Melting...

"Hmm... then?" I press, wondering where this part of me is springing out from. Honestly, I need to check myself, been acting out of script these days.

"I was just... curious." He says carefully, like he finally found out the right words to use. "But that's a topic for another day."

My face drops, my mouth forming a pout. Slowly, I realise what he meant as the vehicle slowly stops right beside by adobe. Oh, I'm home.

Mr. Alex drags in a breath, turning his full attention to me. A lopsided smile form on his pink lips. "You look like you don't want to leave."

I stare at him, "Of course I don't."

"But you have to, hmm?"

Suddenly, my dad's words rings like a long awaited alarm in my brain, making me sigh heavily. If only Mr. Alex knew how much I defended myself and acted out because of how I feel. Which my dad wouldn't understand.

"Hmm yes, I guess I have to." Pulling out a small smile, I pick up my bag from the ground, hold unto it and turn around to crack the door open.

I shiver when warm hand holds my arm and gently wave me back to his face, placing his lips against my forehead with his other hand cupping the side of my face. My body absorbs the sensation, even though he let go before it could register deep in me. But of course it did.

Mr. Alex bobs his head a bit, intently looking in my eyes.

I let out a shaky exhale, blinking away. So intense. I grip holding my bag like my life depends on it. Cracking the door open, cool air floods in. I dare not look back until I shut the door behind me, walking to my doorstep like I'm been remoted. Like a zombie.

I press in the door bell, my ears failing to hear it ring, until his vehicle zooms down the road. The second I turn sideways to watch him leave with my chest thudding in the most chronic manner, the door flips opened. I turn my neck forward to be face to chest with my dad. My eyes goes up to meet his face.

"Good evening dad," I greet softly, just as he drags his eyes away from the already zoomed car.

"Who was that?" He raise a brow, pulling the door opened. I step in, swallowing. He doesn't need to know.

"An uber." I smile, nodding.

He mirrors my smile, walk over to meet me and hug me like he always does. Just that he was never really concerned about a certain cab.

"Welcome home, baby girl," He snuggles me in his broader body. My smile slowly slips from my face as my cheek is been pressed against his chest. I also never lied this way. "Know you'd be hungry by now, so..." He releases me from his grasp, a proud smile forming on his lips. "I made something for you."

My eyes pop out, my mouth dropping in a gasp. "Oh my... really? I feel like a princess!" I wiggle my brows, laughing.

"Well, you are my princess, okay? Hurry up and get changed, I would be waiting for you."

I shut my eyes and nod my head, "hmm okay."

Spinning on my toes, I turn around and find my way up the stairs, the smile still prominent on my lips. On getting to the top stair, I look over my shoulders to see my dad taking up the apron he kept on the couch handle. A deep sigh rejuvenates from inside me. I love him. No matter what.

As I get changed from uniform to a more comfy outfit of brown palazzo and black baggy round neck with the words 'Hello Girl' written in front, mixed feelings consumed me. I thought about the argument between me and my dad, placing Mr. Alex right in the middle. How much I missed spending time with him, what plans he has against me been close with Mr. Alex, and how far he would go to make sure nothing goes on. Well...

I earse every thought before heading down to meet him. The moment is all that matters, and I won't seize to appreciate this very one.

•••

Dad had to leave shortly after dinner.

It was a sumptuous meal of fried rice and coleslaw. I enjoyed every bit of it. Thankfully, dad didn't mention anything about the conversation we had about Mr. Alex.

Maybe he finally understands. Maybe.

I keep twirling the pen in my hand, looking at the jumbled up math equations in my textbook. Although thoughts of Mr. Alex lingers here and there, I'm still able to decode the answers acutely. I need to show him, and everyone else, that I'm not distracted even with how I feel about him.

The door bell dings faintly in my ears, pulling my eyes from my jotter to my closed bedroom door. It dings again.

I get up this time and walk out, jogging down the stairs as the ring becomes clearer.

"Aunt Jenny!" I beam sheerily, pulling her in a big hug the second the door flipped open.

"Hey girl," She pats my back, while I blush from ear to ear. "I know I said I won't be able to make it today but here I am."

"Hmm... thanks." I withdraw from her, taking her bag from her arm. "Let me help with this."

She almost released the brown clutch to me, just to grip it right before I can get a hold. She smiles at me, shaking her head. "Oh don't worry, Salome. Thanks, I don't want to bother you, what were you doing?"

I blink at her sudden change of choice to let me hold it, but mirror her smile. I jerk a thumb backwards to my room. "I was reading."

She clap her hands together, nodding. "That's good, I'll leave you to that while I take a shower, then come back to gist with you."

I hug my body, humming as I watch her walk pass me and up the stairs. That was... different. My aunt would give me her bag before I attempt to take it, but today...

I shake my head, making my way to my room. Negative thoughts shouldn't cross my mind because of this.

***

As promised, my aunt come to my room exactly when I closed my books to take a break. The thick curtains dance calmy as cold air spills through the blinds. Just when I picked up my phone to check if I have messages from you know who, she came in.

We talked about the conversations with dad, and how she also tried to talk him into it. He also didn't give her an exact answer, which bothers me.

When things like this happens in movies, there use to be this intense tension in the air. But right now, in reality, it's more than just tension. It's more like risk. Sacrifice. And maybe bravery.

I almost asked why she didn't let me hold her bag earlier as my mind wouldn't stop wavering back to it, but had to hold my tongue.

"Salome?" She calls, digging me out of my dimensions of thoughts. I blink away from the white thick curtains to her gaze. She is seated at the edge of my bed, probably in her thoughts too, while I rest my head against the headboard.

"Hmm?"

She turns her whole body to me, resting on knee on the bed. "Do you feel like Alexander is someone you can confide in?" Her tone is dipped with seriousness and concern. "Like, completely?"

I swallow hard, holding her stare.

"I want you to be real honest with me too. You are young and-"

"Yes, aunt." I respectfully cut her off, nodding. She releases a heavy sigh. "I know I'm younger and might not know what I want at the moment but, this is what I want."

She only look at me, her eyes softening by the second. Smiling down, she shake her head. "Can't believe you grew up faster than I can imagine. Now I'm the one catching up with you."

A small smile creep up my lips. I reach for her hand on the bed and hold it in mine. "Well, that's why you would always be by my side to guide me through."

I notice her face twitch a bit as she slightly throw it to a side, her hand slipping out of mine. Aunt Jenny take a deep breath, getting on her feet. My chest drops at her reaction, but she's already pulling me in a warm hug before I can process anything more.

She's standing so I adjust to a kneeling position to hug her waist while she hold me tight, not saying a word. Was it what I said?

But it's the truth, she always assure me that she would be by my side no matter what, and it hasn't changed since I was seven.

"Yes, yes I will," Her hold tighens more, her voice a bit crooked. My brows furrow as I try to see her face but she begins to tap my back. I don't know why but my heart begin to race faster than normal. "I won't leave you, and I pray God says an amen to it."

"Hmm..." I hum, trying to keep my breathing steady and calm. I am afraid to say, but I'm getting scared. The air, atmosphere, frequency, vibration, aura, touches my skin and tells me something is wrong.

She finally release me, stepping back to cup my face. "Let's do something fun."

I nod once, smiling as I get up from my bed.

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