“Why would she do that?” asked Jackie in horror. “And in front of your students? Who the hell does she think she is?!”

Dannie did not answer. Her head was bent, her tears flowing. She sniffed and her shoulders started shaking again.

She hastily left Jordan’s office, leaving him a message that there was an emergency and that she would be back soon. Now, George was outside Kumon and so was Jackie who drove Toto as fast as she could from Collins Corporations.

“Where’s that woman?” George demanded.

“She already left. Please, don’t do anything. She’s the wife of a—”

“I don’t freaking care whose wife she is!” George and Jackie shouted in unison, eyes glaring down at Dannie.

Their friend wiped her face with her hands as she lifted her head to force a smile on her lips. “I am sorry I called you. I was just very upset and—”

“Upset?!” George cried in disbelief.

“You should be angry!” Jackie added. “What’s this lady’s name?”

Dannie shook her head. “No, just forget it. I just needed someone to cry on and now I guess I am okay.”

“No, you are not. Do you realize you have a scratch on your cheek?” George snapped. She hated to see Dannie with a single scratch on her body. “Who is this lady, Dannie?”

“If you don’t tell us, we will ask the principal herself,” Jackie warned.

“Please, just let it go. There’s no need to be angry. I am not angry. I am just upset and hurt—”

“A decent person would not hurt anyone in front of so many kids, Dannie. You should file a complaint against her,” George interrupted madly.

“We’ll go to the police station now,” Jackie said, walking across the street. “Come on, Dannie!”

Dannie shook her head furiously. “No, I have classes and—”

“Bullshit!” George shouted, grabbing her friend’s hand.

Dannie pulled away. “Please, no police. Let’s just go home. I won’t go back in there. I will call in sick. But let’s not go to the police.”

George almost wanted to slap her friend to her senses but she contained her anger. She looked across the street at Jackie and they both nodded slowly. “Okay, we go home to the apartment. But you have to talk to the principal about what happened—”

“She already knows,” Dannie said quietly. Before George could open her mouth, Dannie took her hand and they walked toward Toto.

“What did the principal say, Dannie?”

Dannie ignored her.

“Danica,” George said with warning.

“I’ll tell you all about it in the apartment,” Dannie promised. “Let’s just go.”

*****

Someone hurt my Dannie baby?!

Who the hell did it? Come on, tell me!

I would raise all dead Volkswagen from the dead and we’ll run over the lady who slapped Dannie baby until she’s ten feet underground!

No one hurts Dannie baby. NO ONE.

It had always been my goal from the start, since that day I found out about her past. NO ONE CAN HURT DANNIE BABY AGAIN.

Whoever this lady, boys, please…just please let her get a taste of her own medicine. Overdose her with it!

*****

“Forget it?! That’s it? Just forget the damn thing happened?” Jackie gaped.

“That’s bullshit. How can not the school protect their teachers from—”

“They are willing to help me if I opt to pursue a complaint but I also agree that it is better to just let it go,” Dannie explained.

George scoffed. “I hate it when you are like this! I just do! How can you let people do such things to you? You are a freaking teacher, goddammit! You have to be respected! You didn’t do anything wrong! All you did was give her son a time-out!”

Dannie opened her mouth to say something but the door suddenly opened and Troy came in grinning like an idiot. “Hey, boys! I was just driving by and I saw Toto outside so I figured you must all be home—” the smile on his face slowly disappeared when he saw their faces. “What’s wrong?” he asked with a frown. When his eyes landed on Dannie’s tear-streaked face, his expression turned grim. George almost never saw Troy look like that. Maybe just once or twice, but they were moments when he was really serious. “What happened to you?” he asked Dannie, his voice almost angry. “Why the hell are you crying?”

“It’s nothing,” Dannie answered before Jackie could spill out what happened. She suddenly stood up to walk to her room.

“Danica,” Troy called, his face curious and angry at the same time. “Is that a scratch on your cheek?”

“It’s not the best time, Troy,” George told him. “Drop by some other time.”

“What happened?” he asked, not hearing her. His brows shot up with impatience when neither Jackie nor George answered. “Why is she crying?”

George stood up and took Toto’s keys. “Let’s just give her space for now, Jackie,” she said to her friend, completely ignoring Troy. “Are you going back to work?” she asked Jackie.

Jackie shook her head saying, “I’ll just stay here if she needs to talk or something later.”

George nodded. “I’ll go back to Jordan since we’ll only frustrate her further if we crowd around her. I’ll drop by later. Watch over her and don’t,” she turned her head to look at Troy, “force her to say or do anything she doesn’t want to. Give her space to deal with what happened.”

She walked to the door and added over her shoulder, “Call me if something comes up.”

“What happened? Was that a scratch on her face? Who did it?” she heard Troy ask Jackie before she closed the door.

*****

Georgie was angry when we were on our way to Ayala.

She had called Jordan to tell him she wouldn’t be going back to the office and would just go home to his place right away.

I understood her anger.

She didn’t have to tell me that Dannie refused to do anything about what happened.

That was just Dannie. And it was the frustrating part. She was too good to everyone. With her past, she should have become a deranged killer. But no, she was a saint! Too saintly that the pope would canonize her right away.

All I could do at that moment was roll my wheels and sigh my engines.

I was past the stage where I would want to kill whoever slapped and insulted Dannie. Georgie was at the same stage as me. The stage wherein we were just hoping the day would come that Dannie would realize her worth.

*****

“Is Dannie okay?” Jordan asked later that evening.

“She’ll be fine,” George answered, her eyes still on the TV. “How did you know?”

He shrugged beside her. They were slouched on the couch with their feet on the coffee table inside the entertainment room. “Troy called me.”

“So now you two call each other to talk about Dannie now?” she asked in disbelief as she turned her head to take a look at his face.

“No, he called me if I knew someone in Kumon.”

George straightened on the couch and pulled her feet under her as she faced Jordan. “Why?”

“Isn’t it obvious? He wants to know who slapped Dannie.”

“Dannie wouldn’t like that. We all want to know who she slapped her but she doesn’t want us to know.”

“Okay,” he answered without moving his eyes from the TV.

“Well?”

“Well what?”

“Did you find out who slapped her?”

This time, Jordan scoffed and turned his head to look at her. “One moment you were telling me not to meddle and now you are asking if I did?”

“Just answer my question.”

“Luckily, I know one parent whose child studies at Kumon. I asked him and he asked around and now I know who slapped Dannie.”

“Who?”

He looked at her suspiciously. “Why? What are you planning to do?”

“Nothing.”

He did not look as if he believed her.

She sighed. “I am not planning anything.”

He arched an eyebrow.

“I might want to know her name so that when I happen to be on shift in the HQ and her name comes up, I won’t lift a finger to rescue her.”

He continued to raise his brow at her dryly.

She returned his gaze. “I won’t do anything illegal. I promise.”

He tore his eyes from her and turned his attention back on the show. “Don’t worry about it. Troy is already on it.”

George’s mouth dropped. “What do you mean?”

“He already talked with the lady.”

“He did what?!”

“Don’t tell Dannie though. She’ll probably freak out.”

“You bet she will!”

“Unlike what you would have done, Troy did not do anything to the lady. He talked to her like any formal guy would. And her husband was with her so you can be assured that something will be done.”

“I have a feeling her husband is somewhat—”

“Powerful? Yes, he is. And he has a reputation to keep up so he will do whatever it takes to make sure that what his wife did would not reach the public.”

George slumped back against the couch after a few moments of silence. “You are not going to tell me who it is, are you?”

“No.”

“There are a lot of powerful people whose children are studying in Kumon.”

“Exactly why you won’t find out who the perpetrator is. Just drop it. Dannie needs a friend right now. Just be that.”

She decided to focus on the show they were watching instead of arguing. “What happened to your meeting, by the way?”

“The first batch for the Georgina line was presented,” he answered

George cringed at the mention of her name. “Can’t you change the name of the line?”

“It has already been patented,” he uttered dryly. They’d had this conversation before. “They want you to model for us.”

She stood up as answer and started walking to her room.

“You’ll eventually say yes!” Jordan called after her.

She slammed the door behind her and went to bed.

Modelling? Was he crazy? No way!

*****

George found the three helpers huddled together the next morning. Their voices were low and serious.

“What’s up?” she asked them with a smile. She just came from her morning run and she was still catching her breath. But it seemed that the three ladies were the ones who were out of breath when they jumped to their feet, startled by her appearance.

“Nothing,” Tippy immediately said.

“Come on, tell me. Is it Jordan? What did he do this time?” she asked suspiciously. She found Tippy last time crying because she was afraid to face Jordan after he got angry because no one immediately noticed George going out in the middle of the night.

“It’s nothing like that!” Tippy said. “No one got scolded or anything.”

“Then what is it?”

The three ladies looked at each other.

“What?”

“Well, sir Jordan’s birthday is coming up and we were trying to decide who should ask him about his plans.”

“Birthday? When?”

They looked at her in surprise, their faces wearing the same question: shouldn’t you know?

When she continued to look at them with a blank expression, Dioning answered, “In two weeks, on a Wednesday.”

“Well, why don’t you ask him then?”

“He doesn’t like it when we ask about such things. But last year, we were so worn out because there was barely a time for preparation. Everything was so sudden because his friends just popped in and demanded that he have a party. So we did and we did everything in a rush,” Lita explained.

George lost interest the moment his girlfriend was mentioned. “Well, don’t worry. I am sure his girlfriend will cook up something.” She stepped back to leave but not without adding, “But be prepared just in case.”

*****

“Your birthday’s coming up,” she managed to utter between bites of her pepperoni pizza. They were having a late lunch in his office. Jordan had been working double time because, apparently, he had missed a lot of paper works. She did not comment on how he did his work though. It was not her fault he insisted to go with her in Siquijor when he could have just grabbed the chance to go home and work.

“Who told you?” he asked with a frown.

“The ladies,” she said, referring to Lita, Dioning and Tippy.

“Tell them I don’t have any plans if that is what they are worried about.”

“They are worried your friends or your girlfriend might drop by and start an impromptu party,” she said, trying to sound nonchalant.

“You mean Cassie?” he asked with a frown.

“You mean there are other girlfriends?” George shot back sarcastically.

Jordan tore his gaze away from her and faced his computer again. “She’ll not be coming by because—”

“Of me? Well, then, I’ll go home for a day. That would serve as my birthday present.”

“George, I meant she’s not going to drop by because she’s not coming home.”

She widened her eyes in surprise and realization. “Oh, so you’re going to visit her then? Okay, no problem with me. I’ll still go home to the apartment.”

“No, I meant—”

She wiped the crumbs off her hands and stood up with a grin. “I know you’ll need some time with her. Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul.”

Just before Jordan could say anything, her phone rang again.

It was her mother.

“Let me get this,” she said, happy to get a chance not to talk about his birthday plans. “Mom, what’s up?”

“Where are you?”

“I am with Jordan, in his office, dying in hunger,” she said, grinning at Jordan’s appalled look. She made a zipping motion with her mouth and fingers to keep him quiet.

“Don’t exaggerate,” her mother answered dryly.

“I am not. I am dying of hunger because he is working all day and he never even bothered to send me a meal while he’s in that meeting,” she said, covering her phone with her hand as Jordan shot to his feet with a frown. He pointed at her with his finger and made a slashing motion across his throat. She kicked the air as if he was standing in front of her.

“Surely Jordan is just busy, George. You can find your own food.”

“He’s locked me inside his office,” she said, covering the phone once again as a chuckle escaped her lips. A crumpled paper smacked against her face and she shot to her feet to grab Jordan’s necktie across the table.

“Ow!” he cried out when she pulled at it. He was almost lying face-down on the table.

“Who’s that?” her mother asked.

“I am watching something on my computer. Some lady killing a guy,” she lied, pulling harder on Jordan’s tie as he tried to wrestle his way out. “The guy ends up dead. Ouch,” she added before she let go of the tie to run to the couch.

Jordan was now going around his table, his face full of feigned anger. “You are dead,” he mouthed at her.

She pulled a fist and showed it to him.

“George, please be serious. How are you doing?”

“I am okay. You don’t have to worry. I can handle myself,” she said, lifting both her legs to defend herself from Jordan’s upcoming silent attack, whatever it was. “Don’t you dare!” she mouthed at him when he pulled his sleeves up his elbow, ready for battle. “Why did you call?”

“I just wanted to check on you.”

“How’s your love quarrel with dad?”

“I think he’ll come to his senses.”

George shot to her feet and bumped her head against Jordan’s. They both gave a silent scream of pain. She held up her hand to stop whatever attack he was about to do as he massaged his forehead. “What do you mean he has come to his senses?”

Jordan must have sensed something serious was up because he did not move.

“No, not yet. I said he WILL come to his senses. I think. Just hang in there. I hope you’re not having a hard time though?”

“You know my answer to that,” she answered dryly. “What about Viv?”

“She’s doing great. She’s looking for you though.”

“I’ll come visit then.”

“No. Not yet. Let’s give your father some more time.”

George sighed. “Okay.”

“Goodbye then. Please take care of yourself.”

“’Bye, mom.”

“What did she say?” Jordan asked.

He was standing before her in a defenseless stance and she just couldn’t let the opportunity pass. She made a grab for his hand and pulled him toward the couch. “That’s for throwing a paper right at my face!” she said with a laugh.

“Oh, now you want to really do this?” he asked, accepting the challenge. He shot to his feet but before he could, she had already pushed him back to the couch but this time, he grabbed her arm and took her with him.

That was when the door opened and Mildred came in with a bunch of papers. His secretary flushed when she saw George on top of Jordan.

“Get off me!” Jordan was saying.

“I am trying!” George cried and struggled to her feet. “Hey, Mildred, good timing. I was just about to kill him,” she said in a casual tone and went back to the pizza box.

“Pretend you did not see that,” she heard Jordan order as he took the papers Mildred had in hand.

The lady disappeared without a word.

*****

They were all dressed perfectly as we headed toward Troy’s parents’ party. Despite not having found new dresses because of the Dannie Drama, they were still able to pull off the best looks.

It was a good Friday afternoon and we were outside the apartment. Of course, Georgie insisted that she take me with them because I needed the exercise after days of immobility. Dean and Jordan were waiting outside talking about Jordan’s confused state. He wanted to wait for Georgie to realize her feelings if ever she had any for him and at the same time he couldn’t wait to spill the beans. They immediately stopped talking when the boys went out.

It was rare for me to see Georgie in a dress and I could count those times in my head. Jackie, sure…she loved dressing up. Dannie, well, she would wear one from time to time when she went to church. But Georgie, no, not really.

You should see what she looked like when she came out looking fab, guys. A fair maiden in a silky, midnight blue dress that stopped right on top of her knees. It was Jackie’s, of course, but it looked good on her. Her hair was tied up in a bun and her makeup was screaming “gorgeous”. She was just GEORGEous. Do you get it? GEORGEous.

But of course, Dannie and Jackie were also looking fabulous. Dean was grinning to his ears when his girlfriend walked out of the apartment in a tube, yellow dress and gold pumps. Dannie chose a simpler dress that covered her shoulders but gave everyone a glimpse of her rarely-seen legs.

“Looking great, boys,” Dean said with awe.

Jordan, my boy, almost gasped when he saw Georgie walk out in her dress, carrying her heels and wearing slippers.

He frowned when he saw the display. “Why are you not wearing your shoes?” he asked.

“Because they are not shoes! Whoever invented these must be suffering in hell right now,” she snapped, walking straight at me.

Okay, it was not a movie-material moment. I was actually hoping to narrate something that would make everything go in slow motion as Georgie went out walking very beautiful, the wind blowing her dress and a beam of light shining down upon her. And then Jordan would be looking so awed and love-struck.

But that was not what happened. His amazement was gone within a few seconds as she climbed inside me without pause for any compliment, saying, “Why did I even wear this dress in the first place? Jordan, are you coming or not?”

Jordan just scratched his head and climbed beside her at my passenger seat.

It’s okay, dude. Get used to it. Don’t compliment her. She won’t believe it.

Dannie was looking okay after what happened to her with her student’s mother. She never talked about the meeting she had with the lady’s husband nor what she felt about it. I guess no one told her about what Troy did.

Yes, yes, we all knew what he did except Dannie. She’d kill him if she found out. But at least she was looking okay now, right? And beautiful, of course.

Dannie baby went with Jackie and Dean because she Jackie made her do it. Jackie girl had been playing cupid ever since she learned about Jordan’s feelings for Georgie and I just hoped she did not overdo it though it seemed that Georgie was not noticing it…yet.

We drove for a long time in silence. It was not an awkward silence. It was just freaking silence.

I almost jumped with excitement when Jordan punched my radio to play some music.

Go for it, man…find some love song!

What was playing was something I had never heard before.

George made a move to find another station but Jordan stopped her.

“You don’t know this song?”

“No,” Georgie and I answered in unison.

“David Benoit?” he asked with raised eyebrows. He was loosening his tie because Georgie had opened my windows (my air conditioner was not really good compared with the nice fresh air of the countryside we were in).

“No,” Georgie answered again as the song started to play.

It sounds old, dude, I uttered.

Jordan did not bother to explain and he just leaned against my passenger seat. He grabbed his phone and pretended to play his game. I knew he was pretending because his eyes were on Georgie as she drove. When the lyrics began, I understood why he was doing it.

It isn't easy to show you what you mean to me

I'm not that kind with all the moves

The way I'm feeling goes beyond what you can see

I'm crazy 'bout you, crazy 'bout you

I eagerly looked at Georgie for any reaction, but her face was blank. What’s wrong with the road though, Georgie? Why are you frowning at it? As the music went on, Jordan continued with his pretend-game but his eyes would flicker toward Georgie every now and then.

I haven't tried to impress you by the things I do

That isn't really how I am, hmmm... 

I'd rather let my dreams be opened up to you

So you'll understand, you'll understand

Take a look inside my heart and you'll see

I have so much love to give believe in me

Take a look inside my heart share my Love

Take a look in my heart... yeah...

I was not sure about Georgie, but my engines were fluttering at that moment. Wait ‘til I tell Vicky and Tata about this. They would grow wings because they’d swoon like crazy. But just as when the music was getting better, Georgie suddenly turned it off.

Joy-killer! I shouted.

“Why did you turn it off?” Jordan asked, putting his phone away.

“I have a question,” she said, clearing her throat.

Jordan suddenly looked anxious.

Get ready, dude. We don’t know about Georgie. She always asks the weirdest things. Will she ask for another kiss?

“What is it?” Jordan repeated when Georgie stayed quiet.

Hey, Georgie, what is it, dude?