Few morning routines were consistent for JL. It includes his habit of delivering treats to Naomi’s classroom. Sometimes, he waits for Naomi’s arrival in their classroom door. He’s always handing a sweet treat with a sweet note. It is his fourth day courting her and everything as time goes by, becomes more tender than ever. He’s now holding a dozen of French macaroon with a sweet note stating, “Another sweet treat to lift up your mood in your time of the month” he said.
Naomi arrived with an unexplainable mood. She went near and hugged him tightly. “My period cramps are killing me” she said in a gentle tone. JL lifted up the box of French macaroons; she looked up. “Want a bite?” he asked. Her eyes delighted and grabbed the box herself. She sat on the staircase and munched some of the dessert he bought.
She grabbed a piece and placed it in front of JL’s mouth. He ate the piece; Naomi continued consuming it while her head is resting on JL’s shoulder. They did not care of what people say anymore. Most of the time, Naomi is the one being judged while JL is insulted because of his capabilities that are exclusively available for Naomi only.
“I want to cut classes” Naomi suddenly uttered. JL looked at her, “I can’t support you with that” he replied. “Come on! Just once, please?” she asked. JL smirked, “I told you, I can’t. I’ll just treat you on the weekends” he reiterated. Naomi rolled her eyes and replied, “Fine”. JL sighed, “Please don’t sulk. Promise we’ll do an escapade on Saturday” he said.
He suddenly raised his pinky finger in front of Naomi, “Pinky promise” he said. Naomi received his finger by intertwining his and hers. She had a smile in her face that for JL, it is a ray of sunshine. JL is normally busy in their school. His time is divided into four now – his family, his academics, the school government council, and her – his admirer. He waved goodbye and did the usual announcement in the recording room. His voice is music to her ears and now, she is looking forward to the escapade they are planning.
JL’s phone suddenly rang popping his cousin’s name. “What’s up bro?” he initiated. The other line replied, “You are about to get listed in the legacy. Decide well; you have a month to think. Dismissed”. The line dropped making JL anxious all of a sudden. He just shrugged; one month is till long for him and he made their legacy placed on the bottom of his responsibilities.
At the end of the class, they saw each other behind the administration building. He helped Lorenzia and Naomi build the booth of their accepted proposal. “Everyone is looking forward to this booth” JL said while cutting out a figure of cupid in his hand. “I never thought this would be accepted but guess what… JL here fought for our proposal” Lorenzia said while smiling.
“See my suitor here said that he doesn’t have any interests at love but still supported the Valentine blast” Naomi replied. The three chuckled; three days to go before the Valentine blast will occur but their booth is already fully booked in reservations. The Valentine blast will only occur in a day and it excites them the most that the quota is already on its peak.
The school announcement board announced, “Paging the student council president Juan Tiueco. We would like to summon you in the faculty’s office. Again, paging the student council president, Mr. Juan Tiueco, please proceed to the faculty’s office” an administrator said. The alarm rang again as an outro.
JL looked at them, “Sorry guys, I have to go. I’m afraid I can’t go home with you two” he said. The two nodded, “We understand. Just go, it’s a responsibility” Lorenzia said. Naomi added, “Lorenzia is right. We’ll see each other tomorrow, right?”. JL smiled; he held Naomi’s hand and planted a kiss on it. “Work hard. I wish your booth a good luck” he said and proceeded to the faculty’s office.
Lorenzia looked at Naomi with a gullible stare, “JL improved a lot since he got you” she said. Naomi blushed, “You’re intimidating me!” she replied. Lorenzia chuckled, “You two suits together. And may I ask what you are planning to do in the Valentine blast?” she asked. It took a while for Naomi to reply.
“I… am going to ask him to be my boyfriend” Naomi said making Lorenzia drop off the printed graphics in her hands. “Did I hear it correctly? You, who’s a girl… will propose to a guy?” Lorenzia confirmed. Naomi slowly nodded, “I just want it to be extraordinary! Besides, he doesn’t know anything about this. He is just knowledgeable about the process” she answered. Lorenzia contradicted, “Just don’t make it sound like you are desperate of him” she said.
Naomi took the planning to herself. She doesn’t need much of Lorenzia’s help in her plan. The two walked back home after assembling their booth. “Just more finishing touches would do. Are you free tomorrow? We can push the fixing earlier than the event time” Lorenzia suggested. Naomi disagreed, “No way, I have a classy ass date with your cousin” she said with a wink.
Just as quickly, Lorenzia was left alone inside the subdivision on the way to their house. She walked happily until she reached their place. The housekeeper offered to carry her school bag and gave her a pair of slippers for her to change. The housekeeper sensed something to notice, “You are so happy today, Miss Lorenzia. Do you have a boyfriend now?” she asked. “No. I just realized that I am a good match maker!” she said and went upstairs.
Naomi rushed to her bedroom to choose an outfit for the escapade JL is executing. She opened her walk-in closet and searched for a fancy dress. She chose the top three – a pink halter dress, a flowy baby blue t-shoulder, and a minimally printed floral sun dress. She dialed JL’s phone and it connected after few rings. JL answered the phone and started to feel apologetic. “God, I’m sorry the meeting just ended” he said from the other line.
She glanced at her clock in the bedside table, it’s almost seven in the evening. “You haven’t retreated back home yet?” she worriedly asked. “Yeah, suddenly all the agenda are presented in the meeting table” he replied. “Oh, I was about to ask what should you wear tomorrow?” she asked. JL thought, “Something casual?” he simply replied as he, himself hasn’t planned of any outfit ideas yet.
“I’m so excited. Promise to please me” she said. JL chuckled, “As I have said, I will make it up for you” he said. Naomi really can’t contain her feelings at the moment. The escapade he is talking about will be more than the expected. He only knows one thing – he wants his princess to feel like she is one. He plans to make sure that tomorrow, she will own the day.
“Make sure to take a meal before you sleep” Naomi reminded. “Take your dinner too. Sleep tight, have a good night” JL replied and quickly dropped the call. He walked back home with a smile on his face also. He surfed the net as soon as he reached their home. He browsed for romantic ideas and even watched cheesy scenes from romantic dramas.
For the next time she asked a resource person – Dior, his cousin who is a remarkable womanizer. Dior looked at him, “So you want an outfit for a date?” he asked to confirm. JL slowly nodded, feeling awkward as they both stand in his wardrobe. “You’re going on a date?” Dior asked. JL quickly replied, “Of course not! I am joining an acquaintance party overnight” he said; denying to prevent being issued in their family.
Dior nodded, “I know you can’t tame a girl” he replied. JL was relieved when Dior stopped asking about his agendum. They hauled every cloth JL has until Dior got tired. “You know what… let’s just browse my wardrobe instead” he said while catching his own breath. JL replied, “You’re surely a heart catcher”. Dior smirked, “Of course. A handsome guy like me deserves every pretty woman in this world” he said; self-acclaiming.
JL shrugged and quickly followed Dior to the other room. Dior presented two choices for him with descriptions for each. “You see, to look attractive, start with your outfit. The more eye - catching ones can take every member’s attraction in that acquaintance party you are saying” he initiated. He laid down two sets of outfits in his bed and made JL choose from it.
He pointed on the first option, “This one is an ASOS slightly lighter version of a mint green color then you can partner it with this pale yellowish sandy colored fitted jeans. As for the shoes, I will let you wear this white limited - edition low - cut shoes. This one is minimal; you can adapt to anyone’s outfit with this” Dior explained.
JL looked at the other, “And for that one?” he asked with arms crossed. “This one is a Versace pique edition. Quite short sleeved for you ‘coz you’re way damn tall. This one is best partnered with faded blue pants and a pair of white sneakers. This one will reflect your money, bro. It’s quite pricy – way to impress your girl… I mean, the members of the party” he replied.
JL glanced at both, still indecisive on what he would wear for his and Naomi’s escapade. He shrugged, “I’ll take these both” he said and carried the clothes to his room. “Pleasure is on mine” Dior said. JL looked back and grabbed something from his pocket. He threw one of his credit cards to Dior, “Buy something you want. Just don’t leech all the balances off” he said and left his cousin.
Dior chuckled; he suspiciously thought that JL has a girlfriend but for him, it is the most impossible thing to happen. They are close and they never talked about love even having crushes on girls. JL started fitting the outfits his cousin customized. His white skin matched the two outfits may it be dark or light. He removed his glasses and styled his hair in a style that he wears during family times.
The Versace in him looked good. It brought out the “rich boy next door” look in him. He glanced at different angles of him in front of the body sized mirror. That will be the sight of Naomi tomorrow in their escapade. He looks so different; it is their first time to see each other wearing something aside from their school uniforms. Most especially, JL decided not to wear his eyeglasses to charm up his brown penetrating eyes that do not usually convey emotions.
He leaned back in his swivel chair and looked carefully at his face in the mirror. “They are right. I am really handsome without my eyeglasses on” he said without any freshy emotion that brags out his traits. He’s really preparing everything from the food that they will eat, the place where they are going to stay, and the plan on how he will fix his lies once his family finds out the truth.
His family is not strict of them having relationships but intimate ones are not allowed, as much as possible, before marriage. JL kept the fact that he is courting Naomi – vitally Lorenzia’s best friend known to be an indecent slash troublemaker woman because their family might misunderstand. JL is a consistent honor student and is also known for having excelled multiple times in both academic and extracurricular events.
One disappointment will erase every achievement he has. A knock disturbed his daydreaming and emotion sorting. His sharp eyes became more furious but his emotions are blank – it conveys nothing but blankness. Lorenzia was the one who opened his room’s door. He is already expecting the approach and said, “I suppose Maj. Peredo is outside”. Lorenzia replied, “You’re right. And he is looking for you. Proceed to the living room now”.
JL changed to his usual house clothes and went downstairs. Upon opening his room’s door, the wide lit chandelier greeted him. Their long staircase matched the bronzy brown and well - polished shiny floor. He can see from the end his cousin who is the promoter of their family legacy. Their huge family tree is hanged in that part of their house. Major Cevino Peredo looked at him in the eye.
“It is unusual for you to wear contact lenses here at home. What made you decide on that?” he asked and sipped his black tea. JL sighed, “Just because”. He sat down beside his older cousin and started questioning. “Why did you call me?” he asked. Maj. Peredo brought down the cup of black tea. “I am here to help you decide on whether you should join Prideus Mite or not” he answered.
“I can do this on my own, Major. If ever I cannot, I am sure that I will have acceptable reasons” JL replied. Maj. Peredo nodded and uttered, “There are only two candidates for the King position. It is only between you and Dior. Take a wise choice, Private Juan Leon Tiueco” he said, stood up, and left JL alone in the living room. Their quick chat is more of personal content. A small chat made him think more than his expectations.
Their family lost a lot of years since their grandfather passed away two years ago. Their grandfather, who is also the pioneer of the legacy is the most hands - on mentor in Prideus Mite (their family and other more superior families’ legacy). It’s not that he does not want to join the legacy but the more they lose, the more their family will lose dignity and he is one of the concerned members regarding their family’s dignity.
He's been doing the role of the King in their family’s legacy but some members in their family are not in favor of him taking it from the start. They always though that he is weak – he really is but he strives to learn. He is afraid of one thing – the time that will come where Naomi will witness it but will only think that it is some hooliganism superstition.
Maj. Peredo went back and asked him. “Didn’t you say you will join an acquaintance party tomorrow?”. JL nodded and replied, “I will. Just for a day and a night. I’ll be back on Sunday”. Maj. Peredo unbuckled the chain key in his belt and handed it to JL, “I don’t trust any driver outside. Drive for yourself” he said. JL knows how but he is hesitant, “But… I am a minor” he replied. Maj. Peredo looked at him, “I got your back. No one can ever spell you a right” he said.
His family is powerful but he’s saving his power for the worst and best scenario. He looked at the car keys in his palm. It is the time for Naomi to know some parts of his life including his assets that do not reflect on the way he looks.