CHAPTER 17
Ade and Aurora just arrived at the school's parking lot. As usual, people looked at them because of her car. The roof was off, so she left her bag on the seat. She told Ade that she'd be the one to bring her own thing because she kept on insisting earlier to carry it for her.
They arrived earlier than 9:00. Aurora leaned against the car's door. She was fixing herself by her phone's camera. Ade was talking with the butler while still sitting on the passenger's seat.
After a few minutes, Ade called her attention. "Signorina, my car's working fine already. It's in our house. I'll go home this weekend to get it; is it okay with you?" There was a problem with Ade's car; that was why she used the train to Rimini.
"Let's go together. How about after our classes on Friday? I'll ask Papa to use our get."
"We'll use your jet, Signorina?" Ade's thrilled question.
"Yes. So, we'll get there faster."
"But it's fine for me to go alone. Do you have something you left there? I'll get it for you."
"No. Nothing. Mamma told me there's a family dinner. They wanted to know how I'm doing personally too."
"Family dinner on Saturday, right?"
"Si. And we'll drive back in your car."
"Oh. So, Butler Durante would be very busy." Her nose scrunched. "Will you be comfortable with my car?"
"We both know your car is better suited for a long drive than mine." Ade's car may not be as luxurious as hers, but it was much more comfortable for the long hours of driving. "It's your car, and you're with me. That's all fine."
"Aw." Ade felt overwhelmed by her friend's words. She looked at her with admiration. Her signorina was one of a kind. "I'll just tell Butler Durante about it." She called her father again.
Aurora checked her phone. She contacted the person that was on her mind. And for the first time, she'd be pressing his number. It was answered on the second ring. "Hello. Good morning, Max." Her greetings to the young man.
"Hey. Good morning. How's your rest?" His reply from the other line. She likes his voice on the phone. What the… Her mind was on it again.
"I'm good. I figured out you were driving, that's why I called instead of texting you. We're already here at school."
"Yes. I'm about to enter the parking lot."
"Oh, okay. I spotted your car." She looked at the entrance of the school parking lot. And there, a blue Lamborghini that could easily catch anyone's attention.
"Is there a vacant space near yours?"
"Yes." She raised a hand to wave at him so he could see where she stood.
"There. I saw you. Let me end the call." He hung up. His car was approaching her direction, and he cautiously parked in front of her, beside her car.
"Ade, I'm setting the roof up." She said to her friend, and she hopped out of the passenger seat. Aurora grabbed her bag also and pressed the remote.
"Did you wait that long? I'm sorry." Max apologized instantly when he sauntered to her.
"No. We just came too early." She responded.
Max looked at his childhood friend. There she goes again in her shades. He was irritated about it, and he didn't know why. But he thought that it was better that way so that he wouldn't be distracted by staring at her eyes.
"Hello, Ade." He greeted the other girl that was a few steps away from them. She was just waiting for them to start moving.
"Magandang umaga." (Good morning.) She greeted him.
"How did you get better in Tagalog?" He asked at last. To what he knew, Ade's family was pure Italian and was working for the Fontalva.
"Tagalog kasi ang lengwaheng gamit nila sa mansyon at madalas ako doon. Gusto ko din matuto. Interesting kay matuto ng ibang lengwahe. Dagdag sa resume na din." (They use Tagalog in the mansion, and I always visit there. I also want to learn it. It's interesting to know a different language. Aside from that, it's a great addition to the resume.) Ade's proud reply.
He chuckled in her response. It was true. It was a great additional point for future purposes. "Anyway, are you all set? Let's go?"
"Tara." (Let's go.) Ade exclaimed excitedly. Aurora nodded.
They entered the campus, and Max started to explain each building. It felt like they were brought back in old times for the place's structures. Each building was huge and looked amazing. They both listened intently to what Max was saying because he was also good at elaborating on things. He was a great speaker. Making some side jokes in his story. There was also some time that she couldn't help but stare at him. He was really into this campus tour. It seemed like he was introducing a product, and it was an excellent presentation that would certainly hook the client. He would be an outstanding businessman. No doubt about it.
Of course, it didn't go unnoticed to Auroa that wherever they went, eyes followed him. Some were even calling him. Max was famous, alright. And there were also some guys who approached her to get her name. It was mostly Max's acquaintances that turned to her and Ade.
Ade was quite pretty herself. She was two inches shorter than her. She had a natural tanned skin, shoulder-length brown hair, and big brown eyes. She had a petite figure but was full of energy. It was obvious because of her bubbly personality. She had that childish glow in her. Her friend was stress relieving for her.
A quarter before Ade's classes start, she went with her class hall with Max.
"Text me after your classes. Let's have lunch together." She told her before she got inside the room.
"Of course, Signorina. I'll go to you in my free period." She replied and turned around to enter the class.
She was left with Max and she turned to him. "Thanks for the company." She said and took off her sunglasses. She placed it on top of her head.
"Sure."
She noticed how he stared at her eyes then he averted his gaze, shaking his head. They started waking back to the field, outside the building.
"You're quite famous. Do they know who you are?"
"I don't know. I'm not spreading that information about me. Only few of my friends know."
"Do you have somewhere else to go or anything to do? I'm fine here alone. Ayoko lang makaabala kung may gagawin ka pa." (I don't want to keep you if you have something else to do.)
They stopped in the middle of the grass park where students were hanging around, sitting on the grass like having a picnic with their friends. Some were in the benches.
"Do you want me to go?"
"Do you want to stay?" She asked at the same time as him.
They stared into each other's eyes, waiting for the other's answer. After a few seconds, they both laugh at each other's indecision.
A phone ring stopped their moment. Max glanced at his phone screen. He excused himself from Aurora to answer the call and distanced himself from her.
She let Max take the call and waited for moment before he came back to her.
"I gotta go. I'm sorry."
She was a bit upset but she tried not to make it obvious.
"Take care then. I'll just roam around until my classes starts."
"Okay. Call me if you get lost." He's smiling reply before he retreated away from her.
I think I'll get lost in your eyes than here in the campus. She shook her head from the automatic voice in her mind.
She plopped the shades down again to her eyes. She had decided to roam around alone to at least get used to the place. She still had an hour to spare before her classes would start. She thought of going to the music and arts building. She was envious of those who got the degree. It was what she really wanted but she decided to prioritize how to run a business to help her father.
She was amazed of the surroundings. It could be considered as a tourist spot because of the school's old theme.
When she was done in the art building, she went to the business building. She started to search for her classroom to freshen inside. And she planned to read in advance.
She was walking at one of the corridors and she looked at the signages at the top of each door. One of the doors were open and she halted. It was Max who caught her attention. There was no one else in the classroom except for him and whoever he was talking to that was covered by his huge frame.
After a few moments, there were arms snaking to his waist. That someone was wearing a long-sleeved green sweater or something. Max responded to the embrace. She didn't know if it was one of his friends because he was hiding it from her view.