CHAPTER 21

After class, Helene decided to go to Malcolm’s workplace to visit him and find out what is he doing in his job that made his skin as pale as a ghost. Minerva insisted on going with her because she wanted to see Malcolm too, but Helene refused and told her that the man’s workplace is far and out of her way.

Helene wanted to think things out about her plans on quitting her part-time, and Minerva being around is a distraction from her thoughts. Thankfully, she didn’t insist on coming with her when she told her how far Malcolm’s workplace from their school was. Still, she requested her to take a selfie with the man and show it to her tomorrow at school.

The jeepney turned on Carriedo Street, and she can already see the St. Pius Hospital. Helene got off in front of the hospital and started looking for the TechnoGadget Stall. She walked by the sidewalks and checked on every signage that she saw.

“Where is that Hi-Techy…?” she asked as she roamed around. “Oh, there it is!”

She ran towards the small building with large signage of Hi-Techy, but the store was closed. Helene tried to look for the building’s entrance, but all the doors were blocked with closed signage.

She looked around and saw a security guard from a pawnshop beside the building. She approached and asked him. “Sir, is this building already close?”

The guard knotted his forehead and looked at her as if what she asked is a big joke. “Which building? That Hi-Techy?”

Helene nodded. “Yes. My friend is working there, and I drop by to see him.”

The lines in the guard’s forehead deepened. “Your friend worked there?” he asked in disbelief. “That’s impossible. That building’s been closed for three years.”

“T-Three years?” Helene’s chest started to hammer. “Are you sure, sir?”

“Of course, I’ve been here for five years, and I saw how that building fired up three years ago,” he said and shook his head. “Since then, the owner didn’t open it again.”

“Fire?” Helene clutched on the strap of her bag and looked at the building.

“Maybe your friend worked there before,” the security guard said. “Or maybe he’s lying to you. Be careful. There are a lot of people with bad intentions these days.”

Helene decided to go home after finding out that the building where Malcolm told him he worked was not operating for three years. She doesn’t want to think that Malcolm lied to her…But it was clear. How could he lie to her? She sighed. You can’t really trust anyone.

As soon as he reached the top of the stairs, Helene saw Malcolm standing in front of her house. The man was wearing his usual comfortable clothes again. Helene wondered if he doesn’t have different clothes to wear. He was staring at her door as if thinking about something deep. When he sensed her presence, he looked at her and smiled.

“Hi, Helene,” he said and walked towards her. “I thought you wouldn’t go home early.”

Helene studied her painstakingly handsome face. He looked so innocent yet so wicked. Good looks can be really deceiving. And she let herself once again be a victim.

“Why? Is there a problem?” Malcolm asked, brows slightly furrowed in concern. “Did someone hurt you at school?”

Helene curled her lips and looked down. She can’t take to ruin this moment. Malcolm is the only person that showed care and affection to her, but everything is just a lie. She felt betrayed and hurt.

“Helene…”

“Malcolm,” she said and looked straight into his eyes. “Why did you lie to me?”

Malcolm’s brows raised. “Lie? What are you talking about? I never lied to you.”

Helene laughed. “Really?”

He nodded. “I always tell the truth to you, Helene.” He took her hand and squeezed it. “What made you say that I lied to you?”

“I went to the TechnoGadget, but it was closed,” she said, not breaking her stare. “It was closed for three years.”

Malcolm knotted his forehead. “You went there? Why?”

“You’re lying, right? You’re not an employee at that company.” Helene pulled her hand back from him. “Who are you? Are you planning to rob all my belongings?”

Malcolm raked his hand through his tousled hair. He looked confused but still handsome as hell. “I’m sorry, Helene…”

“Sorry? Is that all you’re going to say?” She crossed her arms in her chest. “Are you planning to manipulate me and then take all the money in my savings account?” she smirked. “FYI, Malcolm, I don’t have money. I’m broke. You chose the wrong prospect.”

“Helene, I have no bad intentions for you.” Malcolm tried to touch her, but Helene stepped back. The man blew his breath. “Okay, I know it’s wrong. I shouldn’t pretend that I’m employed if I am really not.” He looked at her in pleading eyes. “I’m broke too, Helene. I’m jobless and useless. I always waited for you to go home because I don’t have anything to eat. I don’t have money to buy food…”

Helene looked at him in disbelief. “What? W-Why?”

“I’m homeless. I used to travel to different places, but somebody stole all my things, including my documents when I’m on my way here. What’s only left to me was the payment for the rentals.” He heaved a sigh. “I can’t find a job because I don’t have any documents. You see, I only have two clothes.”

Helene doesn’t know what to say. She didn’t expect that a man like him is suffering from a big problem. “Why didn’t you tell me the truth?”

“I’m afraid that you might get scared of me…” he said shyly. “I really don’t have any bad intentions to you, Helene. I can’t do that…”

She sighed. “I don’t know if I can still believe you. You lied to me once.”

“It’s okay, Helene. I understand…” Malcolm said and smiled at her. “I’m still thankful that I met you.”

“Why do you sound as if you’re saying goodbye?” she asked and started walking towards her door. She took out her keys and opened them. When Malcolm didn’t answer, she continued. “Are you going to—”

Helene froze at her feet. Malcolm was gone…

***