Chapter 9: No One

I was shocked when I heard Denver say that he’s now my boyfriend. Like real quick. It feels like my internal organs were doing somersaults with just a thought of it. Absurd, yes. But that’s how I feel right now. Though I completely don’t understand why it’s strange to be like this. It’s an unfamiliar feeling for me.

I know. He emphasizes the word ‘temporarily’. But it made me think that once in my life, I had a boyfriend after being single for my whole 18 years of existence. I am happy that I’ve been with Denver and consider him my boyfriend.

I was wrong that he’s a playboy. Well, at first, he looks like one. But after a few interactions with him and what he said earlier made me realize that he’s more of the ‘stickler’ kind of guy. A man who follows his principles.

I should enjoy this ‘act’ with him. He’s quite interesting to be with. Sometimes he looks serious. The other times, he’s too playful. And sometimes, he’s strict. And those are some reasons for me to have feelings for him.

I am attracted to him, and I think it’s not that bad to start liking a guy like Denver Velasquez.

“We’ll go to your house later, Sharmienne,” Denver uttered as he parked his car near my school. I glanced at him after I removed my seatbelt. I smiled and slowly nodded at him. “Such a kid.” He was saying something, but I didn’t hear it.

“Okay, will I get your number first?” I asked instead.

“For what?” He furrowed, but then he got his phone from the car’s dashboard and gave it to me. My eyes widened when I held his phone. “Why are you like that? You look constipated and you’re blushing again, young lady.”

“You want me to hold your phone?” I asked, a bit unsure if that still needs to be questioned. I almost facepalmed when I realized the answer soon.

“God, you’re crazy,” Denver said, and I saw him smirk after. Though he looks so done being with me. My lips pouted, and I didn’t mind what he said. I’m just respecting his privacy.

I opened his phone and saw his wallpaper with only a black cat with its tongue out. Cute. I smiled before I opened his contact. There, I saw his name and his number. I copied it to my phone before I returned his phone to him. I saw his eyes pierce through me, but I shrugged off what I saw.

“Here, thanks… Denver.” I just mumble his name, and I didn’t want him to hear it.

“Sharmienne.”

“Hmm?”

“Our plan is confidential. It’s only for us.” He reminded.

“Also, I will see you at school. I need your requirements. Just tell your teacher about it, hmm?” I nodded as he reminded me of that too. I also take note that I should tell it also to Kian. He might get confused.

“Yes.” I smiled before I muttered my ‘thanks’ to him.

“Call me.” He reminded me as I opened his car and went out. I nodded and chuckled as I found him these days a bit bossy. He sometimes gives me ‘daddy vibes’. “Goodbye.”

I bid ‘goodbye’ too. He seems confused with my face, which I just waved my hand as I smiled at him, still with the ‘daddy thoughts’ in my mind.

I spend my day in a good mood as memories of being with Denver evoked my mind. It gives me a good day that I unconsciously drew his face. I just realized it when one of my classmates saw it. It also ruined my train of thought.

“Whoa, he looks hot.” I heard Jerona say as she looked at my drawing. “And he looks familiar.”

“C-can you give it back to me?” I asked politely, but she shook her head at me and showed it to everyone. Some complimented my drawing, but I focused more when someone mentioned Denver’s surname.

Jerona turned back my drawing as she smiled playfully. “Your crush is not that bad,” she said. “Just a reminder... For you to be noticed, you need to loosen up a bit and have the same vibes as him.” She tapped my shoulder and winked before leaving me in my seat.

I sighed when I realized something. We are opposites. A contrast. We don’t have the same vibes as what my classmate said. I stared at my drawing and was about to tear it into pieces when our adviser called me. I just kept my drawing inside my notebook before I went to my teacher’s desk.

“Yes, ma’am?” I asked as I took a seat in front of her. She smiled at me, a small one.

“I’m disheartened that you’ll transfer too soon, Ms. Golieza.”

Oh. So, Denver already processed my papers.

“You’re one of my talented students, too,” she said and opened one of her folders. “It says here that you will transfer to Clifford High University South 1 Campus. It’s a good school for you.”

I just nodded. Clifford High University, or C.H.U. is a known school, and it has multiple campuses in the country. I’m also in C.H.U., but located in other branches of it. My school is the Main 1.

“You will be at school until Friday,” she added, and looked at me. “You can choose if you will go to school tomorrow. Your papers were already processed.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

She smiled at me before I stood up. I excused myself and went to the bathroom. I saw Kian on my way, and he smiled at me. I was about to call him when he was called first by his friends. He seems busy at the moment. I looked away and just did my thing.

When the bell rang, our class ended. I stood up and went straight to the school. I almost forgot that Denver was waiting for me outside. I tried to smile at him, but it was evident that my eyes told the opposite.

“Having a bad day?” he asked as soon as I entered his car.

“No, not really,” I mumbled and fastened my seatbelt. “I think I will just miss my friend.”

“You only have one friend?” he asked as he maneuvered his car. I nodded, and he didn’t ask again. We took the way to our house, and I was just silent the whole ride.

I was instantly bothered by what Jerona said. Should I change myself just to be accepted? Just to be noticed by someone I like?

It doesn’t sound right. Denver already knows my personality, and I don’t think I need to pretend to be someone I wasn’t. I was born being like this, and what they see is what they get.

“Sharmienne!”

I heard my sister’s voice from outside. We're already in front of our house. I smiled at her, but she was too eager to see me that she was even the one who opened the car’s door. I just smiled at Denver, and he just nodded at me.

“Are you okay? Where were you last night? I didn’t see you.”

“I was at Denver’s condo.”

She glared at someone who was behind my back before she pulled me inside our house. I glanced at Denver, and he just followed us.

“Mom! Dad! Sharmienne is here!”

“Perfect! Denver will be here, too.” I heard her voice from the kitchen and the smell of the food she was cooking. I smiled at Dad, who pulled me into a hug before I sat beside him. I just felt someone sit beside me.

“You have your favorites,” Denver whispered, and I shook my head. He chuckles before he smiles at my father and bows his head a little.

“Good afternoon, sir.”

“You seem to get along,” Dad said, and Denver agreed.

“She’s not that hard to take care of.”

I furrowed. It seems like he’s my babysitter who always keeps his eyes on me. My height looks like one, but in general, I’m not.

“Good. I expected her to be a great wife to you soon,” my mother commented, making everyone look at her. Denver just flashed a smirk at her. While Carmienne didn’t seem to like what she said.

“You told us yesterday that Sharmienne will live with you,” Dad opened up the conversation. “Will she be safe if she’s at your place?”

“Yes, sir. I already prepared everything, and we just visit to get her things,” Denver mutters. My eyes darted at him, and he just nodded at him.

My father sighed before he nodded at Denver. “I trust you, kid.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Just make sure she’s safe, Mr. Velasquez. Just a single tear, and I will get her from you. My sister is precious.”

“Carmienne. We’ve talked about this,” our mom warned her.

I heaved a sigh as I looked down at my food. Carmienne being protected is normal. And I’m thankful for her. I glanced at Denver, who smiled warmly at them. It looks like his gray orbs glistered with emotions I can’t name. It just makes him more human despite the demigod-like face he has. He’s so handsome. I was in awe for a second when I heard my father's fake cough to get my attention.

I blushed when I was caught staring at Denver. He smiled at me, but it looked more like a smirk. While everyone looks confused about my sudden action. I felt a bit shy that they saw me being a simp to the guy beside me.

“I promise that I will take care of her; she’s important to me. I can assure you that no one will harm her,” he said, still his eyes glued on me. “No one.”