Chapter 16 — Acquaintance Party

The sun was just setting when Steffy joined Yolo in the Tambayan. The school premises were deserted now, but the duo had lingered a little longer. The smoke from their expensive cigarette rose in the air as they stared at the skies above them. Orange and pink hues met their very eyes, immersing them with a kind of bliss that only nature can give.

Steffy heaved a sigh as she took another blow of smoke. She’s quite certain with Yolo’s lingering stares, but as always, she ignored him. Yolo was handsome, but he’s just not her type. She looked at him as a little brother and nothing more. “I’m having lunch with a new friend tomorrow.”

Chuckling, Yolo twitched his mouth and looked at her with his usual cocky face. “The famous Steffy Rivera is making friends?” “Yes. Was that surprising to you?”

“Steffy, you are a bitch in this school. Yes, you’re popular, but you intimidated everybody. And now, you’re telling me you’re finally having lunch with a new friend tomorrow? That’s nice.”

“Nice? You call it nice? It feels great, asshole. It’s not just nice.”

“Fine,” Yolo replied with a chuckle. “I’m happy for you. Just don’t forget, we are on a mission here. Who’s this friend, anyway? Is it a dude?”

Steffy rolled her eyes. “Of course not, she’s in your files, Yolo.”

“You’ve read my files?” Yolo exclaimed with her eyes wide open. “That’s not allowed, Steffy.”

“Don’t worry,” Steffy said, giggling. “I just made sure that you’re not interfering with my mission.” Yolo clicked his tongue, and Steffy only looked at him with amusement.

Silence flooded them as they continued to marvel at the view beneath them. Sucking the last of her cigarette, she then tossed her cigarette butt on the ground and stepped on it; extinguishing the life in it. “I admit there were times I wanted to be like the normal kids,” she said. “You know, those who aren’t born with a golden spoon in their mouths.” She cringed when she remembered Teacher Greg’s line. “But of course, I wouldn’t exchange my fucking rich life over anything.”

“We are normal, Steffy. Normal and privileged,” Yolo countered. “You shouldn’t be thinking about that. It’s not our fault that we were born having rich dads.”

“After we accomplished our mission, Yolo. What do you think will happen to you?”

Yolo was silent for a moment. “W-Well, probably my father will sell wed me to a Mafia princess.”

Steffy drew another giggle. “The mafias swore to stay out of the operations of the Alpha Brotherhood. So, that’s impossible.”

“If that’s the case, maybe our fathers will force us to get married,” Yolo replied while rolling his eyes. “I know that. My father told me.”

“He did?”

“Yes,” Steffy said in a haughty voice. “And you know what else I know?”

“Tell me,” he said as he advanced towards Steffy. She reached over him and whispered, “I will not marry you and give you the chance to snatch the brotherhood from me. I will rule the brotherhood, Yolo.”

“You’re very competitive,” he said as he walked several steps away from her.

“I was born and trained that way, Mr. Marquez.”

“Tell me, Miss Rivera. Why do you want to rule the brotherhood so much?” Blowing another sigh, she stared at the skies above them and savored the pleasure of watching the sun’s retreating rays. Yolo followed her gaze as he tucked his hands inside his pocket. “It’s my duty, Yolo. It’s the del Cargador’s heirloom; something that should be passed on from generation to generation. It bound our bloodline to govern the brotherhood forever.”

“But your generation failed to conceive a male, Steffy. You know that.”

Raising her eyebrow, she looked at him with pure disgust. “You and the Don truly share the same opinion about me.”

Steffy was looking at a curly-haired girl entering the school canteen. She sensed the girl’s agitation as she forced herself inside the premises. “Such a freak,” Steffy said. “Marie’s too pretty to be a freak.” Steffy slightly waved a hand and the girl immediately saw her and started walking in her direction.

“I’m sorry, I-I didn’t know the arrangements for the tables here. It’s my first time coming here.” Smiling, Steffy gestured her to take a seat. Marie heaved a sigh as she nervously faced Steffy on the table. “It’s okay. We all have our first times. So, let’s grab some food now, shall we?”

Steffy grabbed Marie’s hand as they took their lines. “I-I don’t think it’s nice to get this line, Steffy. Someone might get angry.” Amused by Marie’s nervous reactions, she shushed her by shoving her to the counter.

“Hey, Arturo!” Steffy greeted the man with the apron. “Hi, Steffy. What do you want to order?” Looking at the menu, Steffy got two pieces of fried chicken, a bowl of vegetable salad, diet coke, and a cup of rice. Then she also placed Marie’s orders, which only comprised a cup of rice and one piece of fried chicken wings. “Are you kidding me? We’ll have the same food this afternoon. Hey, Mister Arturo, her order is the same as mine. By the way, she is my new friend. Her name’s Marie Joyce.”

Marie nodded her head awkwardly as the man smiled at him. “I haven’t seen you around here, Marie Joyce,” said the man with a smile. He had a heavy Visayan accent, which sounded funny to Steffy’s ears. “I-I rarely hang out in here.”

“Because she enjoys hanging out at the principal’s office,” a voice from the crowd behind them interjected. Steffy saw Marie in an embarrassing state and even Arturo must have noticed it too. “I’ll pay for her meal, Arturo,” Steffy said. Then she slowly turned at the crowd behind her. “Hey, were you the one who said that? What’s your name?”

“Hi, Steffy! My name’s Angel and these are my friends. We are having a girls’ night out tonight. Do you want to come with us?” Raising her eyebrow, she flatly replied. “No.”

“Well, maybe you can join us another time then.”

“I won’t.”

“But why? Please Steffy,” whined the girl as she clung to Steffy’s right arm like they were friends. She cringed and yanked her arm away. “It would be better to have a popular girl like you in the group. And why are you even hanging out with this...slut?”

Steffy glared at them. “Listen, Angel. Have your parents taught you that interfering in someone’s conversations wrong?”

“Y-Yes, I believe so.”

“Then what the fuck did you do earlier?” Steffy said as she held the girl’s arm with such force.

“What about it, Steffy?” Angel replied. She was writhing with pain because Steffy was already tightly gripping her arm. “Everybody knows that that girl behind you is a slut!” The crowd started jeering that it made Steffy’s blood boil with anger, especially when she heard Marie’s silently sniffling. “Come on, Steffy. Just let it go,” whispered Marie in a hopeless tone.

Steffy let go of Angel’s hand, then held Marie’s, only to find it trembling. She hovered over Angel and glared at her with more intensity. “Say that again and you’re out of this school.” The girl could only gasp.

“And who are you to tell me that?” Steffy only smirked at her before facing Mr. Arturo. “Mr. Arturo, I will pay for your income today, plus your one-month rental of this building. But I want to get these students out of this place while my friend, Marie Joyce, and I, take our meal.” Taking her wallet out, Steffy scanned the crowd and looked at the shocked faces in front of her. “You heard me; this place is already sold out for today! Salte! Todos ustedes! Prisa!”

The people inside the canteen scurried to their feet as Steffy apologized to Arturo for the scene she had caused. “It’s okay, Steffy. But can you pay my total income for today and the one-month rental of this building?” Steffy chuckled at the man’s clear doubt.

“Of course,” she scoffed. “I’ll give you a minute to compute the amount that I need to pay you. Just pass the slip to me on the table.”

“But what am I going to do with the food?” Arturo asked in a worried voice. “No one will eat them.”

“Pack them. I’ll handle it,” Steffy replied with a wink. Facing Marie, she gently dragged her towards their table, giggling. “That was fucking bad.”

“Why the hell did you do that?” Marie asked, obviously dazed at what just happened. “Because I can,” Steffy replied bluntly.

“Well, you must be very rich.”

“Of course.”

“But what was that thing you said earlier? Salte, todos—whatever?”

“I just told everyone to get out and hurry.”

Steffy heard Marie giggle a little. “Come on, let it out. Just giggle, Marie. Even laugh.” And without second thoughts, Marie broke into a peal of laughter in front of her. “Jeez, sorry. It’s the first time I laughed this hard. Thank you, Steffy.”

“My pleasure,” Steffy replied as she kisses Marie’s hand. The latter was utterly shocked. That afternoon, they distributed all the food from the canteen to random people on the streets by the two girls themselves. Her father would have been mad when he learned about this, but Steffy had genuinely enjoyed it.

‘I think I might do this more often. The hell with what my father has to say!’

The incident in the canteen made a difference in both of the two girl’s lives in school. Steffy even became more fearsome and popular while Marie suddenly earned a tough immunity around her. Even the principal did not bother her for two weeks now, and that somehow made a significant difference to her. “I owe you the betterment of my life in this stupid school, Steffy. So, maybe it’s time for you to understand why everybody hates me.”

“Don’t worry, I already know,” Steffy replied sympathetically. Marie did not appear to be shocked about Steffy’s knowledge of her life. She had been an open book, and she knew Steffy might have heard her story from one mouth to another. “Of course,” she replied sadly. She did not know what version of the story about her reached Steffy’s ears, but she realized she never had to justify herself to her. Steffy accepted her even before she had let her into her life. She was such a good friend. “But I would still want to know it from your mouth,” Steffy later on remarked.

Casting a shy look, Marie smiled at her friend and clung to her arm. “We both know you won’t be needing that anymore.”

“Hey, Steffy, we need you here,” came a voice from the back of the stage. They were currently standing in the school’s gymnasium and preparing the decoration for the Acquaintance party later in the night. “Be right back,” Steffy whispered.

“I’ll go get your water bottle,” replied Marie.

“Sure.”

She walked downstairs and hurried to get her wallet inside her bag.

“Hey,” a voice said behind her. As she looked up, she suddenly felt her heart throbbing inside her chest when a tall boy with a pair of thick eyebrows gazed at her with a smile.

“You’re Marie Joyce Reyes, aren’t you? I’m Yolo, the principal’s new scholar boy. He wants you in his office now.”

With no second thoughts, Marie turned on her heels and hastily walked back toward the stage. ‘I’m not going in there. I’m not going…’

“Hey! Stop,” the guy said in a loud voice as he quickened his steps to catch up with her.

“Leave me alone!” she replied nervously. She hastily ran as she felt the abrupt drumming of her heart. There was only one person who could help her. Steffy. Marie could feel her legs wobbling as she climbed the stairs. ‘I will not be his sex toy again. Never again.’

“Marie!”

She then felt his hand on her right arm and her heart winced in pain. Shivering, she blew several deep breaths as she continued to run away from him. But she was even more terrified when the guy caught up with her. An unfamiliar sensation on her skin sparked up her veins the moment he touched her. She tried to break free and struggled, but the guy’s grip was stronger.

“What’s wrong with you?” he asked him. “I will not hurt you.”

She closed her eyes as she heard him yell at her. “Marie! I am not going to hurt you!”

“Leave me alone!” she yelled back. Several students gathered around them, craning their necks to witness what the drama was all about. “Look, I don’t want to hurt you, or scare you. I’m just here for an errand.” His voice was softer now, but that cannot deceive her. The principal was a criminal, and anyone who was involved with him cannot possibly be trusted.

“You know nothing. So, just-just let me be!” she said again in a loud voice. “But—”

“You heard her, Yolo. Let her go.” Automatically, Yolo’s grip loosened when a familiar voice disturbed them all. Marie saw the sudden calmness that flooded on her assailant’s face as Steffy took her steps to them.

“Steffy, what a surprise,” the guy said, which allowed her to run and hide behind Steffy’s back.

“What’s the matter?” Steffy asked in a hushed tone. “Did this asshole assault you?”

She shook her head in response. “H-He told me that the principal—”

“Shh, it’s okay now. I understand,” Steffy replied in a soothing voice. Facing Yolo, Steffy snaked her right arm around Marie’s shoulder as they waited for Yolo to come near them. “Hey, everyone,” Steffy said in an authoritative voice, “the show’s over. Get back to work.” In an instant, the crowd dispersed, leaving just the three of them in the middle of the stage.

“I’m sorry I scared you,” apologized Yolo. “It’s not really what I meant to do.”

“You’re such a jerk! If a girl says no, then gather your shit away and leave!” Steffy replied while rolling her eyes.

“I’m just merely following orders, Steffy.” Eyeing them, Marie gave Yolo a shy stare.

“I-I’m sorry too. Just please tell Mr. Seson that you didn’t see me anywhere.”

“And why is that?” he pressed on. “Do you have a secret?” The smirk on Yolo’s face was mocking her. She could sense that this guy knew something.

“Just do what you’re told,” said Steffy as she dragged Marie away from him.

“Fine. But you’ll explain everything to me later, Steffy!” Yolo hollered.

“Just go away, Yolo!” Marie took a glance at him as Steffy guided her backstage.

“Thank you, Steffy. B-but who was that guy?”

“Just a friend,” Steffy said simply. “Do you think he’ll be fine? What if the principal will—”

Steffy rested her palms on Marie’s shoulder, making her look at her in the eye. “You worry too much. He’ll be fine,” Steffy assured her. “He’s a tough guy. Come on, help me with the tarp at the back. We’ll have to hang it at the center of the stage later.”

The event had already started when Steffy and Marie entered the venue. Steffy could feel every stare as they walked towards their designated seats. “I told you we’re late already. I shouldn’t have come…”

“Shut up, Marie Joyce. We’re just ten minutes late, you know,” Steffy replied, giggling a little as her curly-haired friend sounded so paranoid again.

“—as I was saying, I welcome you to this evening’s acquaintance party. I hope you will have some fun.”

A thunderous round of applause filled the air as Steffy and Marie settled in, just in time for Teacher Greg to finish his speech. Biting her lower lip, Steffy savored the sight of her teacher as he carefully descended the stage. He looked so gorgeous in his black tuxedo and tight-fitting pants. She could imagine those well-built muscles underneath his body-hugging clothes and the fine companion that was just hiding in between his legs, waiting to be tamed.

‘Let’s play later, Sir Greg.’

As if her message had reached him, the teacher turned to her side and sent her a wink. Steffy smiled to herself like an idiot. “Hey, Steffy, are you even listening?”

Clearing her throat, she faced Marie with a guilty look. “Of course, I am. Hey, I want you to have some fun tonight. Perhaps, make friends and talk to somebody else other than me.”

“What do you mean? You know I can’t do that—”

Steffy shushed her and replied in a low voice, “I want you to be as confident as I am on that stage when we go there and get introduced. Can you do that for me?” Marie frantically shook her head in disapproval.

“No. You know I can’t. Besides, they think I’m a slut. Nobody wants to befriend me.” Steffy rolled her eyes and said between gritted teeth, “Marie Joyce, you look gorgeous in that sexy backless dress I gave you. And the makeup that Elizabeth did on you also enhanced your pretty face. All you have to do is to smile on that stage and show them you are not who they think you are.”

Right after they finished decorating the venue, Steffy brought Marie to her house and even let her meet her fake parents, Elizabeth and George. It had been an exhilarating experience for Marie since it was the first time someone had invited her over. And Steffy completely knew that. Steffy’s thoughts wandered back to the matter at hand when Marie said in a hopeless tone, “Except that the principal abused me for three years and—”

Heaving a sigh, Steffy grabbed her hand and looked her in the eyes. “I’ll help you, Marie Joyce. That horny prick is going to get what he deserves, I promise you that. For now, try to enjoy the night and make friends. You’ll be fine.”

“Okay, I will.” Steffy could feel Marie’s sudden relief. ‘Good. Good girl.’

“—Ladies and gentlemen, let us all welcome this school year’s classroom officers! A round of applause, please.”

“Come,” said Steffy as she stood up from her seat. “It’s our time to shine.”