Chapter 10
The kitchen was quiet.
Too quiet.
The only sounds were the clinking of utensils and the faint hum of the refrigerator.
Mommy Auburn was still overseas for a business meeting, so it was just me, Citrine, and Mama Primo eating breakfast together.
I was sipping my coffee, trying to wake myself up, when Mama Primo suddenly spoke.
I choked.
Literally.
Citrine burst out laughing.
I glared at her. "Shut up, Citrine."
She smirked. "Pft, Mama, she's so cold and scary sometimes. Maraming nag-co-confess sa kanya sa university pero hindi niya pinapansin. Ewan ko ba dyan sa kanya, wala yatang puso!"
Mama Primo raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh? Talaga?"
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Mom, I'm still young, and I don’t wanna think of that right now."
Mama Primo leaned back, crossing her arms. "So, you mean…" she paused for dramatic effect, "you’re still a virgin? Hindi mo pa nagagamit yan?"
I groaned, slamming my forehead on the table. "Mom, for fuck’s sake—"
Citrine snickered. "Baka naman, Troney, hindi babae ang gusto mo?"
I snapped my head up, glaring at her. "Citrine, I swear—"
She dodged it, laughing harder. "Mama, look! Defensive si Troney! Siguro naman kung wala pang babae, meron nang lalake, diba?"
Mama Primo sighed, pretending to be emotional. "Hindi ko talaga gets. Ako at Mommy Auburn mo, grabe kaming makipaglandi nung college, pero ikaw? Ano ba 'to? Failure ba kita?"
I groaned again. "Mom, wala akong pake sa landi niyo dati, okay?"
I massaged my temples, feeling a migraine coming in.
This breakfast was a mistake.
___
I sighed, shoving my hands into my pockets as I walked through the hallway.
It was still early, and I was already so done with today.
First, that breakfast conversation with Mama Primo and Citrine was a lot—like, do they really need to talk about my sex life first thing in the morning? Tangina.
Now, I had to go to the faculty room because one of my professors wanted to talk to me about something.
I had no idea what exactly, but I was hoping it wasn’t about my grades or anything annoying. I was doing fine in my subjects, so if it was some random task, I was gonna be pissed.
While walking, I spotted someone familiar in the distance.
Forest.
And—wait.
May kasama siya?
I slowed down slightly, observing them.
She was leaning against the lockers, talking to a girl I didn’t recognize. The way they stood close, the way Forest was smirking—yeah, this was definitely her girlfriend or fling.
I smirked. So, may bago na naman?
As I got closer, Forest caught my eye and grinned. "Uy, Troney!" she called out, pushing off the lockers.
The girl beside her turned slightly to look at me. I gave a brief nod, but my attention was still on Forest.
Forest snorted. "Hindi naman girlfriend, chill ka lang."
Her "not-girlfriend" side-eyed her at that comment, and I had to bite back a laugh.
Forest chuckled. "Sige na, alis na ko. Kita kits mamaya!"
I gave her a small nod before continuing my way to the faculty room.
Honestly, I didn’t care about relationships the way Forest did. She was always with someone—never alone. That wasn’t my thing.
I liked my peace.
I didn’t need the drama.
But for some reason…
I couldn’t stop thinking about that faceless girl in my dreams.
And I had no idea why.
---
Faculty Room, 9:10 AM
As soon as I stepped inside the faculty room, the cold air-conditioning hit me, making me shiver slightly.
Damn, bakit ang lamig dito?
The room was quiet, with only a few professors inside. Some were busy grading papers, others were typing on their laptops, and a few were engaged in hushed conversations.
I scanned the room until I spotted Professor Hwang, the one who called me here. She was sitting at her desk, flipping through some documents.
I sighed and walked towards her, but as I moved, my eyes landed on someone else.
At a desk near the window, I saw Professor Haneul.
She was seated, completely immersed in her laptop, her fingers lightly tapping on the keyboard. Her expression was unreadable—cold, serious, focused.
There was something about the way she looked, the way she carried herself…
It was familiar.
And for some reason, I couldn't tear my gaze away.
Her dark hair was tied up neatly, a few loose strands framing her sharp features. Her skin was pale, almost glowing under the fluorescent lights. She had this untouchable aura—like she was in a different world, completely detached from everyone around her.
It reminded me of someone.
Or rather… something.
My dreams.
That faceless girl.
My stomach twisted slightly, but I quickly shook off the thought. Ano bang iniisip ko?
I blinked and snapped my attention back to Professor Hwang, who was now staring at me with raised eyebrows.
Shit.
I pulled out a chair and sat across from her. "Ano pong kailangan niyo sa’kin?"
She sighed, placing her hands together. "I want to recommend you for an upcoming inter-university design competition. You and a few other architecture students have been shortlisted, but I need to know if you’re interested before I submit your name."
I blinked. "Design competition?"
I leaned back slightly, thinking about what Professor Hwang just said.
A design competition?
Honestly, it sounded interesting, but also… a hassle.
I wasn’t the type to actively join competitions unless required. But at the same time, I knew this would look good on my record.
I sighed. "Kailan ang deadline ng submission?"
I took that as my cue to leave, but as I turned, my eyes once again landed on Professor Haneul.
She hadn’t moved.
She was still staring at her laptop, her fingers now resting against her chin, her other hand tapping a pen against the table rhythmically.
There was something about her presence that made the air feel heavier.
Or maybe I was just imagining it.
I shook my head and quickly walked towards the exit.
But just as I reached the door—
I froze.
Her voice was low, deep, and smooth—but it carried weight, like it demanded attention even in its softness.
Slowly, I turned around.
Professor Haneul was looking directly at me.
It was the first time I saw her eyes up close.
And for some reason… my chest tightened.
She studied me for a moment before finally speaking. "I heard you were being considered for the competition."
I blinked. "Uh… yes, Ma’am."
She nodded slightly. "You should accept it."
That caught me off guard. "Huh?"
I didn’t know how to respond to that.
I mean, sure, I knew I was good—but hearing her say it?
Weird.
She tilted her head slightly, as if studying me again. Then, without another word, she turned back to her laptop.
I took that as my cue to leave.
But even as I walked out of the faculty room…
I couldn’t shake off the feeling that her gaze was still on me.