Chapter 8: Esctor Incident


    I walked with my head lowered, feeling embarrassed by their stares. Why were they looking at me?


    I overheard their whispers.


    "Who is she? She''s beautiful."


    "Wow, even with those clothes, she still looks amazing."


    "I''ve never seen her before. Is she new in town?"


    "I think so... I might starting to church every Sunday just to see her..."


    My mouth hung open. Did I hear them correctly? I thought they were discussing how cheap my


    clothes looked.


    Finally, we found some seats. The Mass was about to begin, but Miss Linda managed to whisper to


    me.


    "Aw, Lyka... Did you hear the gossip when we were walking earlier?" she asked. I nodded,


    wondering what she was getting at.


    "I felt embarrassed too, Lyka. But trust me, they were talking about how beautiful you are, not your


    clothes," Miss Linda exined happily. It felt like talking to a mother.


    "And I understand how you feel right now. You know, I used to be quite fashionable when I was


    young," she boasted. I wanted tough at her remark, but we were inside the church, so I held it in.


    Miss Linda was such a sweetheart.


    We stopped talking when the priest began preaching.


    "Let me remind you, all the challenges you face in life have a purpose and an endgame," the priest


    said, catching my attention.


    Lately, I had been feeling low and disgusted with myself because of what Kiro had done to me.


    However, I realized that we were both victims in this situation.


    Kiro didn''t choose to have his current condition. From the stories I heard from Miss Linda and


    Madam, he used to be kind and carefree. I hoped to see that side of Kiro again, once he is cured.


    As for me, I was a victim of a victim. It sounded strange, but that''s how Ibeled it in my mind. I


    knew that what happened between us had a purpose and would ultimately lead to an end.


    I continued to listen to the speaker at the front, contemting the priest''s words.


    "Whatever you''re going through right now, whether it''s easy or difficult, you need to be thankful," the


    speaker continued. I nced at Miss Linda, feeling grateful to have her in my life. She was one of


    the people I met during my suffering who would be a part of my life, I hoped.


    "Problems are actually opportunities," he went on. "Every problem opens a door of opportunity. In


    the midst of your struggles, you may meet people who will be significant in your life."


    I smiled, findingfort in these words. This was exactly what I needed to hear. I was so thankful


    that Miss Linda had invited me to church today. I needed to hear His words.


    After the Mass, we went to a convenience store to grab a bite to eat. Yes, a convenience store. We


    couldn''t afford to eat at restaurants or fast food chains, but it would still be a memorable day for me.


    It was actually my first time entering a convenience store.


    "Seven Velleven convenience store?" I asked.


    "Yes, Lyka. It''s a ce for people who are always on the go. I''ll find us something to eat," she


    replied, about to walk away. But I stopped her and pulled out some money from my wallet, handing


    it to her.


    "Miss, please take this," I insisted.


    She shrugged, and I sighed. Here we go again.


    "Keep that, Lyka. It''s all on me, okay? Consider it my wee present for the new housekeeper of


    Gustavo''s mansion," she said persuasively.


    I sighed again, reluctantly epting her generosity, and let go of her hand.


    She walked over to the shelves filled with various food items, leaving me to wait. As I looked around


    the store, my eyesnded on a group of female students. They were chatting andughing, each


    holding some makeup items. They were still in their school uniforms.


    Curiosity got the better of me, and I observed how they applied makeup. I had never had the


    chance to put makeup on my face since it was too expensive.


    They seemed to notice me looking at them, and all of them turned to look back. Feeling


    embarrassed, I was about to lower my head, but one of them spoke up.


    "Hey there, Miss! You''re beautiful... What brand of makeup are you wearing today?" one of the girls


    asked,plimenting me.


    I felt a light-hearted atmosphere after herpliment. I thanked her and replied, "Oh! I''m only


    wearing powder."


    Some of them seemed shocked, while others were about tough. I wondered what was with their


    reaction. I was just telling the truth!


    "Wait, so you''re not wearing any makeup right now? Wow! Then you must be seeing a


    dermatologist. You have beautiful and healthy skin!" one of the girls eximed.


    I didn''t expect them to know so much about skincare at their age.


    "Thank you, but I don''t use makeup. It''s expensive, and I don''t have the money to buy those things,"


    I exined. They seemed like they wanted to ask more questions, but Miss Linda came and sat in


    front of me, blocking their view.


    "Lyka, let''s eat... You''ve found some friends to talk to?" Miss Linda said, looking at the group of girls


    and greeting them with a ‘hi’.


    "Well, they''re still kids. Anyway, let''s eat now, and we can shop for your pher," Miss Linda


    suggested, and I got excited hearing that.


    "Thank you so much, Miss!" I smiled at her, but my smile faded when I looked at the amount of food


    she had. It was too much!


    "Ahm miss…. These are too much. I really should pay you. I feel bad," I said.


    Sheughed at my words. "Again, Lyka, this is my gift to you, okay? I like your attitude and


    characteristics, kid," she reassured me and started preparing our food.


    After we finished eating, we boarded a bus that would take us to the mall. I was astonished when


    we arrived. This would be my first time entering a mall, and I couldn''t describe how I was feeling.


    "Let''s go, Lyka?" she asked.


    I nodded and held onto her arm. I was amazed by the level of air conditioning in the mall, and the


    air smelled good too. I looked around and saw a sea of people, which was to be expected in a mall.


    Since I didn''t know the stores and shortcuts in the mall, I followed Miss Linda closely. She stepped


    onto a moving staircase. What did people call it again?


    I felt really nervous and made a sudden move, but it was toote—I lost my bnce. I was about to


    hit the floor when suddenly, an arm slipped around my waist, saving me from the fall. When I


    looked, it was no surprise that a man hade to my rescue, given his strong arm. We stayed in


    that position until the stairs stopped moving, and we found ourselves on the next floor.


    I couldn''t help but gaze at the man who helped me. He had a strong, masculine scent, and watching


    his Adam''s apple move as he spoke was oddly satisfying. "Um, miss? Are you alright?" Even his


    voice had a deep, masculine tone.


    "Oh, um, yes, yes... I''m okay!" I eximed, my voice filled with relief.


    He smiled and nodded. "Good to hear."


    "Thank you, Mister! I thought she was going to fall t on the floor!" Miss Linda chimed in, reminding


    me of the earlier incident where I lost my bnce, and this man saved me.


    "T-thank you! Thank you,Sir!" I stammered, feeling embarrassed and lowering my head.


    "No problem at all. Don''t call me ''sir''; my name''s Kurt. And you?" he asked, extending his hand for a


    handshake.


    "Lyka."N?velDrama.Org (C) content.