“I’ve noticed you are the smartest one here.” 

“And you are the uninterested one.” I said and gave him a leave-me-alone look. 

He laughed a little, "Well, I must say, you caught my interest.” 

“That’s a very old punchline, dude.” 

He smirked at me, “Hm, anyway, I will prove to you that I know all the lessons.” 

I shook my head, “That’s impossible.” 

“Then, let’s make a deal. If I got the highest score than you, go out with me but if you win, I’ll leave you alone.” He said with confidence in his eyes. 

I frowned at him, and I started to get nervous because I could sense that he would win. Our professor has just arrived and this guy? I just glared at him because he makes no sense. He is approaching me out of nowhere and he is making a deal with me. What the heck! 

He winked at me, and I rolled my eyes. He’s weird. The class has started, and I want to transfer schools because it feels like I'm doomed! He is telling the truth! 

After the class, I looked at him and he just shrugged while smiling like an idiot. 

“So…” 

“Ugh! Why make a deal, then? Why don’t you just ask me?” 

“Because you’re the type that will turn down all the guys that fancy you.”

Okay, he is very straightforward, “So, that’s your only observation? By glancing at me every... class?” 

“Well, I guess. Also, you always pout when you get bored.” He said then he gave his phone to me and glanced at it then at me. I stared at him for a second and then shook my head and took his phone.

“I’m not bored. I’m just… uninterested.” Am I that transparent? Or is he just good at observing? “You will regret this.” I told him then I walked away. 

Every class, I heard the girls giggling over my side because they had a crush on him. I don’t know him. Besides, I’m not really interested. 

I just got home, and aunt Sandra smiled at me, "What’s for dinner? It looks delicious.” I sat down on the chair, and she was done cooking. She was now serving the soup and it had pork, “This is my specialty, sinigang.” Sometimes, she cooked for us and sometimes, we just ordered food because she has busy schedules, “Call your cousin.” She said to me and then I ran upstairs while humming and I called Jeremy then we went down as he talked about his day at school. I laughed at his story because he managed to step on the ego of his bully. 

After we ate dinner, I took a bath and as I was putting on my pajamas, someone knocked at the door. 

“Come in.” 

“Hey.” I smiled at her, and she smiled at me,

“I just want to thank you for being an older sister to Jeremy. Thank you for taking care of him and I can see you get along with each other. He makes you smile these days and your face brightens up.” 

“Um... it’s not a big deal. He's like my brother, so...” 

“I know that it is not my business but, you can tell me everything, Athena.” She said with full concern in her eyes, “I know it's very hard to pretend that you are okay. I know that behind those smiles, there is a hidden pain and burden on your chest, and you built a wall within it. I understand your pain, Athena.” 

I smiled at her then I nodded, pushing away my tears because I didn’t want her to see me cry, “I’m fine. Don’t worry.” I’m not used to opening up to somebody else and it's just... I’m not ready. 

She smiled at me, “Alright, whenever you’re ready.”

Then, she left my room. I breathed heavily as my dwelling tears fell down. She seems concerned about me. Is it because it was her daily job that she was used to telling how the person felt? 

I know that she's my family but... I’m not that comfortable telling her. We're not that close because she was busy with her work and sometimes, I can see the resemblance between her and my mom. That’s why I want to push that image and it just makes me feel sad about the reality that she was not her. 

I want to tell her everything because she makes me feel that she can hold my burden but... I just... I can’t. 

My best friend was calling and I swiped her call to answer. 

“Hey, what’s up? You didn’t update today. Wait... are you okay? Your eyes were swollen!” 

I sniffed and I was lying down on my left side, “Hey..." I’ve always texted her what’s happening to me. We updated each other on what’s happening in our lives. 

“Okay... what’s wrong?” 

“I don’t want to talk about me. So, what’s the good news?” She texted me a while ago that she has good news. 

She sighed, “Okay... listen carefully because I will just say it once. I just got accepted!” she said giggling and with a big smile on her face.

“Oh my god! Really?” I was so shocked by her news, and I was really proud of her. Being a theatre actress is her big dream and she was waiting for this her life. She has a good skill in acting and singing. She’s very talented. 

“Yeah, we will see each other soon. I’m really excited!” She said singing in an opera voice and I was very excited because she is accepted here in London. We just talk over the night until we fall asleep.

Today, I was going on a date with this guy. Ugh, he’s so stubborn. I didn’t want him to go to my auntie’s house, but he came. I shook my head and I smirked because he just wanted to brag about his Ferrari car. 

“Really? I told you. You didn’t need to come here with this junk.” 

He wears sunglasses and ripped jeans and a jacket. 

He smirks, “This junk will drive you all the town.” 

I smirk, “You know, I can do that by myself.” 

He looks at me and he puts down his glasses with amused eyes, “You mean...” I just nodded, “Oh, really!?” 

I sighed and fastened my seatbelt, “All right. Where are we going?” 

He flashes a smile. How come you have goddamn white and perfect teeth? Is that real? 

“Oh, I’m sure you didn’t get to that place and I’m sure you will like it.” 

He drove the car and I scoffed, “You really are something.” 

After thirty minutes we stopped in front of the art museum. I didn’t get here because there’s a reservation. 

Okay, he knows my taste! 

“Wait... how did you...” 

He just shrugged and I was amused that I almost opened my mouth as big as my eyes. I-it’s so beautiful! I look around and it makes my heart beat faster. 

“I just noticed that you love to draw, and you always do that if you are early in the class or bored waiting for another class.” 

“Okay...” I said and I don’t know if I should smile, “...so, you're just staring at me?" 

“Hm... more likely observing and you are so focused on your work that I didn’t want to bother you. Can I ask, what are you drawing?” 

I stop from looking around and look at him. He asked me and I don’t know what to answer, “Just a... house.” It slips in my mind, and it comes out from my mouth. 

“A house?” I nodded at him, and I stared at the painting that caught my attention, “You are obviously so serious in your work, and I admire you for that because I could feel your passion through that but a... house? Are you being serious, Athena?” 

“Who drew this?” I stared at the painting that’s hanging on the wall. It was human sized and it’s a painting that pains me more. A woman with a wall in her chest and her face with a half of a broken mirror. 

She...

How could someone hang this in here? “W-who painted this?” I know who it is, but I just want to confirm because I want to believe that it is just a copycat. 

“My mother’s friend.” My chest became tight as I confirmed my gut. How could she sell this? “Hey, are you okay?” 

“Yeah...” I breathed heavily as I turned back on the painting, and I saw a familiar woman. She smiled at me, and she looked happy to see me. 

“Athena? Is that you?” I smiled bitterly, “Oh, dear. I’m so happy to see you here.” 

“Did she sell this?” I don’t care if I was rude, but I need to know now. She looked at the painting and she looked at me with concern in her eyes. 

“Athena, it’s not what you think.” 

I can’t do this. I grab Thomas' hand and we leave the museum. 

“Hey, you alright?” 

“Just drive. Anywhere. I want a drink.” 

“I know a place to cure that pain.” 

I shut my eyes down for a minute as I picture my mother painting that woman. It was her last painting before her last breath. I don’t know if she sells it. I asked my mother who that woman was, but she just told me that I would know because I can tell her paintings. But her last piece was hard for me to tell. We just went to the bar, and I ordered a drink. 

“What happened back there?” Thomas asks.

“I can’t stand that painting.” 

“Sorry that I took you there.” 

“No, no. It's not your fault. I was just sensitive about that painting.” 

“Can I ask, why?” 

I stared at my drink, and I drank two glasses already, “That painting was my mother’s last piece before she died.” 

“Oh... I’m so sorry.” 

“No, it's fine. I just... don’t know that it would be there.” Honestly, that’s the reason why I chose to come here in London. I want to find the painting. I sighed and looked at him. My eyes were becoming heavy. 

He smiled at me, “I’m sorry for hanging it there.” 

“No, that’s fine. No problem.” I just didn’t know that it would be a pain for me to look at that painting again. I drank a couple of glasses already and I felt numb, “Hey, British guy. Why do you like me?” I hiccups and have the guts to say what I think. 

He smiled at me, “You are a very attractive woman, and this is the first time that I felt like a magnet to someone. I really fancy you.” 

I stared at his lips, analyzing his words by words and he just did what he shouldn’t have done. That’s against my rules. 

Oh, God.