NORTON'S POV

"NORTON?!"

Ah, shit. Here we go again, according to CJ of GTA. I'm dead. How did she know about this?! What time is it?

"Hello..? Ma'am Callie— OUCH!! HELP! AAAAAHH!" My sideburns! Does she really need to pull it up?!

I miscalculated the time. It's my fault, I know. I wanted to surprise her about getting a job here but guess who got shocked? And this douchebag boyfriend of her with a mouth larger than a stool container's lid! I ought to give him a whack. Tsk!

She dragged me to a fast-food resto across the university. The three of us, including his bastard boyfriend.

"Are you okay? Callie, you need not to be furious like that—"

"Do you know this line of job?! You must become a full time here, Norton!"

I made her mad like crazy. Usually, Callie gives a cold treatment to everyone she's mad to, like bottling up her emotions. Wahh. Look at the effect of having someone having your back. They'll listen and fuel up those bottled feelings. Should I just get myself a girlfriend? Nah. My savings aren't enough for me to have a date yet.

"I know. Why are you getting so worked up? Don't you like the thought of me teaching here?"

"I'm an adult now, Norton. I'm twenty-six. You see my parents? They let me do what I want—"

"Well, not for me. Should I say I interrupt your babe time for you to say that you don't like me working here? Is that the reason why you're getting mad at me?"

‘WHACK—'

Fuck. Without hesitation, Callie punched me. A legit one-- no kidding. All of us were wonderstruck by how she managed to punch a guy inside a fast-food restaurant, not thinking that others are watching. Her hands are trembling, her breathing pattern starts to get fast. I triggered her. Oh, shit. I did trigger her.

"C-Callie..?"

She stares at me for a couple of seconds, but upon looking back, I couldn't see a hint of any apology. She's mad to me. Congrats, Norton. For your first day of work as an instructor.

"She's triggered. I'll try to smooth things down, okay? Sorry," Mikhail squeezed first my shoulder before tracking down her girlfriend. What now? Did I really do something bad?

After the both of them went out, the fast food I'm into continued their service like nothing happened. They just look at me with disgust on their eyes as if they knew the whole story.

Ah, I'm getting hungry. I feel like I need a burger.

"Good afternoon, guys. Please don't be distracted on my cheek, I'm here to be your Parasitology instructor so let's not waste energy on being a gossiper, okay? I am Norton Benedicto. Don't worry, I'm a licensed MLS holding a Masters degree. Now, please prepare an index card."

After that introduction session, I hurriedly went to the faculty to meet her. No, actually. I'm seeing her now.

"Callie!" I scream. She looks back, but she's doing the sorcery in her eyes— snubbing me all of a sudden. Wow, are you pretty that much to do that?!

"Hey, booger—"

Shit. I couldn't say what I wanted to because of the death glare she's giving me. She's like a bull ready to gore me. Was it really that bad, I mean what I said to her?

"Huy. I'm sorry, okay?"

She's making a fool out of me while trying to hold her arm. Good to know there's no students lingering along the hallway and his boyfriend's absent. Okay, I'll let her make me a fool.

"Callie.. please? I'm sorry, hey. I'll resign now—"

"Step aside. Let go of my arm."

"I'll try to talk to your Dean! I'll say I just tried this career path--"

With her devoid stare, I immediately remove my hand on her. She's really mad and I don't get why? Is it really because of what I said earlier that triggered Callie?

"I don't care."

Ah.. There's no hope in begging for forgiveness. Okay, I quit. I won't go home tonight. I'm easy to talk to. If she doesn't wanna talk about it now, then I have to let go. No choice, I left her without saying anything and because my classes are done for today, I directly went outside the university to call his number.

"Who do you have for me?"

(Of course! Geez, you're my loyal costumer! Same room, same time!)

"Sure, I'll go now."

Same motel, same room. I take a shower to clean myself. It's still in my mind, how Callie's trying to push me away from her. Even if the water cleanse my body, it won't make my head clear. Am I really a stumbling block? Hahaha! What afucking joke.

"Sir?"

"Yeah, I'm almost done."

I intentionally did not put on a towel. I don't care, this slut's gonna be fucked anyway, "Oh, I love surprises."

"Shut up and do your job."

Kneeling in front of me to suck, it's no surprise that this slut's experienced. This is what I do, and I think it's not that surprising to be a client to a sex worker.

"You're not hard yet," she retorted, seductively looking up on me. Both of her hands are so hot, yet licking couldn't make me horny yet. Am I in the mood for this?

"Then make me."

"My pleasure."

She's working things out. Stroking and licking, condoms on night stand. Damn, why couldn't I make myself in the mood? Ugh. This is not the right time for me to buy sex. My mind is not cooperating.

"Let's stop. I'll just pay you for your time—"

"Why? It's not even hot yet.." she slithers her face on me, showering me light kisses that I would never forgive.

"Don't fucking kiss me, bitch. Don't put hickeys on my body. Let's stop now."

"Y-You don't like me..? I could've done better if you give me a chance!"

"No. I'm not in the mood for this right now. I'll call Rod again if I need someone. He'll refer me to you."

I placed the money on the bed that frustrates her, I guess. I'll just go home to my place. I should just sleep to recuperate. I'm exhausted. Maybe because of thinking about what sin have I done to my cousin that made her like that.

"Can I ask your name?"

"Didn't you read the rules of your own work? Sex is sex— nothing more, nothing less. Besides, Rod is our middleman. We can't transact without his knowledge."

What the hell's wrong with her?

While riding the jeepney, my phone chimed. Shoot! It's my mother's death anniversary today! How could I forget this important event?

There's still an open flowershop around the corner. Let's just get some good flowers for her. She liked sunflower bouquets. My mother was really fond of them, even though I never had the chance to provide her what she wanted before.

"Para!"

As the jeepney stops, I immediately walk toward the shop. Unlike the gloomy night, lights inside the flowershop were radiating-- making my eyes squint.

"Could I have a bouquet of sunflower, Miss?"

I don’t know if this sounds weird but, she's just looking at me. What? Have I done her something wrong, too? Is there no sunflowers in this shop? W-Why is she making me nervous?

"Miss..? Excuse me?"

"U-Uhmm.. wha-what kind of flower.. Sir?"

"Sunflower. How much is it?"

Why is she so red? "Are you okay, Miss? Do you have a fever?"

Fu— She blushed even more just from touching her forehead! Shit! Did I cross the line? The hell, Norton? Why are you caring about other people? You don't even know her!

"I-I'm okay. Hahaha! Don't mind me.."

"Sorry for touching you. Anyway, how much does it cost?"

"Th-Three stems would cost around one thousand seven hundred pesos but if you want the big sunflower arrangement, it's fixed on the price of two thousand five hundred. What would you like to purchase, Sir?"

"I'll go with your arrangement."

"M-Mine..?"

"Yeah. You're a florist, right? You'll gonna arrange my order."

I couldn't help but to chuckle as she move clumsy as hell in front of me. She didn't know what to do! Is she that nervous to make things when others are watching her? She's cute, with her window bangs and hazelnut hair color. Her hands are so small. I think she's a feet shorter than me.

After purchasing what I need, I quickly come out of the shop to look for a cab. It's already nine in the evening. Is the cemetery closing around this time?

"SIR!"

What the! Who was that— oh. The cashier of the flowershop where I bought my sunflower. Did I forget something inside their shop? My wallet, wait. It's in my pocket, even my phone. She's gradually coming near me, blushing her whole face like she was a while ago. Is she really okay?!

"Are you okay? Your knees are trembling, Miss? Are you hungry?"

But no. She's not even looking at me. Okay.. what's her problem, by the way?

"Uhm.. It's b-because.. because— SIR! I LIKE YOU!"

My hand, which holds the bouquet, suddenly loose its grip. I couldn't grasp anything. I couldn't function for a moment. Those words-- the confession she did made me loose myself.

Wait, what's that? Is this a vlog? Or a prank? Where's the camera?! Where did they hide it?! Why is my day like this?! Even those passers-by are curious about what's happening to us. I pick up the bouquet and check if there's a missing petals or something that would make the arrangement unpleasant.

"Thank you..?" I hesitantly retorted. I have nothing to say. I don't know how to react. She's making me weak.

"I th-think, it was l-love at first sight!"

"Huh? Where did it come from? Miss, are you really okay? Are you delusional? Do you have some sort of.. asthma in your brain? Try to rest, maybe that would help. Resting doesn't cost that much. It's free, to be honest."

I don't know her. I guess her timing is not right as of now. I'm not ready yet, I still want to be a bachelor!

"He-Here's my number! It's up to you if you w-want to text me but I would appreciate it if you will! A-Adios!"

Wowww.. Did she prepare this business card while doing the flower arrangement? She wrote her name and number at the back of the card. Freya Constantin.

Hm. I really don't know her. I should just throw this card away.