Chapter 5

Angel wasn't able to stop Paolo. In the end, she just gave up and let him leave and transfer to Manila. Not that she can change his mind, but at least she tried.

She's beginning to think this day sucks. First is her aching foot because of that ‘incident' earlier. She now regrets wearing those stiletto sandals today. She also forgot to bring comfy shoes in the car, so she is really annoyed with herself right now.

Then the dreaded eating-lunch-in-the-cafeteria-alone. Yes, she eats lunch alone at the university cafeteria. Alex used to be her lunch buddy, but since she started college and Alex was left in high school, their schedule could just not match. She can't ask anyone else to join her because unlike her sister who can befriend anyone, she doesn't have friends.

And to add to that, there is this certain professor in one of their accounting subjects who launched tirade about students whose parents are friends with the school's dean. Obviously, she's referring to her. Everyone knows that her mother is Dean Elvira Sison's friend. As if she used that influence to improve her performance in school. She just happened to be really good, making her a consistent honor student and a dean's lister.

After her class, she went straight to The Echo. Jessie was there when she arrived.

"Hey, what happened to you?" Jessie asked as she watched her walk.

'I fell down when I ran after Paolo," Angel replied. She sat down by her desk as the editor-in-chief of The Echo.

'But still, nothing happened," Jessie said, obviously disappointed. 'It seems like Paolo really wanted to leave. We can't do anything about it."

'There are only four of us left, Jess. There are a lot of activities lined up just this month, especially by JPIA."

"We need to find new members," Jessie said. "As in ASAP."

As if on cue, someone knocked at the office door. The two of them looked as it opened and Bryan de Vera entered the office, in his usual get up when he's not in uniform – t-shirt and jeans and rubber shoes. His backpack is clinging on his right shoulder and a white G-shock is on his left wrist.

Bryan is one of those few men who look good even in his white t-shirt. It's not just once did Angel admire the way he carries his clothes, like he is a high fashion model every time. Maybe it's because of that exuding confidence he has.

If only that smirk is not on his face.

"Hi!" Bryan greeted them.

"What are you doing here?" Angel asked quite prickly.

'How is your foot?" Bryan asked instead.

Angel was taken aback.

"I saw you limping earlier, after... what happened to us..." Bryan gave her a meaningful look.

And that made Angel more angry. "It's fine and it's none of your business."

"Good. Actually, I came here for this." He took out Paolo's resignation letter and showed it to Angel. "You left this earlier."

"You shouldn't have bothered," Angel said. "We don't need that anyway."

"Isn't this important? I mean, for documentation purposes."

"This is not a company that needs a resignation letter when a member leaves."

"Ah... I just thought it might be important," Bryan said. "Anyway, aside from bringing that back to you, I'm here to apply for the position." He pointed to what was written in the letter.

"You want to join The Echo?"

"Yup. I can draw, and I'm good at it. I also take good pictures, and I know a lot about IT stuff so I can help you maintain The Echo," answered Bryan.

Angel smirked. "What we need are writers, Mr. de Vera. We need contributors. It's not just about taking care of the website. We write news articles and that is what we post in The Echo."

"There are drawings and pictures, too," said Bryan, which made Angel even more annoyed. "But, I could write, too."

"Really?" Angel asked sarcastically. "All right. Let's try your writing skills." She took out a piece of paper and a pencil. "Write any article you want, or any literary piece - poem, short story - whatever you like. And then, draw something about it."

Bryan picked up the paper and pencil. "Okay."

"And you only have an hour," Angel said.

"Okay," Bryan said nonchalantly. He went to a table and laid down the bag he's carrying. "Can I sit here?"

"Sure. Do what you want," Angel answered.

Bryan started working. For a while, it seems like he's thinking what he will do. Then he started working on the paper given to him.

"Are you sure about this?" Jessie whispered to Angel. "Bryan doesn't seem to be the writer type."

"Let him. He's too conceited," Angel replied.

"I think he was just being nice. He found out that we don't have enough members, so he volunteered. What if he's good?"

"Then we'll get him," Angel said. "But I'm very positive he won't get in. You said yourself that he's not the writer type."

Less than an hour later, Bryan finished working on his article. He gave his output to Angel.

"You made a comic strip?"

"Not just a comic strip," Bryan replied. "It's an informative comic strip. Come on, read it."

Angel read what he did. Jessie came closer to look as well. The drawing is about freshman students and how they can join various organizations in the Business School.

"I could actually imagine that on The Echo page," Bryan said.

"Is that Angel?" Jessie pointed to a female character. The example given is how the students can join The Echo, and Angel is the one assisting the applicant.

"Yup," Bryan replied.

"That is so cute," said Jessie. "I wish I also was included."

"Okay." Angel laid the paper on the table.

"Okay? What do you mean okay?" Bryan asked.

"Okay," Angel replied.

"Okay as in well done... good job..."

"Okay."

Bryan decided to just let it go. "Okay."

"Let's see if you're good at taking pictures." Angel took the Sony DSLR camera out of the drawer. "Here's our camera and be careful, because if this break then you have to pay for it."

"Okay," Bryan said as he took the camera.

"Take pictures of anything you like," Angel said.

"You won't come with me?"

"Huh?"

"Aren't you worried that I might just ask someone to take the photos for me?"

Angel contemplated on that. Nice point. But it just gave her the idea that Bryan is capable of cheating.

"Okay. Jess, go with him."

"Uh, my next class is about to start. Sorry Angel," Jessie said as she picks up her things. "Bye, everyone. I'm really sorry, Angel."

Jessie left them. Angel wasn't able to do anything but look at her.

"So..." Bryan hinted.

"I can't believe this day could go worse." Angel stood up. Upon stepping her foot on the floor, it ached again. She leaned on her desk for support.

"Are you okay?" Bryan asked worriedly.

"You should have thought about that before you gave me the idea that you might cheat."

"I was just being nice." He grabbed her arm to help her.

Angel pushed it away. "What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to help you."

"I can manage- Agh!" She leaned back on the table.

"No, you can't."

Bryan tried to hold her again and this time, she let him. Though she feels a little awkward, she still felt safe. For the first time since she met Bryan, she felt she could really trust him.