Chapter 6

Angel and Bryan went out to the student lounge. The place looks like an outdoor restaurant where the students can hang out during their vacant period. The seats and tables are covered making it a good place for the students to study, rest or talk with each other.

Bryan led Angel to a chair.

"Just sit here. I'll be nearby to take pictures so you can see me even if you're just sitting there."

Angel sat down and Bryan started taking pictures. She watched him intently. He seems to know everything that he's doing. He looks like a professional photographer.

Bryan looked at her and smiled. Angel was caught off guard by what he did. She looked away, suddenly embarrassed that he caught her looking at him. But, that's really why she's there, right? She needs to watch him take pictures because he might cheat and get someone to take the pictures for him instead.

But she could not make herself look back to him. Bryan might think that she likes him, and just thinking about that makes her feel embarrassed... Wait, why would she feel like that? Any guy would be lucky to have her as his girl. She is Angelica Simone Pascual Martinez, the daughter of two of the owners of MPCF and Associates. She was a consistent honor student and the valedictorian of their batch in elementary and high school. She's a dean's lister, the executive vice president of JPIA and editor-in-chief of The Echo. Those who are not impressed with that might not be from Earth, but from Mars or any planet in the universe.

She smiled at the thought. Sometimes, it's nice to brag about yourself to yourself. Her smile widened. She can only brag about herself secretly, because considering all those mentioned credentials, she is still a very humble person. She doesn't talk about herself to anyone. Actually, she doesn't talk to anyone that much.

She was startled by the flash of the camera. She looked in front and saw Bryan standing there. He is looking at the camera he's holding.

"You took a picture of me?"

"I just tried the auto-flash," Bryan said. "It's bright out there so the auto-flash didn't work. So I tried it in here because it's a bit dark because of the shade-"

"Delete that photo!" she commanded as she stood up.

"As you wish."

Bryan once again helped her get back to the office, where an unexpected guest is waiting for them.

"Sweetheart, where have you been-"

Alice was stunned to see Bryan holding Angel's arm. Angel immediately moved away from him.

"Ah, I just watched Bryan," Angel replied hesitantly. "He is applying as Paolo's replacement in The Echo. I watched him take pictures."

Alice looked at Bryan, who looked nervous as he saw her raise her eyebrow.

"I was just helping her. She hurt her foot," Bryan explained.

"Yah, that's true," Angel said.

"Let me see the pictures." Alice held out her hand. Bryan gave her the camera. She looked at the photos. "Not good. Sorry Kid, but you can't be part of The Echo." She gave the camera to Angel. "Get someone else."

Angel quietly took the camera. She wanted to look at Bryan, but she resisted.

"If your foot hurts, just go home. I'll call the driver at home to pick you up."

"Yes Mom."

Alice looked at Bryan. "What are you still doing here?"

"Ah... Yeah, I'll go now. Angel."

Angel just nodded, though she still could not look at him. Bryan just left.

"I'm sorry, Mom."

"You should've said no from the beginning."

"I know... I guess I'm just... desperate? There are only four of us left and there are a lot of things we have to do. I don't know if we can handle it."

Alice went to her child, then held both of her shoulders to console her. "You can do it, Honey. You're a great girl. You're a very good editor-in-chief. You were just on your second year when you became the EIC of The Echo and you handled it very well. You prevailed among your seniors, and that's because you're great. "

"Thanks Mom." Angel hugged her mother. She's just so glad she didn't totally get mad.

"Now, what happened to your foot?" Alice looked at Angel's foot.

"I tripped earlier while I was chasing Paolo. But I'm fine, Mom. It just hurts a little, and I only have two more subjects left."

"Fine, if you think you're good. But if you need help, just call me. Okay?"

Angel nodded. "Yes Mom."

"All right, I'll go now. I just visited Elvie, and I just wanted to check if you're okay. Alex as well. Take care of yourself, okay?"

"Yes Mom."

After the mother and daughter hugged again, Alice left. Angel was left alone in the office. She glanced at the DSLR camera on the table. She sighed.

Her mom's the sweetest, but when it comes to the issue with the Quintos and de Veras, her fierceness comes out. She doesn't know why, and she doesn't dare ask. Angel just took the camera, then went to her own desk. She was sitting down when Bryan came back.

"Hi!" he said as if nothing had happened earlier. He walked directly to her. "I brought you this." He showed her the ice pack he's holding. "Cold pad for your feet."

Bryan took a chair and placed it in front of Angel. He sat down, then he held her foot.

"Wait!"

Angel was not able to stop Bryan as he took off her sandals. Then he massaged her foot.

"You know, you don't have to do this."

"Your ankle was not sprained. Maybe the muscle just stretched. It will heal soon."

"Why, are you a doctor?"

"Nope. But my mom is a doctor," Bryan said. He smiled at her, then he put the cold pad on her foot.

"Where did you get that?"

"From the clinic," Bryan replied. "It's a good thing it's just near your office. And fortunately, I know the doctor there. So, I got it right away."

"Thank you."

"Don't you have any other shoes?"

"No, I don't."

"Oh… Well, we only have two more subjects, then you can go home. You just need to endure a little more." He smiled at her again.

"I'm sorry, Bryan. Sorry for what happened earlier."

"It's okay. I totally understand. I also forgot that our families have... something."

"If it's any consolation, I think your drawing was fantastic."

Bryan smiled. "Thanks. Anyway, I also would like to have a copy of the pictures I've taken. I hope you don't mind. I love taking photos. I post them to my Flickr account."

"Sure. There's the camera."

Bryan grabbed the camera and then sat down at a table nearby. He took out his own Macbook Pro from his backpack and opened it. He then took out the camera's SD card and puts it in his laptop.

"How about your picture that I took earlier?" Bryan asked her.

"Just delete it."

"Okay."

After copying the pictures, Bryan put back the SD card to the camera. He then handed the camera to Angel. "Here. Thanks."

"Thank you also."

"I should be going. Your mom might suddenly come back."

"I don't think so. She just visited the dean." Angel smiled shyly.

"See you around. Your foot will heal in no time."

"Thanks."

And then, she's alone again. She picked up the DSLR camera and looked at the photos. The SD card was blank when Bryan used it so the photos there were all taken by him. Angel was amazed at what she saw. Bryan really knew what he was doing. All the photos there are so beautiful.

She looked at her aching foot. "Why do you have to be so good in everything, Bryan? And why do you have to be a de Vera?"