“I want you to investigate and find out all the transactions my parents used to have. Maybe they had things to hide until they died. Because it's scary like this, I don't know who I'm going to avoid or not." I told him. 

"All right, I'll take care of everything," he said.

 I nodded and leaned back in the swivel chair. I took the check from under the drawer and wrote the amount of my down payment to him. I gave it to him. He accepted it at once, saying, 

"Thank you," as he stood up and left the office. 

Randolf then entered the office, carrying a plastic cellophane, which I believe was my lunch.

"Here's your food for lunch, Miss." He said.

"Thank you," was my response.

Meanwhile,

"How's your courtship with the woman you like, Zander?" my co-teacher asked. 

We are in the faculty room right now because it is lunch time. Zander shook his head at the question of his co-worker. 

"I don't know, Duke, I seem to have no hope," I answered, in a low voice. 

I've been dating Davianna for a long time, but it seems like I haven't had a chance to see her. And I notice I’m not the type she likes. 

"Why? You tried so hard to court her and then you couldn't get an answer from her?" he asked me.

 I shook my head. 

"I feel like I've lost hope," I said.

"What type of man does she want?" He asked me.

"I don't know, Duke," was my answer. 

"You can really pass on being a model of branded clothing, and I don't think you're fit to be a teacher. You can also be a soldier or a policeman. You can even be fit as a boyfriend for rich women, as I see in the tabloids, " he said.

 I smiled at what he said. I like the habit that Duke has. He can boost an ego too much. But in sum, he can't help me with my problem with Davianna.

We stopped talking when Vienna suddenly entered the faculty room, carrying food. She handed it to me. 

"That's for you, Zander," she said.

 I accepted it at once, saying,

 "Thank you, Vienn."  

"Is there anything for me? Does Zander represent the only one you love among all of us?" Duke asked. 

Vienna frowned and was shocked by what the man said. 

"Stop it, Duke, I'll punch your mouth," she said. 

Duke winced at what Vienna had said. Vienna left the faculty room. 

"Why are you still looking for someone else? Vienna is here for you, "said Duke.

 I notice that Vienna likes me, but I can really only give her friendship.

I shook my head.

 "We can't force ourselves to like others and our hearts beat for someone else." My response.

He shook his head at what I said.

 "You don't have to be a martyr to someone, if you aren't given a chance," he says. 

“You don't have to be sad just because of a woman. There are many more days, months, and years to know when the right person is for you, "he says.

 "You're right," I said.

 "Whatever angle you look at it, I'm absolutely right," he said, smiling.

 I can't say we're friends with this man, but when he gives me advice, it's like digging into my soul. 

"Are you sure you have no intention of having a girlfriend?" I asked him.

 "Why not? If someone is willing to be with me, it's okay. " he says, laughing.

 "How can you have that someone? You're not serious," I said. 

 "You don't have to take life seriously all the time, because when you do, you'll die sad. Let's hang out later, Zander. A new drink has been set up here in our area, "he said to me.

"I doubt I won't be able to be with you. I still have a lot to do. I'll check the children's modules. It's more tiring now because we're in a new normal, " I said. 

"Just give yourself a break; it's not just work you have to do always," he said.

"All right, just call me later." I said. 

It was afternoon when we left school. Duke told me he was going home first. I was out of school when someone called me.

 "Are you going home, Zander?" Vienna asked me.

 "Yes, I still have a lot to do," was my answer. 

"Let's eat first, I'm free," she invited me. 

"Vienna, it's embarrassing on my part that you're the one pay for our food. Next time when we get paid, it's enough that you gave me food earlier in the faculty room. " I said. 

Her shoulders dropped as she walked away from me. I shook my head. I don't want a woman to be free for me. I was walking to the jeepney when I saw someone. Davianna with a male companion. It appears that they enjoy each other's company. My eyes burned with anger at what I saw. That's why she can't love me because she has a boyfriend. The thickness of her face fooled me. All the effort I made for her was all wasted.

I continued walking towards the jeepney and went inside. My heart and mind are in chaos right now. I want to confront her and punch the face of the man she's with. But I restrain myself from doing it since I'm a teacher. I have a name to prevent. So the Jeepney travels into our place. After half an hour, the jeep stopped because it arrived in my barangay. I'll get out after I pay the driver. I was slowly walking towards our house when my sister noticed me.

"Brother, did you buy some food for me?" She asked me.

 I suddenly stared at her. I forgot to buy her food since I was preoccupied with what I saw. 

"I'm sorry, little sister, I forgot to buy you food." My response. 

I know she was sad.