C30 Thirty

"Then don't do some things that make me cry!"

I just shook my head. I didn't care if I got his shirt wet with my tears, I didn't care! I just wanted to release this burden in front of him.

"Baby... Please, hearing you sobbing and seeing you crying made my heart break into pieces. I'm sorry if you missed me," he said tenderly.

He gently tapped my back. I tightened my embrace around him.

"Don't be upset, Baby,"

"I'm not upset," I immediately replied.

"Baby..." He softly said.

He pulled away from the hug and placed his hand on my shoulder, slowly turning me to face him. I looked around in the silence, realizing for the first time that we were the only two people here.

"Sorry," he murmured, blushing. "I just had a problem," he almost whispered.

I sighed and subtly avoided eye contact. Why does it feel like everything's okay for me just because he said sorry?

"Can you please explain? Because I'm going crazy thinking about it," I boldly said.

I resisted his pleading gaze, which seemed to beg as if he was exhausted from thinking about things he couldn't tell me.

He sighed and nervously faced me. "Baby... It's because Akia has a problem that I can't tell you about, not even to my friends, and not because of that, I'll leave you, alright? She just needs my help. That's all," he explained.

He shifted slightly to hug me. He slowly rested his forehead on my shoulder and tightened his grip on my waist, as if I were a kite he didn't want to let go of.

I sighed and hugged him back. "Until when? Until when will you help her?" I whispered.

He's only been treating me this way for almost a day. Is there more to come? Will I go crazier?

He fell silent at my question, and I could feel his consecutive sighs as if my question was one of his fears.

"I don't know, Baby," he whispered back. "I love you," he softly said.

A silence enveloped me unexpectedly. Even if I wanted to respond, I couldn't because I had no strength.

"Baby,"

"Hmm," was my only response.

He swallowed hard. "I love you," I hope it's true.

I nodded. "I love you too,"

He gently stroked my hair and tapped my back. We stayed like this for almost five minutes.

He pulled away from the hug and smiled at me.

"Feeling better now? Your exam is coming up," he said, a hint of concern in his voice.

"I feel better now compared to earlier," I replied.

He ran his fingers through his hair and looked at me, nodding.

"Good. Do you want to eat something? Tell me, Baby, I will cook for you," he said with a smile before standing up slowly.

He held onto my arm to help me stand up. I'm fine now, so I can move normally unlike earlier when I felt like a push could make me fall.

"Just stay," I said, stopping him.

Our eyes met, and I immediately looked away. I couldn't handle his intense gaze, even though his pleading was evident.

So now, he can't even stay?

He nodded. "I will. So now, tell me what food you want to eat?"

I felt him trying to make our conversation formal. So I nodded as we walked downstairs.

I glanced at Samuel, who was leaning on one side, watching Cyrus and me descend. I knew he was observing every move Cyrus made. If he made one wrong move, Samuel might snap at him, especially since I've already confided in them, including Ate. Even though I don't call Samuel 'Kuya' when things are this serious, he acts like an older brother to me. Because in their more than three years of knowing each other, he has also treated me like a sibling.

"Behave! Selene will sit down," Cyrus yelled.

He angrily threw sofa pillows at his friends lounging on the floor while some were sleeping.

"Damn it!" They all complained at once.

I heard them cursing repeatedly, so Cyrus threw pillows at them again, causing them to wake up and sit down, smiling at me.

"Baby," Cyrus called me, holding my arm. "Sit down first.. I'll cook for you, so just rest for now. And if there's anything bothering you, don't hesitate to call me, alright?"

I nodded "Okay," I replied with a smile.

I looked at Izi, who seemed disgusted by what we were talking about, acting like he was about to vomit, so others followed suit.

"Can y'all please give Selene some peace?" Cyrus shouted at them again.

They stifled their laughter because of Cyrus's evident annoyance, showing on his flushed face.

"Bro! Chill!" Ben said, laughing.

Cyrus held his head while shaking it before facing me.

"Do you want me to get rid of them? Just say the word, Baby."

I shook my head "It's fine, so it won't be too quiet," I replied with a smile.

He parted his lips and let out a heavy sigh.

"Baby... I will, so tell me what food you want to eat,"

I pouted "Anything will do,"

He nodded "Alright, wait for me," He turned to his friends who were glaring at us. "Please, don't be too loud. Give Selene some peace of mind! Go home if you want," Cyrus said irritably before turning away.

"High blood,"

"It's like we've never been friends,"

"Damn, it's like there's no respect,"

I heard them whispering beside me. So I gave them a glare and rolled my eyes. They immediately laughed, so I smirked.

Are they complaining? Well, I'm Cyrus's girlfriend, if they don't like it, then they can date Cyrus.

"Izi, get me some water," I ordered.

Izi chuckled "Yes, Madam." He stood up and went to the kitchen.

"Wendrix, Can you get my phone? It's on the side table or maybe on the study table. Just open your eyes," I instructed.

I trust him... all of them.

Wendrix also chuckled "Okay,"

"Hugo, Can you please sweep. Can't you see the mess of your junk?" I said irritably.

"Okay, Where's the broom?" He asked.

"Find it, It's just lying around," I replied calmly and got on all fours.

"Water," Izi said, handing it to me.

I smiled "Thanks,"

"You're welcome,"

"Here's your phone," Wendrix said, handing it to me.

I nodded and smiled "Thanks," and he just nodded as a response.

I adjusted my sitting position while waiting for Cyrus to finish cooking. We could already smell what he was cooking, and it smelled delicious because of the fragrant aroma of adobo.

I hope we'll always be like this. I hope he'll always be by my side. I hope he won't do what he did yesterday again, like he's not the Cyrus I knew.

Cyrus looked at me. He smiled softly at me. He raised his eyebrows and ran his fingers through his hair before biting his lip and

winking at me.

My eyes widened at what he did. I also heard the chuckles of those beside me, who seemed to have seen what their friend was doing. I feel like my face is extremely red!

Damn, he's handsome!

He chuckled when he noticed my reaction. I looked back at him seriously, but he kept looking at me seriously as well, standing upright with his arms crossed in front of his chest. His lips formed into a straight line. He's seriously serious!

I raised my eyebrow at him.

He chuckled then winked at me again, with a playful smile on his lips.