Chapter 2: Enzo

Chapter 2

IF THERE was someone Allie trusted with her life aside from her mother, it was this person.

Lawrenzo Guttierez. Or Renz as she preferred to call him even if his friends and peers called him Enzo. Son of her mother's friends. Son of the people who were currently helping her when it came to financial matters.

Allie has known Enzo since they were little. He grew up with a tail on it. Where it is, he is definitely there. It was the joke of their parents then that he was Enzo's shadow.

Enzo is not talkative or passive. But when it comes to Allie, it’s not that serious. Even without speaking, he knew it was listening to him because sometimes he answered when he asked. Allie knew he liked her company because he was allowing her to be near him; to be his shadow. She could even say he spoiled her.

That only changed when Enzo stepped into high school. It treated him coldly. It makes him cry when he follows it. He also ignored it and did not answer when he asked.

Not that he was the warmest person before but he wasn't that cold. Something changed, she knew it but she doesn't know what.

Despite the coldness, Allie doesn't stop being Enzo's friend. Even if it does not want to, he will not disappear next to it.

"Allie," he said coldly. He went straight to the side of the bed and stared at his mommy. "How's Tita Nella?"

Allie's appropriate smile hung when she heard his question. "She's fine for now. She's just sleeping," he said weakly.

Enzo stared intently at him then silently approached an empty chair. He picked it up and laid it near his seat.

"You're going to stay here?" he asked in shock.

He nodded.

"Where are Tita Lily and Tito Miguel? Are they going now?" Allie is referring to Enzo's parents. Her mommy and Aunt Lily are best friends.

"At work. They won't be able to come today but they'll visit tomorrow."

Allie headed. He tightened his grip on the reading materials he was carrying. Sometimes, he was ashamed of Aunt Lily. He knew it was no joke that they spent it to help his mommy.

He even thought of quitting school and working to help treat his mommy but he did not agree. Even Tito Miguel refused. He said it is important for him to graduate because he can help his mommy better in that situation.

"It's creepy." It was Enzo's voice that stirred Allie's mind. He felt its palm on top of his clenched palm. It opened it and took the papers. "Assignments? You better do it fast if you want to finish it early," he said.

"Renz, thank you, ah. Thank you for your help. I-I don't know if ..." Allie bit her lower lip to prevent her from sobbing. Disgusted he wiped his eyes when it blurred. He was annoyed because he did not want Enzo to see him cry, that he was weak.

A cloth covered his head causing his vision to darken. He was about to remove it when something heavy hit him on the head.

"I'm not doing anything," he said without emotion.

"Being here is enough for me," he replied.

He heard no response from Enzo. With a veil over her head, Allie let go of her tears. Now he realizes why Enzo covered his head — so that he could not see her crying.

Despite everything, for Allie, Enzo was still her Renz. Despite the coldness, despite the aloofness, she knew if she needed him, he would be there.

"WHERE is Manang Melba?"

Allie laid the bag on the one-seater sofa and then turned to Enzo. "Go home to the province first. Emergency raw, eh. He must have been there for about one week," he replied.

From the hospital, he took her home because it was already night. He thought it would go home right away so he was surprised without a word sitting on the long sofa. He took off his eyeglasses and lay down on the sofa. It rests its arm over the eyes.

"Renz?"

"I'll be here until you sleep. Finish your homework then go to bed," he replied.

"You're going to spend the night."

"Don't mind me and just fucking do your work, Allie."

She rolled her eyes at him. He pulled out the laptop. There is only one homework he has not finished yet. It was only a research thing so he could easily do it.

While doing research, he looked around at Enzo. It has been silent since before. Maybe it fell asleep. He knew it was just as busy because apart from studying, he also played tennis. He is also the captain of the tennis club at its university.

So even though he knew he preferred to go home and sleep in his house, he chose to take him and wait because he had no one in the house.

It just showed he still cared. She liked it.

Even without seeing Enzo's face right now, Allie knew he was perfect. From his cold gray eyes to his aristocratic nose to his strong chin down to his full lips — he was perfect. He played tennis real damn well and could match Martin to the boot.

She never thought guys wearing eyeglasses could be this ... handsome.

Enzo is studying at Saint Vincent University. He wanted to enroll there at first but Saint Louis was closer to their house compared to SVU so he enrolled in SLU. Although he did not study at SVU, he still learned something about Enzo.

Despite being serious, cold, icy and seemingly robotic in its behavior, many women like it. Enzo cried all of that. Just a cold stare from it, they are softening.

But not Allie. Maybe he is immune to it.

Allie just shook her head and focused on the laptop. When he finished the research, he closed it. He stood up and started to get a comforter in the storage room. He slowly laid it on Enzo.

He sat on the floor in front of Enzo's bed and watched it intently.

Allie lightly caressed Enzo's cheek. When it moved slightly his hands stiffened. It does not remove the arm over the eyes. It also did not speak. It is even asleep.

He leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes. He did not realize he was asleep.

"WATER. Check. Schedule. Check. Training regimen. Check. Is there anything missing?" poor Allie said to herself.

He is currently on the SLU open court. Here the members of the tennis club practice during these times. Allie can say that she enjoys being the manager of the club. The tasks are not difficult. Then Martin helps him.

He felt something hit his head. "Hey. Don't push yourself too much," said a voice from behind him.

When he turned around, the smiling Chance opened up to him. Chance is one of the regular tennis players of their club. He reciprocated Chance's smile.

The members of the tennis club of their university are kind. It was his first day as manager but they accepted him immediately. It felt like she gained a team of friends because of the tennis club—

"If he can't do the job here at the club, he can leave."

—Except for the newcomer and Killian who spoke.

Killian is the former manager of the tennis club. So maybe "bad vibes" to him is because he took over it. Like Chance, he is also one of the regular members of the tennis club.

To Martin he would complain, belat, he said to himself. He can't say that to Killian. It's a bit scary.

Allie held Chance by the arm as he prepared to answer Killian. He didn't even want Chance to heat it up. He had already seen Killian's behavior. He was ruthless even to those inside his team.

When he didn't say a word to Killian's suggestion, he frowned as he left and went to the office. He rested deeply when it disappeared from view. Of the members of the tennis club, Killian is the one he avoids the most.

"Tsk. Just ignore Killian. Just avoid him," said Chance.

"Yeah. That's what I'm going to do," he said and pretended to tremble. "She's scary."

"Saint Vincent's captain is scarier than him," whispered the nearby Red; also a regular member of the club.

Allie frowned at what she heard. "Enzo's a nice guy," he said in his own defense of the man.

Chance and Red hit him. Disbelief can be seen on their faces.

"N-nice? Enzo?"

"Are we talking about the same Enzo here? Lawrenzo Guttierez?"

He folded his arms and raised an eyebrow at the two. "Yes! Enzo is kind!"

He remembered that night he fell asleep while Enzo was sleeping on the sofa. He woke up the next morning already in bed. He knew Enzo had put him there. See? If he is not a good person, he will just let him fall to the floor.

Chance's water suddenly caught up with him. "Here. Maybe you're just thirsty."

"Better yet, let's give him food, Chance."

"Or maybe he lacks sleep, Red."

"Guys!"

When the two laughed at the same time, Allie smiled as well. She was glad she became a part of this group.

It felt like her circle was getting bigger. And at the same time, she could see herself being able to smile and laugh more.

ALLIE could not stop fidgeting. Tennis practice is over. Martin told him not to go home first and accompany him to wait for the captain from another university to arrive. So here they are now inside the office and waiting for the man.

"Stop fidgeting. You have nothing to do but listen and ... listen. Don't be nervous," Martin exclaimed. It is seated at the back of the table. He, in turn, was in one of the two vacant seats in front of his desk.

She puffed her cheeks. "Why am I still with you?"

It shrugged. His correct answer was interrupted when there was a knock on the door. Allie quickly stood up and opened the door. Her eyes widened when Enzo's figure appeared to her.

"Renz!" he exclaimed in shock. "What are you doing here?"

His forehead was slightly wrinkled which immediately disappeared. Its sight passed him. He knew Martin was looking at it now.

"Why is she here?" he asked in his oh-so cold voice.

"He's the manager of our club. You know each other?" Martin answered Enzo's question.

Enzo just nodded. It went inside. He was about to close the door when Enzo preceded him. Without hesitation he returned to his seat. Enzo, on the other hand, sat opposite him.

He secretly watched Enzo. He could not read the emotion in its eyes. It just folded and looked straight at Martin. When he turned to Martin, Enzo looked at them in astonishment.

"We're young," he told Martin.

"Ah," that's all and this folder has been handed to Enzo. "Here. Schedules, matches, and training. I really think you should consider this, Enzo," said Martin.

Enzo took the folder and opened it. The man was speechless and quietly read the contents of the folder.

"What's that for, Martin?" he asked.

"I invite Enzo's group to a friendly match. The tournament is near. This friendly match will be a great practice between our team. But this guy," he pointed to Enzo. "doesn't like my plan."

He turned to Enzo. "I think you should take it, Renz," he suggested.

"That won't listen—"

"Fine," said Enzo.

Martin was shocked. "W-what? Do you agree?"

An exasperated sigh left Enzo's lips. "Yeah."

"Huh. Well, well," Martin said softly that reached Allie's hearing.

As the two talked about the friendly match to be made, Allie shifted her gaze to them. Martin was handsome, he admitted there. But he did not know. Enzo was more handsome in his eyes. Even if he wasn't smiling unlike Martin, he was still pleasant in her eyes.

"What do you think, Allie?"

She blinked when she heard Martin's voice. "Huh?"

A mocking smile flashed across his lips. "I said, every time we have a meeting, you should be present."

"Ah. It's okay with me."

"Good."

Enzo and Martin stood up so he stood up too. As he walked towards the door he felt something rest on his head.

"Did you go home at the same time, Allie? Can I take you?" Martin asked.

Even before Allie could answer, Enzo preceded her. It shook Martin's arm tightly over his head. It looks bad on the man.

"Fuck off, San Victores. She's going with me."

Laughing Martin raised both hands as if giving up. Its silly grin could not be removed. "Fine."

When she left the office, Allie felt Enzo's palm behind her. He turned it over and smiled sweetly. It just averted its gaze from him though he noticed the expression on his face slightly softened.

"Manager, huh," he said softly.

"I enjoy it. They are all kind to me. Especially Martin, Chance and Red. I like it. Being a member of a tennis club."

"That's good to hear."

On the way to the parking area, Allie never stopped talking. Though not speaking, he knew Enzo had his attention. He notices his slight nod from time to time.

"Let's go to the hospital first?" he asked.

"Sure."

She smiled at him.