17 Another Enemy

Meliza's POV

I could feel the loud beating of my heart as I walked towards Ethan. The way he looked at me made my knees feel weak for no reason. I couldn't believe he had this kind of effect on me. I gathered all my strength and spoke with him, and I felt glad I was able to talk to him without stuttering.

I don't know why he is working here on this farm; how he carried himself told me he was not an ordinary young man. Even if he wasn't wearing signature clothes, I could say he came from a well-off family.

Some rich kids came here because their parents wanted them to learn different things and make them realize life is not all about parties and social events. They wished them to earn money on their own, so they knew it was not that easy to make money, especially for someone like us who came from a low-income family.

Some wealthy parents wanted their children to realize the importance of hard work and self-discipline. For Ethan's case, I don't know anything about him, and I wouldn't say I like the idea that I wished to understand him more.

My impression of Ethan is the same as what Ruby had said: he is a bad influence on our fellow part-timers. I couldn't believe that he had been caught drinking liquor inside his quarter, and I felt disturbed about it because Jonathan was his roommate, and I didn't want my friend to be influenced by him.

I was hurt when he questioned my credibility, and I knew I wasn't perfect; no one is perfect in this damn world. I understand he was angry with me because I verbally warned him about his tardiness. I want him to understand I was only doing my job.

I felt glad my talk with Ethan was over, and I hope he was true to his word not to be late tomorrow. I skipped dinner, and I was thankful to Vince for bringing my dinner.

I know it was prohibited to bring food inside my room, but since I am staying in my own room alone and don't have a roommate, I can freely eat something, but I make sure there are no leftovers and no traces of food inside my bedroom.

They always gathered in the living room after dinner or on the rooftop, but I didn't join them because I knew I was not welcome and would always be an outcast. Ruby and Vince begged me to join them, but I told them the same reason.

I took a hot bath and dry my hair. I put on my comfy nightgown and leaned on the headboard of my king-sized bed, reading my favorite book, when my phone rang. I sighed when I found my mom's name flashing on my screen.

"Iza, is it that hard for you to dial my number or type a short message for me?" My mom immediately asked on the other line before I could even say a single word.

"I am sorry, mom. I was busy the whole day, and I forgot to text you." I responded.

"Meliza, your work is only until five o'clock in the afternoon, don't give me that reason. You make me worry about you." She replied.

"Don't worry, I will text during my break and after my shift ends," I stated.

"You better do that, and don't forget to ask Nina for a cash advance." She said, and my throat felt dry.

"Mom, I can't do that; you already had a cash advance before I arrived here," I responded, feeling disappointed with my mother.

"No, Nina didn't send the money. I only told you that to make you go there." She replied.

"How could you lie to me, Mom?" I asked, unable to believe what she had said.

"I am sorry, Meliza, we needed the money, and there is one more thing, can you work there after summer, for another five months?" She asked, and I was stunned.

"No, I need to enroll, Mom. I am going to study college," I responded.

"Meliza, the tuition fee is costly; you know we needed money for the rent and the bills, and your part-time jobs here in the city could not support your studies. You better work full time there at the farm." She said, and my mouth hung open, but no words came out.

"Meliza, are you still there?" She asked as I could feel my tears rolled down my cheeks.

"I need to hang up now, Mom. Goodnight," I responded and ended the call.

I found it so hard to sleep since I was worried about my sister if I was not going to follow my mother's orders. However, working full time at Adriana's farm was not my dream; it was working at Adriana's company with a college degree was my ultimate goal.

"So, what do you say now, Ms. Feeling Perfect? I am not late, and I am eating my breakfast now here at the dining hall," Ethan said right after I got inside the dining hall and took my seat.

The girls hollered, and Nina silenced them, but she didn't warn Ethan to stop talking to me.

"Good, Mr. Vasquez. I don't want any of you who are under me to be in trouble," I replied without looking at his face. I started slicing my pancake with the knife, and I hope no one noticed how my hands trembled.

He continued talking while I completely ignored him since I didn't want to start my day with another argument and opted to leave the dining hall at once after I finished eating breakfast.

I felt glad the day ended without complications, but I felt drained since I could not skip dinner this time, or else Nina would call my attention again.

She didn't reprimand me this morning for why I didn't eat supper with them last night but reminded me to be present during every meal since I am one of the supervisors.

Everyone was excited since we were having a barbecue dinner in the back garden, and I could see them wearing beautiful dresses, and it felt like we were having a real party. The kitchen staff, including some of the farmhands, set up long tables and chairs.

"Hey, why are you sitting here all alone? You can join us at the long table, Iza," Vince said after he found me on one of the patio chairs near the swimming pool.

"It is almost dinner time," he added, and I wanted to protest, but he already held my wrist and pulled me with him.

I was wearing jeans and a floral blouse, and it felt like I was the only one who didn't get the memo that the girls should be wearing a dress.

"Do you really like to be the center of attention, Iza? Is that really your forte?" Ethan asked before Vince could pull out a chair for me, and I wondered why Vince didn't say anything to him.

"I didn't plan on getting your attention, Mr. Vasquez," I responded in a hard tone.

"Well, you made Vince drag you to sit here with us, and you are wearing tight jeans that obviously caught all the attention of the male department." He stated, and I stiffened.

"You are trying your best to showcase your sexy body to everyone, but I tell you, Iza, no matter how you display yourself, you are still nothing, and I disagree with these boys for calling you hot and beautiful," Ethan added, and the girls laughed.

I wished to slap him in the face for saying those words to me, but I couldn't hurt anyone using force. Violence is a big no on Adriana's farm.

"Ethan, that is enough!" Vince said in a stern tone, and they looked at each other for a long time as the entire place turned quiet.

I could tell they were communicating through their eyes, and I wondered why it seemed like Ethan had power over Vince when he was only new here and the latter was the son of the farm's owner.

We ate in silence, and everyone could feel the tension in the air. And I swallowed my food without looking at anyone. I excused myself and left the garden quickly after I had eaten my dinner as they started talking and laughing again at my expense.

"Hey, did I disturb you?" Vince asked after I opened my bedroom door.

"No, I was only reading a book," I replied as I got out of my room.

"I am sorry about Ethan's behavior," he said, and I creased my forehead as I looked at him.

"Why are you asking sorry on his behalf, Vince?" I asked.

"Well, I felt responsible; Ethan is my best friend, Meliza." He responded, and my eyes widened in shock.

"You got to be kidding me," I mumbled.

"No, I am not, he is my best friend, and please, I ask you to broaden your understanding." He answered.

"I couldn't believe that jerk is your best friend, Vince," I said.

"Ethan is not that bad," he replied, and I laughed.

"How could you say that? You witnessed how he humiliated me in front of everyone, and now you are telling me he is not that bad? He is the worst

man I have ever met." I declared.

"I don't care if he will say I am ugly or he will target my physical appearance; what I don't like is the way he judged me like those girls. I have done nothing to him, Vince." I responded.

"You better stay away from him since you are too good to be his best friend," I added.

"I can't do that to him, believe me, Meliza. He is not what you think he was." He answered, and I shook my head.

"Whatever, that is your choice to be friends with someone like him. I didn't know what his deal was, I was only doing my job. If he doesn't want me to call his attention again, kindly advise your best friend to be responsible enough to do his job." I said.

"Don't worry, I will speak with him," he replied, giving me a weak smile.

"Are you okay?" He asked after a moment of silence.

"I am fine. I couldn't believe I gained another enemy this summer," I replied and sighed softly.

"I can assure you, Iza, Ethan is not your enemy." He responded, and I looked him in the eyes without saying anything since I didn't want to argue with him.

Vince left, and I got inside my room feeling more exhausted than I was and realized it was getting more challenging for me to do my job. And Ethan's words pierced my heart deeper than Nicole's insults.