LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 15: An Enigma
Ethan's POV
"Do you know Meliza?" I asked Jonathan, and I could see his surprised and worried expression.
"Why do you ask about her?" He asked, looking at me sideways. We are both lying in our beds as we get ready for sleep.
"Nothing. I just heard her name; the girls talked about her in the kitchen when I drank water," I responded, omitting the fact that Nicole and her friends had warned me not to fall for her. I wished to laugh at them for thinking that way.
I would not fall in love with a farm girl. I have never dated someone from the lower class.
"Oh, I see, and what did they tell you?" He asked.
"That she has an angelic face, a beautiful girl," I replied without telling him the bad things I heard, and his facial expression changed as if I was talking nonsense.
"Those girls will never acknowledge Iza is beautiful because they are always envious of her," he responded.
"Oh, you like her," I teased him, and he looked at me with a solemn expression on his face.
"Of course, I like her a lot; all the boys here like Iza, only the girls hated her. She is different from everyone; she is beautiful and lovely. Those girls love making up stories to ruin Iza's reputation, and it broke her heart, but she wouldn't show it to anyone. She is brave and a fighter." he responded with a smile on her face. I could tell he was in love with her. I wrinkled my forehead as I looked at him.
"You said all the boys. Does that include Vince?"
"Yes, even the son of the owner of this farm like her a lot," Jonathan responded, and my curiosity heightened, but I couldn't believe they would be victims of her games.
"Is she that beautiful?" I asked.
"Yes, she is. Iza's beauty radiates effortlessly; she is a blend of features and energy that draws people in. Her eyes hold a spark, whether they're bright and playful or deep and soulful, speaking volumes without words. Her smile has the power to brighten even the dullest day." My roommate added, and it confirmed that he was crazy about this girl.
"She had turned into a beautiful woman, and I am sure you will like her too, and I am afraid she will fall for you. It only means we lost our chance with her forever." He continued, and I laughed.
"Ha! There were a lot of city girls who were more beautiful than those celebrities, but I wasn't interested in them. I don't think there's a woman out there who could make me say she is perfect for me. And I am telling you now, I am not like you; you are too weak to fall into her trap." I declared, and I could see the hurt on his face.
"Don't listen to those girls, Ethan; they made rumors to ruin Iza's reputation." He replied, and I could tell Jonathan was smitten by Meliza's, and I couldn't wait to ask Vince about her.
"Whatever, I am not interested in knowing this girl anyway, or any other girl for that matter," I responded and said good night to Jonathan before I switched off the side lamp on my side.
But her name kept popping into my head, and I wouldn't say I liked the idea that I hadn't seen her yet, but I couldn't stop thinking about her, and I found it hard to sleep as I tried to shut her name off my mind.
I quickly showered after waking up the following morning and hastily put on my clothes. I wasn't used to wearing brandless clothing, but I was not allowed to get inside my room and couldn't get my clothes.
I was forbidden to wear fancy clothes, so my cousin bought me the cheapest clothes he could find at the thrift store. At least I had my old jeans and favorite shirt.
I ran through the hallways and took the stairs two steps at a time since I was already late for breakfast. I felt relieved to reach the dining hall before they finished eating. I am late, but not so late that I can still eat breakfast.
I was starving and on my way to sit beside Vince when I heard Nina's voice. I tried my best to look calm, even if I felt humiliated for being reprimanded in front of my fellow workers.
The girls only giggled as they all looked at me with the same admiration, and they didn't mind Nina reprimanding me. I realized only one girl didn't raise her head and look at me.
I heard a new batch of part-timers had arrived yesterday. She got my full attention, and I didn't understand why I felt something before she raised her head and looked at me.
"Hey, you, Miss; my name is Ethan; what is your name?" I asked, and this was the first time I had made the first move on a girl.
The entire dining hall fell silent as they waited for her to say something, but she ignored me as she continued to eat her bread. When the girl sitting beside her nudged her elbow, that was the time she raised her head and looked at me.
Damn!
She is beautiful; her eyes are the most beautiful I have ever seen. Staring at her angelic face suddenly made my throat feel dry. Her voice sounded so sweet, but my entire body turned cold when she mentioned her name.
Why it has to be her?
I couldn't believe she was Meliza Lizondra, the young woman the girls talked about last night. I needed to stop myself from feeling this way because she was someone I should avoid, and I wanted to teach her a lesson she wouldn't forget.
I quickly averted her gaze and focused my attention on Jonathan and Vince as they conversed. I tried to interject in their conversation and did my best not to look at the young woman before me.
Jonathan wasn't lying when she described her. I couldn't stop myself from stealing glances at Meliza. And the moment she stood up from her seat, my heart skipped a bit as I realized how hot she looked and how gracefully she carried herself.
She doesn't look like someone who came from a low-income family because she acted as if she came from an elite society. I couldn't deny Jonathan was right when he described how beautiful she was, but seeing her in person made me realize Jonathan's description of Iza didn't give her beauty justice.
He forgot to mention she is hotter than those models in magazines. And I shook my head as I followed Nina to Adriana's hall. And when Iza was called to the front, I couldn't stop myself from checking her out.
Meliza had long, perfect legs and smooth porcelain skin. Her mesmerizing eyes made me lost in space, and I had to bite my lower lip to focus. I didn't smile as I looked at her. And I couldn't believe she was our supervisor. I could tell she was younger than I was.
I felt like a jerk. I promised not to show even a slight interest in her, but my stupid self wanted to know her more. Is it because I was curious about her for not showing interest in me?
I went straight to the stable and worked harder than I was expected to work. I wanted to forget the image of Meliza in my mind, and worst, she came to the stable to check my work. I ignored her presence as I continued to do my job, but I couldn't deny it, and I wouldn't say I liked the idea that she occupied my mind the entire day.
I didn't go to the dining hall during lunch, afraid I would see her again. I didn't want the girls to mock me and show it to my face they were right. I got smitten by her enthralling beauty, and I must deal with it before I make a fool of myself.
The day ended, and I was on my way to my room when one of the boys told me to come to the Supervisor's office.
It's just great! The last thing I want is to be alone with her. I couldn't believe Iza would call me at this hour. I didn't know if I would be happy or angry that she had to summon me to her office.
"Working time is over, and you could have told me what you wanted from me when you went to the stable this afternoon," I said as I stood before her table.
I held my breath as she looked at me with those irresistible green eyes.
"Nina said I can only talk to you after working hours. I understand you wanted to go to your room now. I feel the same way, too, but since you are under my supervision, I didn't have a choice but to call your attention." She responded with professionalism, and I felt like a fool as I stood there speechless, staring at her lovely face.
She was looking at my punch card, and I could see the disapproval on her beautiful face. And I don't know why I suddenly feel regretful. I didn't care before how many times I was late this week, but as I watched her stare at my punch card, I suddenly felt ashamed of myself.
"You can't be late tomorrow; you will be suspended or, worse, fired, " she said as she raised her head and looked at me again.
"I wondered why you are always late while staying here at the farm, " she added, and I wished to tell her I was not one of them. However, I was not allowed to tell anyone about my real identity, or my dad would get angry with me more.
"Don't worry; I won't be late tomorrow," I softly replied.
"Good. I hope I won't be calling your attention again, Ethan," she said as she handed me my punch card.
"Why?" I asked, and her face turned serious.
"Look, I know you are new here, but this farm is perfect and beautiful; why do you have to do something that could get you in trouble? I didn't include your drinking offense, but you can't drink inside your room. Liquor is not allowed here." She responded.
"You can drink alcohol outside during your day off or after your working hours, but be sure not to work drunk the following day. You are older than most of us; be a better example to everyone." She added, and I chuckled.
"You think you are perfect, Ms. Iza?" I asked mockingly.
"I didn't say I am perfect, Mr. Vasquez, but I tried my best to do my job well." She responded with pride.
"You don't need to be perfect to do your job, Ethan; just be yourself and always remember you are doing your job with a purpose, either it's for your personal growth or your family," Iza added.
"We all needed this job to survive, so we should love our job and do our best. You may go now." She continued and dismissed me, and I looked at her one more time before I left her office, feeling so defeated.
I hated that she insulted me, but she was right. I am here with a purpose, and I can't use her words against her. And I couldn't believe myself for admiring her dedication and for being so fascinated by her physical appearance.
I had seen beautiful women, and none of them made me feel this way, and Jonathan was right; there was something about Meliza I couldn't explain. I loathed myself for saying I would never get interested in someone like her.
She occupied my mind, and I didn't know how to stop myself since this was the first time I had experienced this kind of emotion. I hadn't met a girl who could move me like this; she is indeed an enigma to me.