Chapter One

It was a Sunday afternoon yet the sky was gloomy. The sun that’s supposed to dazzle is nowhere to be found and the cold breeze blew on my way.

I’ve watched the news last night, they said it will be a clear day today but the sky shows otherwise. We’ve decided to celebrate our friend’s birthday in the garden but we will have a hard time now that the rain threatens to pour down.

“Hey, can you help me decide which design suits the theme the most? I need to finish this before Unira arrives,” my friend uttered.

“Oh yeah, of course,” I answered and went to where she was.

My mind kept thinking about the sky outside that I didn’t hear Yukira asking me what she must design the cake. I was just worried our plan might fail due to the bad weather forming outside.

“Are you listening?” Yukira’s forehead creased when she saw me deep in thought.

“Ah yes, of course. I prefer that one,” I pointed at the picture that shows the different types of flowers.

She nod her head and starts designing the cake. She was the one who baked it by the request of our friend.

After waiting for a minute to see if she’s doing fine, I went outside to where the staffs are busy setting up the chairs and the tables. I helped them cover it with a white tablecloth and placed a vase of daisies on the middle of each table.

I heard Yukira called me from the inside of the house and I immediately went there.

“I forgot to buy the plastic spoons,” she grimaced.

I lend my hand. “Give me the money, I’ll buy it.”

“You don’t know this place. You might get lost.”

“Nope. I saw a store just a couple blocks away.”

She nod and reached to her pocket to give me the money. We only have half an hour to finish prepping the party that’s why I immediately took off.

I decided to just walk because it will cost me lots of money if I ride a taxi. Also, I am enjoying the view as I walked pass the tall trees, green grass and colorful flowers. The place is like a province, there’s not much houses that blocks the wide sky and there’s no pollution from the vehicles for it only has a couple who owns here.

After some time, I reached the store. I walked pass the temptations called foods and went to where the party stuffs are. I grabbed a couple bags of plastic spoons and left. I was trying so hard not to look and buy strawberry flavored gummies but I just can’t help myself.

I left after paying and started my walk on the way home. I was already far from the store when I felt a drop of water on my cheeks. And before I realize it, the rain poured.

I ran as fast as I could to find some house, store or anything I could shelter myself to prevent getting wet but the rain seems so mad. Before I knew it, I was soaking wet. I decided to just walk and feel the rain flow from my hair down my clothes. It was freezing but I can manage, I don’t have a choice.

I was busy swinging the plastic bag I'm holding and imagining I’m in a music video or something when someone bumped into me. I almost fall down and yet the guy didn’t even look back and apologize.

It was cold but I’m feeling hot-headed right now.

I threw the plastic I’m holding towards him and it was a head-shot. The guy annoyingly looked at me.

“What’s your problem, lady?” he hissed.

“You bumped into me.”

He raised his eyebrow. “So?”

“Apologize.”

“Why would I?”

I took a deep breath. Why is he so slow? Or is he just used to being rude?

“You bumped into me,” I repeated.

He rolled his eyes at me. “Fine, I’m sorry. Happy?”

I nod. “Okay, apology accepted.”

“I don’t care even if you don’t accept it.”

I walked towards him, he stilled. I bent down to pick up my belongings.

“I’m just going to get my things. I love my strawberry gummies.”

After that little incident, I continued walking despite him calling me. I don’t want to talk to him. I don’t talk to strangers except if it’s really important.

When I reached the house we rented for today’s party, Yukira’s eyes widened.

“What happened to you? You’re soaking wet!” she yelled.

I accepted the towel she gave me. “It’s pouring.”

“I know but why didn’t you call me? I can pick you up!”

“I know you’re busy here. I don’t want to bother you.”

“Still. You might get sick.”

I chuckled. “Stop scolding me. Don’t worry, I’ll take a shower.”

I went upstairs where the bedrooms are located. I took a bath, enjoying the warm water flowing down my body.

After taking a bath, I wore the simple yellow dress with a gray lining on both sides that I brought. After combing and drying my hair, I finished it with a scarlet ribbon that I wore as a headband.

I went downstairs and saw people mingling with each other. My eyes are looking for Unira which I saw talking with some of her classmates.

“Happy Birthday, Unira!” I greeted and hugged her.

She smiled at me, sweetly. “Thank you! I love the place and the decorations. You and Yukira really went all out.”

“Well, you deserved it.”

I let her go back talking to her classmates and went to the garden. The guests are admiring the view and they’re fascinated as much as I am. It was raining and yet it made the place more magical. The string lights hanged in the tents are like fireflies. It was dark because of the weather and yet the garden is glowing.

“Hikari! Over here!” a familiar voice called out.

I looked at where it came from and a smile instantly appeared from my lips when I saw him smiling widely.

“Hey,” I greeted when I reached their table.

“Hikari! The place is so magical, I love it!” Scarlet shrieked.

I laughed at her reaction. “You’re not overreacting again?”

“Of course not!” she shook her head and hugged me. “You outdone your last work again. I’m proud of you.”

While studying college, I took a part-time job to help me survive school. I’m taking Architecture for I want to be the one who designs my house someday. This job of mine also helps me prepare for my friends’ surprise birthday parties.

“It is really magical in here. Everyone is enjoying looking around even though it’s raining,” Yunho flashes his dazzling smile.

My mouth opened a little at the sight of him. My cheeks are starting to get red just by looking at him smiling at me.

I bit my lower lip and coughed. “O-oh, uhm, thank you.”

“Even Unira who’s picky loves it.”

Do you know the feeling when the guy you liked for years is head over heels over someone? Well, I hope not because it hurts so much. The pain is slowly killing my heart that yearned for his love.

We are not unaware of his feelings towards Unira. He’s been vocal and showy about it. He never smile, worry and take care of someone the way he does to her.

Unira’s my friend, I know she deserves Yunho. I’m not going to be a little evil witch who will poison them to not have a happy ending. I’m not bad. I want everyone to be happy even though that happiness includes me, getting hurt in the process.

I went back inside the house to get some foods. I’m starving. It’s already Five PM and I haven’t eaten yet since this morning. I was busy preparing for this party, I want it to be perfect.

“You’re really going back to Japan after graduation?” Yunho asked.

I nod my head. “Yeah. My parents are not getting any younger. They need someone to take care of them.”

Scarlet looked at me, worried. “But… they’re mad at you, right?”

“Yeah, but they needed my help.”

“What if they don’t want you there? What if they rather have someone to take care of them instead of you?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ll figure it out once it happens.”

They changed the topic after that conversation. I know they don’t want me to get hurt by thinking about it and I thank them for that. They’re the best friends indeed.

We continued our chit-chats when I heard Yukira called me. I excused myself for a while and went inside the house. She’s at the door, talking to someone.

“Why?”

She looked at me and pointed at the guy outside. “He’s looking for you.”

“Who? It’s not my birthday.”

Yukira shrugged and left me with her umbrella. I went outside the house and found a tall guy standing. I can’t see his face because his umbrella was blocking it.

“Who are you?”

He removed the umbrella from his face, only for me to find out he was the guy that bumped into me earlier.

“What do you need?”

I was puzzled. What is it that he wants from me? Is he gonna shoot me for bumping into him? But it was his fault!

He smirked. Well, he’s handsome, I’ll give it to him. I didn’t have the chance to look at him for long earlier.

“It was hard finding you,” he said. His voice is deep and yet, it sounds so sweet.

“I didn’t tell you to find me.”

He chuckled. “I just want to give this to you.”

He gave me a paper bag. I am eyeing him suspiciously but he’s not bothered. I peeked through the hole from the paper bag and my mouth watered when I saw a bunch of strawberry gummies.

“Why are you giving this to me?”

“Peace-offering. I just now realized it was rude of me not to say sorry after bumping into you.”

Is this guy for real? Is he that guilty that he bought gummies for me? Wow, my mind was blown.

“Oh, thank you but I can’t accept it. You already said sorry, it’s enough for me.”

He moved away when I started giving his gift back. “No, it’s for you. I won’t take no for an answer and I don’t eat strawberry flavored gummies. It’ll be wasted if you give it back.”

I looked at the strawberry flavored gummies in my hand. Oh no, they can’t be wasted. This little angels don’t deserve it.

I sighed in defeat. “Fine, thank you. I really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome, Hikari. Anyway, I gotta go now.”

I gulped. My name sounds good coming from him.

I nod and wave him goodbye. He stopped on his track after ten steps. He looked back at me and smiled.

“My name is Raui. Don’t forget that name.”