Another victim The next morning, Lyndon drove me back to Arbor before he'd gone home to Baclayan as what he said last night. I didn't waste time and immediately prepared myself to school and let Gerard drove me to Argao where the campus is. And now, I was scorning while staring at my test papers. The result of the exam came out and I was not satisfied with it. Where did I go wrong? Is there a number I didn't answer? Or are there instructions I didn't follow in the test? I sighed. I did everything but why? Reun, my seatmate, came up to me and looked at the paper I was holding. "Oh. Just one more point and you'll pass, Larica," he said when he saw my score. I became more depressed. Yep. It would have been just one more point but it hasn't been given to me. Annoying! I looked at Reun badly. "Tell me, who checked it?" "Block D maybe." "Block D?" I frowned. My eyes squinted and I gasped. "I should ask the one who corrected it!" I yelled and even raised the examination paper. "Hey,
That was the last time I talked with Jamaica. When we sat in each other's class, we didn't pay attention. Although there were some group activities after a quiz, we're not fated to be groupmates so we couldn't talk either. I didn't mind it though. People like her who like to control the emotions of other people to gain advantage for themselves were not suited to be with me. Or so I thought... When the afternoon arrived, I went straight to the waiting shed opposite the University gate and waited for my pickup. But, I've been standing there for several hours but still no one came. I called Gerard but he told me he was still taking Mama to the fishing port in the city. "Just take the jeepney, Joy." I looked up at the dark sky. "But it's raining, Mom. I don't have an umbrella." I raised my free hand and caught the raindrops from the roof of the waiting shed. I sighed. "Just call Pipoy. He might have returned home to El Grande." "Alright, Mom." I hang up and dialed Mang Pipoy's nu
Stop courting I didn't say a word but Lyndon didn't plan to let me off the hook. "She's the girl I'm talking about," he said. Kervy was silent while my heart was beating loudly. I didn't want to let Kervy know that Lyndon has something to do with me nor let Lyndon know that Kervy's courting me. How I wish the two would never know each other because I'm ashamed. I was clearly taking advantage of Kervy and Lyndon's smart enough to figure it out soon. "I see," Kervy said after a few minutes. He even glanced at the rearview mirror to check on me. "Rishel's the girl I'm courting, cousin." Lyndon glanced at me and I looked away. I looked outside the window, overlooking the scenery while the car's traveling towards North. I was just surprised when Lyndon suddenly brought his mouth close to my ear and whispered. "You dare to play with my cousin, Miss Larica?" he asked. I bit my lower lip. I threw him a hateful glare which he generously accepted. My shame only deepened. "Shut up," I warne
Wrong call I sighed. I didn't pick up the phone because a guard already did that. "Just throw it away," I said as I entered the mansion. I lied down on the bed and thought of Lyndon's smiling face. Is that man happy that I cut ties with his cousin Kervy? My two eyebrows met. The next day, I entered the University for another set of exams. The result can be obtained on the same day so I got it by afternoon. When I receive the paper and saw the score, my eyebrow raised. "Eighty over hundred? From whom did you copy?" Reun asked suddenly when she glanced at my paper. I laughed at what she said and jokingly hit her on the arm. "You're really mean to me. I did study before exam, okay?" I said and rolled my eyes at her. "Study?" Her eyes narrowed, and she looked at me from head to toe. "Rishell, you're not the kind of person who reviews lessons." I looked at her for a few minutes before snorting. I don't really like to study lessons but since I failed the exam, I realized that I shoul
I haven't seen him for a few days but he looks different. He got a haircut. If before he looked like a domineering CEO, now he looks like a member of the military.It's good for him because he looks like a member of the AFP. I raised my eyebrows when I saw that his muscles were bulging because his clothes were so tight.But my eyes narrowed when I noticed that his forehead was slightly wrinkled while looking directly into my eyes. He doesn't seem to want to see me, huh? When I remembered what happened the last time we met, both of my cheeks suddenly warmed up. I looked away. I suddenly felt ashamed especially since I rejected Kervy less than a month ago."Oh, why do you look at me like that?" I asked annoyed. I folded my arms and glared at him.He looked at me from head to toe. "You don't mind if I see you like this, Larica?" He folded his arms so I frowned even more."I'm dressed nicely," I said.He looked me seriously in the eyes for a few seconds before the corner of his lips lifte
I couldn't save the merch I bought before. Fortunately, I hid the gifts from CLGF fans well so they were not burned along with the other merchs. Even though I wanted to stop the maids but I couldn't because Mama was there, looking like everyone's her enemy.I just sighed and looked at the dark sky.The wind was blowing hard and the rain was pouring heavily. I can almost feel the vibration in the handy umbrella I use. The field of the University is so wide that I have been having difficulty walking since the pathwalk is muddy. I'm afraid the doll shoes will get dirty and I'm going to receive another sermon at home.I shut my eyes and sigh again. The campus gate is still far away but the hem of my skirt is almost wet. I have no choice but to run to the campus gate. I don't mind about the splash of mud every time my shoes hit the wet ground."Here I come!" I whispered and took refuge in the waiting shed outside the campus gate. Finally arrived!I folded the umbrella and shook my skirt. M
"The next food ration is at twelve o'clock," he said. He placed the tray on the bedside table. "Do you need anything else?" he added.I shook my head and sighed. The wounds I got that night were painful even after I took painkillers. The nurse approached the bed and put a pillow on the headboard for me to lean on.I closed my eyes and asked. "Have you contacted my parents?""Not yet. But the department is trying to retrieve your cellphone data." He glanced at me for a moment. "You really don't memorize your parents' numbers?"I shook my head. But I stopped when I remembered something. "That friend of mine. I memorized his number.""Good." He picked up the pen and paper hanging at the foot of the bed. "Write the contact number and we'll tell your friend you're here.""Okay thank you."I accepted the paper and pen and wrote down Tiden's number. His number is the only thing I memorized on my contact list. Suddenly, I stopped writing for a moment. I missed Tiden who was so overprotective.
My parents and the officer who questioned me talked for a while. I didn't inquire about what they had discussed because I was busy listening to Tiden's stories. I just smiled as he talked about his experiences lately, especially the preparation for their upcoming concert in Bohol.After a while, the officer approached us. My parents weren't with him so I think they were busy talking to the doctor. The man closed his eyes. "Many crimes have occurred in the paddy field in Baranggay Masulob-on. Just last night, the precinct received a report. Two women were raped."I looked down. The truth is that I don't know why the officer was talking about that but I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that the police knew what was going on in that area. Fortunately, I ran away from the covered court last night and didn't let the drunk men lay their hands on me. I may have become a victim of evil intentions."What are your plans for the place, Sir?" I asked and played with my fingers."We'll continue o
I didn't give him a chance to swear on me. I quickly ended the call. But as I expected, my world would not be quiet because I received calls one after another from my parents, Lyndon, Tiden, and unknown numbers whose owner I did not know.I sighed and turned off the phone. I don't want to entertain their questions right now. I was not being irresponsible but I was tired of explaining over and over again. I know that they won't stop until they hear what they want to hear from me. I just want to give my full attention to Klo who is happily looking around the ocean park.I decided to take him to the famous tourist spot in the city with his nanny who is following behind us. I didn't worry that someone might recognize me because I wore a mask and a bullcap. Also, the park is underwater so the dim neon light is what lits up the place. People won't see clearly my facial features."Mom, a dolphin!" Klo happily pointed at the big dolphin that was swimming abov
My eyes narrowed and quickly called Lyndon. "Have you seen the news?" I asked."Yes. I have already ordered my staff to take care of it. Don't worry."Huh. He can take it down but people will still gossip in social media. What's the difference? I sighed and was about to hang up when he asked. "Where's my son?"That's when I remembered what we talked about at the restaurant. My vision darkened and I quickly ended the call. Rishel, why did you forget?I thought the issue would subside after a few days but a week has passed but my face is still in the headlines. Even the issues that caused me to flee the country have once again surfaced in the media. They also didn't miss the gigs I did with Vine and my idol days back then.I suspected at first that there was a hand moving the media but my suspicion deepened when information about me and Rei suddenly appeared. No one knows publicly about the relationship I had with that man so I know s
There was silence, and Lyndon cleared his throat. "When did you find out?"I clenched my fists and smiled wryly at him. "My son got his looks from you. Am I that stupid to not suspect? Also, you're too good to be true. Still wanting to marry a ruined woman?" I chuckled. "But even if I noticed it too late, I still want to ask why did you deceive me? Why did you make me believe you didn't know who you were? You made me look stupid, Lyndon!"He stared at me for a few seconds before looking away. "Do you have evidence that he is my child?"My eyes darkened at his question and I quickly took out the DNA result inside my handbag. I threw it right in his face. "I came home to the country just to see the results of the DNA test in person. Still wanna deny the truth?"After he read what was written, he took down the result and looked at me again. My mood only got worse when he didn't even say a word. "What? Are you not going to say anything?"
"Rishel, is there a problem? Lyndon told me you're ignoring him." Mama's eyebrows met. "Tell me what's wrong."I looked at Mama for a moment before looking back at the laptop on the center table and typing away. "I'm just busy, Ma. I'll call him next time," I said.Mama sighed. "That's what you always say. If you and Lyndon have a problem, talk about it. The wedding is next week and the engagement party will be held tomorrow. How will you treat your future husband if you don't get along?"I stopped typing and looked up at Mama. "We don't have a problem, Ma. Don't worry, I'll call him tomorrow.""You should, Rishel. You have been engaged for several years and you should make your relationship public, otherwise the board members will question your engagement to Lyndon."But I'm not ready to be tied to that man. I already knew he was Klo's father and he was certainly the one who bedded me that night, but why did he hide that truth from
After five years.It was sunny and clear that morning when I stepped off the plane from another country. But my eyebrows met when I saw a familiar face."Kervy? What are you doing here?" I wondered.It's been five years since I flew to another country. Now that the media was quiet, I decided to go home quietly. I just never thought that the last person I expected to see would stand in front of me.He didn't answer but looked at the boy standing in by my side. My grip on Klo's hand tightened and Kervy's eyes narrowed."Mommy? Who is he?" Klo asked.I looked down at Klo and smiled softly. "An old friend." I turned my attention back to Kervy. "If you don't need anything else, we'll go first."I was about to pass him but he caught my wrist. Looking up at him, I couldn't utter a word. It's been a few years since I last saw him, but nothing has changed in his appearance except that he has become more mature looking.
He looked dark but I knew his anger was not directed at me so I was relieved. "Thank goodness you're here!" I cheerfully said and sat down.He attended to me quickly. "Let's go," he said and picked me up in his arms.I screamed in shock and looked at his face very close. My heart beat fast and both cheeks got hot. I looked away when he looked at me."Where are you going to take me?" I asked.I noticed that he was careful when he walked to the fire exit with me in his arms. After a while, we got out of the building and the fresh night air gently hit my face. The tension in both my shoulders disappeared and I leaned my head on Lyndon's shoulder."Thank you," I whispered softly."What did he do to you?" he asked."I just passed out for two days.""Two days?" Lyndon's aura grew darker. "Rishel, you've been missing for two weeks! I can't find you." His jaw clenched. "And I will know that you're in the hospital?"
"Let's go!" I struggled in his grip but he was too strong. I glared at the face I once admired but now hate. "I regret idolizing you, Levi! I hate you! I hate you to death!"He stopped for a moment and narrowed his eyes as he stared intently at my face. My face paled when he looked at me like that and I tried to look away. But he didn't let me and held my chin to raise my face. I saw the strange smile on his lips again. "Even if you hate me, it doesn't change the fact that you are mine, Rishel," he whispered to me.My insides trembled when I heard that. Maybe it's because of the way he looked at me like a hungry monster looking at his food. Just now he gave me that kind of look that made my cold sweat trickled my back.I took a deep breath and bravely met his gaze. "You shot Papa. Didn't your conscience hurt that you also did to Papa what you did to Ariel in that night? Or do you really have no conscience, Levi?" His eyebrows met at w
My heart skipped a beat at what he said. I looked at him dumbfounded as he said what he knew about the incident involving Papa."The authorities found out that someone shot your father while he was buying something at a grocery store. The suspect's face was not clear on the CCTV footage but there were witnesses who witnessed the day your father was shot. They are pointing to Levitus suspects."My lips formed a line and stared at him. Is what he says true? He's not deceiving me, right?When he noticed that I didn't believe him, his eyebrows met. "If you ask those witnesses, you'll know the truth."My fist is clenched. "Did you bribe them?""Are you doubting my intentions?" he asked and raised an eyebrow."Yes," I answered him.The corner of his lips twitched and he laughed. I stared at him until the smile disappeared from his lips. Lyndon's eyes narrowed and he pulled out a photograph. When I looked at it, I frowned.
We stayed in the hospital for a week. After Papa was hospitalized, I just heard that Rei was charged with murder. Because the police saw him lying blind near Gerard's body. The murder weapon was also retrieved from the crime scene where his fingerprints were confirmed.I know that Lyndon used his influence because Topzan Entertainment, the company that was supposed to save Rei, was slowly losing money. Now Rei is now an outlaw and is permanently banished to prison."Mayor of the city?" I whispered as my eyes narrowed.Lyndon investigated Rei's background and found out that the Mayor of the city nineteen years ago was the one who adopted Rei and raised him abroad. It turned out that Rei was the Mayor's illegitimate child so the case subsided because the Mayor covered up the crime Rei had committed."You are also a witness to that crime, Rishel." The edge of his lips curved. "I can't help but think criminals enjoy it when you watch their crimes