NICHOLAS:School again.It went as usual, except for the part where I had to sit with Mrs. Crown to discuss my health and readiness to start classes. She went aboard to propose an excluded lesson if I am unable to take the presence of other students.I declined.Her grave concern explains the depth of Dr. Ray's report to her, and she continued her episodes of speeches, which gave me many analyses of what the doctor had said to her.I returned to class with the assurance that I am out of danger which I knew she had partially accepted. She, however, isn't the cut of my problem, catching up with the missed lessons is. It proved to be difficult. Although I don't care about them, I still need to maintain good grades.Wendy, on the other hand, cares a lot. He is a bright and attentive student, the best in class. That's why he is popular and desired by everyone. His both wealthy and brilliant nature tripled the bonuses for his lucky would-be-boyfriend, which everyone strives to become.He ha
Greg:"He's back!"The news spread like wildfire throughout the school. Nicholas had returned after two weeks and two days of absence. I kept count, yes, I stupidly did.While I was glad to see him back, it irked me to realize that I wasn't the only one eagerly awaiting his comeback.The students went into a frenzy upon hearing the announcement. Many of them rushed to the school perimeter to catch a glimpse of him.I could have joined them to watch his arrival, but Mr. Sam had driven us to school unusually early today, which meant Frederick and I were stuck in class while the prince returned."Hurry, we have to see him!"The students exclaimed, unabashed in their excitement. Without any hesitation, they dashed out of the classrooms.You see, we aren't stuck like I said. We could run out to see him too, but I dislike leaving my seat after morning assembly before the bell of class over, and Frederick has taken to my ideology.Despite the strong urge to join them, I remained seated, watch
NICHOLAS:Our eyes locked in the garden, oblivious to everyone else. He suddenly became the only thing that mattered before me, and with his perfect face, I don't mind holding him special forever.Something stirred deep within my heart, and I could feel it trembling with strange happiness at the sight of him again. I did miss him.He sat at a distance with his friend, whose gaze was also directed to me. Unfortunately for him, I do not see him.I focused on Greg Bolt, but the moment of intrigue passed quickly as he averted his gaze, making me notice Larozo jogging toward me.Larozo with timing has always been at odds and such a failure. Why did he have to show up now, when others are long done offering their "happy to see you back" remarks?"Sweetheart! How I've missed you," he sang, crossing his arm over my shoulder which I immediately shrugged off."Take it easy, Tiger. It's too soon for a fight, don't you think?" He backed away.Involuntarily, I glanced back at Greg, hoping he hadn'
WENDY:Colliding with Frederick on our way to the canteen left me speechless, and all the emotions I thought I had dealt with, came rushing in.We stood there, staring at each other, neither of us making a move to speak. I had so many things I wanted to say to him, so many questions to ask, but the words wouldn't come out of my mouth until Park had him out of my way."Lost your way, curly?" He harshly questioned, and I saw a hint of sadness in Frederick's eyes as he walked into the canteen, instantly breaking my heart."Why is he so stubborn? staring at you like that. Is he nuts or something?" Park exclaimed, his words unfair. I hated it, but I couldn't say anything to him. I only hastened into the canteen, leaving him behind to catch up.From my seat, I returned to look at Frederick who was seated alone. He struggled to keep his eyes away from me, but he couldn't. He kept stealing glances and I caught every single one of them because there was nowhere interesting to look at except at
GREG:My sleep was cut short by the rumbling in my belly. I had gone to bed without dinner, and neither James nor Granny seemed to care enough to call me out.It is a few minutes before 3 AM when I slip into my scuff slippers and walk down the passage to the kitchen. Everywhere is quiet except for Mr. Nazit and some of his subordinates, who are roaming around the house.Mr. Nazit nodded in acknowledgement as I descended the stairs. He is dressed casually, unlike his usual black coat and pants. One of his subordinates, also in pajamas, walked up to him and shuddered a few words to him.Mr. Nazit then began speaking into a wired pod fixed on his right ear as the subordinate stepped away.Looking at them dressed for sleep, I shook my head at their disregard for proper attire. It seemed unfair to wear sleepwear and still stay up all night. Maybe I am wrong, but the men I am staring at don't look like they have slept or are going to sleep anytime soon.A third person appeared from behind
GREG:Breakfast was a solitary and brief affair. I descended the stairs to find Mum at the table, and I informed her of my absence from school. It was important for her to notify the school and ensure that Mr. Sam didn't wait for me at the bus stop.Naturally, she demanded a reason for my absence. "I have some morning thing to do," I told her.She exchanged glances with Granny before granting my request. Her objections wouldn't have changed anything; informing her wasn't about seeking permission, but rather about keeping Mr. Sam moving."Good morning, Greg," Mr. Ben greeted me as I settled into the back seat of the tinted Mercedes. Despite his offer to drive me, I still worried about Rose. Lucky's address was several kilometers away, taking me first will cause a lateness for Rose."Good morning, Mr. Ben." I provided him with the location, and he added it to the GPS before starting the car. "Are you sure you'll be back in time for Rose?""I won't. Your mum will drive her today.""Did
NICHOLAS: "Can you help with the table over there?" Janie whispered nervously. I stared at her curiously and turned toward the direction she was nudging."Sorry. I can't attend to your ex today," I said, wiping the table I had just cleared the dishes used by some customers."You'd rather tell her to stop coming. She is making you uncomfortable with her unnecessary patronage or you guys should get back together already."It's been two weeks since I started working in her Mum's restaurant, and Janie and I strangely reached a great level of interaction in that little period of knowing each other.With her, I barely go frigid, maybe it is as a result of her orientation or for the crazy side in me thinking I've found Brenda in her. She is older and kind, the way Brenda was before she took off. Janie is a listener and an agile helper; because of that, I didn't experience any hard times doing my first life job. She is everywhere to assist with the biller and just everything. She freely ta
NICHOLAS:I woke up feeling reluctant to prepare for school. Wendy insisted we embark on the trip after the day's class. There is no skipping classes for him, therefore, we must remain some diligent rich kids until the end of each lesson.Going to school isn't the reason for my dormant reflexes, the trip is. I am nervous about the whole thing. I feel it is too expensive for me to be part of even when I am still looking forward to it.School went great. Park's excitement at the end of the day's class was childish and amusing. He danced all over as if the school management is taking all the whole expenses, whereas he has contributed forty-five percent of it. We are using his resort and the new private beach he heard of has been rented for the weekend on his pay."Not a chance! We can use my resort and the rooms, but not the beach. C'mon, we need to fun drive out of the city. There is no way we could do that if we remain stuck in my resort's hospitality." He said when Wendy demanded
Nicholas spent the entire night pleasing Greg and trying not to say anything that had Rahul in it. Greg refused to stop talking about it anyway. He complained about how Nicholas couldn’t stop looking at and admiring Rahul. “You should have hugged and kissed him since you missed him so much,” he nagged. “Babe, I can’t kiss and hug your brother’s boyfriend.” “What if he wasn’t my brother’s boyfriend?” “Then he wouldn’t have appeared to make my fiance so jealous.” “I am not jealous. I am angry!” “Why?” Greg rolled his eyes and thought of the reason he was angry, and when he couldn’t confirm any, he shook funnily, went into the bathroom, and banged the door. "My love..." Nicholas knocked at the door. "Let me join you, okay?" "Go away, and prepare the couch! You will sleep there tonight!" "Sweedy..." "Two nights!" Nicholas couldn’t raise the topic of their tomorrow's supposed wedding. Instead, he waited for weeks until Greg came to terms that Rahul would only be his
GREG: “Attention, ladies and gentlemen,” Nicholas’ voice erupted through the speakers and everyone unleashed their attention to him. “Thank you." “What is he doing?” I asked Frederick. “I hope it is not what I am thinking.” “My name is Nicholas,” he echoed. “Ehh, I am not a public talker; stage fright is real, so please, reduce the attentiveness.” Everyone laughed at his silly humor. “It is happening,” Frederick blurted out. “Yeah, and it is going to be fun.” “Greg…" “Just listen.” Damn it! Frederick is disturbing. “First, I want to thank Mrs. Crown, Mrs. Freyet, Mr. Sam. Ms. Cecilia, Janie, and everyone for coming out today to celebrate the graduates. And congratulations to you all in that deserving gown; you did it!” The graduates cheered and clapped, including me. “Are you seriously clapping?” Frederick asked. “I am a graduate, Freddie.” I twisted to face him. “Okay, what is it?” “We should stop him.” “Why? he is doing fine.” “Wendy said something
GREG: Time flies. A two-week stay-in vacation came and ended in a day. I rolled on every day wishing it would last a lifetime, yet, it didn’t. Each day with Nicholas is an unforgettable experience, and it hurts to see it over. It is alright, I will ask him to marry me. I am graduating soon and will propose then; waiting a few more days to own him forever won’t hurt too much. Nicholas is everything but the one to ask me to marry him. I have insisted on not moving in with him until we are married in the guise of knotting and pushing up his actions, but nothing has happened. He thinks it doesn’t matter. I spend nearly every day with him; what difference does it make? But I want it official. I am dying to upgrade from the boyfriend title, and it is clear the manifestation is my call. I make huge proposals in our relationship anyway; I asked him to be my boyfriend, and since he is waiting I ask him to marry me as well; I will. And I will do it before everyone. Meanwhile, I need t
(FOUR YEARS LATER) NICHOLAS: “You ditched me.” Greg cried. “Is that even possible?” I missed his calls in an early queue for coffee. Getting back to the car, and seeing the notification, I decided to call him after dealing with the morning rush, but here I am, facing a trial of loving him less. “How do you explain missing my calls and still breathing fine?” “I didn’t survive. You are talking to my ghost.” “No jokes.” “Sweedy…” “You do care only about your clinic.” “Tell me to close down this fuvking clinic and I will. Just a word and it is over.” He chuckled at the other end of the phone. “No more fuvking word, Babe.” “I am fuvking trying.” “Fuvking try harder.” I laugh out loud, having a few nurses turn to me in admiration. I am a dentist, a successful one, in my magnificent clinic. I owe this achievement to the Waldeens and Lansey, who have in the past years, become a bosom friend. Despite returning to his country, we kept the communication nourished. My clinic didn’
GREG: Preparation for Granny's late husband’s memorial went on. Since I didn't intend to embark on the trip, Mr. Ben would drive her to the countryside and return to the city. “He should stay all through, Dad.” I pleaded. I couldn’t have her alone in her home. With Nicholas in the city, attending his therapy, and Elena living with the doctors, Granny will have her enormous yard lonely and deserted. “Ben will be needed.” The last trip kept Mr. Ben in the countryside, and whereby I decided to use this holiday for a personal plot, Dad saw no reason Mr. Ben should stay back. “It is a remote area, Dad. Please, she shouldn’t be alone.” “Jerome would be helpful.” “But…” “Assign more help to her.” “Thank you.” I let it be. I comprehend Dad’s choices. Mr. Ben remains his most trusted and cherished driver; sharing him was for me. Dad also knows Mr. Ben has been more than a driver, and for such development, he’d prefer he patrol within my reach rather than away. Jerome dro
NICHOLAS: My joy was evident. It had me doing extraordinary things. I wrote beyond the class lessons and every read textbook and marked my final paper as the best. Last night created that effect; having accessed Greg’s hole more than I hoped for was a grand experience — He was nothing like my past encounters. In addition to the news about Elena, my spirit elevated and circulated the air. Wendy and Park caught up on it and offered to join my visit to her. Greg climbed behind me, with Park and Frederick riding in Wendy’s car, we went to the hospital at the end of the examination. Everyone abandoned the students’ celebration to partake in my life. They chose to participate only in tomorrow’s graduation ceremony for the call to see Elena. We arrived at the hospital, eyes on us. Neatly uniformed D’caprias representatives alongside Greg Waldeen, is a topic and rouse. We got into the exclusive elevator together, against everyone’s curiosity, and ascended to the twelfth floor of the hospi
GREG: “Right now?!” “Hmmm." “We can stay here.” “Do you not want me in your room?” How do I explain his photos on my wall and every corner of my room? “I…” “We can stay here,” he said sadly. “Can I use the bathroom? Your father made me sweaty.” He tried to joke and appear cool, but I saw his disappointment. “I have a towel in my room. Would you like to use it?” “Yes, please.” That is it! Nothing beyond existence can happen. Finding out my obsession will only give me a moment of embarrassment. I turned to Nicholas and tried to warn him again. “Come on, Greg, open the door already.” “You must promise not to laugh or make a mock of me.” “What do you have in there? Nude postcards?” I opened the door to him and as Nicholas saw himself all over my life, he stood speechless. I knew it! He would see me as creepy and obsessive. He walked into the room, looking at the pictures with wide eyes and a mix of admiration. “Say something.” He ogled at me and went
NICHOLAS: My face bleached at the curt reflection of sunlight, and I put out an arm for a shade, yawned, and rose from the pillow. “Arise and Shrink!” Park came loud and disturbing. He lifted the curtains to my face. I didn’t see but could hear in his voice all he had done. “Damn it…” I groaned and held my head from collapsing as I tried to open my eyes but felt them heavy. “Do you need some water?” Park isn’t asking out of care. He is threatening. He is ready to assist my waking with a bowl of water, and if I do not kick out this dizziness, I will have myself drenched and dripping. “Are you alright?” Wendy resonated deeper and consoling yet I was unimpressed. His voice lifted my drowsiness; I opened my eyes to him, leaning against the wall with arms and legs crossed, doubling my incertitude. “What is happening?” I stretched for better sight. “What is this ambush all about?” “Do you feel better?” “Why? Is something wrong with me?” I remember nothing except getti
GREG: Nothing is more satisfying than having Nicholas with me. He has proven his repentance, and if I were to choose, I see no reason for any discussion. All I want is to get back with him. Bringing him to school is secondary; I am not ashamed to voice it. “Where are we going?” I asked as we left the elevator to the building's car park. I know where we should go. We should be in his apartment, making up for the days apart rather than doing a bulky head of talk. “Anywhere.” He said. “Are you sure I can choose?” We indeed needed to talk. But that doesn’t mean we can’t after what I had in mind. If only he agrees I decide, I will lead us to a perfect location. “Greg, please.” Too bad, Nicholas is having it grim and strict. “Okay, serious head, we can drive to D’caprias if all you want to be is focused and determined.” “Shit!” He exclaimed and turned to me in horror. “Stop the car!” “What?!” “Pull over.” “What now?” I pulled to a pathway and Nicholas loosened his seat belt. “W