CHAPTER 2
I woke up to the blaring sound of my alarm clock on the bedside table, groggily hitting the snooze button before pulling the blanket over me. The chill in the air made it tempting to stay in bed a little longer. Just as I was dozing off, my phone rang loudly, jolting me awake. Terry's frantic voice pierced through the line, "Where the hell are you, Lara?!" It felt like she wanted to yell through the screen. "Lara, you're late again!" I hurriedly got up and headed to the bathroom, assuring Terry that I was on my way as I pretended to be driving. I cut the call short, quickly brushing my teeth, and was about to rush out when Mom called out, "Lara belle!" I rolled my eyes playfully, greeted her with a hug and a kiss, and explained that I was running late for school. I hopped into my car, started it quickly, and within less than ten minutes, I was in front of the school. "Gotcha!" I muttered, and the guard opened the gate for me. "Good morning, ma'am!" he greeted me. I just smiled at him and drove my car into the campus. Many heads turned as I drove past, the tires screeching on the road as I maneuvered the car towards the parking lot before turning off the engine. "Hey, there's Lara!" I overheard a group of guys say. "Wow, she's really beautiful," one of them added. That's how they looked at me, as if I should give each of them a bucket to catch their drooling. Because I'm Lara Belle Montellano, considered a goddess by all, for my beauty, intelligence, and sexy allure. I was met with envious stares from some girls standing in the corridor. I just ignored them. What's the point of paying attention to them? It will just ruin my day if I engage with them. I quickly entered our building and made my way to my classroom. But my feet stopped at the door when I realized that the class had already started. "Ms. Montellano, you're late again?!" our instructor scolded me. I just smiled sweetly at him and brushed some hair away from my face. I slowly walked towards him before speaking. "I'm very sorry, sir, it won't happen again," I murmured softly. He swallowed at my words, cleared his throat, and gestured for me to take my seat. "You're really something else, Lara," Japs whispered to me as I sat down. I just smiled at him and took out my notebook and pen. Clara, one of my seatmates, nudged me. "Have you heard?" "What?" I furrowed my brow. "The new transfer student is coming in, which means the famous vocalist from the Logistic Band will be our new classmate," she whispered. My eyes widened at her words, finding it hard to believe. Until I heard the class erupt in noise. My gaze was fixed at the door where the guy who sent a thousand volts through my body stood. The guy who has been the reason I wake up every day. I pinched my arm. If this was just a dream, I didn't want to wake up. But he's real, he's really here in our section. "You're late too, Mr. Del Torre!" Mr. Colminar's voice boomed through the class, silencing everyone. The guy didn't flinch and still stood confidently at the front of the room. "Introduce yourself to the class!" Mr. Colminar commanded authoritatively. I crossed my palms and placed them on my chest, still in disbelief. He cleared his throat and spoke. "I'm Rexon Del Torre. I'm your new classmate." He introduced himself before glancing out the window to avoid looking at those in front. “OMG, he's so handsome!" My flirty classmates couldn't help but exclaim. "Hi, I'm Karen!" one of my classmates introduced herself eagerly. I saw him grin at Karen's flirting eyes,, making her almost faint from excitement. "Quiet! Quiet class!" Mr. Colminar shouted, slamming his hand on his desk. The whole class fell silent out of fear. "Mr. Del Torre, you can sit next to Ms. Salamera." I couldn't help but feel rebellious since he wasn't seated right next to me where there was an available seat on my right. But it was fine as he was placed beside Candice, who is quiet and reserved. Perhaps he noticed that I was watching him, which made me flustered when he glanced back at me. I held my breath as our eyes met... My heart pounded strongly at his melting gaze. But it was fleeting, as his gaze quickly shifted back to the front. I felt like I was on cloud nine during those moments because of the excitement I felt. I never expected that my crush, Rexon Del Torre, would become my classmate.CHAPTER 3 Feeling annoyed, I slurped on the contents of the Slurpee I bought at 7/11 outside the campus while gazing at the vast field of Saint Carmen University this afternoon. "Go, Alex! You got this!" Terry shouted beside me, almost fainting from excitement as she watched the soccer game. I finished it off, straightened up, and sat back, gazing into the distance. "Oh!" I almost fell off my seat at her loud shout. "Terry, seriously, you startle me!" I irritably remarked. "Sorry, friend, Alex tripped. I hope he's okay," she said, mimicking her line. My God, after years of friendship, I knew this line by heart whenever we watched soccer practice at the university. She scowled at me before looking back at the field. I sighed heavily before returning to daydreaming, waiting for the boring game to end... If she weren't my best friend, I would've left her and gone home by now. "Yay! Alex, my love, you're amazing!" I covered my ears as her scream felt like it could sha
CHAPTER 4 As I walked through the corridor towards our building this morning, I noticed a group of guys hanging out along the way. Even from a distance, my attention was immediately drawn to the familiar figure among them. I observed as one of the guys nudged the person beside him, causing them to turn towards me, our eyes meeting. My heart pounded loudly as the scene with Karen in the utility room from yesterday suddenly replayed in my mind. Damn it! I averted my gaze and walked past them without acknowledging their presence. "Lara!" a guy I didn't recognize called out to me. I paused briefly as I saw him approaching me. "Uh, Lara—this is for you." He scratched his head while handing me a piece of paper. Reluctantly, I took it and continued walking towards my room. It wasn't new for me to receive love letters from suitors. However, none of them caught my interest. It's not that I'm picky, but none of them possessed what I was looking for in a man. Because at the mome
CHAPTER 5My hair was a mess due to the crowd eager to watch the practice. I pushed through, leading Clara and Japs by the hands, until we reached the front.I didn't care about the people I displaced as I pushed my way to the front, as all my attention was fixed on the stage and nothing else.It felt almost like a pre-concert event, but for them, having an audience during practice seemed normal.My heart raced as Rexon strummed the guitar to tune. The screams that erupted inside the covered gym were deafening.I gasped as he began playing the intro:Look at the starsLook how they shine for youand everything you doyeah, they were all yellowI came alongI wrote a song for youand all the things you doAnd it was all yellow..The screams around me grew louder, especially when he looked towards the audience as if searching for someone to sing to.I held my breath tightly as our eyes met..Your skin,Oh yeah, your skin and bonesturn into something beautifulyou knowyou know I love y
I quietly watched the Logistic Band perform by the other pool, still unable to shake off what Dawzon said."Girl, why are you so quiet?" Japs nudged me with his elbow.I shrugged, then glanced at Dawzon on the lanai on the second floor, talking to Christine. There seemed to be something more between them, judging by Christine's broad smile while conversing with him.I took the opportunity to observe him closely. Tall with flowing hair, not as fair as Rexon but rather of average complexion. He had a straight nose, rosy lips, a good physique, and carried himself in clothes that made him look like a model.His intense gazes seemed to draw me in, urging me to look at him even more.At one point, he turned to my direction, and I swallowed hard as our eyes locked without blinking.Finally, he raised an eyebrow and then subtly put his arm around Christine's waist, leaning in as if whispering something. I quickly looked away and focused my attention on Rexon as he continued singing.There was
"Dawzon." I was surprised by his actions, especially when his dark eyes descended to my parted lips. My nerves were on edge as he lifted his lips towards me."I'm glad you're okay now." His deep voice sent shivers down my spine like I've never felt before."Yeah.."Damn it, why was that all I could say? I should be angry with him for surprising me like that."Did I hear correctly that I was your first kiss?" He flashed me a wide smile.I swallowed hard at his words, then avoided his gaze. I wouldn't confess to him. Who did he think I was? So instead of answering, I just glared at him and pursed my lips, not giving him the satisfaction of a response."You didn't even bother to say thank you, did you? I saved your life, Belle," he said softly, with a hint of arrogance in his tone.He stepped back and straightened up in front of me.I observed him closely, realizing what he looked like up close. He was truly handsome, Lare Belle. No one could deny his good looks."If my brother had been
I woke up to a call from an unknown number, groggily answering it with my eyes half-closed."Hello?" I lazily said while yawning."Good morning, kissable lips." I immediately jolted awake upon hearing those words."Who is this?" I asked, my eyes widening, though I already had a good guess as to who was calling."My day is now complete after hearing your voice," I was taken aback by the certainty in his voice, sure to have a wide grin on his face as he spoke to me.I heard him breathe on the other end of the line, sending shivers down my spine."Dawzon.." I uttered, rolling my eyes and returning to lie down."So, when is our date?" he asked.I couldn't help but curse, sitting up again upon hearing that. Yes, I agreed to a date with him.I heard him chuckle lightly at my curse."Don't tell me you've already forgotten; I did you a favor, right?" I tightened my grip on my cellphone upon hearing his words. Now I regret agreeing to that date, especially since Dad hadn't even come home.I la
Until I lay down, I wasn't able to sleep after what happened with Dawzon earlier. I deeply regret agreeing to change clothes right in front of him.I looked up at the nightstand when I heard my cellphone ring.My heart was racing as I saw his familiar number. I covered myself with a blanket because I couldn't bring myself to answer the call.I feel embarrassed and unsure of how to face him tomorrow.Heavy eyes blinked open the next morning, feeling under the weather due to what I read yesterday. Nevertheless, I forced myself to get up, take a shower, and head downstairs for breakfast."Mom, what time did you come home last night?" I asked her as I ate the omelette she made."Maybe around ten, there was traffic in San Gabriel," she simply replied.I nodded at her and continued eating."Your car is already here, you can use it now," she said as he stood up to get some juice from the fridge.I bit my lip and nodded, feeling once again indebted to Dawzon for having my car fixed. Oh right,
While I couldn't help but watch them, I couldn't shake off the scene from yesterday with Dawzon in my room.I shook my head to clear my mind before deciding to enter our room."Lara, are you feeling better now?" Terry asked, concern evident on her face."I'm okay."I was distracted by the arrival of Rexon, who took his seat."Did you hear? Karen and Christine had a confrontation!" Japs, who was sitting beside me, shared."Really? What happened?" Terry quickly inquired."They had an argument, and get this, Papa Dawzon arrived like a Knight in shining armor, pulled Christine away," Japs said, gesturing with her hands as she recounted the scene."Really? That Karen will get from me!" Terry exclaimed."Let's not get involved," I intervened in Terry's plan."What were they fighting about?" she asked Japs."As usual, who else is the campus playboy? Dawzon!" Japs rolled her eyes.I adjusted my seat and pretended to be busy on my cell phone."That Karen is so flirtatious, she already has Dext
"I felt the tension between the two after he said that.Dawzon kept his gaze fixed on him. I also couldn't escape the tension in his jaw as he faced him."So it's nice seeing you back together, huh?" Drei said, glancing at me.Instead of responding, Dawzon emptied the contents of his glass."Drei, it's better not to talk about it right now." I restrained him."Why? I've done nothing." He signaled the passing waiter who brought him a wine glass, while Dawzon also grabbed another glass filled with wine."We're okay." I whispered to him."What? I can't hear you." He chuckled, leaning closer to me.I quickly avoided him after that. I didn't even glance to see Dawzon's reaction to what he did to me.I quickly took the wine glass and took a sip."It's been a year, I thought you were already separated?" He boldly said, which made me bow my head even more."It's our personal problem, just enjoy your drink." He raised his glass in front of him before drinking again. It's funny because the one
"The scene at the Coliseum was like a scene from a pin drop, especially when Rexon and the whole band came out to start their first song.The entire crowd fell silent as the song kicked in. I found myself singing along while others held up LED lights in the air.I sang with full force even though Dawzon was standing next to me, just wearing a polo shirt.The spotlight lit up after the first song, making the atmosphere even more lively.."Hello!" He shouted loudly into the mic."Hi!" We almost simultaneously replied.."Are you enjoying yourselves?" He asked."Yes!" I shouted with both hands in the air.He took a step back to signal Jeff, another guitarist, to start playing again.As he strummed the guitar once more, everyone fell silent again, I felt Dawzon's hand on my shoulder as his sibling sang.I didn't pay attention to that because I was carried away singing along with him.. I felt like he was taking me somewhere with his singing..Especially when the band went acoustic, he held
Dawzon's POV"I do not want to love her when it's easy, I want to love her when she's difficult." -- Piere Jenty.As the abundant water flowed down the faucet, I couldn't help but clench my fists, the rushing cold seemed to melt the warmth I had felt earlier.It's too late to regret what I'm doing, so I stopped. I don't want to hurt her further. I can't, but the mark I left will surely stain our relationship.I couldn't stop myself, so I punched the wall, feeling no pain as the blood flowed from my hand.. I chose to spend some time inside before deciding to go out.As much as possible, I didn't want to look at her, but I couldn't do it. So I stopped in front of her, peacefully sleeping, the pain of what I did still evident on her face and tears still glistening in her eyes..I gently wiped it away, so she wouldn't wake up."You're still the most beautiful girl I've known, you grew up like a fearless one, infrangible, tough and sturdy and I admire you for being brave for taking care of
"Who's Carlson?" I paused in my steps upon hearing his question.Does this mean he doesn't know we have a child? For Pete's sake, where has he been, not knowing about us?No one spoke, so I decided to walk my feet towards the back of the house to leave.Upon entering, I quickly went upstairs and bumped into Cherry, whom I immediately asked to come down.But before I could turn around to leave, Dawzon entered the room with darkened eyes.He was about to speak when he saw the child peacefully sleeping in the crib. He approached and observed for a few minutes."Who's the father?"I was taken aback by his question. I had to gather my thoughts before speaking."He is your--son." I quickly lowered my gaze as he suddenly faced me and pulled my hand out of the room.He took me to his office and paced in front of me."My son?" He said firmly, his voice low, as if digging into my soul."Yes, he's your son.." I said firmly."How did we have a child when you weren't pregnant when I left?" His eye
Two years later...I push the cart quietly as I browse through the shelves where the canned goods are, when my phone rings."Um..hello?""We're fine, we're just grocery shopping with Carl." I scratch my head as I talk on the phone."Stop being paranoid, Rex, it doesn't suit you." I roll my eyes as I push the cart, with my two-year-old son sitting in it."Alright, bye!" I quickly bid farewell before turning my eyeballs around before ending the call.I peek at my son, busy with the bottle of milk in his hand, looking up at me.I can't help but smile sweetly at him because he perfectly captures the image of his father.I gave birth to Carlson by cesarean section, as my eye slits didn't want to open wide enough, so they had to cut me open, even though I could have endured it, but Rexon decided to have me undergo a C-section to avoid any problems and to prevent me from further difficulty. So in the end, I couldn't do anything about it."Mom--" he says to me, handing me the bottle of milk.
"What the hell is happening here?" I spoke loudly to everyone."Please, Mrs. Del'torre, lower your voice," the Manager restrained me, looking at Dawzon and then at the others present.I took a deep breath before deciding to sit on the right side of Dawzon."We're not married," I said firmly to him, but my back quickly hit the office chair as whispers spread among the seated individuals."Please, Lara, don't bring our personal problems here." He rested both his elbows on the table and clasped his hands.I bit my lip, feeling embarrassed by my actions."So let's start," he said to recover.As the Sun Real representative spoke in the middle, I couldn't help but glance at Dawzon, who seemed to be playing with his swivel chair, pen on his lips.I glared at him sharply, but it seemed like he wasn't listening, instead, he was looking at me as if he was enjoying the situation.I quickly averted my gaze from him, feeling his piercing stare."Mrs. Del'torre." I snapped back to reality upon hear
"Have some water first," he handed me a glass of cold water."What happened? I'm even getting high blood pressure because of you!" Japs said to me. I had been crying non-stop since I arrived at his condo unit."Does your Mommy know about this?" He moved closer to me and placed his hand on my forehead.I shook my head repeatedly, not wanting to add to his pain when he finds out about Dawzon and me."You should talk about this first, you can't just leave like that," he rubbed my back.I just shook my head at him. We had nothing more to talk about because it was over between us, and we weren't really married."If I see that Isabelle, she'll be sorry!" He said through gritted teeth."Are you sure your marriage is fake?" I raised my eyes to him, feeling confused."Why don't you let him explain first, maybe he has a reason or what so ever," he suggested."I don't know, all I want now is to get away from him," I said firmly."What if you get pregnant?" I saw the concern on his face as I look
Sunday morning, I woke up feeling light. I took a shower and dressed in a simple loose shirt and shorts.I went downstairs to cook breakfast, although I only knew how to cook eggs and ham, sometimes just instant noodles. But I didn't hear any complaints from him.After toasting the loaf bread, I smiled as I laid it on the table. I even clapped my hands because I cooked everything nicely.I started cleaning the house, while Dawzon hadn't come down yet, so I had time to clean.I was sweating while wiping the figurines when I heard the doorbell.Out of curiosity, I immediately went out to check."Hi!" It greeted me cheerfully as it peeked through the gate railings.I paused for a moment to think. My feet automatically stepped closer to the gate to open it for him."Good morning, is Zon there?" It greeted me with a wide smile."Uh, yes, but he's still asleep," Did I sound unfriendly? It suddenly hesitated at my response.After recovering, he also visited my outfit and the sweat on my fore
"I woke up to the weight of his legs draped over me. Even his arm around my waist remained motionless."Oh my!" I attempted to sit up abruptly, but I was forced back down by his tight embrace."Hmm." That's all I heard from him as he nuzzled into my neck. I found myself inhaling deeply in response to the effect it had on me.I glanced at the alarm clock on the side table, it was past six o'clock."Dawzon, we're going to be late for school," I whispered to him, but I didn't hear any response from him."Dawzon!" I even tapped his arm, but he just snored again.So I gently removed his legs draped over mine and my stomach, slowly making my way to the bathroom to shower.The feeling of the cold water flowing over my body was refreshing. I couldn't help but smile when I remembered what happened last night. I wasn't too drunk, so everything was still clear to me, even the last words he said."I was startled when I remembered those words. I had no right to clarify that with him. Besides, I kn