Rafaella gasped as she turned to face the brave owner of the hand that had gripped hers, and in amazement, she let go of the umbrella she was clutching. Her eyes widened due to what she unintentionally ran into in those seconds. She said just one syllable, "A-Alexus. What are you doing here?" "Stopping you from your erratic action. Let's go," he said after he gave her a stern look as he stared back before turning around. He hurriedly moved out of the villa's front gate with her and placed his hand around her waist. When they were in the man's automobile, Alexus asked her angrily, "How can you be so impulsive as going to his house?" She took a deep breath, her voice dried from the shock before and raised her hand to tell the man to stop talking. She received a bottle of mineral water from Alexus in silence. After that, he removed his black coat. Rafaella took the bottle and hurriedly drank, staring at the man's dark figure. She eventually experienced calmness. She was startled wh
Rafaella didn't talk to him until they reached the Jones' residence. And Alexus deliberately parked his car in front of the gate of Rafaella's house."Don't go out," Rafaella stopped him as she left the vehicle. "There's no need for you to leave your car...""I know," he replied with a blank façade. "But I need to talk to your Mom..."Rafaella gasped as she felt alarmed by the man's statement. She looked at his face and shook her head."Alex, we're friends, aren't we?" She tried to be amiable. "Let's not make an issue of what I did today."Alexus just grinned."Please. Don't tell my Mom what I did today. You know my mother has a blood pressure issue."Alexus raised an eyebrow at what he heard. "You should have considered that before you planned to rush into Lombardi's home. You did the wrong action, Rafa."The corner of her lips twitched."Promise me that your audacity will never happen again, Rafaella." Once again, he reminded her.She felt disgusted with the man. "If you speak, you
Rafaella secretly cried in her room at what Alexus's girlfriend told her. She was hurt as she considered Alexus her best friend and closest to her heart. It was painful for her to accept what she found out. It was like crushing her feelings while furiously in rage like an erupting volcano for the man who misunderstood her being sweet to him. Flirting? Shame on you for thinking the worst, Alessandro Latimer! From now on, I don't want to see you ever again, nor do I want to talk to you. The hate-filled her mind. I was not wrong in my hunch that you suddenly changed after my Dad's passing away. But why now? How could you do this to me? I didn't expect that your friendship was only superficial. And all your good treatment towards me suddenly disappeared. But why? Was it all because you needed my father, and now that he was no longer around, you will disappear, too? Just like that? His opinion of her was just too much and quite embarrassing. And in her heart lived a great hatred for the
He responded, "No, Rafa," in a sober, chilly tone. "You should know I won't do that. Your tears would be the last thing I wanted to see from you." Rafaella gasped when she heard that lovely voice and covered her mouth with her hands. She suddenly became conscious of his speech pattern. His voice seemed to be emanating from his chest. Jeez! What the hell am I thinking? It's not like I've never heard his voice on the phone before. This is probably the result of intense thinking and dieting. She thought, cursing herself. What rubbish gets into my head? When she managed to respond, she scoffed, "Hmm... why does that sound new to me?" You enjoy watching me weep previously. He laughed and answered, "Well. If I recall well, that was before I joined the military. Have I ever brought you to tears since I returned four years ago?" Rafaella's eyes swiveled about. "I saw you were crying two weeks ago, but it wasn't my doing," he continued talking. "And I'm sorry what happened." She knew th
Rafaella inhaled profoundly and forced herself to hold back the tears that threatened to fall down her cheeks.She combed her younger sister's long wavy hair with her fingers as Cindy lay down and pillowed her thighs."Rafa...""Hmm...?""What if we ever part ways?" Cindy asked her with a frown."Oh, what the heck are you talking about?"She emphasized, "Just pretend...If that day comes, be strong and assist Mommy to be strong as I'll be as strong as I can. And try not to be sad, Rafa. I know deep inside you is a strong woman. And I rely on your instinct.""Of course," she said. That's what we ought to do.:Cindy regarded her and asked, "You promise that?""Yes, I guarantee that nobody will be able to bring the two of us down. But why are you talking this way?" Are you planning to leave us?""No. But just in case things happen, that's unavoidable. Be ready for the outcome just in case….""Hmm. I wouldn't say I like talking about parting. That's the sad part….""Yeah, you're right, but
"Why don't you come here and bring the pizza?" She offered, laughing. "I have many things to bring, so I need your help. So, it should be you to come here instead." Rafaella remarked, "Never mind the pizza. I'll try to console you right here. Watch for me. I'm going to the window." "You're crazy, woman," he said with laughter. "Console me, huh, but through the window as If I need one. Have mercy…" She tried to suppress her laughter so her sister's sleep would not be disturbed. "No, I can't. Through the window…." She insisted with that puckered mouth. Alexus stopped her, "No, hold on. Not the window; I have a better idea. Why don't you come over here? My idea is better than yours." "No. It's almost nine o'clock, and I'm too sluggish to leave." She realized she was making a lame excuse because they used to hang out even when it was late at night—sometimes, driving into town for something to eat. "I'm tired, too, with valid reason. I've done several things in the office, which mad
The shock in Alexus' eyes was also reflected in the contact of their lips. But when he heard the approaching footsteps of the familiar sound of shoes, he ultimately kissed Rafaella's lips. He felt the shock of the girl's reaction to his audacity. Alexus slowly lifted his face, and Rafaella's eyes widened as he could see the fear in her gaze. "Just nod whatever I have to say to her," he whispered as their lips parted. He didn't wait for Rafaella to answer. "Oh, Sandy! What are you doing here?" Alexus answered casually. His hand slipped on Rafaella's waist. He almost burst out laughing because he could feel the stiffening of Rafaella's body from what he had done. "H-how could you do this to me, kissing her!" "Why not, Sandy? What is it with you if I kiss her? She's my girlfriend already. Haven't you broken up with me so you can flirt with whoever you want? And Rafaella is my new girlfriend..." "You can't do this to me, Alex! I said we need breathing space." "Not for me, Sandy. I'm
When Alexus personally took Rafaella to their front door that evening, she could not sleep the entire time. And she remembered too well as she was about to get in last night, he clutched her hand, seemingly scared to let her go. He moistened her lips as he pressed them together, then walked away. Her eyes were following him as he left her stunned. He then waved at her while turning around. She entered after receiving his indication to do so. Since he had gotten to know him, that was the first time he had brought her to their door. She thought it was cute! A message from Alexus chimed as she got to her bed. Think of me before you go to sleep, it commanded. Rafaella had a restless night thinking about the whole thing in her head. It made her brain float until the breaking of dawn. It was the reason that she was still in bed at that moment. She stared blankly at the ceiling until a splitting headache hit her. When she heard someone knocking, she just ignored it. She felt weak to get