They say high school life is filled with happiness. This is what disrupts your quiet study. This is what becomes your inspiration to wake up early and prepare to go to school. It's where you experience the first sweetness of love and the first pain it can bring. You will laugh, you will feel the nervousness, you will feel shy, and you will cry. High school life was indeed one of the most memorable moments of your life. Because in this stage of our life, this is where it can all be started."I love you so much, Lexi Ann Castillon."Lexi smiled at the words of the young man who held her right hand tightly. It was lunch break, and they were just hanging out at the gymnasium. Lexi could also feel the stares of the surrounding students. Her boyfriend, Chase Grey Sandoval, was a varsity player and the school heartthrob, so she wasn't surprised that they were the center of attention. Who would have thought that someone like Chase would fall for someone like her?"Why do I feel like you’ve do
LEXI'S POV(8 years later)“Happy birthday, Lexi!”I just smiled when I saw Linda holding a small cake. She’s the nanny who raised me. She’s been doing this every year since I moved to my father’s house. She has been like a mother to me—taking care of me and the only one who showed me that I was accepted in this house.“Thank you, Linda,” I said happily.Aside from the cake, there was also breakfast on the side table next to me. Today was my 26th birthday, and I knew that it would feel like any other ordinary day. Only Linda was making me feel like this day was special.“What are your plans for today?” she asked.I gave a small smile. “Linda, I was going to tell you something, but please don’t tell anyone, okay?”“Of course! When have I ever broken your trust?” she said jokingly.I quickly nodded. I could only confide in Linda. She’s the only one I can trust with my secrets, and none of them have ever reached Papa or Aunt Minda. That’s why I trust her so much.“I’m planning to confess
LEXI' POVIt’s almost five o’clock. I’ve been feeling restless because, in just a little while, I will see James. I can’t explain how I feel. Maybe it’s because after eight years, here I am, ready to love again.“You’re nervous, Lexi.”I turned to Savina, who was holding a paper bag. She smiled and handed it to me, which I quickly accepted.“Happy birthday!” she cheerfully greeted me.Savina is my best friend from high school, and it seems like wherever I go, she’s always there too. We attended the same college, and, of course, we now work at the same company. The only difference is our department, so her office is a bit far from mine. The Marketing Department is on the 3rd floor, while the Financial Department is on the 6th floor. Since it was almost five o’clock, Savina came to visit me on my floor.“So, have you received flowers?” Savina asked curiously.I gave a faint smile. “No. Maybe whoever it is stopped sending them,” I replied.Every year on my birthday, someone sends me flow
LEXI'S POVIt was only six in the evening when I arrived at the restaurant. I made sure to come early. Linda was really worried about me, but I reassured her that I was fine. I still hadn’t told Savina what I had found out because I knew she would rush to confront James. I wanted to talk to James first. I wanted us to clear things up.I still made an effort to prepare for this dinner. I wore a peach-colored dress that was above the knee. I let my long hair down and applied a bit of makeup. I had planned to wear contact lenses, so I wouldn’t look like a nerd, but I was sure I would cry later. So I opted for my thick glasses instead. I’m still the nerd that everyone bullied back in high school. I guess I was just a fool to believe that James truly loved me.My thoughts were interrupted when my phone suddenly rang. It was Papa calling, so I quickly answered.“Hija, where are you?” he asked.“I’m just handling something, Papa,” I replied.“If you can make it to our dinner, please come. I’
Shiela's POV"Shiela, why don't you answer the call? It might be important."I glanced at Papa when he spoke. My phone had been vibrating for a while, but I had been trying to ignore it. I didn't expect him to notice it. We were already at the restaurant where I would meet the owner of the TAC Group of Companies."Is that call important? Maybe they're already here," Mama said, sounding worried.Knowing Mama, I knew she had also prepared for this evening. She had been insisting for a long time that Papa get acquainted with this prestigious family. Mama wants me to be matched with the eldest son of the family so that it would be easier for Papa to merge his company with theirs.At first, I didn’t want to go along with Mama’s plan, but eventually, I agreed. Honestly, their family is much wealthier than James'. Plus, I couldn't see myself falling in love with that man. I just used him to hurt Lexi, the woman who might take everything I have. I can't let that happen. I’m the only daughter
LEXI'S POVAfter I said everything I wanted to say to Chase, I just left him there in the restaurant. I let him pay for the food that he couldn’t even eat. That was my way of getting back at him for all the pain he caused me.Now, I’m just walking around the mall because I’m not ready to go home yet. I still can't face my very kind sister, Shiela. I’ll go home later when I know everyone is already asleep."Ma'am, your card is really declined."I glanced at the cashier of a well-known dress shop in the mall. I’m not the type of person who likes to eavesdrop, but I didn’t know why I was drawn to the woman wearing a simple t-shirt and shorts. I couldn’t see her face because her back was to me, and she was facing the cashier."Could you try again, please?" the woman said, almost in tears."I'm sorry, Ma'am. But I've already tried several times," the cashier hesitated, replying.I took my card out of my wallet and walked over to the two of them. I quickly handed the cashier my card."Here.
LEXI'S POV"Hey, you haven't told me what happened yesterday! Give me an update!" Savina asked excitedly.As usual, she visited me at my office since it was already five in the afternoon. I had been avoiding her all day because I wasn't in the mood to share yet. I was sure she'd go after James if I told her, and I wasn’t ready to talk about it yet."Let’s talk about it tomorrow, Sav. Okay?" I asked her. I tried to sound cheerful, hoping she wouldn’t notice that I was feeling down. I’d rather like she thought everything was fine with James so she wouldn’t press me further."That’s unfair! We agreed you'd tell me everything. And don’t smile, Lexi. I know you too well," she said sternly.I sighed. No matter how much I tried to pretend, I couldn’t hide the truth from my best friend."Sorry. I’m just not ready to talk yet," I admitted.Savina gave a small smile. "I know. But when you’re ready, just text or call me, okay? Right now, I’m already furious with James. As for him, we're not frie
LEXI'S POVI was really looking forward to the night being over, so when Audrey said she’d drive me to the restaurant, I didn’t hesitate. I just wanted this date to end, so I could go home and get some sleep.“My brother is not here yet. But you can wait here, right?” Chelsea said with a smile when we reached the table she had reserved.“How are you going to get home? You don’t have a car,” I said, remembering that she didn’t have one with her.“I’m fine, Lexi. Don’t worry about me. Just sit down and enjoy the night. Bye!”I couldn’t say anything more because Chelsea had already left. Her reserved table was in a VIP section with its own privacy. It was in a closed space, so besides the lack of people seeing us, no one would be able to hear our conversation.I didn’t ask Chelsea if I’d be waiting long for her brother. It was a blind date after all, and I was already here first. But this worked out better. Now I had a reason if Chelsea ever tried to set me up for another date. I really
FLASHBACKChase had just finished his meeting and was making his way back to his office when he noticed his mother, Anna, hastily walking through the hallway. She seemed anxious, looking around as if making sure no one was following her. His instincts kicked in, and without a second thought, he decided to trail her discreetly. To his surprise, she headed straight for the rooftop of the building."Hello. I need you to do something for me right now," he heard her say to someone over the phone.A few seconds of silence followed before Anna spoke again."Sneak into Chase's condo. Open the gas tank so that when Lexi gets home, it will explode on impact. That woman has to disappear—she’s a hindrance to all our plans. Make sure it looks like an accident. Do you understand?"Chase felt his blood run cold. He couldn’t listen any further. Without hesitation, he turned and rushed back to his office, locking the door behind him. With trembling hands, he dialed his wife's number."Lex, where are y
THIRD PERSON'S POV"Mama, have you heard the news? The building where Lexi and Chase live is on fire right now."A secret smile played on Minda’s lips as she listened to her daughter. She had long wished to remove her husband’s child from his past relationship. Now, she had finally executed her plan, ensuring that Lexi’s death would once again appear as an unfortunate accident."I don’t know how to feel, Mama. They say Lexi is trapped inside the building."Minda glanced at her daughter, slightly taken aback by the concern evident in her voice. That was not the reaction she had expected."Don't tell me you're worried about that woman?" she asked in disbelief."Mama, I despise her, but I’m thinking about Papa. As much as I hate to admit it, I know he’ll be devastated if Lexi is gone," Shiela answered somberly.She took a deep breath and approached her daughter, gently stroking her hair. "Hija, you need to think about yourself right now. That woman has been stealing everything that shoul
LEXI'S POV"Papa, your wish has finally come true. I am now the CEO of your company," I said with a smile, holding my father’s hand.He had been discharged from the hospital and was now recovering at home. I hired a private nurse to care for him and assigned Linda to watch over him as well. Secretly, I installed a CCTV camera in his room, so I could monitor him even when I wasn’t there. At first, Aunt Minda objected, but the doctor himself insisted that my father needed a nurse.Papa smiled at me, and even though he still couldn't speak, I knew he was happy with my news. I longed for the day he could talk again—I knew he had so much he wanted to tell me.Through the camera I had installed, I saw how my stepmother yelled at him, blaming him for why I was now the CEO. She even pointed a finger at him in anger, and it nearly shattered my heart. Thankfully, she didn’t physically hurt him—because if she had, I might not have been able to hold myself back. Despite everything, I knew there w
THIRD POVAfter the meeting, Minda and Shiela remained in the conference room. Both of them seethed with anger at the unexpected turn of events. Minda reread the documents confirming that Lexi was now the major shareholder of Castillon Corporation. No matter how many times she went through them, the contents remained legal and undeniable."You told me she wouldn’t be able to take Chase away from me, and I believed you. And now, Papa’s company belongs to her," Shiela stated, her voice devoid of emotion."I don’t know how this slipped past me. I worked so hard to convince the investors to sell me their shares," Minda muttered in frustration."Can’t you see it, Mama? My father entrusted the company to her on purpose," Shiela said, her voice trembling with unshed tears.Minda clenched her fists tightly. Perhaps her husband had long known about her affair and had taken steps to ensure this outcome before confronting her. She never thought she would be outmaneuvered like this."This is unac
LEXI'S POVAfter the meeting, I immediately stepped out of the conference room. The board had given the management a day to set up my office, so I could officially start at Castillon Corporation. Without wasting any time, I informed Chase that I was now the CEO of my father’s company. Just like me, I knew he was feeling a mix of happiness and fear—because this new role put my safety at even greater risk."Lexi, congratulations," Attorney Aranza said with a smile as we walked together.I returned with a small smile. "This wouldn't have been possible without you. Thank you for being one of the few people my father truly trusts.""I'm just doing my job as his lawyer… and as his friend," he replied with a reassuring nod."Lexi!"Attorney Aranza and I turned at the sound of my sister's voice. She was rushing toward me, her eyes burning with fury. Instinctively, Attorney Aranza moved in front of me, shielding me from her, which made me smirk."Attorney, I need to talk to my sister, not you,
LEXI'S POV"Are you ready?"I looked at Chase when he entered our room. Like me, he was already dressed for his meetings at their company. I, too, was ready because today was the board meeting to elect the new CEO of my father’s company. As the attorney mentioned yesterday, Aunt Minda was the one who called for the meeting, claiming that my father was no longer capable of running the company due to his condition. The thought of it made me even angrier at my stepmother. Her deception of my father had gone too far."I'm not sure if I can handle the responsibility, but I have to do this because my father’s hard work means a lot to him," I said seriously.My husband approached me and hugged me tightly. "Of course, you can do this, Lex," he reassured me."Would you help me? I need your expertise in managing a business," I asked sincerely. One of the reasons I found the courage to take on this role was knowing that he would guide me. He knew how to run a company."I got your back, always,"
LEXI'S POV"Where are you? You're not here at the hospital," Chase's voice greeted me the moment I answered his call.I let out a deep sigh. "I'm on my way back, but there's someone I need to talk to first. Do you have anything else scheduled?" I asked in return."I canceled my other appointments. Do you want me to go with you?" His voice carried a serious undertone."No, it's okay, Grey This won't take long. I'll be back soon.""Alright, be careful. Call me if you need anything. I love you, Baby.""I love you too, Grey."I ended the call and started driving. After my conversation with Gino, I received another call—this time from my father’s lawyer. He provided little detail, only emphasizing that our meeting was crucial and had to remain confidential. I had no clue what this was about, especially since this was the first time I would ever speak to him.The meeting place wasn’t far, and in less than thirty minutes, I arrived at an upscale restaurant with private VIP rooms. Attorney Ar
LEXI'S POVFor nearly two hours, I sat by my mother’s grave, lost in my thoughts. Eventually, my tears stopped falling on their own. I had also turned off my phone to keep anyone from disturbing me. I made sure to let Chase know that I was fine, so he wouldn’t worry. We both needed time and space to think. We had needed each other before, but for now, perhaps being apart was what we truly needed.I finally decided to stand up, brushing off the dirt from my clothes. I had to return to the hospital. My father needed me there.“I’ll visit again, Mama. I love you so much, and I miss you terribly.”I turned to leave, but in my absentmindedness, I failed to notice someone approaching. I only snapped back to reality when a firm, but gentle hand caught my arm.“Lexi.”I looked up and was momentarily startled. “Gino… It’s you.”Standing before me was Gino, Chase’s former teammate—the same man who had helped us when Shiela got drunk at the bar.“Yeah. I’ve been calling your name, but you seemed
LEXI'S POV"I don't know how to tell Papa and Chelsea about what I’ve discovered," Chase said in a low voice after recounting everything he had learned.I could no longer hold back my tears. Everything I had just found out was overwhelming, and I didn’t even know how to react. Papa had just woken up, but he still couldn't speak. He had no way of telling me what really caused his attack. I had no idea how much he knew about Aunt Minda.And now, I had learned that Chase’s stepmother was Aunt Minda’s lover and accomplice in the accident that killed my mother. If we could get the truck driver to testify, it would be enough to put Aunt Minda behind bars. But along with that would come the destruction of Chase’s family. And I didn’t know how Chelsea and Uncle Carlo would take it.I had no problem if my father’s family fell apart—he didn’t deserve someone like my stepmother. I wouldn’t hesitate to expose the whole truth to finally get justice for my mother. But Chase’s family was different.