It was very unusual for me to wake up on someone else's bed, with a strong set of arms wrapped around my naked body, possessively. Rupert Santos, the bad rockstar, was all over me. We were sharing the same sheets and his scent was all I could smell, his snoring against my ear was all I could hear, and the heat coming from his nakedness pressed against my back was all I could feel. I gasped before slowly removing his hug from me. He was sleeping like a baby, with that gigantic bulge poking my behind. Even asleep, he was insatiable. Rupert was not even shaken from his deep sleep when the bed sagged as I woke up. I sat on my side of the bed and then looked at the sleeping man beside me. I no longer made an effort to cover my naked body. Everything that happened last night were things I didn't know I would allow someone to do to my body and I would actually like and enjoy. I was blown away by the wind. Did I just admit that I enjoyed everything Rupert made my body ex
I thought Rupert would only surprise me last night but I was even more surprised when I saw him in the kitchen, already preparing breakfast. I just finished taking a shower and I thought I would still see him sleeping on the bed. But when I finished bathing, I found no one in bed sleeping. So I left the room and was immediately greeted by the fresh smell of fried rice being cooked. I followed the scent and that's when I found this guy, busy preparing our breakfast. And I was really stunned to see him in the kitchen. I blinked a few times while leaning on the kitchen door frame, watching Rupert working in the kitchen, oblivious of my presence. He was shirtless and only in his boxers while wearing an apron. From my place, I could perfectly see how his muscles on his shoulders and back contracted in every move he would make. It was pretty obvious that he was so used to working in the kitchen. There was no awkwardness on how he moved around. I, on the other hand, wa
"Time for your dessert, Sweetie." Then, Rupert stood in front of me right after feeding me. He turned my seat back on the table. Now, I have turned my back from the table while I face him. "I am the one who is going to eat my dessert but you look more excited than me," I pointed, giving him a suspicious look. He chuckled before he widened my legs and stood in between them. He took my right hand then brought it to his mouth. I immediately expelled a heavy breath when he kissed my palm while looking straight to my eyes. His gaze was covered with so much desire. My heart beat erratically on my chest, there were butterflies in my stomach and my body started burning with sensation and heat. "I want you to just feel me, Meredith. Just feel the pleasure," he put both of my hands on both sides of his hips, "and taste me." I didn't expect what he did next. He covered my eyes with his big right hand. Then, I felt him get closer to me and I had to widen my legs even mor
"Can you stay a little longer?" I was stunned from fixing my hair in front of the full-length mirror in Rupert’s bedroom. I looked at him lying on the bed while watching me. He was lying on his side, his elbow erect, his head resting on his hand. "Why?" Then, I looked back in the mirror. I even winced when I saw so many kiss marks on my neck again. "Must there be a reason?" I shook my head. "Everyone must have a reason. Nothing happens just because it's meant to happen. That's bullshit, Rupert." Rupert remained silent after what I said, so I didn't speak either. I focused on putting concealer on parts of my neck and arms where red marks were seen. I adjusted the strap of the halter dress I was wearing. I had no other clo
It was Tuesday and I was still not fit to really attend my classes today. However, I had a quiz with one of my majors then a debate on one of my Philo subjects. The middle of my thighs was still a bit sore and almost my whole neck had been covered with concealer to hide the red marks. It actually took me almost a lifetime to cover those marks! It would have been easy to cover up these marks if I wore a turtleneck shirt but the weather was too hot for such attire. In the end, I settled on a simple shirt and fitted jeans with a thick layer of concealer. My hair was in a high ponytail because it was hot today. I was a bit grumpy but it's not really my personality. So, yeah. I needed to put on a smile and be my usual jolly and direct bitch that I was. Before going to my first class, where a quiz is waiting for me, I first went to the small coffee shop of the university to get coffee. I didn't want to take my quiz for breakfast today. At least, a coffee could wipe out my g
After seeing Rupert at the cafe, we agreed to meet at the cafeteria later. I went straight to my majors after talking with him for a while. Then, this is it, my brain is all over the place because of the quiz I just finished. Not in the best mood, I went straight to my next class. My reasoning is low because of my quiz on the previous subject, so I'm not sure if I can hold the mock-up debate in the next class. I mean, why do those two subjects have to be in a row. My next class is Ethics; it is a GE or general elective which means all undergrad programs had to take it as part of their curriculum. In fact, I don't have to show off my grade here because it's just GE. The case is, I don't have that habit. I always give my best shot on whatever I do. Because if not, I should stop dreaming of becoming a lawyer. I grew up persistent and hardworking. And these characteristics of mine doubled after surviving cancer. I mean, I have no intention of ruining my second life.
"To end this class, let me put the morality of euthanasia in a context that you guys will relate to."Everyone's attention was focused on our professor. He was standing in the middle of the room. I was faking eye contact again; sort of still looking at my prof's face even though I could not see it clearly."May I have Miss Santiago?"Me? My professor turned to me. I hesitated to stand up. All eyes turned to me."Can you tell us what is your dream? What do you want to be?”"Lawyer," I was quick to answer.My professor nodded. I felt Cherry pat my hand because of my answer. Of course, she would definitely relate to me. We both wanted to become lawyers. She was just a little ah
"I didn't know you're a student here. But I’m more surprised that you're Bailey's best friend.""Yeah. How small this world we live in. I didn't know you're my schoolmate."“Bailey beat me up earlier,” Rupert said before showing me some bruises on his arm. "She was so angry." He chuckled.I winced, looking at his bruises. I smiled shyly at Rupert. "She's kinda overprotective of me. I'm sorry about that.""Nah. I deserve it. I took advantage of you that night. We did it again and again.” He tucked the loose strands of my hair behind my ear. “And yet I could still not get enough of you.”"That mouth of yours, Rupert!" I swatted his hand away before looking around. I even pointed the for
"Rupert?" I was stunned to see Rupert entering our bedroom. My eyebrows went up as soon as he finished closing the door, he next took off his necktie. "Aren't you on duty now in the emergency room, Dr. Santos?" I got up from lying down and sat on the end of the bed. It's already eight PM and my husband is in his second year residency— and he told me he was on duty in the emergency room of their hospital tonight. "I miss you, my dear wife." He then took off his long sleeves and dropped his hands on the button of his pants. "Emergency room isn't busy. Someone relieved me. Can you believe how lucky I am?" I chuckled, realizing how my husband never really wasted any time. I could hear the playfulness in his voice. The way he was walking slowly— very very slowly— towards me as if he was strip-teasing in front of me made me laugh so hard. "We’re too old to do that, Rupert!" I got up from the bed and approached him. I grinned when he cussed under his breath. I immediately knelt down in
"How are you? I hope you're doing fine there. Please, be happy wherever you are." I was standing beside Rupert as he talked to Ava. He was sitting on the grass opposite its tomb. After finding out that he was the same man I called an asshole a year ago, he asked me to stay for a while— because he was supposed to talk to Ava. And so, here we are. I was watching him as he talked to his first love. In my hand, I was holding a bunch of roses. "I want you to meet her." Rupert turned to look at me. I was not sure if he's grinning or what. But when he stood next to me and held my hand tightly, I couldn't help but smile. "She's Meredith Kaye Santiago, the woman I will marry and will spend the rest of my life with. Isn't she beautiful? She's also an inspiring woman and she's a fighter. I'm actually proud of her. I love her so much , Ava. " My mouth dropped open at what Rupert was saying. When he raised my hand and pointed at the ring on my finger as if showing it off to his first love mad
"Loving someone is a manifestation of human's vulnerability; the risk of hurting someone and being hurt by another person." I smiled before my eyes searched for Rupert's seat in the audience area. "We lost, we burned and we got hurt ... But we can't deny the fact that this abstract thing called love is the connection we need as a social being. Without love, this life will be meaningless. Without love, this world will be cruel. Without love, I wouldn't be able to stand on this stage and carry on in this debate. My love for debate is what kept me going and the love of the people around me is what motivated me to not surrender. " Love is being vulnerable. And although many of us get hurt after loving someone, "The important thing is the lessons we learned and the memories we had with the person who made us happy. So, it is still better to love even though you might lose. Because a quitter will never be a winner but a loser can eventually win. Same goes with love, to be brave is the only
Everyone was here. Everyone who was important to me came. My dad, Aunt Bernadeth, Bailey, Eian, Uncle Greg, Gelo and my debate team, my coaches and Rupert’s father. I was wearing a simple white dress reaching just above my knees. My long hair was falling freely behind my back. Rupert was wearing a simple all-white suit and I know he looked good in it. I looked at Rupert who was holding my hand. I smiled at him while tears were welling up in my eyes. I couldn't clearly see his face aside from the shiny metal ring on his lips. It's frustrating and ever since the wedding ceremony started, I keep wishing to see his face on this special moment. "Meredith Kaye Santiago," he slid the wedding ring on my finger, "you're so beautiful." I giggled. He was supposed to say his vow but here he was, complimenting me for the nth time. "Proceed to your vow, Mr. Santos. I'm quite tired," I murmured before winking at him. That's the truth. After the debate, I couldn’t deny how weak I was feeling n
I looked at Rupert who was sitting on the front seat of the audience area. Next to him were Bailey, Sir Romeo and Ma'am Juliet. On his lap was a large handbag full of my things; my lunch, some extra t-shirts, and medicines. He was in an unusually clean casual today— neat white polo with casual jeans and rubber shoes. His curly brown hair was put in a fixed brush up style.So I was no longer surprised that every woman we met entering the venue was attracted to him."Are you ready, Meredith?" Cherry asked me, holding my right arm to assist me.I chuckled before I freed myself from her hold. "I'm okay, Che. You don't have to worry.""But you had a nose bleed earlier. If you don't want Cherry to support you, let me," Minzy argued.I immediately shook my head. "Please don't treat me like a weak patient. I don't want to remember my condition on this important day."Cherry and Minzy were stunned. David put his arm around Minzy and ruffled her hair. "Let's focus on the competition. We have to
One year ago …"Congrats, Edith. A year has passed. I don't think you should worry anymore. Everything is going to be okay from here.”I looked at Bailey because of what she said. I nudged her side before getting off of the car's passenger seat. I turned around at the driver's seat and then peeked at the window. "Five years, Bailey. Eian said— I mean Dr. Baller, I have to be healthy for five years straight to say I don't really have cancer anymore," I reminded her before sighing a deep breath."One year was still a long time," she replied to me before patting my forehead. "It's not because the standards are five years to say you're cancer free, you're invalidating the one year you're healthy. You should be thankful for that."I frowned at her before playfully swatting her hand away which was patting me like a kid. "One year is only twenty percent of the five years. A lot more can happen. I still can't figure it out. My cancer can still come back.""Stop your negativity. You're ruining
"I have to undergo chemo and then surgery to remove my tumor. Then, I have to undergo radiotherapy after the surgery." "I will hold your hand throughout those treatments, Meredith. I will always be waiting for you outside the therapy room and the surgery room," he said, making me immediately smile even more. He interlaced our fingers together and then kissed the back of my hand. "After your treatment, we will have our church wedding." I took a deep breath. I needed to tell him. "My doctor suggested mastectomy." He stiffened. And that scared me. "My doctor said I am susceptible to the recurrence of my cancer because of my genes. He thinks mastectomy can be a help to free myself from the curse of cancer. Both of my breasts will be removed," I said without even blinking an eye. He was silent and the bitter feeling instantly caved in. He removed his head from leaning on my shoulder and he also let go of my hand. My eyes immediately stung. When he faced me, I was quick to lower my
"This is more emotionally and mentally difficult than what I thought. I cried a lot last night. It's hard to accept it. It's hard to believe it." I chuckled, placing my hand on top of the white marble. I traced her etched name on the surface as if I was touching her face. "Mom, do you think I can handle it again? Can I survive for the second time around? I am hurting Papa again."I sighed before a small smile returned to my lips. I was sitting on the grass, across from my mother’s grave. Yesterday, my biopsy result revealed that my cancer came back and I had to deal with it again. Rupert was there with me to receive the bad news. But I asked him to leave and give me my 'me' time to process everything."I met a guy, Ma. His name is Rupert. I've done a lot of crazy things with him and I'm sure you're going to scold me big time if you’re still here," I laughed at my own story. The first day I met Rupert came back. He was my definition of living freely back then. I took the risk with him
I slowly walked into the hospital church. I expected it but it still hurts. My biopsy results stated it was malignant and the stage of my cancer was in grade two or three. Further tests would be conducted to assess my cancer's grade. Eian suggested mastectomy again as my only way to free myself from the curse of cancer. I think that's what bugs me the most. Wasn’t it enough that I would go through the fight against cancer again? Why did I even have to remove my breasts? When I was in the first row of seats, my cellphone in my pocket vibrated. I checked it and my heart ached to see my Dad's name on the caller ID. "I'm sorry, Pa." I turned off my phone. Right now, I wanted to be alone first. I wanted to deal with the turmoil in my mind and the heavy pain in my heart by my own. I just wanted a time to accept my biopsy results. I sat on the empty pew in the second row and turned my gaze at the big cross in the middle of the church's altar. The hands on my lap turned into fists whi