***I could tell that Kane was angry with me since then. But he did not stop cooking breakfast for me or sending me to school. He just...did not talk to me unless it was necessary.This cold shoulder was making me uncomfortable and uneasy.I really don't understand why he was angry. Was it because I become noisy and interfered in his matters again?But I was giving him honest advice. Because anytime, Eduardo would fully trap Layla in his claws. And I am afraid he would never let her go.I gave him my concern despite saying things I don't really want to explicitly say. So why he should be angry at me?During this cold war, I attended school and work on comics at the same time while wondering about that question from time to time. I finished the draft of the first five chapters of Wayne's comics. When the weekend comes, I made an appointment with Wayne. But the problem was, who to bring with me.The last incident taught me a lesson to never bring down my guard. I should not be alone d
The two also saw us. Layla's eyes turned wide. She immediately hid the basket she was holding. "...."It's too late though. I saw it was full of art tools.But what does she need it for?"....You guys here?" Layla asked an obvious question. She also seemed to realize she asked something dumb so she changed her words, trying to explain. "My job is needing me to buy some art tools." She explained even though I am not asking yet.I glanced at Eduardo whose face was calm. The boss was standing beside her, what kind of job was she making up now?"I see. I am buying tools too. Are you guys about to leave?" I just let it go.Layla sighed in relief that I did not insist on exposing her lies. "We are done. But we can wait for you guys."This was good news. I don't need to bother Kane to wait for me anymore. I turned to Kane. "I'll be with Layla and Eduardo. If you have something to do, you can leave now.""I don't have anything to do."Did he wish to accompany us?Then leaned down on me and
Did what I ask for?My heart skipped a beat.What does he mean by that?An image of him hugging and kissing Layla came to mind.Did he really do that?!I looked at the text message. My blood turned cold.I told him to use a distraction that was equivalent to what was keeping Layla's mind to Eduardo. And that was to be intimate with Layla.But did Kane really do that?My fingers shook as I thought of the possibility that Kane and Layla were intimate now. A lot of images came into my mind that was so painful and hurtful for me to see.I took the glass that was intended for Paul to drink and drank it in one go.I felt the alcohol burn my throat and my stomach. But I couldn't care less. I wanted to numb myself and stop thinking about those images.This was what I suggested to him after all. I know that I would be bitter about it but I still chose to tell him.I am the one who caused this. I am the one who pushed him for it.The girls and Paul were shocked that I drank alcohol one after an
My alarm went off and the heaviness in my head worsened. I woke up feeling groggy and thirsty. I flail my arms around until I reached my phone. After I turned off the alarm, I tried to sit up but my head hurt so much and my body was heavy. My throat burned and I feel like vomiting. Enduring this nauseating feeling, I stand up to get some water. However, I stopped when I saw a glass of water on my bedside table.Without thinking much, I drank it.When the water quenched my thirst, I wondered if Layla had left this for me.Does she know that I drank myself to death?I don't remember putting water on my bedside table. Yesterday, I drank a whole bunch and--My eyes suddenly went wide.Suddenly, memories of the night came to my mind.I was bawling my eyes out as I drank alcohol like water. Then without any filter, I poured out my feelings and vent my frustration while badmouthing Kane.I covered my mouth in shock when I realized that I have said out loud the feelings that I never dared to
"Here, choose whatever you want."The food was actually good. Although they weren't up to par with the Michelin Starred Chefs, it was palatable and their desserts were delicious.They were also some art inhibits on the third floor. We left the place satisfied. Layla drove to another place. I could not help but ask her. "Aren't we going home?""It is my day off. I am not satisfied in just eating outside."I just let her bring me whatever place she wants. But then she brought me to shop.Seeing the mall in front of me, I suddenly want to back out."Actually, I am still having a terrible hangover. I am going to rest in the car.""No. We can't be alone." Agh. Right. I almost forgot about that."I just need a few clothes. Come on." Layla insisted.Layla then dragged me to some boutiques. I am quite stunned that she was actually checking some dresses. Most of the dresses here were above the knee and has some sleeves.Although it was not too conservative, for Layla who always showed a lot
It's been a long time since Layla and I have had some quality time like this. So she made the most of it. We bought ice cream while she rambled about her and Eduardo.Layla and I were picking up food from a street food stall as she speaks, "I am not sure about our relationship yet but he took me on a date last time. I think he would confess to me soon."I listened quietly.Eduardo's progress was smooth. But I am more curious about yesterday's event.I asked slowly, "How about yesterday? Did something happen yesterday?""Yesterday?" Layla recalled yesterday's event then she remembered something. She then punched me lightly on my shoulder. "You! Why did you run off yesterday? You left Kane and me!""..."I rubbed my shoulders. Although the punch was light, it still ache. "So did something happen?""What could possibly happen?" Then she stopped. She changed her words. "It's a secret.""..." So did something happen or not?I am really curious!"Why won't you tell me?""Because it is a sec
"Happy Birthday!"Gabrielle, Levi, Eduardo, the girls, Paul, Wayne, and Kane were wearing birthday caps as they greeted me with warm smiles.Gabrielle blew a trumpet toy while the girls scattered confetti in the air. Levi and Eduardo were holding a banner with 'Happy Birthday Stella' on it. While Paul and Wayne were holding pom poms and tambourines.At the center, Kane was holding a cake with '19' on it.I stared at them flabbergasted. Layla nudged at me. "We didn't forget! We are preparing to surprise you. Are you surprised?"I looked back at her in shock.I really did not expect this.So all this time...Layla was grinning ear to ear because she was looking forward to this?For a moment, embarrassment and shame appeared on my face.I am really such a fool. I was so blinded by jealousy that I did not notice some hint.Layla took me out to a place I would like while the others prepared for this party. They all did this for me.I was moved and ashamed at the same time."Make a wish an
The night was deep.It was early summer so the night sky was clear and there were a lot of stars tonight.The golden mansion's garden was quite big. The gardener gives a lot of care and thought to the landscape. There were flowers in bloom adding a refreshing fragrance to the air.I don't know who put those little lights in the garden, but the colorful lights added a beautiful romantic atmosphere and ambiguity to the air.Kane and I were walking silently in the garden. The awkwardness grew under this ambiguous atmosphere.Fortunately, Kane spoke. "You look beautiful in the dress.""...."But his word just made me more awkward!I could not help but put the unruly hair on the back of my ear. "...Not good as Layla." I muttered.Kane rose his brow and stared at me deeply. "I don't think so.""?""You and Layla have differences in charm," Kane added."Oh." For a moment, my heart skipped a beat there. I thought he was disagreeing with me when I said that I wasn't as good-looking as Layla. I
After listening for an hour, I came to believe that Kane did really visit me in those times as he told me some of the things he was concerned with. It seemed that he bottled it all up. Kane pouted, "When I came to visit you, aside from the first few times, you don't look like you missed me. You are happy with them. Especially with that person named Hugh. You are being too close to him. Are you sure he doesn't have a crush on you? Whenever your group hang out, he was always there." "Because he is part of the group. Don't worry about Hugh, I think he has a crush on Lilac." "Your dormitory friend? But they looked like they hate each other." "Didn't we also start that way?" Kane chuckled, "Right. It only changed when you played Cupid." I could not help but smile at the memory. Wait.... I slapped Kane's arm. "You are changing the topic. I am still angry at you." Although I said that, there was no really no anger in my heart anymore. I just wanted to make it difficult for Kane for
My consciousness started to stir as I felt someone wiping my face. The wet towel then wiped my neck, arms, and hands. Although I am already aware, my body was numb and I couldn't move. I wasn't in the mood to bother about it. The one who was wiping my hands and face was so gentle in his movements, that I slowly fell to sleep afterward.The grumbling in my stomach woke me up. But the dizziness made me groan.I felt a movement beside me. That person gently brushed the hair away from my face."Dizzy?" His gentle voice was familiar but the aching in my head made me muddle-headed to think bout it further.I muttered, "Head...hurts..."That person massaged my head and spoke in a low voice, "You should drink a hang-over medicine. Here...." That person's voice was low and magnetic. It calmed my heart immediately.With my eyes closed, the man lifted me up until I was able to sit up from the bed. The man grumbled as he helped me drink, "....Paul made me drink you again, right? That man never l
When I disappeared that year, the Cruz family suddenly break ties with the Golden Corp. Then they began attacking the Mckenzie family. There was a huge case involved regarding the murder of Mrs. Cruz. When I first heard about it, I was shocked. According to Denise, the Mckenzie family was behind the accident which caused Mrs. Cruz and the unborn child to die. I put the pieces together and understood why Uncle Tristan used such methods to threaten us. Although it was a bit unfair that I am the one receiving the scare of his threats, I still felt bad about it. It turned out that the Mckenzie was more disgusting than I thought. I don't want to admit that I came from that family. My parents were actually the person who caused so much pain to Kane's family. After knowing the truth, my anger towards Uncle Tristan and Kane dissipated a lot. I had become more obedient as a hostage which in return, Uncle Tristan gave me a bit more freedom. He allowed me to socialize here and let me meet m
Three years later.... Many friends and families of the graduates came to attend the graduation. I have become one of the elite students who graduated with flying colors. I looked around the hall looking for familiar figures. "Stella Mary, congratulations." My classmate, Hugh, with a thick Russian accent, came to congratulate me. He was one of the friends I made here at the university. "Thanks, Hugh. Did your family come?" "They will arrive later. You know how my family always comes late." I laughed at Hugh's answer. "Stella Mary! Congratulations! I know you will come out on top of your course!" One of my dorm mates, Jamie, hugged me. She put the flowers she brought into my hands. "Hey, don't huggle Stella on your own. My turn." Lilac, who came after Jamie, pushed the latter away and hugged me. Jamie and Lilac were both of my dorm mates for three years. We have become friends since then. It's been three years since I stayed at the university. I did not expect I would stay
Snow was falling. As far as my eyes can see, the whole world was covered in a white blanket. Just where the heck am I? Am I in the north pole? I was unconscious the whole time. When I woke up, I was already in this small villa where snow was constantly falling. I bet I am in another country. Because there was no way it was snowing in the middle of summer. And the mountain of snow outside the window just tells me that I am in a cold country where snow was falling for a long time now. I hugged the thick overcoat and felt saddened by the fact that I am a hostage. "Young Miss. The adviser is here." Adviser? I moved my wheelchair and went to the study room. Fortunately, these people did not mistreat me even though my status was a hostage. They provided me with everything I need like food and clothing. But I couldn't get my phone or tablet back. Any kind of communication was cut off. The only people who were allowed to talk to me were these guards. Because I know that it was Uncle Tr
Kane's eyes were bloodshot. "It is you who said to me that I should love only one woman who moved my heart. And it is Stella. I won't love anyone but her in this life. No matter if she was once a Mckenzie, I don't care. Even if you don't accept her, I will only love her. The Mckeznie? To hell with them. I don't care what you do to them. But you have to return Stella to me." Tristan's face turned dark as well. "You can love anyone but not her. She has a blood of a Mckenzie, a red-head-" "I don't care! I love her, Dad! To me, she is the woman I want to spend the rest of my life. If you can't accept that, then I won't force you. Just tell me where she is." "I can't. With her around, our fight with the Mckenzie will complicate you. You are already unstable. If she is by your side, it will affect your decision-" "I am not interested in fighting the Mckenzie. You can fight with them the way you want." "Kane...Are you saying you would rather choose that woman than our family?" Tristan
..... "Master, I have received a call from Young Master Kane. He is on his way here." The head butler came to report to Tristan. The head butler felt uncomfortable for lying to his young master. But he couldn't disobey his Master's orders. Tristan was standing on the window looking at the bright moon above. He did not react to the head butler's report and just continue to stare at the dark sky. When the head butler thought that he would be dismissed, the man asked. "Has she arrived safely?" The head butler bowed and answered, "Yes, Master. The people there called me a few minutes ago that they have arrived at their accommodations." "How long is it until her legs will heal?" "It's about a month, Master." "Don't let her come out of that place then. Watch her closely. If she ever made contact with my son, changed the address. I don't care which country she lives." The head butler hesitated a bit. "Master...I know I am going out of line by asking this, but is it really alright
"I don't believe it as well. So I dig deeper into this so we can prove that the Cruz empire is innocent. However...." "But what?" Kane asked in a heavy tone. "Things got more suspicious. The more I investigate the more I found their movement fit all the missing pieces in the puzzle. I think someone higher up in your company has control over all of this. " "...Send me the details." Kane was having difficulties accepting all of this. He wouldn't believe it as long as he see it with his own eyes. He could not accept that his own people would do this to the people close to him. A while later, he received an email from Eduardo. Kane printed all of them and was stunned when he read every page. If it was other people, they wouldn't be able to find out the involvement of Cruz Empire in this incident. They were meticulous enough and did not leave any traces. However, Eduardo was not an ordinary person. He has the means to dig up and his intelligence could find the minute flaws that the
They were the people who kept sending threats with fresh blood. They are the people who caused me to have an accident.Dread came to my whole being. I looked up at the thin middle-aged man with red eyes.Are they here to kill me?This was the first time I saw them in action. There was no doubt that they were here to harm me.I could not help but tear up.After battling with Mckenzie and persevering, I thought I could finally start a new life without being afraid anymore. But it looked like I could not do that anymore.I stared at the man with tears in my eyes, "Are you here to kill me then?"The thin middle-aged man just looked at me, "I want to. But if I do that, I am afraid it will drive my son insane. Like what happened to me."Huh?Son?Suddenly, the familiarity that kept nagging me found its missing piece. The deadpan face overlapped to the face of a handsome middle-aged gentleman."Uncle Tristan?" I asked in bewilderment."So you still recognize me, huh?"His words confirmed my