Muscles THE ticking of the clock above my head felt unbearably intrusive. It had been two hours since I reluctantly woke up this morning. I went through my usual morning routine—taking a shower, brushing my teeth, running a comb through my long, lustrous black hair, and hastily throwing on the first article of clothing I could find in my suitcase. Instead of tending to my grumbling stomach, I tried to lull myself back to sleep. As I lay on the bed, I shifted uncomfortably, my hips aching from the constant readjustment in search of a position that could silence the hunger pangs. The emptiness in my belly was undeniable. I could almost envision the tantalizing sight of the steam rising from a bowl of delicious Arroz caldo, lovingly prepared by the jerk outside my room. The aroma of the fragrant chicken, ginger, and the hint of salt wafted through the air, tempting my senses. "Ah! Damn it!" I exclaimed, my frustration growing.I turned over, feeling a pang of self-pity. If only Fiore w
Cry and Pity I TURNED around and took a deep breath, trying to understand the unfamiliar emotions welling up inside me. As I searched for Xylon, I heard a sound coming from the kitchen and found him sitting in front of a steaming bowl of soup. His gaze met mine as he sensed my presence."I don't understand why some people waste their food," he remarked, beginning to scoop the spoon into the bowl. He glanced at me and continued, "I know you don't want to eat, so I'll finish this all by myself." Before taking a bite, he blew on the hot soup, closing his eyes and savoring each mouthful. "This tastes really good. Especially with the boiled eggs, sesame oil, and fried garlic," he added with a snort of satisfaction.Feeling disgusted, I walked towards the fridge to get some water. Cold water would temporarily satisfy my hunger and help calm my frustrated mind. "Ah... it's delicious..." he asserted, and I couldn't help but wonder why he was behaving this way. "Damn him! Why is he acting like
Satyr THE place appeared to be well over a decade old. The furniture surrounding me evoked images of ancient civilizations, resembling Egyptian paintings and sculptures. It felt as if I had been transported to a prehistoric era. I had once told Fiore that a long vacation here after our wedding would be nice, even if it meant not visiting the countries he had promised. We could have chosen to stay here for our honeymoon.But now, I no longer wished to be in this place. I yearned to escape from this situation. Despite its picturesque beauty, it felt empty, desolate, and shattered. This was far from the ideal vacation I had envisioned, or the flawless prenuptial retreat. Every corner of this place served as a painful reminder of him. It felt like a cage filled with misery.I needed to talk to Xylon. Perhaps he already knew a way for us to leave this place. Fiore had taken our only means of escape with him. We had driven here from Manila with his detestable buddy. How could we possibly re
Blu Ray disc I MOVED away to the far corner of the couch, stating firmly, "Don't come near me, you beast! I don't belong to you. I belong only to Fiore!"Xylon's smile immediately vanished, and he paused, staring at me. My heart raced uncontrollably, and I couldn't understand why. Part of me wanted to take back what I had said, but deep down, I knew it was the truth."What do you want to ask?" he suddenly became serious, and I cleared my throat."I want to find a way to get out of here.""You know we can't, unless Fiore comes back for us.""Then we have to figure out a solution.""I've tried, but we're in the middle of the forest. It would take days to reach the nearest shelter.""Call Fiore or anyone else to come here."I attempted to call Fiore, but to my dismay, he wasn't answering his phone. I didn't receive a single message from him either.I couldn't bring myself to tell Auntie Pat what had happened. It would only sadden and frustrate her. She had been my guardian ever since my
Thin Boxers FIVE days had passed, and it was hard to believe that I had been in this unfamiliar place for that long. I regretted not asking Fiore about the location before coming here. I had placed so much trust in him that I willingly agreed to accompany him without questioning anything. If only I had known where we were, perhaps I would have understood why the weather fluctuated between warm mornings and freezing evenings.Today, the sun was scorching hot, making me long for some fresh air outside. However, the intensity of the sun's heat felt like it could dissolve my skin.I also wanted to assist Xylon, who was constantly tidying up and organizing every little detail around me. He was taking care of everything, from cleaning and fixing things to cooking and carpentry, embodying all the qualities a woman looks for in a potential husband.I genuinely wanted to help him, but he didn't allow me to."Give me that broom. I'll do the sweeping," I said, snatching the broom from his grasp.
BookWHY is he modeling that underwear anyway? And why does it somehow affect me?The bound branches of wood almost fell directly at his feet when he saw me, specifically at the object I was holding in my hand."Sh*t! Why do you have that book with you? Are you reading that, Miranda?"My eyes darted to the book I was holding. I was kneeling in front of the center table where I had arranged the books. I froze and remained rooted in place when I read the title of the book in my hand.How to masturb*te?He extended his hand towards me and, like a flash of lightning, snatched the filthy thing from me.How did that book get here? The books I was sorting out were all about music, about how music becomes pleasurable as it stimulates the brain, not about how to stimulate private parts!"U-Uh, I don't know! I don't know why there's a book like that in here!" I pretended to be angry."Be honest, Softy. Are you masturbating?"I was stunned, and I know my face is very... very, very red right now.
Guilty THE pounding of my heart was unbearable. Its rhythm was so deafening that I couldn't hear anything else. Would I actually say yes? If I did, I would be indulging in another taste of him.Suddenly, a part of the book I had been holding slipped from my grasp, jolting me awake from my dazed state. We both gazed at the thick cover of the torn book, its pages falling apart."Sh*t!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with frustration. He snatched the book from my hand and swiftly stood up."This is my book! What have you done to it?" He desperately tried to gather the scattered pages from the floor, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't restore it to its original form.I could see the desperation etched on his face, and I recoiled as his glare intensified. "That's the last edition of Nikolai Medtner's 'Art of Music' from 1951. There are no more reprints available anywhere in the world! And you've torn it to pieces!"I had no idea that those music books belonged to Xylon. Just a mi
White Sauce XYLON had no intention of speaking to me. He was dining alone, distancing himself from our usual shared meals over the past few days. I suppose today was an exception.Fine, it was my fault. What could I do to make him forgive me? Damn him! If he wanted to give me the silent treatment, then so be it. After all, his teasing had become annoying.Frustration welled up inside me as I closed my eyes while passing by him, hoping for some sort of reaction. I grabbed a plate and sat in front of him. This was fine. No one would bother me now. I would wait until Fiore returned in two days to take me as his wife. I clung to hope.I focused on my food, pretending that Xylon was alone in this ancestral house. "Fine. Let's do this! This is a cold war!" I thought to myself.But he didn't even look at me. He carried on with his meal as if I were an invisible presence before him."Hey!" I tried to catch his attention to no avail. In an attempt to annoy him, I stuck out my tongue, but it h
The Shadow Has GoneI tapped Kiko on his back. He's in charge of the lights and sounds for tonight's Foundation day celebration."Dude, make sure I'm not getting involved with this!" he threatened me. "I don't want to be expelled. We're already graduating.""I'll take care of you. Just watch for my signal. You know what to do.""As long as you take care of my thesis.""I'll take care of it." We did a fist bump and then readied ourselves.‘You're crazy Xylon Diaz. They said that you were the notorious lady killer. Almost all girls are into you. What nonsense is this you're thinking? Over a girl, you didn't even know? Where's your charm, man?&r
I Love You"I love you.""What?" she looks fascinated."Jeg elsker dig... means I love you. I've always loved you, Miranda. You just didn't know, but there were so many times I wanted to snatch you away from Fiore. Every time I see you, I am so disgusted with myself. I wished I had confessed to you right away. I wished I was the one you had chosen. I wished I was the one who was there with you... I wished..." I was startled when I looked back at her. She's crying. "M-Mir...""I-I wish you're with me every time I remember the day of my parents' death. I wish you're the one I was talking to on the other line before I go to sleep at night. I wish Xyle... I wish you were my first boyfriend. My first date. My first kiss..."
The Meaning of the WordThe view of the orange sky covered the entire surrounding where we sat. The resort was still filled with guests, and the smell of freshly mowed lawn filled the air. I encircled Miranda with my arms as she leant on my shoulder. I couldn't possibly ask for anything more in this world right now."Are you tired?" I inquired of her."Yes, indeed. But it's all worthwhile, Xylon. I thought this would never happen.”I wrapped my two hands around her and hugged her tightly. "I had the same thought. You're so far away. Your eyes weren't looking at me."She let out a soft laugh. "You're wrong. Because you were so close at the time, my eyes became accustomed to your presence.
Granted Wish"F*ck, I am!"Xylon pulled my chin up, forcing me to look into his teary eyes. "Please don't let me repeat it, Softy. Allow me and I'll prove to you—"I didn't let him finish what he’s about to say. I tiptoed and kissed him on his lips. "Then start proving your love to me now," I demanded.I saw him bite his lip and he immediately complied by grabbing my ass with both of his hands and lifted me.The groaning sound of his piano spread throughout the entire room as he gently slammed me to sit on his keyboard.Xylon kissed me. Like he was thirsty for it. He touched me. Like his life depends on it. Unexplainable emotions overfl
I Will Love YouThough my tears were stubborn as they continued to fall down my cheeks, I still tried to control and wiped them using my fingers. My hands and my knees were shaking.I wanted to know if I was dreaming or I was just imagining. But I panicked when I saw Xylon step away as if he didn't notice me."What?!" I growled at him. "What, Xylon? You're going to leave? Huh?" I asked, trying to calm myself. "Don't turn your back on me! Why didn't you tell me about this house? Why did you lie?"I tried to approach him. But I could only take a step because my knees were still trembling."I could have escaped this place back then. You told me this was too far from f*cking civilizations! You tol
Leaving Her"That’s bullsh*t, Fiore!" I confronted him angrily. "Why don't you tell her directly? If you don't love her, then just set her free.""And disappoint my parents once again? My parents want me to only marry her. So I'm taking her back from you!""She's not a thing, Fiore!" I howled. I was running out of patience. "You asked me to let her fall for me—""I did! And you didn't win her at all. She still loves me, Xylon. You had your chance and you blew it all off."I was embarrassed by what he stressed out and I immediately fell silent. Everything wasn't enough for Miranda to also see me like the way she looks at Fiore. I could never change the shape of her heart.
Forgive Himself"Son, Fiore came by and brought his lawyer here."I was alarmed by what dad announced when I arrived home. I was gone for a week to complete all of the lines of my compositions."Dad, we've already discussed this." I looked at him seriously.My father is a jolly, upbeat sort of a person. But he seems to be having a hard time talking to me right now. I discerned this is going to be bad.“He requested that we sign a contract, which we did—""Why did you sign!" I raised my voice in panic. My hands landed on the table in front of the two of us. I couldn't contain the anger I was feeling inside me.
Seduce Her"Kuya Xylon!" Sheena hugged me as soon as I arrived at the district hospital."How's Mum?" I asked worriedly.Sheena told me that mum has to stay here for a few days. There was an intravenous attached to her hand when I entered her room. She was sedated. Exhaustion was noticeable on her hollow cheek."How are you son?” Dad patted me on the shoulder.“I’m okay, Dad. How did mum end up here?”“Son, your mother was unable to accept that our company has failed. In a week, the bank will confiscate all our assets."I frowned. "Dad, that's not possible. They should have
His Past"Congratulations, Xylon! You're the man, dude. You’ve beaten Ilarde again!" I dodged Kiko's blow. We’re in the same class in Earthquake Engineering."Dude, not only did Satyr beat Fiore. Do you remember way back before? Fiore was also considered by the principal to be the highest honours, but Xylon still reaped the award," Hamin said. He handed me a glass of speculoos beer."He also got Academic Excellence from DepEd, right? How could Fiore win over Xylon Diaz? Aside from being a babe magnet, he's equally talented." Peter tapped my shoulder, and I put down the glass of drink. "I heard your new composition was lined up under Nebula Records, ah! What the heck? You write songs. You sing. What else can you do, man? You can dig everything!"