I couldn’t remember what happened yesterday.When I woke up, the first thing that registered to me was pain. Excruciating pain in my head that has been throbbing until now.Then enters nausea, the worst kind. How do I describe it? I feel like bile is stuck in my throat but it isn’t actually there. But at the same time, I feel my stomach grumbling, reminding me to eat. Wait, have I eaten anything yesterday?Now I feel really thirsty. I groan as I slowly get up from my bed, the bright light illuminates the sky which is a rare sight especially during autumn, so I cover my eyes with my hand. Slowly, I get out of my bed, trying to find my phone on my bed. Then when I look at my own clothes which were from last night's clothes, my eyes widen.Wait, why haven’t I changed clothes last night? I always make sure to wear my pajamas before going to bed.“Ugh,” I groan again as I massage my temples. I think I need some water, first. And hopefully, something to eat. I thought to myse
Once I am completely feeling better after one or two smoothies, Luca explains to me the events that happened last night. After everything finally sinks in, I try to cover my face behind the loveseat cushions, realizing that all the things I said and had done were unforgivable and that he has every right to throw me in the sea of sharks.“What are you talking about? You seriously thought that I could kill someone, huh?” his voice doesn’t sound forced or even with any intentions of coercion. In fact, I just realize that I’m now talking to Luca who is finally released from the burden of his own pride.“A-at first, yeah.”“Well, if throwing you to the sea of sharks will make you happy, I could arrange that.” If it weren’t for the glint of amusement showing in his face, I would have thought that he was serious.“No, thank you. I’d rather write 5,000-word essays instead,” I quickly answer. I value my life, after all.“Then, brace yourself, because I’m going to tutor in my free tim
Honestly, yesterday I regretted it.It was a spur of the moment, really. When I decided to tease her after she made a friendly innocent proposal yesterday, a part of me was thinking, I wanted to see a different reaction from her.And I achieved it. When she suddenly became riled up, I couldn’t help but to laugh at my little success.Then I slipped out the words that had been in my mind.“Sure, I would love to date you.”At that moment, I immediately knew that messed up. I hastily added that it was a joke while I tried my best to find an excuse to end the call without making it more suspicious.Nina may not have realized it but she is very perceptive.So, I made a stupid act and hang up. After ending the call, I slumped down on my chair as I banged my head on the table.That was another stupid move of mine as the impact inflicted another sting of pain from my broken nose.“Ah, shit…” I groaned.Thankfully, Mrs. Cathillin was out to buy us some dinner, a generous gesture
“And just like that, you are now buddies with Luca?” Gene, who has been silent when I explained all the details to him, says with his usual monotonous voice.“Yeah, it all takes one alcohol.” I laugh, sheepishly.“One? You mentioned that there were more than five mugs of beer.”“Ah, r-right.”“That’s good, I mean with you and Luca. I’m glad that you patched things up.” Gene doesn’t sound enthusiastic or dumbfounded, in fact, his voice especially if I couldn’t see him is quite a challenge for me. Sometimes, I wish Gene couldn’t be so cryptic.“Now, you don’t need to worry anymore, Nina. You can finally graduate your final school year in peace.”“Y-yeah about that…” I sigh. “I got a zero and Luca insisted that he would be my tutor starting this weekend.”And by the weekend, I meant tomorrow. I don’t know what kind of a teacher Luca is but since this is one of our “bondings”, he has to do it.“Well, my offer is still open if you’re in--”“N-no offense, Gene. But I think yo
If I would tell myself that I had finally forgotten who she was: her face, her voice, and her mannerisms, I would be lying straight to myself. After all, I pride myself on self-awareness and I don’t want to be blinded by my own feelings.Not anymore.It has been three years since then. I tried to forget. She used to be a beacon of my light, whom I thought would help me guide the right path of becoming a better person.She made me later appreciate what life was without money. She was the only one who had been a positive influence on me.Anastasia.I met her when I witnessed her being thrown on the streets. Her own drunk father kicked her out and a lot of people watched her banging the door, begging to be inside.Some looked at her with sympathy, others just went minding their own business.Yet, none are willing to help her as she slumped down on the floor while her shoulders trembled.I didn’t know what got into me, but I approached her, decided to offer a bit of kin
“Yo!” Her face turns in my direction and then she instantly frowns at my own stare. I guess she doesn’t feel scared or even surprised about the proximity we have anymore. It’s a pity, I even made sure that I leaned closer, too close for her personal bubble as I greeted her. Seeing that she was so immersed with her phone earlier, I thought I could give her a scare. “Hello, Clarence,” she greets nonchalantly. And at that, I frown. “Ah, that’s it? No more blushes, shyness, or…” I pause a bit to add a dramatic tone. “Maybe fear?” “No,” is her immediate reply as she asks me to sit across from her. Well, seeing that she chose a table with two diner double booth seats, my, this table is too big for just the both of us. So, I sat next to her instead. Her eyes widen and somehow the pinkish tint is visibly shown on her cheeks. That’s the reaction I like to see. She immediately scoots away from me but the diner booths are good for two people, after all, so she has to
Clarence is acting strange. Well, he is always strange and I thought that this has been the usual but this time he has been kind enough to clean his own mess.Each moment, I’ve continued to eye on his changes of behavior. And yet again, he has been strangely well-behaved.Like a normal student should do.“So, it’s official: since neither of us is going to do some shitty skit, or we couldn’t write mushy poetry, we can make a diorama,” he says as he tucks the papers of our ideas. “We are going to use materials to create a unique concept that could blow McLaren’s brains out.” He chuckles then he takes out a paper and taps on the encircled part we wrote earlier. “I like your idea of a caste system, parvenu. I didn’t expect this to interest you more for the so-called ideal civilization.”“N-no, rather than implementing it, I want it to be different.”“Oh, like what?”I pause for a while, trying to think of a reason. “I just want a system like those online games. You keep lev
“Are we going there yet?” Clarence, who was so excited to go not too long ago, is now looking impatiently. He has been walking in circles as I, the center of his circling steps, is trying to tap the send button on my phone.But I couldn’t.S-Should I, shouldn’t I? This is the very first text message to Luca’s number. And I don’t get why I am hesitating till now. We patched things up, right? We have already settled our differences.So, why can’t I click it?Not to mention that in his contact list, I wrote “The Bringer of Misfortunes” and I tried to remember why. It was definitely out of impulse during our first meeting.So I check my own text message for the fiftieth time as I gulp, wondering if this is good enough to convince Luca.‘Hi, Luca. This is Nina. My project partner and I are heading there since we decided to make a diorama if you don’t mind. And I promise to clean everything afterward!’A hand grabs her phone as Clarence sends the message when I hear the click
NINA“Are you sure you’ll be okay, Nina?”I nod as I squeeze his hands. “What’s more important is that you have to check up on her. She needs a friend.”“Thank you, babe,” he says, showing off his dazzling smile. “Should I call Yu to catch up with you?”He shakes his head. “It’s best not to let him know yet. Heather wouldn’t be pleased if I inform Yu about…this.”“Why?”He gives a sheepish smile. “Let’s just say Yu and Heather have some kind of history.”I guess that would mean it is something Luca has no right to intervene between them. “Well, I don’t want to take your time. I h-hope she’s fine, Luca. I really do.”There is a pregnant pause before he gives an upheave sigh. “I sure hope so.”I get off from the car as I am greeted with the apartment that I go to every single day. I know it’s been a week since I’ve seen the place but it brings a nostalgic feeling compared to my home in Freedomville.After I bid Luca goodbye, I head straight upstairs without any luggage as they are all
NINAIn the end, we didn’t leave the ship to see the islands Luca spoke fondly of. Instead, we overstayed in the private suite, enjoying the feeling of sex as I continue craving for it more.I don’t know what got me to do this. I’ve never considered sex as something I would enjoy. Those talks among my peers should repulsed me but now after experiencing it for the first time with the first man I’ve been infatuated with, I relish every single moment of our lovemaking.Because both of us know once we end our week vacation, we have to return to reality. And as time flies fast, we are now at Luca’s private jet heading straight to Dawn City. It will take seven hours to reach there, so we spend our time fooling around inside my room.And after the days spent with our whirlwind of sexual intercourse, we are sprawling on the bed, snuggling under the bed sheet cover as we view the night sky outside of Europe.“From the scale of 1 to 5, how would you describe our trip?” He asks while stroking m
LUCAShe’s so beautiful. Hot.Amazing.And so right for me.Men in Freedomville are foolish enough to break her self-esteem, rendering her oblivious to her own beauty. Because all the flaws I’ve seen in her—her shyness, her clumsiness, everything about her are endearing. She brings the light to my mundane, busy life. Who could have thought that my goal for perfection means nothing when I’m content with her by my side?Nina Caulfield, the original source of my conflict with my family.Yet, here we are: naked, shamelessly exposed under the bright light of the bedroom VIP suite as our bodies entangled together. I continue devouring her lips—to entice, nib, bite and suck–while not letting go even before undressing her.“Hn!” She breaks off the kiss, pulling herself away the moment I bite her lower lip hard. I unlatch our embrace as her heated body drops back on bed, her swollen lips gracefully sunder, catching her breath. As she takes a moment of rest, I take this as an opportunity t
NINA “He disappeared?” I repeat his words as a cold sweat drops from my cheek. The noise of the gym has long in deaf ears as the news slowly absorbs in my mind. “Then his company?” He shakes his head. “His company is being operated by the one which was being sold by Lucille. I don’t know which one, as the Milano family hide everything for the sake of their reputation.” Oh God. All of these happened to Luca before I met him. And to top it all up, my mother’s involvement with his dad took a huge toll on him. “Why are you telling me this, Anton?” Unfortunately, he ignores me as his attention is elsewhere. Anton’s eyes flicker as soon as his eyes wander back to the exit. As I turn, both of us can see Luca’s figure heading back to us. “Anyway, it’s best not to ask him unless he brings it up. But then again, it’s up to you, Nina. If you want to continue dating him, you have to consider all of these…” He pauses before he gives me a worried smile before patting my shoulder. “If his
NINAJust as suspected, Anton is at the sports center playing soccer with other men of different ages. When he sees me, his face brightens as he beams.“NINA!” He bellows. He excuses himself in the middle of the game as he makes a beeline from the crowd of sweaty men as he runs closer to see me.However, when his eyes wander to see the tall figure next to me, he stiffens and his legs unconsciously wobble and step backwards.I shoot Luca a glare. “Are you glaring at him?”“No, but you’re obviously scaring the poor lad with yours,” he says while giving a toothy grin. I sigh as I step forward and get closer to Anton. “Hi, Anton. Luca has something to tell you, if you don’t m-mind hearing him out.”Anton remains hesitant but hasn’t left his spot. It’s a good sign, I guess? But it gives Luca an opportunity to step forward with his long leg, stretches his hand and smiles. “We got off the wrong foot due to my poor judgment the other day, so I am here to apologize for my words.”With reluct
NINA“Are you listening, Nina?”I absent-mindedly nod as I smile, sheepishly. "C-can't we take a break, Luca?”"Not until we solve this formula. It's not that hard."“E-easy for you to say! This one has no numbers at all!”“Quadratic equations is being taught in middle school, we need to learn this first before you dive into Calculus.”Once again, Luca is in his teacher mode. He has been aching to lecture me about it since he has sworn an oath to Yu not to skip lessons while we’re on our trip. Besides, he’s more than happier to retake the mantle as my tutor.The tutorial session is the same as usual. We talk like we used to and he has been both strict and patient during today’s session. Well, except for one thing.Luca's arms wrap around my waist—which I notice he enjoys doing,as his lips give playful kisses on my neck. I shiver the moment his breath touches my skin and moan a bit as his lips touch there."L-Luca! I thought we weren't going to have a break!" The blush on my cheeks be
CLARENCE“Gene Sullivan? I’ve heard that you’re looking for me.” He’s all skinny bones.The first thing that comes to my mind the moment he turns, facing me with bandages nearly covering up his face.Seeing him in a dire state, I visibly flinch, and upon closer inspection, the bruises, especially the cut lip, the dampness of his bandaged head and a visible black eye on his left, are pretty much recent.His uninjured eye gazes at me and I’m visibly surprised that there is this intensity of his stare—instead of a victim of violence and abuse, he has the air of a soldier combating his enemy. A fighter, to sum it up. “Clarence, right? Nina talks about you from time to time.”Ah, this answers my speculation, all right. He is the “fake boyfriend”.I smile before giving an affirmative nod. “Well, I’m glad my name is mentioned from her very own lips. It’s an honor especially that she values you as her best friend. Pleasure to finally meet you, Gene Sullivan.” I extend my hand, implying comm
NINA If there is one way to phrase out how I am feeling, it should have been the feeling of bliss. Pure happiness of experiencing lovemaking from the man whom you were attracted to for a long while. Or so I thought. Sore from down below, I couldn't get up after waking up in the morning. My back even aches and the different positions Luca suggested during the second round was the cause of this. It was a miracle that I could adjust to his size and his stamina but…oh dear Lord, why the heck is he so big? Speaking of Luca, he wasn't around when I woke up. But he has cleaned me, seeing that I am wearing an oversized dress and my body is no longer drenched with sweat and err–semen. Okay, no more dirty thoughts, Nina. You’ve already done the deed last night. And seriously, how did he manage to change the bed sheets? Was I really that deep in my sleep to be unaware of my surroundings? There is a knock before Luca returns with a tray of breakfast and a plastic bag hanging on his wr
NINA It was so sudden. Earlier we were arguing, an unreasonable banter that riled me up until I wanted to be alone due to this sour mood. But now, after his revelation and his desire for me, I couldn’t lose this chance. I would be too embarrassed to admit that since I caught his lovemaking with Heather, I…was envious. And that desire outgrew my envy as relief washes over my guilt. This desire that I wanted from Luca, the man who could bring these emotions within me. Not Yu, not Clarence and not even Gene. Luca is the only one who could challenge me, who could bring out these foreign emotions bottled up in me. My greediness to have him as mine. As we lie on the bed, our passionate kisses heighten the heat right through between my legs. It’s different when I had my first kiss with him—his drunken self not too long ago. This isn’t a drunken mistake anymore. I am being embraced by the sobered Luca right now. His hands wander around my skin, exploring as his warm fingertips