Chapter 1

Orphan

“Xander!”

I smiled when he turned to look at me. He leaned into his car as he stared at me. He smiled when our eyes met.

Today’s my first day as a college student. While he’s in his third year. I begged my parents to allow me to go to the same university as him. They let me in the end since they knew Xander would be there, too.

Xander and I have been friends since we were kids. Our parents are friends so we became close friends as well. And since then, I have liked him more than just a friend.

No, like is an understatement. I’m pretty sure I’m in love with him. I don’t see myself being with another man except him. Though I do have tons of suitors since high school, I don’t have an interest in any of them. My heart and mind are fixed on Xander. And I will do everything so he’d love me back.

I hugged him. He chuckled and patted the top of my head. I glared at what he did.

“Stop doing that, I’m not a kid. Can’t you see I’ve become a woman now?”

“To me, you’re still a kid who use to cry when teased.”

I rolled my eyes but still smiled later on. I’m suddenly reminded of those days. I use to visit the Del Rio mansion every afternoon to play with him. It’s still the same now. I still go to their mansion, to talk and hang out with him.

“Ready for school?”

“Of course!”

I couldn’t stop myself from staring at him from the passenger’s seat. I always get fascinated by his set of deep brown eyes. Every time he looks at me, my heart would always skip a beat. I still can’t get used to his effect on me until now.

All eyes were on us the moment we stepped into the school grounds. The girls eyed him with awe and desire. I can also feel the boys’ gazes on me. I’m new here, that’s understandable. And I bet it’s the first time they saw this kind of face.

I always get that kind of look wherever I go and I’m used to it. Being one of the richest families in the province made us live like celebrities too. We constantly attend social parties where successful businessmen gather and it’s probably one of the reasons why ordinary people recognize us wherever we go.

It doesn’t matter anyway. Truth is, I like it. I love all the attention people are giving us.

“Loving the attention, huh?” Xander smirked.

My brow shot up and I smirked at him. He knows me. We’ve been friends since time immemorial so he knows me that much. I know him too well too.

“I live for it,” I held his arms as we graced our way toward the school grounds.

Envy and jealousy are written all over the faces of the girls who noticed what I did. I smirked inwardly. That's right, bitches. He’s mine, so back off.

He escorted me to my first class after a short program to welcome us freshmen in the gymnasium.

The first day wasn’t that hectic. It was easy making friends too because some of my classmates are the ones who approached me. Most of them were boys, though.

Some girls talked to me except a typical group in my class. I didn’t mind them even if it was obvious they were talking about me. Oh well, that’s how it is. All eyes are usually on the newbies.

“Is it true you’re friends with Alexander Del Rio?”

I lifted my gaze when a seatmate asked that. She has this innocent and curious look on her face. The girl next to her looked at me too, waiting for an answer from me.

If I remember right, their names are Elize and Maisie. The one who asked me that was Maisie.

“Yup, since we were kids.”

She nodded and turned to look at the other girl while smiling. I stared at them curiously.

“Why?”

“He’s quite popular, especially to girls not just in the Architecture department. Even girls from other programs like him.”

“So?”

I know that. That was why I insisted on studying here because of that. If they think I will be afraid just because a lot of girls are eyeing Xander, think again.

“N-Nothing. We just saw you with him that’s why most of the students probably know you by now.”

“I don’t mind. I’m used to it.”

Our conversation was cut off when the professor came in. Everyone fell silent when the discussion started.

“We’re just worried the students from the higher batch would bother you just because you know Xander personally,” Maisie whispered.

I didn’t say anything and continued to listen to the discussion. Well, if they can.

“Wanna join us for lunch?” Maisie asked when the class ended.

Elize was silent beside her. I took a glimpse of my phone to see any replies from Xander. I asked him to join me for lunch but he said he was not done with class yet.

‘You go ahead and eat first. I’ll just pick you up later class.’ - Xander

I smiled at them both and nodded. Elize looked at me and smiled.

All eyes were on us when we went into the cafeteria. Wow, I didn’t expect Xander to have a lot of fans in his school. I ignored the women eyeing me. I went straight to a vacant table at the center.

“Now you get what I meant, right?” Maisie noted smirking while secretly surveying the whole place.

“Just ignore them. That was the first time they saw Xander with a girl that’s why they’re curious about you,” Elize said in a serious tone while playing with her food.

“I told you, I don’t mind. Xander and I are friends and they can’t change that fact no matter what they do.”

They nodded in satisfaction. I smirked and continued eating. Some boys went to our table to introduce themselves. I politely entertained them while Maisie and Elize were both silent while watching me.

Our table became busy for a while until most of the boys bid their goodbyes and went back to their tables.

“I once saw you in a magazine. I just had second thoughts if that was you.”

“Yup. It was me. That was way back in high school.”

Some of the boys who approached me left already while one stayed to talk a bit more. If I remembered it clearly, he’s Lance Montenegro.

He smiled at my confirmation. I started my modeling gigs when I was in high school. My parents were against it at first because for them it’s dangerous but I was able to persuade them.

“Wow. I didn’t know you were into modeling too.”

“It’s just a hobby,” I smiled.

Lance talked to me for a while before finally saying goodbye. It was almost one in the afternoon and he said he still has class. That’s when I noticed Maisie and Elize’s shocked expressions.

“That was why you were familiar,” Elize said in awe.

I chuckled at both of them. We stayed for a little while before we decided to go to our next class.

They were one of the few who showed me they were real. That was why I became comfortable with them in an instant.

“But did you know that besides Xander there is another man who’s popular with girls here?”

Maisie got my attention with what she said. There are a lot of good-looking guys here, I admit. But for me, no one would compare to Xander. Well at least for me.

“Who?”

“His name is Santi. You don’t know him? He’s friends with Xander.”

My brows furrowed with the name. Xander has a lot of friends whom I have met already but I don’t remember meeting someone named Santi. Maybe a new friend?

“He studies here too,” Elize said.

“His full name?”

“Santiago Lopez.”

“Hmm, Santiago Lopez,” I murmured.

I know of the Lopezes here. They’re the owner of LHR in Baler. Does that mean he’s related to the Lopezes of Baler?

“You mean the Lopezes of LHR?”

“They’re the owner of the biggest chains of hotels and resorts in Aurora, right?”

Elize looked at me seriously. It seems she wanted to say something but is refraining.

“What is it?” I probed.

She sighed.

“I don’t know if it’s true. But there’s a rumor he’s not accepted by the Lopezes because he’s an illegitimate child. His grandmother took him in and raised him. He’s an orphan so...”

I nodded.

“Really? So how was he able to study here then?”

I raised a brow.

“He’s a scholar. What's amazing about him is that he’s smart and mysterious.”

Xander picked me up that afternoon after class. I smiled at him when I went out of the classroom. Elize and Maisie went home first since they’d been picked up too.

My smile faded when I notice he was not alone while waiting for me.

A rough and stern-looking man stood beside him. Their build and frame are almost the same. Only this man’s physique is more defined and ragged. His sunburned skin defined that image even more. His expression is hard and serious. Thick eyebrows, dark brown eyes, and a pointed nose. His lips seemed to be the only soft part of him.

I looked at Xander, confused. He cleared his throat and turned to the man standing beside him.

“This is Santi by the way. He’s coming with us because we need to finish something. I don’t think you remember him.”

“No, I don’t.”

“You’ve met him in the mansion before. But you were still so young back then so I doubt you remember,” he smiled.

“Oh, really.”

I turned to look at Santi but his expression remained the same. I smiled at him a little to ease the awkwardness I’m feeling with his stares. But he stayed that way. Then he looked away.

“Are we not going yet?” He asked Xander as if he was so bored.

I gulped in embarrassment. I didn’t wait for Xander’s reply and went to the parking lot first.

I didn’t expect him to be this arrogant. For someone poor and an orphan like him, he still dares to be arrogant in front of me? Who does he think he is to ignore and embarrass me like that?

I was fuming mad as I wait inside the car. How dare he? Oh gosh, why am I beating myself up because of trash like him?

I may not remember how I met him before, but one thing’s for sure. I don’t like him. And I don’t think I ever will.

To be continued...