Chapter 14"Schnittka, are you listening?" Our teacher asked me grumpily. He's known to be strict and irritable because he never got married.I blinked several times because every time I looked, his gaze seemed to pierce through me, as if his eyes were shooting erasers at me.There were white specks flying in the air from the chalk erasers. If one of those hit my face, not only my face but also my hair would turn white!I kept my eyes closed tightly and used my hands as a shield to protect myself from the chalk dust, but minutes passed and no eraser hit me.I've been hearing my classmates searching, especially the girls. What's happening? So, I slowly opened my eyes, and there were no erasers flying towards me. Where did the eraser go?Wait a minute. I noticed earlier that my classmates weren't paying attention to me but were focused on Aiden, who was sitting next to me. So, I slowly turned to him and my eyes widened when I saw that Aiden was holding the eraser that our teacher threw
Chapter 15"Maybe you'll become interested in this! Our plan is that since you're good at mixing drinks, you'll be the bartender at the coffee shop we'll set up on the balcony of Amber's beach house. We'll set up a bar counter outside the beach house so customers can see you. We'll also put up beach umbrellas, tables, and chairs, trash bins for customers. You'll attract customers because you have a strong appeal, especially to girls. And Amber and I will serve food and drinks, and since we're at the beach house, we'll make it more unique and have a twist. I'll wear a summer outfit while wearing an apron as my café uniform, and Amber will wear a bikini and an apron!"My eyes widened at what Arden said because we didn't discuss the uniform earlier! When I looked at the rearview mirror again, I saw Aiden looking at me with an angry expression! Why does it seem like he's angry at me now? I didn't do anything! I didn't even have an idea about Arden's uniform suggestion!"No one will wear a
Chapter 16"Before we start the lesson, let's check the attendance first. Let's start with the girls." I breathed a sigh of relief because at least the girls were called first, and since their last names are in the letter M, there's still a chance that Aiden won't be late if he arrives anytime soon."Arden, where's Aiden?" Jessica asked again, but she whispered it because our seats are close to each other. Arden subtly looked at Jessica to answer."I don't know, but he left home early earlier." Where could he have gone? I wondered to myself. I couldn't ask Arden for more details about Aiden because first of all, Arden doesn't know that Aiden and I aren't that close, and he'll surely wonder why I suddenly became interested in Aiden's whereabouts.I don't want him to think that I have a crush on Aiden because I don't. It won't happen. I won't develop feelings for Aiden, I'm sure of it. Urgh! Wait, why am I explaining this to myself, and how did it turn into a conversation about having f
Chapter 17"Aiden still isn't here. I sent him another message, but there's no reply again. Why don't you try messaging Amber, maybe she'll reply to you." I sent a thumbs-up to Arden since he used iMessage on our phones, and I saved Aiden's phone number. Just wait, I'll just bring my bag to my room, and then I'll message him.I entered my room and, as usual, darkness greeted me even though it was only twilight outside. Well, I requested to have thick black curtains installed in my room so that if I have an unexpected visitor, at least they wouldn't know. I could hide behind those thick curtains. But Aiden was the only one who ever unexpectedly visited!I felt for the light switch on the side to illuminate the entire room, and my eyes widened when I saw Aiden on my bed, fast asleep! He didn't have a shirt on yet, just boxer shorts!Because of his deep sleep, I could even hear his soft snoring. I cautiously walked towards the bed."Aiden." I called out to him in a hoarse voice, and usin
Chapter 18"Arden, what's happening with Aiden? He was late yesterday, and now he's absent again," Mrs. Santos said with disappointment before leaving our classroom. Our class hour was already over.Arden scratched the back of his head, showing that he had no idea what was happening with his brother.Mrs. Santos sighed. "Inform your parents that they may receive calls from now on regarding your twin's frequent absences." Then Mrs. Santos left our classroom."Arden, maybe Aiden is sick?" Jessica asked worriedly as she approached Arden just as Mrs. Santos left, followed by Xyren and our other female classmates.So, technically, Arden was surrounded by our classmates due to Aiden's absence. Since our next homeroom teacher hadn't arrived yet, I reached into my skirt pocket and took out my phone to message Aiden."You promised to go to school today, but you didn't. -Amber" I added three sad emojis at the end of my message. After just a few minutes, I felt my phone vibrating in my hand."I'
Chapter 19Confidently, I walked towards my bed, still naked, but when I reached it, I was shocked to see Aiden sitting at the edge of my bed, facing the spot where I was standing."OMG!" I shouted and covered my body with the clothes I was carrying. Since my room was well-lit, I couldn't escape his gaze, especially on my body.I quickly composed myself and walked towards him, still covering my private parts with the clothes."It's weird to look at you covering your body, especially since we both know, we had been making love for quite some time now." I pouted upon hearing him say that but still continued walking towards him.Until I got close to where he was sitting, he spread his legs apart and then held me by the waist, pulling me and placing me in the middle of his legs."Are you about to take a shower?" I slowly lowered the clothes I used to cover my breasts and the middle part of my body. I nodded in response to Aiden's question, and since he still had his hands on my waist, he
Chapter 20"I'm fine..." He said in a very cold tone. I bit my lower lip, feeling another strange sensation in my chest. I also felt the distance between us as we stared at each other."I'll still call..." Arden was about to say something, but Aiden suddenly shouted at him."I said I'm fine!" Arden raised his hands in surrender to Aiden. I looked back and forth between the two, unable to control myself any longer."Aiden, what's wrong?! Arden is just worried about you! You don't have to shout at him!" I told him, irritated. Aiden turned his gaze back to me."All these things wouldn't have happened if you hadn't climbed that old gate!" He said, his voice filled with irritation. I admitted my mistake, but I was also angry."I didn't ask you to help me, did I? You suddenly appeared out of nowhere in the first place!""What do you want me to do then?! Watch while you're in danger?!" Aiden answered back, his voice cold and angry. He couldn't control his emotions anymore, but he couldn't ex
Chapter 21I leaned against where I was standing because I started feeling dizzy. I even held my forehead and gently pulled my hair in frustration. Once the rain stops, I'll leave. It seems like I'm going to get sick out of the blue just because of getting wet in the rain.I leaned against the door and hugged myself because I was starting to feel cold due to my wet clothes. I didn't even bring a jacket. Sigh. And after a few moments, I felt even colder, and my lips were trembling from the chill. I needed to get home as soon as possible before I pass out here!Thank God, after a while, the rain stopped, as well as the thunder and lightning. However, I felt completely unwell now because as soon as I stood up from where I was seated, I immediately felt dizzy.That's why I closed my eyes for a while, while I started to massage both sides of my head, hoping to alleviate my headache. Massaging my temples felt good, and it somewhat relieved my headache, but I still needed to go home. Maybe t
Special Chapter 6"Love is not love if you're not going to feel the pain. After all, it's not all about love. It's about Jiro and Kylie. No third parties." Mommy added. It felt like they were scolding Aria and me, or maybe it was just me, since they knew Aria's side."So why are we here?" I changed the topic. I want all of this to end so I can look for Kylie and Jiro. Who knows what they've done already. Fuck!"I want, rather we want, you and Aria to get married tonight." This time it's Daddy who spoke."What?!" I felt like my soul wanted to leave my body at what Daddy said."But Aria is not Tita Celine's daughter! If you want our families to become one, why don't you just marry me and Kylie?!""Kent, please, don't make this complicated! I love you, that's all that matters.""Stop being so desperate, Aria! I'm not going to marry you!""But I love you.""And I love Kylie!" I shouted at her, and suddenly I found myself sitting on the floor, stunned. It was Dad who hit me. I glared at hi
Special Chapter 5Every fvcking time she says that she's lifeless without Jiro, I want to shut her up. Shut her up until her lips are sore from my kisses, so she has no choice but to stay silent. It's so fvcking irritating! Especially when we both know that Jiro is cheating on her, and the worst part?! He's cheating on her with her step-sister!Sometimes, I even want to knock some sense into her head and make her realize that she doesn't really love Jiro. D amn! She's only fvcking blinded by her thoughts! Thoughts of being a hopeless romantic because Jiro is her first boyfriend. The guy who taught her how to love. Her first love, and now she hopes that Jiro will be her last too.But no, that will never fvcking happen. I love Kylie from the start, and she doesn't deserve Jiro at all. She doesn't deserve the pain and betrayal. I don't know Jiro's reason for doing all of this, but I'm sure Aria's reason is all about envy and jealousy.Aria was left behind. Her mom died, and her dad had n
Special Chapter 4The day of our departure arrived and Kylie still hadn't arrived! It was frustrating! Two weeks before we left for the USA, Kuya introduced me to her, even though I had been pestering him about her for a long time. Kuya was busy with school since he was graduating, and Kylie found out that she's only four years older than me. "See you soon, bro," Kuya said to me and gave me a hug.He moved away from me and answered a call on his phone, and when I looked at him, he was already in front of the van, talking to Mom. I sighed, took a few steps back so that what I was about to say to him wouldn't be overheard, and spoke to Kylie again."It's okay... don't cry there, I'll come back." I heard her continuous sobbing, and then she answered me."I'll miss you so much! I forgot that you're leaving today, it's Sam's birthday yesterday. I'm sorry..." And she started sobbing again."Kylie...""Kent...""Why are you crying there? I'll come back!" 'And when I come back, I'll make sure
Special Chapter 3She sat on the swing next to me and rested there until her breathing returned to normal, then she looked at me."They've been looking for you, Jiro and our parents! And here you are!" I didn't respond to her. "We were worried about you. You didn't go to school today because they thought you couldn't breathe properly this morning, and they assumed you were just in your room."I didn't answer again. "Are you feeling alright? Why did you leave without saying goodbye?" He asked me gently."Why do you care?" I answered him coldly. I caught the fall of his face and the sadness in his eyes, I just looked away to get rid of the guilt I feel."It's not?! You're really my crush Baby Kent? Wee! You're going through puberty!" OA said Kylie.I made him suffer. It's the first Saturday of June and our first vacation. I am also in my first year of high school.Kuya Jiro is still proud when I told him my girl got my attention at school, but I didn't say anything that I had a crush on
Special Chapter 2And because he was strong with them, he was able to let them go. As for me, it's fine.. I don't care where we live as long as the important thing is that we are together. Wow! Wow!Earlier, I was focused on the anime, but now I can't seem to take my eyes off Kylie. I wonder where she lives? Could I ask Kuya to take me along when he visits her? Surely Kuya won't suspect that I want to see his girlfriend in person, right?Besides, I'm still young. It's probably just a crush, and I'm not going to snatch his girlfriend away from him. But she's older than me! Kuya is four years older than me, so if Kylie is his age, she's also four years older than me.Would a guy like someone younger than him? I heard Kuya's phone ringing non-stop. I immediately looked for it, and it turned out to be under his pillow, right behind me. I grabbed it, about to leave when I saw the caller ID.Kylie Rivera, BabeIt's Kuya's girlfriend! So I quickly went downstairs to give him his phone, prete
Special Chapter 1Nothing lasts forever. People come and go, and no one stays permanently. Just like her. I lit a candle as I sat beside her grave."Hey... It's been a while. How are you?" I asked, and as usual, a strong gust of wind was the response. I smiled as I reached for a pack of cigarettes in my pocket. I lit one and looked up at the clear blue sky."You know what, it's going to be a very long day for all of us. I really wish you were here with us. It's their wedding day, and I'm one of their best men..." There was no emotion in my voice as I spoke to her."I'm sure you're watching me right now, so... Do I look good in this suit and tie?" I took another puff of my cigarette."I hope so." I glanced at my wristwatch. "I'm sorry, but I need to go or I'll be late." I stood up and walked away from her grave.This is it! There's no turning back. I told myself as I looked at everyone. They were all busy with the wedding, and it was about to start any minute."I've been looking for yo
EndingI didn't know what to say to Aiden. I was happy and hurting at the same time. Happy because I could feel and hear Aiden's endless love for me, and hurting because I needed to be with Arden."I'm sorry, Aiden, you can't change my mind. Arden... Arden needs me more than you do."When I looked at the left side of my body, I noticed there was a cast from my fingers down to my arm. That's why I was in so much pain earlier; I had broken a bone! What's going to happen now? How am I going to go to school? How will I manage my daily routine with a broken left hand? And I'm left-handed!"But when I received Mia's call, I also left the site immediately to see you," Ero said without pause."This is nothing... just a small accident," I replied. I noticed Ero's eyebrows furrow and a hint of annoyance in his response, as if he was about to explode in anger."If it was just a small accident, why are you here in the hospital? Have you seen your hand? Why is it in a cast? Why didn't Manang Ameli
Chapter 31"These are Mr. Steinfield's collection." I nodded in response. Who wouldn't be speechless? It seemed like he was just buying toys.The only thing I remember was wearing a party dress and going to Baby Trigger's hotel. I drank wine, but I didn't like the taste. It was because of my annoyance towards the two women - urgh! I shouldn't have let their insults affect me, they weren't true anyway!Then it was my turn to be interviewed by Baby Trigger. My eyes widened when I remembered what he asked me and what I did. I swallowed hard, sat down on the spot, and covered myself with a blanket."I just took off my clothes in front of him, and he saw my chest. It was like an automatic reaction for me to cover my chest. I could feel the warmth on my cheeks, ears, and neck as I remembered my reaction to his massage on my chest. His lower lip dropped, and I could still feel his hand on my chest, massaging it even now.Is my contract with Mr. Steinfield? Does that mean I'm the one chosen b
Chapter 30"What are you doing, Kendall? Why are you pulling your hair?" Ero asked irritably as he took hold of my hand, which was tugging at my hair, and held it in his own."I really can't remember!" I complained in frustration. He tightened his grip on my waist, pulling me closer to him."Let's not dwell on it because what happened last night isn't that important," Ero said mischievously."What happened? Why don't you want to tell me?!" I asked inquisitively before the waiter arrived. He brought finger foods, fries, and nachos. He also brought a bottle of whiskey and..."Put the shake here," Ero instructed the waiter, who nodded and promptly placed the shake in front of me."Thanks," I said to the waiter, smiling at him. "You're welcome, ma'am," he replied with a smile before leaving. I felt Ero's hand tighten around my waist as he leaned closer to me."What did you order?" I immediately asked him as soon as the waiter left. He raised an eyebrow."Whiskey for me and a strawberry sh