"Now, where to?" Dylan is standing outside of their resident's gate with Ulysses.
Right after their breakfast, the two prepared themselves to go out. But the thing is, they don't have an idea where to go.
"I don't know. Why are you asking me?" Ulysses puffs a laugh. "It's you who wants to go out, remember?"
"You know I don't intend to go out, right?" Dylan glares at the other but it seems Ulysses isn't affected by it at all. In fact, he even chuckled. "Aish... it's your fault. You went overboard last night. Now, I don't know when these marks you made will fade."
Ulysses averted his eyes away from Dylan's sharp glare and said, "Sorry?"
Dylan, "Don't apologize if you don't mean it."
Guilty, Ulysses is quick to change the subject. He put his arm around Dylan's shoulders. "Well. I don't think us, being forced to go out is a bad thing."
With his eyebrows raised, Dylan asks, "What do you mean?"
"Let's go on a date!" Mr. President sai
"Since when did you have a lady guard?" Elena Cruz-Lopez, the CEO's elder sister, asked Al in a serious tone."About a week ago?" Alphonse forced a smile on his lips as he steps forward, casually hiding his "new bodyguard" behind him.Unfortunately, his smile doesn't have an effect on her anymore. Ever since she got widowed, she has changed drastically. She's turned into a whole new different person. Even though she's as cold as ice, she still cares for his brother in her own way. Still wearing a long face, Elena asks again, "How come I didn't know about this?"Al is quick to respond. "I know my big sister is busy... busier than I am so I decided not to interrupt you just to inform you about this matter.""..." The newly hired bodyguard silently lowers her head, looking on the ground. This is rather an awkward situation for her."Uh... this is Lylia Reyes. She's experienced in martial arts and knows how to hold guns. Very reliable." Alponse i
The CEO of the company seems to be not in a good mood. He's wearing a long face as he enters his office. And Lylia has a clue why is he having a bad mood but she isn't so sure."Lylia."She got distracted from her thoughts when Al suddenly called her in a serious tone. She flinched at first but she managed to recollect her composure soon after."Yes, sir?" Lylia attentively answered, waiting for her boss' next words.He looks straight into her eyes as he leans on his desk. "Would you consider becoming my secretary?""Sorry?" She doubted if she heard it right. Did he just offer her the position of becoming his secretary? Does she even have the qualifications required to become one? She doesn't think so."I said, would you be my secretary?" This time Al's face slowly grows brighter, becoming more like the usual face he wears.Actually, he's thinking about it for a while now. Having her as his bodyguard isn't that bad. In fact, he finds
For four years, Lylia goes to school on the weekends and only works for Alphonse every Saturday. Even so, she still got the same amount of monthly salary. Also, she doesn't have to pay for her tuition since it's Al who's paying for her.After Lylila finished her four-year courses in a university, just like Alphonse hoped for, Lylia Reyes became his "cool" secretary. Even after all these years, she still thinks that it's quite childish but all thanks to his childlike personality, she's able to achieve what she thought she couldn't. Although Al Cruz already told her that she needs not to pay him, she still feels indebted to him. And since he refuses to accept payment, she could only express her gratitude by dedicating herself to her job.In the succeeding years of working under him, Lylia star
It's amazing how love can motivate us to push ourselves beyond our limits, to do things to an extent we don't expect we can. Truly, love is one of the wonders of this world, and it remains a mystery to many.Alphonse Cruz, the youngest child of the late influential businessman in the region, is not an exception to experience this sublime feeling. At the age of 33, he turned his back on the riches that's once on his hands, as well as the fame he has as one of the rising icons in the world of business. He left it all behind to pursue what his heart truly desires. To walk on a journey towards the unknown with the woman he admires the most and go through certain uncertainties.It's hard starting from the bottom. It's hard to get used to a living that's entirely different from the world you once moved around. It's hard to do labor when you're used to working in a comfortable office, sitting on the soft cushion of the swivel chair, and even have someone to make you a cup of
The day is about to end yet Ulysses and Dylan don't have plans to go home anytime soon. They aren't doing anything in particular. Just sitting side by side on the seawall, watching the sun gradually retires to the west. They find it amazing how they still enjoy the company of each other even without talking. Just the sound of the waves, the refreshing smell of the sea breeze, the sunset, and the two of them make them feel more than enough. Satisfaction at its finest. Maybe things work this way when you're in love."What if one day we will forget about it completely?" Dylan asks out of nowhere without breaking his gaze from the sun. His face doesn't show much emotion yet his eyes express a hint of sadness. Truly, our eyes are the windows of our soul.It took some time for Ulysses to react. He stares silently at the sunset for a little more, looking like he's thinking. He then slightly turns his head to look at Dylan who's still looking afar. The warm light reflects on h
"I can barely move my fingers. My hands are too cold." Dylan said in a low voice as he watch his fingers slowly folding and unfolding themselves. "Maybe the temperature is too cold for you? Wait, I'll tell the technician to make the aircon's temperature a little higher." Ulysses was about to turn his back and head towards the in-charge of the aircon but Dylan stopped him before he could even take a step away. "Don't! I'm not feeling cold. I'm just nervous." He forced a smile on Ulysses. But truth to be told, the temperature is a bit lower than his body could withstand. He's sensitive to cold after all. May it be in the present or in his previous life. "And you can't do that. The others might complain." "I brought my sweater with me." He took the sweater from his bag and made Dylan wear it. Knowing Vincent by heart, Ulysses assumes that Dylan isn't comfortable with cold temperatures. "It's not that thick but it should help you feel warm." The sweater just fits
The day after the election, the results of the winning candidates are announced. To formally acknowledge the new set of Student Council, the students are once again gathered at the school gymnasium for their oath-taking. "Everyone, these honorable students here on the stage with me is the new set of officers in the Student Council. Let us give them a round of applause." Ulysses said after his final speech. With a loud clap from the crowd, the new Student Council is welcomed by everyone. He continues speaking. This time, he addresses the new officers."Once again, I congratulate you all. The majority of the students here in Northeastern High School have put their trust in you and I know that's a heavy burden on your shoulders. Even so, I am hoping that you would do your best to comply with your responsibilities." The elected officers either smiled at him or nods. Well, not that Ulysses is expecting much from them though. For four years of being part of the Stud
"How about this one?" Denise walks out from the fitting room to show off the dress that's only just one of her options. It's the third dress she tried on.Looking bored, Dylan replied, "Not bad.""That looks good on you." Ulysses added.Denise isn't satisfied with their responses. She thought it must be not the dress that suits her best. "Hmm... okay, let me try the other one."She once again entered the fitting room to try the last dress she took with her.It's a weekend and the three of them went shopping together. They're looking for attires to wear for their incoming graduation ball. It's a formal party so Denise is looking for an elegant long gown and a pair of high-heeled shoes.Meanwhile, Ulysses and Dylan have yet to look for their formal suits. Denise is taking them too long. Even as energetic as Dylan is now bored. Ulysses, on the other hand, is patiently waiting, sitting beside Dylan."What do you guys think?" Denise finall
"Who are you?" Bryce responded with another question instead followed by another one. "Are you perhaps Ulysses?" On the other hand, Ulysses finds this person suspicious. Does he know his past relationship with Dylan? Is this person very close to him that Dylan would tell him even about their warm love that ran cold? "If Dylan is here, I'd like to talk to him." "He's not in his best state. What do you want to tell him?" Bryce leans on the door jamb without breaking his indifferent look at Dylan. "I'll relay it for you." From the looks of it, it seems he doesn't want Ulysses, who went through all the trouble just to see Dylan once again, to at least take a glimpse at him. "No, I'd like to speak to him personally." Ulysses still insisted. His patience for Bryce is starting to burn, and it shows on his face. He knows Dylan is inside the room. If he's very drunk, where else would he be except in there? Despite the obvious annoyance that's written all over
Ulysses' wristwatch shows it's already past 10 in the evening. Even though it's already this late, the streets are still dominated by private vehicles but not as much during rush hours. He kept his windows open, allowing the cold air coming from the outside to touch his skin. But not that it bothers him even a bit.The recital has just ended. Ulysses hurried to get into his car and left the theater at high speed. Actually, he knows that the gathering will end by 10 but he's still holding into the little bit of hope that he can still see him, even at a distance. He doesn't know what keeps him pushing to come and see Dylan with his own eyes but that's the only thing that's on his mind, to at least meet him after a long time of separation.Unfortunately, the theatre and the resort where the reunion is being held is a little distant so it would surely take Ulysses sometime before arriving at the destination. And as expected, the time Ulysses arrived, the event is over.
"Sir? Sir Lopez?" A student waves his hand a few centimeters away from Ulysses's face. Only by them is he able to get himself together and get back to reality."Yes?" He was so occupied with his thoughts that he didn't realize that he's already spacing out. He got a text message from Denise earlier, and what she texted him made Ulysses feel uneasy."Sir, our pianist got a stomachache and he thinks he couldn't make it." The student said with his worries reflecting on his entire face. "What should we do? Our class is performing next to the current performing class."Their class is performing an hour-long orchestra. And in an orchestra, the piano is a must-have. Now that the one and only pianist in the group is unable to perform, their six months' worth of preparation will go to waste. And it would be a disgrace to their class if that happens. They will have to face a lot of negative feedback from the faculty and from the outside even if this problem can't be solve
"Hi, Dylan! Long time no see!" One of Dylan's high school friends, and also used to be a member of his fan club, cheerfully greeted him as soon as he steps inside the venue. It's a beach party so the batch rented a whole resort for this night.Yes, tonight is the night for their batch reunion. Actually, this gathering is already the batch's second reunion. Apparently, Dylan missed the first one since he refuses to have a homecoming. And so, this would be the first gathering with his old acquaintance in high school that he'll attend. And one more thing, he's not going by himself. Bryce volunteered himself to accompany him, and Dylan doesn't mind at all as long as he'll take care of his own entrance fee of the resort."You rarely come home! How long has it been? Almost nine years? I haven't seen you after our graduation."Dylan shrugged his shoulders as he gives her his signature smile. Really, his charm never fades through time. "Got too busy with my work.
For the second time, Dylan hung up the call. No warnings, no proper explanation was provided. He just hung up as soon as he learned who he was talking to. No one knows how long Ulysses stares at his phone screen but for sure, it took him quite some time to realize he's already spacing out. He sits on the edge of his bed with his phone still in his hand. A lot of thoughts came rushing into his head. And the loudest of it all was the thought of how Dylan felt for him at the moment. "Does he hate me that much to end the call as soon as he knew who am I?" "Is he not willing to reconcile with me?" "Will he... really throw it all behind?" Those questions were just some of the thoughts Ulysses is dealing with. He asks himself these questions but deep inside he knows only Dylan could satisfy his wonder. And the last question he has for himself hits worse than the rest. Why would he wonder if he'll throw away what they had in the past? Is he se
Ulysses headed directly to his bedroom, shut the door closed, and throws himself on the bed. He doesn't even bother to turn the lights on. At the moment, he only has the gentle light from the moon as his source of illumination.Heart beating fast, hands getting cold, and droplets of sweat starting to form on his forehead despite how cold the night is. Ulysses stares at the small piece of paper that he's been holding for quite some time now. The longer he stares at it, the more anxious he becomes.So, why is he being nervous over a piece of paper? Well, it's because it has written numbers on it. It's Dylan's phone number.He took his phone and inputs the numbers on it. He even checked the numbers twice if not thrice. Still not satisfied, he checked the numbers that he had input for the fourth time. No doubt, he dialed the correct order of numbers.Ulysses took a deep breath. It's now or never.He taps the green button on his phone screen, calling th
"Sir, it's already five o'clock."Only by then did Ulysses noticed that he's been spacing out. He looks at his wristwatch and saw that the time is exactly five pm. Surely, students would want to leave their classes as soon as possible."It really is. Time sure flies." Ulysses stretches his limbs before getting up from his seat. "Alright, that's all for today, class. You may now go."As soon as Ulysses said the magic words, his students are quick to pack their things, preparing to leave. Ulysses also did the same. He sorted out the paper on his desk and put it in his bag."Practice the music sheets I provided you, okay? Our recital is fast approaching." He reminded the students about their upcoming showcase."Yes, sir!" Then the students go out of the room one at a time if not two.It's almost been nine years since he graduated from Northeastern High School. As of the moment, he's working as a music teacher in a private school of music and ar
Dylan finds himself in a pitch dark place. He can't see a thing, not even his hands. His eyes are wide open yet it still seems like he has his eyes closed. "Where am I?" Dylan asked himself. "Anyone here? Ulysses? Where are you?" Even after asking for anyone's presence, he didn't get a single response. Dylan tried so hard to recall what exactly happened before he came into this dark place. As far as he could remember, he's in an old mansion with Ulysses after they run away from their house. And then he suddenly feels unwell. And then he took a rest on Ulysses' arms. And then... and then after that, he couldn't remember a single thing. Could it be... he's just dreaming at the moment? "How could you forget about me?" A familiar voice echoed in the area. That voice of a man sounded like it came from a cave. It sounded so distant yet loud. Dylan isn't so sure about what's happening around him anymore. "How could you easily throw it all away?
Ulysses recounts all the money he has. It's not much but he thinks he's able to support their needs in the meantime. "I still have some savings from the allowance I got from my scholarship and plus yours... I think it should be sufficient for both of us until I get my first payout for work."If Dylan won't change his mind and stay stubborn as he is now, Ulysses will be forced to spend his vacation to work. And if this setup will be for the long term, he'll just do a part-time job on the night shift and go to school by day. Since he got himself a scholarship and school allowance, that would be extra money."..." Dylan, on the other hand, is silently looking at his wallet. He's not wearing a happy face so it's safe to say that he doesn't have much money with him.Ulysses knows him very well. He's prideful and quite stubborn at times. It's clear that he still needs his mother's help to get through his day-to-day life. However, his attitude gets on the w