Chapter 1

LAURA quickly left the pool, glancing over her shoulder to see if Astin was following her.

Once inside, she dashed up the stairs to her room, shutting the door and double-locking it.

Leaning against the door, she caught her breath and touched her lips. Why had she enjoyed that kiss from her childhood friend? It gives her a thrill through her entire being.

That was her first truly passionate kiss. He’d stolen kisses before, but this felt different. Even with Gael, it was only quick pecks. She knew Astin had been drinking alcohol based on the scent of his breath, but his breath was still intoxicating.

She closed her eyes, thinking she’d just been caught up in the moment. She had no romantic feelings for her childhood friend. He was only a brother to her. But why did a part of her heart feel otherwise?

Still, this was wrong. She had a boyfriend—Gael Malonzo. She loved him, and they’d been together for nearly a year, having started dating ten months ago.

Gael was her ideal man: respectful, polite, and gentlemanly. He was even a campus crush now—maybe because he’s handsome and wealthy?

She glanced at the table beside her bed, noticing the light from her phone. Someone was calling.

She picked up the phone and saw the caller's name.

It was Gael. 

Guilt suddenly washed over her. She had a boyfriend; why had she responded to Astin’s kiss?

She took a deep breath before answering.

“Love, happy birthday again. I love you,” he greeted her warmly.

She hesitated at his last three words.

“Thank you, Gael. I... I love you too.”

“See you tomorrow, love. Goodnight.”

This was what she cherished about him. He was affectionate and, above all, respectful—very different from Astin.

The next day, she woke up early as usual to help in the kitchen, even though Astin’s parents often discouraged her. It was her way of showing appreciation.

While washing dishes, she suddenly felt someone hug her from behind, startling her. Thankfully, no one else was around.

“Good morning, my Laura,” Astin said triumphantly, tightening his embrace, which annoyed her even more.

She froze, feeling his breath on her neck. It felt strangely pleasant, leaving her with an unexplainable ticklish sensation. She felt his chin rest on her shoulder, and when he kissed it, an unfamiliar surge of excitement rushed through her.

 Even with her soapy hands, she tried to pry his arms away. He just laughed. 

She pinched his left arm to make him let go.

“Ouch!” he said, still smiling.

“Pervert! ” She snapped, glaring at him.

“Pervert? Why? It seemed like you enjoyed it,” she thought to herself.

“Pervert? I was just practicing to be a sweet husband. What do you think? Did I pass, my dear Laura?” He said with a laugh.

“I would never marry you, Astin! Never! As in N-E-V-E-R! NEVER! ," she shouted, storming out of the kitchen.

“You’ll eat those words someday, Laura! Remember that!” He called after her.

“Never!” she shouted back, annoyed.

 Everyone at the dining table turned to look at her. She put her hand on her forehead, realising they were all there for breakfast.

 “My dear, you two are arguing so early in the morning,” Aunt Kendra laughed as she approached.

 “It’s because of Astin, Aunt—” she began, but Andy interrupted.

 “I’m sure big brother Astin was bothering Laura again, Mom!” Andy quipped.

 Exactly! She wanted to say it aloud.

 “Just be patient with Astin, dear. Anyway, I apologise on his behalf,” Aunt Kendra said, then turned to Uncle Kent, who seemed amused. “Is something funny, Kent? You know what you need to do with your son,” she said meaningfully to her husband.

 “Yes, dear wife. I wouldn’t dare cross you,” Uncle Kent said, chuckling.

“Come on, have breakfast, or you might be late with Andy,” Aunt Kendra said, looking at her.

She quickly prepared herself to leave for school. Her class is at 9 a.m. today, but she needed to take care of something in the library.

After asking permission from the couple to leave, she went outside but stopped when she saw Astin leaning against his car, clearly waiting for her. He smiled and quickly opened the door, glancing at her.

“I’ll be taking you today, my love, since Dad took Mang Vincent along with Andy. There’s no one else to drive you,” he said.

 She felt a chill at the way he called her that kind of endearment. She was getting confused with the different endearments he used.

 “What choice do I have?" she replied, quickly sliding into the passenger seat.

 She was surprised when he didn’t close the door, so she reached for it herself, but before she could close it, he pulled her close and kissed her. Again. She was too stunned to react, feeling his tongue move in her mouth, and she immediately shoved him away.

 “Sweet!” he laughed, biting his lower lip before finally closing the door.

 She was furious with his behaviour. He’d been like this all morning, showing her no respect as a woman.

 She ignored him the entire way to the university. She was about to wait for him to open her door but decided to do it herself. But she couldn’t open it. She turned to find him staring right at her.

 “What? Don’t you have plans on letting me out?” She snapped.

 “Relax, my Laura! You’re in such a hurry.”

 Suddenly, his expression turned serious, and she frowned in confusion.

“I’m leaving, Laura. Maybe one or two months, I think? I have to focus on our business expansion in Hawaii,” realising full of sadness on his face.

 Her lips parted soon as she heard him, but she managed to raise her eyes when she realised something. She simply smiled.

“So what?" she replied, causing his face to darken.

 “Aren't you going to miss me? ”

 “No, why would I miss you? Are you my boyfriend? I'm sorry, Astin, but I have feelings for someone else. So stop forcing yourself on me.”

 He was stunned by her words.

 She tried to open the door, but it was locked by Astin. Moments later, Laura heard the sound of it unlocking, so she immediately went out.

 She quickly headed to their university gate, not interested in looking back. But after hearing his car speed off, she glanced back.

There's something in her heart that felt pity for him; she almost wanted to call him to take back what she said a while ago.

 After that encounter, she noticed Astin was not disturbing that night. Andy told her that he already left for Hawaii, which made her feel a bit of sadness.

Isn't this what she wanted? So, why is she feeling sad?

Two months passed, but her childhood friend still hadn’t returned. He was probably still handling matters in Hawaii.

 In three days, it would be her aunt Kendra’s birthday, Astin’s mother. She felt a hint of excitement when the couple mentioned that their oldest son would be coming home.

There would be a small gathering with close friends and family from the Hernandez side. She chose a casual button-up dress with short sleeves that didn’t reach her knees. The rust colour complemented her fair, smooth skin.

---

MEANWHILE, Astin received a call from a detective, who was following Laura all the time. The detective sent her the latest photos and videos as well. This was the first time he asked for a report, as he’d been too busy with the hotel expansion. 

He clenched his fist when he saw a picture of a man kissing Laura on the lips. The man's arm was always wrapping around her. He also learnt that she no longer asked their family driver to pick her up at university because Gael, that man, was driving her home. And clearly they have special relationships, which angered him.

“No! ” he shouted angrily, as if the man were in front of him, tossing the iPad onto the vacant seat. 

 His love, patience, and waiting couldn't be wasted. Laura was his! Only his! 

In his anger, he punched the window of his car, not noticing that his fist was now bleeding when he took the small box from his pocket. 

His assistant, Romel, glanced at him when he heard him, who was driving at the moment. He arranged for Romel to pick him up since Mang Vincent was likely preparing for his mother's birthday. 

Soon, Romel parked the car. He took out a first aid kit from the back and moved to the back seat to treat Astin’s hand. Astin allowed him to do so, eventually falling asleep. 

He was awakened by Romel’s gentle tap.

 “Sir Astin, we’re here.” Astin glanced outside. His family's villa was already crowded with cars, so they parked outside. Upon touching his bandaged hand, he felt the pain for the first time.

Romel followed after Astin while pulling his suitcase. 

 Astin could hear the voices coming from inside, talking and laughing. He headed straight to the dining area, where the voices were coming from. 

 He smiled when he saw his mother entertaining the guests. The long dining table was filled. 

His mother was still as beautiful as ever. No wonder his father was still head over heels for her. 

 Their family was complete, as his grandparents, Daddy Sebastian and Mommy Nikki, Aunt Diane and Uncle Ezekiel, and other family friends were all present. His uncles and aunts from his mother’s side were there as well.

 “Can I join?” he said loudly with a grin, catching everyone’s attention.

 “Big brother, Astin!” His chubby, adorable younger sister Andy shouted, causing all the guests to look their way.

 “Son!” His mother, Kendra, threw herself in his arms, hugged him tightly, and cried, as if they hadn’t seen each other in years. Finally, she let him go, smiling at him. 

His father, Blake Kent, smiled and nodded in acknowledgement of his arrival.

 “Hey, no crying, Ma! If you keep doing that, you'll get wrinkles,” he said, wiping her tears after hearing her sob.

 “I just missed you, son. I thought you wouldn’t make it today. I was about to call and scold you,” she said sweetly. 

 He wrapped his arm around her mother's shoulder and looked around for Laura. She was sitting beside Andy, who was smiling, while she looked at him with a serious expression. 

He felt he had no choice but to do what he hadn’t planned yet. He had wanted to wait for her to respond to his feelings, but he couldn’t hold back any longer—especially now that it seemed her classmate had become her boyfriend. 

 He gave Laura a sweet smile as he sat down beside her. She returned a small, strained smile. 

 He was used to her treating him like this. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, “I missed you, my love! ” Smiling as he moved to kiss her on the cheek, but she stopped him with her hand.

“My bad!” he said it loudly enough for everyone to hear, drawing the attention of the guests. 

The guests knew how much he loved Laura, and most smiled at them. He wasn't embarrassed at all. Laura was forced to smile at them, though. 

For him, this felt like the perfect moment. The fact that she was grateful towards his family made him feel good about himself. 

Nervous about what he was about to do, he reached into his pocket for the small box. 

He took Laura’s hand, which had been smiling but quickly changed when she looked down at their clasped hands. She looked at him, as if pleading with him to let go, but he only held her hand tighter as she tried to pull away. 

He felt her nails dig into his palm, but he still flashed her a warm smile, despite the silent plea in her eyes.