"We're at the mansion, Mang Lucio," said Sage and guided me away. He put his hand on my waist. I drifted away, wanting to get away from the curious eyes of the people there. But we hadn't gone far when the woman chased us.
"I will heal your wound so I can recover," he said softly. But her eyes are telling me she has another motive for offering that. I pursed my lips.
"Not anymore, Kara. Excuse us," Sage said coldly.
The mansion's exterior looks old, giving an ancient vibes. Its garden is extensive and the bermuda seems to always be taken care of. Just in front of it, a wide corn plantation lies. I wonder when did this mansion was built. Was it during her grandmother's time? Or is it older?
Entering, the marble floor greeted us. On the hall, a huge and old fashioned chandelier is hanging at the center. The walls are cream colored. There is a large portrait of a couple in the middle. Probably it's his grandmother and grandfather. I assumed it was taken on t
My hand was in my pocket, the other was holding the thin sling of the bag as I looked back and forth at the floor and at the closed door of Sage's room.I felt uneasy as I waited for him to come out. It was only recently that I had the courage to do those things to him. But now that I'm in the right state of mind, I realized I was too careless with my words and actions.The door clicked. I looked up at the door. At the same time was the release of Sage. He's now wearing a gray shirt. It looks like she has a lot of clothes here. Well, it's his family's mansion. That's natural so I shouldn't be surprised.He gestured me to walk first, and so I did. Even in the back I could still smell his scent. Or maybe I was too struck with it a while ago that it didn't left my senses until now."I'm sorry for the accident. I'll be more careful next time," he said as we walked down the stairs."Don't be sorry for something that's not your fault. You didn't want wha
We should have gone out of the mansion first to take a walk as he said. As soon as I came out, I was immediately amazed at the extent of their land. The corn plantation is very wide, too. The crops seemed to dance with every gust of wind.The wind blew my hair silently, as if whispering something surreal. The fresh air really did help on the sun's heat. Because there I could not feel the heat of the sun. It was fine and cloudy so the sun didn't hurt the skin. Aside from that, the air here is very refreshing, too. If only I could really walk around here always I would."Are you sure you're fine with the sun?" Sage asked.I noticed he's really bothered with it. Are the women with him like that? Sensitive to low heat? Maybe so. Of course the rich are what he wants. Those elite women are born in golden chambers, unlike me who grew up in slums."I'm not that sensitive, Sage." I smiled a little.He raised an eyebrow at the same time looking at my arm. I
"Let's enroll together on Monday, ha! I said goodbye to Mama so you can take time off from work that day!" said Rose when she visited me at the coffee shop after telling me about a man she met on a dating app."Are you sure Tita is okay?""Yes!"I nodded and smiled. "Thank you ...""Sage will pick you up today?""Yes why?""I hope all the lovelife is abundant, what?" She laughed. I was shaken."Because I would have taken you to the mall, eh! You know, like we always do. You can bring your boyfie and then I'll bring a boylet for happy–""I do not have a boyfriend."He smirked. "It's ungrateful, oh! Just your baby boy Mongreco!""Stop it, Rose!"He laughed. "Okay, fine! Your poging driver. Okay?""I'm not his driver either." That term doesn't suit him."E, what? Your wife, girl? Is also the height of the dream!" she joked and sipped on her milkshake. Her eyes rolled. I just chuckled.
He opened the door for me. I bit my lower lip subtly when I noticed how his forehead creased. I took a deep breath and faced him when he got out."So ... when are you going home?" I tried to sound normal this time.He leaned against the front seat door. The wind blew through my hair so I grabbed it. He glanced at my hair, pursing his lips more."What, Sage?""Do you want me to go home?" he asked again. I stopped myself from answering the question. Maybe because I’m afraid of making a mistake in answering."You asked that before.""And you didn't answer it properly."My tongue is sticking out. How should I answer that one? And why does he even need to know if I want him to come home or not? I think it doesn't matter. Because no matter what I say, he goes home and goes home anyway. He is not from here."I don't think I have to answer that. My opinion doesn't matter." I smiled a bit to hide my uneasineness."You sound
"Oh, is that your face? You have a period, girl?" said Rose and took my arm. She looked around. "Brenda said your baby boy is here. Where is he — oh, he's there!"I lowered his hand to point at Sage. I pulled her towards Brenda."Why is there a woman with that? Wait, it's Lorie, isn't it? Your guest from the Education Department?""Yes, that's him.""Hey, why did you leave? I'm sure he's flirting with Sage, Kaia! Yard your man properly! Don't let that slut steal something from you!""There's nothing to steal, Rose. What do I care if Lorie flirts with her? She seems to love it so they'll take care of it," I said bitterly. I almost struggled with annoyance."Why are you late, Benita Rose ?!" said Brenda as we approached her. She was talking with a boy earlier. He also moved away as soon as he saw us approaching."I even bought drinks! I brought brandys and whiskeys! They were in the car. Those are my gifts to you because we're goi
"There's nothing to fix!" My voice raised."Tell me.""Just leave me alone, will you?"He scoffed. "How can I let you if I know you're mad at me, huh? Do you think I can just leave you alone with this cold treatment? That's bullshit, Kaia."Yeah. It is bullshit. Really."Are you mad because I talked that way about your admirer?" He asked, annoyed.I gritted my teeth. Thinking of it now, I can't pinpoint the exact reason why I am this mad. Yes, I was annoyed because his comment to Warren was bad. But that's too petty for me to get mad like this.Or maybe I'm just afraid to accept the real reason why I am acting like this."I'll be back there." I tried to walk but he held me again."Let me go!" bulyaw ko. His grip loosened, taken aback with my rage. He moved his mouth and backed away slightly."Don't touch me again," I said emphatically.I walked out without looking at him. I went back to the table only to se
"The heat! Can't we just insert in the queue? There are a lot of people who like you there so I'm sure they'll let us go first," Rose said while shrugging herself with her hand. I can't count how many times he struggled."That's not possible, what are you. Maybe before we can enroll the women in the back will pick us up."Rose just kept on renting. Many were the first to get the priority number because it took us a while to arrive. Brenda namana is supposed to enroll on the second day. He still seems to have a walk today.It was past twelve when we finished there. He almost got into a fight because a woman bumped into him and he almost fell down. Fortunately, I stopped. Rose really has a bad temper especially and she just came from a long wait."Will you eat?" Kenneth asked."Yes. Don't come along," Rose said once dragging me off campus. I turned to Kenneth and found him shaking. I mouthed, 'sorry' and he just nodded. Two men approached him so I fa
I went to the kitchen and and washed my hands. I leaned on the sink then. I looked down on the floor and crossed my arms as I shut my eyes tightly. I took another deep breath."Why did you leave there?"I almost jumped and suddenly my eyes widened when someone suddenly spoke. I saw Sage walking towards me. I can feel like my heart had plans on wrecking my chest because of it's rapid beating."Can't stand your jealousy, huh?" he asked coldly.My heart beat faster when he stopped in front of me."You shouldn't be surprised. Livius is no prince charming, Kaia." His jaw clenched.Jealousy? Livius? What is he saying?"I do not know what you're saying.""Your mixed signals is fucking frustrating."I can not talk. I couldn't even understand what he was saying!"Why are you here? Go b
I almost shivered when his hand touched my waist. Every flick of his tongue was full of ardor. I was so close to his shoulder when he lifted me off the bed. Crouching in front of me like a dominant hunter ready to end his long famine, he pulled my nape aggressively as he gave me an alluvion of intoxicating kisses. A strange heat flared up in my body. His hand skillfully found the zipper of my dress and maneuvered it, while his hot kisses were traveling down to my jaw. I flinched at the caress of his hand on my back. My body was shaking and it feels like I couldn't hold on to my precious sanity any longer. My inhibitions and rationality were all thrown out of the window, leaving my mind empty. With my kind of lifestyle, I could have easily gave in to my past boyfriends who asked me for it. I’m not ready yet, that’s what I always say. But the truth is, I was searching for the man who could make me feel like this. I can’t give that to past boyfriends because I c
Holding my books, my props rather, I went in, and the chatterings were silenced.It wasn't long though, when I heard soft murmurs."Grace? So she's the one who will help Mrs. Rellis present the topic? Pero first year lang siya. Don't you think that's a bit off?" the girl on the third row whispered to her seatmate."Ah. It's a good thing I didn't continue to be absent. I wouldn't miss this," the man in the back said. His group looked at me as if I'd be pleased with their smug smiles."Yeah, bro. Grace's beautiful. I really don't know why so many are afraid of her. I mean, why would they be scared of an angel's face?"I could feel my lips almost twitching. Angel? I wonder if I'd let them see my fangs, would they still think the same?"Pabida. Isn't this an insult to us? We're in our third year and then we will be taught a first year without even taking a course?"Jealousy. One of the emotions very common among humans. Nothing new.
My eyebrows rose."In that case, why are you still here?"His lips parted a bit and gave me a critical look. He didn't speak immediately as if he knew I would be offended by what he was going to say."Tita suddenly ordered something so Cesar left on my motorbike. I will take you home.""What ?!""Yes, Chanelle."Lintik!"What is Mommy's order and all of a sudden ?!""I don't know. Cesar never said that."I sighed and rolled my eyes. Push me into the back seat. Why is it that he was not the only one ordered instead of my driver.Mommy and Daddy took a long time to get home that night. It's often like that. So every time like that, often, I deliver dinner to teresa or say to eat later. I don't even want to keep up with Euan.I rehearsed the lines of my audition piece before going to sleep. With my effort, I'm sure there's a good chance I'll get it. So the next day, I was really positive."Good luck, Ch
Of course! Why would I prioritize anything else if I knew my family was falling apart? I would have booked the earliest flight the moment I heard the news."Of course, I also don't want to ruin a special event in your life. Especially since you announced you had a big endorsement offer in the States."I sighed. Coming back to Philippines was supposed to be just a short vacation. And even before going home, I decided to accept the offer. While I was studying my film degree, I also accepted some modeling jobs and catwalks.At first, I only accepted the offer because I was bored and wanted to try. Eventually, I realized it's fun and I was actually good at it. So I started accepting offers one after another. My parents didn't have problem with it.Mommy even offered to help me land in good offers, since she was also a model before, and many acquaintances. But I declined because it seemed unfair to others who eeffort to go to go-sees. I don't want to be chosen
I was a little terrified when we looked at each other. I immediately turned to Mommy."Mom, he looks unpleasant. He's too thin, pale and has very dark eyes. He looks like the nerd and malnourished version of Dracula–""Chane!"I stopped and bit my lower lip."He's a very kind boy. He's poor and has no relatives. He has nowhere to go. Can't we help him a bit?""Then, bring him to the orphanage?"Mommy greeted me."We're not planning to adopt him, okay? We'll just help him a bit. You'll remain our only baby, Chanelle," she assured me and kissed my forehead.I pouted. I looked at the boy again and when I saw that he was also looking at me, I hid a little from Mommy. I'll remind Daddy later to double the locks on my door. Maybe later it's Dracula's slave and he's planning to suck my blood at night.With another person living in our house, it was really hard to adjust at first. I got used to just the three of us Mommy s
"What ?! You're just suddenly popping up there! What are you? Ghost?"His brow raised."How about you? Why are you standing there in the middle? You're even modeling in the car park?"This idiot!"What do you care? Mind your own business!" once turn away from him and walk away.Though, it's not long when I heard his voice again. He followed me."Where are you going, Chanelle? You've already passed your car."I closed my eyes tightly, not looking back at him."I know! I won't use that car. Froilan already has the key so how can I use it?""And what car are you in?""Cinderella's carraige?" my sarcastic answer."Very funny, Chane.""Oh, I'm glad I humored you!"A tug on the wrist stopped me. In shock I even released the clutch. I glared at Euan. If I could just blow out the fire, he would have been cooked for a long time."You're being dragged! You've been here before, ah? What the hell i
"Chane Estrella?"I smiled at the acquaintances. They were shocked that I came."Chane! You're back! When else?""Just hours ago," I replied and looked around. It's just that I couldn't find Daddy because there were other acquaintances to greet him."Hello, hija! Are you here to accompany your Daddy?"I smiled at the old woman. Family friend so I let go."Yes. Actually, my Mommy should be with her now. But something urgent came, so I'm here on her stead.""Oh! But I thought ..." she trailed off and laughed a bit.The malicious glint in her eyes told me what she's thinking. I plastic smiled and passed him. Supposedly friendly, but really just want to gossip.The whispers of the envy did not escape me, the ones who can never reach my level, so the envy just goes through the motions. I continue walking without looking at them, unbothered by whatever they're talking about behind my back.An actor greeted me. I would h
"She offered me and my father's campaign team to stay here for the campaign. She promised a comfortable place and good accommodation. Is that what you're saying?""She didn't promise anything else?" His lips stretched in doubt. The look is stinging."What else would she promise?""Like marrying me?"There was a ghost of smile on his lips."She brought you here. She won't do that just to help. It's obvious that she's pairing us."I grinned and shook, laughing. I never thought he could humor me that way.Her eyes narrowed as if wondering why I was reacting that way."Why? You're afraid to be tied up?" I taunted."So you know Mama has such a plan? You want to marry me?"This brute! Very arrogant too really. Is he thinking that every woman in the world is dying to marry him? Ridiculous."Don't worry. I'm sure your Mama has no plans to marry us. And I don't want to marry you as well."Her smile faded. For
The first courses and drinks were served. I was expecting that we'll talk about family issues that night, but since Tita Glesilda was there, if not the business then the campaign is in question."Actually, Leandra wants him to lead the campaign there in Antique this summer.""Really?" Tita Glesilda looked at me."Yes, Glesilda. She's that passionate to help her father's campaign," Mama said proudly."That's good! If so, where will she stay in Antique during that time?""We have a mansion in San Ardiente. She can stay there with the campaign staffs.""But who will take care of them there? Do you have househelps there?""Ah. Right! We haven't been there since Mama died so only the caretaker was left. But ... I think we could just send househelps ...""Oh, that's too hassle, Ramona! How about this ... I'll house them in our mansion in Vida Riqueza?"Lucius and I looked at each other. He raised an brow and smirk."Are