"Let me go, Nelson!" Naomi harshly pulled away from him as soon as Lana and Samuel disappeared from their view.
"What's wrong Naomi? What did I do to you that you despise me that much?.."
"As I said. Nothing wrong, just stay away from my business."
"No. It's not going to happen. I'm not going to let you go. At least I won't."
"Don't make me repeat myself!" Holding up the rage buckling in her, she makes sure Nelson heard her well this time. "Stay. Away. From. Me."
"NO." Nelson gets a hold of her arm before she gets the chance to run away again. "Give me a chance, let us prove that we are not meant to be together." Nelson hadn't staggered from his position, inoffensive by Naomi's harsh attitude toward him. "Give me a chance." He said, almost half whispering.
As if the time had frozen, for a second, Naomi had listened to him. Their eyes locked, and a surge of adrenaline rushed causing her dewy cheeks to beet red.
"I..."
"It's alright Naomi, I know I shouldn't force you into accepting me. But I'm eager to make you heard me, this time." He pleaded, tiring of the games of chasing around.
"You are..., ridiculous," Naomi stuttered, averting his gaze, in a way too soft to sound angry nor irritated. The sour taste was crumpled in her chest, waiting to be released.
Hoping Naomi will catch up with him, he leads the way. Throwing one last glance, a hand stuffed in the pocket, he said, "Come, let's go." He ordered. "Perhaps I should make a move first, since, you still refuse me to be around?"
"No, I mean, Nelson..."
"It's Neil... You may call me Neil." The striking clear brown eyes penetrate into her soul, assuring her it's alright to let her insecure down.
In this world, she had no one else to turn to, if even her only uncle won't bother to ruin her why would anyone else care. Yet anyone who bothers about her will only be left with a burden larger than themselves as if she is a living curse.
Her aging parents had to abandon Nora's needs to support her studies, and Nora had no choice but to leave the house...
And Lana...
Lana shouldn't be at the scene at that time, even though she had done her best to protect Lana, it is the grudge that acts to the sinister disastrous ending.
She had allowed the devil to take over her clear mind on that day...
In fact, anyone could be the victim, but fate chooses her only best friend. If only it wasn't Lana..., then it wouldn't end that way.
It was Lana's fault after all. She had made her into the mess.
Her life is totally a joke to the world.
Impatient by Naomi's clueless demeanor Nelson returns to her, casually putting both hands on her shoulder, "Come on, I know what you think about me, so, you should prove this blurry guy is terrible." Nelson says it to her face to divert her attention to him.
An unexpected chuckle escaped from Naomi's thin light rosy lips which then erupted into an infectious giggle. Nelson burst out a suppressed laugh trying to figure out the source of the comedy. "What? Why are you laughing."
Breaking their eye contact, she looks away and finds a distraction from the empty walls. Clearing her throat, she composes herself, fighting the urge to smile, she answered, "You are funny."
How long had it been? Nelson had no memory of this side of her. Eventually, Naomi had overwhelmed him with her hidden bright personality.
Alternately nudging her glass frame upon the bridge of her nose, she quickly responded, " I think... I should go, see you around." She said as she goes, refusing to meet his gaze.
"Halt." Nelson gets a grip on her again.
The warms of his touch send erratic thuds in her chest echoing in her ears. Yet, she withholds to look back.
"It is suffocating to be at school all the time. Don't you think so?" Nelson suggested.
In slow motion, Naomi responded to him. Her curious rounded, prominent innocent eyes fixated on him, making his heart skip a beat as a soft reply slip away her lips. "Huh...?"
Warding off the robust desire to devour her lips. He uttered in his forced baritone, "Come with me." Holding her hand, he hauls her away with him.
"But..."
Taking one last glimpse at the empty hallway for witnesses to their truant, adjusting her spectacles, Naomi quickly matched Nelson's steps.
His back view encloses her way, broad shoulder of him establish a warm refuge to her, and the fact that Nelson is clutching her hand securely in the palm of his hand had ceased her ability from functioning as usual.
"What on earth is wrong with you today? Wake up, Naomi!" Her inner voice screamed to herself. When they are standing beside Nelson's metallic lime green sporty Z-style superbike at the school parking lot, Naomi is yet to be aware of her surrounding.
Handing her one of the ebony matte helmets, Nelson puts on his gloves and leather jacket he tugged nicely in his backpack. Acknowledge that Naomi will stay confused, he gently assisted her to put on her helmet. Igniting the start button, the engine rumble to life. As he mounted on, he lifted his visor, gesturing Naomi to take the seat behind him. "Let's go to a place, I will drop you home afterward."
The details of his words were silenced by the roaring of the super machine, she didn't get what had he said, yet, Naomi decided to neglect all the norms and accepted his offer.
Making sure his passenger is safe and sound at his back, he advised, "Hold me tight, Naomi. We are going on a date." He said softly, a smile deepening his dimples formed from behind his full-face helmet. Twisting the throttle, he maneuvered smoothly and accelerate out of the school compound.
The hot day of the day is beginning to subside as the sun is going down. Naomi and Nelson take a seat on the bench by the riverbank overlook from the bustling of the metropolitan Sillas City."Promise me, from now on, never turn your back on me again." He muttered.Naomi paused, staring into the eyes of a boy who wanted to be with her persistently, Naomi lost, the stone-cold heart of her melted a little by little, starting to warm her from the inside."Naomi..."The way he speaks her name awakens her soul. Urging her to feel human again. After the bad encounter with her uncle, she has no reason to be happy anymore.In her subconscious mind, man is a monster. Being strong, they only wanted to conquer the female and threaten the weakest.But...Why is there another one other than Samuel Jin in front of her, denying every thought that she had in a male?"Naomi? Hello? Are you alright?" Nelson waves to her face, trying to get her attention.Directing her view to the other side, Naomi sighe
In the heart of the most luxurious neighborhoods of Sillas City, the Hills of Moon Village is ironically stuck in a re-development that is still in progress after so many years due to the terrain.Thus, if there is the unurgent business to settle, the villager won't bother to go through the unwinding stairways alley just to get to the city as the basic essential supplies still can be acquired from the row of old shops which I barely remember, consist of a barbershop, little cafe, and a groceries martYet, Naomi is going through the same route daily to get to the school. I almost admired her strong will, looking back to check on Samuel, I had caught Samuel had been wiping away sweats many times."Are you alright, Sam?" I deliberately ask just to check whether he regrets his decision to go with me this morning."I'm good, watch your steps." In his breathy voice, he replied."We are almost there," I said, showing him the significant gate at the end of the alley.Ringing the bells, we are
"What?"Once again we are exclaiming the same question to the fact. There is really a bundle of newfound information that surprises us.Gently, Mrs. Jang pours the tea into our glass cups, her hands are steady in her age. Drawing back to her seat, her bitter smile reflected as the poignant memory resurface."Indeed, he is my half-brother. I don't pledge for Naomi, she has the reasons why she is ashamed to declare his own uncle." She demurred. "Growing up, he had always cast problems. Drugs, gambling, and debts from the loan shark, always gave my mother heartache and disappointment. My mother died soon later, having no one else to depends but for me, my family is living in hell soon afterward. " Tears welling up in her eyes, threatening to fall at any time."Aunty... it's alright. The bad memories are best left behind." Samuel puts his hands on hers, retaining her from being sad all over again."Son, as a mother, I'm alright, I'm strong. But, my pity daughter, Naomi's fate, is what brea
Good weather is a good day, I tell myself. Wiping away the droplets of sweat from my forehead, I push the left-ajar gate wide. "Naomi?" I called to her as I shut the gate properly behind me. Am I too early? I wondered; it seemed like even Mrs. Jang was not around either. I proceeded to the front door, and knocked, "Naomi?" The unlocked door sound startled me; Naomi was at the door. "Come in, my mom has gone to the market." She said as she held the door, letting me into her house. Naomi, how are you? I'm glad to see you again. " "I'm good." She replied in her cold undertones. Bolting the door behind me, she takes my hand, leading me into her bedroom, where we always spend time after school during the first year of middle school. Naomi's unusual behavior had me pondering the reason she called me in, yet I decided to hear her out. I take a look around. Her bedroom hadn't changed much, everything is in place and neat as usual. Books were sprawled on her study desk, indicating that
"Cheers to our Nelson first girl!!" They yelled joyously over the non-alcoholic cocktails. Glasses clinking. Naomi's cheeks were almost burned by the surprise arranged by Nelson at the private yacht club lounge belonging to his family.
It is past 10:30 pm after our late night revision class, I definitely disapprove of doing study at this hour. But this is the only way I can avoid getting home earlier, mom wouldn't be allowing me to go to Samuel's house for the sake of studying, and definitely, a boy coming to my house to study with me is a no-no. And so here am I, sitting on Samuel's passenger side, trying to stay awake on the 25 minutes drive home."You keep dozing off, Lana. Tired?" Asked Samuel while his gaze concentrates on the road."Hmm..."I mumbled, lazily turned to him, "Yeah, Luca have an episode again last night.""Just close your eyes then, I will wake you up later," Samuel suggested."Sure," I replied in brief. Silly, my eyelids are heavy, I would be glad to be granted 10 minutes of eyes close. I just don't want to be rude, having Samuel drive me home while I was asleep. Giving up on trying to stay awake, I let the slumber take me in.I was floating in a soundproof vicinity, allowing the waves to lull me
Drip, drip, drip... The white voice of rain awakens me. Gradually, I regained consciousness. Looking around to the familiar place, I realize I was back in my classroom, alone. I had fallen asleep. The classroom is empty, and the clock above the whiteboard shows that it is 5:50 pm. A realization hits me like thunder, could it be... I pulled away from my desk, heartbeat racing, wildly looking around me. Am I having another nightmare again? "Student?" A voice startled me, practically had me get a heart attack. I gasped in horror as the person I feared the most appeared at the front door. "Student, are you alright? Why are you staying alone in the classroom?" The perfectly fine Mr. Bong asked. No, there is something wrong with the setting. Am I returning to thi
It's late in the middle of the day, the sun is warm, a soft breeze gently ruffled her middle-length wavy hair. Naomi had just finished her Sunday part-time job, noticing the front gate isn't locked, she pondered whether her mother had forgotten to lock the door again. "Ma?" Her voice echoed into the empty house. Her mom isn't around, she sighed to no avail, her mother had gone out for the day, the dining table had been prepared with the meal, waiting to be re-heat. She looks over her surrounding, her sixth sense gesturing she isn't alone. A terror strikes as she found the door to her room was ajar. She never left her bedroom left unlocked! Her steps stuttered, unable to think for a moment. She purposely left the main door open wide, grabbing the handle of a broom which coincidentally was the most suitable weapon she found closer to her, she carefully entered her room. "
The cold concrete of the car park pressed up through my soles as if trying to root me in place, but my body moved forward, and the weight of unspoken words pressing down on my chest.Jason walked slightly ahead, his hand gripping my arm as though he feared I might slip away.Not tightly, but firm enough to remind me that, he was in control.Each step echoed the conflict in my heart.The medication effect had begun to fade, but I remained deliberately slow, dragging my feet as if the weight of my hesitation could anchor me in place.I glanced toward Jerry, who walked beside us with his medical bag slung over his shoulder, his face calm but watchful. His presence was the only tether holding me together, his earlier assurance repeating in my mind.Trust me. Stay calm.I wanted to stop, to refuse to take another step. But the pieces of my past clawed their way to the surface, dragging me back to my final year in medical school at Granata.Back then, I'd been trapped in a relationship with
The first thing I noticed was the soft golden light filtering through the curtains. It was late morning—much later than I ever slept. My body felt heavy, every movement sluggish, as if weighed down by invisible chains.Then Jason's voice broke through the fog."Lana," he called gently. His tone was soothing, warm, yet it grated on my nerves. I blinked, struggling to focus on his face. He sat beside me, leaning slightly forward, a faint smile curving his lips."There you are," he murmured, his fingers brushing my arm. "How are you feeling? Jerry medication helped you rest?"Medication. The word tugged at my hazy memories, the events before I'd drifted off felt distant, like a half-remembered dream.I tried to sit up, but the effort sent a wave of dizziness through me. Jason was quick to steady me, his hand firm on my shoulder."Easy," he coaxed. "No need to rush."I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "Jerry…" I croaked, the name slipping out before I could stop myself.Jason's expression di
The next day arrived with an overcast sky, casting dull shadows over the apartment. I sat by the window, absently tracing the edge of my bandage, the throbbing wound a dull reminder of my fractured state. My mind buzzed with static, unable to focus on the passing hours.The soft chime of doorbell, shattering the silence. Jason, who had been typing away on his laptop, stood and moved to answer it. His footsteps were steady, calculated, as always."Jerry," Jason greeted warmly, opening the door wide. "Right on time."Jerry stepped in, carrying his medical bag, his expression carefully neutral. He nodded at Jason before his eyes sought me out across the room."Lana," Jerry greeted, his voice soft. "How are you feeling?"I mustered a faint smile, though it didn't reach my eyes. "I'm fine."Jason gestured toward me, his tone brisk. "She's been good, but check her thoroughly. We're flying back to Granata tomorrow."Jerry's eyes flickered at Jason's words, but he said nothing, only offering a
The apartment was cloaked in a cruel, suffocating silence after Jason left the room. I sat frozen on the couch, my eyes fixed on the empty space he had occupied moments ago. My skin crawled as if his touch still lingered, a phantom weight pressing down on me, feeding my fear.The faint creak of a door opening broke through my thoughts. My breath hitched, heart pounding as Jason emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray. Steam wafted from a small bowl of porridge, the delicate aroma mingling with something I couldn't place.A bitterness that made my stomach churn."I thought you might need something light," he said, his tone almost cheerful as he set the tray on the coffee table. His eyes flicked to me, dark and unreadable. "You didn't eat much earlier."I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering in my ears. "Thank you," I murmured, forcing the words out.Jason stepped closer, his gaze studying me with unnerving precision. "How are you feeling, Lana?""I'm fine," I replied quickly, too quickl
The silence that followed was oppressive, thick with unspoken intent.Jason leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table as if settling into a position of control. His movements were measured, deliberate, each one calculated to remind me the ground I stood on.“I told them you were fine,” he said finally, his voice a velvet blade. His lips curled into a faint smile, the kind that promised nothing good. “But they want to hear from you.” He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over me like a heavy shroud. “It’s been days, Lana.”The air felt suffocating, Jason’s calm demeanour amplifying the tension. His gaze pinned me in place, sharp and knowing, as if he could already anticipate my every move.He slid the phone closer to me, the screen lighting up as if it, too, was waiting for my response.Daring me to pick it up.Before I could respond, he picked up my phone. My pulse quickened as he studied it, his thumb gliding over the screen like a predator sizing up its prey.“Call
The haze lifted slowly, my mind wading through the fog and my body was leaden, limbs weighed down by some invisible force. My throat was parched, and my head throbbed with a dull ache.The muted light of the room seemed to pulse against the drawn curtains, pressing in with an almost suffocating weight. As I stirred, the room felt different. Stale yet eerily pristine. My eyes landed on the bedside clock. The time was familiar, but the date... it didn't make sense.Had I really been out that long?My chest tightened as fragments of the last time I was awake flitted through my mind. Nelson.How will he save me?I shifted carefully, every muscle screaming in protest as I pushed myself upright. The effort made me dizzy, but I was desperate to move, to feel alive again. My eyes fell on my arms, wrapped tightly in bandages. A shower.I needed to scrub away the staleness clinging to my skin, the invisible grime that made my skin crawl.But the bandages...Slowly, I swung my legs over the edg
The room was bathed in muted warmth, the golden light of day now replaced by the dim glow of a table lamp perched on the nightstand. Its soft illumination cast elongated, wavering shadows across the walls, lending an air of quiet unease. The curtains were drawn tight, but the faint hum of the city beyond told me it was night.The first thing I noticed was the weight pressing down on my body. My limbs felt heavy, like they were pinned under invisible chains. The rest of the room was cloaked in shadows, silent and still.I remained motionless, my breathing slow and steady, feigning the deep, tranquil slumber Jason expected. Though the sedative dulled my senses, it hadn’t completely robbed me of awareness. Jerry hadn’t administered a full dose—just enough to stave off another panic attack without entirely obliterating my consciousness.I stayed perfectly still, my breathing slow and shallow, feigning the deep slumber Jason expected. The sedative dulled my senses, but not completely. Jerry
Nelson gripped the handlebars of his motorcycle tighter, his knuckles turning white, its powerful engine thrumming beneath him like a restless beast. It roared through the night streets of Sillas City as he weaved through traffic, the engine’s deep growl echoing off the narrow alleys. Lana's trembling voice replayed in his head, each word etched into his mind.“Crescent Towers… tenth floor—uh, number… 358, I think. … you’re my only hope. You have to help me.”He had hesitated at first, and for a fleeting moment, he wondered if this was a prank. But as the silence stretched after the call ended, guilt and worry gnawed at him.What if Lana truly needed help? The thought left a bitter taste in Nelson's mouth."Damn it," he muttered under his breath, twisting the throttle. The 650cc engine roared to life, propelling him forward with a surge of adrenaline.He couldn’t ignore her, not after hearing the desperation in her voice.Nelson eased his bike into the parking lot, the sound of the rum
The room felt heavy with unspoken tension, the kind that seeped into the walls and lingered like a storm waiting to break. Jason stood near the window, his hands clasped tightly behind his back, gazing out at the city skyline. The glittering lights mocked him, a chaotic reflection of the battle raging inside. His jaw tightened as he exhaled slowly, the sound barely audible over the hum of the air conditioning.Behind him, Jerry sat at the table, methodically sorting through his medical bag. The precise clink of glass vials against one another was the only sound, a steady rhythm in the charged silence.“Jerry,” Jason began, his voice low, almost a growl. “I need your help.”He didn’t look up immediately, but Jason noticed the subtle stiffening of his shoulders. When Jerry finally met his gaze, his expression was guarded, his movements deliberate as he closed the bag.“I’m already helping you, Jason,” Jerry said coldly. “More than I should.”Jason turned, his expression dark. “We’re not