Avianna's Point of View"Really? She was getting bullied?" The girls asked in unison, eyes widening in surprise at the news they heard from me.I nodded my head in affirmation, "Yeah. The girls were forcing her to do their activities.""I can't believe it. Eunice was never the one to let others do that to her," Zylene mumbled."I agree. She's a fighter, she wouldn't let anyone step on her just like that," Marrah added.I ignored the unknown pang that hit right through my chest after hearing the way they talked about Yumi."What if she's just faking it to get us to pity her?" Keziah suddenly asked."No," Keira quickly contradicted her. "Eunice won't do that. Besides, if she were to act pitiful, wouldn't she let us see her in that state? Based from Avianna's narration, she seemed to be getting bullied for a long time already and yet we still had no idea if Avianna and
Avianna's Point of View"Let's have a sleepover at your house on weekends?" Mirco asked while playing with my hands."Why at my house?" "Your mom baked tasty cupcakes," Zen simply answered on my other side.I rolled my eyes, "I'll tell mom not to bake one.""Hey, don't be like that," he pouted, which made me chuckle as I reached over his face and pinched his cheeks."Should I invite the others?" I asked the two."No," they quickly answered in unison with a shake of their head. "Just the three of us.""You know my dad wouldn't allow us to sleep together in one room, right?"They exchanged glances before flashing a mischievous grin on me, "Who knows, he'll let us later?" Mirco said.I narrowed my eyes on the both of them, suspicious of their smiles and looks, "I know the both of you are up to something. Just so you know, my room's
Avianna's Point of View"WHAT?!" I exclaimed in surprise when mom had told the three of us about the two days and one night family trip in a resort that they, adults, had planned via calls."Don't shout at me, I'm your mother!" Mom pouted at me."Sorry. I was just surprised," I quickly apologized. "Why so sudden?""Well, Zen's parents have a business trip on Tuesday and we'll also leave on Thursday. We won't be able to have dinner for some time since we're away, so we planned this trip before we leave," Dad explained while smiling."So we'll leave later? Immediately?" Mirco asked.Mom shook her head in response, "No, darling. We'll leave right now."And as if on cue, we heard a car honking outside. Without letting us speak, Mom already pulled me on my wrist, dragging me outside our house."Mom! We haven't even packed our things!" I complained while she's still draggin
Avianna's Point of ViewSeriously, I didn't know that when they said "we'll stick with you", they'll take it to another level.They were literally sticking on me wherever I swam. I couldn't even move around freely without them surrounding me. Even as I swim away, I'll be just surprised they're beside me already.It was annoying."Can you at least give me some space?!" I finally snapped after almost half an hour that we're doing this thing. Both of them seemed surprised with my outburst, yet none of them looked like they're going to do what I said."Didn't we tell you we'll stick with you if you wear a two-piece?" Mirco said in a blank tone.I rolled my eyes at him, "I know, but I didn't know you'd take it literally!" I retorted. "I can't even swim properly! Geez. I shouldn't have swim if you're just going to cling on me wherever I go! Even my dad was fine with me wearing this."
Avianna's Point of View"You seemed to be having fun. Can I join you?"I let out a sarcastic laugh as I turned around to face Yumi who was currently standing on the poolside wearing the same robe that I saw inside the hotel room. "Don't you have a life of yours and you always intrude in ours?" I said."Why are you getting mad? This is not even your property!" She retorted."Go swim if you want, I don't give a fuck. But don't disturb us," I uttered with an eye roll."I just wanted to join since I know no one else here..."I could feel my blood boiling at what I just heard. Letting out a mocking laugh, I retaliated, "You said you went here with just your parents, right? Then you should've known you'd really be alone here."She couldn't reply. She glared at me, mouth opening as if she was about to say something but I beat her into it."Save your excuses to yourself, Yumi. No one's going to
Avianna's Point of View"What exactly is wrong with her," Marrah mumbled, sounding in disbelief. "She used to be so cool. What happened to her?"I turned my attention back to Yumi who was now on the floor of the cafeteria after getting tripped by those mean girls that she happened to walk past.Keira and Carmen stood up without saying anything, heading towards Yumi's direction who seemed like she's going to cry any moment.I think I'd cry too if I were in her place. She got tripped inside a place where there's a lot of people, to think her uniform was dirty again from the food she was carrying. Most of the students were also laughing at her.Keira helped her stand up while Carmen yelled at those girls who seemed surprised that they were defending Yumi. After that, they both pulled Yumi out of the cafeteria.I heaved out a sigh as I continued eating my lunch."Geez. When will t
Avianna's Point of ViewI'm not jealous. I swear to the Moon Goddess, this time, this is not jealousy anymore. I'm freaking afraid. Afraid that one day, my mates would realize they still love Yumi. That one day, they would choose her over me. That us, being mates, wasn't enough reason for them to choose me.I know that sounds absurd because mate has to be the most powerful connection in this world, but we're not really mated yet.Somehow, this fear I'm feeling is also my fault. I wasn't ready to fully succumb to be their mate, to be legally bound to them for the rest of our lives. I was waiting for my heat to come, I was waiting for the right time.Had I let them mark me, would things be different right now? Would I not fear having Yumi here? Would I be assured that my mates won't leave me for her?Probably not.Because as much as I wanted to mov
Avianna's Point of View"Do you mind having a company?"I didn't have to turn around to see who it was. Just by hearing his soft voice that always interferes with my thoughts when I'm alone, I already knew who it was."As long as you understand why I'm acting like this, then I don't mind," I replied."When have I never understood you, Av?" Joshua muttered, which made me smile a bit because it's true.Joshua has always been the one who understands me the most that everyone, even my mates, had failed to do so."Since you're here, let me ask you one thing. I want you to answer me truthfully, Josh. I don't want any sugar coated response," I muttered in the most serious tone. I saw how he swallowed before nodding at me."Am I really petty?" I asked him.He quickly shook his head, "No, of course not. Didn't I tell you earlier what you're feeling is valid?"
Avianna's Point of ViewI looked back and forth between my mates and my mentor who were sitting across each other while I sat on the single couch.None of them spoke a word when my mates arrived, and Ryu didn't talk when I informed him that we're going to talk about Mr. Lim.And honestly? I am nervous.I don't know if he's mad that I told my mates about his situation with the old man because he hasn't uttered a single word about it and his expression remained blank. He didn't even ask anything!Then here goes my mates. I don't know why they're not initiating the talk when they were the one who told me they have news regarding that old man. They seemed excited on our call but the moment they entered my office, all that they said was a greeting for Ryu and I.Even when Lianne left after bringing us some coffee, none of us spoke a word.It was a few minutes later that I decided to break the silence."Mirco, Zen," I called them out, earning all three of their attention. "Say what you're g
Avianna's Point of View"Love, babe, please listen—"I tried to reach their hands to stop them, but they quickly avoided it as they quickened their pace towards our unit.I groaned in frustration, trailing behind them before they could go to their respective rooms."It's not what you think!" I exclaimed, forcibly pulling their wrists to turn around and face me. "What you saw in the office is not what you think!""Do you even know what we're thinking?" Mirco asked, his face void of emotion.I gulped, "We're not doing anything bad. I'm sorry if you have to see that, and I'm sorry for doing that as well but I was just comforting him, okay? Ryu's having a hard time...""And you resorted to hugging him knowing how jealous we are of him?" Zen scoffed."Because he needs it!" I exclaimed. "Hugs helped in comforting some people, and it helped him even a bit. Trust me, I hugged him for comfort, without any malice on both sides. Mhm?"They looked away, their chest kept on heaving. They're probabl
Avianna's Point of View"Bye, Mom! I'll try to visit again tomorrow!""You stubborn lady. I told you that you can just visit us every weekend! You're disturbing your mates as well!" Mom reprimanded me."It's alright with us, Mom. We also wanted to check on you and Dad," Mirco said."See?" I faced my parents and said, just to make a point. "I will visit whenever I want to."Mom rolled her eyes at me, "Whatever you say, young lady. You should get going now. Mirco and Zen need to have plenty amount of rest because of you.""I'm your daughter here?""And?" She raises an eyebrow.I just pouted, "Whatever. We're leaving! Bye!"The ride on our way home was just silent. Both of my mates were unusually quiet and I think I have an idea why, but I decided not to mention it. They were being unreasonable last night. I was too embarrassed to face Ryu because of how they acted toward him!Gosh. Ryu has been nothing but kind to me then my mates will just act rude to him? Geez.I don't want to mention
Avianna's Point of View"Do your mates usually arrive this late?" Vance asked me while we were just at the university gate waiting for my mates to arrive.He accompanied me here when he saw me standing outside. I asked my mates to buy me coffee before they went here. That's why they took longer than usual. They must've been caught by the traffic.I shook my head, "Not every time. There's just some time where they got dismissed late or they were caught in traffic.""Why don't you try to commute?""They didn't want me to. They said they can fetch me every day and everywhere I go so there's no need for me to commute. Zen even said, 'What's the use of our cars if we'll let you commute?'""They have a point," Vance agreed."Oh, they're here," I said when I saw Zen's car approaching.They parked right in front of me and I smiled at the window, knowing that they could see me from inside even though I couldn't see them.The door on the passenger seat opened and revealed Mirco who was wearing
Avianna's Point of View"Why didn't they inform us about the meeting getting moved hours earlier?! We wouldn't be panicking like this if they informed us!" I frustratedly exclaimed while collecting all the folders that had our proposal."There are times when a businessman as big and successful as Mr. Lim would do things the way they want because they know they have the upper hand. It's the same in our case. He knew we've been wanting to close a deal with him, that's why he's hastily doing things. Of course, we had no choice but to just follow whatever he wants," Ryu explained while typing something on his laptop."Tss. Big people and their annoying attitudes," I muttered. Ryu chuckled, "Welcome to the world of business."I playfully rolled my eyes, "This is why I didn't want to get involved in any business-related things.""Hmm, that's why you took Education?""How did you know?" I asked, brows furrowed in confusion because as far as I know, I never told him about it. All he knew was
Avianna's Point of View"Avianna, have you finished your part already?" Jace, one of my group mates in research asked.I nodded my head, yawning. "I sent it in your email. I apologize in advance if there are so many mistakes on my part. I couldn't double-check it anymore since I was so sleepy at that time.""It's fine. I'll just proofread it myself. You should just rest. The bags under your eyes looked so heavy," he said.I forced out a smile, "Thanks, Jace."I ducked my head on the table, yawning for the nth time.I only slept for two hours. I finished my work at one o'clock in the morning and I had to finish my part in our research, which was given to us last week but I barely started it and I just got to really do it last night, or earlier. I don't know anymore.All I know is that I want to sleep. I've been so sleep-deprived for the past weeks."Leondale."I lifted my head to look at who called me. When I looked up, I saw Vance peering down at me while handing out a can of soda and
Avianna's Point of ViewI'm beyond exhausted.Classes have returned two weeks ago and since then, I've been juggling my studies and work while still constantly going back and forth to our house to check on my father and to our unit if I finished my tasks early.On top of that, I'm also reading a lot of books that can help me with handling the company when I have free time. Usually, when I finish all my activities and projects.It was hard. I'm doing fairly good with the company but I still lack a lot of things. I couldn't just keep on asking for help from my mates since their classes returned as well so they were also busy. And as much as they tell me that I'm not a bother to them, I still feel embarrassed asking favors from them. So as much as possible, when I know I can do it although it's difficult, I will do it by myself.But it's draining me. I couldn't even go outside to have a date with my mates and to have a proper hangout with my friends. I slept late after doing my activitie
Mirco's Point of View"Are you on your way already?""Yup. We just bought a drive-thru for you so you can just eat at home and rest afterwards," I replied."Hmm, okay. Drive safely, babe.""I will," I said and then I passed my phone to Zen who was just quietly listening in my passenger seat."Wait for us in the lobby, not outside. No. We'll just go to you. Fine. We'll just call you once we arrive then. Alright. See you in a bit, my love," I glanced at him and saw that he had already ended the call before throwing my phone into the open glove compartment of my car. I shot him a glare because of it."Don't throw my phone like that, you fucker!" I exclaimed at him but being the annoying asshole that he is, he just ignored my words.This asshole... if only I could yeet him out of my car, I would have done it the moment I started the engine.It's been almost two weeks since we came home from Japan after we found out that Avianna's father was brought to the hospital because of his weakening
Zen's Point of View"Dad! Oh my gosh, what the hell happened to you?!" Sullivan and I could only on the back as Avianna approached his father who was lying down on a hospital bed with a weak smile plastered on his face."Sweetie," he mumbled, his voice hoarse. "I'm fine.""Fine?! Is this what fine is to you?! You can barely sit!" "Sweetie," her mom called her in a stern voice. "Don't yell at your father."Avianna glanced at her mother briefly before returning her gaze to her father, eyes softening as she heaved out a deep sigh."I'm sorry, dad," she muttered.Dad smiled, reaching her hands to softly caress it, "It's fine. I knew you'd react like this, that's why I didn't want to tell you."What he said made the frown on Avianna's face return."What? So you really have no plans on telling us?""I have, but after you're done with your trip," Dad replied. "But your Mom just had to tell you and now your first out-of-the-country trip is ruined because of me.""What? That's not true! We c