What I learned about Enzo was he acted based on who was the people in front of him. For example, at school, he acts giddy, cheerful, and childish, but when he was around Kurt and me, he was all mature, caring, and protective. He was friendly yet authoritative when he was in front of their staff. And he looks cool when he acts like that. I thought he was just dumb. He was similar to Hank. I've been thinking of the reason why I hate him. I hate him for being someone I wanted myself to be. He's patient and caring, he's not a whiner, he has discipline, and he thinks before doing any action, unlike me. I am the complete opposite of him.I gave up on mom. I did, and I even think of them as extra baggage. I cannot help but too because she never wanted to get better. She never tried to help herself. She was just sitting watching television, didn't want to eat food that was good for her, and ate the food she wanted, which was not good for her. I cannot rest entirely because I keep thinking abo
HADEHonor has been quite normal for the past week. He doesn't throw any tantrums or just goes berserk. We thought we were doing pretty great on handling him, not until we let him visit Hally and Dad. He started throwing everything he could reach in the living room. He destroyed our television, PS5, the mirror, the vases, everything. Our home was a mess. Hank and I—even our helpers can't do anything. Jarred came over to help us handle things, but Honor just didn't want to listen to anyone.He screamed, screamed, and screamed until his voice became hoarse. I glanced at Hank and Jarred talking to his butler about maybe what happened during the visit. This wasn't the first time we let Honor visit Hally and Dad, but this was the first time he got so agitated right after the visit. I wonder what Hally did to the child."This is all your fault, Hade!" Honor yelled as he started stomping toward me. Hank instantly yanked Honor away from me. "If you just died, mom and dad will never be taken a
I walked out of the class as soon as I saw Jarred's message. Grandfather called an emergency meeting without Hank and me, and they will now vote for the next owner of the Agnello's empire. I thought we had decided to talk about this when we graduated. Why are they rushing it now? I stepped on the gas and glanced in the rear mirror.When I got in there, Hank was already standing beside grandfather. He was yelling at Hank. I walked inside and stood beside Hank. I stared at the Whiteboard behind my grandfather, and my eyes widened when I saw how many stocks I owned in the company. When did these stocks go up? I glanced at Hank, and he looked so serious. What were they talking about when I wasn't still here?"I'm going to put all my shares at Hank," Grandfather said. Everyone started to whisper around each other."We are against Hank, and you know exactly why Chairman Agnello.", one of the boards said. Grandfather shook his head and slammed his hand on the table, shutting them all up."Ha
Sydney's P.O.V.When I got home, mom didn't talk to me. She kept distancing herself whenever I tried to start a conversation with her. I wonder if she knew what happened to me or if she learned that I've been sneaking out every dawn just to party. I'm not really partying thou. I was just sitting there, letting myself drown from the alcohol, music, and people. That's precisely the definition of partying, isn't it? I leaned my back on the sofa and rested the back of my head on top of the sofa's back. I stared at the White High ceiling and our mini chandelier and smiled. I thought it would take me decades before having this kind of life. I thought I would never feel my mom's warmth again. I was so scared about Paris' future, and now I don't have to. Mom has her flower shop, and Paris can have whatever she wants without overthinking. Dada was doing great. Also, he handed Paris and me a credit card without limit, and they usually hang out weekly with Kurt. I think Paris and Kurt were alre
Enzo and Kurt have been hanging out in our house lately, playing PS5 with Paris. Mom told them not to bring cakes anymore whenever they wanted to hang out because they had already brought a lot. Nazi and mom have been stressing out where to put the cakes Enzo and Kurt have been bringing. Nazi brought already four boxes of cakes to their house, but the cakes were unlimited. I stared at the stock of cakes inside our fridge. Luckily, I got us a big fridge with two doors. I like sweets, so this view was heaven to me."Sydney, bring us some Red Velvet Cake.", Enzo yelled from the living room. I peaked at the kitchen wall dividing the living room. Their backs were facing me, and they were busy playing."Get yourself your goddamn cake Enzo.", I yelled back and saw him turn his head to face me. I stuck out my tongue at him and rolled my eyes. I returned to the fridge and got myself a slice of Red Velvet Cake. I was about to walk toward the living room, but something came to mind. If I wanted
I was with my Go into members at the school grounds preparing our tent for the university week's foundation. Lathan and Sierra were at the office waiting for the handouts while Enzo and Kit were busy organizing the things they'll be using for cooking. The other members were busy fixing the tent, tables, chairs, and designs, while I just stared at them and nodded.I glanced at the tent across ours and saw Jarred, Hank, and Hade staring at our tent with their arms crossed in their chest. They looked at me and shifted their gaze at the tent again. These brats were becoming way too competitive again. I glanced at their tent, which was almost finished, unlike ours. It was a mess, but everyone seemed to enjoy it. They were laughing and teasing each other. I smiled when Kit and I met eyes. She pointed me to Enzo, and he suddenly rolled his eyes at me. I scoffed and rolled my eyes.I glanced at Hade; he was staring at me. I felt so guilty about the words I told him the last day, but I think t
Dr. Kent released me at night. Hade took me home since something very important came up with Jarred while I didn't know where Enzo was. I was just hoping he won't tell his mom and also Dad because for sure Dad would tell mom, and she cannot know this. She cannot stress herself out, not now that she is doing great. Mom asked me about my day when I got home, and I told her about Sir Migs. And she was thrilled to know that after two years, I was able to meet Sir Migs again. She knows how hard it took me to find Sir Migs' social media, but I just can't see any. Mom agreed to have lunch with Sir Migs. We asked Paris if she wanted to go, and she said yes. She was curious to see what was so attractive to Sir Migs to make me go mad in finding him. Sir Migs messaged me that night—asking if we were free next week, which was this week. I checked my schedule, and according to Caye, "You're free to go next week, Monday. But the rest, no." So, I asked Sir Migs if he was free next week, Monday, an
I have rejected affections for years, and now that I have it around me, cornering me, it was kind of weird. I should be happy, right? I should be glad that the people around me gave me things I needed without even saying it. And I don't know how to respond, and I don't know how to react. As I look back with every passing moment, I am surprised at how I respond to Jarred, to Hade, to Hank, to Paris, to Enzo, to Dad, to everyone. I was used to doing everything on my own, I was built not to seek help, but now everyone keeps lining up behind me, holding the rope together, pulling the thing I've been pulling alone since I was a child. I'm no longer alone on this cliff, pulling the rope where I have no idea what's on the other side. Was it a person? Or maybe a rock? Or what if there was nothing? What if I keep pulling something and end up with nothing? I have rejected reality for years, and I keep running away from them, finding distractions after distractions. What if these were all just
Paris' P.O.V.Mom recovered her speech now. She can have a normal conversation without stuttering or just using one to three words. But still can't move her left hand. Dad changed. He was like a new person, like a freshly born. After I graduated from high school, Dad returned to the Philippines. He ran a food business which was actually a hit, just like how you imagined it would turn out. Dad quit drinking alcohol and looked much more healthy than ever. He and mom were running the business. And their relationship was far from how we saw it. It became better than ever.I took Architectural, just like how we planned for our future, and I graduated as Laude. Who's stupid now, Sydney? I remember we were talking about it when you asked me what my future would be, and we both stayed quiet for a while thinking about our future. One night, we decided to stay up and eat midnight snacks. We sneaked outside while mom was sleeping and bought food on 7/11. We stayed on the roof watching the moon
I stared at the end of the aisle and saw Hade staring at me with tears in his eyes. Hade smiled as I took my first step on this red carpet. I never thought that I'll look good in a White dress. Every step I took, I saw images of us, how we met, and spent every second, minute, hour, day, and month together. I stared at Hade's face remembering every detail. He looked so happy, and I could never ask for anything else.When I reached the end of the aisle, I smiled at him and walked toward him and smiled. I mouthed congrats before I walked to the side to give way to his bride. I watched you shift your gaze to your bride, how your smile changed when she started walking toward you, and how the crowd cheered for her. The ceremony started, and just like my usual stay at church, I felt sick; I needed to get out of here, but I didn't want people to say that I hadn't moved on yet. It has been four years. Four years had passed, and he moved on, and I'm glad he found the love he needed.When the c
We walked around the hospital ground. The right side of the hospital was a golf course, while the left side was the hospital buildings. We watched the old man and lady play on the trail as we walked. They seemed like they were enjoying their lives to the fullest. I smiled as I watched them, mom should be doing that these times with her friends, but I ruined it. She was lying flat on her hospital bed. "What do you want to talk about, Sydney?" Hade asked. I looked at him and instantly looked away. I shouldn't be doing this, and I know deep down why I wanted to tell Hade how I feel, although I'm in this complex situation. We're not using him again as a distraction. I glanced at Hade and smiled at him as I shook my head. He stopped and stared at me. I stopped walking and walked back toward him. "You don't have to rush it, Sydney. I'm willing to wait this time." He smiled. My mouth slightly hung open, I was about to say something, but no voice came out. I stared at Hade's face, and he l
After some time of thinking and processing all of the things that happened to me this year, I decided to just push my luck further. I mean, mom recovered, she and Paris is my top priority, but now that I have already given them the things they needed without me needing to worry about almost everything, I think a little heartache from someone won't wreck me.I messaged Hade to meet me at the restaurant where we first met when he woke up from a comma. I told him that I had reserved the same room and the same time for us to meet up. It was still dawn, and I hadn't been sleeping yet. I don't know, but I feel sad these days and keep overthinking things. I am aloof to almost everyone but trying not to be obvious, so I don't have to explain things.I took off the comforter out of my lower body and stood up. I walked to my balcony and sat there. I stared at the dark sky—the moon was shining alone; I could not see any stars.I want to risk it; I'll tell Hade later that I like him, and then wha
I am baffled about what to do about my feelings. Everything seems to happen way too fast as if someone clicked the eight times speed on my life. I suddenly achieved all of my goals and dreams in a span of a year. Mom suddenly returned to normal as if she had never suffered a stroke. Paris suddenly became responsible as if she was never lazy. And about dad? Enzo, Kurt, and Arnie all seem unreal, dad having his own company. I cannot digest this all. Having someone like Jarred around seems unreal, too; no one would just take care of you like that except your own mom if you're lucky enough to have a loving mother like that.Being one of the rising writers is unbelievable. I can travel anywhere I want with my mom and sister without worrying about money. It was just so surreal. I walked towards the stairs; I called Jarred last night and asked him to meet me today; I have something to discuss that I think only Jarred would understand. I saw mom and Paris sitting on the couch, watching me w
Victoria transferred to our school. The semester ended last month, and we were already on our second week. Victoria and I were in the same classes. She sat beside me on every subject we had. Victoria told me things about her, like that she loves shopping and playing games, which is where Victoria met Hade, whom she first knew as Tycen as well. Victoria talked about how she fell for Hade. My heart ached when she told me that Hade confessed to her first. I suddenly felt unease. Hade made the first move to Victoria while he never cleared his intentions with mine, maybe because my intention with him was just to be friends; that's why he didn't pursue me at all. But wasn't it ironic? Why does he want to see me after they broke up? Didn't she fill everything up? Wasn't it enough? If Victoria didn't satisfy Hade's want, then how about me? I have nothing to offer, and I still put my family on top of everything.After our classes, we walked towards the Oreo building; I heard Victoria join the
Hade promised me that he'd not tell anyone about the Cielo Alto. We enjoyed our stay at Cielo Alto. We toured the whole villa, admired the beauty of the mountains and the sky on my cabin's balcony, made a bonfire in the evening, and talked more about our past and what we thought of each other the first time we spoke. It was a site named Emerald. I have been using that during my off-season at the University since I dropped out. I was trying to enhance my communication skills since I don't particularly appreciate socializing that much, and I have to strengthen my communication skills since the degree I'm taking up requires good communication skills because we work around people, and we got connected; he was awkward and stiffed the first few minutes. But then he loosed a little when I started joking around. I'm really a good talker when I'm around people who are shyer than I. But I'm the quietest when I'm with people like Reyleigh and Taylor. They were social butterflies while I'm a wa
Tell me Hade's attention was on me, not on Victoria. I repeatedly said inside my head as I waited for Victoria to wake up Hade. I could hear his groans and sleepy talk."Sydney's waiting for you.", I heard Victoria say."Uhh, what?" Hade's voice was low, confused, and very drunk. I could imagine Hade's confused face. I heard hasty footsteps on the other line."Hello?" he said in his morning voice."Hade, what took you so long to pick up your goddamn phone?" I said irritatedly. I heard Hade clear his throat and footsteps again and the chinking of his keys."Hade, wait, you can't drive; you're still drunk.""I can, Victoria." He stopped. "And why am I here in a hotel?" he said. It seems like he put the phone away from him. His voice sounds small. I wasn't able to hear Victoria's answer. I waited and glanced at the three guys sitting in front of me. I muted myself, put the call on speakers, and put it on the table. They all looked at the phone and glanced at me, confused."You guys up to
When I opened my eyes, I saw mom sitting on the side of my bed while Hank was leaning on my balcony, his arms crossed in his chest, staring at me. I instantly checked if my hands were tied and looked around me."I'm at home.", I whispered, staring at mom confusingly, she glanced at Hank, and he shrugged. Mom shifted her gaze at me and helped me sit, and leaned my back on the headboard. She tucked the strand of my hair behind my ears and cupped my left cheek."You're at home, sweetie. Tell me what happened." I closed my eyes and put my left hand on my forehead. Trying to recall what happened."I was in my usual room at the hospital, and then my hands were tied on the bed. I could barely move and speak." I glanced at Hank; he was staring at me, listening very carefully. "He injected something into my IV bag, and I felt very, very sleepy. But I heard him say something." I closed my eyes again and thought about it carefully. I shook my head when I couldn't remember the words."Who?" mom a