Chapter 1

3 years after.

There's big difference between being alone and being lonely.

Loneliness is everywhere. Even if you're alone or not. You can be lonely in the middle of the crowd, or even when you're with your friends and other people.

Loneliness is a feeling that sometimes we can't explain the reason. We feel it, the plain sad or just some moment you lose your interest for everything.

But being alone is something, that maybe makes some people struggle from it. The feeling where no one's out there to be with you, for you to hold on. The feeling where you don't know anymore where to stand or which place you belonged. A kind of feeling when you can't even feel your own shadow with you, standing in the middle of the crowd but can't find where to fit in.

You're existing and other people have no idea about it, you're existing, but they didn't know it. Being alone is somewhat challenging but it's all worth it. It's hard at first, like you're losing your direction but when you get used to it, you'll find it pretty cool and fine. You'll find it more interesting than being with the crowd losing your own identity and trying to be what others wanted you to be just to fit in their made-up world.

There are some battles made to fight alone. Not because no one was willing but because it can teach you to be independent, brave and conquer your own fears so that you'll learn to stand with your own feet and not to depend on yourself to other people.

My experiences taught me to be more independent, cause we can't always rely on to anyone, there are people out there who would offer help, but in fact they are not really willing to. Pretending they care, but deep inside they were laughing at your downfall.

In this world full of selfish and fake people, trust is the most important thing that you should protect and keep. In that way you can pull yourself out of pain and disappointment, safe and secured.

I shouldn't have trusted him, not because he gave me life, I should trust him. Not because he helped me I should depend my self to him, nothing is permanent, everything could change in just a blink. Today you're both okay and tomorrow might be different. Happiness isn't permanent too, it could happen that now you're happy, later on you will cry and bleed. We should be ready for that, ready for pain, for sadness, for everything.

That's what I've learned years ago.

Maybe my mistake, was trusting too much, and thought he will never leave me, pushed me away and treat me like a trash even if he's cold, but I was wrong. I am totally wrong.

I was too blind and stupid to think that there are things in this world that can be permanent. And I was so wrong, fucking wrong that I don't want to make the same mistake again cause I know how much painful it is, and will going to be more painful if it will happen again.

“Shenlo Arden?”

“Yes I was one of the late enrollee.”

“Ow I remembered you already Miss Arden, I am really glad that you chose our University, you'll never regret for trusting our school Miss Shenlo Arden.”

Shenlo Arden.

It is funny to think that I am now making my own identity, and the identity I chose to show them wasn't my real self.

I used my Aunt Lana's husband surname, I planned it. Everything.

I remembered a while ago, on my way here. I saw a girl who really stand out at the middle of the crowd for being so different, interesting and mysterious.

Agad na sumilay ang mga ngiti sa mga labi ko as I tapped the surface of my glass table using my nails.

"I'm sure I'll never regret it," simpleng sagot ko sa kaniya na kinalawak ng ngiti niya. Seems like she's really happy. It was like she caught a big fish in the middle of the sea. Well? Of course she really does, ang laki ng donation ko sa Unversity na ito para lang payagan akong makapag enroll kahit sobrang late na.

In 3 years, I work hard for this. To have my own name in business industry, I was known as one of those young multi-billionaire. I also do that to find my sister and my dad, and just found out that our father was gone. I cried that time, ni hindi ko man lang siya nakasama muli, ‘di man lang niya ako nakita ngayong malaki na ako, that bitches took away my chance to meet my father again and made my sister suffer in hell.

Lahat iyon ay nalaman ko maging ang isang katotohanang akala ko ay makakalimutan ko na ngunit masyado yata kaming pinagpala na parehong kapalaran ang aming kinabagsakan, ‘di ko inaasahang magiging tulad ko siyang itinakdang maging mate at mapasailalim ng isang contract with our enemies, kaya ng malaman kong dito nag-aaral ang kapatid ko ay walang pag-aalinlangan na nag enroll ako rito. I need to save her, to protect her not only physically but also emotionally. Ayokong matulad siya sa akin na hanggang ngayon nag s-suffer sa nakaraang hindi ko magawang kalimutan. She suffered enough, she can't take another blow, she don't deserve that pain. Kahit di ko pa siya nakakasama, she's precious to me that I am willing to offer my life just to save her and keep her alive.

I can waste my money for her, siya na lang ang natitira sa akin.

"Here's your registration form Miss Arden, andyan na rin ang iyong schedule."

"Thank you,” Walang ganang sabi ko at tumayo na, saka hinablot ang papel na iyon bago lumabas.

Everyone was staring at me like they find something different and new to their eyes. Well, I really am.

I walk through the number of the room written on this piece of shit.

When I walk in, everyone stared at me, tulad ng kanina ay puno ng paghanga at pagkamangha sa mga mata nila.

“Shit, chicks!”

“Sabi ko na barbie eh.”

“Ang gandaaa!”

“Ngayon naniniwala na ako sa diyosa.”

I frowned. Can't they just shut up and mind their own business?

“Miss?” I bet he's the professor, he looks young for that profession, I wonder.

“I am the new student.”

“Ah, please kindly introduce yourself?” kita ko ang pag-aabang ng lahat na malaman ang pangalan ko na siyang kinairita ko.

“Shenlo Arden, I am not a kind person, I don't like talking too much and I hate it when someone stares at me,” Lahat sila napaiwas ng tingin.

“So outspoken and frank, you may now sit-down Miss Arden.” Inayos niya ang salamin niya at nagsimula ng mag discuss sakto namang nakaupo na ako. I was so bored, I am done studying.

At my young age, I did everything to finish my study while working. Lahat nang it-take ko ngayon ay napag-aralan ko na ngunit kinailangan kong mag-aral muli masubaybayan lang ang kapatid ko. Kung kinakailangan kong pakisamahan ang mga magiging kaklase ko ngayon ay gagawin ko alang-alang kay Reign.

Natapos ang discussion at parang kidlat na nawala kaagad ang mga kaklase ko, I was left alone inside this fucking room with the young prof.

"What is a hunter doing here?" I was shocked but didn't bother to show it. I remained calm, as always.

"You know me?"

"Of course, I was one of you."

"You're kidding."

"My father is a great friend of your dad, they was both a member of a hunter, I am Zejin Laquesta."

"Not interested Mr. Laquesta I have some important things to do than to have a meet and greet session with you."

"You're here because of Reign right?" agad na naagaw no'n ang attention ko. He took off his eye glass as he stares at me that irritates me and adore him at the same time. He's literally handsome. Hindi ko masisisi ang mga estudyante rito kung lihim nilang tinitilian ang Professor namin ito. He's too young and has a look to be a professor.

Maybe he was really smart and great that's why.

"I know her, she's one of a kind, pagkakita ko pa lamang sa ‘yo  kanina ay nakita ko na agad siya sa iyo. Malaki ang pagkakapareho niyo maging sa personality niyo. If you really want to see her often. You can find her in the library it’s her favorite place." Muli niyang inayos ang salamin niya at sinuot iyon muli saka bahagyang nag bow sa 'kin at ngumiti na hindi ko naman tinugunan.

Nang mapansin niyang wala akong balak na magpakita ng kahit anong emosyon sa kaniya, ay nailing na lamang siya at nag paalam na aalis na at may klase pa siya na kinataas lamang ng kilay ko. Why do it seems like he's too unprofessional while talking to me. Ginulo pa nito ang buhok ko na para bang napaka close namin which is not. Inis akong umalis ng room at umiwas na marami akong makasalamuha. One thing that I mastered is being so distant na hindi ko na alam sa sarili ko kung paano ko pa mababago.

I don't want to get in touch with other people, seems like I build a thick wall protecting myself from breaking.

Pakiramdam ko they will just make me feel unimportant.

Gano'n naman diba?

May mga taong ipaparamdam sa ‘yo ngayon na mahalaga ka sa kaniya tapos bukas hindi na.

Pumasok ako ng library at tiningnan kung naririto nga siya.

Pinili kong maupo sa isang medyo tagong part at tahimik na nagmasid 'di nagtagal ay nakita ko na siya. A sweet smile plastered on my lips as I walk towards her direction, pansin kong busy siya sa paghahanap ng libro.

I act like I didn't see her too and let her bumped into me.

I stare at her, pinagaaralan ang bawat parte ng mukha niya. I wanted to cry to hug her this time, Hindi ako makapaniwalang sobrang lapit namin ngayon sa isa't-isa. But I choose to hide my real emotion cause I know it won't help.

"What is a vampire doing in this school? Aren't you being tempted?" damn, ano ba 'tong nasabi ko? Gusto kong tawanan ang sarili ko.

Seryoso niya akong tiningnan.

"And what are you doing here too? aren't you a vampire too?" I chuckle. As I pulled one book.

"If you had your reason I have mine too, It's Shenlo by the way." pagpapakilala ko, tiningnan niya lang ang  kamay ko na nakalahad at hindi yun tinangap.

"Reign,” She said before pulling off the book and turn her back on me. Base on her expression, I know she doesn't like me. It pained me inside, pero mas lamang doon ang pananabik at saya ko na sa kaunaunahang pagkakatao nakita ko na siya ng malapitan.

Don't worry lil sis, I will do everything to save you from them. Ilalayo kita sa kanila, ‘di pa sa ngayon but soon  I'll make it. Magkakasama na tayo. At mamumuhay ng masaya, bagay na hindi natin naranasang dalawa ng magkasama.

And as I turned my back, my eyes shed tears.

Tears of joy and pain.

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