Chapter Five: A Girl Like Her

Surpried was merely just an understatement. Those three words were, in no doubt, astoundingly shocking. But just when V thought that that was it, Ligaya continued to speak the more shocking part of her statement. 

"My guardian asked for you. . .to be bound to me when the day comes that no one in our bloodline will be 

alive anymore except me." She uttered those words with utmost sincerity and the two boys in front of her; Marco, who was facing her and V, who was facing his back on her, were both taken aback. "I am not asking you to marry me and I am not expecting you to like this idea either, because to tell you frankly, I don't 

like it as much as you do. Lucky for us, a relative of mine was still alive. . .But I'm afraid things wouldn't go the way I planned them to be, and I still have not found the Vermilion which can defy the evil dwellers and can grant wishes yet. An information has been delivered to us that it is located in your world, that's why I am here. But as I said, I accidentally used my zest last night. Thus, I need to stick with you and be accepted in your home so that they'll get distracted and the protection could be sealed. You may or may not believe me but can you at least help me?"

"What will happen if I don't accept you?" V asked seriously.

"The Malignobons will be able to find me, and right now, I am sure they are already using the zest that I had used last night as a sign that they are to follow to find me. But if you will let me stay in your home while I'm still searching for the Vermilion, the sign will eventually vanish."

Nobody talked for a moment as V and Ligaya stared at each other, weighing the situation.

"A month. . .you can stay here for a month. Go find that damn Vermilion you are looking for as soon as possible because after the due date, I don't think I can help you anymore." He said it as calmly as he could, which seriously dumbfounded Marco. He was not expecting a person like V to be this weird, trusting, and generous though, especially to a stranger. Ligaya was also as dumbfounded as Marco was, although her expression were still impassive. She just stood there, as stoic as ever while watching the retreating back of the man who, by fate, had been a part of her life even before she could allow it. It was a mystic feeling for the both of them, after everything that was said and done, but speaking of mystic, the protection that she was talking about had just been sealed.

~~~~~~~~~

Everyone in the nursing department was busy reviewing their notes, because in a minute or two, their long exam would finally took its toll on them. It may not be the midterm or the final exam, but it was an exam of a lifetime; they fail it then they fail the entire semester as well. Heartbreakingly unfair as it was, but it was just how life in their department has been. Mia Funetabella, was one of them. She had been the top student in their batch and had been an active participant of the many extracurricular activities in the university. As smart and as hardworking as she was, there was no doubt that she was really a catch. 

However, she still was not the perfect girl-next-door. She had flaws as most people have, but it was something she was not ashamed of. She came from a poor family, even her father was an ex-convict, but she's not ashamed of it. And thanks to her brain and perhaps, beauty, that she was able to attain a full scholarship in Sinatra. This was primarily the reason why she had been named as the campus' 

Cinderella. Yes, you had read it right, Cinderella. She was poor, but she was smart and beautiful. But above all, she was a princess of her own because she was the seemed 'apple of the eye' of the richest and most popular student in Sinatra, V Jalandoni. They were not together, but just like in most books and movies, the one who had the looks, the brain, and the attitude to stand up against the so-called campus heartthrob was actually his leading lady, and that was her. V liked to tease her a lot, especially in their younger 

years, during a subject where they were both in together, and she was always annoyed by him. But again, just like in any other stories, a girl like Mia would always end up with a boy like V. A girl worth fighting for and a girl whose worth was someone as good and as valuable as V.

A minute had passed by and the professor had finally called them to be inside their classroom. Mia started packing her things up that were scattered around her on the floor. They were just outside their classroom, though; reviewing. But before she could start pacing toward their room, she was called by a 

group of engineering boys who were now approaching her way.

"Hey, Miss Independent!"

She did not mind it and continued walking but she was stopped when one of the guys held her backpack 

and dragged her backwards. 

"What? I am busy right now. Can't you see I am about to take an exam?!" She bellowed to them and snapped the arm of the guy who held her bag.

"Of course we know it. We're not idiots. We're just here to fetch you after your exam, V needs a nurse."

The tallest guy whose name was Benjie told her nonchalantly. This made her furrowed her eyebrows.

"Well, I don't care about what he needs. Besides, I am not a PROFESSIONAL NURSE, so stop bothering me."

She was about to go inside the room but she was still stopped by the guys. By the way, they were in the basketball team with V, so that meant that they were respecting him while being friends with him.

"You will come with us whether you like it or not. And don't expect or even attempt to escape, because 

we will be standing and waiting here, at these very spot we're at, until you come out of that damn room after taking that hell of an exam. So go get inside that fucking classroom and take the damn exam so we could immediately leave," threateningly whispered by the guy next to Benjie, Dan. 

She knew that what they were doing was enough for her to call a police but she had gotten nothing to do anymore because compared to these thugs, she was nothing and she's fuckingly poor to fight even. Exasperated, she just scowled at them and proceeded inside the classroom to take her exam.