Chapter 1 My love is back.

CIA’S POINT OF VIEW

Who the hell will bang my doorbell this early?! I looked at the time and it’s 4 in the morning.

I called Thea but she hang up, just the other girls did. I was about to open the door when I realised that they’d hang up my phone call. So, neither of them is in front of my condo.

I opened the side cam to see who’s outside, I saw a man rushing off. A box is out of my door. It looks like a present, who’s that man?

I didn’t open my door, I made a voice message to our group chat.

“Guys, it’s so scary. There’s a guy outside of my unit, he seemed to carry something. There’s a medium size box outside, it looks like a present. He run away once I’m about to open the door.” I said and go back to my bed.

I’ll deal with it later, it’s way too early for me to get stressed. To the person behind this, show off already. It’s annoying and it's not funny.

I woke up with the sun slapping my pretty face. “Ugh! What a sleepy head, Cia.” I yawned and get off my bed. I rushed to the bathroom and brushed my teeth, washed my face and combed my hair. As usual, I waited a few seconds and a phone call popped up..

“What happened to you lately?”

“Do you really don’t grab a chance to saw his face?”

“Yah! Don’t you dare go outside.”

Yeah, we used to call each other every morning. But the gossip for today is a bit chilly. Even me, I don’t have any words to explain to them.

“Can we just eat first? I want to cool down first before I spread the tea.” I replied.

“Fine, I’m going to cook my breakfast.” Nica said and off her cam. Just like the others did.

“What’s your breakfast for today?” I asked them.

“Oh, it’s silog for me.” Layra said.

“I just prefer to have toast and milk.” Thea said.

“Fried rice and bacon for me.” Nica said.

“Coffee and a piece of cake for me.” I said while pouring a hot water on my cup. I opened my cam after I finished preparing my stuffs.

“Let’s eat.” I said.

“So tell us, what happened to you? Does he bothers you?” – Nica.

“No, he didn’t. But I was just like, kinda scared. To be honest I locked myself up here, I didn’t open my door. I think that man is mocking up.” I replied.

“Eh, why would he do that, that early?” – Layra.

“You have a point, is he gone mad to do such creepy things?” – Thea.

“Maybe I should ask the security to banned him here.” I said.

“Good idea, if you only captured his face.” Layra sarcastically said.

“Damn that crap, I'll still make a report. I don’t want anyone to bother me again.” I said and sipped my coffee.

“Yeah, more sensible. We’re going to your place after we took a shower. Wait for us and let’s all go to gradschool together.” – Nica.

I washed all the dishes and cleaned my house. After that I rushed off to the bathroom and took a very quick shower.

They ring my bell, I look at the side camera and saw them standing. I opened the door. “Here’s the box, wanna open it?” Nica asked. Actually I don’t want but I’m a bit curious too.

“Yeah sure.” I said. I closed the door. They unwrapped the box and opened it.

“Wew, maybe he wants you to have diabetes.” Thea said.

“Or he just want to show his sweet side to you.” Layra poked my cheek.

“Yah!” I protested.

“Can I have one?” Nica said and hold two of it.

“You know girls, I don’t want those stuffs. He scared me by his actions when he can give it to me properly. And you all know, I’m not a fan of love stories. Get rid of it already, I don’t like them all.” I said.

“Hey, aren’t you being rude again? Maybe that’s why he gave you chocolates so you can pour sweetness on your bitter life.” I just raised my brows to what Thea said.

I looked at the box and saw a paper behind the chocolates.

Dear Xencia,

I hope you’ll like these chocolates and flowers. I really like you back our middle school’s days. I’m a bit shy of showing up to you. Maybe when I’m ready I’ll meet you.

Sincerely yours,

Admirer M.

Pfft, coward. Even if he showed up, I’m not going to fall for these stuffs.

“Hey girls, divide that to each of you. Then let’s go off, we’ll be late to the Felindrein's program.” I said and get my keys. I put the letter in my drawer and retouched my simple makeup.

Today we’ll be having a farewell program on our school. We’ll be having different booths and performances.

We’ll be designing the whole stadium for the performance of the dance committee from Felindrein's best dancers.

I also heard that we’ll be having guests from an international school.

The hearsays, they have a great influence in our school. Kinda impressive, I hope I could have a time to see them.

“Can you held me the hammer?” I asked.

“Here, babe.” He replied.

“Do you want me to pop your head using this?” I said.

“Don’t be so serious, you’ll be having wrinkles if you cross your brows to a handsome guy like me.. babe.” He said and run away.

That Dusktin is always a foul mouthed guy since grade school..

“Don’t you dare come near me I’ll break your face into pieces, Dustin!” I yelled at him while he just make face. Tsk, he’s such a kiddo.

We finished the decorations much earlier than we expect. We have our small photo booth at the side corner so the students can took a picture with their acquaintances.

The girls have fun together with their boyfriends. Nicaʼs with Ian, her boy best friend. Layra dated Rhyde, while Thea go to the k-pop booth and enjoyed those k-pop stuffs. She’ll buy all the CTS photos and posters...

I just stay here and help my previous professor on her papers. “Ms. Henderson, may I just go to the restroom? I just need to pee, by the way I’m done with these papers.” I said.

“Yeah sure, thank you for helping me. You can catch up with your friends, have fun today, Cia.” She said.

I went to the restroom and I received a text message from the unknown number.

‘Hello, how’s the present that I gave to you?’ – received.

I bet he’s the guy who gave me those stuffs lately.

‘Thank you for that, but I don’t really want those things. And please if you’re going to give such thing. Don’t give it that early, it annoys me a lot.’ – sent.

Am I being rude again? But I really don’t know how to say it properly specially to a person who admires me.

‘Oh, is that’s so. Sorry if I disturbed you. But still, can you let me give you all you need? I really want to know you, Xencia.’ — received.

‘Do whatever you want but don’t disturb me.’ – sent.

‘Thank you.’ – received.

I registered the number and named it Admirer M then do my makeup after I pee. How did he get my number though?

We had our dinner in the camp. Iʼm so full, there’s a buffet and it's eat all you can. I think I gained tons of fats tonight..

“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s officially open the Farewell Party tonight! By the performance of our University Idols. The Dance In Shadows, around of applause!” – Host.

The crowd is full of adrenaline and people were banging. I can really feel the night..

I dance like there’s no tomorrow, since I really know the steps even if I’m not a dance in the shadows member. I go into the wild crowd and joined the fun moment.

I saw my friends having fun in front of me. Layra is dancing with Rhyde, Nica pushing her best buddy to a girl while Thea is fan-girling with other girls like me. They dance so cool that’s why I became a fan girl of this group, specially Luke.

And hours passed by, it’s the time for the guests to come. I wonder how they look like..

“Before the night went off, let’s all welcome, the amazing ambassadors of Felindrein, Mr. And Mrs. Wayne together with their son Mr. Mark Justin Wayne!” – Host.

My world was absolutely in wreck. After so many years, they were back. The kid that I loved before.. He grows a lot to be this manly.

A ton of tears were hanging on my eyes. It’s been a while, yeah it’s been a bit rough for me to see you again.

I saw Thea, Nica, Layra looked at me. I smiled at them and went off the crowd. I went at the camp table and sat beside Dustin, he looked at me while the crowd is raining their pleasure for having them tonight.

“Isn’t it funny?” I asked.

“Yeah, he’s back. Look how he grew up, but I’m still more handsome than him.” He still managed to cracked a joke at me.

“Hello Felindreins, congratulations to all of you. We’re so glad to meet this year’s batch, go fight for your passions that’s soon to be your careers. Felindreins, Won’t missed a second and waste the chance!” – Mrs. Wayne.

I just smiled at her opening remarks. So far from the Mrs. Wayne that I knew.

“As the alumni and ambassador of Felindrein International University, I am really proud to each one of you. You are the future of the next generation, the builders that will inspire a lot. Keep on sailing and you’ll get the greatest results from your hard work. We’re longing for your success, Felindreins!” – Mr. Wayne.

What a nice speech, I hope that they really mean it.

“Hello Felindreins, it’s a joyful Monday night to all. Good luck to each Felindreins!” – Mj.

He clicked a remote control that flashes the screen a timer, 10 minutes left before each Licensure Exams for each professions to be release on their respective emails. This is a traditon of the FIU to gather each students and wait together for the results of the exams, it's up for the students if they'll come or wait on their own respective places, except the bar, they actually had a different approach for the future law makers.

“Only, 10 seconds left, goodluck and blessed you all!” – Host.

I saw others cry because of happiness and others crying because the stars doesn't aligned to their expectations.

My friends were shouting walking towards me. Dustin patted me and congratulate me, I did the same. They congratulates me even if they haven't heard from me that I acually passed it, the licensure for psychology and now a licensed Psychologist and actually a Master of Arts holder too. I still can't believe it, i know they passed, it's written on their faces.

“Oh my goodness Cia! We all passed! I'm the top 3 passer for LPT of this batch!” – Thea.

“I ranked four in BLEPP, Thanked goodness.” – Layra.

“We’re all on the top-notch? I'm the ranked 2 in my CPA Licensure Examination this batch!” – Nica.

"Yes, we are, I ranked too. I'm the ranked 1 of the BLEPP this batch. We all made it!" i said and we cried out of happiness.

I hugged them tightly and congratulate them all. I can’t believe that I can do this far for my ambition. After some moments, the University posted their gratitude for the board passers of each professions and actually give recognition for the to-notchers in each respective degree. They flashed on the screen the names of their Felindrein's top-notchers, an there i saw Wayne's looking at me.

Maybe they don’t remember me? Or perhaps recognized me? but they were just a guest for the night’s event, and we haven't seen each other for more than a decade.