《A House With Heartthrobs (English Version)》


 Chapter 1

    Beginning Disimer:


    This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, ces, events, locales, and incidents are neither the products of the author¡¯s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemnce of actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.


    Do not distribute, publish, transmit, modify, disy or create derivative works from or exploit the contents of this story in any way. Please obtain permission.


    ¡ª-


    I love handsome boys, but I never had a boyfriend. Because of the love my parents gave me, I don¡¯t find the need to seek more. I love watching TV dramas. My biggest actor crush is Donny Pangilinan. Who wouldn¡¯t be thrilled with that handsome and humble man?


    ¡°Kaoree!¡± Jezrielle calls me. Jez for short. He has been my friend for a long time.


    He loves shopping, and the paper bag that he was holding is proof of that.


    Every time he earns a sry in his part-time job, he buys some stuff like make-up. Jez really loves make-up! He¡¯s like a second version of Paolo Ballesteros.


    ¡°Goodness! There are so many men there, Sis!¡±, He pointed to the alley on the corner of the street along the barangay hall. It¡¯s vacation time, so we have a basketball league in our town. I¡¯m sure that¡¯s why there are many people in the court, to watch the league.


    ¡°Crazy! All this time, I thought you have forgotten about me already!¡± I said as I carried another paper bag he was holding. This bag I am holding is heavy.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    Heughed, then adjusted his bangs to block his eyes.


    ¡°Just a few trips from your house, and yet you can¡¯t visit me!¡± Jez used to live in the same town as mine with his parents. They moved in when he was in high school. However, we now live in a different town.


    Jez is two years older than me. I am currently a fresh Senior High School graduate, while Jez is an iing third-year college in a university. He has a younger sister named Apple, who¡¯s also my friend. Butpared to Jez, Apple is not that close to me.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I have a lot of part-time jobs these days. I came to my mother¡¯s house and then vi! I¡¯m here visiting you! Aren¡¯t you d?¡± he was kicked out of their house. His father caught him putting make-up on his face and could not ept that his only son was a woman at heart.


    He currently lives at his friend¡¯s house. There is no rental fee, so it¡¯s okay because he can save money. He only pays for other expenses such as water and electricity bills.


    ¡°It¡¯s good that your parents ept you even if you flirt,¡± he snorted. Iughed. ¡°I¡¯m not a flirt. Okay, maybe a bit flirty, but I have regretted that already!¡± I did not like anyone with numerous men courting me because Donny Pangilinan¡¯s level is what I want! But of course, I have to be an actress first, so maybe he can stay with me.


    ¡°You are so full of yourself! You will grow old as a single woman because you rejected those men! If my body was a woman ¡­¡± He even raised an eyebrow at me. ¡°I¡¯m going to be pretentious!¡± I just ignored what he said.


    ¡°It¡¯s good that you visited me today because it¡¯s my father¡¯s birthday.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good to know! I didn¡¯t have a snack when I got out of the jeep earlier,¡± he said. When we got home, we found a few acquaintances. Some were taking food while others were chatting with my dad, who¡¯s holding a chicken. He even sniffed it. It looks like his real son more than me. I once thought of making it tin, but every time I attempted to ughter the chicken. Dad always came home, and I almost got caught.


    ¡°You seem to have many visitors,¡± said Jez.


    ¡°Sweety!¡±, It was Mama putting the tes on the table. She kissed me on both cheeks. ¡°Why did you take so long? I thought you were in Charlotte¡¯s house for a while¡± This holiday, I went to do a part-time job teaching Chander, Ate Charlotte¡¯s daughter.


    Ate Charlotte is my Mama¡¯s batchmate, but they are not close, so she was not invited either.


    ¡°Ma! Look who¡¯s here! It¡¯s Jez!¡± Mama gasped in surprise.


    The two kissed on the cheeks.


    ¡°Wow! You look so handsome!¡± said Mama. But that is true. Compared to hisst visit here, he looks different. He seems too stressed in life.


    ¡°Yes, Tita! But I¡¯m not handsome. I¡¯m beautiful¡± weughed at what it said.


    ¡°Is that you, Jezrielle?¡± Dad is still holding his chicken. Does he have no intention of releasing that?


    ¡°No, Tito, I might be a doppelganger¡± Dad was very scratchy at what he said. ¡°You¡¯re a teenager now! He looks more handsomepared before¡± Dad tapped his shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯m touched! Uncle!¡±, His tongue almost twisted at what he said.


    Mama invited us inside. I saw some of my Papa¡¯s co-workers at a construction site. Sadly, we have no rtives that are invited. Because they are living in the province. Every vacation, wee to visit them. My grandparents on Mama¡¯s side are both dead. Lolito, Papa¡¯s father, has also passed away. My only cousin is alone-his name is Lucky, younger than me.


    Jez and I scooped up something to eat.


    As usual, Shanghai was his first target, while mine is a hotdog stabbed with marshmallows.


    ¡°There are no handsome guests here. Most of them are all old people!¡± Jez drank some water.


    ¡°It¡¯s more important that you eat,¡± I said to him.


    ¡°My stomach is full, but my eyes aren¡¯t, so I need to see a handsome guy!¡± he cried.


    After a while of crying and murmuring that he wants to see handsome guys, Mama came to talk with him.


    ¡°Of course, joke! That¡¯s okay. You¡¯re still kids. Just enjoy, but not right away!¡± I don¡¯t know what they are talking about, but Mama sees she belongs in generation Z when she engages in conversation.


    ¡°Yes, Tita! Do you know I already sent her too many guys to date? But she doesn¡¯t want to,¡± he snorted.


    ¡°Who is it? The guys should be handsome and kind!¡± Mama first inquired into the picture shown by Jez.


    ¡°It¡¯s mine!¡± heins as I took his cellphone.


    ¡± My dating life always leads to failure,¡± I said. The recent man he chose to be my date has a girlfriend. It¡¯s a good thing the woman didn¡¯t p my face.


    ¡°Just choose there!¡± Jez and Mama giggled as I stared at the picture. They are all handsome, but why does all of them know how to smile except for this one who looks like an anime guy?


    *****


    I woke up early because of the loud noise from the bicycle ridden by the bread vendor.


    I heard Mama calling him. We loved to eat pandesal (A favorite bread of every Filipino) every morning, so she didn¡¯t miss to buy.


    I folded the nket and stacked my pillow neatly. I stretched my body before leaving the room.


    Dad brews coffee in his favorite cup. The aroma of coffee fascinates me. I pulled out a chair then sat on it.


    ¡°There, have breakfast,¡± said Mama. When I touched the pandesal bag, it was still warm.


    ¡°Your favorite coffee,¡± Dad said as he pulled up a chair next to me. He knew I wanted coffee mixed with milk or coffee, mate.


    We are often like this every morning, especially when I have no work. We only had pandesal for breakfast. But sometimes, we also ate rice when the vendor did not pass by.


    ¡°Sweety, will youe with me? I¡¯m going to the market this morning¡±.


    It¡¯s Saturday now. My mother¡¯s day for shopping. Besides, we had no dish in the refrigerator other than beans for lunch.


    I have work today at Charlotte¡¯s house to teach Chander, her son. Dad is out of work today, but he still wakes up early because he has some things that need to be fixed. Just like the galvanized steel we need to rece. When it rains, water drips from there. It¡¯s hard because when it rains hard, the kitchen is flooded.


    ¡°Not anymore, Mom. I¡¯ll clean the house first. And it looks like you¡¯re leaving too¡±


    Mother is wearing a green dress with a flower design. Her basket is already on the table. She seems to have taken a bath because her curly hair is wet.


    ¡°Oh, Okay. I can¡¯t wait for you either. I¡¯m going to the market,¡± she said goodbye after eating some more pandesal.


    Dad told her to buy something before she finally turned the door lock.


    I went straight to the bedroom to get a towel. I also took a bath for an hour because of the water¡¯s heat that dissipated the cold brought by the morning.


    ¡°You¡¯re so lovely!¡± I greeted myself. I face the mirror as the foam ys with my hair. It¡¯s my hobby to talk to myself in the morning.


    ¡°You inherited it from me, Sweety!¡± It was Dad who had been waiting for me toe out.


    ¡°Yes, Pa. That¡¯s right!¡± I even sang because of the loud music of the neighbor. It¡¯s better to hear loud music than fight.


    A few more pours of water into my body before I finished. Dad took a deep breath. It seemed like he was waiting for Christmas before I finished a bath.


    I wore a simple white shirt and faded jeans. I also adjusted the shoes for a simple look.


    I cleaned the house before leaving. I broom and mop the floor. Mama will take care of other things.


    ¡°Pa! I¡¯m leaving!¡± I shouted after carrying the greeting card for the child I was teaching


    ¡°Be careful, Sweety! There¡¯s your allowance on the table!¡± he says from the bathroom.


    I would not have epted that, but I thought maybe my fare was not enough. I also don¡¯t have breakfast. I will eat at the cafeteria nearby the house Charlotte when I feel hungry.


    Immediately my stomach rumbled. I bought a te of porridge with eggs. The porridge with minced garlic and lime is delicious. I thought I was the only one eating this morning here in the cafeteria. I saw a man-eating from a table not far away from my seat. He has a good physique, and his nose is defined. You will definitely be cursing because of his perfect face. Adam¡¯s apple swelled even more because he swallowed what he ate.


    I adjusted my seat as he noticed I was looking at him.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am! I¡¯ll pay! Keep the change!¡±


    I hurried to drink water and then took a tissue to wipe the side of my lip.


    ¡°Keep the change! The change is just one peso!¡± Manang shouted.


    Shame on me!


    ¡°And at least there¡¯s still change! Be thankful, Manang. That¡¯s a blessing!¡± I said.


    During the few hours teaching Chander, my head hurts. If her mother hadn¡¯te to the neighbor to gossip, Chander would have listened to me. He only listens to his mother, and it sucks.


    He is easily distracted because of his young age. It would have been okay because he quickly understood what I was teaching. Still, he was very impatient and easily bored. Sometimes he would suddenly take his robot toys to entertain himself.


    ¡°Thank you, Kaoree. It¡¯s good that you put up with my son¡± sheughed and then handed me the payment I had worked for a month.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing!¡± I smiled. This will add to my savings for going to college next school year.


    Exhausted, I fell asleep in the jeep. If I hadn¡¯t woken up by the person next to me who I just leaned on, I wouldn¡¯t have woken up.


    ¡°Oh! I¡¯m sorry!¡±


    Her eyebrows meet. ¡°You just slept on my shoulder. You even managed to spit on it!¡±


    ¡°My saliva has a benefit because it is the saliva of the Goddess. You should be grateful!¡± Iughed at her, so her eyebrows met even more.


    I was surprised when I came down that the sky was dark, not because of the rain but because of the smoke.


    Within a few minutes of walking, I saw our mobbing neighbors. The firefighters were noisy, and there was a lot of mourning.


    ¡°Boss! Where are they!?¡± I asked one of the firefighters.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯re rescuing them!¡±


    I suddenly felt nervous when I saw the fire slowly consuming our house.


    I didn¡¯t know if my parents were in the house, so I was even more nervous.


    ¡°I want to help!¡± I said, but they stopped me. Ten minutes before firefighters extinguished the fire, there¡¯s no sign of Mom and Dad.


    My tears started to run.


    ¡°Please! Where are my parents!¡± I said to the firefighter. But his eyes became sad, and I followed where he was looking.


    ¡°Pa! Ma!¡± I cried as soon as I recognized them. Their bodiesy with the other victims of the fire.


    Even though their face is not easy to recognize because of the burn, I know that they are my parents. The wedding ring that the two wore and the slippers I gavest Christmas were enough to confirm that it was them.


    I cried hard. ¡°Ma! Pa!¡±


    I want my body to be numb because of the weight and pain I feel. I hope they just took me.

 Chapter 2

    We spent the whole day in front of the house of the lot owner where we lived. He seemed to hear noints from the people. He deliberately set our homes on fire to build a newmercial building-the squatter area where almost all of thend is owned by various traders. When I was in elementary school, we tried to live with Lolita. Still, we had difficulty with the situation because the school there is far away, and traveling is also difficult.


    Mypanions here are getting smaller and smaller as time went on. Some left the tarpaulins used on the road. We came to the Mayor, asking for our justice. But he could not answer properly. I really feel that someone knows what happened. Even though I knew there was very little chance of hearing us, I was still hopeful. The local government assistance is not to live our life the way before we used to. Tomorrow the dead victims of the fire will be buried at the same time.


    The dead victims are currently in the church for the wake. As my stomach swelled, I felt tired. I have nothing to save except the things left in my bag. Fortunately, half of my savings are in the bank. I stared at my parents¡¯ unrecognizable face. I didn¡¯t want to stare at them, but I couldn¡¯t help it. I might even shed tears in their coffin. It¡¯s hard.


    ¡°Ma, Pa. I know you are happy where you are. Don¡¯t worry about me. You know that this child of yours is strong and brave,¡± I said,ughing even though my voice was hoarse because of holding back the tears that wanted to drip. I can feel the throat trap because of the ache in my heart. I took water from the water dispenser to calm down. It was as if my chest was being pinched.


    Today I will spend the night at church. There is free food for the fire victims. Some also donated clothes, including nkets.


    In one corner, Iy down near the window. The mat I use is what Mother Misha gave me. She is one of the kindest nuns here. She¡¯s always open to those people who need help. In fact, when Mama had to be taken to the hospital when she got sick, she took care of everything. Even in financial deficiency, she also gave. I am very grateful to her.


    ¡°If you want, you will be with us for the time being until you return to the province,¡± she said after cing the noodles on the long chair. She knew I had a rtive in the province, and I also told her I was nning to go home. She disagreed because apart from being a woman, I was afraid I would travel alone. She still wanted to pay for my fare, but I refused. I also wonder if I ever went home there, is there a school for my college?


    ¡°Not anymore because you have done too much for me. That¡¯s enough, Sister. I am thankful for those things.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll look for a job. Then I¡¯m not sure if I can go to college in case I go home,¡± I added.


    She took a deep breath then stacked the pillow I was going to use. ¡°Just in case you need anything, just call me¡± The noodles and rice in front of me are gone. I just yed with it with a spoon and fork. I don¡¯t know if I can eat without Dad and Mom together.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    I don¡¯t know if I can survive without hugs or kisses from them every time I go home after school. The night was refreshing. After turning on my cellphone five more times, I only realized that Lucky called me. I feel the trembling in my chest. I am afraid if they know what happened.


    ¡°Kaoree! Are you busy? Auntie didn¡¯t answer my call¡± I bit my lower lip. I breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Uh. Mama lost her cellphone. Why?¡± My breathing tightened slightly. It was as if he was hesitant to say because he let out a deep sigh in his own breath.


    ¡°Lolita¡¯s medicine is running low. We don¡¯t have any ie in corn yet because the pest recently eats lots of the corn¡± I bit the nail of my thumb. ¡°Uh. All right. I¡¯ll send you the money, maybe the next week. Can Lolita still wait?¡± I¡¯ll deduct that from my savings. Maybe when I find a job, I can get the money back.


    ¡°Yes, Ate. Thank you! I¡¯m sorry. I have a lot of school fees. Then how are you, Aunt and Uncle¡± I drank a ss of water.


    ¡°We¡¯re alright¡± It was as if a thorn had pulled me out as he dropped the call. I stood up to approach the altar where Mom and Dad were. There are a few more awake. Wiping the ss of their rtive¡¯s coffin.


    ¡°Coffee?¡± A boy offered me. He seems to be the son of one of those who died here. They just moved into our barangay recently, so I don¡¯t know what¡¯s his name. I shook. He gave his coffee to his mother, who¡¯s mourning.


    I watched him from the other row of chairs. I just noticed that I was crying because my tears were falling on my fingers.


    ¡°Hey, Lady, Are you okay?¡± the child approached me.


    ¡°Of course. Am I?¡± I forced a smile. We did not know each other, but he hugged me. I only slept for three hours. I am restless. Aside from the mixed smell here, I hear some other people crying.


    It¡¯s almost morning, most of them wake up. The crying was constant, so it was more challenging to sleep.


    ¡°Girl!¡± it¡¯s Jez. He was wearing a ck shoulder bag and a white polo shirt and pants.


    ¡°I just read your text! How are you? Come here¡± I avoided her embrace.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want my hug?¡± I also agreed. I could not hold back my tears. I sobbed as heforted me. ¡°It¡¯s just natural that you feel mournful. I¡¯m still here! Your Lolita, I, and Lucky! Add my sister who¡¯s next to me¡± I let go of his hug, then wiped away my tears with the handkerchief he handed me.


    I think it¡¯s a miracle that Apple is wearing a dress today. Apple is her name, the younger sister of Jez.


    ¡°I feel sorry for him,¡± she said. She still does not change. She looks like a woman because of her beauty, but she also likes girls too. ¡°I¡¯m just here even though we don¡¯t talk often,¡± she added.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be shy to tell the two of us about your problems,¡± said Jez while adjusting his BB cream unevenly.


    ¡°By the way, Jez. I can¡¯t go home to the province yet. Maybe you know where I can work?¡± He smiled broadly. His white teeth are shown, as well as his brace. He returned the used BB cream to his expensive bag.


    ¡°Sure! I know where that is!¡±

 Chapter 3

    Jez and I spent a few hours talking. After the funeral, I left, but this friend of mine did not want to leave me. Apple, on the other hand, left first because she said she has work today.


    ¡°Girl,e on. Besides, you haven¡¯t had breakfast yet. You already smell¡± I could not understand if he wanted to lighten my mood or insult me. I ran out of the tissue he gave me, so he did nothing but lend me his handkerchief.


    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll return it after I wash it,¡± I said in the middle of my breath there. He grinned as he watched me.


    ¡°No need. It¡¯s up to you!¡± He doesn¡¯t want others to return the thing borrowed to him, especially if it is used to wipe a cold.


    ¡°Alcohol. I¡¯ll put it on you¡± he grinned as I did that. We had nothing to say as we made our way out of the cemetery. Maybe he felt I was not in the mood to chat.


    ¡°By the way, I have a photoshoot today. I got to endorse a boutique. I want to take you,¡± He snorted. I stopped and then calmed down.


    ¡°Are you serious? The smell of me is bad, and you will take me with you?¡± He scratched his head irritably.


    ¡°Who is this naughty person who didn¡¯t want to take a bath before?¡± I raised an eyebrow at him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have any clothes! I don¡¯t want to take a bath without changing. What am I stupid?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Girl. I will buy you clothes but go with me first¡± He took another handkerchief from his bag.


    This man is really a boy scout. He¡¯s always ready. He used a cover before touching my arm to lift me.


    How many hours did he have a photoshoot?


    Exactly when my stomach ached, it was over. Heughed out loud as he stared at the photographer¡¯s camera. The owner of the boutique paid him a lot. It¡¯s a story for him since he became its brand ambassador. His ie has not only doubled. Who wouldn¡¯t be dazzled by Jez¡¯s appearance?


    If he was not a woman at heart, he might have many girlfriends. I¡¯m probably already on the list. Of course, it¡¯s just a joke. We cannot be together because we have a sister¡¯s code.


    The photographer didn¡¯t tell me anything, and I thought that he thought that I am disgusting. I don¡¯t want him to think that I look worse than a beggar.


    Jez bought some clothes at the market. He even wants us to go shopping at the mall.


    All I need is a house to stay.


    ¡°I already told you. Let¡¯s buy at the mall!¡± he said as I bought my new slippers.


    ¡°You¡¯ll spend a lot more! Save your money for yourself.¡±


    ¡°Does it fit you?¡± the saleswoman said in the middle of our conversation. He looked closely to see if the flower slippers I had chosen were suitable for my feet.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± I said. I murmured and then gave it to him.


    ¡°When are you embarrassed when I treat you? You were so rude, Girl. Do you remember when someone flirted with you? You always let him treat you to munchkins and donuts.¡± It was justst year, but it is not clear in my mind how that man met me.


    I drove him away a few times because I don¡¯t feel any spark towards him. So what I did was I talked him up with pure sarcasm until he got irritated. Jez is even jealous because that man is kind to me. He always picks me up at my school.


    ¡°Where is that man, anyway?¡± Jez asked.


    The saleswoman handed me the bag full of slippers.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t have any information about him anymore.¡±


    ¡°By the way, you said you know something that could be my job. Where is that? I really need to.¡±


    ¡°Do you have a child to support, so you are in a hurry to get a job?¡±


    ¡°Crazy! I need money ¡­ you know .. for Lolita and myself.¡±


    We rode a tricycle. We were both outsides, so Jez was almost stunned because of the low roof. The tricycle runs as slow as a turtle.


    ¡°Maybe we would have been there if we had run, ¡°Jez whispered.


    ¡°Maybe someone can speed it up?¡± said Jez. My belly bounced as we crossed the big humps that were followed by a bumpy road. When we got down, we seemed to lose bnce due to the rotation around.


    ¡°Seriously, Manong! (A Tagalog word referring to a man older than you) Thank you for the smooth ride!¡± Jez said sarcastically.


    When he opened the blue gate at the opening of the house, it was full of mess.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Your workce is a mess¡± It was as if I was getting an idea of what kind of work and who I would serve.


    The men yelled at what I heard as Jez turned the lock on the door. It seemed like my surroundings were shining to see who that the noise came from the men.


    ¡°You rotten yer! Quit ML!¡± He was wearing a white shirt and¡­ only boxers! Its movement of Adam¡¯s Apple coincides with his everyugh. He is tall, so he is more handsome to look at.


    ¡°You¡¯re a sick yer than I am!¡± said another man. He was wearing a gray T-shirt and shorts. He threw a pillow at his friend.


    ¡°Hey! Stop kids!¡± said Jez. The two stared at me as they slowly approached.


    ¡°The stench! Who is that! Shit?¡±, That was the man in the shirt.


    ¡°It¡¯s you! You smell yourself. Not bathing ismon. You have not taken a bath for three days!¡±ughed the man in the shirt who now blocked his face with the pillow he was holding. I swallowed. They are more handsome up close.


    ¡°Who is that, Jez? You are very helpful. You even brought a beggar here to help¡± This tall man is definitely hot, but I feel turn off for him because of referring to me as a beggar.


    ¡°That¡¯s not a beggar! Stupid! That¡¯s my friend!¡± I held Jez in his arms. I whispered.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me I¡¯m going to work here?¡± He nodded slowly then smiled hard as our eyes met.


    ¡°That¡¯s it. I hope it¡¯s okay ¡± I would have answered no, but ¡­ ¡°Jez, is she the one you found? The one you are talking about¡± his small face was gentle as if heaven had sent him to me. It felt like I¡¯m falling for him. His smile! Wow!


    ¡°Uh. Hi. What¡¯s your name, Miss?¡± His voice sounded like a luby.


    ¡°My name?¡±


    ¡°All right, Girl. Flirt more. You¡¯re not obvious¡±, Jez whispered to me as he pushed me.


    His always sarcastic


    ¡°My name?¡± he nodded as I rified the question.


    ¡°Uhm. Kaoree Rogen¡± I don¡¯t know if I will shake hands or what, but at the top, my choice is .. of course ¡­ shake hands! He epted my hand.


    ¡°Wyn. Wynder Roshan¡± I think I am in heaven.


    ¡°Calm down your ovary,¡± Jez scolded. Not sure if he¡¯s a guardian angel or what.


    ¡°Me too! Introduce yourself! Porridge girl. I¡¯m Latrelle. Latrelle Aurelius, it¡¯s easy to remember, isn¡¯t it? Most handsome¡± Porridge girl? I just turned to another one.


    ¡°I¡¯m Marcus Giberson, the cutest. Don¡¯t believe, Latrelle. He¡¯s not the most handsome here,¡± Latrelle kicked his ass.


    No,! I know that! I smiled. I know Wyn is the most handsome here.


    ¡°He hasn¡¯t had a girlfriend yet, and it looks like he has no ns. So you have no hope,¡± Jez whispered secretly again while both hands were behind.


    ¡°Thanks for the support,¡± I said sarcastically. ¡± By the way, am I epted?¡±

 Chapter 4

    ¡°You¡¯re the one I saw at the cafeteria!¡± said Latrelle.


    My forehead furrowed. Is that him? His memory is very sharp. The first time you look at him, you will think he is a forgetful person.


    ¡°He loves porridge,¡± Jez said.


    I turned my attention to the man who came out of the second floor of the house. He is wearing headphones and carrying a book-Harry Potter is the title as I see. Compared to them, I would say he¡¯s the most handsome if only he does not look snobbish.


    ¡°T. H, Kaoree is our new housemate,¡± Latrelle said.


    His cold eyes looked at me as I felt something in my stomach. His nose is beautiful because of its defined shape, his lips are red as blood, and the whole of her face is smooth. It looks like he¡¯s a perfect sculpture of God.


    ¡°Ah. All right¡±, he said coldly without even looking into my eyes. He seems like he doesn¡¯t care about the world.


    ¡°Just let it go. He is really like that.. By the way, Wyn will take care of you¡±, said Jez, so my eyes shine with excitement¡­


    Flirty mode on when our eyes meet. The boss of his face! It was as if you would want to die if he were the angel you would see in heaven. But it is just a joke! I still want to live a long life. Long life. Long flirting.


    ¡°Come on. We¡¯re going to the bedroom¡±, Wyn said, taking the stuff I was carrying that Jez had bought.


    I almost dropped my jaw then blinked a few times.


    ¡°You have that side, Wyn?¡± Marcus giggled next to Latrelle.


    ¡°I hope I have the guts to,¡± the twoughed on their own jokes.


    While this Jez looks like a crumpled paper face.


    ¡°Stop that nonsense. You Marcus, they said you¡¯re not answering your Dad¡¯s call.¡±.


    Something suddenly entered my mind. What are they doing in this house? Why are they together here? Do they have the same issue as Jez?


    ¡°Ignore them. Come on¡±, Wyn said as he pulled me. I drifted to him. They were left talking to the offender.


    My face seemed to heat up as I processed what had happened. His soft hand released my wrist, then scratched the back of his head. It was as if he was ashamed of what he had done.


    ¡°This is your room. I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s small.¡±


    I observed the entire room before I opened the window and tied the pink curtain. The calm Laguna De Bae can avidly see as the cold breeze caressed my skin. The sunlight from this room is less painful to look at as well.


    Compared to my room in my previous residence, it was bigger. Even the bed; the moment I sat on, I felt that it was soft. The clothes pouch is big. I also have my ownfort room. It¡¯s okay here.


    All that is needed is a kitchen and television, and it could be a house. He put my things on the bed.


    ¡°Looks like you liked it,¡± he said as he closed one of the windows due to the strong wind.¡±It¡¯s really nice here. That¡¯s why I don¡¯t want to leave this house,¡± The softness of his voice while telling me the story reminds me of a luby.


    ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s go to the other room¡±.


    The rooms are not very far apart, but there are two stairs-one on the left and right. When he opened it, it popped up with the Harry Potter posters on the wall. As well as costumes and paintings.


    I would have held on to it so I could appreciate it more, but he stopped me.¡±Don¡¯t. T. H. doesn¡¯t like his belongings being touched. That¡¯s his bag of dirty clothes. All you have to do here is sweep and mop the floor and then pick up theundry. When changing the bed cover and pillow, ask for his permission first .¡±


    The color of his entire room is blue. There is a desktop next to the bed. He also has a mini-library. The room is not messy, and it doesn¡¯t look like a man owns it. Everything is organized, even his shoes. It is ced on the shoe rack based on its color.


    A few secondster, we were out. The next room screams pink like my bedroom twin. Tyra Bangs immediately opened up to me. I already know who it is. I gave him that frame when he debuted. I mean, that girl¡¯s debut.


    ¡°Jez isn¡¯t fussy about things. I know you know, don¡¯t you, Miss Beautiful?¡±I looked at him in slow motion. ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°You. Miss beautiful. Who else?¡± he said,ughing.


    I look beautiful for him ?! Really?


    I bit my lower lip. Trying to hide the blush on my face. Why, my gosh, Wyn! Don¡¯t be like that. In the next room is ¡­


    ¡°What is this smokey room? Choss! Smokey mountain?¡±


    What about the paper on the floor? Shoes, as well as clothes, were scattered. My eyes widened with boxers near the bow of the bed.


    Next to it are desktops and album shelves. I looked at that-pure Justin Bieber.¡±Here, you will have a hard time cleaning.¡±


    He said as he scratched his head¡¯s back. He slightly hid his friend¡¯s boxers underneath. As if I hadn¡¯t seen that.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a little bit?¡± I said,ughing while scratching my head.


    I smiled with footprints as I entered the bathroom.


    ¡°Whose is it?¡±


    ¡°To Latrelle. That¡¯s really the one.¡±


    He took a deep breath as if troubled by his own friend.


    The next room impressed me. Nice! It looks like a collector.


    Full frames with a variety of butterflies. There was also an old cassette next to his bed. The ssic and the strength of nature in this room. Vintage matches. I examined the frames as closely as I could.


    ¡°Is that nice?¡± He questioned when he came beside me.


    ¡°Marcus likes to collect things like that. He inherited it from his father. He also likes to hike.¡±He picked up a photo album in the small drawer.


    ¡°This is ourst hike. I think I¡¯m still in senior high.¡±


    They look cute, especially him. I can¡¯t get to know them very well because they have different faces. Jez is also here holding a stick as if Latrelle is next to him, sitting on a big rock, and has a beautiful smile. They are five in the picture, including an older man.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Who is this?¡± I pointed at the older man.


    ¡°That¡¯s Marcus¡¯s dad. I want to repeat that, but it¡¯s blurry.¡±He put it aside when we finished looking.


    Of course, thest room was his. This is the cleanest of all. My fingers hovered over its side table. There is not the slightest bit of dirt. He also has a mini library, but his collection is bibles and motivational books. His room is very white, not only because of its appearance but also because of his belongings. From the pillow to the curtain, everything is white. Wouldn¡¯t it be difficult for me to doundry when they were dirty?


    ¡°Do you like to read? I can lend you a book¡±, he said while taking some books.


    ¡°Not too much, but it¡¯s good to read because it¡¯s motivational and about God,¡± I said.


    ¡°Oh gosh!¡± I almost jumped in shock to see Jez standing in the doorway.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that?¡± He questioned. What the heck! Did he suddenly enter the conversation?


    I approached him and pushed him away. ¡°You¡¯re ruining our moment!¡±


    ¡°Hey! I¡¯m telling you. He is not into you, girl!¡±, He rolled his eyes.


    Not far away. My gaze passed over the frowning T. H. Is he looking at me? Why does he seem annoyed? What could be the problem with him?

 Chapter 5

    ¡°List of your tasks¡±, Early in the morning T. H hands me the notebook that has a list of my task. Today is Friday, so I woke up early to cook their breakfast.


    Jez told me that the people here eat at eight o¡¯clock in the morning and sometimes they are wake every day before noon.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Jez is gone now because he leaves early for his part-time job. Unluckily he woke up before me, so he only ate bread for breakfast.


    I pour the coffee from the coffee maker then gave it to T. H. His eyes were cold as he looked at the cup of coffee, that I am handing to him.


    ¡°No. Thanks. I will not drink that¡±


    He just passed by me and then went to the living room to watch TV.


    ¡°How rude! I made a cup of coffee for him and he¡¯s not grateful for it¡±


    My lips were about to touch the end of the cup when suddenly someone snatches it from me. I look at the person who says, ¡°You¡¯re fantasizing about the cup as If it¡¯s the lips of your prince charming.¡± He sighs and¡­ If you need a kiss just say so¡±, the man in boxers in front of me sighs while holding the coffee he snatched.


    He looks at her hair with her messy hair and her eyes that are bulging because she has just woken up.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, Latrelle. It¡¯s better to split my lip than to kiss you. Then again, I didn¡¯t say I wanted someone to kiss me. It¡¯s a pity I made this coffee for someone else¡±.


    He set the cup down on the table as I brushed the stove to start frying the hotdogs and eggs. The rice was already cooked correctly so I took off the stove.


    ¡°Okay, just drink your coffee instead of talking¡±, I said. Then he pulled up a chair and lowered his face while watching what I was doing.


    ¡°It¡¯s not really for me, it¡¯s for your friend¡±, I snorted to point out T. H. who was seriously watching T. V.


    He shook his head, and it would have been appropriate to drink the coffee I made.¡±Hey! That¡¯s mine! I don¡¯t want an indirect kiss!¡±


    Heughed at what I said. ¡°I don¡¯t want to either. I don¡¯t want a direct kiss from you¡±This one is really silly. I rolled my eyes then offered him my drink.


    ¡°Actually, T. H. didn¡¯t really drink coffee. You could have made a tea, milk, or chocte drink for him. And there¡¯s nothing listed in the notebook that you should make a drink for us every morning¡±, he said while looking at the notes that T. H handed to me a while ago.


    Well, honestly, I thought at first that the listed tasks in the books were just for disy, but I guess they were serious about the task that was listed here.


    My morning lit up when I saw the next man who woke up next to Latrelle.


    The hotdogs and eggs were also cooked so I hurried to prepare the food and ced them on the table.


    ¡°Prepare the food if Wyn is finished sweeping the floor. I don¡¯t want the food to spoil. Cover it first so the dirt from the floor won¡¯t get on the food.¡± Latrelle said in a bossy way.


    The number ofmands of this one is kinda stressing me out.


    Oh, just calm down there, Kaoree, that¡¯s your boss. I think he just likes ordering you around so don¡¯t get your blood pressure high.


    I watched Wyn walk closer. He took the red broom from the back of the refrigerator then smiled at me. It was as if I was in heaven and the angels were singing because of that beautiful smile.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do that. You¡¯re the one who pays me¡±, I wanted to grab his hand, but he avoided it


    He smiled so I could see the dimples of his cheek. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m used to it¡±.


    Jez told me that Wyn was the most dependable of them, especially in housework. In fact, it¡¯s hard when they don¡¯t have a housemaid because Wyn does almost all the work. But even he doesn¡¯tin.


    I sighed while fantasizing about Wyn. He¡¯s husband material, unlike T. H who¡¯szily watching T. V. in the living room.


    ¡°Hey! Are you okay?¡±, Latrelle waved his palm in front of my face as if I¡¯m thinking about his friend.


    ¡°I¡¯m just watching how Wyn cleans up¡±, I answer without thinking.


    He crossed his arms then sniffed. ¡°Excuse me; I overheard you talking to Jezst night that you have a crush on Wyn¡±.


    I stare at him. I don¡¯t know if this one is really feeling close and he¡¯s so talkative. Even my private life he seems knows about it.


    ¡°You know you¡¯d better just watch TV¡±, I pushed him to stand up, but he is glued to the chair. I give even more of my strength, but I just couldn¡¯t because his feet were nted on the floor.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to watch. How many times have I watched Harry Potter¡±?


    That¡¯s all. The movie was based on T. H favorite movie, Harry Potter.¡±Of course. Anyway, just make me a slice of bread with Nute filling¡±, said Latrelle.


    He seemed to be cute because of the leftovers on his lips.


    He would have been handsome if he wasn¡¯t annoying. He was a very talkative and obviously grumpy friend. I looked for Nute. It was ced in a high cab, so I had to squat and jump to reach it. I could feel the tinglinging from my feet in case I couldn¡¯t reach.


    I taught myself, ¡°Only a little left to reach¡±. I would have dropped off to the floor but Latrelle was ahead of me because of her height.


    I feel like I¡¯m out of breath especially ¡­ Oh my ¡­ He is in front of me now. His abs like buns of bread are showing off in front of me. I was stunned for a moment, but I also woke up immediately because of another personing.


    ¡°What are you doing guys? Kaoree, don¡¯t be tricked by Latrelle¡¯s sugar-coated words; he has a lot of women¡±, said Marcus whose hair was messy like a bird¡¯s nest.


    He took some bread and then snatched the Nute from Latrelle.¡±It¡¯s just her first day of work Latrelle and you¡¯re flirting with her¡±, Marcus sighed.


    ¡°Stupid! Don¡¯t be malicious. I just helped her as she is a short one. She can¡¯t even reach the Nute¡±My eyes narrowed at what he said, and he signed peace.


    I saw T. H look at our ce for a while then averted his eyes when he saw me looking at him. What¡¯s the problem with that one?

 Chapter 6

    Lechon


    ¡°My waist hurts¡±, I said while holding my waist.


    I was stretching getting out of bed. What time is it? I looked at my wristwatch, which stated that it was five o¡¯clock in the afternoon. I need to sweep the yard, so I stood up quickly.


    My eyes widened while I¡¯m scratching it.


    I looked around and I giggle. ¡°It seems that nobody¡¯s here. Hmm.. Where did the four boys go?¡± I said as I¡¯m looking at the food stored in the fridge.


    I smiled strangely because when I opened the refrigerator, delicious food was right in front of me. Gradually my saliva umted in my mouth.


    I need to eat fast before they goe home or else they will catch me.


    My eyes shine like a diamond when I see the Lechon. Finally! I have a chance to taste this one! It¡¯s a dreame true.


    After that, I can pass away. I look at the food one by one.


    What will I eat first? Lechon? Graham? They even have a pizza! I can¡¯t wait to taste these kinds of food in front of me.


    I think for five seconds and I decided to taste the Graham first. It tastes like heaven. Finally, the Lechon is thest one that I ate. It tasted very yummy! Taste like heaven that seems that the clouds up above open up for me.


    I didn¡¯t seem to choke while eating and savoring the food.


    ¡°For thest round!!! Tententeneeen !!!¡±, I released the Lechon as if it was glowing. Thest bit of Lechon that I will be eating.


    I sliced ??it into small pieces, whichnded on the table. Just a small bite. It¡¯s not a bad taste.


    Slowly I cut it with the knife. My teeth chattered as I chewed on it.


    ¡°Is it delicious?¡±


    I let go of the cutlery I was holding. The guy in front of me surprised me. My eyes grew wide because of his glowing abs and sweat. I thought only lechon and diamonds were polished, but they weren¡¯t. The abs on him seems like it was brushed and cleaned by floor wax.


    I looked all over his body. Defined abs and they¡¯re white!


    Inhale. Exhale.


    Calm down. Okay? What a shame, Kaoree. That¡¯s your boss!


    ¡°You¡¯re starving me. I mean the Lechon is delicious. What is it ¡­ Yes! It¡¯s delicious! The lechon¡±


    Girl! Don¡¯t be rude. Is just like T. H. Eh¡­ My Goddess¡¯s cheeks are getting hot.


    He walked over to my seat. I make a move to stand up ¡­


    ¡°Do not leave¡±


    I bit my lip along with my strong heartbeat. Gradually his face came close to mine, so I closed my eyes slowly.


    I hear my heart beating fast. It¡¯s like I¡¯m riding a roller coaster.


    ¡°Hey! What¡¯s that card? Feeling like a prince charming girl?¡±, My eyes opened because of the strength of Jez¡¯s voice.


    T. H was standing in front of me.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here? ¡°, Said Jez while sober.


    He nodded to see Wyn behind it. He didn¡¯t have any reaction that showed he was disappointed, but I was the one who shrank inside.


    You are the only Wyn I want. It¡¯s like T. H if not shunga! It showed me half-naked, your sister¡¯s flower didn¡¯t soften.


    ¡°This friend of yours. He ate the lechon¡±, said T. H in a cold tone. He smirked as he walked away.


    ¡°Lechon!?¡±, this one has alreadye home.


    He looked back and forth at the lechon then at me.


    ¡°Give me back my lechon! That¡¯s my favorite! My favorite!¡±, Said Latrelle.


    ¡°Ah. Hehe! Wait. I still have work to do¡±, I ran out then took the ting-ting broom and dustpan.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    From outside I heard the roar of Marcus¡¯sughter.


    I, on the other hand, earnestly began to sweep.


    ¡°Ll ¡­¡±, I muttered while sweeping.


    A few minutes after doing my work I heard a murmur of water from the tap. The man in the green shirt and shorts was standing by the tap. I parted my hair because it was blocking my face.


    ¡°You¡¯re done?¡± I question while he¡¯s watering the nt.


    ¡°Yes¡±, he answers back. I watched him as he continued to water them. I think to myself, ¡°I wish I was just those nts, I really hoped so¡±.


    ¡°Do you like nts?¡±, He asked.


    I looked at my wristwatch. I still have a few minutes to talk to him.


    ¡°Not too much. They are a blessing so they should be taken care of¡±, I nodded.


    He smiled as he turned to me. Like an angel in heaven. I think I could die. But just a joke, Lord, I still have many dreams.


    ¡°Are you fond of nts?¡±


    I winced as I averted my eyes.


    nts are really our topic of conversation that we continue like that?


    Is there no one else?


    ¡°No. I have a different interest. Do you know Donny?¡±


    ¡°Ah. Yes. The actor¡±


    ¡°Oh. So, do you have an idol? Favorite actress¡±, my throat dries. I don¡¯t know what I am talking about. He¡¯s making my hands sweat so cold.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have, sorry¡±, he answered without looking at me.


    For a few minutes, silence reigned between the two of us. I heard the familiar footsteps of slippers.


    ¡°You¡¯re just there, Wyn¡±, Jez said.

 Chapter 7

    Ice-cream


    After my work, I told my bosses that I would be looking for a schrship but Wyn was really an angel because of what he offered me. Jez told me about Wyn¡¯s personal life. I found out Wyn wasn¡¯t close to his older brother Ten so he decided to go with T. H. He agrees with his choice¡¯s. In fact, they seem kind of based on the story of Jez.


    Entering their ck giant gate I was amazed. ¡°Girl, it¡¯s not just a fly that fits in your mouth but a cockroach¡±, said Jez who was next to me. Because my mouth rounded as I stared at the gate.


    There is arge fountain in the garden of their mansion. They have a gardener pulling weeds and watering the nts. Wyn is probably a living prince in this house. How does it feel to be her princess?


    The size of their house is staggering. It looks old because its design is Spanish relics engraved on the wall of their house. There is another angel statue that at night looks scary.


    As we entered their house, many more figurines appeared. I wanted to touch some of them especially the two young angels but Jez pped my hand. ¡°Don¡¯t. Tita doesn¡¯t let anyone touch that. Even I haven¡¯t touched that yet¡±


    ¡°Senyorito!¡±, Said the woman in her 40¡¯s. She was dressed in blue. She smiled at Wyn then turned to me. ¡°Who is she?¡± ¡°Me? I¡¯m a Goddess who came down from heaven. Of course, I joke. I¡¯m Kaoree¡±, I smiled and she smirked. ¡°I think you¡¯re crazy¡±, Jez whispered. Never mind. That¡¯s really the mindset of not believing that I¡¯m beautiful.


    ¡°Sit down,¡± the old maid said. I feel like my neck will break because of the examination of the whole house. Its design is not new but it is really attractive to look at.


    ¡°I¡¯ll just call my Madam¡±, Wyn nodded at what she said. A few minutester she was back with the woman in the cream dress. The pearl of her earring is a beautiful item on her gentle face. Herplexion is as white as cotton with some reddish in it. Her nose is piercing like Wyn¡¯s while her thin lips is blushing because of the lipstick. ¡°My future mother-inw is beautiful¡±, I giggled secretly.


    Jez pinched me quietly. ¡°Behave; don¡¯t be too flirty¡±.


    ¡°Finally, I see you again Jez. You look beautiful¡±, said Wyn¡¯s mother. My friend quickly hugged her. Jez is like a gentle sheep because of her eyes. He carefully returned to his seat where he sat next to me. ¡°You¡¯re good at pretending that your respectful¡±, I whispered sarcastically. ¡°Of course, you have to be modest. Imitate me girl¡±, he said proudly. I sucked. ¡°Modest? Is that a thing that a girl needs when she has a period¡±?


    (Modess here in the Philippines is a brand of sanitary napkin)


    ¡°Gaga! I¡¯m not referring to a napkin¡± Jez said. Wyn, on the other hand, approached his mother as if he didn¡¯t care about my conversation with Jez or he just didn¡¯t hear. ¡°Son, who is this one with you?¡±, she turned to me when a peck of kiss is given by Wyn to her. I gave her a beautiful eye. I adjusted my seat and pulled my chest in even though I didn¡¯t have a chest because I¡¯m t-chested. ¡°she¡¯s the one I¡¯m referring to, Ma¡±, said Wyn. I quickly shook her hands. Its softness makes me shiver. I guess milk is its daily bath and a pale lotion is what she¡¯s uses for her skin. I felt ashamed because my hands are rougher than sandpaper. ¡°You¡¯re Kaoree right?¡±, she asked in a gentle and ssy voice.


    ¡°Yes¡± I answered immediately. Your future daughter-inw. ¡°I¡¯m Edlyn. You can call me, Tita¡± My eyes zed over at what she said. ¡°Yaya, could you please give them a snack ¡°, she still smiled at me. The se?orito who had called Wyn earlier approached me. ¡°What do you want, Ladies and Gentlemen?¡±. She then waited for an answer from the three of us. She had a wide smile. I waited for the two to answer but it looks like Jez is embarrassed. But Wyn seemed to be waiting for us to say what we wanted first. I smiled confidently then spoke. ¡°I would like Hawaiian pizza as I don¡¯t like any another vor with a sprite. I also don¡¯t like any other soft drinks. Please also serve dessert, Leche n or ube.¡± Her jaw dropped.


    ¡°Ah. That¡¯s all. Maybe you want more food?¡± she asked one more time. ¡°No. It¡¯s enough for me. I¡¯m too shy to request more food.¡± I was surprised because sheughed.


    ¡°Mine is just a sandwich with water¡±, Jez said shyly. ¡°It looks like you really like eating¡±, said Aunt Edlyn. ¡°Not really Madam¡±, Iughed ¡°Uhmm. By the way, Ma regarding the schrship; Is she qualified?¡±. Wyn¡¯s English ent was delicious to the ears. It¡¯s like I¡¯m being fidgeted to the bottom of my heart.


    ¡°Yes of course!¡± I am d because Tita Edlyn trusted me and epted me as her schr.


    We didn¡¯t stay long because Tita was supposed to do something else. I was very happy because everyone answered that I should just improve my studies and also have a maintaining grade. Fortunately, I have two chances to get the schrship back just in case I fail a subject or I have three. ¡°Enrollment is next week. Can you still take care of your papers?¡±, said Jez. We were in a boutique where she was shopping for clothes for his brother Apple.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been taking care of my papers for a long time. But I have to do a follow-up so I will know when I picked up my school documents¡±. Then I thank him, he snorted to point to Wyn sitting on a bench while eating ice-cream. ¡°Maybe I can be an ice-cream in my next life. Wishing that I¡¯m the ice-cream that Wyn eats¡±, I feel like I¡¯m on a cloud. I felt Jez pull at my hair. ¡°Hey, girl. What¡¯s on your mind!¡± ¡°You¡¯re the only one who thinks malicious things. I just said that I like to eat an ice-cream and that¡¯s how you reacted?¡±


    ¡°Oh,e on girl don¡¯t act like you¡¯re an innocent¡± said Jez raising his eyebrow.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°Well, I just want to eat ice-cream that¡¯s all!¡±


    I went out then sat down next to Wyn.


    ¡°You want this?¡±, as he offered the ice-cream. Is he really sure? I would have licked it with ¡­ ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Ha? Uhm ¡­ Because ¡­¡±, I stood up in embarrassment.


    I¡¯m really fantasizing that he offers me his ice-cream. Gosh! That¡¯s so uhhh¡­.


    ¡°Where are you going, Kaoree ?!¡±, he said.


    I went to the bathroom and wishing that I will disappear. I hid in one of the cubicles. I¡¯d better be flushed out in the bowl because of the embarrassment.

 Chapter 8

    Type


    ¡°You¡¯re beautiful¡±, Latrelle said when he saw me in the kitchen. The five men were all wearing uniforms. First day of ss today so we all woke up early. ¡°Thank you. And I know that¡±, I said while preparing food for them. They sat down one by one. I noticed T. H was missing.


    Maybe he¡¯s still taking a bath. ¡°You¡¯re like a rag¡±, Latrelle said. Marcus and him bothughed while Wyn just shook his head.


    Jez, Marcus and I went to the same school. Both of them have family problems especially in terms of money. So, they have to transfer into a university with a free tuition fee and free misceneous fee. Unlike Latrelle and T. H, even though they have a problem to face like their two friends, they receive a lot of support.


    While Wyn, is the only one with no problem. Jez told me that he felt his friend of theirs had a problem but he¡¯s not an open book person. That¡¯s what his personality is like.


    I, on the other hand am grateful because the schrship I got is a big thing for me. Honestly, even before ss started, I had already received money from the Wyn¡¯s family. That¡¯s when I greeted Lolita after I sent them the money. They seem to be fine. He also asked how my Mother and Father were but I couldn¡¯t tell her what happened. ¡°Eat it, girl. We have to attend the g ceremony. You know to impress the professor that we¡¯re responsible students¡±, said Jez as he puts eggs and rice on my te.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Marcus gave me a thumbs-up, maybe he felt that I¡¯m nervous because it¡¯s my first day of being a college student. Marcus told me that it was the first time he¡¯s enrolling to a school under the government so he was nervous too. I told him that it seems that it¡¯ll be hard for him for the first months unlike private colleges and universities. There¡¯s a lot of air conditioners and evenfortable rooms, which are often cleanpared to a public institution.


    I was just sitting quietly when T. H. handed me the rice I prepared and ced on the table. I was about to spoon it for him but he snatched the te I was holding. I was stunned at what he did and I went too far. ¡°Let it go! He really has mood swings very often¡±, Jez said next to me referring to T. H.


    I let go of his te and let him serve himself.


    A few minutes after eating I cleaned up after our meal. ¡°We¡¯ll go with Wyn¡±, Jez whispered to me because he noticed I followed Marcus to Latrelle¡¯s car. My eyes widened as I saw their cars that seems expensive.


    Same model but different colors. ¡°Open the gate, porridge girl¡±, Latrelle ordered as he stood next to his car. I don¡¯t know why but he is handsome in that position? He looks like a model in a magazine. The wind blew so his hair was floating like a model in a TVmercial. I followed what he said and I opened the gate.


    T. H left first in his red car. He didn¡¯t even blow the horn to signal to me to step aside. He was driving too fast like he was furious. Latrelle followed him with Marcus. I wondered why he stopped for a moment. Dropping its car window. ¡°Fix the button of your dress¡±. While I was fixing it, he added something to what he said and told me, ¡°Don¡¯t show yourself off even if you¡¯re t-chested¡±.


    My forehead wrinkled. He always wants to tease me! He¡¯s getting on my nerves.


    Wyn then got out of his car. The color suits him because it was white with shades of his temperament. His car also looks like an angel. ¡°Hey,e on¡±, Wyn said then smiled. His smile makes me melt. I¡¯ll just start fantasizing about him but Jez cut that moment.


    ¡°Hurry up! Marcus is waiting for us¡±.


    ¡°Okay! This is it!¡±, I was like a child walking because my feet were jumping. When we arrived Marcus and Latrelle were waiting for us. Latrelle even wore shades as she smiled at the women. Feeling handsome. Tss. Anyway, he¡¯s really handsome.


    ¡°The turtles are haywire¡±, Latrelle whistled after what she said. ¡°If you had brought Marcus with us you wouldn¡¯t have waited for us for only a couple of minutes¡±, I marched inside the school.


    ¡°Porridge girl. Before you go, fix your skirt first. I don¡¯t want to see your dry legs¡±. I¡¯m now pissed off at how and what he said.


    Marcus couldn¡¯t stopughing. Wyn handed me lotion from his car. ¡°Try it, the chemicals in lotion is not harsh, it will soften your skin¡±, he smiled innocently. I also smiled back even it¡¯s fake. Latrelle had embarrassed me by what he said. ¡°I need to go; my first ss today will start in 15 minutes¡±, Wyn waived his hand saying goodbye. I slowly approached Latrelle. I will punch him in the face.


    He should say it in a nice way or just whisper but why is he is shouting it like it¡¯s a public concern!


    ¡°Why are you always teasing me!?¡±, I asked while making an angry face.


    ¡°I¡¯m concerned. I don¡¯t have time to tease you. Then be careful next time, there are a lot of people here that looking at you in a different way¡±, he looked around pertaining to those guys who were looking at me. Their eyes were looking at me filled with lust.


    Eww. I don¡¯t like those kinds of men.


    ¡°Wow? You¡¯re concern for me is like that you¡¯re not one of those men?¡±, I crossed my arms.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m not that kind of men. Sorry, I won¡¯t bother you anymore. Don¡¯t worry you¡¯re out of my concern now¡± I almost dropped my jaw at his arrogance. Jez intervened when he noticed that I was ready to answer back. ¡°Calm down, okay? Maybe you¡¯ll need to go now, Latrelle. And let¡¯s go Kaoree or we¡¯ll bete. The ceremony will start within five minutes¡±, Jez asked said while pushing me inside the gate of the school.


    Marcus followed us after saying goodbye to his friend. People around him, especially Senior High students, looked at him because he looks youngpared to Jez and me.


    He bestowed a smile on the women who greeted him. He is not like his friend who used to be like a chic boy. His smile was friendly and not flirtatious. When we lined up, Jez separates from us because one of his professors called him.


    Marcus and I lined up with our fellow freshmen who are stranger to us.


    ¡°That¡¯s just the way Latrelle is. But you can also disagree with that. Maybe he likes you¡±, heughed at what he said.


    Latrelle is kind and handsome. But he¡¯s not my type. Eww.


    Goddesses like me are not fit for a boy like Latrelle.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter¡±, I said then ced my right hand on my left chest as we sing the national anthem.

 Chapter 9

    Title


    ¡°Kaoree Rogen, 18. I live along the Laguna De Bae¡±, I introduced myself to the ss. After the introduction of my ssmates, our professor introduced himself to us in our first subject. He grouped us for the task that he will give the next day then he left after the ss ended. I sat watching my ssmates get to know each other. They sounded like a bunch of bees because of thebined murmuring of them. Some guys behind me were noisy because they were ying ML. The loudest were the three women in front; I think I will call them mean girls. I think they are Beauticians of the ss because they like make-up. They are so full of themselves like saying hey we¡¯re the most beautiful ones here. Because they are not, I¡¯m the most beautiful in our ss.


    Anyway, that doesn¡¯t matter. Theirughter is what makes the whole roomugh. The leader of them is the oldest one, Sasha. She looks half Chinese, half garter. Of course, Just joking! (Chinese garter is a Pinoy y of children). In fact, she looks half ck American. She was beautiful because her eyshes were fluffy but she looked different. A ck American that is a Pilipino Version.


    The one next to her was holding chalk. Vanna had a ponytail with straight dark hair. Her blush that she has on is thick and her lip tint was clearly visible from my seat because of the lighting from the open door.


    The third was Drianne, she was sitting whileughing at what her friend was saying. She is beautiful too. Her straight ck hair is darker and thicker. She was just chubbierpared to the two. I took my extra filler since no one wants to talk to me, I¡¯ll just make the setting of the novel I¡¯m writing.


    In fact, I haven¡¯t thought of a title yet.


    I just drew a heart in the middle of my notebook. Jez texted me.


    ¡°Hey, when is your lunch break?¡±


    I reply using my messenger. ¡°11:30¡±.


    He didn¡¯t reply back so I went back to what I was doing. I drew five stick people below the heart.


    I thought of adding a border for a better look. ¡°Hi! What are you doing?¡±, I jumped in my seat because a stranger that¡¯s a ssmate made my a heart attack. My hand was quick to close my notebook.


    ¡°I saw what you¡¯re doing before you closed¡±, she said then sat down next to me. My seatmate was both absent.


    Someone who knew them said they were sick so they weren¡¯t able to attend the ss. I let out a short breath. ¡°Don¡¯t be shy¡±, she said again. She¡¯s feeling close to me. ¡°What is that for?¡± she said again.


    ¡°Nothing. I can¡¯t do anything. You know, I only have free data so I can¡¯t browse FB to see the pictures in my newsfeed and no one is talking to me. So, I decided to do this¡±, I exined in a in tone. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you the first to approach our ssmates?¡±


    She doesn¡¯t know that I¡¯m not that type of person.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡°They should be the ones being approached¡±.


    She stoppedughing as she rubbed her forehead. ¡°You know, I hope you¡¯re okay. But what¡¯s that for?¡±


    ¡°Actually, there¡¯s really nothing. I¡¯m thinking about the plot and title of the story I¡¯m going to make¡± I yed with my ballpen as I stared at her dejectedly. She took my notebook and examined it.


    ¡°Heart then there are five men ¡­ Hmm ¡­ I also can¡¯t think of anything¡±, she said. She let out a deep breath then straightened up. ¡°Let¡¯s think about thatter. Anyways, where do you live? It¡¯s time for us to get into groups for our subject. Our house is just there¡± I feel that¡¯s her purpose is to talk to me so we can get into our groups for our one subject. I thought she intentionally wanted pure friendship.


    ¡°It¡¯s not really my house.¡± She nodded to my answer.


    ¡°Your aunt¡¯s house?¡± she¡¯s really talkative.


    ¡°No. I¡¯m a maid of five men. Latrelle, Jez, Thaddeus, Wyn, and Marcus are their names. Maybe you don¡¯t have to ask anymore because I¡¯ve already answered them all?¡± I¡¯m about to get annoyed with her.


    ¡°Thank you! I already thought of the title of your story!¡±, She shook both my arms. It was so tight that it was as if she felt no bones. ¡°Heartthrobs in One Roof! do you like it?¡± I leaned over and thought for a few seconds. ¡°I can help you with story plotting¡±, she seemed too cheerful. I just nodded because of her talkativeness. She stood beside me for a few hours. The seating arrangement in other subjects was not alphabetical so she did not leave my side.


    Even though the teacher was talking, she was still bbering on. I don¡¯t think this one¡¯s saliva is drying up.


    She is really good in some of our subjects because I¡¯m copying answers from her. She also mentioned that she was a silver medalist of her previous school. It seems to be true because she was already active on the first day of our school.


    The bell rang after ourst subject in the morning. One of my ssmates, whom I did not know their name, approached me. ¡°Are you Kaoree?¡± I nodded as he pointed at the door. One man seemed to be like a diamond because he¡¯s shining, not only because of his uniform but also because of how he stood there. Melissa kissed me. ¡°Your boyfriend!?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t make an issue. Of course not. It¡¯s Marcus¡± I stood up then clutched the bag behind my back. ¡°Let¡¯s have lunch with Jez¡±, he said. Melissa looked at Marcus especially the three mean girls. Melissa left stunned. I¡¯ll talk to herter about the plot of my novel.

 Chapter 10

    When we arrived at the cafeteria, we immediately noticed Jez. He was at the end of the adjacent window. Some students greeted him but other students ignore him. A group of women approached him in surprise. One of them was stunning and noticeable because of her beauty. They are four women groups. But the woman with the hairclip really has a different face from them, she¡¯s the one that I am talking about that has an exceptional beauty. Her eyes resemble that of a cat. The bridge of her nose was defined and her lip glowed because of the glitters of its lip tint. She looks like an anime because of the shortness of her skirt.


    Marcus and I lined up for a while as Jez waited. I don¡¯t know if some women intentionally push each other so that one of them can hug the man behind me and it¡¯s Marcus. ¡°Is it really like this here?¡±, Said Marcus, instead of being annoyed, just scratched his head.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind them and if they ever do that again. Inform the girls that you are pissed off¡± I said to him.


    I only took a little food because I was not hungry. Two cups of rice, Menudo, shanghai dumplings, and then a dessert of course sd.


    ¡°I thought you weren¡¯t hungry?¡±, He said while taking the dish.


    ¡°Not really. Just a little bit¡±, I waited for him. The women push the other women again so Marcus could almost let go of it. The woman behind him almost hugged him.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡±, she said and arranged her hair. My eyes rolled because they obviously meant to do it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be pissed off! I feel sorry for you too!¡±, she rebuked her friends who giggled.


    I know it was unintentional. I sat down next to Marcus as he pulled out a chair for me.


    Jez raised an eyebrow at us. ¡°Girl! How long have you been buying food! My face is getting oily¡±, heined while wiping his face using a tissue.


    ¡°Anyway, how was your first day?¡±, Jez asked as He tasted my sd. So, I stared at him.


    ¡°Well. Kind of ¡­ disaster¡±, Iughed at Marcus¡¯ answer. Who can say such a thing? Even in the hallway as we walked there were women following him.


    ¡°For me, it¡¯s okay. I¡¯m just a low-key person with a hidden pretty face so there are no group of students that are following me¡±, I said confidently. Jez almost choked so Marcus reached for the water.


    ¡°You¡¯re so full of yourself,¡± said Jez.


    ¡°Yes. Cause I am like you¡±, I said. We continued chatting in the middle of the meal. We burst outughing because Jez¡¯s pants got caught in the nail so the middle part of it was ripped. It¡¯s a good thing that it¡¯s not that bad.


    ¡°If you only knew my reaction! It¡¯s epic!¡±, He just rubbed his forehead. He also told us about his professor who called him in front to guide their freshmen. He is the President of their department so he led the orientation. Mostughed at what happened because they heard how the clothes he was wearing were torn.


    ¡°Uhm. Sorry for the interruption¡± We looked at who spoke. She was the woman before! The one with the hairclip.


    ¡°Do you need anything?¡±, I said.


    ¡°Maybe Jez needs it. Do you know? His jeans got ripped off¡±, her ent is nice, and sophisticated. She ced the small sewing box on the table.


    ¡°No. That won¡¯t help¡±, Jez said and didn¡¯t hesitate to look at the woman. He looks arrogant!


    ¡°It will help. Do you want me to sew that?¡±, she offered but my friend¡¯s face seemed to get worse. He firmly lowered the cutlery he was holding.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Jez isn¡¯t okay right now¡±, I snorted. She leaned over me and raised an eyebrow at me. The thickness of her face. She seems not to be ashamed of what she¡¯s doing.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± she said in a bad tone.


    ¡°FYI. I am his friend. And who are you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Jaz. You already¨C¡± Jez cut her off for what she wanted to say by loudly lowering his ss to the table.


    ¡°Jaz, please leave while I still respect you¡±


    ¡°Oh. Come on, Jez¡±, she said in a cute way but it cringes me.


    ¡°Okay. Fine.¡± I watched her walk away with her mean girlfriends.


    ¡°Is that some kind of joke? Is that chic?¡±, Said Marcus who got a joke.


    ¡°Eww! Chic my nerve! Gosh, Marcus! It¡¯s nauseating! You know my fetish is Men too!¡± He took his face powder then fixed her face. He caressed his cheek as he looked in the mirror.


    ¡°There! I got a pimple because of that girl! That¡¯s really my stressor!¡± Marcus and I just looked at each other because of hisint.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a pimple. You can kill that¡± I said.


    ¡°Look at the picture when you have a pimple!¡±ined Jez like a kid. Pimple is very big deal to him.


    ¡°If you¡¯re really ugly you can¡¯t do anything, Jez¡± He looked at me badly.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°So, what do you mean?¡± he raised his eyebrow.


    ¡°If you¡¯re really beautiful even if you have a pimple, you¡¯re still beautiful. Like me¡±, I flipped my hair then winked.


    ¡°The nerve. I don¡¯t really know. By the way, T. H texted earlier¡± I wish it was Wyn.


    ¡°He¡¯s supposed to pick us up. Wyn is going somewhereter¡±, he turned his eyes to me.


    ¡°so just behave girl. Don¡¯t make noise in her car¡± In Wyn¡¯s car there¡¯s no rule. Hmp.


    ¡°Just let Latrelle fetch us. I¡¯ll just chat with Latrelle¡±, Marcus suggested. He took his phone out of his pocket. I stopped him.


    ¡°No! Don¡¯t! I¡¯m okay with T. H!¡±, He immediately returned it.


    ¡°Uh. All right. It¡¯s a pity. We have the freedom to make noise in his car¡± I would rather be silent than noisy. I know Latrelle will tease me. I don¡¯t know what that man ate why I was always being teased.


    My phone vibrated.


    Unknown Number


    How was the first day, porridge girl? Have you been bullied?


    I knew immediately who he was.


    Unknown Number


    Report to me when someone bullies you. I¡¯m the only one who can bully you.


    My blood pressure suddenly rises.

 Chapter 11

    On Saturdays, I usually wake up early because I was cooking in the morning. I am used to my work in this house. On weekends, cook in the morning, and clean. Sometimes water the nt when Marcus and Wyn are busy. Shopping for groceries with Jez or maybe Wyn. Marcus once again because he is getting close to me. Every week, I doundry and clean their room. Only T. H. and Wyn do not clean.


    Sometimes Jez will clean when he¡¯s not busy with his work. It¡¯s easy for me to do theundry because sometimes I¡¯ll just take it to theundry shop and then I¡¯ll pick up the clothes.


    ¡°Wake up!¡± I pushed Latrelle a few times but this man seemed to be fast asleep. He told me to wake him up early because he was having a basketball game with his ssmates.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t wake up ¡­¡± he gasped as I slowly removed the pillow covering his face. His hair is messy but even so he is still handsome to look at. His face is gentle and he is wearing white pajamas so he looks kind of like an angel. The truth is he likes to bite like a wild animal.


    I took water from the bathroom then poured it on him. ¡°Oh, there! You¡¯re not awake yet!¡± He immediately got up from what I did while wiping his face with his hand. The other hand is focused on the bed so that he can get up while he bnces himself.


    ¡°You look ugly¡±, Iughed at what I said to myself. I turned around and heard him stand up.


    ¡°I¡¯m going out. Just follow me¡± I only took a few steps when he suddenly pulled me close to him. My feet touched the wet floor that¡¯s when I felt I was slipping I grabbed the strand of his T-shirt. My eyes widened because of the closeness of his face. I could feel his hot breath on my cheek. You can take me now, Lord! This is terrible! My flirty mode is on. But not!


    Chill. Rx. Latrelle is the one in front of you, not Wyn. So, calm down, Kaoree. Suddenly the door opened and before we could get up, he saw us in a bad position. ¡°Wyn said, let¡¯s have breakfast¡±!


    Marcus scratched his head. ¡°but ¡­. what ¡­ uhm. It¡¯s a different morning you want. Sorry for the inconvenience¡±, didn¡¯t mean to interrupt.


    He bowed as he slowly closed the door. I pushed Latrelle. I immediately stood up and marched out the door. ¡°Don¡¯t act. I didn¡¯t like that either!¡± I smirked at him. ¡°You¡¯re ugly up close!¡± ¡°The smell of you! Take a bath. You smell like onions¡± My ears was ringing from when he mmed the door shut. I bit my lower lip as T. H. and I met eyes. He yawned and blinked a few times to recognize me. We didn¡¯t greet each other because he doesn¡¯t have that habit. He passed me as he headed to the bathroom.


    The door was slightly opened so I could see how he was washing himself. Another handsome case that stuck on me.


    I noticed that my mouth was opened so I closed it. He nced at who was looking at him.


    ¡°Come here! Every morning I want another hotdog¡±, Jez asked meing down the stairs.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be malicious¡±, I red at him and removed his hold on me. ¡°Am I still malicious? You look at T. H. differently. The man will melt¡± Shine with the surroundings in conjunction with the singing of angel. Wyn glows in my eyes. He suddenly had a wing. Come to me and ¡­


    ¡°Are you okay, Kaoree?¡±, He ced the back of his palm on my forehead. I had a wide smile.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine¡± I think he saw how stupid I was to him. But Wyn didn¡¯t have that. My heart leapt with joy and I trembled even more as he pulled me out of the chair. Is he serious? He wanted me to be next to him. I scooped up the rice and dishes that he likes.


    ¡°You have group workter, don¡¯t you? Shall we take you?¡± Gradually my face turned to hers. I want to jump! Why is he like this!? Is she the woman he wants? Low-key who shows feelings. Hey! The relish is feeling like Nabisco cracker. But joke! I don¡¯t want to assume I might get hurt.


    ¡°You mentioned it to me so I thought you coulde with me¡± He remembered what I said on Thursday. I thought no! I¡¯m have a feeling he¡¯s really here for me! He remembers the little details I say.


    ¡°It¡¯s embarrassing¡±, I put a few strands of my hair in my ear. Jez with a full mouth interjected into the conversation.


    ¡°Girl, don¡¯t be shy! Don¡¯t Pretend! Grab it¡± He¡¯s the destruction of the moment! I¡¯m pretending to be a Filipina girl.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    ¡°Ah, all right. Wyn. If I¡¯m not busy¡± Jez looked at me meaningfully and shook his head. You¡¯re jealous! Because you don¡¯t have a love life. Me, one day there will be!


    ¡°What is this that was cooked! It¡¯s not delicious!¡±, I just noticed that Latrelle was arrogant here.


    I stared at his spoon with fried eggnt mixed with scrambled eggs.


    He¡¯s stupid in that part. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Latrelle. It¡¯s was not cooked by me. This is what I cooked¡±, I smiled broadly as I pointed to the tulingan fish mixed with scrambled egg. Gradually his face brightened. The earlier wrinkle on his forehead was gone and his Adam¡¯s Apple jumped.


    ¡°Is my cooking salty, Latrelle?¡±, Wyn asked softly as if her friend had just said nothing to her. He cleared his throat and then sat down next to Jez.


    ¡°No. Honestly, I¡¯m joking¡±, he said before taking another dish. I took my cooking away from him. He tried to reach for it but even with his long arm he couldn¡¯t do it. He even tried to reach it for thest time once he did, I took it back from him. He did it again until we felt the tension. He held the te so tightly that I took it with all my might. But to my great surprise, he suddenly let go. Because of the force, the chair bent backward and tumbled with me in it. While I was on the floor because of what happened. I look at T. H who¡¯s tall and who seems to be done with his morning rituals. ¡°As a child¡±, he said without helping me. Tss. His gentleman!

 Chapter 12

    After eating I hurried off to take a shower. I also didn¡¯t take long to choose my clothes because I was in a hurry. The angel that was soon-to-be my boyfriend wass just waiting for me.


    Anyway, it¡¯s just an imagination of mine.


    I was wearing a simple floral T-shirt and sweat shorts. I would have liked to wear shoes but instead I just wore sandals, which really didn¡¯t matter.


    When I came down, Wyn was waiting for me to see him. He looked at his wrist watch. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, did I take too long for you to wait?¡± The curve of his smile on his lips was just beautiful.


    ¡°Of course not. Let¡¯s go¡± When we got out, Marcus and Latrelle were there standing next to the car.


    Jez approached me. ¡°Will you go with him?¡±, He snorted to point at Wyn. Her lips was red because of her lipstick and added glitter.


    ¡°Yes. Then, isn¡¯t it? You¡¯re going through something different?¡± He shrugged as if he couldn¡¯t do anything about it. I followed Wyn who started operating his car.


    ¡°Hey¡±, I didn¡¯t look back because I knew I wasn¡¯t what he called me. ¡°Are you deaf?¡±, I scratched my head before turning to him. He looks like a boy next door because he was wearing a fitted white shirt and a purple jersey shirt.


    The sunlight darkened the chocte color of his hair when it struck it. Even before he could say what he wanted to say I felt my blood pressure rise.


    ¡°No. Do I know what you¡¯re calling me?¡± His teeth chattered and so did I.


    ¡°Come with me¡±, hemands as he grabbed my waist with a thick face. I really don¡¯t want to go with him. Then Wyn and I had alone time ¨C I mean I¡¯m alone with him now. Why should I miss this opportunity?


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to!¡±, I passed him and went to Wyn. Who is he? He¡¯s just a handsome creature that I don¡¯t like.


    I opened the car then sat down next to Wyn. ¡°Did you argue again?¡±


    ¡°Just a little¡± He did not ask for other details. While on the trip I couldn¡¯t help but stare at him. He is just perfect! It¡¯s as if the angels were singing again. With each stroke of her hair on her forehead. Still nice to look at. With each swing he joked! That¡¯s different. The car swayed because of the humps.


    ¡°Is he here yet?¡±, He peeked to make sure so he lowered the car window. I imitated what he did to make sure this was the ce. This is the address he gave me where we will meet in groups. Old and dpidated house seemed uninhabited. Wyn came down and he opened it for me. He still supports me. This is my joke again. But is that so anyway? Mypanion almost broke his neck looking around.


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re going to meet here? It looks abandoned¡± When I heard a crack from inside, I hugged his arm. I took it back immediately but I hope I didn¡¯t take it back right away. ¡°It¡¯s just a bird¡±, he said then messed up my hair. Gosh! Are you that scared! We¡¯re not there yet, Wyn! Just chill.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m scared¡±, I bit my lower lip. Right, maybe I¡¯ll put a little lipstick and bb cream like Jez¡¯s advice. It looks like the first day of his advice, Wyn was bitten immediately. ¡°Is that so?¡±, I turned to where the familiar voice came from. Our eyes met. It¡¯s like we¡¯re not in the same ss. He eagerly hugged me.


    ¡°Who¡¯s with you?¡±, He pushed me slightly. ¡°Do not be malicious. He is one of my bosses¡±, I said to Melissa.


    ¡°Wyn, this is Melissa. Melissa this is Wyn ¡± They both shook hands and I didn¡¯t like Melissa¡¯s smile. That makes sense.


    . ¡°Looks like you have thepany of a man with you¡±, Wyn pointed out to the neer. Wearing a yellow shirt and shorts, he matched his shoes. He won¡¯t forget his favorite little big.


    ¡°Well, I need to leave you here¡±, Wyn said.


    ¡°All right, Wyn. Thanks!¡±, I waved my hand.


    ¡°Oliver! Hurry up!¡±, Melissa shouted. His face seemed to light up when he saw us. ¡°It¡¯s you! You have a crush on your boss!¡±, she yelled at me.


    ¡°Honestly, yes. So don¡¯t take him from me. He¡¯s mine! Find a different man?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re cursed, girl?¡±, Heughed.


    ¡°No. Just saying¡±


    Our group leader texted that I didn¡¯t remember the name. She brought us on the tricycle so that we would not be disturbed. Even though we were really bothered. Their house is just the right size. There are three bedrooms for four family members. She told the story that she was the youngest. Her parents are busy with work so often only her older brother is with her at home. It took us two hours to make a report for the same subject. In the story our time was up.


    ¡°Would you like a snack?¡±, Wanwan offered. ¡°Actually, I¡¯m still full. But ask them¡±, I said while checking our work.


    ¡°It¡¯s up to you¡±, the two said at once. She briefly went to the kitchen and he brought us a snack in the living room. For a moment my eyes widened. Of course, you have to behave. Do not impose that you¡¯re starving with food. She prepared mango graham and orange juice.


    ¡°Take it¡±, she said but we were like statues not moving.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be shy. Just grab the food¡± repeated Melissa who seemed to be salivating in her mind. Look at the face of this one who looks like a hungry lion.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be shy!¡±, You¡¯re still a shy type.


    So, I was the first one to eat a few slices of graham crackers. Honestly, I¡¯m not hungry yet. ¡°Do you have a sandwich with cheese stuffing?¡±


    Oliver and Melissa raised an eyebrow at me. Do they like what I want.


    ¡°You said earlier you¡¯re not hungry¡±, Melissa said.


    ¡°No. I just want a sandwich¡±, I said then turned to Wanwan.


    ¡°Just one more, Wan¡±, I smiled cute.


    ¡°All right. It¡¯s okay¡± While waiting for my snack I stood up and rolled my eyes. I was struck by the sight of the familiar man whose picture was in a wooden frame. Out of curiosity I took it and said ¡°Is this T. H ah?¡±N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look!¡±, She took it back from me. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It looks like the man in the picture¡±, and I returned to my seat.

 Chapter 13

    ¡°What are you wanting for! Lo-love me like you do!¡±, I apanied the song being yed from the radio.


    ¡°It¡¯s waiting not wanting¡±, Melissa said while putting powder on her face.


    ¡°You know it sounds the same?¡±, I said. After we had snacks, we listened to the radio while rxing. I wanted to get home early but Wanwan forced us to hang out for half an hour.


    ¡°I¡¯m going home, Wanwan. I still have a lot to do¡±, I reasoned.


    Even this afternoon I will still do some of the housework I left behind.


    ¡°Me too. You know there¡¯s no one guarding the store. If I hadn¡¯t just begged my aunt to be my temporary recement as a seller my mother might have scolded me¡±, Oliver said as he adjusted his bag.


    ¡°All right. I¡¯ll just take you outside. Wait a minute¡±, as he said goodbye. Wanwan didn¡¯t take long to change her clothes. About five minutester she came out with her hair in a ponytail. She reced her sleeveless dress with a long sleeve


    ¡°Next time!¡±, Melissa said firsting out of the gate. I followed and Oliver wasst. Wanwan was left standing in the doorway.


    ¡°The snack was delicious!¡±, Theyughed because of what I said. What¡¯s so funny about what I said?


    When I turned to cross the road there was a white car. I thought they were kidnappers but I was hallucinating. The car was familiar to my eyes.


    Wanwan came out to notice where I was looking. ¡°What are you looking at?¡±, Melissa asked.


    She also looked where I looked and almost dropped her jaw. The familiar man came out. It was as if his smooth, white skin was glowing because of his gray shirt. My eyes dropped when I saw him in fitted shorts. The manliness down his pants was defined. I mean his thigh hair was obvious. You know I¡¯m not thinking any malicious things here.


    ¡°Wanwan, isn¡¯t he your crush!?¡±, Oliver teased. Slowly my neck turned to see the man. Confirmed. She has a crushed on the man walking to the spot where we were standing.


    My ssmate¡¯s cheek turned red and she could barely speak. It was as if she was nailed to her spot. T. H is not the most handsome I have ever met but Wyn. Who would want an introvert man like him? Quiet, he looks boring and stuck-up.


    . ¡°Did you know that because of Wan¡¯s crush on him, he has a picture of that man¡±, Oliver teased him, almostughing.


    ¡°You know your noisy! He¡¯s not mine! He¡¯s friend of my cousin!¡±, Wanwan eximed.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    T. H looked at me without expression as well as those with my ssmates. Wan tried to smile and waved at him but the young man just ignored it.


    ¡°What time are you going home?¡±, He looked straight into my eyes as one of his hands was rubbing and the other was holding a key.


    ¡°Now. Why?¡± Does that mean he¡¯s picking me up?


    I¡¯m feeling special here. I am like a princess with a prince charming who¡¯s fetching me with his horse.


    I think it was my luck because Wyn had brought me earlier. Now T. H is picking me up! Thank you so much, Jez! These men are sent from up above.


    ¡®. ¡°Ah. That¡¯s good. I¡¯ll be right ahead¡±, as he said goodbye.


    Is he serious!? I thought he would pick me up. I followed him to where he stopped. I identally touched the end of her dress. He looked at the fingers I had applied there. I slowly removed it then whispered secretly.


    ¡°What?¡± ¡°Nothing. I just want to say that you need to be careful ¡°, I would have liked to say what I was thinking in case he thought I was assuming. Momentster the two men arrived. One of them was holding a ball. ¡°I thought you were home already¡±, I said to the stuck up man. Instead, T. H answered with him answering.


    ¡°She seems to be going to get something¡± One of them stroked his head.


    ¡°Ah. Of course. Be careful¡± Someone will pick it up. I mean now? I smirked. It¡¯s not bad to deny that he wants to pick me up. Please narrow this one as well.


    ¡°I¡¯ll just get the dog from Adam¡± My back twisted because of that. Does he have a dog? I just smirked. I was disappointed to watch him drive away. Oliver held my hand ¡°Hey! How did you meet him! Introduce him Wan!¡±, He pleaded. ¡°I¡¯m their housemate¡±, was my short answer because I was toozy to tell stories. Then I¡¯m not interested in telling a story about T. H. We are not close.


    ¡°Good luck,¡± said Wanwan. ¡°Introduce us ha!¡±, Melissa said. I let out a deep breath. ¡°Yes, when I I¡¯m close T. H and another one, that one won¡¯t pay attention to you¡± ¡°Will you ride, Ineng?¡±, the driver offered in the middle of our conversation.


    ¡°Yes. They will ride¡±, Wanwan replied.


    ¡°Thanks again!¡±, Melissa and I sat inside while Oliver was outside. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder. If only T. H would take the dog. Why does he seem to have followed the tricycle we are riding now? Anyway, maybe just coincidence. I¡¯m just to assume and getting better. When I got home, I went to bed. The soft bed seemed to be hugging me. But before I could continue to rest my eyes, I changed my clothes.


    ¡°Porridge girl¡±, I jumped.


    ¡°What!? Don¡¯t you know how to knock?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know how to close the door¡±, he said. I thought he woulde hometer. ¡°Oh, what do you need?¡± ¡°I want a snack¡±, he smiled teasingly. ¡°Later. Obviously, you just want to tease me¡±, I turned to him. ¡°Are you turning your back or facing me?¡±, So I turned around. ¡°Why? Are you too floating or blind? You can¡¯t see that I¡¯ve turned my back before¡± ¡°I was just wondering because you still looked backed¡± I quickly grabbed both of my pillows and threw them at him. ¡°Can you juste out!¡±, Heughed then followed what I said. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Madam. Just prepare my food for meter¡±, he giggled.

 Chapter 14

    The three men were busy with what they were doing. T. H is currently in the backyard bathing his dog that looks like Polgoso. I¡¯m not sure if he¡¯s a German shepherd. Of course, just joking!


    Latrelle and Marcus are busy ying their Xbox. They are a trip at dancing. ¡°I¡¯d really better dance with you¡±, Latrelle said while sweating from what he was doing.


    ¡°look at your score¡±, Marcusughed.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a score. You¡¯re just a fast-learner than me¡±


    They¡¯re wearing both fitted white shirts and ¡­ boxer shorts!?


    I shuddered at what I was thinking. I think my brain is getting moldy. I tried to look away from them but I couldn¡¯t help it especially at Latrelle¡¯s sweaty body. His abs were defined on him because of what he was wearing. I groaned and rubbed my own neck. Calm down, no. It¡¯s just abs!


    Latrelle is not Wyn so calm down. I let out a long breath after I closed my eyes. ¡°Dress up¡±, said T. H to my surprise. Once our eyes met. I don¡¯t know but why I felt like I was tickled. I just ignored that because I might just fall for him. Howe he looks wet. Imagine her hair getting wet whilebing it with her fingers. Unlike her friends ¨C she was wearing a T-shirt and shorts that looked decent. ¡°Why are you staring?¡±, I saw him in front of me. I just noticed now that he can be an actor. I swallowed again. I feel like I have a lump in my throat.


    I cried. ¡°Uhm. What is it ¡­? Nothing ¡­ Why is it bad to stare at you?¡± He stared at me coldly for a few seconds before returning to his room. The two men seemed to have heard nothing of what T. H. ¡°Hey!¡±, I said first. What?!


    ¡°Hey!¡± They stopped when Latrelle pressed the button on the remote. It messed up her hair and traces of annoyance on her face. ¡°What do you need?¡± ¡°T. H said, get dressed¡± Marcus sniffed then went up to his room. He didn¡¯tst long so he went down immediately ¡°I don¡¯t want to. I¡¯m tired¡±, Latrelle insisted. ¡°We have a woman here so you should dress up ¡­¡±, I backed away as he approached staring me straight in the eyes. The mixture of its scent and sweat made me smell.


    My cheeks got hot because of what he did. ¡°Why is it awkward to see me just like this?¡±, His tone of voice was teasing. The heat of my cheek increased. In all my life I have never seen a man in boxers. When I go on vacation in the province, my cousin doesn¡¯t wear that. More decent to look atpared to him.


    ¡°Relle, stop that¡±, I felt relieved when I heard whose voice it was. My first breath that was about to break was suppressed. Latrelle climbed to the top to put on a dress that didn¡¯tck fabric. Marcus giggled on the stairs. He had probably watched how his friend annoyed me before. ¡°I bought you¡±, Wyn handed the paper bag. I would have opened it but he stopped me. ¡°Just in your room¡±, he smiled. This is the feeling that I am in heaven again. Anyway, I didn¡¯t go back to my room. I went straight to the kitchen because I will be cooking a snack along with dinner. ¡°I have a pizza with me¡±, Wyn said then dropped it on the table. My only problem was cooking dinner. I started cooking Afritada, Jez and I¡¯s favorite. We haven¡¯t eaten it at the same time for several months. Thest time we ate it was when Mama cooked and Papa was with us. I was suddenly sad and at the same time happy because somehow Mama inherited her cooking from me. I¡¯m good at cooking but he¡¯s still the best.


    Unfortunately, he did not taste the Afritada cooked by his daughter. She always cooks. Sometimes I do but only adobo and tin are two of my main dishes that I can cook. After I cook. I opened Wyn¡¯s carry.


    Why is the tape so tight? I wanted to not destroy the pouch but with the force of both of my hands it was destroyed. It didn¡¯t fall to the floor but I was embarrassed to see T. H. My hand is even faster than the cheetah. I put it under the table. My heart was pounding as I bent down. ¡°Aray! I think I¡¯m home!¡±, I excused myself. But honestly that¡¯s not my reason. Why didn¡¯t want Wyn to say that he bought undergarments !? My nose would have smoked but it wasn¡¯t Latrelle so I calmed down immediately. But why would he buy me something like this? With the amount of use it still has!? I was already embarrassed from him after T. H. added. I punched my head weakly several times.


    Aish! It frustrates me ¡°You¡¯re wearing a bra too. It¡¯s a beautiful color¡±, I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s ttering or annoying. After setting aside his favorite pond he left. My foot softened as I walked up the stairs.


    ¡°Ouch!¡±, I said softly then touched my forehead and head. How can I walk with my head down? I didn¡¯t want to show my face especially since Wyn was sitting on the sofa while chatting with Latrelle. Maybe it was a lump because I bumped into the wall. ¡°Did you like that ¡­¡±, I quickly raised my head.


    ¡°Yes. Wyn, thank you very much!¡±, I said quickly then ran away. I even heard Marcus say that who asked what happened to me. I locked the door then stood in front of the mirror. I measured his values. I watched myself as my eyes focused on the bra she had bought.


    ¡°The size is right !?¡± I touched what I knew holen. Yes, I call it holen because it¡¯s small. But how did he know my size? Incapable¡­ No, what!?


    My phone vibrated sitting on the side table.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Jez Beautiful :


    Wyn and I bought you a bra. Did you like it?


    This one is really crazy. Alright. I was happy somehow because Wyn touched my bra first before I wore it.

 Chapter 15

    The strong wind caused the trees to rebuke. The birds, on the other hand, seem to sing on the branches as if flirting. I am currently sitting on the green grass that is glowing because of a few grains of water. It just rained this morning. It was good that the sun had risen before I came here.


    I lit two candles after cing the flower on Mom and Dad¡¯s grave. I cleaned their tomb with my hands. There is a trace of a dried candle here. Maybe someone visited earlier than me. The melted candle is still soft and not too hard. I think maybe it¡¯s Dad¡¯s job, or maybe it¡¯s Mom¡¯s friend. I know a friend of theirs but not close to me except for Ate Charlotte.


    My eyes drifted to the man¡¯s familiar walk he was wearing a in white-shirt and heeled shorts. Stitch on his shoe while making small noises with every step he takes. I don¡¯t know if he saw me because he just kept on walking. At least he doesn¡¯t really pay attention to me. ¡°Thaddeus¡±, a woman called to him.


    The woman was wearing a ck veil so I could not see her face. I think he is as tall as I am. Her skin is so porcin that it is almost soaked in sunlight. I can say that the woman seems capable of life. In the form of its crop top and shorts apanied by sandals, there is no denying that.


    He supported T. H as he got closer. I couldn¡¯t even hear his voice but I knew he was talking to the man who didn¡¯t speak. Only nods are often the answer. Not for being a gossip but who can he visit? Several more followed him. Two boys resembling him. Both turned jumpers and ck shoes. They look like the kids version of T. H. Isn¡¯t he already married?


    Just joking! Too malicious. My attention returned to Mom and Dad. I smiled as I brushed away the few weeds that blocked their name.


    ¡°Nemesio H. Rogen. Ria V. Rogen¡± I smiled at what I heard. I know who that is. I turned around.


    ¡°Melissa¡± she sat down next to me with the basket and thenid out a small mat. I sat next to her; she brought out some bread as well as juice.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re hungry. I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯mte¡±, she exined as she pulled out a few strands of her hair that was smelling on her face because of the wind. ¡°You¡¯re not superte. So don¡¯t worry¡±, I said. We talked today that we would meet because she wanted to get to know my parents. She is also one of my supposed friends. Then I have no other trust that my ssmate has other than him. Then the three mean girls. My beauty can only be stressed. It bothered me.


    ¡°Girl! I saw a handsome guy earlier while buying juice!¡± If you can¡¯t ask, Melissa¡¯s eyes are blurred and clear when she sees a handsome man. This woman looks like she has an eagle¡¯s eye.


    ¡°I¡¯m feeling single¡±, she said while chewing. I stared at him and grinned. ¡°But it¡¯s just a joke. Introduce me to your friend. There¡¯s Marcus¡± Several times he repeated to me that Marcus was handsome and they matched. They both look innocent and have a good race. What she said was that she felt that one and she had never been a girlfriend on the other hand, no one still bes a boyfriend. He allegedly shed his name and it turned out to be marriage.


    As soon as I got to know him, it was easy to remember him. It was natural for him to be feeling close. Sometimes he would hit some students he did not know. He ps whenughing at them. Sometimes he would ask for a pimp from someone. ¡°Don¡¯t forget! On Monday ha! There are still a lot of people who like her. I feel like one of the mean girls typed her¡±, he snorted. I don¡¯t know which one of them gave Marcus the love letter. He justughed at that and put it aside.


    ¡°Love letter!¡±, And Luke snatched it from him. ¡°I¡¯ll read!¡± Marcus tried to reach for it but it was just taller than him. ¡°Dear Marcus¡±, Latrelle beganughing.


    ¡°Why does it look like Dear Charo?¡±, Lucas joked. Because of hisughter Marcus snatched the letter. ¡°That¡¯s a sign that you have a girlfriend¡±, said Latrelle but Marcus quietly read the letter.


    I found out that Marcus hasn¡¯t had a girlfriend yet. I asked that to Jez for Melissa¡¯s sake. Marcus was beaten but he was denounced. Since then, he has not flirted. Thenpared to Latrelle,


    Marcus doesn¡¯t know how to flirt. He does not speak in front of women when they are together. ¡°You know s! If I¡¯m the woman. I¡¯ll answer Marcus¡±, he crossed his fingers. He looked at me then smiled. ¡°Anyway, if they were, they might not be able to leave. That¡¯s a blessing!¡±, Heughed.


    He took something out of his pocket. He quickly took my hand. He put a bracelet on it. ¡°Sign of our friendship so you should help me Marcus¡± I still thought it was sweet. There is a recement. I just nodded at his chatter.


    ¡°Is that true? Will you help me?¡±, We swore in pink. It was like a child so I scratched my forehead a lot. ¡°You know it¡¯s the other way around, I guess you¡¯re still the lover of that one¡± He burst outughing.


    ¡°Of course not! I mean introduce me and then smell my name¡±


    ¡°Does your name stink? I¡¯ll put on the perfume you want?¡± Her eyes narrowed.


    ¡°Philosopher! What I mean is you know ¡­ if I look kind in your stories, he might say ¡­ I want Melissa¡±, his eyes shone. I kicked him but he was weak so he slept weakly.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have to do that. If you¡¯re really nice he¡¯ll like you¡± ¡°Wow. Coming from you, ha! It¡¯s like you already have a boyfriend!¡±


    ¡°Coming soon¡±, I boast and he can¡¯t seem to believe it. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°Oh. Buffalo!¡± I was held to my chest but I could not hold anything. Melissa and I turned to the stunned man.


    I don¡¯t know why he seems to be glowing. ¡°Don¡¯t introduce me to Marcus. It¡¯s just him¡±, Melissa whispered so I simply punched him. ¡°What are you doing here, Latrelle? Did you follow me?¡± I feel like he hyped me.


    He tried to harass me even here in the cemetery that¡¯s why he followed me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t feel bad. I¡¯m just following the beautiful ones¡±, he turned around then met T. H who was looking at the ce where I was. Melissa seemed to be dying from suffocation.

 Chapter 16

    We passed Robinsons Town Mall before heading to Melissa¡¯s house. She bought a set of ballpen because she allegedly lost her ballpen many times.


    ¡°Don¡¯t waste your money buying a pen. Take care of it so that it won¡¯t be missing¡±, I told her.


    ¡°I have money to buy a lot. Do you want a treat from me?¡± She offers while watching the handsome men line up at the cashier.


    ¡°Hey, hurry up you know I¡¯ll be homete.¡±


    Her eyes turned to me. ¡°Do you know it only happens once in my life to see a handsome guy so I¡¯ll take advantage of that¡±, she said, changing the topic. My forehead wrinkled in confusion.


    I smiled at what she said. We wasted fifteen minutes before leaving the shop. It was as if her smile was glued to her face because her smile hadn¡¯t faded from before. She always smiled like that when she saw a handsome man.


    When he opens the gate. Obviously, they are a middle-ss family. From the beautiful cut of weeds to the terrace they were clean. It¡¯s like we walked on the carpet, it was just green.


    There was a dog barking at her which, was a white poodle on a leash. He was cute but I don¡¯t like dogs.


    ¡°Hi, Cookie!¡± she greeted the dog with a bright smile.


    He carried the dog as if its fur was as thick as straw. She kissed the dog so that¡¯s why its tail wagged even more because of what Melissa had done.


    ¡°You¡¯re sweet! Next time you¡¯ll have Dad!¡±


    I took off my shoes. It¡¯s as embarrassing if I¡¯m stepping to their floor that is so very clean and I can clearly see my reflection on it. I wonder what kind of liquid they use to clean their tiles.


    I looked from the side of the wall and there¡¯s a mirror design with an angel border. The mirror looks better than my ss in my bedroom. I appreciate it¡¯s ssic and barbaric style.


    ¡°Wear slippers. Choose what you want over there¡±, Melissa said.


    She showed me their wooden shoe rack. I looked at it for a few seconds before choosing what slippers I could wear. It¡¯s beautiful woodwork like a mve ??and its design is customized. There is an engraved que, saying ¡°Wee to Our Humble Home.¡±


    From where I¡¯m standing, I just now noticed the beautifulndscape of nts. One of them had a cupid shape and was near their small fountain. She opened the sliding door, which I almost bumped into because she didn¡¯t open it much.


    She lowered the dog then ran it up the stairs.


    Their living room is full of Renaissance paintings. Large t screen TV attached to the wall. Their ck seat is big. The chandelier on the ceiling looks like it¡¯s from Roman times. Oh! I love how they decorate their house. I¡¯m wondering if they have their own home designer.


    ¡°Sit down first, Kaoree. I¡¯ll make you a snack¡±, she said.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    I was speechless because I was looking at one of the paintings there.


    ¡°Mona Lisa¡± I said while staring at that.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s nice, isn¡¯t it?¡±, the voice calmed like a hymn of the sky.


    The beautiful woman in front of me has porcin skinpared to mine. She¡¯s wearing a business attire while holding her expensive small bag with a small pearl on it. I stared at her face she¡¯s like a photocopy of Melissa. Her eyshes are smooth, her nose is pointed and her lips is like a bow.


    ¡°Yes¡±, I answered without thinking. I¡¯m still fascinated by her beauty.


    ¡°She¡¯s just a replica. My husband bought it. He loves paintings¡±, a smile drew from her face. When she saw Melissa, she immediately took the tray she was carrying. ¡°Is she Kaoree? The one you¡¯re telling me about?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Ma. She is. She loves to eat so I¡¯ve prepared a snack for her¡±, she saidughing. How lucky I am that a little detail of me is remembered by my friend like her.


    ¡°I¡¯m Melissa¡¯s mother. Nice to meet you, Kaoree. Just call me Aunt Mel¡±, she said then walked up the stairs.


    ¡°Mama, don¡¯t want to call her as Melchora¡±, Melissa giggled and her face became red; Melchora is beautiful. Her name is like the name of a National Hero of the Philippines known for being an elderly revolutionist.


    Melissa turned on the TV as we watched it and we chatted about what was good to watch today. She really likes Harry Potter so I was happy to talk about it. Throughout our conversation I was unaware of the time. I noticed that it was going to be eight o¡¯clock at night because of Melissa¡¯s wristwatch.


    ¡°You can have dinner with us!¡±, Said Aunt Mel. She was wearing a flower apron and holding a spoon.


    ¡°No, thanks Tita. I will go home now. My bosses will be angry at me¡±, even though I¡¯m hungry so I decided to refuse. I¡¯m imagining that Wyn is cooking for his friends. I giggle because of my own imagination.


    ¡°Take her outside while she waits for a ride¡±, she told to Melissa who wass busy preparing the table for their dinner.


    ¡°Sure, Ma. I won¡¯t let her go outside alone and wait for the vehicle¡±, Melissa said. I took the wallet out of my bag next to my phone. The cell phone shed so I picked it up as well. There was a text message. Some were from Jez. Others were from an unknown number. When Melissa called a tricycle, I immediately got on it. I couldn¡¯t thank her because I was in a hurry.


    ¡°Manong (A tagalog word for calling a man older than you), keep the change!¡± I said and hurriedly ran into the gate.


    ¡°Keep the change! It¡¯s just one peso!¡±, I heard him shout.


    When I entered the house, everything was quiet. Jez gently greeted me as I took off my shoes.


    ¡°Be careful¡±, he warned. His voice was terrifying. I felt little goose bumps on me. The two that were watching TV looked at me. Latrelle motioned to me a warning signal. What did I do? I just came homete, I tried toe right away?


    ¡°Why? Is it forbidden toe homete? I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t cook your dinner¡±, I whispered to Jez after what I did.


    ¡°That¡¯s not it, girl. You¡¯ll just find outter¡±, he said.


    I went upstairs. When I saw T. H, our eyes met. His small ck eyes were on fire. I¡¯m really puzzled on what¡¯s happening here. He pulled me without saying the reason why.


    ¡°What?¡±


    He pulled me into his room. Omo! What will he do to me?! I¡¯m not ready. I¡¯m not ready for this yet! I am too young. I mean I¡¯m not open to this thing yet.


    My cold sweat dried when we were inside. He can tell me in a simple way but why this way?!


    It¡¯ll be alright, Kaoree. I exhaled.


    ¡°Why are you closing your eyes?¡± he asked in a baritone voice.


    I stand firmly and take a deep breath. I didn¡¯t notice that I had closed my eyes.


    ¡°All right. That¡¯s right you shut up¡±, he said. He¡¯s wild!


    I closed my eyes and for a few seconds I could smell the clothes smelling newundry.


    ¡°Wash my clothes again¡±, I opened my eyes when I heard his angry voice. I picked up the shirt on the floor with a blue and white design on it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you know how to doundry? Do your job right,¡± he said authoritatively. But wait? I know I separated the colored shirt from the white ones. Crap! How did her white shirt have a stain of blue tints? I went out disappointed then closed his room.


    ¡°If only you weren¡¯t really handsome!¡±, I¡¯m pissed off.

 Chapter 17

    The night was quiet and only the crashing of the waves on theke could be heard. There were some sounds of cars that asionally apanied it. I think it¡¯s twelve o¡¯clock at night. I don¡¯t want to sleep because I think about Mom and Dad. The stars seemed to be smiling the moment I nced at them in the sky.


    Another thing that bothers me is the situation of Lolita and Lucky. I thanked Jez earlier because he¡¯s the one who sent the money for the two. In fact, I even borrowed the money I sent to Lolita and Lucky.


    I didn¡¯t want to borrow from Jez but he was generous to help. I knew he needed that for his make-ups so I didn¡¯t want to ept it.


    ¡°Girl, I know you! You haven¡¯t been denied grace!¡±I remember her saying. He convinces me to borrow his money. He knows that I badly needed it.


    I hugged myself while caressing my arms. The weather was cooler than before because of the wind. It was cold but it felt good so I closed my eyes.


    I went out of the hut house. There were small rows of wooden chairs and I sat down. Then I noticed that there was a fish pond here. In almost a month I have only noticed it just now.


    I haven¡¯t been able to walk around outside the mansion yet because I thought there was no other beautiful view here other than Laguna De Bae. My hair rose as the cold wind blew again. I lowered my back so I could hug myself more. I felt the sudden putting of warm cloth from behind me.


    I blinked a few times. I thought I was hallucinating. T. H stood there while cing the same hand in the pocket of his shorts. He sat down but not next to me. If not on the other seat.


    ¡°Thank you¡±, I said briefly.


    Silence reigned between the two of us. I heard her sigh a few times.


    It seems to be deeply ingrained. He looked into the distance as if his eyes had not blinked.


    He was like an angel shining because of the moonlight. His beautiful nose was sharpened because of its shadow. I watched as Adam¡¯s apple waved on his throat.


    ¡°What are you looking at?¡±, His eyes were cold looking at me.


    I avoided him quickly because I didn¡¯t know if it was fear that caused my heart to beat so fast.


    ¡°You¡¯re assuming! Of course not!¡± I emphatically refuse.


    Maybe it was that I was just starstruck by the way he looked.


    For fun, I just yed with the rocks in front of me with my foot. I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m fantasizing that he was looking at me or I was just assuming a thing.


    ¡°Wow! It¡¯s getting early. You¡¯re still dating!¡±


    I turned to the familiar voice of the arrogant.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know he was your type, T. H¡±, Latrelleughed with a smirk in her eyes.


    T. H stood up and greeted his friend. He doesn¡¯t show emotion at all¡± My kind of girl is not like her¡±.


    He went back inside the house after saying that. I forgot to return his jacket because he walked quickly.


    ¡°You basted right away. You are not his type¡±, the tone of his words was annoying.


    Latrelle leaned over me and I barely moved away. Any, this arrogant disturbance in a moment. Doesn¡¯t he know the word privacy? Or, isn¡¯t it wise to feel and put aside?


    ¡°Why are you still awake?¡±, He brought his face close to mine. I could smell his breath wafting with the fragrance of the air.


    ¡°You have bad breath. Stay away!¡±, But instead of moving away, he came even closer so I moved away from him.


    ¡°It smells even better than your fabric conditioner¡±, heughed.


    I stayed away until ¡­


    He squeezed my waist. So, our bodies almost stick together because of what he did. My chest throbbed as I realized our faces were so close to each other.


    I feel like I¡¯m out of breath because of what he did. I pushed him then I stood up.


    ¡°Calm down. Why are you so far away?¡± he says.


    I confronted him before I started walking away.


    ¡°If you hadn¡¯t been so close to me! I wouldn¡¯t have backed down!¡± Push me to take a step.


    He didn¡¯t answer but he giggled.


    ¡°What are youughing at there?¡± my bold question. But instead of answering, he burst outughing. He pointed to the back of my shorts.


    My eyes widened. It was punctured maybe because of the nail. Only now did I feel the pain in my thigh.


    I immediately put T. H¡¯s jacket there to cover the hole.


    ¡°Thank you! You¡¯re a gentleman!¡± I said sarcastically.


    I rushed inside. I caught up with Marcus who had just finished mixing the milk.


    ¡°No, where did you put that ¡­¡±


    I pointed to the bread right away before he finished what he wanted to say. It¡¯s on top of the refrigerator next to a variety of stuffing.


    ¡°Why does your face look like scratch paper?¡±, He asked.


    But instead of answering him, I continued walking up the stairs.


    ¡°Did my friend flirt with you and kissed you?¡±


    My heart automatically rumbled because of his question. What happened earlier shed back quickly. It was as if the remote had used my brain because of the fast backward of the incident.


    I shook my brain. What the heck, Kaoree!?


    It¡¯s just Wyn¡¯s flirty mode. Not for others. Then Latrelle really? Eww.


    Yeah, I¡¯m pretty good at myself so I¡¯m choosy!


    ¡°Hey? Are you okay?¡±


    He really wants to remind me of what happened earlier and I won¡¯t forget?


    I took a deep breath and acted normal.


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m fine. Then what did you say that your friend kissed me?¡±


    He scratched his head and was unable to answer.


    ¡°Over my Goddess body. Eww¡±, my eyes rolled.


    When I noticed Marcusing out to follow his friend I immediately ran away. I mmed the bedroom door shut and covered my face with a pillow.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°What is it, Kaoree!? It¡¯s just nothing!¡±


    Why is Marcus acting like that !? Latrelle did not kiss me and if that happens, I shall die!


    Okay! Stop thinking about it. Just sleep it off.

 Chapter 18

    On Monday, Jez didn¡¯t go to lunch with us because he said he had something to do, so he sent us ahead. It was good that Marcus and I packed lunch so we didn¡¯t have to line up for long. In the usual ce at the back of the cafeteria where we had many electric fans. I first removed my notebooks from my bag. I don¡¯t have that pink lunch box that Jez bought for me.


    ¡°Is there a problem, Kaoree?¡± I fixed my hair because I¡¯m kind of stressed. When I opened my bag I panicked because I didn¡¯t see my lunch there. I don¡¯t have enough money to buy lunch. The only thing here in my pocket is my fare and contribution for our group project.


    ¡°I forgot my lunch box¡±, I said in a disappointed tone. Sweat started to drip from my forehead which I wiped with my handkerchief.


    Marcus scratched his head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Kaoree. My money is only enough for my project. Anyway, let¡¯s just split up my lunch.¡±


    He put two slices of pork chop in the lid of his lunchbox and gave the box to me. Usually, I¡¯m not shy when ites to food but when ites to Marcus it¡¯s different. I stared at the food he provided. ¡°I¡¯ll just borrow a spoon and fork.¡± He would have stood up when I held on the end of his uniform.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I still have pandesal here.¡± This is what I packed earlier for my recess but I forgot to eat because Melissa was talking to me a lot about her crushes and their dog, Cookie.


    ¡°That¡¯s not possible. You won¡¯t be satisfied with that.¡± He stared at the two pandesals.


    I wondered as if an angel had passed by because the students were silent for a while. A few secondster that was reced by the sly screams of women and men with female hearts.


    ¡°Let¡¯s eat,¡± Marcus said. I could do nothing and so I followed him. At first, I ate only a few bits of pork but because my hunger prevailed, I couldn¡¯t stop myself from speeding up my meal.


    ¡°Someone¡¯s looking for you!¡± Melissa could almost spit her food out just by looking at me. My friend¡¯s face turns red.


    ¡°Who is it?¡± I asked in a puzzled tone.


    Melissa sat down next to me. Actually, I often invited her to lunch with us but this one keeps on refusing a few times, because she often went to lunch with the other ssmates.


    ¡°Asdfghjkl ¡­.¡± she replied as if I understood what she said. Is she choking or something?


    Marcus and I looked at each other and he shrugged.


    The surroundings became even louder. I just found out that I almost dropped my jaw when I saw who was in front of me. He seemed to be glowing in his uniform, and he looked like he was in a shampoomercial because of the wind blowing his hair. He had one hand in his pocket while the other was holding a paper bag.


    ¡°Here¡¯s your lunch.¡± He quickly ced the paper bag he was holding on the table.


    I blinked several times and swallowed my own saliva. ¡°Th ¡­ thank you!¡± I was embarrassed to say. He went to the cafeteria counter. The eyes of the students followed him. Among others his uniform is a head turner, beside his uniform is different to us, he¡¯s really charismatic wearing it.


    He bought three apple juices. He gave it to us including Marcus and Melissa. Melissa entuated the scream. So, I gestured not to bother him.


    ¡°Thank you, T. H.¡± said Marcus smiling like he¡¯s in heaven. His friend did not respond.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    It turns out that he has a ss at one o¡¯clock in the afternoon so maybe he stopped by so he could deliver my lunch to me. I bit my lower lip. Why does my cheek seem to be getting hot?


    Why does my heart keep on pounding as If I¡¯m running to my death.


    I fanned myself. Maybe it¡¯s just hot so I¡¯m being like this. ¡°It¡¯s good that he saw your lunch and brought it to you.¡± Marcus smiled.


    I just stared at the paper bag. Something told me in my mind not to eat that.


    ¡°Eat it, girl! I know those worms in your stomach are hungry¡±, said Melissa who was still sitting next to me.


    ¡°Huh? Uh ¡­ Alright.¡± I opened the paper bag and handed Marcus some food. There is another blue box. I looked inside. Six cupcakes with pink icing.


    ¡°Hey! T. H¡¯s baked that! It smells so good!¡± Marcus took one as I stared at them. He¡¯s like a kid who enjoys baked goods from her mother. I can¡¯t believe T. H knows how to bake?


    ¡°Awful! It¡¯s delicious!¡± he said as he bit what he took. I bit my lower lip in extreme trembling. I banged my head on the table several times.


    Gosh! T. H is driving me crazy!


    ¡°You eat too Kaoree¡¯s friend.¡± Marcus handed one to Melissa. My friend couldn¡¯t believe it but still he didn¡¯t hesitate to ept that.


    ¡°Taste it!¡± Marcus was as happy as a child.


    Of course! I will taste it only once in my life. Someone baked for me!


    I took one. The joy I felt never leaves my lips. It was as if I was floating in the sky. A handsome creature baked for me. I¡¯m really a special Goddess!


    I parted my hair. ¡°The length of my hair is like Rapunzel,¡± I whispered to myself then giggled.


    My cell phone vibrated so I took it out of my pocket. T. H.¡¯s name appeared.


    Omo! I think he wants me to know if I love cupcakes, he baked for me. I noticed it! He even texted me.


    I opened his message and ¡­


    T. H


    I forgot to say, does Marcus eat cupcakes? I baked it for him


    I want to throw out the cupcake I ate. My blood rushed to my head.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want it now! It¡¯s not delicious!¡± I push down the piece of cupcake on the table.


    The two were gasped at my reaction.


    ¡°What¡¯s not delicious? Your kind of enjoying eating it¡±, Melissa said while wiping the side of her lip with a tissue.


    ¡°Is it a sin that the mixture of my tongue suddenly changes?¡± I¡¯m going to sleep.


    ¡°All right, we¡¯ll just eat¡±, Marcus said gently. My eyebrows met because of my anger while watching them eating those silly cupcakes! I thought it was for me!


    I suddenly heard the voice of Jez, ¡°Don¡¯t assume things right away. Asked first, okay? So, you won¡¯t disappoint yourself¡±


    Yes, Jez! I rolled my eyes.

 Chapter 19

    ¡°Who was looking for you a while ago? Your boyfriend?¡± Sasha said while putting her blush on.


    I had bad blood with T. H and then she reminded me. Is she numb or something?


    ¡°No,¡± I said promptly.


    All day I did nothing but listen to Wanwan and Melissa¡¯s chatter. I was not in the mood to listen to our lessons until the bell rang. I arrived but the ssroom officers left because of the meeting. It¡¯s the birthday of our adviser in the organization so the President asked as if we were down for a meeting. It¡¯s for the adviser organization of my Major, Social Studies. I don¡¯t know how I became an officer. Maybe they had no choice.


    I justughed when my other ssmate elected to muse instead of me. I didn¡¯t be the muse because I became the business manager. Too bad I¡¯m beautiful and fit for the position of my ssmate. Anyway, that¡¯s not a big deal to me.


    After the meeting I went out first because I was the one instructed to canvas the item to be purchased. I had no choice. It was good and they gave me the fare. My ssmates and some students watched Marcus busy sitting in the hut while ying with his cellphone.


    ¡°Marcus.¡± He would not be bothered by what he was doing. I nced at him. I don¡¯t know what kind of game it is as long as I know there are towers.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go home first¡±, Melissa said. I would have liked him to apany me to buy the gift but there was a visitor in their house and he needed to help his Mama.


    ¡°All right. Be careful, girl.¡± I waved and so did she.


    Before he could go any further, someone whispered it. ¡± You should set up Marcus and I to have a date¡±.


    My eyes rolled. ¡°Gosh! Are you crazy?¡± sheughed.


    I stared at Marcus for over five minutes while sober. He finally finished as well. He adjusted his polo and bag.


    ¡°Come on¡±, he said.


    ¡°Go home first. I¡¯ll canvass a gift for our adviser. But you cane with me if you don¡¯t have to do anything.¡± He scratched his head as we walked. There were a few women waving at him. He smiled at them.


    ¡°I have a report tomorrow. I¡¯ll just send you to Latrelle¡± I quickly turned my face to him in conjunction with my hand shake.


    ¡°Don¡¯t. Then I¡¯m not special¡±


    I¡¯m just a housemaid so they don¡¯t have to consider me special. Another if Latrelle will alsoe after me. I¡¯d better go home alone.


    ¡°Because Latrelle told you to go home. You¡¯re supposed to cook dinner¡±Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Yes, I can¡¯t forget it. Anyway, where is Jez?¡± I looked around their ssroom but could not see my friend¡¯s face.


    What I saw were two of his ssmates arranging chairs and erasing a letter on the ckboard.


    ¡°He¡¯s going straight to his photoshoot¡±, he answered.


    When we got out of the gate he tricycled. Latrelle might not be able to pick him up because she is busy. I rode as well but the route I rode was different.


    ¡°Hey! Wanwan. Why haven¡¯t youe home yet?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just waiting for something. Are you sure you know where you¡¯re going?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to the town¡±


    ¡°Right! I¡¯m going there too¡±, he said happily.


    We talked about various things. I can say he was one of my kind ssmates. She¡¯s just not as talkative as Melissa. Sometimes she is talkative when she is in the mood but often, he can¡¯t break the dishes. She told me that she used toe from a private school before going to college here. Her family had a problem so he decided to go to a university with free tuition fees. She says she¡¯s an introvert and shy. I asked her why she only spoke once in ss and even when the professor asked, she usually did not answer.


    When we got to town he got in the jeep and said goodbye. I walked around until I saw adult sandals. This is one of the options given by my ssmates that I can buy for Ma¡¯am but it doesn¡¯t seem to be. I went straight across the row of pots and jars. I touched them. Beautiful! There is a design that inspires religion like theirrgest jar. There was an Angel in the design holding a bow.


    There are also those that are inspired by Egyptian culture because of the design of its Gods and Goddesses of Egypt. They should take me there.


    The design only has burnt hearts.


    ¡°Come in here, Neng!(In Tagalog means Young Lady). There¡¯s more inside!¡± said the old woman with a ne around her neck and a bracelet on her arm.


    ¡°All right. Just looking at something¡±, I replied.


    I slowly touched them. Caressing how beautifully the designs are sculpted.


    I brought my face close to a jar made of seemingly smooth cement. How can I see my reflection?


    I was stunned by the obsession.


    ¡°Wow!¡± I said.


    Seeing the reflection of a handsome man made me cringe. He has an I. D. and is in uniform.


    My eyes blinked at who was in front of me. ¡°T. H.¡±


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I looked at his car around but there was no trace.


    ¡°Just passed by¡± he said while concentrating on looking at the pots and jars. Even he was amazed by the way he was looking at them.


    ¡°Are you justmuting?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m just fixing my car¡±


    I never asked again. So, I decided to look at what to buy.


    This jar looks expensive. Ma¡¯am still likes the Egyptian style.


    I¡¯m looking for the price but I can¡¯t find it. I didn¡¯t realize I was carrying it.


    ¡°Maybe fall¡­¡± T. H¡¯s calm reminder but it¡¯s toote.


    I was surprised even though he was. His eyes widened for a moment but his facial expression immediately returned to normal.


    ¡°What did you do to my jar!¡± thedy cried.


    She cried as she picked up the broken pieces.


    ¡°You have to pay for it!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have any money!¡±


    I looked at T. H begging. His eyebrows met. But he dug into his own pocket. Maybe pity for me.


    He slowly approached when I saw he was panicked.


    ¡°I left my wallet in the car¡±, he whispered.


    ¡°Listen when I count to three you run.¡± I just nodded.


    ¡°One¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s your payment? Youngdy?¡±


    ¡°Two.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll call the police!¡± said the old woman


    ¡°Three!¡±


    T. H pulled me before I could take a deep breath. He quickly held my hand until we passed several streets and alleys.


    As we ran, I watched his face. Its hair bounced in slow motion as we ran fast.


    It was as if someone had scattered glitters around along with butterflies in my stomach especially when the smile suddenly curved on his lips.


    We stopped running to get to his car.


    ¡°He thought he could catch up with us¡±, heughed.


    Theughter was like slow motion. I can¡¯t exin, but why is he getting worse?


    He onlyughed once but why did it feel like this to me.


    I remembered his hand still holding mine so I blushed. I couldn¡¯t tell what was on my mind.


    ¡°Uhm. T. H¡¯s your hand¡±.


    He immediately let go of my hand. I secretly caressed what he was holding.


    I think I was going crazy especially when hisughter seemed to echo in my ear.

 Chapter 20

    He couldn¡¯t help butugh as he held his stomach. I just stared at him. If he was always like this more women would fall for him. ¡°You¡¯re here, T. H,¡± Latrelle said with a smirk. I was surprised to see him in front of me. He smiled once and winked at me; I almost shivered because I didn¡¯t like that.


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t you want that handsome guy winked at you?¡± heughed out loud. I just smirked at what he said.


    ¡°Kind of gross¡±, I whispered.


    ¡°I¡¯m fixing a car. How about you?¡± said T. H when he could return to sanity.


    ¡°It¡¯s also repairing. The tire exploded and I got caught here¡±, Latrelle answered. T. H just nodded at what he said because the mechanic called him. I followed T. H so that Latrelle wouldn¡¯t tease me.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You have a fault in me¡±, he said in a demonic tone.


    ¡°What? I don¡¯t understand you!¡±, I yelled.


    His face was serious as he smirked. I can¡¯t figure out if he¡¯s just doing it in front of me. Her ck eyes were boldly staring at me.


    ¡°Marcus said to me that I¡¯ll fetch you and then T. H was with you¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the big deal here? I hope you asked, didn¡¯t you?¡± my eyes turn around. I would have left him but suddenly he pulled me close to him. He brought his face closer to mine. So, my eyes widened. My knee was also sore. If he was this close to me, I would feel like I would run out of breath. He came even closer to me as I struggled. He tightened the grip on both my arms. He turned to my ear. My hair rose as his baritone voice came out of his mouth.


    ¡°Just a moment, Kaoree¡± Just a moment. Nothing bad but the smell of his expensive perfume carries me. We stayed in that position for a few seconds until he released me voluntarily. He pushed me and he shook my hands. It was as if I had defiled him. He¡¯s always pissing me off!


    ¡°Why are you sticking to me? Are you smitten!¡±


    ¡°Wow? Smitten to you? No!¡±, he pleaded¡± Someone just passed by who I know¡±, he added.


    ¡°Ah. You¡¯re hiding something! Wait! Who is that?¡±


    I peeked to the right side of the road where he was looking. ¡°Kaoree, Stop!¡± He was irritated so I stopped peeking. T. H came back so Latrelle and I acted normally as if nothing had happened.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go¡±, he said to me. I followed and left Latrelle there with his face covered like a crumpled paper. When we got home, I found Wyn cooking. He turned his back while wearing an apron. It was obvious how wide his arm was. I slowly lowered myself to the table. He didn¡¯t pay attention to my presence so that¡¯s what I was thinking. Maybe in the future, he will be like this when he bes my husband.


    I couldn¡¯t help but smile broadly because of my ambition.


    ¡°You¡¯re here¡±, he said in a d tone.


    I was surprised when he suddenly turned his attention to me so I pretended to scratch my chin. Pretending that I was not staring at him at that moment.


    ¡°My chin is itching¡±, I said while faking a scratch on it using my fingers. Luckily, he wasn¡¯t malicious so I wasn¡¯t obviously fantasizing about him. If he is going to be my husband, it will be like I hit the lottery jackpot.


    ¡°May I see¡±, Wyn said innocently. I stood up before he could do anything as I was about to cook.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of this, Wyn!¡±


    ¡°No, let me do it.¡± He said and I tried to grab the spoon from him but he wouldn¡¯t let go. He smiled when I tried to snatch it from him. Another smile of this on Wyn and I will kiss him just the way he really is.


    ¡°My eye hurts!¡± said my attitude friend. Who else? It¡¯s Jez who looks like she just arrived from the photoshoot. Her eyeliner and lipstick are scattered.


    ¡°Girl, are you okay? You look like you pped the horse¡±, I asked her while examining her face that looked stressed and if someone drew on it.


    She grabbed her chest. ¡°You¡¯re exaggerating!¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m going to go to my room now.¡± She said after drinking the water. Wyn and I only cooked for a while because it was just Menudo. As usual, we watched TV before bed. T. H was in his room when he called me to make milk. He¡¯s watched Harry Potter a few times but he still doesn¡¯t seem to get tired. He hugged his knees while concentrating on watching. I could feel the weight of his breathing due to the rise and fall of his shoulder.


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t youe out yet?¡±


    ¡°Wait. Can you see? I¡¯m busy watching¡±, he said arrogantly.


    ¡°Ah. Of course. Sorry,¡± I quickly closed the door and ran down the stairs. Until¡­


    ¡°Ouch!¡± Latrelle and I spoke together. My nose bumped to his forehead and it really hurts. I thought my nose was going to bleed.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you looking down on your way?¡± I said in a furious tone. I could see in the small mirror hanging on the wall the redness of my nose.


    ¡°I¡¯m looking at the stairs. You¡¯re not looking. I think you¡¯re looking at my handsome face so you bumped into me¡±, he boasted. He was even airier than the electric fan in the living room.


    I just ignored him. I went back to watching as he in turn climbed into the bedroom. No one noticed that I sided with Wyn. Theyughed while watching Waikiki.


    ¡°Can I sit beside, Wyn ¡± He doesn¡¯t object so I feel like I¡¯m shivering.


    I didn¡¯t understand the show because for two hours I was just watching his angel face. Until I didn¡¯t realize I was asleep. ¡°Pst ¡­¡±


    ¡°What!¡±, I said angrily.


    ¡°Pst ..¡±


    I p the hand poking his head.N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    ¡°You, see? I¡¯m sleeping!¡±, I said.


    ¡°The show is over. You might want to sleep in your room¡±, said Latrelle in a whispering tone.


    I turned to get up so I almost dropped off the sofa. I noticed that the three people who were with me did not wake me up.


    ¡°What are you doing here and you keep disturbing me during my sleep?¡±, I asked him while stretching my back.


    ¡°I¡¯m just concerned that you¡¯re here. Go to your room and get some sleep¡±.


    Gradually my eyes turned to the other sofa. I saw Wyn¡¯s sleeping there.


    He rubbed his eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Kaoree. I¡¯ve been waiting for you to wake up but I also fell asleep¡±; heughed a little as I watched his white teeth. I heard the song of the angel in heaven. I shouted in my mind because he was waiting for me.


    ¡°Do you have a crush on Wyn?¡±, The gossipy Latrelle asked.


    ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°He will not like you! Cause he is not suited to you¡± he whispered. I stared at the ss of milk he was holding. It was as if I wanted to throw it in his face, maybe I could just take it away.


    ¡°He will like me! I¡¯m fit for him to be his girlfriend¡±, I said confidently.


    ¡°Wyn will date you. But I¡¯ll be one who matches perfectly to you¡±.


    My feet were nailed to the ground. I seemed to be blown away by what he said.


    His strength! Maybe he¡¯s just teasing me.


    Gosh! Latrelle! You are really annoying!

 Chapter 21

    Within two weeks there¡¯s nothing special happening. There isn¡¯t a day that Latrelle doesn¡¯t annoy me. There¡¯s a day that T. H will be angry with me like today.


    ¡°What did you do to my shirt?¡± his voice was calm but there was so much anger in his burning eyes.


    I was awaketest night so I didn¡¯t fix myundry this morning. Lucky calledst night, he mentioned that Lolita was in the hospital because she had a high blood pressure attack and until now I still have no news.


    This afternoon, if Wyn hadn¡¯t helped me in the kitchen, I would have been consumed by what I cooked. He asked me if I had a problem. I just said nothing but he still helped me with the household chores.


    Jez kept calling Lucky for me to make sure Lolita was okay but my cousin still didn¡¯t answer.


    I stared at T. H¡¯s eyes with him holding his hands down. He held his white dress shirt as if it had been torn down.


    ¡°How expensive do you think it is?¡± I know more than frustration he feels right now. Customize that T-shirt of his favorite Harry Potter.


    ¡°I¡¯ll just buy you a new one, T. H¡± I was about to take the dress shirt from him but he clenched his fist.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that easy¡±, I was nervous at how he said what he said. The tone of his speech was heavy.


    I just want to turn my back on him so that our conversation can end, even if I apologize, he won¡¯t ept.


    ¡°Because T. H -¡±


    ¡°Because what? It doesn¡¯t mean that mypanions consider you a friend, you won¡¯t do your job well¡± His Adam¡¯s apple squealed as he threw his clothes on the bed.


    I really want to leave in front of him, but I don¡¯t want to be rude. I hope he just ends our conversation. In just a few minutes, my tears will flow. Fortunately, the door had an opening. Jez entered slowly as if estimating his friend¡¯s reaction. Even my talkative friend seemed to feel scared because of him as well.


    ¡°Uh. T. H, excuse me. I¡¯m sorry for interfering but I¡¯ll borrow Kaoree for a while¡± Jez said.


    T. H didn¡¯t say goodbye, so Jez quickly took me out of his room. I started sobbing until my tears got worse. He hugged me as heforted my back. ¡°Shhh ¡­ T. H doesn¡¯t know what you are feeling about Lolita¡¯s health so he scolded you¡± I feel at ease when we immediately sit on my bed in my room. Unlike in T. H¡¯s room it¡¯s like hell in there.


    ¡°That¡¯s not I am thinking about it. It¡¯s true that maybe I don¡¯t do my job well and I¡¯m worried about Lolita, and what happened to her that¡¯s why it affecting my job¡±, my voice cracked as I exined.


    Jez stops hugging me, then he fixes my hair. Hebed through my hair and then shoved me.


    ¡°You look ugly! Stop crying¡±


    ¡°Hey, No! I¡¯m still a goddess no matter what happens, Jez¡±


    ¡°You even get to joke about your situation¡±, he raised an eyebrow at me and ¡­ ¡°Just joking!¡±


    We bothughed. This is what I liked about him. After I did all that drama, he could make meugh right away. He is the same as Melissa, so they are important to me.


    ¡°Wyn greeted you earlier!¡± he said in excitement


    I touched his forehead. ¡°Luh? Are you sick? You don¡¯t seem to be the Jez I know!¡±


    I know that he did not want me to be the girlfriend of Wyn. Obviously to this friend of mine is not supportive at all. LOL. He exined why because his family was meticulous with the woman, he heard that Wyn¡¯s parents wanted him to enter the convent and be a priest.


    What will happen with our love story of us?


    He parted his hair. ¡°Of course, you¡¯re not okay so I¡¯m your temporary supporter. Wyn and Kaoree, forever!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry I didn¡¯t tell him the reason why you¡¯re not okay. You should be the one to tell him¡±, he added. Jez lingered in my room chatting with me. He says there is hiking tomorrow so I should wake up early. There is a holiday tomorrow called Ba?amos. I¡¯m so excited to watch Street Dancers.


    I heard Sasha, Bruno and Wanwan were there so I wanted to watch.


    ¡°Oh, Go to sleep. We¡¯re going to be early tomorrow¡± Jez tapped my shoulder.


    I did nothing overnight other but shift in my bed. There was a time when I was in bed and then there were times when I was on the floor. I am restless so maybe I can¡¯t sleep. Until now, Lucky still doesn¡¯t have a text, not even a dot. What could have happened to Lolita? If I could just visit her tomorrow, I would. But in my case, it is not possible because instead of spending my money for travel fare, I will just send it to them.


    I decided to just go outside to hang out for a while. Maybe that will help me think while looking at the stars and my mind will be at peace. I was about to sit on the pallet near the hut when I saw in the distance the man with the broad shoulder. His same hand was focused on the stroke as his back turned.


    I slowly walked back to the house, but I took a wrong step when I stepped on one of the white rocks.


    ¡°Why are you leaving?¡±, his cold voice sounded baritone that freezes my whole body.


    I barely cast spells. I take a deep breath and guess what can be answered.


    ¡°Uhm. I just didn¡¯t want to disturb you¡± It seems that I swallowed a thorn, which went to my throat before I answered.


    I waited for him to speak but he didn¡¯t answer so I walked closed to him. I just stood there in awe while watching theke. He looked at me so seriously that my body really stiffened. Why would he have such an effect on me even though he had nothing to say?


    ¡°Wh ¡­ why?¡± my lips trembled.


    He motioned for me to sit down. I did it slowly.


    ¡°Am I a ghost?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°You look scared of me¡± he said as he crossed his legs.


    ¡°Because of I what I had done before. I¡¯m sorry you¡¯re angry¡±, I bowed.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say I was angry¡± I slowly looked up to see the reaction on his face.


    My heart ached. Why am I happy because he is not angry? But his reaction earlier seemed ¡­


    ¡°If you¡¯re wondering why I said that earlier it¡¯s because I was disappointed; that¡¯s my favorite shirt.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll just buy a new one. What do you want? Clothes too? A cup to be different? Keyboard? What?¡± I asked a series of questions. Out of nervousness I couldn¡¯t stop myself from almost detailing the things that could be given to him.


    ¡°You.¡±


    Suddenly Ylona¡¯s song yed in my ears. (You can listen to it in Youtube, O, Pag-ibig by Yllona)


    I felt nervous ¡­.


    I felt crazy and¡­


    Exciting ¡­


    Fortunately, the moon was not so bright so he couldn¡¯t see the redness on my cheek.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one I want to have¡± he said then turned his gaze to theke.


    I held my chest but there was nothing I can touch, it¡¯s really t so I just gasped for breath because of what he said.

 Chapter 22

    Even though I sleptte. I still managed to wake up early to prepare our food including what we would take on the hike. I felt awkward when T. H suddenly appeared behind me to look at what I was cooking.


    Why is he like this? My heart beats fast.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it delicious?¡±


    What the-what is the question!


    I know that it doesn¡¯t mean anything else to him but my brain thinks differently.


    ¡°Are you referring to the dish?¡± I asked to be sure. Maybe I¡¯m just the only one here to have a malicious mind.


    I know T. H. tastes better than this dish. Well, it¡¯s because his body shape is good and have bonus abs.


    He tasted it with a spoon. He did not say a word to confirm if it was delicious. He just prepared cemats and dishes on the table. Latrelle who had just arrived in the kitchen was still yawning and Marcus was behind him wearing pajamas.


    ¡°I think this friend of ours has a fever!¡± said Latrelle thenughed.


    ¡°What happened T. H? I know you¡¯re not used to preparing food¡± Marcus scratched his head and then helped. Latrelle just sat there to watch what his two friends were doing. This one is reallyzy. When the dish was cooked, I prepared it and ced it on the table. Wyn and Jez arrived just in time.


    Latrelle burst outughing when he noticed Jez putting BB cream and lipstick. That¡¯s really how my friend can¡¯t be without BB cream applied as well as lipstick.


    ¡°We¡¯re gonna hike today but you still manage to put make-up on?¡± Latrelle greeted him.


    ¡°Beauty is life¡± Jez said with a smile. I was going to sit next to Jez but it¡¯s amazing that T. H is sitting in Wyn¡¯s ce, so I sat between the two of them. He quietly pulled me out of the chair. No one noticed what he did because the four were busy with the story about Jez¡¯s make-up.


    ¡°Surely, your sweat will remove your make-up,¡± Marcus said.


    ¡°You know guys? Do what makes you happy so that¡¯s what I do¡± Jez said handing me the rice.


    Wyn, on the other hand, quietly listened to the conversation of the three. We just ended up eating quickly because of Marcus¡¯s silliness. He was excited because we are going to hike together. If he could just bring his Dad with him, he would be twice as happy; but his Dad is busy with his work.


    ¡°When was Tito Mercusio free?¡± said Latrelle just downstairs from where his room is.


    He was wearing a Hawaiian shirt as well as his shorts. He had a small ck wrecked carry -on and turned sneakers shoes. He made a sign to look at me and put on his sses. He staggered like a model across the living room.


    Marcus burst outughing as he finished dressing first. Instead of answering Latrelles¡¯s question. He threw a throw pillow at him. ¡°Are we going to the beach, bro?¡±


    Even Wyn who was also just here sitting on the couch also couldn¡¯t help butugh. He was wearing a simple jobuzz shirt and jogging pants that he matched with men¡¯s sandals. He is like a model for hikers. How could he do that without too much effort on his clothes?


    He is especially endearing.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make meugh. I am the most handsome here ¡± I almost spit on the bread I was eating.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you juste along?¡± Marcus suggested. ¡°¡­ because you look sick¡±


    ¡°Marcus,e on! You know that I am not lying¡± said Latrelle confidently.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Next the other two that we were waiting for didn¡¯t finish changing their clothes, so we still had to wait for them. I don¡¯t think Jez finished fixing it. He is always carrying a lot of things, but you know the most essential here is extra clothes.


    We first watched TV while waiting. Later, four of us looked at the two who had caught up.


    ¡°Whoa! That¡¯s the model!¡± I don¡¯t know who Marcus was referring to. Jez who likes Senyorita wearing a big veil that looks like Bea Alonzo used to be. Oh, T. H shaded the attention of us, and he caught our eyes. His shirt was mixed with the color ck and white which suited him. His charisma got even stronger because of his pocket shorts and he was wearing sandals which really made him look manly.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t inform me guys that this is a fashion show for hikers¡± I whispered. I wondered as theyughed.


    They are all looking at me. I wouldn¡¯t have simply whispered it and said it out loud instead.


    We went out one by one after Jez did the modeling. They decided to use only one car and that was Latrelle¡¯s car. Jez was the first to sit in the backseat because he wanted to be next to the window. I followed and Wyn followed but he stopped. I do not know why.


    I just ignored that because I wasbing my hair. I just realized that T. H was next to me when our skin brushed against each other and my whole body seemed to stiffen. I let go of theb that I was holding, which Jez picked up immediately.


    ¡°What¡¯s up? Why did you suddenly be stunned?¡± He waved his palm in front of my face.


    ¡°Ha? Uhm¡­ No¡± I said confused/


    Nothing strange happened throughout the trip other than how I felt. When Wyn opened the loaf, that he gave to us as if he was a politician while making handouts. I just smiled as I could smell the smell of him on the bread. I was about to bite it when T. H suddenly took it, so I had a frown on my face. What is his problem? He knew that I was hungry and then suddenly he grabbed my food.


    ¡°I like it better than this¡± he referred to the cookies he ced on my thigh.


    I watched as he gradually split what Wyn had given me. At the same time, I regret that I won¡¯t be able to taste Wyn-it¡¯s a joke ¡­ I mean, I won¡¯t be able to taste what he gave me.


    ¡°Eat that. It¡¯s mine¡± T. H said with a smile. I don¡¯t know if he teased me or if he just preferred Wyn¡¯s bread.


    I had no other choice, so I just ate it.


    ¡°That¡¯s good. All I want for you is to eat the food I give you rather than you eat the food given by others.¡± he whispered which almost made me lose my temper.

 Chapter 23

    ¡°Sleeping well? Feeling princess?¡± sarcastic remark by Jez. I didn¡¯t realize I had fallen asleep on his shoulder. T. H, on the other hand, was sound asleep while his leg was wrapped around one of my legs. Wyn rested on his arm while wearing earphones. While the two sitting in front got out of the car first.


    ¡°Wake up guys! Here we go!¡± Jez said then got out of the car.


    He fanned himself using his hands. I handed him his bag, so he hurried to retouch. Marcus and Latrelle were busy talking to the forest rangers on guard. Some groups of women inevitably looked at mypanions especially when T. H got out of the car. Even though his hair was messy, he attracts the attention of women.


    After Latrelle and Marcus talked. Some women waved at them and took pictures.


    ¡°Instant celebrity?¡± Jez said.


    ¡°You know it¡¯smon when you¡¯re handsome you be a celebrity in just an hour¡± Latrelle said proudly.


    Others approached Wyn for a picture. ¡°Is it OK?¡± the girl asked.


    Supportive girlfriend here I mean supportive maid here, so I didn¡¯t refuse. The woman is not tall so she is only up to Wyn¡¯s shoulder. Her hair is curly and has bangs. Look at her! She¡¯s disgusting. She was wearing a blue shirt and leggings like she was from the 90s era.


    At first shot it was just normal. They were just smiling but in a second there¡¯s a moment when my blood pressure starts to rise. How could she hold Wyn¡¯s arm?!


    In the third shot I did not include her. I only shot Wyn¡¯s half-body, so he wasn¡¯t able to be captured in the picture.


    ¡°Thank you!¡± she said happily to me. She hurriedly returned to her friends.


    I just smirked. I know when she sees the picture, she will be disappointed. Another woman approached Wyn, so I walked away. When I noticed they were looking for a photographer I walked away.


    Wyn gave a beautiful smile while another woman was taking a picture of him.


    We¡¯re breaking up! Just joking. I am just really a dreamer that I am his girlfriend. I know Wyn will not be mine.


    I just leaned back in the car while watching the five men. I couldn¡¯t help butugh as Jez frowned. It¡¯s because the woman didn¡¯t mean to ease her arm. The cement of her eyeliner was very excessive.


    ¡°Sorry!¡± thedy eximed, and her eyes widened while her jaw drops. She was one of those who seemed to be in line to take a picture of Marcus.


    ¡°You¡¯re annoying! If I pull your hair! ¡± Jez¡¯s eyes widened. My friend just walked away from the pile.


    On the other hand, T. H also seemed to have a bad day when four women approached him.


    ¡°What a pity! You¡¯re still the most handsome of them!¡± the woman who had the headband on and was wearing all ck said artfully.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you remember me? We¡¯re schoolmates!¡± she added.


    Instead of enjoying it, T. H frowned more. ¡°I do not care¡±


    He walked out and went near where I was standing. He leaned against the car as one of his legs crossed. He was irritated as he scratched his forehead. He identally looked at me, so I just averted my eyes. I might feel sorry for him; it must be hard.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Even before I could answer, he pulled me over to the entrance fee payer.


    ¡°T. H! Wait a minute!¡± Jez said that he hadn¡¯t finished fixing his eyebrow.


    Latrelle, on the other hand, was like a politician when she shook hands with the women before following us. Wyn apologized to the women who waited to get a picture of him. Marcus was a porter, so I went back to help him.


    ¡°Thanks. Maybe T. H was bored earlier¡± so I nodded at what he said.


    When we got inside, they immediately burst intoughter at the hikers who were with us. Howe the five them seem like they go back to their childhood ways. Sometimes T. H participates but often he is quiet.


    Marcus and Latrelle are in front while the others are in the back. It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve walked a long way and to add to it this mountain is very steep so I¡¯m slow.


    ¡°Hey! Porridge girl!¡± Latrelle calls me. People kept looking at me.


    My cheeks turned red so that a talent scout might discover me. They stopped walking while Latrelle turned to me. We wondered what he wanted to do. Because his face is serious.


    He came up behind me and pushed me. ¡°Start walking. I¡¯m your guide¡±


    ¡°I can do it!¡±


    ¡°Just stay still, okay. Many women start to look at me. I need to pretend that I am a gentleman¡±, he whispered then giggled.


    I pressed my foot to the ground on which I stood. ¡°I really don¡¯t want to! You¡¯ll still use me!¡±


    ¡°It looks like we¡¯re not close ah¡±, he looks like a woman when he¡¯s acting. He even raised an eyebrow at me. Too awkward because we were looking at each other and I just agreed. We got t rocks that¡¯s what he does. Sometimes he flirts with Marcus so I sympathize with them.


    The two outnumbered me like a child.


    Wyn approached me after we rested. There is as much resting ce on this mountain. This is the ce where hikers can eat and change clothes. All I know is there is a bathroom here.


    ¡°You alright?¡± he is like an angel.


    I smiled secretly. He was watching my arm.


    ¡°You have bruises ¡­¡± he said then touched it.


    My whole body stiffened because of what he did. I just swallowed saliva.


    ¡°Juste with me¡± he stood up after seeing Jeze out of thefort room almost eaten by moss.


    ¡°I¡¯ll miss you¡± it¡¯s goodbye.


    I screamed loudly and then stomped my feet under the table. Maybe I should increase my bruises so he will touch me again. Suddenly there was a bottle of ice in front of me. I slowly raised my head.


    The expression on his face was cold. ¡°Put this¡­¡±


    My forehead furrowed as I didn¡¯t get what he said. ¡°There ¡­¡± he pointed at my bruise then he returned to his seat to continue eating.


    ¡°Uh ¡­ T. H!¡± I shouted.


    He looked puzzled. ¡°Th ¡­ thank you!¡±

 Chapter 24

    I watched the trees that were around us as I waited for the four men to finish eating. T. H was lying on one of the wooden chairs there. My eyes closed as the fresh air blew on me. I feel like I¡¯m in the province but it¡¯s just that I¡¯m not with Lolita and Lucky.


    I suddenly missed the woods in province with my cousin. We used to go to the mountains for a pic. I feel better now because I just received a call from my cousin. Although our conversation was interrupted because of the weakness of the signal, I understood some details.


    Someone sent money to Lucky because he got a hospital payment. Not only that, because Lolita¡¯s money to buy medicine was too much.


    ¡°Hey? What are you thinking?¡± Jez like a mushroom appeared next to me.


    I breathed easily as I inhaled the air full of oxygen.


    ¡°I really thank you, Jez!¡± I hugged him but he immediately pushed me jokingly.


    ¡°Why? You¡¯re random!¡± he said while patting the chicken¡¯s thigh.


    ¡°I lost my chicken!¡± Marcus shouted from the other table. Jez, on the other hand, wished he could not be seen eating it so he turned away from that position.


    ¡°Latrelle, pleasee out¡± Marcus said authoritatively. They are like children fighting.


    I giggle at Latrelle¡¯s reaction. His face was so innocent while eating.


    ¡°You know I¡¯m a heavy-eater but I¡¯m not really the one who stole your chicken¡± Latrelle refused then stood up to wash her hands with her water.


    Marcus irritably ate the rest of his chicken neck. Wyn next to it gave him a tapa.


    Marcus didn¡¯t say a word because the mixture was bad. That was his favorite part of the chicken.


    ¡°I have a watermelon in the bag¡± Jez said dead-maliciously enough for them to hear.


    ¡°Please be mine!¡± Marcus said happily.


    ¡°Why did you picked-up the chicken?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Shh. I didn¡¯t have enough food, so I tried to steal his chicken. You know that my sry is not enough for this month¡±, he washed his hands then I handed him a tissue.


    I watched himb his hair. When the cleaning of my malepanions was over, we started walking again. They had a lot to tell about a man we met in his middle 40¡¯s.


    He narrated that it was forbidden to throw it on this mountain because apart from maintaining its cleanliness, it was because of Maria Makiling.


    ¡°Personally, I don¡¯t really believe in folktales, Manong (A Tagalog word use to refer in older man)¡± said Marcus who was busy eating the mango he bought at one of the shops there.


    ¡°Because my Dad and I are hikers. When I was a child, I believed in that but when I grew up I didn¡¯t¡± he continued.


    ¡°You know there¡¯s nothing wrong with believing or not¡± said the old man who just shrugged his shoulders.


    ¡°Eh, who is Maria Makiling? Is that Chix?¡± Latrelle is really stupid or he just doesn¡¯t know anything about the girl.


    Manong drank some water before continuing the story. It is obvious to Manong to believe in such things. In fact, he seems to have grown up with old beliefs.


    There is a band tied to its forehead. His long sleeves had three buttons and a ne that looked like the teeth of a beast. His shorts, on the other hand, were torn and faded and he was wearing only slippers woven with thumb tacks.


    ¡°She¡¯s a beautiful girl. She¡¯s a fairy guardian here. In fact, hikers used to go missing on this mountain. Rarely do theye back. If they cane back, they won¡¯t be sensible, or no one can understand them.¡±


    His story looks convincing so that¡¯s how Jez, T. H, and Latrelle nodded. I couldn¡¯t believe that even God-like Wyn would believe this either. But only one person reacted differently. Marcus frowned as he sniffed his red lips. After a few half hours have gone we decided to rest again.


    ¡°We¡¯re just going somewhere¡± Latrelle said. Maybe they¡¯ll go to the Eagle area. It seems to be close to here. I just noticed that I was asleep and Latrelle¡¯s voice woke me up.


    ¡°Marcus! Marcus is missing!¡±


    One by one we panicked. Jez called the forest rangers guarding the mountain. While Latrelle and T. H asked our fellow hikers if they had seen Marcus. Wyn and I asked the shopkeepers if they had seen Marcus using our friend¡¯s picture.


    At three o¡¯clock in the afternoon there we had hoped a hiker had also seen Marcus. But we couldn¡¯t talk to Marcus. He seemed out of ce.


    ¡°Marcus?¡± cried Latrelle. Only now have I seen him fall.


    Marcus whispered something to himself, but we couldn¡¯t understand. Our tears flowed so much that even T. H. who I thought had no heart was just like that.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of him, Sir¡± said the forest ranger who helped me find Marcus.


    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll take care of my friend¡± Latrelle said.


    As we went down the mountain to go home, he was supporting Marcus. We silently watched them both. I stopped for a moment when I felt knee pain. Earlier I was tired of looking for Marcus. I sat for a moment then I will just follow them. They walk slowly so I can¡¯t be left behind.


    I just took a few seconds off to stop in front of me. I know whose shoes those are for. I smiled with joy, but I didn¡¯t show my reaction. I acted normal as I looked up at him.


    He sat down next to me. ¡°Come on. Piggy back ride¡± he seemed like an angel in heaven because of the coldness and tenderness of his voice.


    ¡°Uh. It¡¯s embarrassing, Wyn¡± please narrow down a bit so as not to be obviously flirty.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re tired so don¡¯t be shy¡±


    I blushed as I sat behind him. I raised my voice as I felt his hand adjust to my knees.


    ¡°Hold on tight¡± he reminds me.


    Even if he doesn¡¯t say I will do it. My cheeks turned red and hot. I feel like I need to check my BP after that.


    ¡°No! Wyn!¡± Jez shouted with mixed concern.


    My friend turned behind him when Wyn answered. ¡°There it is!¡±Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    Jez¡¯s jaw almost dropped when he saw me in that position. He blinked a few times as if he couldn¡¯t believe it. T. H. next to him frowned. It was as if he was killing me with his looks. I don¡¯t know why I feel ashamed. I just nodded and blocked my face with my own hair.


    ¡°No, are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Uhm ¡­ Sure!¡± I tried tough.

 Chapter 25

    I watched Marcus as he slept soundly on his bed. Latrelle was already asleep next to him from exhaustion. Earlier he was watching his friend go out of his mind. I also covered Latrelle using aforter after I arranged his own hand into a pillow.


    I squeezed Marcus¡¯s face towel again with lukewarm water of the small bucket before putting it back on his forehead. I left them both to rest.


    We hadn¡¯t eaten well before, so I went down to the kitchen. I had no appetite, so I just took some baked mac, graham and pizza.


    ¡°Girl, food trip?¡± I let go of the fork I was holding. Who wouldn¡¯t be surprised at my friend wearing white pajamas and it¡¯s not just that her face is so white because of the cream she put on her face.


    ¡°Jez, I really need to eat to have some energy¡± I said then continued to suck.


    He also took a fork and cut into my baked mac. He was holding the rollers wrapped around his head.


    ¡°Why do you have rollers, it¡¯s just a wig?¡±


    I don¡¯t know what my friend¡¯s trip is because sometimes he just curls his hair with his wig. I think the screw on his head is loose.


    ¡°I¡¯m supposed to be a woman. This long hair is cute when its curled ¡± he continued eating.


    I watched him consume my food. ¡°Okay! So, you can eat my food if you want! That¡¯s all for you!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m full, girl¡± he said goodbye then went up the stairs.


    I just sat and eat quietly for a few minutes. I also ate rice, but I did not feel full. I still n to watch Balye sa Kalye tomorrow in case the timing looks ugly to have fun. I just went outside to think there.


    Just as I was about to sit down, I felt a few drops of the rain. ¡°Looks like it¡¯s raining¡±


    I just didn¡¯t care about that. That¡¯s why there are no stars and thus the night is so quiet that even crickets seem to be hidden in their respective homes. I rubbed my thighs as I gazed at the distant civilization of Man. They said that Man can be seen from here in our barangay, so I believed it.


    Then it was obvious because of the lights. The one on the other side is Pilillia, Rizal because their big Wind Mill is obvious. My dream is to get there just in case it¡¯s too far.


    Melissa told me once I talked to her. We can go there just by motor boat and we will pass there. That¡¯s just too expensive. Then it¡¯s better to just wear it. She also wanted to go there but he wanted to be with Marcus. I don¡¯t know about that woman. Sometimes my friend is right. Sometimes not.


    The mind is fickle.


    I caught the tiny raindrops with my palm. I remember Mom and Dad when every rainy season began, they would let me take a shower in the rain. Sometimes we would bathe together. We even had time to offer Jez but that one is artistic.


    He believes that the water from the rain is dirty so he doesn¡¯t want to touch even a little bit of it.


    Mama said that Jez was right so sometimes they wouldn¡¯t let me take a bath.


    I was surprised to lose its drip on my palms. I looked up. There is a ck umbre at the top of my head.


    ¡°Mom, Dad. You¡¯re serious! Don¡¯t be surprised like that!¡± I will weep bitterly.


    So, I turned a blind eye out of fear.


    What am I going to do?Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    A. Run


    B. Sit down and wait for them to disappear


    C. Juste along?


    Of course, the letter C is just a joke! I still love my life.


    ¡°What¡¯s that, Ma! I¡¯m not happy with you and Papa¡¯s trippings¡± I¡¯m actually feeling brave now even though I feel like I want to lose my heart in my chest.


    I just remember them but I don¡¯t mean to feel. That¡¯s a different thing!


    I took a deep breath as I fanned myself with my hands.


    I can do this!


    I closed my eyes to face them.


    But I felt differently. Instead of the cold breath of the corpse it was the warm breath of the living person I felt near my lips.


    I slowly opened my eyes. Because of the shock I lost my standing bnce. So just like the speed of it he squeezed my waist.


    Because of that, my face came close to his face again.


    I was just caught in his clothes.


    He raised an eyebrow at me but a cold look came from his eyes.


    My lips trembled because of the pain it caused me. ¡°T ¡­ T. H ¡­ What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°You, why haven¡¯t you slept yet?¡±


    Gradually his grip on my waist loosened so I could breathe easily.


    ¡°Just thinking ¡­¡± I replied while looking directly into his eyes where I could clearly see the reflection of the dim light of the hut.


    He sat down next to me. I sat down as well. He doesn¡¯t seem to be able to sleep either.


    Quiet between the two of us as usual. No one spoke but even so the beating of my heart prevailed.


    Maybe I¡¯m high blood. I can try to see a doctor this week.


    When I was feeling a bit drowsy, I identally put my head on T. H.¡¯s shoulder.


    I fell asleep for a while and just woke up because of what he did.


    He held his head with his fingers.


    My eyes rolled in emptiness. Earlier he slept on my shoulder! I¡¯m done, can¡¯t I?


    This one is serious.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡±, he didn¡¯t answer.


    I stood up and stretched my body. Thank you and the drowsiness I had been waiting for visited me.


    ¡°I have a question ¡­¡±


    I turned to him.


    What does this snobbish man need, who is even more snobbish than Jez?


    ¡°All right. What¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°Where is it better to sleep? On my shoulder, or on Wyn¡¯s shoulder?¡±


    I justughed at what he said. What could have entered his brain? The question is too random.


    ¡°You know let¡¯s just go to sleep, T. H¡± and I yawned.


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