Wattpad Originals Announcement

Hello, Hiroes! I am thrilled to announce that this story, Game of Cards #2: Horus Fontanilla, has been chosen to be a part of Wattpad Originals, formerly paid stories!

To all my readers, thank you so much for always supporting me. For your undying love and patience. I love you all so much.

To Wattpad, thank you so much for this opportunity. Wattpad really changed my life. I so love writing in this platform.

Sa lahat ng mga naghintay ng story na ’to, here it is.

Hope you enjoy reading this story!

Comms

Prologue

I was in my right place, riding at the back of Kreios’ motorcycle, hugging him, feeling the wind as the motor roared and he was driving recklessly. But I wasn’t feeling a bit scared. I actually loved this. I had an excuse to hug Kreios by the waist even more. I had an excuse to be this close to him. I had an excuse to feel his warmth and leaned my head on his back, smiling to myself and savoring this moment. I had an excuse to feel his large body against mine.

So, even though Kreios was driving fast and recklessly, it was fine with me. Even though it seemed as if we were chasing death, I didn’t mind. Ang importante sa akin ay nayayakap ko si Kreios at nakakalapit ako sa kanya nang ganito.

I have been in love with Kreios Castellano for so long now. I fell in love with him at first sight. I could still remember the first time we met as if it was just yesterday. That was a core memory for me. Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang unang araw na nakita ko siya.

I was walking then on the Big Field to get to the car. Uwian na noon, and my driver already texted me that he was there, kaya naglalakad ako papunta sa kung saan naka-park ang kotse. When all of a sudden, I heard someone shouting, telling whoever it was to watch out. Napatingin ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses because who wouldn’t? He shouted so loud that it could be heard all over the university. There were even so many students trying to find out what the hell it was about.

I looked to where the voice came from only to find out that a basketball was approaching me fast! Masyadong mabilis ang bola, at alam kong kahit anong ilag ko ay matatamaan pa rin ako. It would hit my beautiful face, and I already thought of a lot of scenarios where my face would be a laughingstock! I hated it! I hated whoever it was who threw this ball at me!

I stayed rooted in my place. Because what the fuck? How the hell could I stop that freaking ball? I watched as the ball inched close to my face. It was already too late, and I freaking swear I would make whoever threw this ball in my direction pay. How dare they do this to me!

When suddenly, a large hand grabbed my waist and got me out of harm’s way. He stopped the ball with his free hand while he was still holding me. Naramdaman ko pa ang hangin sa mukha ko dahil sa impact nang pagtama ng bola sa kamay niya. There was even a loud thud as the ball hit his hand. And if only he didn’t save me, it was obvious that I would end up with a broken nose!

I was fuming mad. How dare they throw a ball at me! Even if it was only an accident, there were so many students on the Big Field! Besides, there was a gym in this freaking university where they could practice their stupid basketball, and yet they chose this open space to kid around! Of course, maraming matatamaan! Bakit dito pa nila napiling magkalat?

“Are you okay?”

Nakasimangot akong humarap sa lalaking hawak pa rin ang waist ko hanggang ngayon. I was really pissed. Plus, this guy was wearing a jersey, so obviously, ka-team niya ang bumato ng bolang iyon.

But then, I saw his face looking down at me. God, he was too tall even though I wasn’t lacking in height as well. But what the heck? He had the most handsome and sexiest face I have ever seen in my entire life! I couldn’t help but stare at that beautiful face.

Biglang nawala ang inis ko. I could feel myself blushing while staring at him.

“Miss?” He called my attention because probably, I was just staring at him with my eyes twinkling. He probably thought that I must’ve hit my head.

“I’m Jolene.” Yes! He should know my name first! He should know about me!

He will be my future boyfriend!

The man frowned. He must’ve been confused by how I reacted. He even stared at me hard, maybe to check if there was really something wrong with me. Napatingin pa nga ang lalaki sa hawak niyang bola as if he was making sure na hindi noon natamaan ang ulo ko.

But I just couldn’t help it. God, ang gwapo-gwapo ng lalaking ’to!

Hmm… Maybe I should thank whoever threw the ball in my way instead.

“Okay, Jolene. Are you okay?”

Oh, my gosh! He just called me by my name!

“Yes, what’s your name?” I asked. I should know the name of this handsome man!

But then, he released me. Parang siniguro lang muna that I was really okay bago niya ako binitiwan. It made me feel sad. I wanted him to hold me longer. Or maybe forever.

“That’s good.” He looked away from me. “Horus!” I don’t know who it was. Probably one of his teammates, but I didn’t care. All I cared about was him.

He completely ignored me right then. Naglakad na rin siya palayo sa akin, and I started to panic! I didn’t want for our encounter to end like this! I still didn’t know his name!

“Hey! What’s your name?”

Pero hindi niya pa rin ako pinansin. May lumapit na lalaki sa kanya, wearing the same jersey as his, at kinuha sa kanya ang bola. I got pissed at whoever it was. He stole the man’s attention from me!

“I should at least know the name of the man who saved me!”

This time, parehong napatingin ang dalawa sa akin. I smiled. My gaze remained on the handsome man, completely ignoring the other, but he was obviously staring at me. I could clearly feel the intensity of his gaze, but still, I didn’t give him my attention. I just focused on the man who saved me.

The man let out a frustrated sigh. As if annoyed that he was being bothered like this. Pero hindi pa rin ako sumuko.

I am Jolene Adriana dela Torre. And there is nothing in this world that I want that I can’t have.

“What’s your name?” I asked him again.

The man finally looked at me. My face lit up when our gaze connected.

“Kreios.”

I smile. God. Even his name sounded so handsome.

“Nice to meet you, Kreios. Thank you for saving me.”

I heard a snicker. I finally looked at the man beside Kreios. Tinatakpan ng kamao niya ang bibig niya as if he was trying to hide his laughter, but his shoulders were shaking anyway. Tumingin pa siya sa akin, and it was only his dark brown eyes and perfect brows that I could see. He had an undercut hairstyle and a silver stud earring on his right ear that shone under the sunlight.

I frowned at him. It was obvious that he was laughing at me.

Kreios kicked him on the shin to stop him, pero mas lalo lang natawa ang lalaki. Inakbayan niya pa si Kreios, and he easily did that as he was an inch taller than him. Then he glanced at me, and he chuckled again before he walked away from me.

I was left confused. What the fuck was that? What the hell is wrong with that man?

Hindi ko na lang pinansin at tumingin sa papalayong likod ni Kreios. I smiled to myself.

Kreios… I will definitely get him. He will end up with me by hook or by crook.

Ever since then, I followed Kreios. And it was like a destiny, as we were both engineering students and in the same year. That just means sabay kaming ga-graduate. It must’ve been fate.

Kreios became the basketball team captain, and I always watched their match. Even their practice. I never missed anything when it comes to Kreios. I always followed him everywhere.

At first, he was indifferent toward me. Hindi niya ako pinapansin pero hindi ako sumuko. Until we became friends, and just recently, I was allowed to ride on the back of his motorcycle. I was allowed to hug him.

I knew that a lot of girls admired him, pero lamang ako sa mga babaeng ’yon. Ako lang ang babaeng nakakalapit kay Kreios. Of course, it was also because I threatened those girls who dared try to get close to him. How dare they even think that they could talk to Kreios! Ako lang dapat ang babaeng kakausapin niya! Ako lang ang dapat nakakalapit sa kanya! I wouldn’t let anyone else ride on his motorcycle too and have a chance to hug him!

Kreios is mine. I will make sure of that.

Kreios parked the motorcycle when we were finally at the university. Bumaba ako mula sa likod ng big bike niya at hinubad ang suot kong helmet. Ibinigay ko iyon sa kanya before I smiled at him.

“Will you take me home later?”

“No. Just ask your family driver.”

I pouted. It hurt me that he didn’t even hesitate to say that. As if he didn’t really have it on his mind to take me home. I knew. I knew that he still didn’t like me like how much I liked him. It had been four years, and yet… everything still felt the same. Kreios was still indifferent toward me.

Pero hindi pa rin ako susuko. I already came this far. At least now, nakakalapit na ako sa kanya, nakakaangkas sa motor niya, at nakakayakap pa sa kanya.

“It won’t take long,” pilit ko pa.

“May gagawin pa kami mamaya.”

“I’ll wait for you.”

He let out a frustrated sigh.

“Just go home, Jolene.”

He was dismissing me at nahalata ko ring naiinis na siya kaya wala na akong nagawa kundi ang umalis doon at maglakad papunta sa building namin. I wanted to wait for him. Gusto kong sabay kaming maglakad dahil same place lang naman ang pupuntahan namin. But I didn’t want to annoy him any further. Kaya naglakad na lang ako mag-isa.

It’s alright. Kreios will loosen up to me soon. I didn’t come this far just for me to give up.

Habang naglalakad ako ay may sumabay sa akin. His cologne attacked my nose first. It was a musky scent that was mixed with his natural scent. Hindi masakit sa ilong ang amoy niya, so I could tolerate it. In fact, he smelled so good. There was that distinctive smell from him, a very masculine scent. Like a fresh sea breeze. Na kahit punong-puno siya ng pawis because of their basketball practice and game, he still didn’t smell bad. He still smelled fresh and good. Kaya nakilala ko kaagad siya kahit pa hindi ko pa siya tinitingnan.

“He turned you down again?”

I let out an annoyed sigh. Ugh, that voice. Deep and masculine. Raspy and seductive. Parang laging bumubulong. Parang laging bagong gising. Whenever he talked, it was as if the whole air vibrated around him. Pakiramdam ko ay sumisikip din ang paligid, and it was making me feel suffocated kahit na nasa open space kami.

But I always hated the tone of his voice whenever he was talking to me. It was like he was secretly laughing at me. He was the one who snickered at me, that man who was with Kreios when I first met him. And it was making me feel stupid. As if he was laughing because I was making a fool of myself by chasing Kreios all this time.

And I hated it. I hated him for making me feel so small.

“What do you want, Horus?”

He chuckled. I could feel his chest rumbling with that chuckle kahit na hindi kami magkadikit. And I had no idea how I could feel that way.

Whenever I was with him, it felt like… like the place was so small and I could clearly feel his overwhelming presence consuming me, as if he was about to devour me whole.

“Hindi ko alam kung tatawanan ba kita o maaawa ako sa ’yo.”

I glared at him.

“Why don’t you just leave me alone instead?”

“Ouch. You are hurting my feelings.”

“I don’t care. I’m not even interested in you.”

“Hey! Bakit ba sa akin ka nagagalit? I’m not the one who turned you down. In fact, I am here to comfort you.”

“I don’t need your comfort. I don’t need anything from you.”

“Don’t be like that, Jolene. I’m just looking out after you as a friend. For now.”

I frowned at him.

“What does that even mean?”

He smiled at me, and there was a glint in his dark brown eyes. For a moment, his eyes seemed darker as he looked at me, and I shivered. A chill went down my spine with the way he looked at me. Bigla ay hindi ako makahinga. I was even trembling under his gaze. My heart pounded so fast against my chest. His gaze was so intense, as if… as if he would devour me right where we are right now. As if he would take everything from me.

I hated it. I hate how he could affect me like this.

I looked away at him. That was why I didn’t want to look at him. Ganoon ang palaging nararamdaman ko kapag nagkakasalubong ang mga mata namin.

It was terrifying.

“You’re just here to make fun of me.” Damn it. I could hear the slight tremor in my voice. “Lagi ka namang ganyan. Tinatawanan mo ang paghahabol ko kay Kreios.”

He mumbled something, pero hindi ko nakuha lahat. I just caught him saying something about a dog.

“What was that?”

He grinned at me.

“Nothing. Hey, why don’t I help you with him?”

I looked at him suspiciously.

“What are you on about now?”

“I’ll help you with my friend. Kreios.”

“That was really sus.”

He chuckled.

“Really. Paglalapitin ko kayong dalawa.”

“What’s the catch?”

He just shrugged his shoulders, and my suspicion grew.

“Don’t joke with me, Horus. Alam kong may hihingin kang kapalit.”

He chuckled. Tumigil na kami sa paglalakad. He put his hands inside the pockets of his pants.

“How about… you’ll come to me whenever he hurts you.”

“You talk as if you knew that I’ll just end up hurting myself.”

“Bakit? Hindi pa ba? He turned you down again, didn’t he?”

“I thought you’d help me with him?”

“Does that mean you’re taking up my offer?”

I looked at him. There was a mischief in his eyes. As if he was planning something. And I hated that. I hated how he observed everything in his surroundings and would smirk as if everything was amusing to him. As if he were watching a show.

I hated how he seemed as if he was just acting. As if him being friendly and kind to everyone was just a kind of play to him. Ganoon ang nararamdaman ko sa kanya. His friendliness wasn’t genuine. I could see it in his eyes. I know that he always looks down on people. As if everything were beneath him. And he was just laughing inside. He was enjoying his little show.

“Whatever,” I said.

He smirked at me, and I shivered. For a moment, I saw wickedness in his eyes. As if I have been caught in his trap.

A trap he had prepared just for me.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

Chapter 1

I looked around my wide room as I put on my clothes. It was really wide for a single room, but it was okay for me. I liked it. Marami akong kikilusan. I have my own study here, even though Dad wanted me to give it a separate room. I just wanted to study in my comfort space. Mas nakakapag-concentrate ako. Isa pa, I’m not really the studious type. Mabilis mawala ang concentration ko so sometimes, while studying, nagpapahinga ako at humihiga pa sa kama, then I would get back to studying again.

But Dad didn’t allow me to have my own bookshelf in my room. Pampasikip daw. He wanted my room to be as wide as it can be so I have my own library in the house. I’m not really a bookworm, but I like reading books. Kapag may spare time ako at wala talagang gagawin, I sometimes read books.

Dad always wanted to give me every best thing in life. He was always generous toward me. He liked giving me everything I wanted, and I loved him so much for that. I could tell that he really loves me too. He always cared about me. Even though he was busy with the Dela Torre Corporation, he never failed to look out for me.

Maybe it was because I was his only child. My mom died when I was just five years old, and ever since then, my dad has been spoiling me. Maybe he wanted to fill the lack of my mom’s presence by spoiling me. He was trying to be a mother and father for me at the same time. Binibigay niya ang lahat ng mga luho ko. He gave me every luxury in this world. Lahat ng mga gusto ko ay ibinibigay niya. Lahat ng mga gusto ko ay nakukuha ko.

We are so rich, as we own a lot of business chains. That was why people were trying to get on my good graces, as I was the only heir to the Dela Torre Corporation. I would handle our family business in the near future. Even the children of our investors and business partners tried to befriend me because of that fact.

I was a party girl. I was always invited to a lot of parties. I could say that I was popular. I have a lot of followers on my Instagram. And I liked it. I liked the attention. I accepted everything that was given to me. I believed that I deserved it. After all, my dad always tells me that I am the most precious thing in this world. That I deserve everything. I deserve to receive every nice thing in this world. And that it is my right to get what I want.

So, why would I refuse the things that were given to me? Why wouldn’t I get what I wanted? It was my right. It was what I deserved. And we’re rich anyway. I can buy everything I want. I could even buy people that I want. People can be bought with money. That’s what people around me wanted anyway. They wanted our money. They wanted to be in my good graces because they wanted to be a part of the Dela Torre Corporation.

Even my friend, I know na nilalapitan lang nila ako because they wanted something from me. They either wanted to get a share of my fame and popularity, or they wanted to have a connection with me, as I would be the next CEO of the Dela Torre Corporation. They wanted to secure their future by befriending me.

It was fine with me. People are like that anyway. They always wanted to have compensation for what they are doing. Kahit pa sabihin nila na genuine ang ipinapakita nila at walang hinihintay na kapalit, but deep inside, they are waiting for compensation. There would come a time that they would want something in return. Papalabasin pa nilang utang na loob mo ang ginagawa nila even though you never asked for it. Walang taong nagbibigay na walang hinihintay na kapalit. People are greedy and pretentious.

It was a good thing that I have everything at nakukuha ko ang lahat ng gusto ko. I didn’t need to level myself with those kinds of people. Hindi ko kailangang magbigay. Hindi ko kailangang maghintay ng kapalit as I could get what I wanted anyway with our money. People would offer anything at my feet just to get on my good side.

Still, I only keep a few people around me. I learned the hard way not to trust people easily. I was friendly at first, especially when I was in grade school. I have a lot of friends. Halos buong klase yata ay friends ko noon. I was already popular back then, and my classmates were always bringing me gifts. Palagi rin nila akong nililibre even though afford ko naman ang lahat ng mga binibigay nila.

But my friends liked to spoil me too, and I liked it. Ibig sabihin kasi, hindi ang pera ko ang habol nila, as they were the ones who were giving something to me. Hindi sila ang naghihintay na bigyan ko.

But I thought so wrong. I thought na walang hinihintay na kapalit sa akin ang mga kaibigan ko. We were friends. I thought that they wouldn’t take advantage of me. But it was only after I heard them talking behind my back when they thought that I had already gone home that I finally learned everything. Bumalik ako sa classroom noon as I left something only to find out that my friends were talking about me. And I would never forget the conversation that they had about me.

“I always make libre of Jolene, but until now, she still isn’t doing anything to repay me. I already told her that my dad wants her dad’s sponsorship for his next project kasi.”

“Same here! My father wants to be their business partner that’s why I’ve been generous to Jolene. Pero mukhang nasasanay na yata siyang lagi siyang binibigyan.”

At that time, I couldn’t really understand what I was hearing. The door in our classroom was open, and I was hiding in the doorway, listening to their conversation that I couldn’t comprehend. They were those people that I was very close to. I liked them. They were my friends. We had a lot of fun together. Yes, they made libre of me, but I made libre of them too. I even asked my dad to give them a discount when their family used our hotel as the accommodation when they were having a vacation. I tried to repay them with what I could. But it seemed that they’ve forgotten about that and just focused on what they have given to me.

“Akala ko ba mayaman sila pero bakit siya laging nagpapalibre?”

I heard laughter.

“Baka nagmana sa Mom niya. I heard she was poor, and she just got lucky that Adrian dela Torre fell in love with her.”

“I heard she was one of the dela Torre’s maids? Maybe she seduced him?”

“Was that rumor true ba? Anyway, maybe Jolene got her mother’s poor traits. Laging umaasa sa mga rich sa paligid niya.”

It was right then that I realized that, ah… People are not generous. They were pretentious. They would always want something. They wanted everything they did to get reciprocated. Kahit na sabihing libre ay maghihintay pa rin talaga ng kapalit.

They didn’t make libre of me because I was their friend. They wanted my “utang na loob.”

I haven’t been so mad since I heard what they were talking about. They insulted my mother. My mother died young when I was just five years old because of her poor health. She was told that she wouldn’t be able to bear a child dahil mahina ang katawan niya, and that was why my grandparents were against her at first. Of course, they wanted an heir to inherit all of the dela Torre’s riches. They wanted a grandchild with the dela Torre blood. They even suggested to my dad to get a mistress, pero hindi pumayag si Daddy, as he loved her so much.

But then a miracle happened. I was conceived, pero kapalit noon ay mas bumagsak pa ang katawan ni Mommy. I don’t have many memories of her. I was so young at that time, but I could remember her warmth and love. I knew that she loved me so much.

After my mom died, I became the most prized possession of my father. That was why he spoils me. He gave me everything I wanted. Even the things that I didn’t even need. My father loves me so much, and he was always reminding me of that. He always reminded me how good my mother was. That I was loved by my parents.

So, I hated my so-called friends for insulting my mom. I hated how pathetic they were. Kaya pala palagi nila akong nililibre dahil may gusto silang kapalit from me.

So, instead of hiding and just pathetically listening to their insults, I went inside the classroom.

That’s right. I’m a dela Torre. Nobody should treat me like this. I am above them. After all, sila naman ang may kailangan sa akin, hindi ako.

I walked inside the classroom. At first, they didn’t notice me. I sat on the desk near them, and the table scratched on the floor, creating a sound. It was only right then that they looked at me and noticed my presence. And the look on their faces was priceless.

I crossed my legs and crossed my arms over my chest before I raised a brow at them. Kitang-kita ko ang takot sa mga mata nila nang makita ko.

“J-jolene? Kanina ka pa r’yan?”

She was stammering. While earlier, she didn’t even hesitate to insult me and my mom.

“Yeah. Long enough to hear your conversation.”

I saw blood drain from their face. There were three of them. Nagkatinginan sila at hindi makapagsalita, which irritated me. Parang kanina lang ay nagkakatuwaan pa sila sa pang-iinsulto sa akin.

“Why’d you stop talking?” I asked with a smirk on my lips. “Go on. Continue your interesting conversation. Pretend that I’m not here.”

“Jolene. It’s not like that.” They scrambled just to get near me. Parang gusto pa ngang lumuhod sa harapan ko, which annoyed me and amused me at the same time.

“Not like what? Like how you insulted my mom? Like how you befriended me and make libre of me just because you were expecting something from me?”

“Jolene—”

“I know each one of you. I know what you want from me. You want sponsorship of my dad for the stupid projects of your parents. But too bad… seems like Dad will have to cancel his sponsorship after everything I’ve heard from you.”

Mas lalo silang nataranta. It was fun watching them this way. They were so proud earlier, acting like they were above me, but just a few words from me and they were scrambling to get on my feet. I bet that if I told them to kneel before me, they would really do it.

“Jolene, no! Please, don’t do this. We were wrong. ’Wag mong i-involve ang parents namin!”

“But it was you who involved my mom first. I’m just giving you back what you did. Iyon naman ang gusto n’yo. You were expecting something from me, right? And speaking of that, I never thought that your libre and gifts weren’t genuine. I didn’t even ask that from you. I have a lot of money. I can afford what you’ve given me. I can even buy the three of you and still have a lot of money spared. Hindi ko alam na isusumbat n’yo pala ang mga binigay n’yo sa ’kin na wala namang mga kwenta.”

I opened my shoulder bag and took out my wallet. I took out my cash, several thousand-peso bills, and threw it in the air, right in front of them. Mabagal na naglaglagan ang mga pera sa sahig. It looked like confetti, as there was a lot of money that I threw. But I didn’t care about even one of them a bit.

Nagulat ang tatlo sa ginawa ko. They knew that even though I threw the money in the air, it was like me slapping the money on their faces. But my hands were too precious to get tarnished by their filthy skin.

I smiled at them. I even lift my chin to make a show that I was looking down at them.

“Here. Baka kasi isumbat n’yo pa rin sa ’kin ang mga binigay n’yo. Just tell me kung kulang pa ’yan. I’m richer than the three of you combined. I have a lot of money, you see. Hindi ’yan kabawasan sa yaman ko.”

I got off the table and walked toward the door with my head held up high. But before I finally left, I looked back at their stunned faces and smirked at them.

“And, oh. I’ll make sure that the Dela Torre Corporation will cut ties with your family.”

That was the very last time that I let my guard down. I never trusted people again. I never trusted when people offered me something, especially friendship. I was fine with my own anyway. I have everything. What more could I ask for?

I took out my phone to take some pictures of me and my outfit. I liked wearing tight clothes to emphasize my figure. I was blessed with huge tits and an hourglass-shaped body. And I liked to flaunt it. After all, may ipagmamalaki naman talaga ako, so why bother hiding it?

I was wearing a tight leather skirt that was an inch above my knees that hugged my hips and a red spaghetti top with a square neck. I wanted to show some of my cleavage, but the university dress code prevents it. So, I just wore a leather jacket over the top to make my outfit look more appropriate for the university, at least.

I also wore Jimmy Choo ankle boots to finish my look. And a Bulgari necklace so my neck wouldn’t look so plain.

I looked at myself in the mirror. I looked so beautiful. I was always told that I looked a lot like my mother. I got most of my features from her. I have messy, thick brows, but I always get them trimmed. I have my almond-shaped brown eyes, which I got from my father. I really liked my eyes. People always tell me that it looked really brown, especially under the sunlight, and it really added to my beauty. I have a beauty mark just under my left eye, and it emphasizes my eyes more.

I have a high, small nose and plump lips. My cheekbones were high, which complimented my heart-shaped face. It made me look intimidating, which I really liked, as I don’t want people to look down at me. I have thick brown hair, which I got from my dad, and it has a layered style, and the first layer cups my face.

Itinapat ko ang camera ng phone ko sa akin to take some selfies. Ibinaba ko ang neckline ng damit ko so a bit of my cleavage was showing. Bahagya ko ring ginulo ang buhok ko to give it more volume and to look messy. I pouted a bit on the camera to emphasize my plump lips before I hit the capture button. I also took some mirror shots of my outfit before I posted the picture on my Instagram. It didn’t even take one minute to get hundreds of comments, but I didn’t check any one of them.

I took my bag and went down. Naabutan ko si Dad na nag-aalmusal sa dining room. Malaki ang naging ngiti sa mga labi ko. It was rare kasi na maabutan ko si Dad tuwing umaga as he was really busy with our business. Maaga kasi siyang pumapasok always.

Lumapit ako sa kanya and I hugged him on the neck before I kissed him on the cheek.

“Good morning, Dad!”

He smiled before he tapped my arm affectionately.

“Good morning, sweetheart.”

I sat down on the chair on his right. Naging maagap ang maid sa pag-serve ng pagkain sa akin.

“This is a surprise!” I said as I started eating. “You always get to work early.”

“I have some time. It’s been so long since we ate breakfast together,” he said and looked at me with gentleness in his eyes. “How’s school?”

“It’s fine. I’m having a lot of time. I have my eyes set on someone.”

Hindi ko itinago iyon kay Daddy. He told me himself anyway that if I wanted something, I just had to tell it to him, and he would get it for me.

“Is it the same boy you told me about? You still haven’t managed to get him? Do you want my help?”

I smiled. He would really get anything for me. Even people.

“No, Dad. I have this. I’ll make sure that he’ll end up with me.”

He smiled.

“That’s my daughter. A true dela Torre, indeed.”

I beamed at the pride I heard from his voice. He’s right. I am a dela Torre. I know my worth. I know that I deserve Kreios.

And I would do anything to get him.

Chapter 2

I was walking from where the driver dropped me off toward my college building. Sa bawat hakbang ko ay napapatingin sa akin ang mga nakakasalubong ko, and they would even follow me with their gaze even though I had already passed them by. I chuckled as I flipped my hair to my back. I liked the feeling of my hair swaying with the wind, giving me more poise as if I were a model walking on a runway.

Napapansin ko pa ang ibang mga lalaki na nagtutulakan na parang gusto akong kausapin. But I ignored every one of them. If they didn’t have the courage to talk to me on their own, then they were not worth any of my time. Hindi ’yung kailangan pang ipagtulakan. I like people who have confidence in themselves.

Just like Kreios. He had an air around him that told me he really knew himself. He looked confident. He also knew that a lot of people admired him, but he didn’t get it into his head. And I really like that about him.

Ah… we really suit each other. I wonder when there will come a time when Kreios will realize that it is me who should be there by his side.

“Jolene.”

Napatingin ako sa dalawang babaeng sumabay sa akin sa paglalakad. They both have a shy smile on their face, and I suddenly wonder what they wanted from me.

“Yes?” tanong ko at tumingin na sa dinraanan ko.

“Nakita ko ’yung bagong post mo sa Instagram. Ni-like at nag-comment ako roon. Grabe, ang ganda-ganda mo talaga. Kahit anong isuot mo, bagay na bagay sa ’yo.”

“Kahit yata basahan ang isuot mo, maganda ka pa rin.”

Napatingin ako sa nagsabi noon. It was so random. I didn’t know if she was actually complimenting me or insulting me.

“There’s no way that I would wear a basahan, but I get your point,” I said.

They squealed. Natawa na lang ako. I guess they were admiring me then.

“Lahat ng post mo sa IG, naka-like at comment ako. Naka-follow din ako sa ’yo. Ang ganda ng feed mo.”

I just smiled at her at nagpaalam na rin naman silang dalawa. I was confused about why she even had to tell me that. Are they fishing for a ‘thank you’ from me? But there was no need for me to be grateful for what they did. I’ve never even asked them to do that. I never asked anyone to follow me or to like and comment on my every post. I was just posting my pictures to express myself.

I am proud of what I have. I am proud of my beauty. I am proud of my body. And I don’t even care what people think of me. I don’t even care if people would call me proud and mayabang. I’m aware naman na not all people like me. Alam kong may mga naiinis sa akin.

But I don’t really care about them. I don’t care about their opinions. Why would I? Nababawasan ba noon ang ganda ko? Nababawasan ba noon ang yaman ko? Whether they like me or not, maganda at mayaman pa rin naman ako. And they would remain the insecure people they are.

I held my head high while I was walking on the university road. My ankle boots were clicking on the asphalt road with every step I took. Giving me more power. Giving me more attention. I was aware of the looks and glances that the students were throwing at me. But I didn’t mind any of it. I was used to it anyway. I was used to the attention. So, I continued walking normally.

I was in my own bubble. Wala akong pinapansin sa mga tumitingin at mga nagtatangkang bumati sa akin. I just wanted to get to the building fast. They knew naman that I wasn’t friendly, but they were still trying to get acquainted with me. Ayoko nang may kumakausap sa akin.

But that little wish of mine didn’t come true when someone joined me on my walk. I smelled his cologne first and that distinctive body scent from him. Mas naaamoy ko s’ya ngayon dahil papunta sa akin ang ihip ng hangin. And I couldn’t ignore it. I couldn’t ignore the scent as it was tickling my nose, as if urging me to look at the man who was walking beside me.

Kaya nakasimangot akong tumingin sa gilid ko. I saw Horus casually walking with me with his bag strapped on one of his shoulders. As if we were close. As if we were friends. He even had one hand inside the pocket of his pants habang ang isang kamay n’ya ay nakahawak sa strap ng bag na nasa balikat n’ya.

I looked up. I really had to look up to see his face fully, as he was so tall, a normal thing for basketball varsity players. Kahit na matangkad ako ay kailangan ko pa talagang tumingala para mas makita ang mukha n’ya. Horus had a mischievous grin on his lips as he looked back at me.

Now, I was even more aware of the attention that people threw at us. Probably they were curious about the odd pairs that were walking on the university road together. The basketball team captain and the popular girl.

Horus became the team captain after Kreios quit the team. It was said that Kreios didn’t want to play basketball anymore. Pabor naman sa akin iyon. At least I didn’t have to watch basketball practice matches and games anymore. Si Kreios lang naman talaga ang pinapanood at sinusuportahan ko sa kanila.

But then, there was still Horus, who was acting as if we were friends.

“Why are you here?” hindi ko na napigilang itanong sa nakangisi pa ring si Horus.

There was a slight frown on his forehead with my question.

“May pasok ako.”

“No. I mean, why are you walking with me?”

“Masama ba?”

“I don’t like walking with you. Or being seen with you at all.”

He chuckled.

“Well, I like walking on this path.”

“’Wag mo ’kong sabayang maglakad!”

“Well, Princess. Hindi kita sinasabayang maglakad. Naglalakad lang din ako.”

“Bullshit!”

Binilisan kong maglakad para mauna sa kanya, but Horus caught up with me. He even jogged a little bit para masabayan ako.

I glared at him when he was walking beside me again.

“Horus!”

“Ouch, Princess. I have something to tell you about Kreios, but here you are, hurting my feelings.”

“Don’t call me princess!”

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad pero napansin ko na binagalan ni Horus ang bawat hakbang niya. Nauuna na ako ngayon at hindi na s’ya nakasabay sa akin, which was really unusual. Horus had long strides because of his long legs. Even with his normal pace, alam kong mauunahan n’ya ako sa paglalakad. But he was always matching my pace kapag sinasabayan ako sa paglalakad.

So, right now, I knew that he was intentionally slowing his walk. Even slower than my stride. Horus knew that he had baited me. That I couldn’t let go of the bait that he had set for me. Especially when it was about Kreios.

And I hated it. I hated being played by his hands. I didn’t want to admit defeat, especially to him.

I was a woman full of pride. People always bow down to me. It wasn’t supposed to be the other way around. I wouldn’t bow down to anyone.

But… I needed that information. Over time, Horus proved that he had use for me. He was the one who provided me with the information of Kreios’ whereabouts. He was the one who talked to their coach so I could always watch their practice matches and get the front seat on their game, just behind the team. He was reliable. He really did help me with Kreios.

I let out a groan before I stopped walking. I turned around and looked at Horus. He, too, had already stopped walking. As if he was already waiting for me. As if he knew that he already had me. There was even a small smirk on his lips, and his perfect brow was raised at me.

I hated that look on his face. I hated being played by him.

“What is it?” gigil kong tanong. I didn’t want to succumb to anyone, but Horus really got me.

But the nerve of this asshole to play innocent right now. He even tilted his head to the side as he looked at me.

“Hmm? I can’t hear you.”

I gritted my teeth. Fuck this guy. He was clearly playing with me. There were only a few steps between us at hindi naman maingay ang paligid, so I knew that he could hear me. But he wanted me to come to him.

Damn him.

I took a step toward him, closing our distance. Mas lalong lumawak ang ngisi sa mga labi ni Horus. As if he was enjoying what was happening right now. He was enjoying na madali n’ya akong napapasunod sa gusto n’ya.

Ah… I’ll get my revenge. Kung hindi ko lang talaga kailangan ang information na sasabihin n’ya.

I stopped in front of him.

“What is it?” I asked with my head held high. Hindi ko ipapakitang mahina ako sa kanya. “Anong sasabihin mo tungkol kay Kreios?”

I stared at Horus. He had his own charisma and sexiness, and I was also aware that a lot of people admired him. They admired him for his face and friendliness. I often saw him with a lot of women around, and his gals conversing with him as if he were the most interesting person in the world. I was also aware that he was giving a lot of women hope that they could be with him dahil sa pagiging friendly at outgoing n’ya. And I hated him for that.

Horus was handsome as well. With his black undercut hair that matched his bushy thick brows. Malapit ang mga kilay n’ya sa mga mata n’ya, so he always looked as if he was frowning, pero nababawi iyon dahil palagi s’yang nakangisi o nakangiti. He had dark brown eyes that often looked darker, especially when he was looking at me. There was just something in those dark brown orbs whenever they were set on me. As if, just like him, it was pretending to be a lighter color when in fact, it was the same color as a bottomless pit that would suck me in if only I would take one single misstep.

He had long lashes, even longer than my natural lashes, so his eyes looked darker than they were. He had a high, straight nose and perfect Cupid’s bow lips, but the lower lip was thicker than the upper lip. He was tall; his long legs were the proof of that. He had bulky muscles and a ripped body. Mas lalong nakikita iyon when he was in his jersey uniform, as his biceps and forearms were showing. As if those arms could choke the death out of me.

He had a menacing and overwhelming presence, one of the reasons why I couldn’t ignore him when he was nearby, even when Kreios was around. I often find myself looking at him, stealing my attention from Kreios, and I would find him smirking at me as if he knew what he was doing to me. And I couldn’t understand why people thought that he was friendly when his presence screamed that there was something dark in him that he was just hiding beneath his façade. Just waiting. As if a predator waiting to pounce on his prey.

It was just like right now while he was looking at me. Kahit na ako ang lumapit sa kanya, kahit na ako ang may kailangan sa kanya, it felt as if he was just waiting for the right time to pounce on me.

“Horus, p’re.”

Nakasimangot akong tumingin sa dalawang lalaking lumapit sa kanya. I knew them as his teammates. Napatingin pa sila sa akin at mukhang nagulat na nandoon ako.

“Oh? Magkasabay kayo ni Jolene?” Nagpalipat-lipat pa ang tingin nila sa amin ni Horus.

Mas lalo akong nainis.

“We were not,” mabilis kong sabi pero natawa ang dalawa.

“Nahahalata namin na sobrang nagiging close na kayo, a?”

“Both of you must’ve been blind.”

Natawa si Horus sa sagot ko pero tiningnan naman ang dalawa.

“Bakit, p’re?”

I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe that he ignored me. He knew that I was waiting for his answer!

“Nabasa mo ’yung chat ni Coach? May meeting daw tayo mamaya.”

Horus nodded.

“A, oo. Tapos may kaonting warm-up at practice rin.”

“Hindi mo na naman kailangan ’yon. Magaling ka na.”

Horus chuckled.

“No. Kailangan ko ring mag-practice, syempre. Baka kalawangin.”

“Lagi naman kayong nagwa-one-on-one ni Kreios.”

“Isa pa ’yon si Kreios. Sayang talaga na nag-quit s’ya sa team.”

I watched as Horus scratched his brow.

“May mga bagay kasi s’yang kailangang asikasuhin.”

“Magaling pa naman na captain si Kreios.”

“At ako, hindi?” Horus was smirking. And I watched as he exchanged conversation with his teammates. There was that friendly air around him, but I couldn’t be fooled. There was really something more sinister in him.

The two laughed at his supposed joke.

“Magaling ka rin! Magkaiba lang ang style n’yo ni Kreios.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I hated being ignored like this. Especially by Horus. He knew that I was still waiting. At parang mas sinasadya n’ya pang pahabain ang usapan nila at mas paghintayin ako.

“Excuse me. Horus and I were talking when you two interrupted.”

Napatingin ang dalawa sa akin na mukha pang nagulat. I crossed my arms over my chest and raised an eyebrow at them. Mukhang nakuha naman nila ang pinupunto ko.

“A, o, sige, p’re. Kita na lang tayo mamaya sa gym.”

I saw Horus was grinning as if something amused him, pero tinanguan din ang dalawa. May ibinulong pa ang isa sa kanya at nang-aasar na tiningnan si Horus habang sumulyap din sa akin.

“Gago!” Horus chuckled at pabirong sinuntok sa tyan ang ka-team n’ya.

Natawa ang dalawa.

“Good luck dito, Horus!”

I knew what it was about. They had the wrong impression of Horus and me. Akala yata ay may namamagitan sa aming dalawa dahil madalas na nakikitang nag-uusap kami.

Stupid idiots. Hindi ba nila alam na si Kreios ang gusto ko? I didn’t even try to hide it. Si Kreios lang ang sinusuportahan ko sa kanila kapag may practice match o game sila, at nakikita ng lahat ’yon. So, I had no idea why they would have a wrong impression of Horus and me.

Nakaalis na ang dalawa kaya hinarap ako ni Horus.

“Sorry for the wait, Princess,” he said, but he had a grin on his lips.

Asshole.

“How dare you ignore me and make me wait!”

He started walking at ako na ngayon ang sumasabay sa paglalakad n’ya. But this asshole chose not to greet back anyone who was greeting him! As if I wasn’t here!

“Horus, ano ba? Pansinin mo nga ako.”

He looked at me, smirking.

“Well, would you look at that? The Princess wants my attention.”

“You’re not taking me seriously.”

“I am. Binabati ko lang mga pumapansin sa ’kin. ’Cause, you know… I’m friendly.”

“Friendly, my ass. Alam kong nagpapanggap ka lang.”

“Oh, do you now? Ano pang alam mo sa ’kin?”

I was so frustrated I never wanted to punch someone in my life. But Horus was an exception. He was making my blood boil!

“Just freaking tell me what you have about Kreios!”

He chuckled. Mukhang hindi man lang naapektuhan sa galit ko.

“So impatient.”

“Horus!”

“I’ll tell you, but you have to support me on our next practice match.”

I frowned.

“What?”

“Just support me, Princess. And I’ll give you all the information I have about Kreios.”

I glared at him. Now, I was so sure that he was toying with me. I really, really want to stomp my foot on the ground out of frustration, but that wouldn’t make me look good. So, I just balled my fists at my sides and restrained myself from punching this asshole in front of me.

“You know what? Never mind. Ako nang bahala kay Kreios.”

I began to walk away. Ang akala ko ay hahabulin n’ya ako, but I just heard his chuckle. Mas lalo akong nagalit dahil may parte sa akin na ayaw s’yang iwan doon. That I would regret it if I walked away right now.

“Are you sure you don’t want this information?”

I stopped in my tracks. Damn it. He knew he really had me.

Lumingon ako sa kanya. Nakita ko ang mapaglarong ngisi sa mga labi niya.

Fuck… Fuck this man. I really hate him.

“When’s your practice match?” I asked.

His smirk widened. I felt like I just got caught in his trap.

“Next Saturday.”

I took a deep breath.

“Okay.”

He chuckled. Naglakad siya palapit sa akin. The air seemed to vibrate around him as he walked toward me. His dark brown eyes were not leaving my face even until he was in front of me.

“We met someone on enrollment day. Her name’s Illyasviel Figueroa. A transferee from Manila.”

I raise an eyebrow at him.

“And?”

He bit his lower lip. Parang gustong mangisi pero pinipigilan lang. Then he leaned down and whispered in my ear. His lips brushed my ear as he spoke. I stilled and caught my breath with the sensation.

“And Kreios seems interested in her.”

Chapter 3

The information wasn’t enough. I wasn’t satisfied with that. Not with what Horus asked in exchange; he would be wasting my time if he really wanted me to go to their practice match to support him. It wasn’t a reasonable exchange when all he did was tell me the name of the girl that he thought Kreios was interested in.

I wanted to know more. I knew that there was more to it than what Horus had just told me, and he was keeping that information to himself. I didn’t know why. Maybe he wanted me to follow him like what I was doing right now. Magkasabay kaming naglalakad papunta sa college building namin. My first class was on the third floor, while his would be on the fourth floor, but I still followed him to his room. Mukhang nagulat pa nga ang mga kaklase niya nang makitang magkasunod kaming pumasok ni Horus sa classroom nila. Or maybe, they were just surprised to see me here when this wasn’t even my classroom.

But I couldn’t care. Taas-noo pa ring akong pumasok sa classroom na ’yon as if I belonged to that class. Horus looked back at me at nakita ko ang nakakalokong ngisi sa mga labi niya nang makitang nakasunod pa rin ako sa kanya. Some of his classmates greeted him, and he greeted back. Pagkatapos ay makikita ko ang kuryoso nilang mga tingin sa akin as if they were wondering why I was here, but I didn’t say anything. I didn’t owe them any explanation.

Sa dulo nakaupo si Horus. Doon sa gitnang upuan where there weren’t any chairs in front of him. As if he were the center of attraction. As if he were a king and his followers were on either side of him. At alam kong sinadyan niyang umupo sa pwestong ’yon because he wanted to feel that way. He would be able to observe the things in his surroundings kapag nandoon siya nakaupo.

Horus looked at me and motioned me to sit on his seat. He sat on the desk, making me feel a bit cramped. His large body was framing me. Amoy na amoy ko tuloy ang pabango niya ngayong sobrang lapit niya sa ’kin. Nakasimangot akong tumingala sa kanya, but he just looked at me with his brow raised.

“Why did you follow me?”

Unbelievable. I was already sitting on his chair, and he even offered me the seat, yet ngayong niya lang ako tinanong nang gano’n.

“I want more information. I wasn’t satisfied with what you’ve given me.”

“Hmm…” Bahagya siyang tumingala. He leaned back, and his hands were now resting on the backrest of the chair. The position was intimate, but I didn’t care. He had always been like this, always invading my personal space.

He looked at me.

“Ano pa bang gusto mong malaman?”

“I need more, Horus. Hindi ako satisfied sa name. Who the hell is Illyas… whatever her name is?”

He pursed his lips. Parang nangingiti.

“Illyasviel Figueroa.”

“Yeah. Who the hell is that?”

“Like what I’ve told you, nakilala namin siya ni Kreios no’ng enrollment day. Together with her brother.”

“Why did you say na interested sa kanya si Kreios?”

I got bothered with that. Kreios had never been interested in any woman before. That was why, even though I knew that he didn’t like me, I was contented. At least ako lang ang babaeng nakakalapit sa kanya.

“Why? Because he followed her.”

Nagulat ako sa sinabi ni Horus.

“What?”

“Kreios followed Illya nu’ng nagpaalam na sila ng kapatid niya.”

No… That can’t be true. Kreios would never do that. I knew him. He would never follow a girl he just met.

Dread filled my chest. What’s this? Why would Kreios follow that girl?

“Magkakilala na ba sila before?” I asked. Maybe that was why. Baka kilala na ni Kreios ang babaeng ’yon.

But Horus shook his head.

“I don’t think so. And Illya looked uncomfortable around him. Even with me. Probably, mahiyain siya at hindi siya sanay sa mga bagong kakilala.”

“Then why the hell would Kreios follow her?”

He shrugged. He looked too casual habang ako ay hindi na mapakali sa inuupuan ko.

“I’ve no idea. But I’m telling you, he really did seem interested in her.”

“Is she pretty?”

“Yes.” He didn’t even miss a beat.

I felt a pang inside my chest. I hated that he said that. I hated that he found that Illya girl pretty, and I don’t even know why.

Napasimangot ako sa kanya.

“Is she prettier than me?”

He looked at me. Seryoso ang mga matang tumitig siya sa akin, and I stared back at him. I wanted to see the truth in his eyes. Right now, the most important thing to me was to hear his answer.

I didn’t like the thought that he found someone prettier than me. I know that he found me beautiful. I could always see it in his eyes whenever he looked at me. Maybe that was why it was still fine by me that Kreios still didn’t like me because Horus filled in the space of the void inside my chest. He always made me feel beautiful. And I liked it. But I wanted to be the only one who he finds beautiful. Dapat ako lang ang maganda para sa kanya. Gusto ko ako lang.

Horus set his penetrating gaze at me. Hindi ko binawi ang titig ko sa kanya even though I could feel something bubbling inside my chest. I could feel some tingling sensation while looking at him. And something inside me was screaming of danger and that I have to look away from him to save myself.

But I didn’t want to back down. Ayokong ako ang unang susuko sa titigan namin. Even though my heart was starting to beat fast. I was starting to feel… scared. But I didn’t want to admit that. Ayokong isipin niyang naaapektuhan ako sa simpleng titig niya lang.

Then he moved. Inangat niya ang kamay niya, and then he reached out to me. He took some strands of my hair, caressing them between his fingers. Then he leaned down, and what he did surprised me. Dinala niya sa bibig niya ang mga hibla ng buhok ko, placing a soft kiss on the strands. I caught my breath as I felt a tickling sensation on my scalp. As if he directly placed a kiss on my head.

Hindi niya inalis ang tingin sa akin habang ginagawa iyon. As if he were watching my reaction. But I kept a straight face kahit na parang may nagwawala sa dibdib ko dahil sa ginawa niya. I wouldn’t ever let him know that he had that effect on me. I don’t know. It just felt like he would use it against me.

“You’re the most beautiful, Jolene. You know that, right?” he said with my hair still on his lips.

I couldn’t help it. I smirked at him. Nakuntento ako sa naging sagot niya, and the dread in my chest suddenly vanished.

“Of course, I know that.”

He smirked at me.

“That’s good.”

“But you said that Illya girl is pretty. I didn’t like that.”

He chuckled. The air felt as if it vibrated with his low chuckle.

“I just find her cute, that’s all. She seems scared of everything around her.”

“What is she like?” I asked. I was getting curious about this girl.

Bintiwan niya na ang buhok ko at bumagsak iyon sa balikat ko. He thought for a bit. His lips were moving as if he were chewing the insides of his lower lip. Pinanood ko ang bahagyang pagkibot ng mga labi niya dahil sa ginagawa niya. Then he looked at me, and he found me staring at him. Hindi ko man lang binawi ang tingin ko.

“Why don’t you see for yourself?”

I raised an eyebrow at him.

“What do you mean?”

He shrugged.

“Just her for yourself. So, you wouldn’t get mad if I said something about her that you didn’t like.”

“You said she’s pretty.”

Napangisi siya. Parang tuwang-tuwa.

“But you’re the most beautiful, Jolene.”

Naramdaman ko ang pag-iinit ng mga tenga ko pero hindi ako nagpaapekto. He said it while staring straight into my eyes. As if he wanted me to know that he was telling the truth.

“But you still called her pretty.”

This time, natawa na talaga siya. Napatingin pa nga ang ibang mga kaklase niya sa amin dahil sa lakas ng naging pagtawa niya.

“See? That’s why I told you to just check for yourself. Ayoko namang magalit ka sa akin.”

I scoffed. I still didn’t feel good that he called someone other than me pretty. I wanted to be the only one who he found pretty and beautiful. Maybe it was because he was Kreios’ friend. And they might’ve had the same opinion about that girl. I didn’t want Kreios to find that girl pretty as well.

“Fine. Give me her details. I’ll see her myself.”

“She’s a business major. Sa New Valentine ang building nila. Third year. I think you can find her easily.”

“Hmm.”

Napaisip ako. I already had an expectation about this girl. Horus said that she was pretty and that Kreios seemed interested in her. With that, I had this impression that she was kind of like me. Maybe she was even popular in Manila. If that was the case, then it wouldn’t take a long time for her to be popular too in this university.

Ah, I hate that. I want to be the only one popular here. I wanted to be the only one that people looked up to. Ayokong may kahati sa atensyong nakukuha ko ngayon.

Ayokong may kahati kay Kreios. Ayokong may kahati kay Horus.

“What are they doing here?”

Napalingon ako kay Horus nang sabihin niya iyon. He was frowning, kaya sinundan ko ang tingin niya. He was looking at someone outside the room. I saw Cora and Emily outside, my classmates who were always with me. When they saw me looking at them, they smiled and waved their hands at me.

I chuckled as I looked at Horus.

“You hate them?”

He pursed his lips.

“Not liking and hating people are two different things, Princess. I just don’t like them being around you. They look more like your followers than your friends.”

Mas lalo akong napangisi sa kanya.

“Who says they’re my friends?”

Horus looked at me. A perfect brow was raised at me.

“They’re not?”

I scoffed and stood up. I guess that was the cue for me to leave this place.

“Of course not. I’m just keeping them because, you know… Maids or servants are not allowed to be inside the university. I have to improvise, of course.”

Noong una ay nakatitig lang sa akin si Horus. He was still sitting on the desk, and I was already standing in front of him. But he was still taller than me. Halos magkasing-level lang ang mga paningin namin ngayon. So, I couldn’t even escape his stares. His stares were penetrating my soul.

Then he smirked. The magic that I was feeling while staring at him vanished. Right now, he looked wicked. He looked as if something, or someone, satisfied him, but he was still craving something more. There was a proud look in his eyes, but it seemed as if he still wanted to devour my whole being.

“Ah… You’re a spoiled little princess, aren’t you?”

I smiled sweetly at him. I didn’t even dare deny it. He was right. I was spoiled. Nakukuha ko naman talaga ang lahat ng gusto ko.

I tapped his cheek lightly with my palm. Hinuli ni Horus ang pulsuhan ko, then he leaned more onto my palm. His lips touched my hand, and it felt really soft, so I couldn’t help but move my hand further so he was fully kissing my palm.

“What can I say? I like getting all the things I want.”

“We’re the same then. I enjoy obtaining everything I desire.”

I didn’t know why, but it sounded like a challenge coming from him. There was even that look in his dark brown eyes, as if he was daring me to back out. But I just smirked at him bago ko binawi ang kamay ko sa kanya.

“Good for you then. I have to go.”

“Next Saturday, Jolene. Don’t forget about the practice match.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Lumabas na ako at lumapit sa dalawang mga kaklase kong naghihintay. Agad nila akong sinabayan sa paglalakad.

“Anong ginagawa mo roon? Si Horus ba ’yung kausap mo?” Cora asked as she held out her hand. Gusto yatang buhatin ang bag ko, but I just waved my hand at her.

“I just have something to ask him.”

“’Di ba si Kreios ang gusto mo? Pero parang mas close ka pa kay Horus.”

Napatingin ako kay Emily at nagtaas ng isang kilay.

“I’m getting information about Kreios from him.”

“Ah… Akala namin si Horus na ang gusto mo. So, pwedeng sa ‘min na lang siya?’

I scoffed. Hindi ko lang mapigilan. They’re so freaking funny.

“As if Horus would like any of you.”

Natahimik sila. I knew that my comment offended them, but I didn’t care. That was the truth anyway. After all, Horus told me himself that he didn’t like Cora and Emily. So, I had to kill their illusions bago pa mas lumala iyon. If I didn’t do that, I think they would ask me for a favor to introduce them to Horus lalo pa at nabanggit nila na nagiging close na kami.

No. I don’t like that. I don’t want them getting close with Horus.

“Hey… Let’s go to New Valentine Hall later.”

Napatingin sa akin ang dalawa. I could see confusion in their eyes.

“Ano namang gagawin natin doon?”

I smiled sweetly at them.

“Nothing much. I just have to check on someone.”

Chapter 4

I got tense. I told myself that I would take my time learning about that girl, so even though I still have time before our first subject, I didn’t bother to check on her first. Inisip ko rin na ipagpabukas na lang. After all, it was still the first day of school, and the girl hadn’t done anything to get on my nerves. There was only Horus’ statement that I was worried about. I was thinking that maybe he thought wrong. Maybe Kreios had something to ask from the girl; that was why he followed her. That Kreios wasn’t really interested in her.

But then, just after lunch break, I heard something. Mabilis na kumalat ang usap-usapan na ’yon sa college building namin. Marami ang nakakakilala kay Kreios. After all, he was once the basketball team captain, and not to mention that a lot of students admired him, mapababae o lalaki man. Kaya naman marami ang mga matang nakasunod sa kanya. It wouldn’t be a surprise if there were news about him, especially if he did something unusual for him.

At lunch break, they saw someone with Kreios. They saw a girl walking with him. I even heard them say that he looked comfortable talking to the girl as if they were close. Na para bang matagal nang kilala ni Kreios ang babae, and he was even following her around. It became the talk of the town, as Kreios rarely, I mean rarely, followed any girl like that.

It made me feel nervous. I couldn’t even concentrate on what the professor was saying. It was a good thing that it was just the first day of class, so the prof mostly talked about the coverage of our lesson for the whole semester. They just gave us the syllabus for the topic and references so we could study in advance.

Damn it. I want the class to be over. I wanted to look for the girl. I wanted to see her with my very own eyes. I wanted to see why Kreios was acting so different around her. I wanted to check what she had, if she really was pretty like Horus claimed her to be. Baka iyon ang dahilan kung bakit siya sinusundan-sundan ni Kreios.

Shit… Don’t tell me, Kreios already fell in love with her? But it was impossible. How? I’ve never even heard about that girl before. Horus mentioned that she was a transferee from Manila, so it was possible that Kreios had just met her on the enrollment day.

Ibig bang sabihin… Kreios fell in love with her at first sight?

No. I wouldn’t accept that. I’ve been in love with Kreios for four years now, following him around and even pushing away those girls that liked him. Hindi ako papayag na isang transferee lang ang makakatalo sa akin at makakuha kay Kreios!

Damn it! All those efforts for trying to make Kreios fall in love with me. All those years, masasayang ang lahat ng iyon nang dahil lang sa isang babaeng galing Manila!

I needed to see her. I needed to know what she has to make Kreios interested in her. I needed to know what she has that I don’t have!

She just transferred here, and yet… And yet aagawin niya kung anong meron ako! Hindi ko siya hahayaang maagaw sa akin si Kreios!

So, I went to the New Valentine Hall after the class was over. Nagmamadali akong pumunta roon dahil uwian na at gusto kong maabutan ang babaeng iyon. Ni hindi ko na nahintay sina Cora at Emily even though they were calling after me. Kailangan ko pa kasing ipagtanong-tanong kung sino ang Illya na ’yon, as I didn’t even know how she looked.

I got into the New Valentine Hall, and hindi naman ako nahirapang hanapin kung saan ang room ng girl na ’yon. It seemed as if a lot of students already knew about her. Maybe it was because she was a new face, or maybe… it was because of what happened earlier at lunch break. She was with Kreios; alam kong naging usap-usapin na ’yon ng students kaya marami na ang nakakakilala sa kanya.

I cursed when I saw that a lot of students were already out of their room. I asked someone who Illya was, and they pointed me to a certain girl. Nahawi ang mga estudyante sa dinaraan ko, giving me a way to get to the girl who seemed surprised by what was happening around her. As if she had never seen the students make way for someone.

I frowned as I walked toward her. I even thought na nagkamali ng tinuro ang napagtanungan ko. But she seemed so sure when she pointed me to where Illya was. Tumigil ako sa harapan niya at nakitaang titig na titig siya sa akin. I even saw admiration in her eyes as she eyed me from head to toe. I wanted to raise an eyebrow at her for what she was doing.

What’s this? Is she checking me out? As if she was checking her enemy out to know how she could defeat them. To know how she could defeat me.

I stared at Illya. I wanted to frown. There was nothing special about her. She looked… so plain. She was wearing glasses, and dahil sa kapal ang grado noon, it was making her eyes look bigger. And even the way she dressed was too… normal.

Is this really Illya? But Horus said she’s pretty. There was nothing pretty about her. I could tell that she didn’t even make any effort about her appearance. Parang kung ano na lang ang makuha sa loob ng cabinet niya at iyon na lang ang isinuot niya.

Why the heck would Horus call someone like this pretty? How the heck did she make Kreios interested in her?

I need to know. I need to know more about her.

“Hi! I’m Jolene.” I even offered her my hand for a handshake.

She was just staring at me, as if she didn’t hear what I just said. Na para bang hindi niya ako pinapansin. I could tell that a lot of students were staring at us, probably wondering what was happening. Maybe they got even more curious about Illya now that even the most popular girl in the university, which was me, was talking to her after she had been with Kreios earlier at lunch.

“Huh?” She looked confused, and my brows almost knit together. What the hell is wrong with her?

“I’m Jolene.” Iginalaw ko pa ang kamay kong nangangalay na sa pagkakalahad. Mabilis niyang tinanggap iyon na parang natataranta.

“I-I’m Illya…”

“What?” I didn’t hear what she said. Her voice was so soft, and it got drowned out by the noise around us.

“I’m Illya.” I frowned. Couldn’t she say it louder? Ganoon ba talaga kahina ang boses niya? “Illya.”

Hmm… So she’s really Illya. I almost got mistaken as she looked so plain. There was nothing interesting about her!

Sinabayan ko siya sa paglalakad and tried to strike a conversation with her even though I was getting frustrated as I couldn’t hear what she was saying. I could only read her lips with her short answers. Parang ilang na ilang siyang makipag-usap sa akin, and I was starting to hate this girl.

What the hell… Nakakapagod makipag-usap sa kanya.

“Gusto ko lang makipagkilala. With the hope that it’ll start a friendship between the two of us?”

No. I didn’t want to be her friend. There was no way that friendship would work between the two of us. Masyadong mahina ang boses niya, and I could tell by now that it would be really frustrating and tiring to talk with her. I don’t think that we would ever have a normal conversation. With my patience that was as thin as a strand of hair, ayokong ipaulit-ulit ang mga sinasabi niya dahil hindi ko iyon naririnig.

But… I needed to check on her. Maybe this was just a ruse. Maybe she was pretending to be innocent, but she was actually a vixen. Maybe that was her way to look interesting to lure Kreios with her innocent act.

She was acting shy and uncomfortable around me, but I couldn’t tell if it was genuine. Baka naman kinakabahan na siya as she knew that I would expose her one day. That I wasn’t someone who she could fool with her acting.

“Ate.”

Napatingin ako sa lalaking nagsalita. At a glance, I could already tell that it was her brother. Right. Horus also mentioned that she has a brother.

He looked on guard while he was looking at me even though I was smiling at him. I hated it. I hated the look in his eyes as if I was doing something wrong with his sister.

The hell? Hindi ko inaaway ang ate niya! How dare he look at me in that way?

“Ate, uwi na tayo,” he said, and I gritted my teeth. He was acting as if I wasn’t there.

“A, sige.” Illya looked at me. “Una na kami.”

I maintained the smile on my lips.

“Alright! See you tomorrow!”

I dropped my smile after they left. I didn’t like the feeling. It was obvious that Illya couldn’t even be compared to me, and I felt so ridiculous asking Horus who was prettier between us. I felt so ridiculous feeling threatened by someone like her.

But still, there was that unexplainable feeling inside my chest. Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggagaling ’yon. I have everything, and I could get what I wanted so easily. But… it felt as if everything would be taken away from me after I met that Illya girl.

No. That’s ridiculous. There was no way that she could take anything away from me. There was no way that she could take Kreios away from me. With a face like that? It would be impossible.

I took out my phone and dialed Horus’ number. He answered after three rings.

“Hello, Princess.”

I pursed my lips. It was his fault. He made it sound as if Illya could do something against me.

“I met her.”

“Her?” He sounded confused. Even though he knew what I was talking about.

“Illya.”

“Oh…” He chuckled. “And?”

“She’s not even pretty.”

Narinig ko ang tawa niya. I didn’t know why I felt goosebumps all over me with his laugh. Now that I was talking to him over the phone, it felt as if he was whispering to me.

“Really? Then why are you calling me now?”

“Because I hate that you said she’s pretty! Hindi naman totoo! You lied!”

“Hmm. Is that so? But why am I hearing something in your voice?”

I ground my teeth. He knew. He knew that I still felt tense. He knew that I was keeping up an act right now.

“I fucking hate you, Horus.”

He chuckled with his low, deep voice, and I shivered. I hated how it seemed as if everything was fine. He wasn’t taking me seriously.

“Say, why don’t we meet tomorrow? I’ll be at Xylo. You can tell me everything then, Princess.”

I contemplated for a bit. I didn’t want to meet him. I won’t be in the mood to party soon. I wasn’t in the mood to be around people. Alam kong maraming makakakilala sa akin kapag nagpunta ako roon, and I didn’t want to talk to any of them. I knew that they would just try to suck up to me.

“We’ll have the VIP lounge all to ourselves,” sabi ni Horus na parang alam ang iniisip ko.

I took a deep breath. Still, I wanted someone to talk to. I wanted to reprimand him for a lie that he told me. It was his fault that I was feeling this way.

“Will Kreios be there too?”

“Unfortunately for you, may ibang kailangan asikasuhin ngayon si Kreios, so no, Princess. It will only be the two of us.”

“Why can’t we just meet tonight?”

“My, Princess. Mukhang sabik naa sabik ka yatang makita ako?” Rinig ko ang pang-aasar sa boses niya, and I stopped myself from throwing away my phone.

“So, hindi pwede?”

“Unfortunately, I have some matters to attend to tonight. But I’ll be all yours tomorrow, Jolene.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Fine. Just make sure that there won’t be anyone to bother me.”

I swear I could hear him smirking from the other line.

“As you wish, Princess.”

Chapter 5

I tried to get close with Illya. I even invited her to have lunch with me, pero ang sabi niya ay hindi niya pa alam ang schedule niya, so she wasn’t sure what time her lunch break would be. I was thinking that she was just making an excuse, as she really didn’t want to have lunch with me. I mean… it’s lunch break. Anong oras ba ang lunchbreak? It’s twelve noon, right? Even profs were having lunch break at that time.

But I gave her the benefit of the doubt. She was new in the university. Maybe she just didn’t know about that. Baka ang iniisip niya ay magkakaiba ng lunch break ang mga students dito. And I could see her point. Sometimes nga naman, maagang mag-lunch ang ibang mga estudyante, or maybe she had a vacant period before lunchtime, so she would have her lunch early and didn’t want to wait for me.

Alright… Nagsisimula pa lang naman ang klase. I have enough time to get close to her.

After class, I decided to go home first so I would have time to rest before going to Xylo. Horus and I were going to meet up there, and he already chatted me, confirming about it. I asked him again if the VIP lounge would be ours, and he assured me that he wouldn’t be meeting anyone else other than me.

But I doubt that. I knew that there would be people who would recognize him there. I knew that he was friendly. He has a lot of friends even outside the university. And I knew that he frequently visited Xylo during his free time, kaya alam kong marami na ring siyang kakilala sa club na ’yon. I bet a lot of them would try to talk to him and would even invite him to drink with them.

Well… I was no different from him, though. Favorite club ko ang Xylo, and I usually go there when I want to party, so I know some of the people who frequently go there too. Ang kaibahan lang namin ni Horus, I usually didn’t entertain most of them, especially those guys who obviously wanted to get under my skirt. While Horus often talked to the people who were greeting him as if it would be a sin if he ignored them. That was why he had the reputation in the university that he was the friendly team captain of the basketball team.

Siguraduhin niya lang talaga na walang iistorbo sa amin mamaya when I rant to him about Illya. I was in no mood to socialize. I have a lot of problems now. Problems that only came up after Illya showed up at the university.

I was still on my bed, scrolling through my Instagram feed. I didn’t even bother checking my notifications. Araw-araw nadadagdagan ang mga followers ko at mas dumarami ang mga comment sa bawat post ko. A lot were from men, praising me, although I knew that they were just after my body. I know a lot of my followers wanted to bed me. Kung minsan, natatawa na lang ako at mas sinasadya pang maging provocative ang bawat photos na pino-post ko. And those men would swarm like flies, showering me with their compliments that were too good for my ego.

At ten in the evening, I started to get dressed. I wore a black dress with a spaghetti strap with a tube top and a cut that started from below my breast and stopped at my hips, making it seem as if I was wearing two-piece clothes, a tube top and a skirt. But the top was connected with a thin string forming an X in front of my exposed tummy, and the skirt has a high slit on my left thigh. It looked daring but elegant, exposing much of my skin, as my back was also showing. I just wore my hair down and put on ankle boots to finish my look.

I let our family driver drive me to the club. It was almost eleven in the evening when I arrived at Xylo, and the music was already blaring from the speakers. Marami na ring tao as the peak hours already started, and some already recognized me. They were surprised to see me there.

“You didn’t tell us you’ll be coming tonight!” said one of the girls I recognized na madalas sa club na ’to. I smiled at her and inilapit ko ang bibig ko sa tenga niya so she could hear.

“I’m meeting someone.”

May pang-aasar sa mga mata niya nang tingnan ako.

“Ooh… Does the great Jolen Adriana dela Torre finally have a boyfriend?”

I just smiled at her. I didn’t bother correcting her words.

“So, I’ll take it that you won’t be joining us tonight?”

I shook my head.

“Next time. I promise.”

Pinakawalan na niya ako pagkatapos noon. I walked my way to the upper floor to where the VIP lounge is at. I was aware of the lingering looks that the people were giving me. Alam kong sinusundan din nila ako ng tingin kahit na nakalagpas na ako sa kanila. I even saw someone try to approach me, but I didn’t give him the satisfaction as I quickly looked away from him.

Binuksan ko ang pangatlong kwarto, and I saw Horus was already sitting on the couch inside with alcoholic drinks in front of him. He was holding his phone when he looked up at me as I entered the room just in time when I heard my phone ding from a text message that I received. I bet that it was from him.

I saw him eye me with his intense gaze. There was a wolfish look in his eyes as he drank in my appearance, and I almost squirmed under his scrutinizing gaze. He was so… so much. The room was wide, but it felt so small with his presence that I found it hard to breathe.

Pero hindi ko ipinahalatang naaapektuhan ako sa presensya niya. I sat down at the opposite side of him. Ibinaba ko ang purse sa tabi ko. I crossed my legs as I looked at him. Nakita ko pang nagtagal ang tingin niya sa mga hita kong naka-expose na ngayon dahil sa high slit na meron ang damit ko.

“Ang akala ko mamaya ka pa.” He motioned to the drinks in front of me. “Kaka-serve lang niyan.”

I eyed the lady’s drink that was in front of me. It was a cosmo, my go-to drink whenever I go to the bar. I have no idea how Horus knew that it was my favorite drink, but it seemed as if he knew a lot about me from years of being with him, from years of him helping me when it comes to Kreios.

I took the drink and sipped it. The music that was blaring outside was now muffled now that we were inside. Mas makakapag-usap kami nang maayos. Mas mailalabas ko sa kanya ang mga rant ko.

“I was surprised that you’re not downstairs. I’m sure that you know a lot of people here tonight, especially girls who will willingly jump onto your lap.”

He chuckled. The air seemed to vibrate with the low sound that he made. It sounded even louder than the music outside, filling my ears. Na para bang wala akong takas sa bawat kilos at tunog na ginagawa niya.

“This is our night, Princess. I wouldn’t let anyone come between us.”

I scoffed. I took a sip of my drink again.

“Don’t call me that.”

“But you’re my spoiled little princess.”

“Because you’re spoiling me with information about Kreios?”

“Not only that, Jolene. I’m willing to spoil you with a lot more.”

I raised an eyebrow at him.

“Even if it’s not something about Kreios?”

He lifted his shoulders.

“If you will be willing to pay the right price.”

Napasimangot ako sa kanya.

“You’re going to ask for something in return?”

“Of course, Princess. Wala nang libre sa panahon ngayon.”

Hmm… He was just like them. Isang taong nanghihingi ng kapalit.

But then, I get his point. He was doing something for me. And with the likes of him, he wasn’t someone who would be willing to do something if he wouldn’t benefit from it.

I always see Horus as someone… devious. He was sly. He would do anything to get what he wanted. Just like me, he wanted to get what he liked. He was that kind of person that if his mind was set on it, he would do it. If he likes something, then he would stop at nothing until he gets it.

That was why I was on guard with him around. I don’t know. It just felt as if he was scheming something. At kapag tumitingin siya sa akin, there was a glint in his dark eyes as if he was formulating a plan inside his head, and I have no idea what it was about.

But something is brewing, and I always sense danger around him. He made me feel scared in a different kind of way. Kahit na palagi siyang nakangiti, offering me his friendly smile, there was a part of me that was screaming to run away from him.

Suddenly, it felt as if it was a wrong move from me to be alone with him inside this room. Parang bigla ay gusto ko na lang siyang yayain na bumaba kami. Where there would be a lot of people around us. There would be a lot to witness if ever he was planning to do something to me.

I took a deep breath. What a ridiculous thought. This was Horus. I’ve known him the same time I met Kreios. If he wanted to do something to me, matagal na niya sanang ginawa. Besides, I don’t think he would help me with Kreios if he was even a bit interested in me.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong nainis sa ideyang hindi man lang interesado sa akin si Horus. He looked at me as if I was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid his eyes on. There were times when I felt as if he wanted to devour my whole being, to take me all for himself. So, a part of me believed that he also liked me.

But he’s helping me with Kreios…

I took a deep breath and decided to drink. Nonsense. Why am I wasting my time thinking about him when he was in front of me?

“I’m mad at you,” sabi ko na ibinaba ang inumin sa lamesa.

He raised a perfect brow at me.

“Oh? You do now?”

“Yes. You told me that Illya girl is pretty.”

His lips twitched.

“And?”

I glared at him.

“Well, I saw her, and she’s not! She looks so plain! And what’s with her eyeglasses? Masyadong makapal ang grado, and it’s making her eyes look big! She should wear contacts.”

Napangisi si Horus.

“I don’t get you. Do you hate her or not? It seems as if you want to give her advice to look better.”

“I just hate how you called her pretty when it was obvious that she’s not making any effort to make herself look better.”

“Are you threatened?”

I glared at him. Nakangisi siya. As if he was daring me to lie when he already knew the truth.

“Of course not! I know that I’m beautiful. I can get everything I want. Even Kreios.”

Napangisi si Horus.

“You can even get the whole world if you want to.”

I smirked at him.

“I know, right? So, why would I feel threatened over someone like her?”

He chuckled. Tumayo siya at umupo sa tabi ko, and his scent quickly attacked my nose. He was so near me, and his thigh was already touching mine. I didn’t make any move to scoot away from him. Ako ang naunang umupo rito.

He leaned his back on the sofa and put his arm on the headrest. I was aware that it seemed as if his arm was around my shoulders, but I just let him be and sipped on my drink. I saw him gulp down his own drink, and I watched as his Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed the liquid. It looked so fascinating that I found myself staring at him even though he looked at me.

We were so close together, and I was aware of the warmth that was emanating from his body. The air felt hotter so suddenly. I saw him staring at me; his eyes were roaming around my face as if he wanted to memorize every part and contour of my face. Ilang sandaling nagtagal ang mga tingin niya sa mga labi ko before his gaze found my eyes again. I saw how the side of his lips rose for a smirk.

“Pero pa’no kung magustuhan nga siya ni Kreios? What are you going to do then?”

I licked my lips, and I saw his gaze follow the movement of my tongue. For a moment, there was something feral in his eyes, and I shivered. As if he was just trying to stop himself with all he had not to pounce on me.

“That won’t ever happen,” matigas kong sabi.

“Pero pa’no nga? We don’t know what Kreios is thinking.”

I looked at him. May ilang sandali akong hindi nakapagsalita. I was trying to imagine the scenario that he gave me. Kreios and Illya… Together. That didn’t seem right. They were the opposite of each other. Napakamahiyain ni Illya. Ang hina pang magsalita. While Kreios was oozing with confidence. He wasn’t even holding back with what he wanted to say. Even if the receiver would get hurt by his words.

“Well… if that happens, I’ll just have to do anything so Kreios will lose interest in her. And…” Tinitigan ko si Horus. “You’d help me with it, right?”

He smirked. It was that kind of smirk that always scares me.

He leaned down and put his cheek on my shoulder. His soft cheek brushed against the skin of my exposed shoulder blade. I could even feel his warm and fresh breath fanning the side of my neck, which tickled me.

“Of course, Princess… We’re in this together.”

He placed a soft kiss on my shoulder after he said that, and I shivered. It was as if he was sealing his words with that kiss on my skin. As if it was an oath. It was a promise between the two of us.

And I didn’t know why, but it felt ominous. As if I just did something that I would eventually regret.

And there was no way for me to undo it because the devil had already sealed his vow.

Chapter 6

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Chapter 7

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 8

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 9

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 10

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

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Chapter 11

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Chapter 12

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Chapter 13

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Chapter 14

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Chapter 15

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Chapter 16

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Chapter 17

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 18

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 19

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 20

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 21

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 22

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 23

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 24

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 25

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 26

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 27

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 28

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 29

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 30

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 31

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 32

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 33

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 34

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 35

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 36

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 37

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 38

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 39

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Chapter 40

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.

Epilogue

This story is part of the Paid Stories program, a selection of exclusive stories that help support Wattpad writers. Click here to continue reading on the Wattpad app.

Esta historia pertenece al programa de Historias Pagadas, una selección exclusiva de historias con las que apoyas a escritores de Wattpad. Da click aquí para seguir leyendo en la aplicación.