"It was Dad. He hired men."
"Your dad?" Gabriela rolled and sat next to him.
"But why?" She sounded hurt.
"I...because I wasn't at the office and went on a vacation with you guys."
"Really? Is that a reason to whip you like an animal? That's so horrible!"
"You're an adult and you deserve to live your own life. My dad doesn't treat me that way. Although sometimes I get sad because he doesn't value Daniela as much as he does to me, he can't never whip a child this way! He should be arrested for this action!"
"It's not the first time he does it. He did it when I was 12. And 16."
"Wicked act! That's shit! He's fucking evil! I hate him! He treated me with so much hospitality, I thought he was as nice. You said he called you a mistake and that you killed your mom, but it's not your fault and he has no right to treat you like trash!" Gabriela yelled.
"You're right."
"But why aren't you gonna open a case about this? Is it because he's rich and he can take care of you?"
"I just have to be patient till we graduate college and I start managing the company. I'll stand alone then."
Gabriela sighed.
"You'll be fine, Miguel. I'll support you." She smiled cutely and nudged him, putting a arm around his neck.
"I know exactly what to do."
"Where's your restroom?"
"Over there." Gabriela gestured kindly. He got up and left.
~~~~~
Miguel stood in front of the mirror, his eyes lost in the reflection staring back at him. The warm bath had washed away the fatigue, but not the sadness lingering in his eyes. He wrapped a towel tighter around his waist, water dripping from his hair onto the floor. The silence was broken by the sound of his friends' laughter echoing from downstairs, a reminder they were back from their outing.
He turned away from the mirror, reaching for a shirt and baggy pants in his closet. As he changed, the sound of footsteps grew louder, followed by Michelle bursting into the room. Startled, Miguel let out a loud "Learn to knock!" Michelle chuckled, apologizing as she explained dinner was ready. She darted out as quickly as she entered.
Just as Miguel was about to follow, his phone rang. The caller ID flashed his dad's name, and Miguel's expression darkened, a spark of hate and anger igniting within him. He answered, his tone guarded.
"Hello?" Miguel said.
"Hey, Miguel, it's Dad. Listen, I've got some news. Flores Corp wants us to work together on a project for an upcoming seminar," Mr. Jackson spoke.
Miguel's attention piqued, he listened intently as his dad continued, "Your project partner is Gabriela. I accepted the offer. Working with her could make a big impact in our business."
A hint of a smile played on Miguel's lips at the prospect of working with Gabriela. "Yeah, I'm ready."
"Great, we'll get to it then," Mr. Jackson replied.
"By the way, I'm so -" Mr. Jackson wanted to spew an apology but his voice hung in the air and the line went dead.
Miguel's dad twisted his face in anger, muttering to himself, "Hazel, why did you leave me with this disappointment?"
Carissa clutched her stack of books tightly as she hurried to the lecture room, lost in thought. In a moment of distraction, she collided with a guy, and her books tumbled to the floor. They chorused apologies as he bent to help her gather the scattered books. As their heads bumped, Carissa's gaze met his, and a rush of emotions flooded back.
It was Easton, her high school crush. They'd grown up in the same neighborhood, but life had taken different paths. Carissa had confessed her feelings, only to be crushed when he revealed his affection for Marissa, her sister. His departure to France had left her heartbroken and sad.
Now, Easton's presence sent her heart racing. Anger and sadness resurfaced, mingling with the lingering emotions. Easton's intense stare mirrored hers, their brief gaze fraught with unspoken words.
He was back.
Cuter than ever.
The awkward atmosphere hung between them as Carissa finished gathering her books and stood up, intent on leaving. But Easton grasped her arm, pulling her back. Their encounter was far from over.
"Let go!" She rasped. Easton had a triumphant smirk on his face.
"Hi." He greeted and she freed herself from his grip.
"Hi." She wanted to leave but he blocked the way.
"Aren't you gonna ask why I'm here?"
"I'm less concerned about that."
"You shouldn't be. I left without notifying you. We used to be good friends. You should be happy to see me." He grinned.
"But Marissa used to be the one you liked, now she's no more. Can we please go our separate ways and pretend we don't know each other?"
"How long can you pretend not to know me? How long can you pretend not to have feelings for me?" Easton questioned.
"Easton, I really need to get to class. I'm running late." He wanted to block her path again but she pushed him and walked away. He staggered back.
"Carissa!" He called but she feigned ignorance.
"What is he doing here?" The thought ran in her head.
~~~~
Carissa was passing by the science lab when she felt pulled in by someone.
"Easton! What the heck!" She yelled.
"Why are you lurking in the shadows?"
"Lurking? I don't understand. You're the one creeping around me."
"I'm not creeping. I'm only asking for friendship."
"Friendship? What friendship ties should I make with the guy crushing on my late sister? I don't want anything that'll take me back to the sorrow I felt when I lost her, not someone like you!" She shouted.
"Why's your voice so loud? What if a student comes in?"
"What are you even doing here?" She lowered her voice.
"I'm an instructor here. For the science department."
"Good thing," She shrugged.
"Can I leave? I'm suffocating." Carissa rolled her eyes and left.
She was trying to maintain her badass aura but she could swear she couldn't stare into those beautiful brown eyes she fell in love with.
She wanted him to vanish.
Easton in her life would bring back the vulnerability she killed when Marissa died and she decided to find the murderer and those who made Marissa's life hell in The White's High School.
"Hey Carissa, what were you up to in the science laboratory?" Diana asked, curious.
"Nothing, just exploring, that's all."
"Are you sure you're okay? You looked tensed."
"Tensed? Of course not. I'm alright."
~~~~~
The rain poured down like cats and dogs, drenching Isabella as she waited by the roadside. Her driver was nowhere to be seen. She couldn't reach Gabriela, Diana, or Carissa due to network failure, and she was starting to get worried. The library had been her haven, but now it felt like a prison, trapping her with no escape. She decided to walk home, braving the storm.
As night fell, the street lamps cast eerie shadows on the wet pavement. Isabella shivered, her clothes clinging to her skin. Suddenly, a sleek black car pulled up beside her, and Rafael stepped out. His messy hair framed his adorable features, and his pretty eyes sparkled with amusement. A boyish smile played on his pink lips as he commanded, "Get in the car, Isabella."
Isabella twisted her face in a frown, refusing his offer. Rafael shouted, "You're soaked! You'll catch a cold!" But she stood firm, her arms crossed.
Undeterred, Rafael strode around the car, lifted her in bridal style, and deposited her in the front seat. Isabella gasped, kicking and screaming, but he just slammed the door and jumped into the driver's seat. "You are so stubborn," he chuckled, igniting the engine.
Isabella glared at him, her eyes flashing. "Let me out!" she demanded. He laughed and sped off.
The front windows were closed tight.
She sneezed.
He tried to control his laughter but he couldn't.
"Why did you force me into your car? You just abducted me!"
"Woah, woah, woah. Don't accuse me of such. I was only helping. Do you know if I just saved you from a kidnap?"
"Kidnap? Hideous. Who would kidnap me?"
"Sandra."
"Sandra? How could she do something like that?"
"Because she's hopelessly in love with me and I feel the opposite."
"Of course. You've never been in love with any girl. You break their hearts - every single one. You make them cry. You hurt them."
"Just say I hurt you." He blurted out and she smiled faintly.
"Your body language, the way you've been avoiding my texts, you've been ignoring me totally. It says it all."
"I hate playboys. They befriend girls just to get what's under skirts. They start friendly and later result to flirting. The issue is I like you and you're making me look stupid for it. It's wrong." Isabella's voice suited the confession that made Rafael's heart race.
"I didn't like you. I wanted to have you, just like the rest. But you're the first girl that gets shy whenever I tease. And I found it extremely cute," his lips formed that mischievous smile he always had, his eyes fixed on the road.
"I noticed you tried to stay comfortable with the things I said but you couldn't hide that soft part of yours that melted whenever I stare or talk to you."
Isabella gulped.
"My attention was fixed on you, that's why I haven't touched any other girl since I set my eyes on you. You were my target. Then...and even now. But currently, I can feel it deep down, that things aren't the same anymore."
"What do you mean?" She finally spoke.
"What does it mean when I actually know what to say but it feels hard to convey my message?" He asked casually.
"When you find the words, you can tell me. I'm around to listen! You can text."
"Text? Woah. Aren't you angry anymore?"
"Yeah. We're cool now. I'm not the type that holds grudges." Isabella smiled. The car parked.
She was startled.
"You're home." She saw the lights of the apartment still on and grinned.
Movie night was just getting started.
Without her. Argh!
"Thanks, Rafael."
"It's still raining. I'll watch you go in."
"No way, fella. You're not my boyfriend."
"But I will be, in the next three days."
Isabella laughed.
"You're the most insane guy I've ever met. I can't date a playboy."
"I'm not a playboy anymore!" They alighted from the car and Rafael took out an umbrella from the car seat.
"Use this."
"It's just a few steps to the door, silly."
"A few steps? This is like one meter. You'll catch a cold."
"You keep screaming cold like I've been protected by the hosts of hell or something. I'm still standing in the rain with you." Isabella yelled dramatically and he giggled, his eyes not leaving her as she held the umbrella up.
She was struck with bewilderment when Rafael's hand found her waist and pulled her close.
Her eyes widened and her heart hammered in her chest. His eyes travelled down and Isabella was so embarrassed that he could see her heaving.
His lips touched hers in the most graceful way and Isabella's eyes fluttered closed.
Her heart raced savoring a quite unfamiliar but delicious taste.
Isabella pulled him closer and their bodies colided. Isabella didnt feel the rain, all she knew that he was kissing her and the wonder of his taste overwhelmed her.
Rafael wanted to break the kiss but she deepened it.
She completely forgot about Gabriela's warnings, her mom and dad's constant advice to let a guy in only when he truly loves her.
Now she didn't even care if Rafael was a playboy or not.
She didn't care if he wanted to break her heart.
If it was just once, she wanted to enjoy it while it lasted.
Their drenched state made them look stuck, as their clothes clung to their bodies. It was the first time Rafael was kissing a girl softly, sweetly and passionately. It felt good to be kissing for love - right?
The rain intensified but all he could hear was her muffled moans.
Before Isabella could speak, he was already in the car, speeding off with a screech.
Isabella touched her lips, smiled and wet it with her tongue.
She chuckled.
Something magical just happened.
Something she'd never forget. She didnt know how long the kiss lasted because she felt everything shut down around her.
The door burst open and reality washed over her.
"Isabella! Why are you standing in the rain? The umbrella should be protecting you from the rain, not on the ground." Diana shouted.
It hit her that she hadn't returned the umbrella.
She licked her lips again.
He tasted like fine raspberry wine.
She took the umbrella and walked in.
"Isabella! What took you so long?" Gabriela exclaimed, her eyes still fixed on the TV.
"Like you care! I've been trying so hard to reach you! Well, it wasn't your fault. It was my driver!"
"Your dad called us saying he had to get to something important. Your dad couldn't reach you." Gabriela continued.
"We heard a car. Who was it?" Diana said and Isabella's heart jumped. She finally sat after snapping out of her trance.
She didn't even hear what Gabriela said.
"The car? It was...it was...it was a kind old professor. The old Chemistry professor with the Bentley. He was kind enough."
"The kind old professor gave you this umbrella?" Isabella nodded.
"So nice of him. He must have a daughter your age."
"Yeah." Isabella faked a grin.
"But I saw the Chemistry professor going home with his Bentley during the closing hour." Diana added.
"He didn't go home!" Isabella half yelled.
"He went to see his wife. That's where...that's where I saw him."
"Oh. I heard his wife manages the nearby farmer's market."
"Yeah."
"Can you both stop talking? Let's watch this movie in silence." Gabriela ordered in a relaxed tone.
Isabella went to the kitchen to grab a snack, relieved that they didn't see her.
"Isabella's such a bad liar." Gabriela whispered and Diana chuckled silently.
"How could she think we could fall for that?"
"She totally thinks she's smart."
"Can't believe they kissed."
"OMG Gabriela, butterflies were running in my tummy, I felt so excited for her. Can't wait to ask how he tasted."
"Don't ask her yet, okay? A kiss in the rain. Sounds...magical!" They squealed with their whispers.
"What are you girls talking about?" Isabella returned.
"The movie." They chorused.
~~~~~
When Isabella settled in to sleep, the smile on her lips was unwavering.
Diana was fast asleep and she plopped beside her, lying down and took her phone.
Her face fell when she saw that Rafael didn't send a text.
[Are you home yet?]
In seconds, his text message flew in on her screen.
[Hey, I'm home and naked. Wanna see?] Isabella's cheeks flushed in embarrassment, a bright shade of pink.
[Yeah] Her fingers knotted when she hit send. She bit her lower lip and smiled, feeling daring.
[Wait a minute, I'll take a picture]
Isabella's eyes widened at the text.
"Is this guy insane?"
[Don't you dare. I cant afford to see that]
Rafael sent a tongue-out sticker.
[I know you can't stand it. But someday, you'll have no choice than to have me hard in your mouth]
"Rafael!" Isabella nearly exclaimed at the sight of the text.
She shook her head and tossed her phone.
"Is he really good for me?" She thought.