“So? What happened to your face, Lei?” asked Phylian Lu, who was comfortably resting his arms on top of Phyllis’ head.
From the moment that Leila woke up, she’s been in a bad mood. She doesn’t know how to take in what her father just arranged for her.
‘Marriage?! I’m still too young for that!’
‘Does mom know about this? When is she coming back from Paris? I need to see her…’
Her frown deepened as she thought about what happened.
Just then, Phyllis yanked her twin’s arms away from her head. “Get off, asshole!”
“Hey, I’m your older brother, watch your words!”
“Oh, yeah? Older by a minute?”
Phylian snorted. “I’m telling Mom!”
“Go tell mom, you suck up!” Phyllis fearlessly argued back.
Phylian couldn’t help but pinch his sister's nose in annoyance. “Isn’t that you? You even suck up to Grandma and Auntie!”
Phyllis did not back down and delivered a flick on his arm. “They favor me because I’m pretty and you look like shit.”
“We’re twins! We look alike!”
Listening to the twins argue was an everyday scenario inside their classroom. Who would’ve thought that the top students of their year were childishly arguing loudly? Their classmates were not even fazed by it anymore. They just carry on with their day, without butting in the sibling's argument.
However, there’s one person who dares to butt in…
“Why don’t you transfer sections, Phylian?” asked Leila, who was massaging her temples.
“My head’s aching with your loud voices. I’ve been enduring this my whole life. Can you please spare me a day or the entirety of this school year?!”
The twins froze.
Phylian’s nose wrinkled. “Why me? Why not Lis?”
Leila looked at him as if he were asking a dumb question. “She’s my best friend. Of course, she stays with me!”
Phyllis smiled smugly. “Well… I guess you’ll move to another section now~”
Phylian pouted with his head hanging low. “Okay…”
He walked towards his desk to pick up his bag.
“I’ll tell the teacher to transfer me…” he dejectedly said.
Watching her twin leave in a sour mood, Phyllis felt a sting in her chest which made her go after her brother. “Lian! Come back, hey! We’re just joking!”
Now that the twins are out, finally, there’s silence…
A classmate raised a thumbs up on Leila. “You’re a genius, Leila! It works every time!”
The whole classroom erupted in laughter. No matter how loud the twins got, they still found them amusing.
The reason why the twins are both loved in the school is not because they were intelligent kids, but because they were kind. Studying in a competitive high school puts pressure on students who are having a hard time keeping up with the normal study pace. But the twins were kind enough to guide and help them by lending their notes. So no matter how insufferable and childish they can get, they still like them.
In their mind, all they can think about is, ‘They're an eccentric pair of geniuses.’
The students then turned to their savior-slash-goddess, Leila, who was looking a bit upset. Usually, once the twins quiet down, Leila is back to her usual cheerful self.
But something is different with her today…
“Leila, the president of the Student Council is looking for you,” said the class monitor.
Confused, she asked, “Did they tell you why?”
“No… He’s just looking for you…”
Leila sighed. She reluctantly got up and walked towards the Student Council office located in a separate building dedicated to extracurricular activities. It was a student-centered place that was regulated and maintained by the school’s student council.
‘Why am I being called at a place like this? Did I do something wrong?’
“Am I in trouble?” she murmured before she knocked on the door.
Knock
Knock
Knock
The office was quite spacious with three tables for the main officers and a couch. Posters were hanging on the wall and the books were neatly arranged on the shelf.
She then saw the boy she met yesterday, partially hidden behind the piles of folders in front.
The boy that her father arranged for her to marry…
‘Julius…’
“Leila,” he said as he rose from his seat. He guided Leila to sit on the couch before giving her the boxed chocolate drink he prepared.
“Do you like chocolate drinks or should I get you a different one?”
Leila forced a smile. “No, I like chocolates. Thank you.”
Julius sat next to her.
And like a gentleman, he asked, “Do you want me to open it?”
Leila, still wary of Julius, took a second to respond.
‘His kindness seems natural and genuine. Maybe because he’s the student council president. Or maybe… He’s just kind.’
She handed the drink to him. “Thanks.”
Leila briefly saw the slight changes on his indifferent face.
‘He smiled!’
This was the first time that she saw him smile ever since she met him yesterday. A part of the reason why she feels upset is because this prospective marriage partner is like an unfeeling robot. But she was quite elated to see him like this.
He handed the drink with a straw inserted in it. “Tell me what snacks you like in the future so I can prepare it for you.”
Here he goes again with his considerate gestures. She was, of course, touched. She never experienced this kind of approach from other boys. Her childhood friends were all rough and loud. Phylian, Zacharias, and Eli never treated her like this. What they’d probably do is drink the chocolate drink instead of giving it to her.
So this…
This is new to her…
“I will… T—Thank you…”
“No problem. As long as it’s you, Leila.”
“Ah…”
“Why did you say that?” she asked. She couldn’t seem to understand his words or where he was coming from. It’s not like they’re close.
“Well…”
Julius fixed his glasses as he looked at her straight in the eye. There’s still no expression on his face. His straight and thick brows looked fierce behind his silver rectangle glasses.
In all seriousness, he muttered, “That’s because you’re my fiancé.”
Leila’s eyes widened.
‘Yesterday, he said that we’ll figure things out. But why is he saying that I’m his fiancé?! He did not even propose to me!!’
She instinctively moved away from him.
“What are you saying? I did not agree to this marriage arrangement! Who arranges marriage in this day and age?!”
She couldn’t contain her anger. Her emotions burst out in the open. She’s frustrated at her father. And this boy just added to her frustrations.
“Leila, why don’t we give it a try?”
“Don’t call me by my name!”
She rose from her seat. “Don’t ever try to look for me again!”
She quickly ran out of the office, leaving the boxed drink on the table.
“She’s so stubborn…” he muttered under his breath.
Leila rushed out of the office and went straight back to their classroom. Phyllis and Phylian who just made up with each other both noticed the change in her mood. But since the afternoon class was about to start, the twins did not bother to ask her. RING~ The class bell rang once the class hours ended. One by one, Leila’s classmates all went out of the classroom to attend their extracurricular activities. “So? What happened to you?” asked Phyllis, who was fixing her bag. She was getting ready to attend a practice for an upcoming dance competition.“I… I’m getting engaged…” she said with so much difficulty. She couldn’t bear to think of the engagement, much less speak of it. “Pardon?! With whom?!”“HOLY SHIT?! With whom?”The twins’ loud voices echoed in the classroom. Both Phyllis and Phylian were surprised to hear about this news. They couldn’t believe that at their age, Leila would get engaged.Leila’s eyes watered as she suppressed the anger in her heart. She doesn’t want to b
“Laura…”Laura Ning glanced at her friend, Hillary. “Hmm?”“What if Leila wants to be engaged with that boy?” Hillary curiously asked. “There’s no way! She was crying when the kids brought her here yesterday! She hates that boy!” Margaret answered for Laura. Laura just looked at Hillary, crestfallen. The question made her think of the what-ifs. No matter how absurd the idea is, at the end of the day, Leila’s happiness is her top priority. “MOM!”Leila yelled in joy as she saw her mother waiting in the living room for her. She hurried down the stairs to hug her mother.Laura welcomed her daughter with a tight and warm hug. “My Leila, how are you?”“Mom! Dad, arranged a marriage for me!” she complained straight to the point without dilly-dallying. She did not bother hiding it from her mother. She has always been very close to her mother to the point that she shares everything with her. From the minor annoyances that she feels to the happiest moments of her life. Her mother knows it a
Later, at midnight, Leila sneaked out of their house to go to a nearby playground. Inside the pocket of her cozy jacket is a tumbler filled with red wine. She always heard that one would forget their problems with alcohol. And so she went out to try it. She cannot drink inside their house since she’s afraid that their helpers will see her. The yellow streetlights shone brightly under the moonless sky. The surroundings were dark and cold, enough to send shivers down Leila’s spine. She nervously sat on the swing seat as she looked around. There was no one around. Except for the security guards who are set to roam around the village, she practically won’t see anyone. She took out her tumbler and smelled it. “Ew! It smells strange! How can anyone drink this?”Her nose scrunched up upon smelling the intense fruity scent from the bottle. Since it was new to her, she couldn’t help but feel strange. She closed her eyes and covered her nose before taking a sip of the sweet red wine. Sur
Laura and Allen hurried to the Yu family’s mansion upon receiving the call about Leila. They were still asleep, but when they heard the news from Kimberly Yu, they immediately went out to go to their house. “Allen, hurry up…” Laura urged her husband to drive faster.Allen sneered. “Isn’t Leila just like you, Laura? Sleeping around with men at such a young age. That’s how I ended up marrying you.”Laura’s gaze darkened. “How dare you?! You don’t know what I’ve been through, Allen!”Allen laughed at his wife. “Laura, we both know what happened to you. So stop acting holy and admit that you’re a slut.”Laura clenched her fist. Of course, she knows the whole story. After all, it was she who decided to keep her dear daughter, Leila. And it was a decision to involve Allen in her troubles. ‘Just until Leila becomes an adult. I’ll divorce this piece of sh*t immediately.’She turned her head to face the road as she ignored Allen. It would be more peaceful for her if she just kept quiet and i
Leila took a week of absence from school. She still can’t mentally show herself to school, fearing that someone will bully her for not being a virgin. She was afraid that someone would find out her secret and spread it to their school. She just spent her time, cooped up in her room, painting. Except for her mother, she doesn’t want to talk to anyone. Not even their maids. She doesn’t want anyone to see her in this state. She feels hopeless. Like no one wants to pay attention to her side of the story. She felt alone.She knows that if she relies too much on her mother, she will harm her. And that’s the last thing that she wants. Her mother is the most important person in her life. She was the only one who sided with her. So she can’t make it more difficult for her. Not even her father paid attention to her cries, and only took advantage of the situation. And for this, she despises him greatly. He was never present in her life, and now he’s acting like a father by asking Julius to
Leila entered the classroom with her friends. Getting up from bed was such a chore for her, but she needed to go to school again. Rui and Phyllis both stayed to sleep over. Because of them, she was able to rest well and properly prepare for school again. Opening up her worries lifted a lot of weight from her shoulders. She told them about what led to her current situation currently. They all listened closely without judging the rebellious act that she did. They never blamed her for what happened, they only promised that they would protect her more from now on. This time, she felt heard; like all her feelings were valid.“Leila, are you feeling okay now?” a classmate asked. “Yeah, Leila… It’s good that you’re back but are you fine now?” Her classmates showing their concern made her happy. She couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, I’m alright now. Thank you,” she answered. Leila went straight to her seat with Phyllis. She then poked Phylian who was quietly reading a book behind her and
Time passed and Leila became accustomed to Julius’ gentlemanly gestures. He would always pick her up so they could go to school together, he would also prepare lunch and snacks that they could share, and he would send her home to make sure she was safe. Every thoughtful gesture that he did for Leila melted her walls down. A lot of people envy her for having such a caring boyfriend. They would always compliment her for changing the cold and strict student council president. It was as if without her, he would go back to the trash that he was before. Perhaps, because of this, her perception of him changed. She started viewing him in a good light.She finally began trusting and opening up to him. Even if he’s her abuser. His actions made Leila believe that he has changed for the better. “Leila!”Phyllis shouted as she caught up with Leila who was walking with Julius. She then clung to her like a clingy cat and said, “I missed you, Leila! I’m not seeing you around these days!”Leila a
Leila stood there frozen as she stared at the girl who claimed to be her sister.Ayla Parker. Such a beautiful and charming name. One can already infer that it was carefully chosen considering that it starts with the letter A just like her father, Allen. From the way that she smiles and the way that she presents herself, anyone can tell that she’s a confident child who was showered with love. It was something that she never received from her father. ‘Why…’‘She’s my age…’Nothing came out of her mouth. No matter how much she wonders about her father’s affair, it’s undeniable that the girl in front of her is her half-sister. “Are you not going to let us inside our mansion, sister?”Her brazen and shameless words shocked Leila. And even Julius who was just silently watching the scene unfold. He cannot fathom that there would be an illegitimate child who would be so brave to ask the legitimate daughter to let her enter the legal family’s house. Ayla’s actions greatly confused the t