Maine and her friends went to the mall to buy clothes for graduation. Suddenly, a wave of sadness enveloped her. If only Dylan hadn't deceived her, she might have been graduating now too.
"Hey Maine, look at this beautiful dress! It would look amazing on you for graduation!" Emelie happily got the dress.She forces a smile "Yeah, it's really nice.""Are you okay, Maine? You seem a bit down. Is something bothering you?" Elise asked.She sighs "I... I had to stop schooling because of my cheating boyfriend. It's been really tough for me.""Oh, Maine, I'm so sorry to hear that. That must have been really difficult for you." Monique gives sympathy to her."We're here for you, Maine. You don't have to go through this alone. We'll support you no matter what." Emelie cheers her up."Thank you, guys. It means a lot to me to have your support. It's just hard to see everyone excited about graduation when I won't be a part of it." she was about to cry. The tears started to mold on her eyes."Maine, remember that graduation is just one milestone in life. Your education and future success are not defined by this one moment." Elise comported her."Absolutely, Maine. You are still capable of achieving great things, even without a graduation ceremony. Don't let this setback define you." Emelie said.She was teary-eyed "You're right, guys. I can't let this hold me back. I'll find a way to continue my education and pursue my dreams.""That's the spirit, Maine! We're here to support you every step of the way. And remember, you deserve so much better than someone who cheated on you." Monique clapped her hands.She smiles through the tears "Thank you, my friends. I'm really lucky to have you all. Let's find those graduation dresses and celebrate our friendship."********************As she and her friends enjoyed their meal at the mall, she couldn't help but notice a tall and handsome man nearby. There was something about his appearance that seemed familiar to her, but she couldn't quite place where she had seen him before.Curiosity got the better of Maine, and she decided to take a closer look. She discreetly observed him from her table, trying to jog her memory and figure out who he was. Was he a friend from the past? Or perhaps someone she had seen on social media?Suddenly, it clicked. Maine realized that the familiar face belonged to Demitri, her uncle's best friend. Excitement washed over her as memories of their shared adventures flooded back. She couldn't believe that they had crossed paths again after all this time.She scrutinized the man closely. His appearance was almost the same, but more mature now. Her friends looked at him too, observing his every move."That's Demi, you surely know him," Emelie said to her. "No girl can approach him; he's incredibly aloof and grumpy. Did you know he was also cheated on by his fiancée? Apparently, he's too strict.""Did you hear about that too?" Monique chimed in. "Our version is different. The girl cheated on him because Demi's family wanted a pre-nup. She got offended, I think her name was Veverly. Ended up with an older rich guy, they say she's a gold digger.""I know this Veverly," Elise added. "She's had some enhancements. Maybe Demi found out that if they kissed, her nose might break, hahaha," and Elise chuckled. They all laughed at her remark."Crazy!" Emelie playfully slapped Elise on the arm.They almost choked from laughter at the woman's comment."But he's handsome, right?" Monique said, "Isn't he your uncle's best friend, Maine?""Yeah," she replied."I remember when he used to drop you off. Why don't you approach him? He might talk to you," Elise suggested."I don't want to. He might just snub me, and he might not even recognize me anymore." She declined. The man glanced at her. Their eyes met. She smiled at him, but he didn't respond. She felt embarrassed.'Such an aloof guy,' she muttered to herself. 'Maybe what my friends say about him is true. But what girl would cheat on such a handsome guy? Perhaps that girl is incredibly beautiful.'She continued eating and chatting with her friends, glancing at Demi who was no longer there.She scanned the area, unable to find him."Did he disappear?" Emelie teased her."Maybe he flew away," Elise joked."You're both crazy!" Monique shook her head at the antics of her friends.Laughter filled their table because of their antics, and she was nearly choking with laughter herself.Since they were young, these friends have been like this. She used to be the same until she moved to her father's place. There, she became the most beautiful, but here, there are many like her. That's why she's happier at her grandmother's place, with more competition.Elise covered the cost of their meal. Her family was well-off. She said it's a treat for her graduation."We should have ordered take-out," Emelie joked."Yeah, regretting it now," Monique pretended to lament."Hey, you gluttons!" Elise laughed at them."It's okay, it's a treat," Emelie replied.They continued laughing until they left the restaurant. These were friends who didn't just pass through life. She was grateful to them, as they helped her slowly recover from her painful past.She was in her room when a man suddenly entered carrying a sack. She grabbed her pillow to defend herself.The man took out his weapon from the sack."You shouldn't have made it until tomorrow!" he declared."We'll see who falls first!""I'm here to take your head, as I promised my wife!""Before you can do that, I'll make sure to slit your throat!"They circled the room, and she initiated the attack. He fought back, wielding his weapon. Due to his size, he managed to knock her down first.He was about to strike her again, but her grandmother intervened, hitting him with a cane."You're such a nuisance! Your niece just arrived, and look at what you're doing!" She aimed for his legs, and the cane struck hard."Ouch, Mommy!" he cried out. "Maine, defend me!"She blocked her uncle and held him by the arms."Go, Grandma! Avenge me!""Traitor!" Her uncle tried to break free, unintentionally hitting her with the cane."Ouch, Grandma!" She winced in pain. The cane struck her leg, leaving a v
She walked alone, passing through an orchard laden with mango fruit. Her stomach grumbled, so she entered a gap in the barbed wire. She wasn't familiar with the place. It had been ten years since she left.She enjoyed walking among the tall trees with intertwining branches. The fruits seemed like hearts kissing the earth. It felt like she was in an enchanted garden. As she walked, she reached the center of the farm.The trees looked similar, and she didn't know how to find her way out. She hesitated to shout, not wanting to disturb the owner.She continued walking until she came across a beautiful house."Oh my God, a beautiful house in the middle of the woods? Could it be, am I in a haunted place?" She rubbed her eyes in disbelief.She walked around the house, admiring its beauty from every angle. It had a modern touch despite the house's age."Oh, there's a gate," she remarked upon seeing it.But before she could reach it, she heard a growling animal. A shiver ran down her spine. Sh
"Bam! Bam!" Sandro shouted at Demitri."Aaaah, farewell world, farewell," as he knelt down."Hahaha, how's it going, Demi?" his uncle approached and shook his hand."I'm good, how about you? You've been gone for so long. Is this- really Maine?," he said with a smile.Maine raised an eyebrow, then shouted at them, "You guys are animals! You scared me!""Sorry... as soon as you called me, I messaged Demi to let him know it was you.""That arrogant guy over there," she pointed at Sandro."I'm just being cautious.""Because the last girl who got lost here brought him tears," Sandro chuckled."Shut up Sandy..""Stop calling me that way, I got goose bumps!""Take your niece with you, I think she's so annoyed with me.""I'm glad you noticed that, idiot." she murmured in frustration and mimicking his reaction."Wow, what a sharp tongue! I guess, you inheret that to your uncle Sandy.""Shhhoooo! shut up Demi. We're going. Thank you for not shooting Maine," her uncle jokingly wink at Demi."Let
She woke up with a growling stomach in the early morning. Peeking outside, she made sure the guys she annoyed were gone. Once assured there is no one else there, she headed to the kitchen, finding leftover food on the table inside the food keeper. No need for lights; the light outside their garage sufficed.Seated on the chair, she opened the food containers, the worms inside her intestine dancing wildly. She first tasted the pasta her uncle praised – delicious, undoubtedly he didn't cook it but from a town restaurant.Grabbing a canned soft drink from the fridge, she savored the meal alone until the light suddenly turned on. Her uncle Sandro stood there, smirking."I've been watching you for hours; I was going to put that in the fridge," he approached, taking a seat in front of her, "tantrums gone?""I'm annoyed with you and your old friend. You act like you're fresh catches, but you're just left over," she retorted, visibly irritated."You tease me but you're so sensitive.""I know!
"We're here, Miss Maine," Luna eagerly ushered her into the elevator."It's beautiful here. How long have you been with the company, Luna?" she asked."Just a year, ma'am. It's tough to get in, so I seized the opportunity when I was accepted. The compensation is good, and stay-in staff even get quarters.""What's your salary here?" she asked."10 thousand, but there are deductions like Pag-IBIG, SSS, and PhilHealth. With the health card, it comes out as eight thousand, plus free lodging and food.""Your boss seems stingy. Only eight thousand every half of the month?.""Oh, sorry, It was weekly!"She was surprised. It was substantial, especially considering everything was provided for free. It felt even better than working abroad."Wow, that's a decent amount.""We also have a centralized tip used for team building, Christmas parties, and various events.""This place seems good. How's Demi as a boss?""He's fine, but not as kind as Mr. Sandro.""Mr. Sandro?""Yes, Mr. Sandro. He's a lo
When the elevator doors opened on the ground floor, two men with tied hands, bruised faces, and torn clothes emerged, accompanied by a woman in white shorts."That's Sir Justin and Sir Nick. Weren't they supposed to have a meeting with Sir?" one staff member remarked."Help them!" shouted a tall, muscular man came with a name plate like Luna has "Boss, what happened to you?""That woman there, so arrogant, just kicked us out for no reason!" one of the men explained."She got angry just introducing herself! Hey, you're no beauty either!" retorted another."Especially you, if we use the right term, you look like a devil. Not handsome and with a terrible attitude. With a face like that, focus on improving your attitude," the woman added."Why is there a squatter in here? Get her out!" the male manager ordered."Miss, please leave," one staff member said, "we might get scolded by Sir.""Who's Sir?""Sir Demi.""I'm not leaving! Call your boss if you want! Those two disrespected me, play t
"My favorite niece, are you okay?" her uncle Sandro hugged her."I-I'm okay, uncle. W-what happened?" she asked, puzzled."Nothing, everything's fine. Why?" he replied with a smile."Where's De-Demi?""He's busy. Let's go inside," he said, guiding her into the room. "How are you, Luna?""I'm okay, sir," she replied while adjusting the bathrobe she brought earlier."Someone barged in earlier—they shot at us," she reported to her uncle."Oh, it was just a toy gun. They left already," Sandro replied with a grin."But I saw—""Saw what?"She glanced at Luna, who was busy with something. Nothing seemed unusual in that room. She wasn't hallucinating."But uncle—""It's nothing. Maybe you're hungry. Come on, Demi prepared food in his room. Let's go eat there. He's waiting. Luna, let's go.""Alright, sir," Luna replied, leaving first. As they exited, Luna locked the unit again.Glancing back at the room they came from, she thought, 'weird.'They entered a larger unit, more like a house than j
"Hey!! Maine!!" her grandmother's voice echoed, "my grandchild, what's happening to you?"She opened her eyes, finding herself in her room, lying on the bed. Her grandmother's worried face greeted her. As if she's there for quiet sometime."Grandma!" she hugged her tight."Why? I came in here, and you were having nightmares. I got worried, good thing I came to check on you. Demi and your uncle are outside. He brought food. He said you came from his farm earlier. What time did you go to sleep?""I'm not sure, but I fell asleep right away upon arriving. You were already asleep, so I didn't inform you that I was back."'Thank goodness it was just a dream. I thought it was real. I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. If Lola didn't wake me up, would I have died?'She stretched her body and then hugged her grandmother."Oh my God, hahaha why?" her grandmother hugged her back."Nothing, Lola, I just felt like I missed you."She assisted her grandmother out of the room, where Demi a