Gene, I am terribly sorry for using you but I’m in a dire situation where all I ever wanted is to have a peaceful remaining year of my high school!I force a smile as I show Clarence Gene’s caller ID. “H-He’s my boyfriend from Freedomville.”Clarence’s face shows that he’s definitely not buying it. Finally letting me go before I embarrass myself any longer, I step backwards, now finally comfortable with my personal space.However, we are being gathered around by curious bystanders and I doubt I can leave here scratch-free.“I’ve never heard you mention anything about a boyfriend.”“W-well, I don’t normally share myself a lot, do I?” He doesn’t reply but instead he frowns before waving his hand. “What are you waiting for? Answer him.”Err…with some privacy, please! I turn around and answer my “fake” boyfriend. “Oh, hi, Gene!” I catch a glimpse of Clarence who has been observing me as I give a nervous laughter.“Me? Never better!” I make it as loud as possible as I walk
“Welcome back, oh, what happened to you, kid?” I am greeted at the sight of Yu casually drinking a bottle of beer while he is flipping channels. He stands up as he observes me before he smirks. “I’ve never seen you this mad since my birthday.”Oh, am I still fuming? Here I thought I have masterfully hidden my emotions so well…perhaps I have been more relaxed lately, especially since I have no reason to hide from my two guardians. “Oh, hi Yu.” Make it as normal as possible. So I smile. “It’s nothing, really.” Now, swiftly change the topic. “It’s rare for me to see you so relaxed.”Not to mention he’s not wearing his Armani black suit like he often does. He’s now wearing a red hoodie and some sweatpants which seems odd to look at first—yet, the clothes fit him like a glove. He chuckles as he ruffles my hair. He enjoys doing that a lot nowadays. “The boss made me take a week leave while he does everything on his own. Fuckin’ asshole wants to show his competence I guess?”“M-More lik
The company was actually a drive outside the city center—more specifically closest to New York. As a small town girl, I’m always used to small areas but seeing vast skyscrapers we just passed by, my neck starts to hurt after minutes of turning my head from left to right.But still, looking at the city lights were…different from the likes of Dawn City and Freedomville.“You've never been to the city, Nina?” It is a genuine question that sounds more baffling on his part.“Just once in a blue moon,” I reply while I place my hands inside my pockets. My cheeks flare up after I’ve shown how much of a hick I am in front of an affluent man.Then, a thought comes to my mind.“Yu, why did Luca choose a place like Dawn City? It’s a bit far from New York.”“Oh, as I said, we love the city as we stayed there for four years without the reliance of his parents’ money.”“Then, we realized that as most of the affluent successors studied there, the city made sure any known incident won’t reach
LUCAIt was repulsive.Listening to their presentation of a bright future for women empowerment was supposed to be promising.The objective, the solution to profit by gaining, a realistic approach to an idealistic plan.But beneath Gomez’s "flawless" business proposal to gain our interest, I could see something devious behind that facade.When I found out through a background check, I knew I shouldn’t accept him. The fact that he was aiding one of our rival companies as they profited from human trafficking, I scorned and threw his files on the floor and left.I could care less if Milano Corp will lose an important client after I treated his recommendation but we stand firm with our beliefs.We don't invest in companies that have beyond ethical practices.Andrew, my secretary, was crying his heart out as I walked out while Gomez kept yelling he would make me pay for it.Pathetic.I have my fair share of enemies trying to wring my neck but to no avail.And this is the reason why living
NINA“What makes you say that?” Gene asks with his usual monotonous tone.What exactly is the reason why I suddenly ask this? Should I really tell him that I felt weird seeing my future step brother in action? This wasn’t the action Yu wanted to show me. In fact, I wish I should have backed off the moment I caught them in sight.Yet after witnessing it, I felt strange.The feeling of craving for something I couldn’t describe in detail. A foreign feeling that I've never felt in between my legs.Is this what people call horniness?There is no way I’ll tell my best friend that.T-that I was having the hots for L-Luca.“Nina?”Oh, I’ve been silent for too long as I was too absorbed with my thoughts that I had forgotten about Gene on the other line.But the heat in my body is excruciating. I need to calm down. I need to concentrate in our conversation."A-are you okay?"“N-never better! I’m just remembering what we talked about before.” I gulp as I tighten my grip on the phone. “You see it
NINAI continue with my usual routine. Practicing the diorama presentation, attending school, studying and rejecting Clarence's invitation to hang out after class.He seems moody each time I turn tail to the opposite direction right when he starts mentioning going out together.Something tells me he doesn't buy my bluff about Gene.But at home, after that night, I am often feeling so nervous being around Luca that I asked him to take a break and would like to self-study instead.Not even a mere mention of my strange behavior that evening.At first Luca is upset and tells me that I still needed “guidance” but seeing that I am serious about my studies, he finally concedes.“If I see your grades dropping again, mark my words I’ll quit being a CEO if you won’t graduate!” He grins after that sudden declaration.And I know he isn’t joking when he declares such things.So, not only do I have to do the self-studying on my own—thanks to my irrational behavior around him—I have to do well or el
NINAThe diorama presentation went well and despite being a nervous wreck, Mrs. McLaren complimented my effort and stage presence and gave both of us an A+.I have never been so enthusiastic about getting an A! So my heart raced, feeling a sense of accomplishment for the first time.“You did it,” Clarence says as he raises his hand. I give him a deserving high five. The adrenaline rush of excitement made me lose my guard around him for once."Thanks to you," I say while dropping my hand back. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have gotten this grade."Clarence doesn't hesitate to sling his arm around my neck.Well, almost.I regret it at that instant when he can easily touch me like this.At first, I flinch and give him a glare but he says, "Can we go out for dinner tonight as my reward?"He never stops, huh?"B-but I…"Fortunately, Mrs. McLaren gives an intentional loud cough, interrupting us both."If you haven't noticed it, you two, we are still in the middle of the class session."
NINADespite my worries, Yu reassures me that Luca wouldn't mind us snooping in his room. Well, as a matter of fact, I decide to stay in front of his bedroom door as Yu enters inside. Like an accomplice of some spy movie, I look around if the coast is clear. Knowing this hour, Luca is still at his office but who knows if he might have arrived earlier today. I hope Yu knows what he's doing."Found it!" A hand pops out what looked like a black covered bag that is supported by a silver string hanger.His head peeks out of the entrance bedroom door. "What yer waiting for? Go to your room and try it on!"I reluctantly grab the travel bag and scurry to my room. "Do you want me to call a cosmetologist to deal with your makeup?" He called out as I entered the room. I turn back as I shake my head. "N-no, I can handle it on my own." Then I smile. "Even if I don't wear make-up, I do know how to apply some."He whistles. "Woah, how come you don't wear one?"I shrug. "I only wear it during