Gelo looked at me before shrugging his shoulders. He sighed before he nodded. "I know you know how much you really deserve, Meredith. Don't settle with this." Then, Gelo left.I immediately pulled Rupert away and we stopped in the hallway out of the building. When I saw no one else was around us anymore, that’s when I stopped walking and let go of his hand."That dude is really annoying. Is he really the other person who made it to the roster? Come on, that dude is an asshole, Meredith.”I stared at Rupert. Gelo’s words kept ringing in my head.How much is what I deserve?I blinked repetitively just to make sure I was seeing right— his face was red and his jaw and hands were clenched. I could feel his tension… and nasty temper."Don't ever talk to Gelo like that again," I said, heaving a deep sigh."Are you siding with him?""I don't take sides. But it's obvious that you're wrong." I ran my hand through my long hair before giving Rupert a hard punch on his shoulder.He winced, looking

"Welcome back, Meredith!" That's how Minzy greeted me the moment I entered the debate room.Minzy and Cherry immediately hugged me as David seemed to be calling a dove with the strength of his applause."It's nice to see you back," Sir Romeo said, tapping my shoulder before he gave me a pile of documents. "As much as I want to celebrate your return, we have a lot to prioritize for the regionals, Meredith," he added, making me laugh. I immediately accepted the documents he provided.We all even laughed when he was later on got hit on the arm by Ma’am Juliet. "You're really a party pooper! It's just the first day of their training. You're rushing over nothing, old man.” Then, she turned her attention towards me and the usual Ma'am Juliet I knew shrieked in excitement before hugging me. "I'm really glad you made it to the cut, Meredith Kaye! I'm really happy that you tried it again!""Indeed, Ma'am! And at least before Cherry and I graduate, we will be in the same debate room with Meredi

"So, who is going to tell her story first? With Minzy-girl who was playing with David the Giant," Cherry turned her gaze to me before drinking her beer, “or with you Madam Meredith who is flirting with the Vulture’s vocalist?""You're overacting, Cherry," Minzy said, taking a handful of the nachos we ordered."Hey! You will eat all the chips again!” Cherry slapped Minzy's arm before pushing the bowl of nachos closer to me so Minzy could not get it. "It’s only the two of us who are allowed to drink alcohol now. You have to help me here and stop going after the chips, you beggar. I can't finish all the drinks we ordered by myself!”I laughed at their quarrel. God. I really miss their loud bickerings and frank comments, most especially Cherry.We were in a bar near the university. I thought we would hang out in a cafe or restaurant because they just said we would just talk. But then, I was surprised when they brought me in here and they ordered beer. I would not drink but Cherry insisted

“This is my life, Rupert.”Right after I said that, the tears doubled. The next thing I knew, my knees felt weak and I fell on the cold hardwood floor. I cried. My shoulders were shaking. My sobs turned to mourning weeps."I know you think of our relationship as something that only revolves about pleasure and bed, Meredith. Indeed, we're enjoying each other's company. But I'm not a heartless man just like what you thought of me." To my surprise, Rupert suddenly knelt in front of me. He cupped my face and that's when I saw the emotions in his eyes. He smiled and then wiped away my tears. "You only have thirty more minutes to cry. After that, I will punish you for drinking and for putting yourself in a dangerous situation because of alcohol."My mouth dropped open as Rupert kissed my eyes. "Your face is so red. That indicates acidosis, Meredith Kaye." His right hand went down from my cheek down to the side of my left chest. The pad of his thumb caressed the side of my breast, igniting a

"Yes. I know. You told me once." Rupert suddenly lifted me from my seat before pushing me slightly forward in the vanity mirror so he could squeeze himself into the bench. He wasn't wearing anything for Pete's sake!I looked at him confused when he sat on the bench and then made me sit on his lap. He immediately wrapped his arms around my waist before leaning his chin on my shoulder. "Ava's birthday was in April," he added before pressing his nose on the crook of my neck.My mouth fell open at what he said. "My birthday was in January, Rupert," I said incredulously again, not comprehending the fact that the earrings were maybe for me?"I bought these earrings last week. And yes, that's for you, Meredith Kaye. Don't ask me why I bought it for you. I'm also not sure why I thought of you when I saw that," he explained, sounding bewildered.I could feel the tickle creeping up my body because Rupert was currently naked and I could feel his hard length against my behind. He was poking me an