The moment I set my eyes on her, flashbacks of how those painful but sweet memories of our past lingered in my mind, scratching the wounds, which I thought were healed, deeper. My chest tightened as my saunters became heavy. I planned it all along. These were all part of my five years scheme. These were all part of my revenge. To make her suffer...However, why seeing her again in person made my body tremble like a team of horses galloping inside my chest near my heart. I shut my yearning orbs trying to calm myself down and paint those bitter memories of the past. If that would make me feel stronger in front of her, then I would always scrub my thoughts with those hurtful moments that we shared.Eight years ago...Winter!"Desmond, what's keeping you too long in your room?" my mom asked, a bit crabby.I had been in my room for almost two hours choosing which clothes were I going to wear for a casual working day. Different colors of shirts, shirts with collars, and jackets messily spre

Much to my parents' hesitation, they were forced to agree with my decision. After the new year, I had to move to Corinthian and begin my new life. My father believed that the wealthy's kindness had an accompanying favor in return. A favor we might hadn't able to bestow. Thus, my mother, as much as possible, would like to tie me to my bed just to keep me from leaving. The struggle was beyond words to describe.At our dining table, there were always waves of laughter and banters every time we had our meal but this evening, it was awkwardly different. My father focused on his food with a stern look and my mother hurried her plate like she was in a food competition. I couldn't help but feel anxiety, the tension between us was screaming loud at this deafening eerie silence."Mom, you chew the meat well. If not you might get choked!" I tried to take her plate but she glared at me right away."The way I chew my meal isn't of your concern anymore, Desmond!" she grumbled while the marinated por

Our love grew stronger in time. I was now 21 and she was turning 18 in a few months. Though it was hidden, we managed to see and contact each other almost every day. There was an old oak tree at the back of the mansion facing the lake. That tree became the witness to our deep affection."You know, we can't lie to Mr. Oak if it could just talk!" Amy Leah uttered while staring at how I carved her name with my dagger. I just carved our names together inside a heart. "It's perfect!" she whispered as her fingers touched the rough carvings."It is. And with your statement earlier, what could we lie to Mr. Oak? This tree knows how much I love you and how much you mean to me!" I slid my thumb on her cheek down to her chin gently lifting them so I could nibble her lips."Hmm!" she moaned with my gentle caress. "I agree with you. Des, you've passed the entrance exam at the university where I also study. I can't wait to start this semester with you!" her hands on my chest developed a voltage of

"Hey! I miss you!""Are you all right? Why aren't you replying?"I called still no response. I took a deep sigh as I leaned on the headboard of my bed. I glanced at the phone in my hand, waiting for her reply."Amy Leah, is everything all right?" I asked in a whisper imagining she could hear me.It had been days since the last time that I had spoken to her. I saw her a lot leaving the mansion in the afternoon and coming home at night but she never spoke to me. Right now, I was here in the dark living room waiting for her again. I had been doing this for the past four days but this time it was different ... The grandfather clock chimed at 12 and she didn't arrive yet."Where are you, Amy Leah?" I texted and that was the tenth time for today, plus 20 missed calls since this morning. She had been ignoring my messages and calls since that dinner with the Baileys happened.I pulled my hair as I paced back and forth in front of the wide couch. Sometimes I peeked through the glass window and

Those last words I heard from her shut my series of flashbacks as my mind went back to reality. The reality that she was here, standing tensed in front of me, the intensity of my gaze wasn't comforting. Though my orbs couldn't control rummaging her from head to foot like a precious specimen on a Petri dish, I restrained my urge to touch her face. She was attractive five years ago. However, the beauty that gave me sleepless nights was even more stunning now than ever."Desmond, you're alive!" her flabbergasted voice horned in on my little view. She looked joyful that I was standing in front of her, breathing."Surprise?!" the smell of sarcasm fumed my wide study room and she could scent it, too, for sure. "Why? Amy Leah, do you expect me to be an ash now?" I taunted as I stepped closer just a couple of inches away from her and she stepped back hitting the door. She had nowhere else to go."I...I don't understand what you mean!" she stuttered while tears began to roll down her cheek, my