Vanessa's Point of View
It's annoying! I want to scold myself for acting this way. Why do I feel like I'm not important to him? Why does it feel like he thinks so little of me? Why do I have to deal with all this drama?
"Vanko..."
I didn't turn around. I kept my gaze on the students passing in front of us. I couldn't look at him because I was shy—though I didn't understand why.
"Sorry," he whispered. I tightly closed my eyes at the sound of his voice. It wasn't actually his fault... or maybe it was the other way around. "I shouldn't have answered your assignment. I'm sorry for trying to be smart," he said sadly.
My chest tightened. I'm not used to this tone; I'm not used to him being sad. I want to end this drama right now. No sequel.
"Sorry if I'm stupid—"
"SO STUPID YOU ARE!" I shouted, finally facing him. Tears I had been holding back started to fall. "Damn it, Jerome! You are so stupid... and selfish."
I took a deep breath. I didn't want to hurt him, but it was hard. It was so unclear that it needed to be clarified.
"Sorry," he replied again.
I grabbed his collar, my knees going weak when I saw his eyes welling up. I hate it! His eyes are my weakness.
"Je, you can tell me if you can't do something," I whispered, wiping a tear from his cheek. "Don't be selfish. You don't have to do things alone. You don't have to keep secrets from me."
"Why, Van? Do you think I'm weak? Is that what you think of me?"
I laughed softly and patted his cheek. "I'm afraid the day will come when you give up and you still won't tell me. I'm afraid you'll just disappear without saying goodbye. It's not about that zero on the assignment! It's about us! I want you to tell me everything. Everything about you is important to me."
I want him to imprint those words in his heart. I will stand for him and join the battle... until the end.
"Let's do it together... Jerome... together."
Dave's Point of View
I snorted as I waited to see the word "seen" on my message. Minutes passed. Nothing. Then, he went offline.
I collapsed on the bed. It's been three years since we met in person. Seeing her on a screen isn't enough. I want to hold her. I want to tell her how I feel face-to-face.
"Brother?!"
I felt a tug on my T-shirt but didn't want to talk, especially not to my nagging younger brother.
"Brother Dave!"
I turned to Ash. He was smirking. He inherited those ash-colored eyes from Dad.
"Why?" I asked.
"I thought we were going to say hello?" he asked. "I didn't tell Mommy you were drunk and yelling—"
"Sshh!" I covered his mouth. "What do you want?"
Mommy doesn't want me drinking. I only did it last night to relieve the longing I feel for Mia.
"There's a cockroach in my room." He handed me a slipper. "Kill him for me, brother!"
I rushed to his room. For an eight-year-old, his room was incredibly clean—all black and white, no toys. I spotted the roach, but as I went to hit it, it flew out the open window.
"You let him go," Ash said emotionlessly, folding his arms.
I headed to the kitchen for water. Ash followed me. "If you leave, will you never come back?" he asked suddenly.
"No," I answered, but a lump formed in my throat. I wanted to take the words back. Not everyone who leaves stays gone. She'll come back... she has to.
My phone lit up. My knees shook as I read Mia's reply.
Matthew's Point of View
I sipped my drink while watching Ace. He was leaning against a chair, unable to take his eyes off his phone, smiling occasionally.
I looked at my test paper. Today is exam day, but the genius Ace Craige is exempt because he completed a special business challenge from our professor.
"Sir?" I raised my hand. Professor Hart frowned at me. "Do you believe honesty is the best policy?"
"What do you mean, Mr. Hart?"
"I won't cheat. I'll be honest. But make a promise that you'll still pass me."
The class laughed; Ace just frowned. Honesty is all I have right now.
"Is that a threat?" the professor asked.
"A suggestion, Sir. Honest people are rare; why not reward them with passing marks?" I grinned and walked out. Ace followed, laughing.
"What a brilliant idea, Matt."
"Stop teasing."
I'm proud of my honesty... even if I have to forget that failing grade for a moment.
"Go on a date with me."
Angel was standing right in front of me. How did she even get past the guards?
"Date me, Matthew Hart."
I laughed. She's desperate. Out of all women, I don't like the ones who insist on things like this. Women should be treated like queens, not the ones begging.
"And what if I don't want to, baby?" I challenged.
"Prove to me you aren't gay."
My jaw dropped, then I burst out laughing. I know this move.
"Fine, then I'm gay," I said as I passed her. I stopped, my back to her. "But I'll prove you wrong. Let's date."
Zein's Point of View
Ace was laughing as he drove us home. The exams are over, and my parents wanted me back in the province for the weekend.
"You have a smart friend, Zein," Ace laughed, referring to Matt's honesty stunt.
"Yeah, that's why I have a crush on him."
The mood shifted instantly. Ace stopped laughing. I love teasing him when he gets like this.
"What? I can't have a crush on him?"
"Damn it!" He slammed the steering wheel. "Stop it, Zein."
He sped up. Mr. President was in beast mode. I hugged his arm as he drove, inhaling his scent.
"You're jealous..."
"And so what? I have the right, darling."
I smiled. A crush is just a crush, but Ace is the one I love.
We arrived at my family home. "You can stay here," Mommy said softly to Ace. He had planned to drive right back to Manila to help Raze at the company.
"No, thank you, Auntie. I have something important to do," Ace said politely.
Dad patted his shoulder. "Go ahead, Ace. Thanks for bringing our son home. Be careful."
My sister, Allison, looked at us with a challenge in her eyes. "Is that work more important than my brother?"
I glared at her, but Ace stood his ground. "No. Zein isn't just 'important' to me," he said, squeezing my hand. "Zein is my priority. I want her to rest this weekend. She's tired from studying."
I grinned at my sister's sneer. Score one for Ace.
Mommy smiled. "You're so sweet. Come back soon, I want to get to know you more. You're interesting."
I walked Ace to his car. It was dark and the air was cold. He tucked a stray hair behind my ear. "Sleep well. Don't think about me too much or you'll stay awake."
He kissed my forehead. I'm going to miss him so much, even if it's only for two days.
"Be careful, Ace."
"Yes, ma'am!" He got into the car.
"Goodbye—"
"Hey!" he shouted from the window, frowning. "What's with 'goodbye'? We'll see each other again."
"Alright... I love you, then."
"I love you more, darling."
I watched him drive away, feeling homesick already.
"That's bad," a voice said. My sister Allison was standing behind me.
"Huh?"
The smile disappeared from her lips. "You shouldn't get too attached to a temporary person."
"Ate!" I snapped. "If you don't like Ace, just don't talk."
My chest tightened. She always makes up these meaningless, dark stories, but this time it stung.
"Please, stop it," I pleaded.
She hugged me tightly. "You don't really know Ace yet, Zein. He hides a lot of secrets. He is a mystery that's hard to solve. Be careful. I don't want to see the day you lose your trust in everyone."
She let go and walked away, leaving me standing in the empty silence.