《The Billionaire's Daughter》


 Chapter 1: My Life

    Chapter 1: My Life


    Growing up as an only child was not easy. Expectations were high. I have no one to depend on but


    myself whenever my parents were out of town for their respective jobs. I grew independent not


    because I had to but because I wanted to prove to myself that I can always survive whatever


    circumstances life throws my way.


    Being Saphira Zobel Castello will always be a challenge. Not only do I have to live up to the fame of


    being the only heiress of a shipping magnate but also because of the influence of having a mother who


    is a senator.


    ¡°Saphira! Pleasee down here at my office this instant.¡±


    I heard my mom¡¯s voice in my room¡¯s inte. Yes, since our house is huge, three-storey high with 10


    bedrooms, the use of inte is essential.


    ¡°Coming Mom!¡±


    Both of my parents have their own office at the first floor where they stay most of the time whenever


    they are at home.


    ¡°Mom, you called?¡±


    "What is this?"


    I looked at the piece of paper she was holding and I knew that I am in deep trouble.


    "An invitation to my graduation?"


    ¡°I am very disappointed in you Saphira. How can you let this happen? Weren''t you studying all the


    time? Do we need to hire a tutor for you?"


    "Mother, I am doing well in school."


    "Doing well? Is this what you call doing well?"


    "Mom, please calm down."


    "How can you let yourself be on top 2 of your ss when you could have been the Top 1?! I have not


    raised you to be second best!¡±


    I should have been hurt by her outburst but that is just a normal thing to hear from her every time I did


    not meet or surpass their expectations.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry mom. I really tried my best, but I guess someone else is better.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense! You can¡¯t say you TRIED your best if you are not on top! And don¡¯t ever admit that


    someone else is better than you! You are a Zobel and Castello! You are a descendant of a family of


    achievers . . .¡±


    As she recited her verses, I did too, simultaneously in my mind since I have memorized her lines a long


    time ago.


    ¡°. . .greatness and intellectual beings unsurpassed by even the most prestigious names in history.¡±


    ¡°Mom, we cannot do anything now. I have done the best I could and besides, the one on top has a


    schrship and he needs to graduate Valedictorian so he could have free tuition fees at any school


    that he applies to. And please don¡¯t try to meddle on this as the results were already printed, the school


    will lose its credibility if you will try to change my rank into number one again as you did the previous


    time.¡±


    ¡°Saphira! Are you even listening to yourself? Why should I care if he is the reason you are behind in


    your ss!? And. . . and I did not meddle with any of your school rankings!¡±


    ¡°Mom, being second ce out of 250 hard working students in a prestigious school is not being behind


    my ss. Mom, I know what you did. I heard you talking to someone on the phone thest time.¡±


    I remembered when I was on my freshmen year. I heard my mother on the phone.


    ¡°Director Gomez, I am sure you know my connections and it will not be good for your school¡¯s


    reputation to decline my request. If you can make my daughter be the first on her ss this year, it


    would give great honor to me and my husband.¡±


    ¡°Marvelous! I will deposit my regr donation to your schrship foundation next week. Thank you.¡±


    Because of that, I vowed to always study harder to ensure my slot in the top spot. So that my mother


    will not use her influence again.


    Going back to the present time, I think I should have kept my mouth shut as my mother¡¯s face is now


    livid and turning red in anger.


    ¡°Enough! Stop reasoning with me otherwise I will send you to a European Boarding school!¡±


    I know I should have kept quiet but I am near my limit.


    ¡°Mother, you cannot send me to Boarding school. You need me here with you and Dad. I am your only


    child, how can you send me away just because I answered back?¡±


    ¡°I did not raise you to be disrespectful and disobedient! Get out of my face now before I lose control of


    myself!¡±


    Sighing and epting the fact that she will never change, I went out of the room and called my best


    friend who means the world to me, my only friend.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

 Chapter 2: The Two of Us

    Chapter 2: The Two of Us


    ¡°Franco, its me Saphira.¡±


    ¡°Of course I know its you! That is what caller IDs are for. This birthday gift of yours is pretty neat not to


    mention your face that seem to sh unending on the screen whenever you calls.¡±


    ¡°Dummy! A simple Hello would have sufficed but you had to bber all that nonsense!¡±


    ¡°Hello Saphira. How can I be of help to you today?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re such an ass do you know that? But speaking of help, can you go out with me today? I need


    someone to talk to.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, bestie but I have work at the caf¨¦ today. Bill got sick and I had to fill in. But since you are my


    favoritest person in the whole wide world. I can meet you at 5 pm, after my shift.¡±


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    ¡°Franco, there is no such word as favoritest.¡±


    ¡°You really are a smarty pants aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Haha. Funny. Okay I can just meet you thereter after your shift. I will just do some of my chores here


    at home.¡±


    ¡°Chores? Howe you have chores again when you have 6 maids running around your four storey


    house?¡±


    ¡°Correction. Three storey.¡±


    ¡°Gotcha! I knew you¡¯ll correct me. You always do!¡±


    ¡°Silly! You know I want to do stuff on my own. I¡¯ll be doing myundry today and then clean my room.¡±


    ¡°Room?! You call a quarter of your floor a room? Are you sure you can finish that by 5 pm? I may just


    spend my forever waiting for you here.¡±


    ¡°How can you tell that quarter of the floor is my room, you haven¡¯t even seen our house!¡±


    ¡°You told me that your room upies most of the top floor so I just know that you have a huge room to


    clean.¡±


    ¡°Franco. . .¡±


    ¡°Alright then, just text me when you¡¯re on your way. Enjoy your CHORES!¡±


    ¡°Bye dummy!¡±


    We may bicker a lot but he will always be my source of amusement, well, my only source of fun,


    friendship, my source of everything, to be exact.


    This is a routine Franco and I established on our more than 1 year of friendship. We hang out a lot


    whenever we have spare time. Our usual bonding session is studying, we are study buddies and


    academically, we are indestructible when we are together.


    He was a transferee student from a public school on our senior year. Due to his excellent academic


    standing, he was given a slot at the International School where I was the top student since 1st grade.


    One of the reasons why I do not have any friends, I focused more on my studies and neglected any


    invites to socialize. As I have said, I have to uphold our family name¡¯s legacy.


    Our history together was like a steady but steep roller coaster ride.


    ¡°I¡¯m Franco Briones, Hi!¡±


    ¡°Are you talking to me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, who else is here in the Library at 7 am in the morning but us?¡±


    ¡°Oh. Hi then. Saphira. Nice to meet you, I guess.¡± I answered him without really looking at his face.


    ¡°Won¡¯t you even acknowledge my presence by looking at me and shaking my hand which has been


    extended and waiting for your infinite grace for more than 5 minutes now?¡±


    When I lifted my head to look at him, I was shocked by how good looking he was. I wonder how on


    earth could he be talking to me if he was this good looking? I was momentarily transfixed on his


    gorgeous green eyes that seem to drown me with its depth, his pink lips which draw my gaze. Even his


    unruly dark brown hair fits him perfectly.


    ¡°Earth to Saphira. and may I please have my hands back?¡±


    I immediately let go of his hands that I did not even remember taking. I must have really looked like a


    love stricken fool that day. I was lucky he did not pay attention to my shameful behavior that day and


    never did mention it again.


    ¡°You look really good. I mean, good to meet you. Ahhm. . . I¡¯ll just see you around!¡±


    I immediately packed up my things and left the library hoping that I will not meet him again.


    But, fate as always, never answered any of my wishes.

 Chapter 3: Impressions

    Chapter 3: Impressions


    It turned out, Franco was my new block mate for the entire year. Not to mention our seats were


    arranged alphabetically.


    As the teacher arranged our seats.


    ¡°Briones, Franco. Castello, Saphira.¡±


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    ¡°Hi Seat mate! Good thing we¡¯re already friends now.¡±


    ¡°Ahhh. . . I guess so?¡±


    ¡°Ohe on Saphira, being friends with a poor chap like me will not give you a virus. . . .¡±


    He must have seen the change in my expression when he said those words basing on the sudden


    panic on his face and his change of demeanor.


    ¡°Oh shit! Sorry, I did not mean it like that.¡±


    ¡°Its okay. I¡¯m used to it.¡±


    I should have been used to it by now but I still took my things and went out of the room towards the


    girl¡¯s washroom before the tears poured down my face.


    Being me everywhere else had its perks but being me at school is very painful. I was bullied a lot


    because they see me as a snob and a geek. Another reason for not having friends.


    ¡°Hey Castello! What¡¯s the matter? Senator Mommy can¡¯t save you from your tears?¡±


    ¡°Come on girls, I don¡¯t want to be in the same room as that drama queen!¡±


    ¡°If I know, she¡¯s crying because her big time daddy cannot give her the new car model she wants. Or


    she was not allowed to have another stic surgery to fix her nose!¡±


    ¡°Rumor has it that she¡¯s not even a real Castello. She doesn¡¯t even fit the pretty name or the pretty face


    of her parents.¡±


    ¡°Hey Castello, why the crying face? Did your imaginary boyfriend break up with you?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go girls, we¡¯re going to bete for PE ss which some snob here is allergic to. She doesn¡¯t


    even want to perspire or to even get tired. What a shame! She¡¯s missing all the fun.¡±


    Finally, the group of girls who always gave me hell, went out of the washroom and gave me some


    peace.


    I cried so much that day. Not because of the hurtful things they said but because I was fed up that even


    a stranger who doesn¡¯t know me at all will think that I am a snob.


    ¡°Saphira? Can Ie in?¡± I heard his voice before he peeked inside the washroom.


    ¡°Franco? What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Is that a yes?¡±


    ¡°No! I mean, no of course you can¡¯te in. Why did you even follow me here? Please go away!¡± He


    was unstoppable. He went inside, closed the door and blocked it with his frame.


    ¡°Look, I¡¯m sorry okay? I did not mean to imply anything, I did not mean it that way. I was only joking and


    I didn¡¯t know that you have issues here at school.¡±


    I looked at his sincere face and I can¡¯t help but feel more sorry for myself.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your apologies. It was my fault to be affected. They may be right. I¡¯m really a drama


    queen.¡±


    ¡°Look, I heard them. Sorry but I did and I¡¯m just wondering why a pretty and intelligent girl like you lets


    herself be bullied that way?¡±


    ¡°Stop saying things that aren¡¯t true. Just leave me alone. Please just go away.¡±


    ¡°Saphira. . . please.¡±


    ¡°Please, you can¡¯t make me talk to you now. Just go.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I will leave you alone for now, but just think of this, I am your friend now. Whether you want to


    or not. I proim myself as your new found friend. I would rather have one real friend here than a


    bunch of fake and fancy know-it-all like those girls. I hope you¡¯ll stop crying soon. I¡¯m really sorry


    Saphira. I really am.¡±


    He tried to approach me but I backed up. He looked at me sadly onest time before he left the room.


    I skipped the rest of the sses that day. There were some days when I just need to pretend to be sick


    just to have a peace of mind, at home, away from the bullies that make my already lonely life more


    miserable.


    There were nights I cried myself to sleep, hoping that I have someone to talk to. Someone to share my


    worries and fears. Someone to tell me I look awful when I cry. Someone to hold my hand and tell me


    that everything will turn out alright. Anyone. Just someone who will be my friend.

 Chapter 4: Someone

    Chapter 4: Someone


    The next day, I came back to my ce at the library. This has been my spot. Away from the prying eyes


    and venomous mouth of my school mates. This is my hiding ce. Here I spend my break time and


    any free time from my sses.


    I was confused when I arrived there and a long stem of white rose was on the table with a note on it.


    Saphira,


    My peace offering.


    Let¡¯s be friends. Please?


    -Franco


    I smiled. Yes, for the first time I really smiled. It was nice to smile for a change.


    Who would not smile from those simple words? Simple yet sincere.


    ¡°I¡¯m so lucky today to see your smiling face.¡±


    If blushing is a sin, well, now I am guilty as charged.


    ¡°Franco, you didn¡¯t have to give me a peace offering or anything. But thanks anyway.¡±


    ¡°So, are we friends yet?¡±


    I tried to look for any sign that he was just joking or pranking me, but I couldn¡¯t find any.


    ¡°Well, given that I do not have any choice or say on the matter, I guess we are.¡±


    He sat in front of me and took out a notebook from his back pack.


    ¡°So, friend, I reviewed our schedule, all the sses we are seated together as Briones, Franco and


    Castello, Saphira. Ahhh. . . it¡¯s a great thing everything here is in order. In alphabetical order to be


    precise! But, I was wondering for Physical Ed, I did not find your name. Why is that?¡±


    ¡°Directress, I would donate ample amount to your schrship foundation or any charity that you wish,


    just ensure that my daughter Saphira will NEVER y any sports while she is enrolled on this school. .


    . . That is the imaginary dialogue I conjured of my mother when she demanded from the school head


    that I be exempted from PE sses. That was after my heart surgery when I was in 4th grade.¡±


    He looked at me with concern. I was thinking, how can he look concerned when he just met me


    yesterday?


    ¡°Oh. You mean, you have a heart condition?¡±


    His words were worried and sincere. Some of the many things that I am starting to like about him.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m already cured after the surgery but the doctors still want me to be careful to avoid the hole


    that was once in my heart to open up again.¡±


    ¡°What was the problem with your heart?¡±


    ¡°I had a hole in my heart, I nearly died based on the stories of my mother.¡±


    ¡°I see, hmmm. From now on, I will be your body guard sh friend.¡±


    He said that with so much conviction that I was not able to keep myself from smiling. Wow. I have been


    smiling a lot since I met him. This must be my lucky day.


    ¡°Franco, I have two bodyguards outside this school who follows me everywhere I go. Being my friend is


    enough. Thank you for your concern.¡±


    I was shy to admit that it was nice talking to someone else for a change. The only friends I have were


    our maids and the guards that seldom respond to my attempt at conversation.


    In school, just talking to me will seal the fate of anyone. Because the bullies here in school always pick


    up tongueshing session at me whenever they have the chance.


    He just smiled at me and I smiled back. At that moment, I promised myself that I will try and do


    everything to make our friendship stronger andst a lifetime.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just study then we can head back to every ss together. Wouldn¡¯t it be nice to be with a cute


    guy like me for a change?¡±


    ¡°Haha. Don¡¯t be so full of yourself Mr.! But yeah, I guess it would be nice to have someone to walk with


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    on the lonely corridors. I have never had any friends here even if I have been here all my life.¡±


    The sadness in my voice may have been eminent since he moved closer to me and held my face up to


    look into my eyes.¡±


    ¡°I swear to you Saphira, from now on, I will always be here for you and ummm. . . we will have lots of


    fun!¡±


    I can¡¯t stop myself fromughing as he was winking his eyesically at me.


    ¡°Thank you though you don¡¯t need to do anything for me. But let me warn you, just by talking to me,


    you already sealed your fate. You may be the second most hated person on this freaking school by


    now.¡±


    ¡°I really don¡¯t care. I came here to study and I don¡¯t think that me, being the poorest guy here will have


    any friends anyway. I¡¯m just lucky I have you now.¡±


    I did not mean to blush but I was really touched by his words, his sincerity was overwhelming.


    ¡°Geez, you¡¯re so cheesy for a guy! Come on new found friend, let¡¯s study on our way to greatness!¡±


    ¡°And so we shall!¡±


    I guess I really found someone to share my weirdness. I just hope this will be forever

 Chapter 5: Sadness

    Chapter 5: Sadness


    ¡°Saphira, we won¡¯t be able toe home this week. Your father and I have a conference with the


    investors in Paris.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay Mom. I guess I just have to spend my birthday alone.¡±


    ¡°Birthday? Is it your birthday today? Beverly! What day is it today? Howe you did not remind me


    that it¡¯s my daughter¡¯s birthday!¡±


    I heard my mom scolding her personal assistant and I forced myself not to cry. She seriously forgot my


    birthday.


    I thought when she called it was to greet me since they have promised to be home this week.


    ¡°Its alright mom. It¡¯s my 17th birthday in a few minutes. You¡¯re in a different time zone remember.¡±


    ¡°Saphira honey, just go out with your friends, have a party or book a restaurant. We just can¡¯t go home


    for your birthday. We are really busy and we don¡¯t have time to fly there. If you want a grand party we


    can do that when we return.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay mom. No need for a celebration. I will just stay at home and study we have exams next


    week.¡±


    ¡°Oh. That is better honey. You should study harder, you will be graduating soon and being Valedictorian


    is an honor. Your father and I were both Valedictorians on that school.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do my best mom.¡±


    ¡°Saphira, I really have to go. Have a happy birthday and we love you!¡±


    ¡°Love you too mom. Take care. Good. . .¡±


    The line went dead before I can even say goodbye properly. I guess they were really very busy.


    Oh well, I just have to sleep this sadness off. Even the maids forgot my birthday.


    Ever since my old Filipina nanny died two years ago, I felt more alone than ever.


    My parent¡¯s were always busy. Even before my mother became a politician, they were always busy


    with the family business. They were always travelling and leaving me with the maids and my nanny.


    ¡°Elvira, take care of Saphira while we are away. Don¡¯t let her go out the garden and y. She will get


    all dirty and we can¡¯t let her be sick now. And her heart condition is very serious. Don¡¯t forget that.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    ¡°Yes madam, I will take care of her.¡±


    ¡°Nanay, why do they always leave me behind? Why can¡¯t they bring me with them on their trips?¡±


    ¡°They are preparing for your good future. They need to work hard to provide and give you everything


    you need.¡±


    ¡°But I also need them Nanay. I can¡¯t even spend a weekend with them. Even eating a meal together is


    very seldom.¡±


    ¡°Now now, don¡¯t cry. Come on. We will bake a cake for your birthday! It¡¯s your birthday tomorrow! Did


    you forget?¡±


    ¡°How can I celebrate if my parents did not even remember.¡±


    ¡°Of course they remembered, they nned a party for next week when they return.¡±


    ¡°A party for me again? But their parties were always for grown ups. No kids my age even go and you


    know I don¡¯t have any friends.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be your friend for now. I will always be with you Saphira. Don¡¯t ever forget that.¡±


    I remembered my nanny Elvira like it was just yesterday when Ist hugged her.


    Two years ago, she went home to the Philippines for a two months vacation.


    When I reached out to her family when she did not came back, they told me that she suffered a heart


    attack that caused her sudden death.


    Crying has been my outlet whenever I am sad and now Nanay Elvira is not here to make me happy on


    my birthday.


    I was crying my heart out at my room. Feeling all gloomy and sad when the phone rang. Who could be


    calling me at 12 midnight?


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Saphira? Are you crying? What happened to your voice?¡±


    ¡°Hi best friend. I¡¯m fine. Just a cold. Why are you calling in the middle of the night?¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re fine? I can meet you if you want.¡±


    ¡°Nah. I¡¯m good now that you called. So what can I do for you?¡±


    ¡°You can smile for me when I greet you a very haaaaappppyy biiiiiiiirrrrttthhhhhdaaaaaaaaaay! Wait, ill


    sing for you. Ehem. . . Happy Birthday to youuuu. Happy Birthday to youuu. . . . happy birthdaaaaaay


    haaaapppy birthdaaaaay. Haaaaaappppy Biiiiiirrrrthdaaaaay toooooo youuuuu. . . .¡±


    I can¡¯t help but smile from his sweetness.


    He remembered my birthday!


    ¡°Of course I remembered! How can I forget my best friend¡¯s birthday!¡±


    ¡°Did I just say that out loud?


    ¡°Yes you did. You whispered it too loudly.¡±


    ¡°But how did you know that it¡¯s my birthday today? I don¡¯t remember telling you that.¡±


    ¡°I did my research. Anyways, I took a leave from work today so we can celebrate together.¡±


    ¡°Can you juste here at my house? We can swim here or just eat lunch and dinner? Or even


    breakfast?¡±


    ¡°Saphira, it may be your birthday but I still can¡¯t go there. Not yet at least. And besides, I already


    nned our day and you will have lots of fun I promise!¡±


    ¡°Oh. Alright. So where do we meet? Do I bring a driver or I can just drive us?¡±


    ¡°Just go to the bus stop at 6 am and wear somethingfortable like sneakers or anything for walking.


    Just tell your guards to drop you off and they can follow us from there. We will have an adventure today


    bestie!¡±


    ¡°Are you sure I can survive this adventure of yours? Thest time you asked me to go out on an


    adventure with you, I got sick.¡±


    ¡°Well you didn¡¯t tell me you were allergic to furry animals! If you did then none of that would have


    happened! But now, I did my research well and I¡¯m sure you will love me, I mean, my surprise for you.¡±


    ¡°Hmmmm . . . owwkaayy. . . so I¡¯ll just see youter?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I can¡¯t wait to see your face when you see my surprise.¡±


    ¡°I can feel your excitement at the other end of the line. Thank you Franco. Thank you for cheering me


    up as always.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me yet. But you will always be wee. Now, go and have your beauty sleep. I¡¯ll wake


    you up early. I know how you hate waking up early on a weekend.¡±


    ¡°No need to wake me up. I¡¯ll be up even before you call.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s wait and see now shall we? Good night Saphira. Happy Birthday.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Franco. Good night.¡±


    Now sadness, leave me be as I will now have my Happy Birthday.

 Chapter 6: Reminiscing

    Chapter 6: Reminiscing


    Before I went to sleep that night, I remembered that one time Franco and I went to the zoo. He brought


    me there to cheer me up after one of the encounters with my bullies.


    ¡°Saphira Castello, you think you are better than us now that you have a minion?¡±


    ¡°Francine, I don¡¯t want a scene. Please just leave me alone.¡±


    ¡°Oh really? Well girls, the princess knows how to fight back now that she has a knight in shining armor!


    Or should I say knight in peasant¡¯s armor?¡±


    ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t you insult my friend! I am not doing anything to you why do you always pick on me?¡±


    ¡°Just your mere existence annoys me. Can¡¯t you feel you are not wanted here? We don¡¯t want


    someone who thinks she is above all of us. Such a snob self centered bitch! A teacher¡¯s pet! You are


    everything I hate in student. All righteous and mighty!¡±


    I should have continued answering back and fighting for myself but I was always fearful of


    confrontations like this. It was hurtful knowing that someone hated me even if I tried hard to be the best


    person that I can be.


    I tried to leave but she pulled my hair.


    ¡°Aw! Francine please. . .¡±


    ¡°Let go of her!¡±


    Francine pushed me hard to the lockers and I hit my forehead.


    ¡°Ooops! Hey! Let go of me! Are you gay fighting with a girl like me?! Why did you push me?¡±


    Franco pushed Francine hard. Being head cheerleader, she was fast. She was able to steady herself


    before she could fall face t on the floor. I wished I could have been that fast so my head will not hurt


    as hell.


    ¡°You dare hit Saphira?! She was not even doing anything to you. Why don¡¯t you just leave her alone so


    you can manage your pathetic life you envious bitch!¡±


    I have never seen Franco angry and he was really scary and I would say hot? His handsome face all


    red in anger.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell my boyfriend you pushed me. Then let¡¯s see who will be pathetic.¡±


    ¡°Right! Go and tell! But don¡¯t me me if I tell the teachers how you were bullying Saphira. She hit her


    head! She could have been injured and now I have a proof to show them. So Francine, tell me. Who


    will get into trouble? You or me?¡±


    It was funny how Francine¡¯s smug pretty face could look uneasy and tormented after hearing Franco¡¯s


    threats.


    ¡°Just stay away from us Francine. Consider this your final warning.¡±


    She left me with a spiteful re. If looks could kill, I could have been dead right on the spot. Franco


    went to my aid the minute Francine left us alone.


    ¡°Hey, are you alright? Come on, let¡¯s go to the clinic so we can let the nurse see if you¡¯re injured.¡± He


    took my face in his hands and checked my forehead, which throbbed painfully from the impact.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine really. I¡¯m used to this. Just that this is my first time to be hit physically. I guess I deserve this


    for answering back.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean you deserve that?¡±


    ¡°I tried to fight back but I got scared then I tried to leave. That¡¯s why she got angrier at me.¡±


    He caressed my cheeks and tilted my head so I will look at him and his gorgeous eyes.


    ¡°Saphira, nobody deserves to be hurt even with words or physically. You really should fight for yourself


    more. Don¡¯t let them trample you like that. You are better than all of thembined.¡±


    ¡°Just let this go Franco. Please? I don¡¯t want any trouble. Just one year and then I¡¯m off. I will finally


    free from them all.¡±


    ¡°I will let this slide for now, but if I see them hurt you or even look at your direction, I will always defend


    you. You know I always got your back right?¡±


    ¡°Yes thank you.¡±


    ¡°Come on, ourst period teacher called in sick and they couldn¡¯t find a reliever. Now, we have 2 hours


    of free time before my shift at the caf¨¦. Let¡¯s go have an adventure!¡±


    ¡°Are you sure about this? An adventure?¡±


    ¡°Ohe on, don¡¯t be scared, I¡¯ll take care of you. Let¡¯s go!?¡±


    ¡°Ahh sure? I¡¯ll call the driver.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to take the bus?¡±


    ¡°I want to but you know I can¡¯t just shake off my security and driver like that. They will get into trouble.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re too kind for your own good. But suree on.¡±


    We had so much fun that day. Franco brought me to the Zoo and Bird Park. I was fine at first, so


    delighted to be there for the first time that I forgot I have pet allergies. One of the reason for not being


    able to go there before.


    I wasughing from his animal jokes and his making funny faces to imitate the goris. He even tried to


    feed the giraffe even if the signs indicate ¡°Do not feed the animals.¡±


    It was on the dog and cat section of the zoo when I felt my eyes turned watery and I have been


    sneezing uncontrobly. My face and neck turned all red and I remembered I am allergic to pets.


    ¡°Saphira, what¡¯s wrong? Are you sick?¡±


    ¡°I hab awergies.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±


    ¡°I fowgot¡±


    ¡°Do you have medicine with you?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    ¡°In da cawr.¡±


    I was holding my pinching my nose as it was turning all watery on me.


    ¡°Come on, times up, lets get you treated.¡±


    And that was how my first zoo experience ended.

 Chapter 7: Garden

    Chapter 7: Garden


    I woke up from the incessant ringing of my cellphone andnd line phone.


    How Franco managed to make both phone lines ring was beyond me.


    I chose to answer the cellphone since that was where his handsome face was shing on the screen.


    ¡°Yeah? So early. . .¡±


    ¡°Wake up sleepy head! It¡¯s five am! Get up and get ready! We have a long day today.¡±


    ¡°Aaaarrggghhh! Five am?! Really? Do you realize that all people are still asleep at five am!¡±


    ¡°Do you want me to remind you and sing happy birthday again? Come on get up. I have the entire day


    nned.¡±


    ¡°Fine!¡±


    I tried to sleep again but I forgot he was still on the line. And he blew some kind of horn. The one used


    during new year.


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°Alright alright! I¡¯m getting up! Geez! So annoying!¡±


    I was just whispering but I guess he heard since he wasughing at the other end of the line.


    ¡°Ill call you in an hour when I¡¯m already at the bus stop. I changed my mind, you can bring your guards


    and driver with you. I don¡¯t want you to get into trouble on your birthday.¡±


    ¡°Owwkaaay. . .¡± I was yawning when I answered him.


    ¡°You¡¯re too cute for your own good. Now go shower birthday girl!¡±


    ¡°Yaah.¡±


    At exactly six am we arrived at the bus stop. It was just four blocks away from our house and we found


    Franco waiting with two huge baskets and arge backpack.


    I wonder what¡¯s on those.


    I got off the car to greet him but he just ignored me and whispered something to the driver and to the


    bodyguard. Since it was my birthday, they allowed me to bring only one guard today.


    When he finally turned to me, he hugged me tightly and kissed my forehead.


    ¡°Happy Birthday Saphira!¡±


    I felt lightheaded from his gesture but I just tried to ignore it. I guess I was short on sleep.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Come on get in.¡±


    He reopened the backseat of the SUV we were using and assisted me to get inside before getting in


    himself.


    One thing I always admire about Franco is his chivalry. He is the perfect gentleman.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why are you looking at me weirdly?¡±


    ¡°No I¡¯m not! I¡¯m just wondering where we are going at six am?¡±


    ¡°So impatient! Just wait and see.¡±


    We travelled for almost thirty minutes before reaching an old park. I can¡¯t read the signs as it was all


    worn out.


    The car parked and Franco got off. He took all the things he brought and led me out of the car.


    ¡°It will just be a short walk.¡±


    I tried to help him with the bags and baskets but he wouldn¡¯t budge.


    ¡°I can do this. You are my guest and I will make everything special. How can I make this day special if


    I¡¯ll let you carry the surprise.¡±


    ¡°Such a drama queen for a handsome guy.¡± I whispered, amused by him and his efforts in making sure


    I remember that the day is special.


    ¡°I heard that and yes, I am handsome, no need to mention it each and every time. Thank you. Come on


    mdy please follow me.¡±


    He actually winked when he said that. I just smiled in agreement and followed him.


    The walk in the park was actually calming and serene. There were a lot of trees and flourished green


    grass. It was nice to be with nature. I was happy but nothing could have prepared me for what he had


    in store.


    We reached a small clearing hidden by long vines. There seem to be a hidden passageway that can be


    easily overlooked if you were just walking by.


    He told me to wait for a while. I did not argue since I was really enjoying looking at the surroundings. It


    was really beautiful.


    He went inside and after five minutes, he came back out with a blindfold.


    ¡°Do you trust me?¡±


    He looked at my eyes and I gazed at him mesmerized.


    ¡°Of course. I trust you even with my life.¡±


    He smiled and I felt myself swoon.


    ¡°Close your eyes. No peeking.¡±


    He tied the blindfold gently and then led me inside the vines.


    I heard water trickling and some birds chirping. The smell of flowers turned up my excitement into a


    notch.


    Franco made me sit on something soft and silky. I think I may have heard him gasp when I reached for


    him when he was leading me to sit down. He took the blindfold off, his hands covered my eyes and he


    whispered to me.


    ¡°Open your eyes my princess.¡±


    I blinked twice and tried to adjust my eyes to the sudden brightness. What I saw was overwhelmingly


    beautiful.


    There was a small man madegoon with a small water falls. There were flowers everywhere. The


    ssh of colors from the flowers dazzled me. Green, red, yellow, orange, blue, purple. I have never


    seen a ce like this before. It looks so magical and enchanting.


    ¡°Do you like my first surprise?¡±


    ¡°Like it? I love it!¡±


    I guess I caught him by surprise when Iunched myself and hugged him. He lost his bnce and I just


    realized I am on top of him, looking at his gorgeous green eyes.


    I think my heart may have jumped out of my chest but I managed to catch it and bring it right back


    inside.


    I got off him and pretended that nothing happened.


    ¡°Saphira. . .I. . .¡±


    I turned to look at him then smiled sweetly at him.


    ¡°Thank you for this surprise! I love it.¡±


    He sighed then showed me his second surprise.


    He removed the cover of the baskets that he set up on our soft and silky pic nket.


    ¡°Wow! All this food?!! These are all my favorites! I don¡¯t remember telling you all this. All you know is


    that I loved burger but the rest of the food here? Amazing!¡±


    ¡°I told you I did my research. Now,e back here and sit down so we may have our breakfast.¡±


    We were eating happily chatting about random stuff.


    ¡°Who made all these? Everything was delicious!¡±


    ¡°Ahem! Me of course!¡±


    ¡°No way! How did you manage to cook all these? You even baked my favorite Danish and pastries and


    made eggs benedict! Even the Caesar sd was divine!¡±


    Excitement and appreciation flowed out of my mouth in waves. I saw him blush and I just found it cute


    that he will blush from all myplements.


    ¡°You¡¯re blushing!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not!¡±


    ¡°Look at your ears they¡¯re all red!¡±


    ¡°Franco is blushing. Franco is blushing. . . hey hey hahahaha. Stop! Hahahaha ill stop please stoop. . .¡±


    He was tickling me at my sides and I wasughing so hard my eyes started to water from excessive


    When he stopped, I rxed and stretched my legs and lied down. Looking up the majestic blue skies


    with white puffy clouds.


    Franco did the same thing. He took my hands and everything was peaceful. Without any words, we


    know that this day will be perfect. We closed our eyes and unknowingly drifted to sleep.

 Chapter 8: To Happiness

    Chapter 8: To Happiness


    When I woke up, I felt strong arms on me and I heard strong steady beats of a drum. Wait, was that a


    drum? When I looked up I saw the gorgeous face of my bestfriend, peacefully sleeping, arms draped


    around me in a protective manner that made my heart flutter.


    This is the first time that I looked at him thoroughly. I¡¯ve always known him to be good looking. The first


    time I saw him I thought I was imagining someone talking to me. He seemed like a Greek warrior God


    that was sent down from Olympus to protect the people. His most prominent feature was his nose. So


    perfect and manly. And his green eyes that always looked at me with tenderness. If he was not my


    friend, I would really want to be his girlfriend. But of course, this is just my fantasy. I will always be just


    a friend to him and I will always cherish that no matter what.


    When I tried to move away from him, he pulled me closer and murmured something but I was not able


    to hear clearly, I just heard the words hold and ever. I looked at the time and it was past 11 am. We


    slept for more than two hours. But I don¡¯t mind. Whenever I am with him, time is irrelevant.


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    After a few minutes, Franco woke up. He smiled at me and kissed my forehead.


    ¡°Good morning my bestie. Time for the next surprise.¡±


    ¡°You mean there¡¯s more?¡±


    He got up then took my hand and pulled me up.


    ¡°Of course! We still have a long day.¡±


    Still holding my hand, we walked along thegoon. He pointed some swans floating gracefully and I


    wished I had a camera with me. Then I took out my phone and took some pictures. I felt stupid for not


    realizing it earlier.


    ¡°Stay there. I¡¯ll take a picture of you.¡±


    He smiled. Then he did some wacky faces.


    Then he pulled me back and took my phone.


    We took several pictures together. With his long hands he was able to take our pictures like a pro.


    When I reviewed the pictures, most of them were either me looking at him or him looking at me, and


    those unlimited wacky shots that we had.


    ¡°Come on. See my next surprise.¡±


    He led me to a worn out yground but nevertheless I was overjoyed. It was always my lifelong wish to


    be able to y on a yground.


    As a child, I was never allowed to go out or y at the park. I just stayed home and yed alone in my


    y room. I never experienced being pushed on a swing. To y in a slide and other kids stuff.


    ¡°Come. Sit here. This is safe.¡±


    I sat on one of the swings and Franco pushed me gently.


    I was really having the time of my life. I loved how the wind kissed my face whenever I swayed up and


    down the swing.


    ¡°Here try this.¡±


    He led me to the see saw.


    ¡°This is fun!¡± I can¡¯t help but giggle that two grown ups like us enjoys our see saw ride.


    When we had enough, we tried the slide then the merry go around where Franco naughtily tried to


    make me fall by making me so dizzy.


    It was past noon when we returned at our pic site.


    ¡°Let¡¯s have lunch.¡±


    He opened the second basket and again, I saw various food that were all my cravings. He may have


    spent some money for this as some of these are really expensive like the lobster, crabs and shrimp.


    ¡°This is really good Franco. You can be a great chef!¡±


    ¡°Nahh. I just did this for you. I won¡¯t do this for a living coz its tiring as hell!¡±


    I can¡¯t help butugh at him and be so touched by his efforts. He really overdid himself this time.


    ¡°Thank you for today. This is my best birthday ever.¡± I hugged him and he embraced me in return.


    ¡°Anything for you Saphira. Anything.¡±


    The rest of the day passed by with just us chatting and sometimes bickering about simple stuff and


    after a while we will justugh it all off.


    We went home after watching the sun set, which was also one of his surprises. The view from one side


    of the park was perfect. The way the orange horizon reflected on our eyes as we look into each other


    was pretty romantic, if we were lovers I mean.


    My 17th birthday was the happiest time of my life, thanks to my best friend.

 Chapter 9: Hurt

    Chapter 9: Hurt


    A week after my birthday surprise, my parents arrived from their trip abroad. They had some party


    coordinators setup a party for me. Previously, the parties were only for my parent¡¯s business partners


    and my mother¡¯s political colleagues and close family friends. I was usually bored to death. There were


    times when I thought my ears were bleeding from so much political terms and current events


    discussions.


    This year the coordinators made it more painful for me. They invited my teachers and schoolmates. To


    add insult to injury, I was not aware of the guest list and that the invitations were already distributed


    until the day of the celebration.


    At the school Ladies¡¯ Washroom, I overheard someone talking.


    ¡°Were you also invited to the Geek Queen¡¯s party?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Almost half of the school was invited.¡±


    ¡°The biggest hotel will be catering her party. That hotel takes almost a year to book. I wonder how the


    hell did they pull that party.¡±


    ¡°Heellooww! Her mother is a senator?! Her father is one of the richest people in the world?!¡±


    ¡°I know I know. What a way to rub it in our faces!¡±


    ¡°Who does she think she is! Inviting us to her party we¡¯re not even friends with her.¡±


    ¡°Maybe she thinks we will like her now that she sent us some invitation.¡±


    ¡°I heard her mother¡¯s fellow senators will being and so as her father¡¯s business partners.¡±


    ¡°I bet billionaires and some celebrities will also be there.¡±


    ¡°That is the reason why my parents insisted that I go and attend. They said it will be a good start for my


    career.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the exact thing my parents told me. Their family is very influential.¡±


    ¡°What? So you girls are thinking of attending her party?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a choice. I am forced to.¡±


    ¡°That Saphira witch is getting bolder and bolder. I think that friend of hers is making her think she is


    more special now.¡±


    ¡°Well, we can¡¯t me her for trying to fit in now that she has a hunk of a guy doing her every bid.¡±


    ¡°Do you think they are doing it? The deed I mean?¡±


    ¡°Well, she¡¯s a slut so I think they are.¡±


    ¡°I just hate her.¡±


    I can¡¯t help but cry upon hearing all their malicious words. I did not mean to pry but what could I do? If I


    went out the stall, they will know that I have heard all their discussions.


    I promised myself that I will not be affected by their words anymore.


    I have to endure this once more. Only one year to go Saphira. I kept on reminding myself that only one


    year of hell and then I¡¯m free.


    ¡°Saphira! Wait up!¡±


    ¡°Hi Franco. I thought you left for work already? I still need to do something at the library.¡± I did not look


    at him for I am sure he will notice that I cried.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s wrong? Did you cry? Your eyes and nose are all red and puffy.¡±


    ¡°Nah! I think I¡¯m having colds¡±


    I tried to fake a sneeze but Franco¡¯s serious gaze made me stop. He was getting annoyed at me again


    for lying to him.


    ¡°You know I hate it when you do that. What happened? Tell me.¡±


    He pulled me towards the library to our usual spot.


    ¡°I. . . ¡°


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    ¡°Bestie, if you don¡¯t tell me what happened, I swear I will pull all the hairs of the mean cheerleaders


    here until I find out who made you cry!¡±


    ¡°Fine! They did not mean to do it, I¡¯m sure.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± He almost shouted but we were at the library so he had to tame himself.


    ¡°Okaay owkayy. I heard a group of girls talking in the washroom. They were saying things about me


    and the party.¡±


    ¡°What party?¡±


    ¡°Most of the people here got invitations to my birthday party. It was supposed to be a surprise I guess


    since I did not know anything about it until now.¡±


    ¡°So that is the invitation I heard a while ago. I¡¯ve been hearing the word Invitation quite a lot today.¡±


    ¡°See? Everyone thinks that I wanted them toe to my party when I didn¡¯t even know I have one!¡±


    ¡°What made you cry?¡±


    ¡°I. . .¡±


    ¡°Saphira, I know you. You¡¯re not telling me everything.¡±


    ¡°They were talking about us. They were saying bad things about us. Malicious things and I hate it when


    they do that. Its okay if they just say things about me but if it involves you. . . I just want to shout at


    them and . . . and. . .stuff their faces with . . . with . . . potatoes!¡±


    Silence.


    When I looked at Franco. His face was all red and funny. He was trying to keep himself fromughing


    and the effort was making its toll on him. Finally he let go.


    ¡°Hahahaha. . . .¡±


    Hisugh was contagious and we ended upughing our assess off. We just had to stop when the


    librarian went to our table.


    ¡°This is a library may I just remind you.¡±


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    Franco pulled me out of the library and into the deserted gym. We sat in one of the bleachers.


    ¡°Saphira, there really are no bad bones in you, are there? Stuff their faces with potatoes?! Hahahaha. .


    . How did you manage toe up with that. . . hahahaha.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re very amused at my expense.¡± He wasughing hysterically. I should be offended but I


    was rather happy that I was making himugh that much.


    ¡°Hahahaha. . . its hrious really. So. . . .rry. . . I just . . . can¡¯t . . . stop. . ughing. Aww! Why do


    you hit me with your bag! That¡¯s heavy!¡±


    As much as I enjoy seeing him smile and hearing himugh, I just needed to do that.


    ¡°You dimwit! Stopughing at me. You¡¯re supposed to make meugh and now you¡¯re making fun of


    me.¡±


    It was weird how one second I wanted tough with him and then started crying. I don¡¯t know why I did


    but I was just so tired of trying to be strong. My parents did not even ask me if I wanted to have a party.


    They did not even ask me who I wanted to invite. They did not care about how I would feel.


    ¡°Hey. . . I¡¯m sorry. Please don¡¯t cry. Saphira. . . Shhh. . . I¡¯m here for you always.¡°


    He pulled me sideways into a hug and I cried on his shoulders. He stroked my hair tofort me.


    I cried for every hurtful thing I heard about me.


    I cried for every party thrown for me that I never even enjoyed.


    I cried for still wanting to feel the love and care of my parents.


    I cried for still hoping that other people will understand me.


    I cried for still hoping that everything will be better.


    I cried for being so weak.

 Chapter 10: Hope

    Chapter 10: Hope


    Franco waited until the river of tears where all the pain and frustrations I was feeling dried up.


    ¡°Are you feeling better now? I¡¯m really sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to make fun of you. I am just . . .¡±


    I was still pressed to him and it made me feelfortable and calm.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine now. It¡¯s not your fault. I¡¯m just over sensitive I guess.¡±


    ¡°Saphira, I hope you know that you don¡¯t need to suffer all the time. We can beat them up whenever


    you¡¯re ready. Beat those guys who makes you feel miserable.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t help it. I just want them to stop looking at me in a bad way. My only fault is that I let them. But I


    can¡¯t fight back. I will just wait for the right time.¡±


    ¡°If you can¡¯t fight them, I will. For you.¡±


    ¡°No one can fight my battles for me. In the end, it will still be me who will lose. I just need to find the


    courage.¡±


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°I want to help you.¡± He gently let go of his hold on me so he could face me and look at me directly.


    ¡°Just being with me and listening to me is more than enough for me.¡±


    ¡°If ever I will be given a chance to protect and defend you, to make things better, I will. I just want you


    to know that.¡±


    ¡°I know. Even if you don¡¯t tell me, I know.¡±


    We were silent for a few minutes, just looking at each other¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Franco, will you attend the party? I can endure it if you were there.¡±


    ¡°I was not invited.¡±


    ¡°I can invite you. It¡¯s my party after all.¡±


    ¡°Saphira, even if I want toe I can¡¯t I have work even on weekends. And I already took a leave on


    your birthday.¡±


    ¡°Please?¡± I can see his resolve breaking each time I say the word please at him. It was one of the


    powerful words I use to get my bestfriend to do what I wanted.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try. But please don¡¯t keep your hopes up. I may not really make it.¡± He smiled and caressed my


    cheek to lessen the blow of his response.


    I just sighed in defeat.


    ¡°You know I want to always be there for you. Even if I can¡¯t make it, you can still enjoy your party. Try to


    mingle with your parent¡¯s friends. I¡¯m sure they will be nice to you.¡±


    ¡°They are nice but they kept on discussing about politics and business.¡±


    ¡°It may do you some good you know. They will get to know you as yourself, the intellectual, sincere,


    smart and witty Saphira that I know. And not just the daughter of a senator and a multi billionaire. Then


    when the timees, it may be your edge in the business world or whichever venture you decide to


    take in the future.¡±


    ¡°You know, I never thought of it like that. I guess I¡¯ll do that. . . . but I still hope you coulde.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re such a baby!¡±


    He started poking my cheeks to try to make ma smile, and as always, he seeded. He was the only


    person who can make everything seem alright.


    ¡°Stop it!¡±


    I tried to swat his hands but he¡¯s stronger and it became a ¡°poking battle¡±. We tried to pinch and poke


    each other¡¯s faces while trying to block each other¡¯s hands. We ended upughing our ass off the


    bleachers.


    ¡°Hey. It¡¯s already 5 pm. Don¡¯t you have work today?¡±


    ¡°Oh shoot! I¡¯mte! Come on! I¡¯ll lead you to your car then I¡¯ll go to the caf¨¦.¡±


    ¡°I could just drive you there you know. I also don¡¯t want to go home. I¡¯ll just wait for your shift to end if


    it¡¯s alright with you.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. My parents will not notice that I¡¯m gone anyway.¡±


    ¡°Saphira, you still need to inform them that you will be going somewhere.¡±


    ¡°Fine! Come on!¡±


    ¡°Thank you but this will be thest time that you will bring me to work. I¡¯m just runningte. It¡¯s your


    fault! You poked my face!¡±


    ¡°What?! You started it!¡±


    ¡°Did not!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll bete you know.¡±


    And then he pulled my hand and we both went to Serendipity Caf¨¦.


    That day I decided to embrace positivity and banish pessimism. I would try my best to look into my


    situation in a different light. After all, my problems are just measlypared to other people¡¯s


    problems.


    Take my best friend for example. His father left them when he was 12. His mother provided for all his


    needs but due to poor health, he was forced to work too most of his life. His independence and hard


    work is very astonishing. In just a young age, he was able to learn to fend for himself and to take care


    of his mother.


    How can thatpare to my attention deficit disorder, well not really the illness but that is how I want to


    describe my desire to be noticed by my parents.


    How can Ipare my struggles in school to those who suffer from oppression or racism? Well,


    thinking of it in that light made me feel better.


    I guess there is still hope for me.


    Franco


    Watching Saphira from across the caf¨¦ made me sigh with contentment. I am happy that she came


    here with me. If I could only request that shee here everyday so that I know she¡¯s safe. At least


    here, I can always make her smile some way or another.


    I don''t know how I came to care for her this deeply but when I saw her the first time at the library,


    lonesome and isted, I felt something strange. It was like I needed to approach her. There was this


    imaginary string pulling me towards her. And now that imaginary string became a solid steel chain. Her


    pull on me is ultimately strong now. Even if I want to escape, I know I can¡¯t.


    If she only knew how much I care about her she will not think that she will ever be alone. I hope that


    she knows how I wish to banish every fear, every hurt and insecurities that she have. To seal the tear


    ducts on her eyes with constantughter and happiness.


    Before I transferred to Brent Kelley International School, I only have one goal, and that is to get in a


    good college to ensure that I will have the best background and credentials in pursuing my dream of


    building my own business empire.


    I am a dreamer. When I dream, I dream big. But now, my goals shifted. I can¡¯t just dream to build a


    better future. I have to do my best to gain the best life. For me, my mom and Saphira. I will make it my


    life mission to be worthy to be with her.


    I just have to.

 Chapter 11: Party

    Chapter 11: Party


    One of the things I hate with being an only child is that I don¡¯t have anyone to bicker with, to y with


    or even to connive with.


    Whenever I watch a TV show, read a book or see a movie about siblings, I have this strange longing to


    have my own brother or sister. A sister that will style my hair and do my makeup on special days like


    this. Or a brother who will be my escort or date as ast resort during parties .


    Well, of course I am alone so I have to endure theborious hair and make up from professional stylists


    in preparation for my post birthday party tonight.


    ¡°Dahhling, pleaze do not move zo much or elze we will not be able to finizh in time.¡±


    ¡°Oh. Zorry, I mean Sorry.¡±


    ¡°Uh uh uh. . . don¡¯t look yet, I wantz you to zee yourzelf when I¡¯m done and not before. . .¡±


    ¡°Owkaaaay. . .¡±


    After a few, okay geez, after feeling like I am in infinity and beyond, my hair and make up was done.


    A group of model like girls entered the hotel room and helped me into my ball gown.


    It was a midnight blue Badgley Mischka straplesscey gown, whichplements my green eyes. It


    was stunning. I can¡¯t believe that I will be wearing such an elegant gown.


    Finally, my stylist Zandro, it was really Sandro but I have gotten used to saying it the way he does, let


    me look at myself in the mirror.


    What I saw shocked me. I almost did not recognize myself. The hair and makeup was simple and


    ssy. Just the way I like it.


    ¡°Oh! Zhank you very muzch! I look pretty!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee Zaphira and remember, you are alwayz alwayz pretty! You are gorgoeuz!¡±


    ¡°Thank you!¡±


    I just had to hug him.


    ¡°Tata! Come on, everybody¡¯z waiting for the belle of ze ball!¡±


    Praise all the angels above for guiding me all throughout my grueling travel down the winding staircase.


    This will be one of my aplishments for this year. Not making a fool of myself by tripping on the


    hem of my gown and falling t on my face.


    I was introduced to everyone and was escorted by one of Zandro¡¯s models which I didn¡¯t see after he


    led me down the long flight of stairs to the dining hall where over 300 guests were present.


    I know I shouldn¡¯t hope for Franco toe but I still sent him an invitation apanied with a three-


    piece suit and shoes.


    I know I will receive a lot of scolding from him since he always rejects my gifts or any offer of


    assistance. It¡¯s just the way he is. Which is actually very nice of him. He doesn¡¯t take advantage of


    anyone.


    I just hope he won¡¯t let me down.


    I saw some familiar faces that I also wished not to see so I just ignored them.


    This is supposed to be my night and I won¡¯t let them get the best of me.


    Following Franco¡¯s advise, I spent time with the business tycoons and some of my mom¡¯s politician


    friends. Being a bookworm and my inclination towards Business Economics and state affairs helped


    me make an impression. A good one I hope. But by the smiles and look of appreciation my mother is


    throwing at me, I know that I may have been doing a good job.


    ¡°Saphira, this is Senator McKinley, Mr. Donnovan Kingsley and Mr. Prince Maxwell.¡±


    ¡°Nice to meet you.¡±


    I am not sure how many times I have used those words after my mother or father¡¯s introductions but I


    will be dammed if I had to say them again.


    After a few hours or minutes, I really can¡¯t tell the time but I felt my feet in my four inch stilettos start to


    took my phone out and started dawdling on Facebook when I felt some strange inclination to lift my


    head and look at the ballroom¡¯s entrance.


    What happened next was unexpected.


    I saw the most handsome guy walk in the ballroom. The dramatic effect of histe arrival added to the


    enchanting effect of his massive sex appeal. Almost all thedies who saw him ogled at his


    magnificence. Well, of course including me.


    In his confident strides, he went to my direction. I could feel my heart doing somersaults, backflips and


    a few extra kick and punches. I heard my breath hitch up as I smelled his masculine scent.


    How he found me amidst the throng of people was surprising but I don¡¯t have to care about that.


    ¡°Saphira. Happy Birthday.¡± He sat down beside me and then gave me the sweetest smile.


    ¡°Franco.¡±


    ¡°Well bestie, I am here now and wearing your impossibly expensive gift that I will be returning


    tomorrow. Shall I say the magic words now?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Still feeling hazy with his unexpected arrival and his gorgeous appearance.


    ¡°Surprise!!!¡±


    ¡°Oh that. Yeah. Thanks foring.¡±


    ¡°What?! No gushing over me? You won¡¯t even jump into my arms and hug me tight to acknowledge my


    verymanding presence?¡±


    Hearing the teasing sound of his voice, I regained my senses and did the most logical thing at that


    moment.


    ¡°A!¡±


    ¡°Shhhh. Not too loud.¡±


    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.


    ¡°Why flick my nose?!¡±


    ¡°Because you¡¯re being too cocky.¡±


    He looked so cute, no scratch that, he looked so delicious to look at.


    ¡°Can we go somewhere else? I mean, I don¡¯t want to be rude but I just came here to see you and you


    alone. I don¡¯t want to meet anyone.¡±


    I immediately got his point and I knew he would love one ce I have in mind.


    Your room, said my subconscious which I really have to teach some values when I find the time.


    ¡°Come on, I have something to show you but I have to say goodbye to my parents first, else they may


    have another party, a search party just for me.¡±


    ¡°What ame joke but sure, I¡¯ll wait for you here. Aww!¡± I flicked his nose once more.


    "I can''t help it you''re being so . . ."


    "Cute."


    "Just stay there and wait for me." He held up his hand to help me stand and I took it, our faces inches


    from each other because of my improved height.


    "Yes my Princess."


    I looked at him and saw his green eyes darken for a while. I guess I am just imagining things.


    Now, I have to pull this off otherwise my night is over.


    Finding my parents took longer than usual and bidding goodbye is harder.


    "Mom, I have to go, my feet hurts so much and I would like to rest now. I''ll go home so I can be more


    I grabbed the chance when she was most likely not toin, when she is busy with entertaining the


    guests.


    "Okay darling, take the limousine. Your father and I will be staying here tonight. Just sent the driver


    back tomorrow morning."


    "Thanks Mom."


    After giving her a kiss, I hurried back to where I left my best friend waiting and nothing could have


    prepared me for what I saw.

 Chapter 12: Problems

    Chapter 12: Problems


    Franco


    When I got home, I found an invitation and a package at home. Sensing that it might be from Saphira, I


    hesitated.


    She invited me to her party. I know she wanted me to be there with her that¡¯s why I asked a favor from


    Bill to take over the rest of my shift for tonight at the caf¨¦. I was just supposed to go near the hotel and


    text her since I do not have anything to wear and I wouldn¡¯t want to embarrass her, but now that I am


    holding the ssic ck suit and light blue dress shirt, I debated whether I can do it.


    I have never done this before. But I want to make her smile. Just knowing that my presence means a


    lot to her makes me feel funny. I¡¯m starting to act like an infatuated guy, which shouldn¡¯t be. Not yet at


    least.


    I got dressed seeing that I was alreadyte, I took a cab and went to the La Verne Hotel where


    Saphira¡¯s party was in full swing.


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    When I arrived, I showed my invitation to the concierge and an usher led me to the ballroom. The


    entrance was elevated and it was strange that as I entered, all nervousness faded away and was


    reced by confidence and anticipation because of her. I can¡¯t help but smile that she looks so


    innocent in a corner of the room somewhat hidden from the view, but from where I was, I saw her right


    away.


    My breath almost caught up in my throat when I saw her radiating beauty and elegance. She is


    different from the shy and simple Saphira I know. She looks so pretty in her midnight blue gown, which


    entuated her features, she tilted her head and I know she saw me. I pretended to not notice her but


    I confidently, well I pretended to confidently stride towards her.


    I was nervous as hell and I don¡¯t even know why. When I reached her, I sat down on a seat beside her


    and that was when I had to do a difficult thing. To act like I was not affected by her alluring beauty.


    ¡°Saphira. Happy Birthday.¡± I smiled at her hoping that she will not notice how much I was appreciating


    her body in a dress.


    ¡°Franco.¡±


    She sounded breathless. I wonder if she is also affected like me. Trying to act so cool so she wouldn¡¯t


    notice how my hand trembles as I fight myself from touching her or hugging her.


    ¡°Well bestie, I am here now and wearing your impossibly expensive gift that I will be returning


    tomorrow. Shall I say the magic words now?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± I guess she¡¯s shocked. But I can¡¯t be fazed.


    ¡°Surprise!!!¡± Foolish me. I don¡¯t even know what to say.


    ¡°Oh that. Yeah. Thanks foring.¡±


    Now I know she¡¯s nervous and I have to break the ice, for both our sakes.


    ¡°What?! No gushing over me? You won¡¯t even jump into my arms and hug me tight to acknowledge my


    verymanding presence?¡±


    I tried to act my normal self and boom! Of course she will also be on her normal self. It was like her


    second nature. Hitting me. Which I kind of enjoyed since I know she is veryfortable with me that


    way. Stupid as it may sound but sometimes I provoke her just to see her feisty reaction.


    ¡°A!¡±


    ¡°Shhhh. Not too loud.¡±


    I didn¡¯t want any attention.


    ¡°Why flick my nose?!¡±


    ¡°Because you¡¯re being too cocky.¡±


    I saw some eyes were starting to look at us and I know I needed to get out of there, but I won¡¯t be


    leaving without her. I guess almost 3 hours into the party and she already pleased her parents, now it¡¯s


    my turn.


    ¡°Can we go somewhere else? I mean, I don¡¯t want to be rude but I just came her to see you and you


    alone. I don¡¯t want to meet anyone.¡±


    I saw her struggling maybe arguing with herself on whether toe with me or not but I was willing to


    wait even if it takes me the whole night. I can just look at her my entire life.


    ¡°Come on, I have something to show you but I have to say goodbye to my parents first, else they may


    have another party, a search party just for me.¡±


    ¡°What ame joke but sure, I¡¯ll wait for you here. Aww!¡±


    "I can''t help it you''re being so . . ."


    "Cute."


    She smiled. I stood up and offered my hand to help her. Well, Saphira sitting down was hot, but nothing


    could have prepared me for the view when she stood up and when our faces were just inches apart. I


    was literally breathless.


    "Just stay there and wait for me."


    "Yes my Princess."


    She could have ordered me to jump a building with the way she looked and I would have obeyed


    without batting an eye.


    It took her some time to get back and I was just minding my own business when Francine, one of


    Saphira¡¯s school bullies approached me.


    ¡°Hey poor guy, must be waiting for his treasure, ooops pun intended.¡±


    I ignored her.


    ¡°You know, for a gorgeous guy I don¡¯t know why you keep on leeching on a nerd, excuse my poor


    vocabry but leeching is the word that came into mind. Well, I must admit, she¡¯s rich and has the right


    connections. It must be beneficial for you to be friends with her. But that¡¯s just my observation.¡±


    It¡¯s a good thing nobody is hearing her derogative words. I just have to endure it since this is Saphira¡¯s


    party and I wouldn¡¯t want to make a scene even if I wanted to rip the smirk of this bitch face.


    ¡°What? Cat got your tongue? Why aren¡¯t you fighting me? Oh, I see now. You don¡¯t want to humiliate


    your friend on her party. Well, seeing that she must have spent a fortune on your suit, you really have


    to endure anything that will be thrown at you tonight.¡±


    Patience Franco. Patience. Yeah. Keep telling myself that.


    ¡°You know, Saphira is such a slut for thinking that she could dress you up and everything will be better.


    Is she any good in bed? Your whore. . .! Aaargh!¡±


    I pulled her forcefully but closer to me, pretending to hug her then whispered furiously on her ears.


    ¡°I can swallow every demeaning words you said about me, but never degrade Saphira ever again.


    You¡¯re a liar. There is no other whore here but you.¡±


    Then I pushed her and turned away.


    That was when I saw Saphira¡¯s tear streaked face and I know I have some exining to


    do.

 Chapter 13: Trust

    Chapter 13: Trust


    I hurried back to where I left my best friend waiting and nothing could have prepared me for what I saw.


    He was hugging someone.


    I felt tears start to linger in my eyes. I don¡¯t know why but I felt like my heart was being torn into pieces


    when I saw him hugging and whispering to that girl¡¯s ears.


    He suddenly pushed her away and I saw the girl was Francine.


    I thought about everything that she said about me and I realized that Franco knew what I endured


    under her spiteful mouth. I started to banish the jealousy I was feeling. When he turned around, I saw


    his expression and I understood. He was furious at her.


    ¡°Saphira.¡± His voice sounded worried and his face morphed from anger to utmost concern.


    ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s leave this ce. We¡¯re taking the Limo.¡±


    I walked ahead of him and he followed in a safe distance. I knew he doesn¡¯t want any attention and


    being with me at my party sure as hell will be a cause of a stir.


    I got in the waiting sleek ck limo and he hesitated.


    ¡°Come on in. I have something to show you and we can¡¯t walk to go there, especially not with these


    killer heels.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± He huffed before getting in.


    I showed the address to the driver and then we went on our way.


    ¡°Do you want something to drink? Choctes? You didn¡¯t even eat anything at the party.¡±


    ¡°Nah. I¡¯m all good.¡±


    I noticed that he wasn¡¯tfortable so I scooted near him and took his hand then leaned on his


    shoulder.


    ¡°Please rx. You¡¯re with me and it¡¯s my birthday.¡±


    ¡°I just am not used to riding a limo. And technically your birthday wasst week.¡±


    I just sighed and closed my eyes. The whiff of his scent gently calmed my senses and I didn¡¯t realize I


    was slowly drifting to dreand.


    Franco


    I felt jittery riding a limo with her, but I know I can¡¯t disappoint her. Adding salt to injury, she took my


    hand and leaned into me.


    God, her scent was overwhelmingly stimting. It was like my whole body went on overdrive. But this


    is my best friend and I need to keep reminding myself that.


    Franco, she¡¯s Saphira. Your bestfriend.


    I was still contemting with myself when I noticed her hand¡¯s grip started to loosen.


    She must have been so tired. I adjusted my position, removed my hand from her grasp and draped my


    left arm on her shoulder so her head rests morefortably in my chest. Resting my chin on top of her


    head, I punished myself by inhaling her vani scent.


    Right then, I realized I was in too deep. I knew she¡¯s special to me when I first saw her, but now, I am


    sure I am starting to love her. But I have my priorities and I vowed to myself not to get distracted. I will


    persevere and wait for the right time when I am already worthy to be with her.


    Earlier, when she saw me with Francine, I thought I saw tears and jealousy in her eyes. But I am d


    that she still trusted me.


    The car stopped in a restaurant that was alreadypleted but not yet opened.


    ¡°Ms. Saphira, we¡¯re here.¡±


    She stirred in my arms and I had to let her go. When she left my hold, I felt lost momentarily. It was like


    my body was craving the closeness that we once had.


    ¡°Franco. Come on. I have something to show you.¡±


    I noticed the sign of the restaurant and got curious.


    We went inside the restaurant, she turned on the lights and she led me inside to a beautiful garden


    gazebo.


    Since she was wearing heels, she was having a hard time walking in the soft grass. So I did what I


    thought was simpler, I carried her towards the gazebo where a table and chair was waiting.


    ¡°Thank you. Please sit down beside me. I have something to share with you.¡± Her smile is as sweet as


    honey.


    Did she n to take me here? At that thought, my heart skipped a beat. Get a grip Franco. She¡¯s your


    best friend.


    ¡°Last year my grandfather died and he left me this piece of property along with a letter. He told me to


    start making my dreamse true. He was very close to me since I am his only grandchild. When I


    was younger, I used to tell him I want to build my own business empire like my father. I want to be


    independent and build a name for myself.¡±


    I saw her eyes brimmed with tears and so I took her hand to give herfort.


    ¡°I also have a secret passion for cooking and actually went to cooking school for children when I was 8.


    Though now I only cook when I have spare time since I am busy with my studies.¡±


    ¡°Can you cook for me sometime?¡±


    ¡°I already did you just didn¡¯t know it was me. Remember when I gave you cupcakes and roast beef


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    sandwich after my birthday? I told you it was a thank you gift. I made that.¡±


    ¡°Really? Wow. That was the best cupcake and sandwich I have ever tasted.¡±


    ¡°I know. You kept on telling me it was good remember.¡±


    ¡°Was that why you wereughing at me?¡±


    ¡°Yes silly! Because I was really happy you loved the food I made for you.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me you made them?¡±


    ¡°I want to know how it really tasted. If I told you. You may pretend to like it even if it was awful. Don¡¯t


    deny it.¡±


    ¡°You got that right. Of course, I don¡¯t like to see you frown. You look ugly when you frown. A! So


    violent for a gorgeous girl in a gown!¡±


    ¡°Shut up! Hahahaha.¡±


    ¡°So continue with your story.¡±


    ¡°So when I received my inheritance from my grandfather, I thought of realizing one of my dreams. And


    so I nned about this restaurant. Everything about this was my idea. I conceptualized everything even


    the food that we will serve had my seal of approval.¡±


    ¡°How will you manage this while you¡¯re still in school?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t. My father let me have one of his trusted assistant to take over the restaurant while I focus on


    my studies. That is their condition for allowing me to build and open this now. I want to make my


    grandfather proud. And besides, starting this early means I will learn a lot of things in the process. And


    I did. I have been busy with this sincest year.¡±


    ¡°Wow. Are you really human? You seem like superwoman to me.¡±


    ¡°Hahaha. I just have a lot of spare time since I don¡¯t really socialize remember.¡±


    ¡°What about me? You spend time with me.¡±


    ¡°Yes I do, but since you have work I have time to do my stuff too. And besides, the restaurant is almost


    finished. We are just waiting for the polishing and furnishing to bepleted.¡±


    ¡°Why are you sharing this to me now?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I guess I am starting to ept the fact that I now have someone permanent in my life.


    Before, at the back of my mind, I thought you were just here to help me and that you will soon get tired


    of me. I have a lot of hang ups and issues in life. Being with me is like a burden and I was scared that if


    I let myself get used to us being together, I will just hurt myself in the future.¡±


    I looked at her and her face said it all. She was afraid to lose me.


    ¡°I am sincere in wanting to be with you Saphira. I want to protect you and help you in any way that I


    can. I believe I told you that already.¡±


    ¡°I know. And I feel your genuineness in your every action. Like tonight, I know it was against your better


    judgment but you still came to my party because I asked you. On my birthday, you gave me the


    greatest gift, time. I will always appreciate every gesture you do for me. And so this for me is my


    biggest gesture. To share a piece of myself to you.¡±


    ¡°Saphira. . .¡± I could have kissed her then with the intensity of her gaze and the emotions I saw within.


    ¡°Franco, thank you for being my friend. I know we still have a long way to go. But as long as I know that


    you are with me on my journey, I know I can conquer any hurdles that may be thrown in my path.¡±


    ¡°You just don¡¯t know how much you make me happy Saphira. I promise that I will never leave you.


    You¡¯re stuck with me. Now, can I have this dance?¡±


    ¡°Why not? We are dressed for a dance anyways.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    She took my hand then remembered something.


    ¡°Wait, we need music.¡±


    She was about to get her phone when I stopped her.


    ¡°No we don¡¯t.¡±


    And so, we danced, silently and peacefully we savor our closeness. Sealing our friendship with


    renewed trust and unspoken devotion to each other.

 Chapter 14: The Ex

    Chapter 14: The Ex


    Two months after my birthday when everything has been going great, the bullies were ignoring me,


    Franco and I¡¯s friendship is stronger than ever.


    With everything that I have been through, I thought I was prepared for the worst thing that could


    probably happen during my teenage life, but I guess I was wrong.


    While in the Ladies Washroom eavesdropping was not my hobby but most of the time I can¡¯t help it. I


    tried to be inconspicuous so I always end up hiding in one of the cubicles when the bullies start to


    gossip.


    ¡°I heard there was this new transferee again from Public school. What is happening to our


    headmaster? Always epting poor people to study here.¡±


    ¡°I know. She seemed pretty though and all the guys want to get to know her.¡±


    ¡°Well, if she will be that popr we might as well befriend her so we can control her fame.¡±


    ¡°Francine, if you wish to guard your status all you need to do is hook up with Rob.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me I tried several times but he¡¯s just not in to me. He said I was too slutty for his type. Stop


    ¡°Well, one thing about Rob is that he is honest as hell. And. . . he is very good looking and he looked


    delicious.¡±


    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.


    ¡°Alexa, stop talking about my future boyfriend like a piece of meat¡±


    ¡°Well, you can¡¯t me her, that piece of man is so beefy and hot I can already feel myself getting wet


    just looking at him.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re all sluts! You know that?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why we¡¯re friends!¡±


    ¡°Geez,e on, stop with this nonsense so we can go meet this new girl you were all raving about.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be jealous Francine, you will still be the bitchiest of them all.¡±


    ¡°Shut up Jas!¡±


    Ignoring my curiosity about the new girl, I decided to go to the library since it was my free period.


    Franco was already waiting for me when I arrived and he seemed distressed.


    ¡°Hey Franco, why do you look like you¡¯ve eaten something sour?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. I just have a lot of things on my mindtely.¡±


    ¡°Well, you can tell me maybe I can help.¡±


    ¡°Thanks besttie but I don¡¯t think you may be able to help me this time. I guess I need to face this on my


    own sooner orter.¡±


    ¡°Wow. Is this a telenov or something? Why do you have those monologue? Just tell me please? I¡¯ll


    do my best promise.¡±


    ¡°Saphira, just shut it. I just. . . I need to go. See you tomorrow. I have to go home.¡±


    He left me without even acknowledging the fact that he may have hurt me when he shouted at me.


    Franco never gets mad at me. Even if I was annoying and sometimes always causing trouble for him,


    he never once raised his voice on me, well, except for now.


    Whatever this problem he was having may be taking too much toll on him. So I did what I thought was


    rational and sane during that moment. I followed him home.


    Franco


    I was already at my house when I realized that I have been hard on Saphira. She was just trying to


    cheer me up and I got pissed at her. No need to be bothered with her right now, I will just apologize


    tomorrow. Now, I have to face something that has been bothering me since yesterday.


    I went to my room and took the box under my bed. This box contained memories that I tried to bury for


    the past year. Come to think of it, I forgot about this after I met Saphira. She made me recover from the


    pain easily.


    When I opened the box, I took the teddy bear that once was white and fluffy, now dusty and worn out. I


    gave this to her on our first andst year together. Her. Madeleine. My first love. For the hopeless


    romantic fools that I know, or that I was, she was simply the one that got away or should I say the one


    that went away.


    Looking at our pictures together, I wonder what I have done wrong to deserve such heartbreak. I


    worked hard, even if I was busy with work and my studies, I never neglected her. I did my best to


    shower her with love. I may be poor but whenever we are together, I make sure that I provide for us.


    She was a transferee at my previous school, Dney Public School. We were introduced by my old


    teacher since he knows that I am the most trustworthy of the guys there, he assigned me to tour


    Madeleine around the school and assist her in her sses which turned out to be the same as mine.


    When I first saw her, her alluring beauty captivated me. She was gorgeous and can be described as


    every man¡¯s dream. Her curvaceous body, ck curvy hair, luscious lips and blue eyes made me weak


    at the knees just by looking at her. I guess, I fell in love instantly.


    She was from a rich family but she did something that made her parents transfer her to public school.


    Until our separation, she didn¡¯t trust me enough to tell me the real reason why a rich girl will suffer a


    year in public school when she can afford even the priciest Finishing schools in Europe.


    That year was special for me because of her. Until she realized that I am worth nothing just like what


    her parents have been telling her.


    I tried to control the pain froming back, even the tears that was starting to pour down my face but


    the wound from her rejection is still deep.


    ¡°Franco.¡±


    I did not realize that Saphira was standing just outside my room, looking at me with her concerned


    eyes, or was itced with hurt? Is she hurting because of what I did at the library or was it because she


    saw me crying?


    ¡°Saphira. What are you doing here?¡±


    I turned my back on her and tried to control these emotions I am feeling. I was scared of what she will


    think and was afraid to hurt her in any way.


    I felt her approach and she hugged me to her.


    ¡°Franco, if you¡¯re not ready to tell me its okay. I will just be here for you even if you don¡¯t want me to.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I shouted at you. I¡¯m just. . .¡±


    ¡°Shhh. . . its okay. Just do whatever it is you have to do. I will just be here to support you. For once, you


    can lean on my shoulders. You have been with me in every hurt and pain since we met, now it¡¯s my


    turn to show you that I truly care about you.¡±


    ¡°Saphira. . .¡±


    And so for the first time after Madeleine left me, I cried. Not the sobbing and heart wrenching cry, but a


    silent pleading from my heart to let go of the pain that previously haunted me. The pain that seemed to


    hide when I met this wonderful girl hugging me. I let go of the fear of getting hurt and rejection. I cried


    to let go of the past, so I can wee my future.

 Chapter 15: His Past

    Chapter 15: His Past


    As I was hugging Franco, I realized that I will do everything in my power to ease the pain he was


    feeling. If only I can do anything to relieve his burden. He has been with me whenever I feel sad or


    alone and I promised myself that I will do the same for him. With his stubbornness and macho attitude I


    know it won¡¯t be easy to get him to start relying on me but I will try my best to let him know I will do


    anything just to make him happy.


    After a while, he stopped crying and was just hugging me while I continuously stroke his back as a sign


    offort. How do I know that he was crying despite his silence? Easy, my shirt was soaking wet with


    his tears.


    Still not letting go of me, he started telling me his story.


    ¡°I met Madeleine on myst year at Dney Public School. She was, well, my first love.¡±


    I felt like my heart was ripped apart when I heard his words but of course, I can¡¯t let him notice that.


    ¡°She was my everything. All my ns in my life before were mainly to provide afortable life for her.


    She is also rich like you but her parents openly detested me. They treated me like I was a gue


    whenever Ie and visit their home. I heard every insult they throw at me. She never treated me that


    way but thinking about it, she never defended me either. She just asked me to be patient with her


    parents and that when I became sessful they will love me too, so she says.¡±


    It was distracting how he was unconsciously tracing circles on my back and how his breath was fanning


    my head as he spoke but I was very much interested in his story. It will exin his behavior towards


    me.


    ¡°I tried my best to give her all the love I can to cover up for my deficit in social status. After our first


    anniversary, she began to change. She was one of the reason why I applied for a schrship here. On


    ourst school day before summer, that was the school year before I transferred, she left me. That day


    I just found this box at our doorstep.¡±


    I felt the hurt and sadness in his voice when he mentioned their breakup.


    ¡°She didn¡¯t even have the guts to tell me personally what she thought about me. She gave me this


    letter. ¡°


    He reluctantly released me and reached for the letter hidden on the box. I saw several pictures and


    letters inside. I was really envious of her. Their pictures showed how happy he was with her. Though I


    can¡¯t say the same for the girl. She seemed distracted in every picture. I felt like she was hiding


    something and that Franco was just blinded with his love for this woman. Oh how I hated her for hurting


    my bestfriend.


    ¡°Here. Read this out loud and tell me if I deserved any of her words.¡±


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Are you sure you want me to read this?¡±


    I searched his eyes for any indication that says otherwise.


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s time I shared this with you. Even my mom was not aware of what happened. She always


    thought we were doing great. I guess we were both surprised how things turned out.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Here goes.¡±


    Franco,


    I know this may seem surprising but I need to leave and I need to break up with you. I have let this drag


    on for too long as I was afraid that you will get mad at me, but I guess I need to be free once and for all.


    The first time I met you I was mesmerized by your intelligence and chivalry. Nobody treated me like the


    way you did. You respected me and that was what made me grow fond of you. Thank you for


    everything.


    Truthfully, I lied when I told you I loved you. I think never did. I liked you but not really loved. I was just


    scared to lose someone like you. You have been my rock and strength in surviving that awful school. I


    just wanted you to believe that I loved you so you won¡¯t leave me. But now, there is no need since you


    will be soon leaving anyways. Before you do, I want you to know that I will not wait for you.


    I was somewhat relieved when you told me you were epted at Berkeley¡¯s because finally I can get


    away from your grasp. I felt constricted by our rtionship. It was like we have our own world where


    nobody even wants to be in with us. Even my parents hated me for introducing you to them. In a way,


    you helped me annoy them and that was one of my ns when I epted your proposal to be your


    girlfriend.


    Franco, you are a good person, but I am not. We are not meant to be together. I¡¯ll be going away for


    this summer. When you receive this package, I may be on my way abroad. Don¡¯t try to contact me. If


    possible, just try and forget me. In this box contains everything that you gave me, even the pictures that


    you printed are all here.


    Take care and I hope if ever we crossed paths, you have already moved on so I won¡¯t have any more


    problems.


    Madeleine.


    ¡°Seriously?! She has some nerve!¡±


    I was not able to control myself, the letter enraged me. Franco does not deserve those awful words


    from an insensitive bitch.


    ¡°Calm down. Hearing the letter again this time made me realize one thing.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    ¡°That I have finally moved on. The letter does not hurt me anymore.¡±


    ¡°How can you not be hurt when everything in that god damn letter was a lie?!¡±


    ¡°Saphira, calm down. For you it may be a lie but for her, that was her letter. I guess that was how she


    felt.¡±


    ¡°Franco, stop defending her!¡±


    He hugged me tightly, caressed my hair and kissed the top of my head and I just had to shut up.


    ¡°I¡¯m not defending her. I am just exining to you that it is not important anymore. Her perception about


    me is no longer important. I am not affected anymore.¡±


    I gently pushed him away to look at his face for any signs of pain or anger. He was telling the truth.


    ¡°You are very special to me you know that, and reading this letter really makes me feel so violent. It


    was crushing my heart how she perceived you and how she fooled you into thinking she loved you.¡±


    ¡°I can see that you know.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I can see that I am special to you and that you are very very furious.¡±


    He hugged me again.


    ¡°Will you stop hugging me! I can¡¯t concentrate!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good so you¡¯ll stop being angry. You can tear up that letter if you want. If you want we can even


    burn everything on this box.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Aa. why did you push me? Hey, where are you going?¡±


    ¡°Looking for a match and somewhere to burn those awful stuff.


    I can¡¯t help it I guess I was really affected with the way that woman hurt him. All I want was to burn all


    the contents of the box. In a way I will be destroying all their memories and that makes me excited and


    relieved all at the same time.


    Franco deserves someone better. He deserves someone who will love him for who he really is and not


    just for what he can give. Like me, I love him for everything he is including his ws and insecurities.


    Realizing this now made me look back at him. He was smiling at me with tenderness and adoration in


    his eyes.


    At that moment, I knew, I am in love with my best friend. For your love Franco, I will do anything and


    everything.

 Chapter 16: Acceptance

    Chapter 16: eptance


    Franco


    Sharing the pain of my past with Saphira was enlightening. She made me realize that her presence


    alone was like a balm to my wounds. Her words, her hug, just merely being with her makes me feel at


    peace and carefree.


    As she read the letter, I saw how her face registered hurt and hate. Hurt for me and hate for the one


    who inflicted my pain. I wanted to hug her and tell her that I am alright. That I was no longer affected by


    Madeleine¡¯s insensitive and hurtful words.


    It may be because of Saphira why I now felt free. Hearing thest part of her letter, I knew that finally I


    can say that I have moved on.


    Take care and I hope if ever we crossed paths, you have already moved on so I won¡¯t have any more


    problems.


    ¡°Seriously?! She has some nerve!¡±


    I saw the rage in her eyes. She was all red and fuming with anger. If there was one thing I would want


    to avoid in the future was this side of Saphira. She was so mad.


    ¡°Calm down. Hearing the letter again this time made me realize one thing.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    I wanted to say that I am scared from her anger but I guess now is not the time. So I answered with the


    other truth I was feeling that moment.


    ¡°That I have finally moved on. The letter does not hurt my anymore.¡±


    ¡°How can you not be hurt when everything in that god damn letter was a lie?!¡±


    ¡°Saphira, calm down. For you it may be a lie but for her, that was her letter. I guess that was how she


    felt.¡±


    ¡°Franco, stop defending her!¡±


    I was so touched that she was upset about the letter even if it was not even rted to her, so I hugged


    her. I can¡¯t help it, I loved hugging her. Her scent calms my nerves. I kissed the top of her head and that


    may have helped calm her down.


    For a second, she was silent and I knew I had to tell her something.


    ¡°I¡¯m not defending her. I am just exining to you that it is not important anymore. Her perception about


    me is no longer important. I am not affected anymore.¡±


    She pushed me away and searched my face for any sign that I was lying. Well, I was telling the truth


    and she understood.


    ¡°You are very special to me you know that, and reading this letter really makes me feel so violent. It


    was crushing my heart how she perceived you and how she fooled you into thinking she loved you.¡±


    I know I was special to her but hearing it from her made my heart skip a beat.


    ¡°I can see that you know.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I can see that I am special to you and that you are very very furious.¡±


    I can¡¯t help it, I want to keep her close to me and never let her go.


    ¡°Will you stop hugging me. I can¡¯t concentrate!¡±


    I feel the same way Saphira. I can¡¯t concentrate. You seem to stir these weird feelings in me that I


    never thought I would be feeling.


    ¡°That¡¯s good so you¡¯ll stop being angry. You can tear up that letter if you want. If you want we can even


    burn everything on this box.¡±


    I could have offered her the world just to calm her and make her happy once more.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Aa. why did you push me? Hey, where are you going?¡±


    ¡°Looking for a match and somewhere to burn those awful stuff.


    As I looked at her searching the room, I knew that I am finally free. I guess I was still healing when I


    met her, but after spending time with her, I knew I was ready to give love another chance. I was just


    afraid that the same thing will happen with us like what happened with Madeleine.


    With Saphira, I knew I have to do things differently to keep her forever. I will take my time and just be


    there for her until such time I will be able to make a name for myself and no one could ever keep us


    apart.


    At that moment, I was sure, I am in love with my best friend.


    We found a griller used for barbecue and use that to burn the pictures and letters inside. The letters I


    wrote for Madeleine, which I remember that I didn¡¯t receive any letters from her. I was grateful for


    Saphira that she did not ask to read the letters.


    Even the pictures, she burned them without even looking. I found her expression amusing. It was like


    she was allergic to the contents of the box. If she can use forceps to touch the letters and pictures, I


    figure she would.


    As we burned everything, I felt lighter. Seeing Saphira¡¯s satisfied smile made everything better.


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    I was d she followed me home. I was d that she was with me today. I just hope that in theing


    days, when she found out that Madeleine was back, she will still stay with me.


    I just don¡¯t want to ruin the moment we were having. Just silently staring at the mes, I pulled her


    towards me and she leaned her head on my shoulders. I will do everything just to keep her with


    me.

 Chapter 17: Care

    Chapter 17: Care


    One week passed since Franco told me about his past. We were both busy the days that followed


    because of our exams, his work and theunch of my restaurant.


    I was searching for him at the cafeteria where we were supposed to meet when I saw Francine and her


    group. They were talking animatedly to another girl, probably the transfer student that I was still not


    able to encounter.


    Their group stood up to get their food. The girl stood up and turned around. When I saw her face I felt


    my knees buckle with the sudden emotion that came over me. Even if I have only seen her face in


    pictures, I still recognized her. I will never forget that face.


    Madeleine.


    I remembered that Franco will meet me here and I knew I had to keep him away from the cafeteria so


    that they will not see each other.


    I was so flustered that when I turned to get out of that ce I bumped on another person and all his


    food came flying. Some evennded on my head and face. Talk about a silent exit.


    ¡°Hey, are you alright? Sorry. I was not looking at where I was going.¡±


    The handsome man steadied me and tried to remove the food that was now sticking on my hair and


    face.


    ¡°Here, use my hanky.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. I¡¯m sorry too. I was kind of in a hurry and was also not looking.¡±


    ¡°Here, let me.¡±


    He was wiping my face with his handkerchief even if he was also soaked with juice and water from our


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    collision. I can¡¯t look at his face as I was really embarrassed and I can feel the eyes of everyone at the


    cafeteria looking at us.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    To make things worse, Francine and her group approached and being the good persons that they were,


    they did what they were used to.


    ¡°Hey nerd. If you want to get noticed by Rob here you could have just approached him and not causing


    a scene.¡±


    ¡°Francine. That was uncalled for.¡±


    ¡°Rob, don¡¯t be a victim of her conniving ways. She¡¯s pretending to be distressed so you will notice her.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care if she was pretending, at least she looked innocent enough, unlike you. Just leave us


    alone.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me I didn¡¯t warn you.¡±


    I saw them leave and I can¡¯t help but look at Madeleine who just watched at her new friends humiliate


    me publicly. I was thankful for this Rob person that he defended me.


    Wait, Rob? As in the gorgeous Rob the captain of our varsity basketball team, the Rob who was every


    girl¡¯s fantasy in school? At some point, he was also my crush, well, before I met Franco that is.


    ¡°Hey, are you alright? Don¡¯t mind her. She was just being her awful self.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m used to it. Well, thanks again and sorry for ruining your meal. I have to go.¡±


    ¡°Wait. I¡¯m Rob and you are?¡±


    ¡°Saphira. Bye.¡±


    And so I hurriedly left the cafeteria to search for Franco. I have to warn him that his ex was the new girl


    in school. If only his cellphone was working, then I wouldn¡¯t have to search all over school for him.


    -0-0-0-0-0-


    Looking all over the school for Franco was killing my feet. I really have to give him a phone so I can just


    text or call him but I¡¯m sure he will not like it. For his birthday next month I just have to force him to


    ept a cellphone as my gift.


    I wonder what could have happened that he was not able to meet me at the cafeteria for lunch. Since I


    wasn¡¯t able to find him, I went to our next ss. He was not there either and the rest of the day I was


    not able to see him.


    After school, I went to the caf¨¦ where he works but they said he took a leave for the day. So I went to


    their house.


    After a few knocks on the door, he answered and he looked sick and pale.


    ¡°Hey, you didn¡¯t tell me you were going home.¡±


    ¡°I felt sick and didn¡¯t want you to get worried. What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°I was very worried when I couldn¡¯t find you in school. Hey. Come on let¡¯s get you inside.¡±


    He looked dizzy and about to fall when she caught him and helped him inside.


    ¡°Is your mom here?¡±


    ¡°No. She had to go to work.¡±


    ¡°Have you eaten anything?¡±


    He just shook his head. I felt his forehead and he was having a high fever. I helped him on his bed and


    pulled up the covers as he seemed to feel cold.


    ¡°Get some rest and I will cook something for you.¡±


    I stroked his hair to make him feel that I was there to take care of him.


    I went to their kitchen and could not find anything to cook. So I called my driver to buy some grocery for


    a chicken soup and several food items and medicine for him.


    While waiting, I got some wet towels and gently wiped his arms, hands, neck, forehead and feet to


    regte his body temperature. I was d that he was in deep sleep so his body could heal easily.


    When the drive arrived, I cooked his chicken soup. He was still asleep and I did not want to wake him


    up so while waiting, I also cooked dinner for him and his mom. I even cleaned their house to pass the


    time.


    It was past seven pm when I felt him stir beside me. I was lying beside him on his bed as I felt tired with


    all the cooking and cleaning up I did.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡±


    ¡°Hungry, but better. It¡¯s alreadyte. Did you tell your parents where you were?¡±


    ¡°Shut up and keep your strength. Yes of course my driver and guards are waiting for my call. My


    parents are in Europe and yes I told them I will be staying with a friend.¡±


    ¡°Good. Thank you for staying with me.¡±


    ¡°Wait here, I will reheat your food.¡±


    When I returned, he was asleep again and this time I had to wake him up so he can eat and take his


    medicine.


    ¡°Hey, wake up sleepy head. You have to eat.¡±


    He was struggling to get up and I had to help him. The close proximity of our bodies makes me feel hot


    too. I wonder if I am also having a fever.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°Here, let me.¡±


    Like his own private nurse, I fed him the chicken soup. Seeing his appreciative face while eating the


    food I cooked brought me immense happiness. After feeding him, I gave him his medicine.


    ¡°Go lie down again. You may sleep again so you will feel better.¡±


    ¡°How about you? Have you had your dinner?¡±


    ¡°I did while I was cooking. Of course I had to taste if the food I made was edible enough.¡±


    ¡°Your food is amazing as always. If this is the life of a sick person, I guess being sick is not bad at all.¡±


    ¡°Silly! You have to get well soon so you can get back at school. We can¡¯t rx now that finals are near.


    You know we have to graduate first in our ss right.¡±


    ¡°You will graduate first and I will be second ce. I have learned to ept that fact way back.¡±


    ¡°Oh shut up. You are a worthypetition. Just studying with you is challenging enough.¡±


    ¡°Saphira?¡±


    When I looked at him I saw it again, the look of adoration and tendernessced with gratitude.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡±


    Our lingering moment of silence was broken by her mother¡¯s arrival.


    ¡°Franco! I¡¯m home! I bumped into someone and she¡¯s now here to visit you.¡±


    When they entered the room, I felt like I wanted to get sick right there and then just to escape the


    confrontation that will soon ur.

 Chapter 18: His Future

    Chapter 18: His Future


    Franco


    When I woke up and saw Saphira lying beside me, my heart went berserk. I vaguely remember her


    helping me to bed. I thought I was dreaming but seeing her beside me sleeping peacefully, I realized


    she was really here. I tried to keep still but the force that made me want to caress her face was strong.


    I was almost touching her face when she woke up.


    Her concern and care was overwhelming. I am drowning with happiness.


    After helping me with the food she cooked for me, I thought nothing could ever ruin my night until my


    mother decided to go home and bring an unwee visitor in our home.


    ¡°Franco, oh. Were you sick? Hi Saphira I didn¡¯t know you were here.¡±


    ¡°Good evening Ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Mom, why did you bring her here? I can¡¯t do this now mom I still feel weak.¡±


    ¡°Sorry son, she insisted toe here and talk to you. I didn¡¯t know you were sick. I should have stayed


    home to take care of you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry mom, Saphira took care of me.¡±


    ¡°Now that you¡¯ve mentioned it, I guess I have to get going now. Your mom is already here so I¡¯ll just. . .¡±


    I felt like my head was about to explode, from my headache and from the realization that Madeleine¡¯s


    presence may hurt Saphira. I have to protect her so I did what I have to do.


    ¡°No. Stay. Please stay.¡±


    ¡°Owkaayyy.¡±


    ¡°So kids, I have to go and cook dinner and you can just talk here while I prepare some food.¡±


    ¡°Ahhm, ma¡¯am I already prepared something for dinner. Sorry but I was bored while waiting for Franco


    to wake up.¡±


    ¡°Oh Saphira honey, you are such a sweetheart. Thank you.¡±


    Seeing my mother hug Saphira soothed my aching head and calmed my nerves.


    ¡°I¡¯ll prepare dinner so we can all eat.¡±


    ¡°Mom, Saphira and I already ate. Please go get your dinner and rest. I know it was a long day for you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you honey. Are you sure you are feeling better?¡±


    ¡°Yes mom. My nurse here is very efficient.¡±


    I saw Saphira blushing and I can¡¯t help but smile. I almost forgot there was someone else in the room.


    ¡°Okay kids, see youter.¡±


    ¡°Franco.¡±


    And so she speaks.


    ¡°Madeleine, this is my best friend Saphira. Saphira, this is Madeleine someone from my past.¡±


    I saw Madeleine flinch with those words.


    ¡°Can we talk? In private?¡±


    ¡°Whatever you have to say you can say in front of her. I will tell her about it anyways, so better that she


    will just hear first hand.¡±


    ¡°Franco, please don¡¯t be rude.¡±


    Saphira was always the kind one and I know I have to listen to her or else she will just scold me after


    this is done.


    ¡°Fine. What do you want to tell me Madeleine? I¡¯m listening.¡±


    I saw her looking cautiously at Saphira before exhaling loudly. I guess she was nervous.


    ¡°Look, I came here to apologize. I guess I was not brave enough to talk to you before I leftst summer


    so I just wrote a letter.¡±


    ¡°What you said in the letter was enlightening. Thank you for your honesty.¡±


    ¡°I was wrong. Now, thinking about it, everything I told you there was a lie. I realized that when I left.


    Being away from you made me feel alone and sad. You made me happy. There was no one else who


    made me feel loved the way you did.¡±


    Hearing her words I felt nothing. I just want this to end so I can be alone with Saphira once again. I


    looked at her and she looked hurt and unsure of herself.


    ¡°Until now, you are still selfish. All you realized was how I made you feel. Did you even think about how


    I felt when you left? How I felt reading your letter and finding out that I just wasted a year of my life with


    a pretentious person like yourself?¡±


    ¡°Franco, I¡¯m sorry but I realized that now. That¡¯s why I came back for you. I want to win you back. I will


    prove to you that I am worthy again of your love.¡±


    ¡°No need Madeleine. Like you said, when we see each other again I should have moved on. Well, I did


    move on. And I feel a lot happier now that I can finally say in front of you that I do not love you


    anymore.¡±


    If I saw hurt in her eyes I was not sure as she was someone who can mask her feelings very well. But I


    don¡¯t care. All I want is for her to realize that I will never get back with her.


    ¡°Franco please?¡±


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    She tried to approach me but I held up my hand to stop her.


    ¡°You were my past and this wonderful girl sitting beside me is my future. So please, find someone else.


    Don¡¯t worry I already forgave you for what you did. I am also grateful to you, if not for you I wouldn¡¯t


    realize that love is a two way street. It is a give and take rtionship.¡±


    ¡°Franco, if I could turn back time. . .¡±


    She was crying now and Saphira looked like she wanted tofort her. Oh Saphira, how can you be


    so kind hearted?


    ¡°I¡¯d rather you don¡¯t. I learned a lot from our past and I¡¯m sure that will be very helpful in ensuring that


    what happened to us will not be repeated again with my future.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your honesty and sorry for bothering you. I hope you get well soon.¡±


    She regained herposure and she left without a nce.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Never been better.¡±


    ¡°Was that true?¡±


    I just knew I have to pull her closer to me.


    ¡°Every word.¡±


    I was about to hug her when my very loud mother barged into my room.


    ¡°Franco, Saphira, Madeleine already left. I will be sleeping now. Behave you two! Goodnight! Oh,


    Saphira, delicious dinner! You are such an awesome cook.¡±


    ¡°Thank you ma¡¯am. Goodnight.¡±


    ¡°So. . .¡±


    ¡°I have to go home now, it¡¯s gettingte and you still have to rest.¡±


    I don¡¯t want this day to end but she¡¯s right, I can¡¯t keep her here.


    ¡°Alright. Call your driver so they can pick you up.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re already waiting for me.¡±


    I can¡¯t help it anymore, I pulled her into an embrace.


    ¡°Thank you for taking care of me. What I told her was the truth. I see myself in the future with you.¡±


    ¡°Shhh. . . we still have a long way to go. What is important is that we are together.¡±


    ¡°I know. I am just happy to have you. Please don¡¯t leave me ever?¡± I hugged her tighter.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, even if you chase me away, I will always stay.¡±

 Chapter 19: Threat

    Chapter 19: Threat


    I have been receiving mysterious notes and gifts on my locker for the past week. From cheesy notes


    saying ¡°You light up my day.¡±, ¡°Your smile makes the bright sun seem dull.¡± Or bold statements like


    ¡°Will you be mine?¡± ¡°Looking forward to spending time with you.¡± ¡°You look ravishing.¡± Gifts such as


    choctes and little stuffed animals. At first I thought it was from Franco but the hand writing says


    differently and whenever we were together he never mentioned anything.


    It was fun at first but after two weeks, I was feeling conscious and creeped out. The mysterious admirer


    seemed to be watching my every move. He knows my routine and he always knows when to put the


    notes without me finding out who he was. I tried to catch him a few times but I end up wasting my time.


    Last week I told Franco about the gifts and he was concerned that I earned myself a stalker. From then


    on, during his free time he always ensures I was with him. Even during after school hours at 4 pm we


    always go to the caf¨¦ he was working. He will work his daily four hour shift during the days when my


    parents were out of town, which is most of the time, I will wait for him in a corner table of the caf¨¦


    studying or browsing the.


    He grew protective of me whenever my guards were not around. He even discussed my security detail


    with my body guard.


    ¡°Saphira, make sure you do not go out of the school alone. Even on the school grounds you have to be


    careful. No loitering whenever I am not with you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think you are over acting here?¡±


    ¡°We have to be sure. We don¡¯t know his intentions.¡±


    ¡°What if he just wants to be friends?¡±


    ¡°If he wanted that he could have approached you before and not stalking you like a psycho.¡±


    ¡°I hope this ends soon. I want to be able to act without feeling like I am being watched all the time.¡±


    ¡°Well, technically, you were always watched since you have two bulky guards with you daily. Ouch!


    Why do you have to hit me every chance you get!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re so witty for your own good, that¡¯s why!¡±


    ¡°Come on, I have to go to work. Are youing thereter?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I have to go home first to change and I forgot to bring myptop.¡±


    ¡°Okay I¡¯ll meet youter.¡±


    ¡°Hey! Why don¡¯t I just give you a ride to work?¡±


    ¡°Nah. I prefer the bus. Later!¡±


    ¡°But . . . never mind.¡±


    Since he already ran towards the gate while I waited for my ride home.


    ¡°Hey. Saphira right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. You remembered. Hi.¡±


    ¡°I was wondering if you have free time today so we can have coffee?¡±


    ¡°Oh. Sorry, I was just about to go home. I have. . . some errands to run.¡±


    ¡°Maybe next time?¡±


    ¡°I guess.¡±


    ¡°Good. I¡¯ll just see you around!¡±


    And then he left. I was at a loss for words why a popr and hunk guy like Rob will approach me.


    Maybe he was just bored.


    -0-0-0-0-0-


    On his birthday I thought of nning a surprise birthday party for him but he warned me he doesn¡¯t


    want any surprises so we just opted for a simple dinner at their house. Just him, his mother and I. Just


    the three of us.


    For his birthday I bought him a smartphone, which is the newest and same model as I was using.


    ¡°Happy Birthday Bestfriend!¡±


    ¡°Thank you. But you didn¡¯t have to give me anything.¡±


    ¡°Duh! You gave me the best birthday ever, twice if I might say, and this is nothingpared to


    everything that you have done for me.¡±


    ¡°Saphira, you know I will do anything for you. You don¡¯t have to give something back.¡±


    ¡°I know. But I also want to give you something that will remind you of me.¡±


    ¡°Believe me, no need for that.¡±


    I was feeling frustrated at that moment and was about to argue with him more.


    ¡°Franco, just ept the gift and be thankful! Open your present so you can see what it is.¡±


    ¡°Mom! Why were you listening?¡±


    ¡°You were arguing loudly, of course I can hear you! Our house is not sound proof you know. Go and


    open it so we can eat. I¡¯m starving!¡±


    I hugged his mother feeling thankful that she helped me put some sense into her son¡¯s stubborn mind.


    Franco unwrapped the present and when he saw the phone, I found his weird face amusing and I can¡¯t


    help butugh.


    ¡°You look like you saw something disgusting Franco. Such a way to appreciate my gift.¡±


    He winced and I knew it was time for his inevitable rant.


    ¡°Bestie, this is too much! And I don¡¯t even know how to use this.¡±


    ¡°Of course I will help you silly! And that¡¯s already set up. I saved my number already.¡±


    I gave him a wink and that was the only time he smiled. I was surprised that he pulled me into a hug.


    ¡°Thank you. I know why you gave this to me. So you wouldn¡¯t have to search for me all over school


    right?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re such a bright boy!¡± I tapped his back and he hugged me closer.


    ¡°Eherm. Come on kids, let¡¯s eat.¡±


    And we broke from our embrace to continue his dinner celebration.


    Though I have been to his house thrice already, that was the first time he officially introduced me to his


    mom as his best friend and his mother and I got along really well.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    I cooked Puttanesca and baked a Caramel Fudge cake for his birthday. His mother also prepared


    Caesar Sd, Roast Chicken and Ribs.


    ¡°I really loved your cooking Saphira. The cake is very delicious.¡±


    ¡°Thank you ma¡¯am. Dinner is perfect especially the ones you made.¡±


    ¡°Stop calling me ma¡¯am. You can call me Auntie or Mom if you want.¡±


    ¡°Ahhhm. Auntie?¡±


    ¡°Better than Ma¡¯am, though I preferred Mom.¡±


    I heard her whisper thest words and I was secretly pleased she wanted me to call her Mom.


    ¡°Hey you two have you been talking about me?¡±


    ¡°No son. For a moment there we even forgot you were here.¡±


    ¡°Ouch. What a hurtful thing to say on a person¡¯s birthday.¡±


    And his mom and Iughed together when we saw Franco¡¯s faked hurt face. He was even clutching his


    chest for added effect.


    That day I felt like finally I belonged somewhere. I may just be a side member of their family but at least


    I felt like I mattered and I was appreciated. Franco is very lucky to have a mother who was there for


    him and his mother is also very blessed to have a son like him. They were both willing to sacrifice and


    work hard for each other.


    They may not be blessed financially but as I see the love and adoration they have for each other, I wish


    that in the future, I¡¯ll be able to show my love to my children the same way.

 Chapter 20: Trip

    Chapter 20: Trip


    One afternoon, we were called to the School¡¯s Faculty Room.


    ¡°Franco and Saphira, being the top two seniors of this batch, you will be sent to San Francisco to


    represent the school for an Inter State Student¡¯s Conference. It is a good thing that the location is only


    here in California. The school will be providing airfare and amodations. But the amodations


    will be for the hotel only. The allowance for food and other things will be at your personal expense. It


    will be for 4 days and 3 nights.¡±


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°How about shool Mrs. Diaz? Won¡¯t our ranking be affected by the duration of our absence?¡±


    ¡°Nice question Saphira, both of you will be excused from your sses and homework since you will be


    gone for the school¡¯s sake. Your ranking and grades should not be affected.¡±


    ¡°What if one of us cannot afford to join the Conference, will that have an impact?¡±


    ¡°No. Recements will be necessary but that wouldn¡¯t affect your current standing, although this will be


    a good opportunity for you especially if you are aiming to go to Harvard or to Princeton. Most of the


    past delegates were admitted without question partly based on their participation to the Inter school or


    Inter State activities such as this. So, you can just fill up this form and submit to me on Friday so we


    can arrange the details of your trip. You will be leaving a week from now.¡±


    Being the top students of the school, Franco and I were asked to join this event. I was pondering on


    what would be our arrangements when I noticed that Franco was looking worried.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s wrong? Aren¡¯t you excited that we will be doing this together? We can even tour around


    San Fo. I haven¡¯t been there yet and it would be nice to explore it with you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the thing, I don¡¯t think I can join you.¡±


    ¡°But. . . but why? The expenses will be covered by the school.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have the time Saphira, I have work remember? I need to continue working to save for University


    especially if we will be pushing through with Harvard. Its in another state and will require a lot of


    adjustments on my part, financially I mean.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s only 4 days. Can¡¯t you file a leave or something?¡±


    ¡°I can but I won¡¯t get paid if I took a leave. Also, the allowance will not be shouldered by the school.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the money, I will take care of it. I will loan it to you if you want.¡±


    ¡°You know I won¡¯t allow you to pay for my meals for four days and three nights, even if it¡¯s on loan.¡±


    ¡°Franco. . . please do this for me? I won¡¯t befortable being with someone else.¡±


    ¡°I will try. But I can¡¯t promise you anything. I will discuss this with my mom first. But whatever my


    decision is, please join the conference? You¡¯ve worked hard for this. And I¡¯m sure this conference will


    make your parents proud of you.¡±


    ¡°I just hope you will join me. I know it won¡¯t be the same without you.¡±


    ¡°I hope so too.¡±


    -0-0-0-0-0-


    Franco


    When I told my mother about the Student¡¯s Conference in San Francisco, she was excited. This would


    be my first time to travel away from San Diego and she agreed, no scratch that, she demanded that I


    should attend. She and I were both saving money for my university and she said that spending a part of


    it will not hurt. We can just work harder to rece the money. What was important was to grasp this


    opportunity.


    ¡°Franco, you live only once. Do not limit yourself when opportunities like thise your way. And


    besides, will you be at peace knowing that Saphira is miles away from here without you?¡±


    Of course, my mother knows which strings to pull and Saphira is my weakness. After some thinking, I


    gave in and submitted the form together with Saphira.


    To say that she was ecstatic was understated. She almost strangled me with happiness and I can¡¯t help


    but be d for my decision.

 Chapter 21: Complications

    Chapter 21: Complications


    When everything was all set and the following day we will be travelling to San Francisco, something


    happened.


    ¡°Franco Briones. You are wanted at the Principal¡¯s Office.¡±


    I could have asked Saphira to join me but she was presenting her report in front of the ss when I


    was called by one of the faculty.


    ¡°Good morning Sir, you called me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, well, I don¡¯t know how to tell you this but someone from your mother¡¯s work called in just a few


    minutes ago. Your mother copsed and was rushed to the hospital. She did not say anything else but


    to inform you to go to Saint Therese Hospital near your area.¡±


    If I was not at the Principal¡¯s office I could have ran and rushed to the hospital.


    ¡°Franco, please tell me that you will still go to the Conference tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°Sir, I don¡¯t think leaving my mother will be a good idea. If possible, can you still look for a


    recement?¡±


    ¡°I was afraid you will tell that, but yes, I think I can find someone on a short notice. But I will still keep


    your ticket and hotel amodation just in case you changed your mind. Just inform me immediately


    so we canpromise.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Sir for your consideration. May I please be excused? I need to go see my mother.¡±


    ¡°Yes yes of course. I hope nothing serious happened.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Sir. I hope so too.¡±


    And so I rushed to the hospital to find my mother sleeping with some IV and some equipment to check


    her oxygen and heart rate.


    ¡°Sir, the doctor wants to speak to you at his office.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Nurse.¡±


    When I got to the Doctor¡¯s office I was very nervous, I was praying that everything will be alright and


    that my mom¡¯s condition is not serious.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Briones, have a seat.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Sir¡±


    ¡°Well, we both know that your mother¡¯s health especially her heart is weak. Last month I told her to


    take it easy at work and rest for at least a week off every once in a while from work so she can rest but


    she insisted that she needed to save money especially that you will be going to University next year.


    While at work today, she fainted and based on the symptoms, it was from stress. It was a good thing


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    this was not a stroke but just fatigue.¡±


    ¡°I thought she told me that she is all better. That she just need to take her medications and all will be


    good?¡±


    ¡°Yes, she is getting better but for the past month, there were signs that her heart is again showing


    some problems. In simple terms, her heart will start to fail her again if she will not take it easy. I don¡¯t


    want to burden you with more medical jargon since you and your mother are like family to me.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Doctor. What do we have to do?¡±


    ¡°As we have discussed before, since she already underwent the Angiosty treatment for her


    Coronary Artery Heart Disease, there is nothing we can do but to ensure that her heart condition will


    not repeat. She was cleared to work again since her work is mostly desk job and should not be


    detrimental to her health but I think, a week of leave will help her recuperate faster.¡±


    ¡°Will there be anyplications Doctor?¡±


    ¡°No, she fainted on her desk thankfully, she did not fall or hit her head. Your mother is exceptionally


    strong and I am sure she can recover easily. This is just a minor set back. You can take her home this


    afternoon. Just make sure she will take her medicines on time and eat the right food.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Doctor for all your help.¡±


    When I went to my mother¡¯s room she was already awake.


    ¡°Honey, why are you here, are your bags packed already?¡±


    ¡°Mom, you know I can¡¯t leave you here alone.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense! I can take care of myself. I will just ask Annie toe to our house daily while you are at


    your conference.¡±


    ¡°No mom. Don¡¯t be stubborn. Just take a rest. We will be going home this afternoon.¡±


    ¡°Fine. I am getting sleepy, must be the medication they were giving me. Please promise me you¡¯ll still


    go?¡±


    ¡°Mom, just sleep, please.¡±


    Now that I am sure that my mother was on her way to recovery, I have to inform Saphira. Looking at


    the phone she gave me, I saw fifteen missed calls and seven text messages.


    Franco, what happened?


    Call me.


    Answer your phone.


    Are you alright?


    Is there a problem?


    Franco. I¡¯m worried.


    Where are you?


    I was about to respond when the phone rang again and her picture shed on the screen. With


    everything on my mind, I still smiled. She still made me smile no matter how heavy my heart was


    feeling at the moment. Only she can affect me this way.


    ¡°Hellow.¡±


    ¡°Franco, oh thank God you answered! How are you? What happened? Where are you? Why didn¡¯t you


    tell me where you went? I have been calling you and texting you but you . . .¡±


    ¡°Calm down. Breathe. Let me answer first ok?¡±


    ¡°But. . .¡±


    ¡°Saphira.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Go on, answer my questions.¡±


    ¡°I am fine. Though mom fainted at work and was rushed to the hospital. I am here now and have just


    spoken to the doctor. She is better but will need a week¡¯s rest. She¡¯s over fatigued and because she


    had a weak heart before, her health should be carefully looked after. I wasn¡¯t able to answer you since I


    was worried and I forgot to tell you I was going here out of panic. I was about to text you when you


    called again.¡±


    ¡°Oh Franco. I could have been there for you. I¡¯m sorry for nagging at you. I was just worried.¡±


    ¡°I know. But everything is fine now. We can go home this afternoon.¡±


    ¡°Franco?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not going with me to the conference now, are you?¡±


    ¡°You know me too well bestie.¡±


    I heard her deep sigh at the other end of the line.


    ¡°I understand. I know how much you will be worried for your mom if you were miles away from her.


    Don¡¯t worry about me, I will take care of myself so you don¡¯t have to worry.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re going to be fine without me?¡±


    ¡°I will do my best. I have been independent for so long and I think four days alone will not be that bad.¡±


    ¡°Oh. But I think someone will still go with you.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know too. Perhaps tomorrow you will find out.¡±


    ¡°Why do I have this weird feeling that I will not like my newpanion?¡±


    ¡°Bestie, what¡¯s not to like. As long as it will not be one of the bullies which I highly doubt since the


    school need a reliable and reputable delegate, you will do good.¡±


    ¡°Well, I hope so. I will go over your houseter after school. Just text me when you¡¯re already there. I


    also want to visit your mom.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Thanks. Go on I know your next ss will start in five minutes.¡±


    ¡°See youter!¡±

 Chapter 22: Friends

    Chapter 22: Friends


    I woke up at five am still feeling sleepy. I went homete the previous night when I visited Franco¡¯s


    mother. She was still demanding that I force Franco to go to San Francisco with me but knowing his


    son, once his mind was made up, no one, not even me can change that.


    Good thing I already packed my things the day before and now I am all set for the one and a half hour


    flight to San Francisco. The school adviser called me that I will meet the new delegateter at the


    airport and I am feeling nervous. What if I will not befortable with him or her?


    My mother insisted that I use the Limo on the way to the airport and I was already halfway to the airport


    when I found out I forgot to bring my cellphone with me. I left it on the charging station at my room. I


    called Franco¡¯s phone from the Limo¡¯s phone line.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Hi Bestfriend. I am now on my way to the airport.¡±


    ¡°Why are you using another number? Where is your phone?¡±


    ¡°Well, that is why I called, I forgot it at home and I would bete for my flight if I will go back for it. So I


    guess, you won¡¯t be hearing from me for four days and three nights huh?¡±


    ¡°Oh God, just thinking about it makes me want to fly with you.¡±


    ¡°Really? You can still go you know.¡±


    I heard him sigh at the other line.


    ¡°I want to but you know I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°Promise me you¡¯ll take care? Now that you don¡¯t even have your phone with you, you can¡¯t update me


    with your activities and if your safe. I just have to take your word for it.¡±


    ¡°Yes I promise. We¡¯ve been discussing this sincest night.¡±


    ¡°Yes, butst night, I didn¡¯t know you are dumb enough to leave your phone behind.¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡±


    He chuckled with my protest.


    ¡°Just please stay out of trouble?¡±


    Hearing his worried and pained voice made me want to just go back home.


    ¡°I will, don¡¯t worry. I will call you from the hotel room once I have checked in.¡±


    ¡°Alright. Have a safe flight.¡±


    ¡°Duh! It will only be a one and a half hour ne ride.¡±


    ¡°Still, be safe.¡±


    ¡°Ok. Bye Bestfriend, say hi to your mom for me.¡±


    ¡°Bye.¡±


    After checking in and boarding the ne, I still did not see the other delegate. I was so sleepy that after


    cing my hand carried bag at the overheadpartment, I went to sleep. I was woken up by a very


    strong turbulence.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±


    ¡°Just some turbulence. Get back to sleep, we still have thirty minutes before wend.¡±


    I was surprised that I recognized that voice.


    ¡°Rob?¡±


    ¡°Hi Saphira.¡±


    He gave me a sweet smile and for a moment I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯re the new delegate?¡±


    ¡°Well, yeah I guess. Why do you look so surprised? I¡¯m a straight A student just like you though I am


    busy with Basketball practice so I don¡¯t really attend the sses daily.¡±


    ¡°Sorry. I was just . . .¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. Do you want anything to eat? The stewardess served snacks earlier but you were


    asleep. I can call her if you want.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. But I am fine. Just a bit sleepy.¡±


    ¡°I will just wake you up before wend.¡±


    ¡°Ok. Thank you.¡±


    This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    I was somewhat relieved that it was him who apanied me. At least he was nice to me.


    Rob woke me up when we were about tond. He even carried my luggage for me. He looked so at


    ease and confident in his every action. The girls at the airport are all gushing at him.


    Well, who wouldn¡¯t? He was 6¡¯5¡± in height, with a body to die for and a handsome face to match. He


    actually looked like the Captain America actor, just a younger version.


    I can¡¯t help but feel smug that he was giving me all the attention but I also felt the intense hatred the


    girls were feeling towards me. The way they were looking at me from head to toe like I have some


    contagious disease.


    ¡°Saphira, I asked someone to pick us up if it¡¯s alright with you?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°Here, I guess they¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s your ride?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    I saw a Red Ferrari followed by a white van driving towards us.


    ¡°But, are you even allowed to drive?¡±


    ¡°Yes, legally I am and this is my baby.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you on our way to the hotel. Come on. Someone will take our bags to the hotel. We just have to


    ride this red baby right here.¡±


    ¡°Oh I forgot to mention, someone from my parent¡¯s security team will be going with us though I am not


    sure where they were.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, they¡¯re with my guards. Come on, hop in.¡±


    He was opening the door to his red Ferrari and I can¡¯t help but smile. This will be my first sports car


    ride. My parents detested sports car. They said it was too fast and dangerous.


    ¡°So, do you mind if we go have breakfast first? I¡¯m starving. I know a good ce here that serves the


    best meals.¡±


    ¡°Nothing fancy I hope.¡±


    ¡°Nah. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll love it.¡±


    ¡°Howe you seem to know a lot here? And you have a car here?¡±


    ¡°I grew up here and my parents are still living here. We own a chain of hotels here in San Francisco.


    Actually, the hotel we are going to stay in and where the conference will be held is one of ours too. So


    that is also one of the reasons why the Principal chose me to join you.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    ¡°So care for some breakfast to celebrate our friendship?¡±


    His smile was infectious and I can¡¯t help but smile at him in return.


    ¡°Ok.¡±


    We went to a ce called Sweet Maple, which is a 30 minute drive from San Francisco International


    Airport.


    It was afortable ride and Rob was constantly asking me questions about myself. We covered even


    the most basic questions such as my favorite color, flower, past time, movie genre etc. It was like I was


    answering a slum book and I didn¡¯t mind. To be polite, I also asked him several questions about


    himself.


    During the sumptuous breakfast we wereughing along to some pick up jokes he was telling me.


    ¡°Are you a camera?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Coz every time I look at you, I smile.¡±


    ¡°If you were a vegetable, what do you think you will be?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°A cutecumber.¡±


    ¡°Did we have ss together?¡±


    ¡°Ah. . . no?¡±


    ¡°Really, coz I think we have chemistry together.¡±


    With thatst line I decided to change the subject.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were funny. I thought you were all sporty and stuff.¡±


    ¡°Nah. I am funny with my close friends especially my team mates.¡±


    ¡°You seem rather friendly. Me, I only have one friend back home.¡±


    ¡°Ouch. You hurt me. Am I not a friend now?¡±


    ¡°I guess you are now.¡±


    ¡°Come on, we have to go or else we will bete for orientation.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Thanks for breakfast by the way. You should have let me pay for my food.¡±


    ¡°What kind of knight would I be if I let thedy pay?¡±


    And he said that with an English ent while bowing like a knight.


    I find him fun to be with just like Franco. He is also a gentleman like my best friend.


    I was mentally scolding myself for alwaysparing them but I really can¡¯t help it. Franco is my


    benchmark for a man to trust and I know I have to be careful since I still do not know Rob that well.


    Nevertheless, I am d to have found a new friend since I am miles away from my best friend.

 Chapter 23: Separation Anxiety

    Chapter 23: Separation Anxiety


    Franco


    Being away from Saphira for a day was torture but what made it worse was the amount of time I spend


    dodging and hiding from Madeleine.


    The two times she saw me she insisted to have lunch or dinner.


    I thought she already epted that we can¡¯t be together anymore but I guess I was wrong. She was


    being persistent and irritating to say the least.


    She even followed me in the caf¨¦ where I was working.


    ¡°Franco, you have a customer waiting for you at table 3. She insisted that you serve her drinks.¡±


    ¡°Aargh!¡±


    Honestly, I don¡¯t care anymore if I was being rude but I am at work and I need to treat the customers


    with respect.


    ¡°What can I help you with?¡±


    That¡¯s when she pulled me beside her and she actually kissed me.


    Being in shock made me freeze on the spot and she took that as a sign to deepen the kiss. As she


    teased my lips with hers, her tongue seeking for entrance, I was momentarily brought back to the time


    when I wished that she kissed me that way. Seconds passed and I felt myself reacting to the kiss. She


    took advantage and shifted her position to straddle me. It was a good thing that the table where she


    was at was somewhat hidden and that the caf¨¦ was deserted with only a few customers else I may


    have been fired.


    Her hands were amazing and was grinding, groping and caressing me in ces I can¡¯t even name.


    She knew my weakness and she used that to lure me in her trap.


    ¡°Let¡¯s. . . go. . . somewhere. . .else. I . . . missed . . .you.¡± Madeleine said in between kisses and her


    voice was like a bucket of ice cold water to me, which brought me back my sanity.


    I ended the kiss and tried to push her away from me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fight it. I know you felt something. You still have feelings for me. I can make you remember how


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    much you love me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Madeleine, this is wrong. I shouldn¡¯t have done this. Please let go. I still have work to do.¡±


    ¡°Franco baby, please don¡¯t be stubborn. I can feel your desire. I felt your heat. You still want me.¡±


    ¡°How dare you use this to get me. Don¡¯t go down to this level Madeleine. This is not you. Please, just


    let me go.¡±


    I saw her expression change and I knew I hit a nerve. She hated it when I criticize her orment


    about her attitude or ws.


    ¡°Fine! But don¡¯t think that this is thest time you will see me. And with my ns in motion, you will be


    begging me for more.¡±


    ¡°Just please let me go.¡±


    She pulled me for one short kiss and even grinded her hips towards me before leaving me disarrayed


    and feeling sick about myself.


    How should I tell Saphira when she gets back? I knew I have to tell her. I don¡¯t want to lose her trust in


    me and hiding something this big will have an effect in our friendship.


    -0-0-0-0-0-


    I tried to call Franco¡¯s phone but he was not answering. When we got to the hotel, Rob took me to my


    room, which was just opposite of his . The hotel was pretty nice but I think he may have something to


    do with the rooms since I noticed that ours were thergest suite of the hotel. Pretty extravagant for a


    school conference. I guess being the son¡¯s owner and only heir has its perks. I¡¯ll just have to ask him


    why he upgraded my room too.


    I got ready and was actually excited and looking forward for today. Feeling positive in my red knee high


    skirt and white sheer long sleeved top paired with ck stilettos, I got out of the room and literally


    bumped into Rob¡¯s muscr chest. I guess he was on his way to meet me from the way his hands


    shifted from almost knocking at the door to hugging me to ensure I don¡¯t lose my bnce.


    ¡°Hey. Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Thanks for catching me.¡±


    ¡°Anytime.¡±


    I looked up and with my high heels I looked straight into his blue eyes. It was mesmerizing, I can¡¯t help


    but study the rest of his face, his nose and lips. He¡¯s perfect. No wonder the girls at school and well,


    me at some time seem to lose their minds just looking at him. I heard him catch his breath when I


    looked at his lips. I looked back at his eyes and it was darker than it was before.


    I realized we were still hugging each other and I couldn¡¯t help but blush.


    ¡°Oh. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    I tried to break free from his hold but he stopped me. He pulled me closer and tilted my chin. To say


    that I was nervous will probably be the understatement of the year. I didn¡¯t know what I was feeling at


    the moment but it was like my chest was about to explode from nervousness or was it anticipation?


    Then he caressed my face and tucked a stray hair in my ears. He leaned forward and I involuntarily


    closed my eyes.


    ¡°We have to go Saphira.¡±


    His whisper brought goose bumps on my skin but of course I can¡¯t let him know that I was affected by


    his presence, so I gently pushed him away and went out of the room with a nk expression.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. I don¡¯t want to bete on our first day.¡±


    I heard the door closed and his steps followed me down the hall and into the elevator.


    On our way down, I can¡¯t look at him. I felt embarrassed for the way I acted. I don¡¯t want him to think


    that I have the hots for him. I came here for the Student¡¯s conference and more. If only Franco did not


    cancel on this trip. Things would have been easier if he was here with me.


    ¡°Hey, Saphira. We¡¯re here. Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡±


    ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s find our seats.¡±


    The first day of the conference was fun but nerve wracking for me. We had to introduce ourselves to


    the other delegates by a game called Social Bingo. There was a bingo card where we had to cross out


    a category and write the name of the person who describes that category until a certain winning


    For me when Rob asked me if I am a bookworm, I said yes. I asked him if he is a sports buff and he


    said yes. Of course it was obvious since we somehow knew each other, but for the other category like


    ¡°can eat 1 whole chicken in 5 minutes¡± and ¡°cross dresses during weekends¡± really? How can I ask


    someone that question? Thankfully after talking with seven people who seemed nice enough to write


    their names on my card, 10 winners were picked and so we all settled down on our seats.


    I must admit it was fun and I got to know that I looked like a model, princess, singer and beauty queen.


    Well, those were from the other delegates. They kept on asking if I was included in any of those


    categories.


    ¡°Why are you smiling?¡±


    ¡°Huh? I didn¡¯t even know. Was I?¡±


    ¡°You were. And it was a beautiful smile.¡±


    ¡°Oh shut up.¡±


    ¡°No, really you¡¯re smile is cute and you are beautiful.¡±


    I blushed since I don¡¯t normally hear anypliments about my looks.


    ¡°Thanks. I guess.¡±


    ¡°Can we have dinner together? I mean, after the conference? I know a good Italian restaurant here.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a good idea.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Can we just talk about thister? The lecture is about to start.¡±


    ¡°Ok. But not for a second am I giving up on this invitation.¡±


    ¡°Shhh.¡±


    And so I have more things to think about now. How will I talk to Franco now that I can¡¯t even reach his


    number? Andstly, how will I survive with this person sitting beside me who is starting to make me feel


    conscious and confused?

 Chapter 24: Replacement

    Chapter 24: Recement


    The past three days went by in a blur of educational fun and excitement. I half expected the conference


    to be boring but I was wrong. There were discussions but there were also activities that tested the


    delegates¡¯ patience, endurance and leadership skills.


    There was one day we yed games like those in ¡°Minute to Win It¡±. Some Philippine inspired game


    ¡°Pinoy Henyo¡± which Rob and I really enjoyed a lot. It was like a modified charades game, which


    everyone really loved.


    The discussions were very empowering and educational. It would really help me on my journey to


    University. The Conference all in all was an unforgettable experience, which I will treasure forever.


    Another good thing about it was gaining new friends. I was able to meet and befriend students from


    different schools which I may have a chance of meeting again in the future. Of course, who could forget


    about Rob. He was a heaven sent. A very trusted new friend.


    Rod and I really bonded well because of this trip. In just a span of three days, due to the quality time


    we had, we got to know about each other and ended up being closer friends.


    We had ¡°friendly-not-a-date¡± dinner every night and surprisingly, I enjoyed hispany. He makes me


    and he surprises me each night with something that I told him previously.


    Like the first night he gave me my favorite flower, yellow carnations. The second night, he ordered my


    favorite desert chocte mouse and then asked me to watch ate movie at the hotel¡¯s theater room


    with my favorite movie ¡°A Walk To Remember¡± and with Caramel Popcorn that I absolutely loved.


    Tonight, he asked the Restaurant¡¯s band to sing ¡°Mirrors¡± which I also mentioned to him to be my most


    yed song in my ylist.


    Rob is every girl¡¯s dream and I am lucky to spend so much time with him, but I still wished every day


    that it was Franco who was with me. Franco, who I haven¡¯t spoken in three days. Whenever I call him


    either his phone is not reachable. Maybe he was busy with his mom and work that he left his phone


    unattended. I have a lot of things to tell him when we see each other.


    ¡°Earth to Saphira.¡±


    ¡°Oh sorry, did I space out again?¡±


    ¡°You kinda do that a lot today.¡±


    ¡°Sorry. I just miss my bestfriend. I haven¡¯t spoken to him in three days which is unusual.¡±


    I saw some flicker of hurt in his eyes upon my words but perhaps I was just imagining.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about him. I¡¯m here now and I will keep youpany.¡±


    ¡°I know and I am really grateful it was you who reced him. It was nice having another friend. Thank


    you so much. And thank you again for dinner as usual.¡±


    ¡°You will always be wee.¡±


    We smiled at each other but an awkward silence ensued. I don¡¯t know why but after that Rob seem to


    be distant. After our diner, he led me to my hotel room then said his goodbye.


    A perfect gentleman, he usually just say goodbye when he was about to leave, but that night, he


    hugged me tightly before going to his room.


    I should have asked what was wrong as he was acting weird but I just assumed that he was tired. So I


    went to sleep with worry on why he was acting strange and of course my nightly wonderings on how


    Franco was faring without me back at home.


    The next morning, I woke up feeling excited. It was ourst day at the Conference and soon will be


    heading home. I donned white cks and velvet green off-shoulder long sleeved blouse and beige


    stiletto shoes, pinned my hair in a messy bun.


    I waited for Rob for a few minutes because he always picks me up every morning from across the hall


    so we can go down to the conference together. It was almost 5 minutes before the conference time and


    he still haven¡¯t showed up so I proceeded downstairs. I was surprised that he was still not there. I


    asked our new friends but they said he hasn¡¯t arrived yet.


    I was about to go back up to his room when he entered the hall with a girl clinging to his arms. The girl


    was one of the delegates who have been trying to flirt with him for the past days, which he thankfully


    ignored, but I guess she seededst night with the way she was trying desperately to cling to his


    arm while they were walking. I don¡¯t know why but I actually felt some hatred for the girl. It was like


    something I felt when I saw Madeleine with Franco. I want to pull that girl¡¯s hair and tell her to back off


    but when I saw Rob¡¯s passive face, I felt some sense of relief that the girl seem to be irrelevant to him.


    He was expressionless but when he saw me, I saw some longing and regret crossed his face. I waved


    at him and smiled and after a few seconds of just staring at me, thankfully he seemed to remember me


    and smiled back. Slowly disentangling himself from the flirtatious girl, he walked towards our seat.


    ¡°Hey. I was worried about you. I was about to go back for you when you entered the hall.¡±


    ¡°Sorry. I was. . . .te due to some. . .¡±


    ¡°No need to exin. I understand.¡±


    ¡°No you don¡¯t.¡±


    It was a silent whisper but I heard it. I don¡¯t think he want to talk about it butter I will find out what the


    problem is.


    ¡°Rob.¡±


    When he looked at me, I saw sadness in his eyes and it was natural for me to feel protective of him


    since he is now my friend.


    ¡°Is there something wrong, Rob? You can tell me you know.¡±


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    I wanted to hold him, hug him and tell him that whatever it is I will listen. But of course, we were at the


    Conference and something cheesy as that will not go unnoticed, so I just took his hand and held it tight.


    ¡°Soon I¡¯ll tell you. For now, I¡¯m happy. Just don¡¯t let go of my hand.¡±


    With that, we attended ourst day of conference together. Literally together, holding hands.

 Chapter 25: Suspicions

    Chapter 25: Suspicions


    On ourst day, I received a package at my hotel room. It was not signed and I was half expecting it to


    be from Rob as a parting gift perhaps. For a second, I thought of the previous gifts I received at my


    school locker, they have the same gift wrapper as the one I received. It may just be a coincidence or


    could it be the same sender?


    I opened the gift and screamed at the contents. It was a picture of me with note written in red ink ¡°I will


    get you SLUT!!!¡± taped inside the box. The worst part is the crawling worms and cockroaches all over it.


    I immediately closed the box and threw it outside the room.


    Rob must have heard me from across the hall. He opened his door and saw me pale faced and in


    shock. He looked at the box and back at me. That was when everything sunk in and I started to cry.


    He hastily approached as if he was scared of what was happening to me. He kept on looking at the box


    and at me. He kicked the box away without asking me what was inside that made me act so scared.


    When he reached me, he just hugged me and said sorry. He kept on saying sorry. I told him what


    happened. That I have been receiving gifts like that back at home but this time it was awful.


    ¡°It was like the person was suddenly mad at me or something. What could I have done to deserve that?


    I never did anything wrong to anyone. Not that I know of. Who could have done this?¡±


    ¡°Shhhh. . . I¡¯m sorry Saphira. You don¡¯t deserve any of this. You are a good person inside and out. Stop


    crying. We¡¯ll sort this out, I promise.¡±


    ¡°I thought I could still have fun tonight before we leave tomorrow but now, I don¡¯t think I could.¡±


    ¡°The more reason we have to go. So you can forget about this thing. It would be a waste of time to just


    sit here and cry. We¡¯ll have fun. Don¡¯t we always?¡±


    ¡°But. . . is it safe for me to go out there? Maybe he¡¯s here or whoever that is who sent that box.¡±


    ¡°He can¡¯t reach you when I¡¯m near. We will double the guards around us if that will make you feel


    safer.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Rob for being here.¡±


    ¡°Now,e on up. Get dressed and I will wait for you outside the hall.¡±


    He kissed my forehead and stroked my hair. It was a very sweet gesture and I appreciated everything


    he does for me.


    While getting dressed, I thought about the gifts I received in the past versus this recent one. It always


    did have something to do with my activities for that day. It was like the person sending the gift is


    watching me closely or freakishly stalking me.


    One time I received a bear after discussing with Franco that I want some new stuffed animal to cuddle.


    One time, a chocte bar that I have been eyeing in the vendo machine at school. The other gifts I


    can¡¯t remember but the most prominent one was the picture in the box, it was my picture this morning


    while still waiting for the conference to start. It was when I was looking for and waiting for Rob to show


    up.


    Grim realization made me shiver. Could it be that the one sending the gifts was with me all along? How


    can I not see thising? The one who was always trying to talk to me and ask me out at school, the


    one person who can be near me without me being suspicious and the only one person who was with


    me at school and here at the hotel is. . .


    A knock at the door.


    But why? Could it really be him? Was that why he was acting all strange all of a sudden?


    An incessant knocking brought me out of my reverie.


    ¡°Saphira, are you alright?¡±


    I have never been scared in my whole life like I was feeling now.


    ¡°I¡¯m alright. . . but I am suddenly not feeling well. Can I just call it a night? I want to sleep early.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you open this door Saphira? So we can talk? I thought you already agreed to go out tonight.¡±


    ¡°No! I mean no. I am fine. I am feeling weak and want to rest. But don¡¯t worry. I will be better after I


    sleep this off.¡±


    There was silence for a few minutes and I thought Rob already left.


    ¡°Saphira, are you sure? I think you¡¯re hiding something from me.¡±


    ¡°Rob, I¡¯m fine really. Just go with our friends.¡±


    A very loud sigh was heard from the other side of the door.


    ¡°Alright, you know you can just tell me anything and whatever you need I can give you. Please just


    don¡¯t go out of this room until I get back? I am really worried about you.¡±


    Sincere sadness was eminent in his voice and I almost opened the door to see him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll let you rest but I¡¯ll be backter to check on you. Please be safe.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Thank you Rob. Enjoy the night!¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t be happy without you Saphira. Never.¡±


    I almost did not hear thosest words and I felt guilty for being suspicious of him. Rob, who had been


    my only friend here. For the past days, he took good care of me. He was a perfect gentleman, never


    taking advantage of our friendship and our closeness.


    How could I suspect that he was the one behind all this stalking and craziness is beyond me. It is not


    Rob, the fear dissipated and was reced with worry that I could lose our friendship if I didn¡¯t go and


    follow him.


    After a few minute more of weighing the alternatives, I decided to join him and our friends. I quickly


    finished dressing up and went outside the room.


    I was waiting for the elevator when I felt someone approach. Then strong arms grabbed me. A soft


    cloth with a dizzy spell or solution covered my nose and mouth.


    Myst recollection was seeing someone wearing a ck hooded mask before I sumb to darkness.

 Chapter 26: Nightmare

    Chapter 26: Nightmare


    I had a dream. It felt so real. I was waiting for the elevator when someone grabbed me from the back


    and I passed out. It was a good thing I was awake now.


    But looking around the room, I realized I was not in my hotel room. It was a room I do not recognize.


    Lavishly decorated but not my style. It was painted with peach colored paint with gold circr patterns


    and outlines as wall design. Looking at my right, I saw I was lying in a four poster bed with white and


    pink covers. A food tray was beside me with bacon, omelet and orange juice.


    I slept the whole night or was I passed out the entire time? But where am I? Was I really kidnapped or


    is this just an awful joke?


    Feeling thirsty all of sudden, I tried to stand up and realized that my left hand was handcuffed to the


    bedpost.


    This is not a dream. This is a nightmare.


    I looked out the window and see some semnce of light. I heard some cars outside. This ce could


    still be in the city where I was attending the conference. Rob must have been very worried by now. Was


    he looking for me? What about Franco and my parents. Were they notified of my absence?


    Thinking about all these things made me want to cry. But I had to remain strong. I will not show my


    captor that I am weak. I have to fight him no matter what.


    I heard the door outside opened, my heart almost jumped out of my chest with fear but I tried to look


    calm and brave. Footsteps echoed as he approached the room I was in. Then the door opened and I


    was both pained and shocked about who entered the room. My suspicions were right. The stalker was


    with me all along. It was one of the persons I trusted the most. I thought he wanted me to be safe and


    secured.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°But, I trusted you. . .I thought you were my friend.¡±


    ¡°No you didn¡¯t treat me like one. You just used me.¡±


    ¡°How can you say that I used you? You know I would never do that to anyone.¡±


    ¡°You are so full of shit you know that! I am so tired of being just an ¡°extra¡± in your life. I want to be with


    you so badly Saphira. But you never did look at me even once.¡±


    ¡°Ro. . .¡±


    ¡°Stop! If I can¡¯t have you then no one will. I have invested so much time and effort in trying to be with


    you but you always ended up with another guy. How can you be such a flirt Saphira!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re saying. Please stop this. I am sure someone is already looking for me.¡±


    ¡°No one will look for you. I made sure of that. Now eat this food and don¡¯t even try to get out of this


    room. I will just fix something so we can go away and no one can evere and take you away from


    me.¡±


    ¡°Please let me go. Please if you really did care about me.¡±


    ¡°Enough! I will do as I please and all you have to do is follow my orders or else you¡¯ll get hurt. I don¡¯t


    want to hurt you Saphira. I would never want to hurt you but you left me no choice.¡±


    -0-0-0-0-0-


    Franco


    Franco was waiting anxiously at the airport, wondering why Saphira still have not returned from her


    flight. He asked the airport security if her flight alreadynded and it was confirmed that almost an hour


    already passed. He had been waiting for almost two hours. He wanted to make sure that he was here


    when she arrived.


    Neither did he see Rob, his recement for the conference. Could it be that the conference was


    extended? What could have happened to them?


    Franco knew the number at Saphira¡¯s mansion. Being a Billionaire¡¯s daughter and the only child of a


    senator would mean she has 24 hour security and will be kept safe, but there was a nagging feeling


    that something terrible might have happened to his best friend.


    Thankfully, their butler Joe picked up the phone.


    ¡°Hello, Joe? This is Franco. I was wondering if Saphira¡¯s already there?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Franco. Her parents advised me that Ms. Saphira will be gone for another week until further notice.


    A very important event will be held in New York that will need her presence.¡±


    ¡°What?! New York? But she still have school right?¡±


    ¡°It is not in our position to question her parents Mr. Franco. Anything else I may help you with?¡±


    ¡°Would you know where she would stay?¡±


    ¡°No Sir.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Joe.¡±


    And the line went dead. All my dread is finally starting to materialize. Maybe her parents wanted her to


    be away from me? But why? This is not right. Something is not right. I have to go to San Francisco to


    find out.


    Good thing I had a few cash with me and booked the earliest one way flight to San Francisco. I need to


    find you Saphira. I have to hear it from you directly. I know you will never do something rash like this


    without telling me.


    Few scenarios crept into my mind while on the flight. Maybe she got tired of me? But we were fine


    before she went for the conference. Did she find out about Madeleine¡¯s kiss? But how? I will be the one


    to tell her that and we haven¡¯t talked since before she left. I was always busy and out and whenever


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    she calls, I was either not avable or my phone has no signal.


    Saphira, please be safe. I will look for you. Just wait for me and be safe. If anything bad happens to


    you, I will never forgive myself. I should have been there with you.


    I have to find Rob. He can tell me where Saphira is. I am sure he has something to do with her


    disappearance. Madeleine told me that she approached Rob to connive with her to seduce me so he


    can have Saphira. I am not sure if he agreed or not but once I proved that he is behind this, I will not


    think twice about beating up his pretty face.

 Chapter 27: Far Away

    Chapter 27: Far Away


    Franco


    I have been waiting at the hotel for almost an hour before he arrived.


    He looked distraught and out of sorts. It was like he had been awake sincest night without an ounce


    of sleep.


    When I approached him, I sensed some fear from him but then I saw him mask his emotions and


    waited for me.


    ¡°Rob? I¡¯m Franco, Saphira¡¯s friend.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I know who you are.¡±


    ¡°I am looking for Saphira.¡±


    He seemed to look behind him as if someone may have been listening before he pulled me in a corner


    and whispered something that really surprised me.


    ¡°The problem here is, I am looking for her too.¡±


    ¡°What?! I don¡¯t understand. I called her home and said that she will be attending some event in New


    York? Were you aware of that?¡±


    ¡°Actually I was told the same thing too. I called her parents directly and asked about Saphira sincest


    night I told her I will see her after I went out with our friends.¡±


    ¡°You left her alone?¡±


    ¡°I wanted her toe with me like we originally nned but she said she wanted to rest. Franco, I was


    gone for only an hour! I came back immediately to check if she is alright. I told her to stay in her room


    but when I get back, she was gone, which I am sure she will never do without saying goodbye.¡±


    ¡°Why do I sense that you are not telling me something?¡±


    ¡°Look, I really care about Saphira and you don¡¯t have to believe me. But I have a hunch that someone


    took her. I have to show you something.¡±


    So I followed him to his penthouse suite. And there I saw the origin of Saphira¡¯s threat.


    ¡°This was delivered to herst night. I was meant to throw this away but It¡¯s a good thing I kept it. We


    can use this as evidence. But we cannot file a case if her parents believe that she voluntarily left to go


    some ce else. I was looking at the CCTV footages of the whole hotel sincest night Franco. I can¡¯t


    find anything. But there was one camera near the elevator on this floor that was broken. I am thinking


    maybe she was taken near that elevator.¡±


    ¡°Wait Rob, what are you saying here?¡±


    ¡°I saw her walk from the hallway going to the elevator just 30 minutes after I left. Franco, 30 freaking


    minutes after I left! Maybe she decided to join me after all. I should have just stayed with her or waited


    for her, but I left her, now I can¡¯t find her.¡±


    I felt some strange jealousy and pity for Rob at that moment. He was supposed to take care of her but


    he failed, now he is feeling as useless and miserable as me for not knowing where Saphira is.


    ¡°Look man, I am sure It was not your intention for this to happen. But we have to find her. How can we


    find her in this City? What about her guards?¡±


    ¡°The funny thing is, her guards were dismissedst night. Her head of security told me that only one


    security went away with her which is why I was also worried. Why only one guard when usually we


    were assigned with minimum of two each?¡±


    I felt something in me click with that detail. Something that I remembered with her security escorts or


    someone in particr.


    ¡°Rob, do you remember the name of the security in charge with Saphira?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I asked and the name is. . . Ro. . .mano.¡±


    I felt like a bucket full of ice was poured over my head when he mentioned that name.


    ¡°Rob, I think I know who took her.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°Romano. Her security.¡±


    ¡°What? But why?!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll exinter, we have to warn her parents but we have to talk to her other security first. Can you


    help me with that?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I will just make a few calls. We can meet them here. I will also call my parents maybe they can


    use their connections in this city.¡±


    ¡°Rob, we have to keep them from leaving this city. It would be difficult for us to find them if they are far


    away. Romano is a trained military and will know how to go away undetected.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I know. Now let¡¯s catch this bastard!¡±


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    I saw genuine care and concern from Rob that I was starting to think that Saphira and him were not


    only conference buddies. Was there anything to be afraid and jealous of?


    One problem at a time, now he has to go and hunt that devil that took his Saphira away from him.

 Chapter 28: Crazy

    Chapter 28: Crazy


    Franco


    When the security team arrived at the hotel suite, I exined Romano¡¯s motives. They didn¡¯t believe


    me at first since it was theirrade I was using of kidnapping but after showing them the box with


    his handwriting, they believed me. One of the guards identified also the gift wrapper as something he


    saw from Romano¡¯s things.


    ¡°He is deliriously obsessed with Saphira. From the moment I met him, I always sensed something bad


    from him. He was different whenever Saphira is near. He looks at her differently, as if he was eyeing a


    prey or dinner. I always feel the need to guard her away from Romano.¡±


    ¡°Have you told Saphira about what you observed?¡±


    ¡°Yes Rob, I did. But she wouldn¡¯t hear about it. She said he was only doing his job and watching her


    was his job as security. She also told me that at one time they were close like they were friends. But


    then when she left for vacationst year, when she came back, he was different, like he was never her


    friend before.¡±


    ¡°What could have happened to trigger this craziness?¡±


    ¡°Maybe he was crazy to begin with. I don¡¯t know, but I have this feeling that he took her. He may be


    nning this for some time now. He was the one sending all those gifts based on the wrappers and the


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    handwriting for the notes. No wonder he can sneak in untraced, he knows her schedule and he can


    approach her anytime he wants.¡±


    ¡°I remember when Saphira and I have our nightly dinners, he always look at me with so much contempt


    and hatred. I thought it was only my imagination or I was just thinking too much, but now I realized, he


    was being territorial. But why, Saphira was never his to begin with.¡±


    I almost lost my train of thought when I heard Rob admit that Saphira and him were having ¡°nightly


    dinners¡±. Wait, was that a date or what?


    ¡°Franco? Were you listening?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Ah. Yes. What was that again?¡±


    ¡°I said, now that we have proof we have to call her parents.¡±


    ¡°Sir, I already discussed with Senator on the phone about the situation. She will use their connections


    and influence in the military, police and CIA to find Ms. Saphira. They will be sending additional men to


    find her. Currently they are in Mn and cannot fly back due weather problems.¡±


    ¡°Great. Thanks John. Their influence and contact will be a great help for us. Please work with my


    security team to find her. We will be doing a search of our own. Just update us when you have news.¡±


    I just hope Saphira is safe. She has been missing for more than 12 hours. Peering out the window, I


    was praying to God that He help us with our search. When I saw something that could probably help us


    with our search.


    -0-0-0-0-0-


    Romano


    ¡°Shit! They figured it out! Now we have to get out of here. How can I take her away now that they are


    all on to me?!¡±


    I left the telescope perched near the window of the suite I rented. It was just across the Hotel from


    where Saphira was staying and the room where Rob and Saphira¡¯s security are having a meeting is


    very much visible. I even wired the ce and the CCTV so I can watch them hear everything they are


    saying. For me to monitor whether we can leave safely and to avoid any hassle in trying to be invisible,


    I had to use my skills from my previous jobs.


    I left the earphone, monitors and telescope. I was pacing back and forth, trying desperately to think of a


    solution to my problem. I knew I just have to do one thing before all of this blows out on me.


    I have always been fascinated with Saphira. The moment I was introduced to her as one of her


    personal guards, I was mesmerized by her charm and beauty. She was always polite and kind to me.


    There was one time we became close as friends can be. She shares her food and during the drive to


    and from school she always asks me some questions about my life and well being. Never did she treat


    me as a guard, until one summer after her return from her vacation with her parents.


    After that trip, she was aloof and distant to everyone including me. The usual banter and jokes we


    shared vanished and a gloomy Saphira met me. I tried to reach out to her but she shut me out.


    I still remember that day vividly.


    ¡°Hi Ms. Saphira. Are you feeling alright? You look pale and sick. Would you like to see a doctor?¡±


    ¡°No thanks, I¡¯m fine Romano. Thank you for your concern. Can you just please give me some silent


    time? I have a lot of things on my mind.¡±


    ¡°Maybe I could help?¡±


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t need any help. I just want to be alone. Just please, some quiet time for me.¡±


    ¡°Saphira, I thought we were friends? Why can¡¯t you tell me what you are thinking?¡±


    ¡°I told you I want some time alone. Please, if you can¡¯t give that to me, leave you post and I will have


    someone rece you for the meantime.¡±


    When she rejected me, I almost gave up. I wanted to help her but she doesn¡¯t want me. Perhaps she


    never did and was just pretending to be nice to me during the few weeks we have been close.


    I remained by her side. She returned to her normal self but still there was sadness in her eyes.


    Whenever she was near and never did we make any other conversation aside from the Good morning


    and Good night greetings that all her guards are expected to do.


    Things got better, because of her new friend Franco, whom I really despised. He changed her. She


    became another person, cheerful and sweet. She was always happy even when her parents were not


    in town. She forgot everyone around her when Franco was with her. She forgot about me.


    I tried to woo her by sending her gifts and notes. I made her smile but it was not enough. She still does


    not want anyone but Franco. When the conference was nned and they were both going, I knew I


    had to do something. I could have beaten up her best friend so he would not be able to go with her but


    fate meddled for my sake.


    I thought my ns could run smoothly. I could pursue Saphira once she is away from her friend. Since


    she is alone and do not have anyone to turn to but me. But another prick came into the picture. He has


    money and influence. With the poor guy, it was a difficult fight, now how am I supposed topete with


    this rich prick Rob?


    I watched his every move, how he looked at her with so much longing. How he always tried to make


    her happy. When they became closer, I knew I lost my fight. She will never be mine. So I had to take


    action. Rob or Franco will never have Saphira. She belongs to me.

 Chapter 29: Heartbreak

    Chapter 29: Heartbreak


    As much I detested everything that Romano provides, I have to eat. I felt weaker every second that I


    think about my being held captive here. I have to be strong if I will execute my escape n. With one


    hand, I ate the breakfast and finished off the orange juice.


    Searching the room for any escape route, I found none. The only way out is through the door which I


    am sure that Romano is somewhere outside of this bedroom. I hear his footsteps. It was like he was


    pacing back and forth. If only I have worn a different outfit, my n would have been easier. Now I


    have to use my charm, if I ever have one to try and get out of this mess. Looking at my left hand, I had


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    an idea, something that will either help me or leave me in tears.


    Romano


    ¡°Aaaaaargh!!! Romano! Please I am begging you. . . help me.¡±


    Her pained voice brought me back to reality and my feet were like autopilot that ran to her room to


    answer her plea.


    ¡°Saphira, what happened? Shit! What did you do to your hand?!¡±


    ¡°I really want this thing off from me. Please. I will not ran off. I just want this off.¡±


    Her pleading voice, her tear streaked face, how can I ever say no to her. Against my better judgment, I


    took off the handcuffs.


    ¡°Thank you Romano.¡± She said as she hugged me. As much as I would like to savor the feel of her


    warm body and the scent of her hair, my military instincts kicked in and I felt her right hand reach for


    something behind me. That¡¯s when I pushed her away and pointed my gun at her.


    ¡°Stop! Don¡¯t ever do that again Saphira! Don¡¯t you dare trick me! Nobody tricks me!¡±


    I just realized that I pushed her too hard and she hit her head in the dresser table. She held the back of


    her head with her hands. Her left hand and arm still raw with the wound from forcing them out of the


    handcuffs.


    ¡°Shit! Saphira! I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to hurt you. Come on, we have to put some ice into that.¡±


    ¡°I feel dizzy. Please can you just bring me to the hospital? I promise to not tell anyone about this. . .


    about you. Please, if you will just. . .¡±


    ¡°No! Stop! If I do that, I will lose you forever. I can¡¯t Saphira. I love you too much to let you go. This


    heartbreak from your rejection is enough. I can''t lose you. That will be too much."


    ¡°Romano, please listen to me. If you love me let me go. You are hurting me this way. That is not love.


    This is not love.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t teach me how to love! I know what I¡¯m doing! Come on! We¡¯ll treat that and then we¡¯ll get out of


    here.¡±


    My military training included some medical training for survival. I knew then I have to take care of her


    wound. It¡¯s a good thing it was just a surface wound and probably slight concussion since she can still


    recognize me.


    After that, I gave her some pain relievers and sleeping pills so I can execute my next n.

 Chapter 30: Help

    Chapter 30: Help


    Franco


    Five hours passed and my n failed. I thought I saw something from the opposite building adjacent to


    Saphira¡¯s hotel room. I thought I saw a telescope that may have been used by Romano to monitor our


    movements.


    Together with the Police, we went to check my hunch. We saw the telescope and it was owned by a


    little boy who checked in the room with his parents a night before.


    The weird thing about the room was it was all frilly and pink. Something that is unusual to be rented by


    a family.


    When we went to the room with the Police, the boy and his parents were out. But we saw their luggage


    and the police found nothing wrong. Rob and I tried to go inside the bedroom but the police said there


    was no need for us to investigate further.


    A good news was waiting for us at the hotel when we got back. Saphira¡¯s Billionaire father sent a secret


    agent.


    ¡°Rob, Franco, this is Agent Trey. He is one of the best operative agents of the government and he will


    help us recover Saphira from his captor.¡±


    ¡°From here on, I will be in charge of this case. I have been briefed already and here are my initial


    findings. The room you have been to just now was the room initially used by Romano and Saphira. She


    was removed from the ce just 45 minutes from your arrival. I hacked inside the hotel¡¯s system and


    decoy. The family who helped him to rent the room is now in our office for questioning.¡±


    ¡°But, where is Saphira now?¡±


    ¡°I am getting there. Please don¡¯t interrupt.¡±


    This man is serious business. I just hope he will be the key to save Saphira.


    ¡°Please continue.¡±


    ¡°Saphira is being transferred to a secured location as of this moment. Romano stealthily used a cab for


    their escape, which is difficult to track in this city due to their uniformity. I am hooked in the traffic


    satellite system to trace any unusual movements that may help us find them. For now, I suggest you


    take a rest and I will advise you for any updates. This is all for now. If I have been here hours before we


    could have caught them but I was only briefed an hour ago by my superiors and took to work


    immediately.¡±


    ¡°How can you be so sure that they are still travelling and is still not in a secure location?¡±


    ¡°Because, knowing Romano, he will not take risks knowing that he was almost caught. He will ensure


    that no loose trails will be made from his escape. Don¡¯t worry I know how he thinks and will soon find


    out where he is taking her.¡±


    ¡°You know Romano?¡±


    It was Rob who asked the same question nagging my mind.


    ¡°Yes. But it is none of your business. Now let me get my work done.¡±


    Who could this agent be, and what is his connection with Saphira¡¯s kidnapper?


    Agent Trey


    When my supervisor briefed me on this high profile case, a Billionaire¡¯s daughter missing. Also the


    daughter of a well-known Senator, I almost declined as I do not want to be associated with rich people,


    but when he mentioned that it was Romano who took the girl, I knew I just have to take on this case.


    My superior knew that I am still looking for Romano until now. He left the service after ourst secret


    mission to Afghanistan where we lost half of our team. From the 7 members of Alpha team, only the


    two of us survived. We were both devastated by our loss but he was more affected since he was closer


    to them. He suffered from depression because of that and his greatest heartache. It was also the day of


    our return when he found his girlfriend cheating on him with his brother in his own house and bed.


    It was a good thing I was with him that day and was supposed to stay at their house. If not, I may have


    been visiting him now in prison for parricide. I had to watch and let him beat his own brother. I knew it


    was wrong for me to let that happen but Romano suffered enough heartache tost a lifetime. What is


    wrong with a few punches and kicks to the man who betrayed his trust and confidence?


    I stopped him when his brother was still conscious but all beaten up.


    The girl? I don¡¯t know what happened to her but with the things that I said to her, I am sure she will not


    even look at Romano or his family ever again. I may have been pretty extreme but Romano will always


    be my brother from another mother and I will do anything to protect him.


    ¡°Carina, I know you are not sorry for being a slut that you truly are. But I am warning you, don¡¯t you


    ever go near Romano or anyone of his family ever again. If not, I will make sure you and all your


    rtives will have one or few of your fingernails and toe nails pulled out. You know what I am capable


    of. And I am sure that you know Romano cannot hurt you. But believe me that I am not going to think


    twice and make you suffer for all the pain you caused my brother.¡±


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    After that, Carina packed her bags and never showed her face again. That was seven years ago. I


    stayed with Romano for a year and when I thought he was doing good and has recovered from his


    emotional breakdown, I returned to the service. Even if he was still qualified to return with me, he chose


    to be a civilian. He said that his heart cannot take another death and violence.


    I lost track of him and I am not sure why he did not keep in touch. I looked for him when I returned to


    America two years ago but my superiors said he doesn¡¯t want anyone from his past to know where he


    was. I was hurt but I knew he has his reasons.


    Now, here I am, trying to clean up his mess and hopefully save his life.


    I just hope I am not toote.

 Chapter 31: Realization

    Chapter 31: Realization


    Romano


    We were almost caught. I was still lucky I have thought of everything beforehand. The family decoy and


    diversion was effective.


    Now I just need to ensure I don¡¯t have any loose ends.


    Looking at the list of abandoned safe houses we have used during our military days, I figured I have to


    choose the farthest and least used to ensure that they will not track us easily.


    I parked at a shopping mall and we transferred into another car. Saphira was still unconscious and I


    had to carry her out of the cab into the other car. This part of the parking area has no installed CCTV


    camera.


    Now, we just have to drive to the safe house undetected and tomorrow, the private ne that will be


    flying us out to Moro will be ready.


    Soon, Saphira will be mine. Nobody can ever take her away from me. I will no longer feel empty and


    unloved. She will learn to love me and care for me just like Carina did before.


    ¡°Franco. . . please help me. . .Franco. . . I need you. . .¡±


    I looked at Saphira and was about to cover her mouth so I won¡¯t hear about her Franco when I felt her


    feverish face. She was delirious with her fever. I had to hurry. The safe house if I am not mistaken, has


    some medical supplies and food that may help us.


    After an hour drive, we reached the safe house near the coast. This will be a perfect spot to fly the


    private ne tomorrow morning that will take us to paradise Moro.


    ¡°Saphira, we¡¯re here. I will just prepare your food.¡±


    ¡°Franco. . . please I need water.¡±


    ¡°My name is Romano! Why do you keep on saying that name when I am just here for you. I am always


    here for you.¡±


    My heart is breaking whenever I hear someone else¡¯s namee out from her lips. I want her to be


    mine but how can I do that if she keeps on thinking about that Franco?


    Why can¡¯t anybody love me and ept me?


    I will not give up. It was a wrong move to let Carina go before. I searched for her to know why she


    cheated but she was gone. Now, with Saphira, I will not back down. She will be mine.


    Agent Trey


    I found them. But I cannot tell these guys where. I had to go by myself first and try to reason out with


    Romano. If I bring the Police, he might get hurt. I know just what to do.


    Faking a call conversation and lying was easy especially if you are a trained agent.


    ¡°Hey. I was called at the office. The decoys mentioned something about Romano that may help us with


    the case. I will just look into it and give you an update once I have it.¡±


    ¡°Just call us if you find out anything.¡± The head of security replied.


    I saw Franco and Rob look at me then at each other. I have to look out for these two. They seem


    unconvinced about me.


    I gathered my things. Transferring the data to my mobile and deleting the data from myptop just in


    case.


    My hunch was correct. He used the safe house near the coast. It will be convenient to n his escape


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    by private ne there. He can use the ocean as runway. Romano is also a trained Pilot and he has


    several private nes being kept in secret holding areas across the City. I traced his ount and one


    of his biggest private ne was to be transferred to the safe house at dawn tomorrow.


    Now, to execute my n I have to lose this two lover boys first.


    ¡°Franco, Rob, do you want to join me at the station? So you can question them yourselves?¡±


    They were still looking at me suspiciously but it was Rob who answered.


    ¡°Yes. Thanks. Shall we go?¡±


    ¡°Just follow me using your car. I ride alone.¡±


    And so we did. I just hope they will not bear a grudge with me when I loose them in the streets.


    Rob


    Franco and I were suspicious of Agent Trey¡¯s actions. It seems he was hiding something from us.


    Whatever it was we have to find out to ensure that Saphira¡¯s safety will not be jeopardized.


    We were following his car closely when a huge truck crossed the street and we lost sight of him.


    ¡°Damn it! Now how do we look for him?!¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t¡¯ have a choice but to just wait for his call.¡±


    ¡°All these waiting are making me crazy! It¡¯s almost two days since she was taken Rob! What could


    have happened to her?¡±


    ¡°I know. I am worried for her too. Let¡¯s just hope this Agent Trey is really the best in his field. But I still


    have one hunch to try. Come on let¡¯s visit one of my friends that might help us.¡±


    We went to my hacker friend Ralph. He was one of the best hackers in the country and I am sure he


    can figure out how to find Saphira.


    ¡°Hey Ralph, wake up man! I need your help!¡±


    His mother recognized me and let us in his room, which is usually as messy as his hair.


    ¡°Who is it? Shit Rob man! How are you!¡±


    ¡°Man, you¡¯re breath stinks! Just get up and try to help me A S A P! My girl is missing and we need to


    find her.¡±


    I heard Franco¡¯s breath hitch at the sound of ¡°My girl¡± but I don¡¯t care. I need Ralph to help me and this


    will make things lessplicated to exin.¡±


    ¡°Geez! I don¡¯t even know you have a serious girlfriend! Wait, what do I do?¡±


    ¡°You have to trace them. I had an idea from the secret agent her parents hired. Will you get up already!


    You¡¯re wasting time man!¡±


    ¡°Alright alright! You¡¯re such a bugger you know!¡±


    ¡°Thanks man, you¡¯re a bugger too.¡±


    ¡°Shut up. So, tell me the details.¡±


    And so I proceeded to tell him the details of the search and my idea on how to track them.


    ¡°I see, this is kindaplicated knowing that we have secret agent on the loose. But Ill try.¡±


    Ralph, as I have mentioned is the best hacker in the country. He hacked in the CIA system and found


    out that Romano and Trey were previouslyrades on their Alpha team and partners as well since


    they were still in Military school.


    ¡°Do you know you can have me arrested for this? CIA will surely know I hacked into their system and


    will be here in a few minutes. So hurry and tell me what to look out for next.¡±


    ¡°Look for possible safe houses that is being used currently? Or private nes being booked for long


    distance flights? Can you do that using the satellites or something?¡±


    ¡°Geez, the sporty boy returned to being a genius. Do your girls know you were a geek before you


    became super hunk?¡±


    ¡°Shut up man and do your thing!¡±


    After a few minutes of his tinkering with hisputers. Yes, Ralph have a massiveputer setup


    hacking andputer stuffs.


    ¡°I got it!¡±


    ¡°I tracked Romano¡¯s private ne collections and one was scheduled to be flown near the coast. It so


    happens there was also a safe house near that area ording to CIA¡¯s files. Now, hurry. Here¡¯s the


    address. The CIA will be here soon and I just hope they will still ept me as their new recruit, since


    they offered it to mest week, else man, you have to visit me in jail¡±


    ¡°Thanks man! I know you can get out of that mess. You¡¯re the best right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. And don¡¯t forget that I was your best friend too. So visit me in jail!¡±


    ¡°I will! Thanks Ralph!¡±


    ¡°Go! And good luck with your girl. I hope you find her. Dodge the bullets if ever there will be some!¡±


    And so we rushed out of the house before the authorities arrive. We looked at the address and even if


    we are not equipped with any training or weapons, we knew we had to go there immediately for


    Saphira¡¯s sake.


    The realization that Saphira may be in deeper trouble now that two trained military agents may be


    against us makes me shiver in fear.

 Chapter 32: Rage

    Chapter 32: Rage


    Romano


    Taking care of Saphira was my lifelong desire even if she hated me. She is still hot with fever and I am


    concerned that she might have gotten an infection due to her head wounds. When we arrive at


    Moro, I will take her to the hospital, but for now, we have to rest.


    I was so tired that I slept right away but my military training helped me keep alert even in a state of rest.


    Having slept for only few hours, it is nearly 1 am and I heard something shuffle behind me.


    ¡°Romano. Put your gun away. It¡¯s me.¡±


    I will always recognize that voice.


    ¡°Trey?¡±


    When I saw myrade whom I treated as a brother, we hugged just like old times.


    I felt relief and fear all at the same time. Relieved that it was him who found me but fear that he will


    take Saphira away from me. Knowing Trey, he is always on the good side. He will never allow me to


    keep Saphira.


    ¡°Hellow brother. How have you been? You know why I am here right?¡±


    ¡°Trey. I can¡¯t give her back. She¡¯s all I have.¡±


    ¡°That is not true. You have me. You always have me. You still have your family. Why did you keep us


    away?¡±


    ¡°The pain. It¡¯s too much. Remembering all the things from the past is too much for me. I need a new


    life. Saphira will be my new life.¡±


    ¡°Romano. I know how much you have suffered, I was there, and I was with you. Please help me save


    you from this. I know you want to be happy but you will never be happy when you use force and


    violence to achieve your desires.¡±


    ¡°I tried. I tried to be good. To prove to her that I love her but she doesn¡¯t see me. Just like Carina she


    doesn¡¯t want me.¡±


    ¡°Carina is not worthy of your love Romano. Even this Saphira. If she doesn¡¯t see the good person that


    you are, both of them are not worthy. So please, give up and start a new life. Perhaps there is someone


    more deserving than the two of them. ¡°


    ¡°How can someone love a broken man like me?¡±


    ¡°Please brother, listen to me. You still have time. We can still fix this. I can still get you out from this


    mess. Just listen to me and follow my orders.¡±


    I almost listened to Trey, the one person I trust the most, I can trust him with my life. It pained to be


    away from him all these years but seeing him reminded me of all the pain from my past.


    ¡°No! I will not give Saphira up.¡±


    ¡°This is yourst warning Romano. You know I care for you but I will not let you ruin your life like this.¡±


    ¡°Just stay away from this. I hate to point this thing to you but you left me no choice. I¡¯m sorry Trey.¡±


    I pointed the gun but I was not prepared for his speed. He was faster than he was before.


    He blocked the gun and it fell to the floor. The hand to handbat that ensued was like a scene from


    Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    an action movie. We matched in skills but Ick in speed. He jabbed on my shoulders and I strike at his


    nose only to be blocked. I saw this as an opening and I was able to punch his ribs. After almost 20


    minutes of blocking and sparring and trying to jab each other¡¯s faces and kick each other, I was pinned


    to the ground by my best friend.


    ¡°You¡¯re still good Romano but out of practice. Now, behave while I arrange our ride out of here.¡±


    Hearing the click of his handcuffs sealed my fate.


    ¡°Franco. . .¡±


    Hearing Saphira¡¯s voice renewed my rage and desires. I thought if I cannot be with Saphira then she


    should never be with anyone else.


    While Trey was busy with his phone arranging the private ne to bring us to safety, I stealthily pulled


    the knife in my boots. It¡¯s a good thing I can throw daggers even if handcuffed.


    I aimed at the love of my life.


    If I can¡¯t have her. No one will.

 Chapter 33: Sacrifice

    Chapter 33: Sacrifice


    Franco


    Hearing Rob call Saphira as his girl made my heart ache with jealousy but I remained silent. If Saphira


    was found and saved, I will try to be happy even if she choses Rob.


    I haven¡¯t admitted this to her but I love Saphira with all my heart and soul and it would torment me to


    see her with somebody else. But if she will be happy with him and if she favors him, I will let her go. For


    me, that is what true love is. It is about sacrifice.


    ¡°Dude, why so glum? If you are thinking about what I said a while ago. I just said Saphira was my girl


    so Ralph can help us without questions.¡±


    I should have felt relieved with Rob¡¯s exnation but I don¡¯t. I knew that he and Saphira have some


    kind of connection.


    ¡°I am just thinking on how we can match with the two guys if they start to fight with us. Street fighting


    was never my thing.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I have a small gun here that may help us. I am also a sharpshooter so no worries if ever


    we need to use this.¡±


    ¡°I hope we don¡¯t get to use that gun. I hate to hurt anybody even Romano. He needs help and I think


    that is the reason why Agent Trey went behind our backs to find his friend. He wants to save him.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I figured it out too. Every person has a story. A reason behind their actions but whatever that


    reason is, I will never let Romano or anyone hurt Saphira. I care about her Franco. I know you do too


    so let¡¯s work together to ensure her safety.¡±


    ¡°I just hope we¡¯re not toote.¡±


    When we arrived at the safe house, we snucked inside to find the two friends fighting. I motioned for


    Rob to wait.


    After a few minutes, Agent Trey won and he hand cuffed Romano. He was busy with his phone


    probably figuring out how to let Romano escape while he returns Saphira to us or her parents.


    We were secretly and slowly approaching them when I saw Romano who was facing Saphira''s bunk


    bed reached for something in his boots. My instincts kicked in and I dashed towards Saphira who was


    a few meters away from me.


    I saw a silver thread of a knife. I knew that If I don¡¯t act now, I would lose her forever.


    And so I did what was the easiest option.


    I jumped in between Saphira and Romano while praying that I would be able to block the knife in time.


    ¡°Franco! Watch out!¡±


    I heard a gunshot, Rob¡¯s warning and then I fell to the floor. Before everything went ck, I looked at


    Saphira and wondered how it all came to end this way. I still have a lot of things to tell her, my feelings,


    how special she is to me and how much I missed her during the days we were apart. I haven¡¯t even


    told her about my encounter with Madeleine. I always wondered if she would get mad or jealous but I


    am wishing she would so that I will know her feelings towards me.


    It was true that when you were about to die, you¡¯ll have shes of your previous life. All I saw was


    Saphira and me, together. I just wish I still have time to be with her and make up for my mistakes when


    we were apart. I will fight for her in anyway that I can.


    Romano


    I did not anticipate that Franco would arrive to block my shot. Neither did I expect for Rob to aim and


    shoot at my handcuffed hands.


    His shot made me lose my aim but I saw blood trickling from Franco¡¯s chest where my knife ended.


    Next thing I saw was Trey tackling Rob for the gun. I saw my hands bleeding from the gunshot but I


    didn¡¯t care. I knew this is a lost fight. Saphira will never be mine and I have missed my chance to be


    with her because of what happened today.


    Trey looked at me.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry bro but you leave me no choice.¡±


    And so he called the police and an ambnce for Franco and myself.


    My time is up. The look on my best friend¡¯s face said it all. Because of my stubbornness, I lost


    everything.


    -0-0-0-0-0-


    I heard a gunshot and voices.


    I tried desperately to get out of this trance.


    I felt like my heart was breaking into pieces when I heard Rob call for Franco¡¯s name.


    He¡¯s here? Franco and Rob are both here to save me?


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    I felt some kind of liquid stter on my arms. I smell the rustic blood in the air. Was that shot aimed at


    me? But I cannot feel any pain. All I felt was numbness all over my body. I can¡¯t move or even open my


    eyes but I sensed that something terribly wrong just happened.


    I heard the ambnce and police sirens but I was again pulled back to darkness. I just hope when I


    finally wake up, everything will turn out to be alright.

 Chapter 34: The Past

    Chapter 34: The Past


    Four months have passed since that day but the pain is still raw in my heart.


    Reminiscing Franco and I¡¯s usual banter at school and at the cafeteria always made me smile.


    ¡°Saphira! What¡¯s with that face?!¡±


    ¡°Oh Hi Rob. Just thinking about some things.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re thinking about Franco again. . .¡±


    ¡°Stop. I know this is wrong and I promised not to be sad again but I can¡¯t help it.¡±


    ¡°Saphira, he¡¯s just gone for. . .¡±


    ¡°Shhhh. I don¡¯t want to hear it Rob.¡±


    ¡°If you want to be melodramatic like that, sure, I¡¯ll let you. But I¡¯m hungrye on let¡¯s eat. Franco will


    be mad at me if I don¡¯t take care of you.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re okay with this Rob? I mean, you know how I feel about him and still you¡¯re here.¡±


    N?velDrama.Org content rights.


    ¡°Saphira, I already epted the fact months before that I cannot rece Franco in your heart but I am


    still here to be your friend. Nothing will ever change that.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Rob. You¡¯re such a good friend. I don¡¯t know how I could have survived these past months


    without your support.¡±


    ¡°Silly, as if I was the only one here for you. You have . . .¡±


    ¡°Stop! I told you I don¡¯t want to hear that.¡±


    ¡°So dramatic. Come on, I¡¯ll treat you to lunch.¡±


    shback


    Every afternoon at 4 pm after school hours, we always go to the caf¨¦ he was working. He will work his


    daily four hour shift during the days when my parents were out of town, which is most of the time, I will


    wait for him in a corner table of the caf¨¦ studying or browsing the.


    ¡°Hey besttie, are you ordering the usual or want to try something else?¡±


    ¡°Just the usual.¡±


    ¡°Hey, you need to try our new best seller. Please? I will make it myself.¡±


    ¡°Why do you even ask me if you will insist to choose for me anyways?¡±


    ¡°Well, because your choices are boring! A!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re such a dummy do you know that?¡±


    ¡°That hurts! That book was thick! How can you hit me with that!¡±


    ¡°Just go and work! Don¡¯t mind me, Ill wait for you then you can have dinner at my house for a change.


    Please?¡±


    ¡°Saphira, you know my answer to that.¡±


    ¡°Howe you never want to even step inside our house? We have been friends for several months


    now.¡±


    ¡°I have my reasons.¡±


    ¡°Same reason as you always reject my offer to give you a ride home and to treat you to lunch or dinner


    or coffee? This is silly you know.¡±


    ¡°Of course you are silly!¡±


    ¡°Not me you dumbass! Our friendship setup is silly!¡±


    He looked behind him and signaled his supervisor to give him few minutes break, I guess he felt the


    need to discuss this thoroughly.


    ¡°Tell me Saphira, what could be silly about our friendship?¡±


    If serious looks could kill maybe I¡¯ll be dead now that he was looking at me that way.


    ¡°Ahhhm¡­. Look. We have been friends and I know we have this unbreakable solid bond now but you


    still haven¡¯t met my parents simply because you don¡¯t want to go to our house. You don¡¯t want to


    ept my offer to give you a ride to your house. Even if we eat to lunch out together you always pay


    for our meals. I can afford it and still you never let me pay when we are together. It¡¯s a good thing at the


    cafeteria, the food are already part of the school fees or else I might think that you will always want to


    pay for my food.¡±


    ¡°Saphira. . .¡±


    ¡°Zip it! I¡¯m not done yet. We do this daily. I wait for you since you said you want to see me even if you


    can¡¯t spend time with me. I epted since I don¡¯t have anything to do at home but stay in my room. So


    it¡¯s better as you¡¯ve said to spend the day outside the house than inside since I¡¯ll be doing the same


    thing anyways. Well, you have a point there that¡¯s why I always wait for your shift to end so we can go


    home together and spend some time outside school.¡±


    ¡°Saphira . . .¡±


    I had to touch his mouth to keep him from talking and I felt this strange electricity on my fingertips when


    I did.


    ¡°I¡¯m notining. I like waiting for you. Just seeing you do your thing is cool. I mean, even if I want


    to work like you, I¡¯m not allowed to. Your independence is cool. But sometimes, you are too


    independent. Friendship is a two way street. I already met your mother. You invited mest month to


    your house on your birthday. That was the only time you made me drive you to your ce.


    We get out of here together but I always just drop you at the bus stop. Why can¡¯t I just take you home


    since your house is just near our vige? Why can¡¯t you ept my invitation to have dinner at our


    house? I also want you to meet my parents or even the household staff? I also want to share with you a


    part of my life, like how you share with me yours.¡±


    He looked at me and I saw something flicker in his eyes. He took my hands and enclosed them in his.


    ¡°Saphira, having you, just you, without the glitter and mour that apanies your name and family


    stature is more than enough for me. Just spending time with you makes me happy. I¡¯m sorry if you think


    that way, but for me, I am contented to have you. I don¡¯t need anything from you aside from your


    friendship. That¡¯s why I don¡¯t want to ept anything you are offering, the ride home, dinner treats.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, even my birthday gift for you, you almost did not ept. I nearly had to ckmail you to take it.¡±


    ¡°Shhh. . . For a poor guy like me, being friends with an elite girl like you is difficult. I have to protect my


    pride and reputation since this is all I have.


    If ever I will be at your house, meeting your family, I want it to be someday when I already have a name


    for myself. Where you can confidently introduce me as someone. Someone who is just not a poor


    student making ends meet.¡±


    ¡°Franco. . . ¡°


    ¡°Hey, you¡¯ve had your turn. Now listen to me first okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°I want to be seen as worthy to be your friend. I don¡¯t want to meet your parents and they will just see


    me as an opportunist. Even if your parents will ept me, I don¡¯t think I can still befortable in a


    huge house. I have high regard for my pride and I don¡¯t want to change anything between us. I will


    always do anything you ask of me, just not that. Not yet at least.¡±


    ¡°But why do you have so much pride? I care about you too you know and I want to show you that I am


    proud of you too just like you are with me.¡±


    He moved closer as if willing me to look deeper into his eyes. It was enchanting.


    ¡°Pride is all I have. I am thankful each day that I have you and I know that you care about me and you


    are proud of me. No need for any gifts or invitations. Just having you with me is more than enough. And


    besides, who wouldn¡¯t be proud of having me, I¡¯m intelligent not to mention gorgeous as hell!¡±


    Franco knew how to make situation lighter. I was getting nervous with the intense way he was looking


    at me. He may have sensed it.


    ¡°And very conceited! Alright, I get your point. Now, your supervisor is looking at us. Go and do your


    job.¡±


    He held my gaze for a moment and I felt giddy. It was like seeing him for the first time. My heart felt


    ted by his words. He just wants me and not the fame and fancy things that apanies me. When


    he was about to leave. . .


    ¡°Franco! Can I have that new best seller?¡±


    ¡°Coming right up!¡±


    I just had to suppress myughter when he winked at me. He looked adorable.


    -0-0-0-0-0-


    On our finals, Franco was worried.


    ¡°Bestie, I guess I won¡¯t be able to join you at your new University.¡±


    ¡°Why? You passed the schrship exam right? And I¡¯m sure you have saved enough to start your


    degree.¡±


    ¡°Yes. But they can only grant full schrship to the Valedictorian of the ss. I will just have 60% free


    tuition fee for my rating. You know I can afford to go to University with that rate but not to the


    prestigious school you want. It¡¯s too expensive for me.¡±


    He looked crestfallen since we vowed to spend our University days together.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we will find someone to sponsor your studies.¡±


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t want you to exhaust your resources just because of me. You know I hate it when you help


    me.¡±


    ¡°Can we rephrase that? You hate it when I TRY to help you. TRY being the rtive word since you


    NEVER epted ANY of my help.¡±


    I made him feel my irritation by rolling my eyes at him. I really hated his pride.


    ¡°Chill Besttie! You¡¯re nose is starting to re in anger. . . aw! What was that for?¡±


    ¡°For being so caught up in your pride! I told you I will always be here to help but you never listen!


    You¡¯re so frustrating you know that!?¡±


    ¡°You know that I appreciate you more than anyone Saphira, just not that way. I will never ept help


    from you because we are friends. I don¡¯t want others to think that I am just using you or our friendship


    to have a better life.¡±


    ¡°Dummy! How can you say that when nobody even cared about me before we met? Why should we


    care what others would think when I endured their ridicule and awfulness for several years? Do you


    know how I managed in all those years? Because my only goal was to make my parents proud. They


    seemed to be proud during parties when they bragged me to their friends and colleagues. But after


    that, I was just one of the characters of their so called perfect life. I am nobody to them. But when you


    came, I became somebody. Somebody to someone, because I have been your friend.¡±


    ¡°Saphira. . .¡±


    ¡°No! Listen to me you dim wit! I will not let you sacrifice your future just for that pride of yours! Mark my


    words Franco, you will get that 100% schrship even if I have to beg for it.¡±

 Chapter 35: The Dream

    Chapter 35: The Dream


    Rob


    eptance is key to happiness.


    When I first realized that Saphira will always belong to Franco, my heart felt like being cut into million


    pieces. But I know that time wille when the greatest love of my life wille and we will have our


    own love story.


    For now, I am happy to be part of Franco and Saphira¡¯s journey.


    If anyone could see Saphira now, they would think her loneliness was caused by heart break from


    someone¡¯s death. But I know better.


    After the ident that almost took the life of two of my best friends, Franco and Saphira, the three of


    us realized that life is too short to be taken for granted.


    Four months ago, Franco would have sacrificed his life for Saphira. He intercepted the knife intended


    for her and used his own body to shield her. This act of pure love and selflessness woke me up from


    my fantasy that someday I will be worthy to be with her.


    Everything was blurred after my fight with Agent Trey when he tried to take the gun from me but one


    thing I remember was before Franco passed out from his fall, he nced at Saphira first.


    The knife luckily did not hit any vital organs but his fall left a concussion on his head. He was in the


    hospital for two weeks because of that.


    During those days, Saphira never left his side except to go to school. She would get all of Franco¡¯s


    home works and projects so they can work on it in the hospital while he recuperates. They also


    overcame Franco¡¯s problem with Madeleine, which Saphira bravely faced once she learned what


    happened while she was away.


    Saphira confronted Madeleine and the other girl ended up dropping out of school because of that


    supposed "heartbreak and failure".


    Now, Franco traveled to Germany for a student¡¯s symposium for Honorary students. He is vying for


    Valedictorian alongside with Saphira but she ended up staying behind. She was still traumatized by


    what happened to her previously. Franco wanted me to go on his behalf but the school board did not


    allow for it.


    And so here is my girl best friend sulking just because she misses her other best friend who will just be


    away for a week.


    They still haven¡¯t admitted how they feel but there is an understanding between them that they are


    exclusively for each other.


    And here I am in the sidelines, waiting for that moment to happen.


    -0-0-0-0-0-


    High School graduation came, the first turning point of our lives.


    ¡°And now our Valedictory Speech from Franco Briones!¡±


    ¡°Good evening parents, fellow students, faculty and distinguished guests. I stand here before you not


    as the Valedictorian but as the second best, for I know that I have done my best to earn this title but


    someone else is more deserving to be here.¡±


    Murmurs. . . they were looking at me with pity. Gosh Franco, why do you have to include me on your


    speech. This is your special day. I tried to sit lower on my seat but then he looked at me and I was


    mesmerized by the emotions from his eyes.


    ¡°Someone who has endured so much pain and hardship, sacrificed her happiness to achieve her goals


    in life. I could not havested a day on this prestigious school without her. She was my rock. My


    inspiration to work harder. When I met her, my only goal was to graduate here so that I will have a


    better chance in pursuing the good schools and ensure a brighter future.


    Well, for a less fortunate guy like me, who went through school because of the numerous schrships I


    acquired and by working daily to provide for my school needs, you must think that I have had a hard life


    and this should have been my moment to be proud of myself. That I will soon leave this academe with


    head held up high as I can take on any challenges in my college life because I graduated Valedictorian.


    But I am not proud of myself because of that.


    This school has prepared me for the future but more so, this school gave me the special gift of meeting


    someone who inspired me to be better. She changed my outlook in life.


    Before, I thought only poor people suffer. But I learned that I am lucky to have a normal life. To have


    experienced ying with friends on the streets, spending time with my family, eating with them daily


    and discuss anything under the sun without regard for time. I grew up without acknowledging in my


    achievements. I know my parents were proud of me but I have never felt the need to prove to anyone


    that I am good. I just tried to do my best. I still had my share of fun and I don¡¯t care what others will


    think. I am just a ¡®nobody¡¯ anyways.


    But to most of you, who I never really gotten to know, but knew at the back of my mind were sons,


    daughters or grandchildren of famous, rich and powerful people, you had a harder life than me. Why?


    Because, you have a name and reputation to uphold. And for me, that is a very arduous thing to


    ovee. To be at par or better and to fit the family name at the expense of your own dreams and


    happiness is very difficult.


    My friend here was bullied, sorry school admins, I just have to say this for your awareness as well. She


    was not treated fairly just because she wanted to be the best for her parents. To be always number


    one, she had to study and work harder. She did not have the time to make friends and nobody even


    tried to be one to her. ¡°


    More murmurs and the school admins are looking at each other with fear. Oh Franco, why did you have


    to bring this up.


    ¡°She was misunderstood and suffered for several years alone because no one tried to help her. I have


    heard some of the things that were said to her and I can attest that none of them were true. She is not


    a snob. She is not selfish or materialistic.¡±


    I saw several of the bullies looking at each other with fear on their eyes. Maybe they thought Franco


    would spill their names.


    ¡°She is kind, friendly, sweet, helpful and amodating. She is real and simple despite her status in


    life, she does her chores at home. If she is a snob, why would she even befriend a nobody like me.


    Even her PE ss exemption was an issue for some. But nobody asked the reason for that, but since


    I¡¯m already at a roll here, she had a heart operation and yes, she never deserved any of the things you


    said about her. Well, except for one.


    She is a geek and nerd in some ways because she is the most brilliant person I know.


    She helped me with my lessons. She is not selfish to keep her knowledge and strategies in studying.


    All of you missed a great deal of your school life not being able to get to know her and you might even


    think more of her now that you know you are all at fault for saying untrue and hurtful things about her.¡°


    Now I am really starting to cry. Damn you Franco!


    ¡°I salute her with all my heart for I know she sacrificed this position for me.¡°


    More murmurs. Oh Franco, can¡¯t you keep your mouth shut? You will get us in trouble.


    ¡°I know everything that she knows because we studied and reviewed together. We were both confident


    that we will perfect all our exams. That was why I was sure and confident that I will not earn the


    Valedictorian slot since she was always ahead of me on this school. I am always proud of her and I will


    never ask her any favors that will affect her future. She knows that I always got her back.¡±


    Franco looked at me again and shook his head in disappointment. I know why.


    ¡°Knowing that she was able to get five answers incorrectly on ourst exam, the exam that will


    determine our ranking is really unlikely and absurd. She knew those questions and can answer them


    even if her eyes were closed. So you see, she should be the valedictorian and not me.¡±


    Franco looked at me with gratitude and tears on his eyes.


    ¡°I know what you did and I know why, and I will forever be thankful to you for this. I may not be happy


    you did this but I appreciate the gesture. Now you will never get rid of me for we will now be on the


    same University.¡±


    We were looking at each other like we are just the only person in the crowded hall.


    When he looked away, he addressed the rest of the crowd.


    ¡°Now that I was able to get everything out of my chest, sorry for the long speech I hope some of you


    found it entertaining and enlightening.


    To the graduates, we will now embark on another journey towards our dreamed sess. I hope the


    knowledge and values you learned will also keep you grounded.


    Knowledge is power but values and good attitude is also a factor to be sessful. Everything is


    possible and achievable once we believe in it.


    Sess is earned and not given on a silver tter but once you have the sess, do not forget that


    not everyone is sessful like you or that not everyone can do the same things as you.


    No one can be as good as you so neverpare, it will just hurt you and others in the process. Lessen


    expectation from others but expect more from yourself.


    Thank you once again and Congrattions to all of us!¡±


    I saw the crowd stood up, some even have tears on their eyes, and pped their hands for his


    heartwarming speech.


    Franco went down from the stage and briefly hugged me. Maybe it was just my imagination but I felt


    some kind of spark when he hugged me.


    Now that his speech was over, he sat beside me. After the graduation ceremony, the faculty and some


    students approached us and congratted us. That was a surprise since both of us were outcasts. We


    always just spend time together away from the rest of the students to avoid any trouble. Since Franco


    always fights back whenever he hears awful things being said about me.


    ¡°Congrattions Darling!¡±


    I did not see my parents approach. I was surprised to see them since my mother vowed to boycott my


    graduation after not being able to change the details of my ranking. I came here alone and was really


    sad when I learned they were out of the country and due to return tomorrow.


    Franco was still beside me and approached my father and mother.


    ¡°Good evening Sir, Senator.¡±


    ¡°Hi Franco, I believe you were the one who called us yesterday.¡±


    Shocked was an understatement if you saw my open mouthed expression when I heard that from my


    father.


    ¡°Yes Sir. Sorry for being so forward on the phone. But I cannot have this special day pass without


    making your daughter happy in any way I can.¡±


    What shocked me was that my father shook his hands and then my mother hugged him with tears on


    her face. What could have happened to them?


    ¡°Thank you for enlightening us. We arrived just in time for your speech. It was a very good speech I


    might say.¡±


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°Thank you Sir.¡±


    My mother hugged me tightly as my father was speaking with Franco and I am very surprised that they


    seem to be getting along really well.


    ¡°Honey, I am very sorry for being so hard on you. I may not say this often but we are really proud of you


    and so happy for your achievements.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Why are you crying mom? Its okay. . . . sshhh¡­.¡±


    ¡°I will not have forgiven myself if we missed this day in your life. I almost missed your graduation baby


    just because of my pride. I¡¯m so sorry honey.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry mom. I¡¯m fine. I am really happy that finally you are here.¡±


    ¡°We didn¡¯t know you were bullied. I will talk to the school and file aint.¡±


    ¡°No mom, no need for that. Please just let it go. I¡¯m sure they will look into it even if you don¡¯t ask them.


    My best friend¡¯s speech was very informative.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re just friends? You won¡¯t give up your slot as valedictorian for just a friend.¡± My


    mother whispered to me while we both looked at my father and Francoughing together.


    ¡°Yes mom we are. Why would you even ask. I just told you he¡¯s my best friend.¡±


    She looked at me and smile then hugged me once more.


    ¡°I am happy that you have him when you didn¡¯t have us. I promise you everything will change for the


    better.¡±


    ¡°No promises mom. Just having you here hugging me is more than enough. Thank you for everything.¡±


    ¡°My two favorite girls.¡±


    And my father joined the group hug. When the embrace ended, I saw Franco still standing near us and


    looking at me with a huge smile on his face.


    ¡°Mom, dad, I will just talk to my friend for a while then we can head home.¡±


    ¡°We will be having dinner to celebrate your graduation. I reserved a table at the hotel nearby. I asked


    Franco toe join us but he declined.¡±


    ¡°Thank you dad. But he really doesn¡¯t do the invite thing. He¡¯s allergic to anything that is free.¡± I can¡¯t


    help but roll my eyes in frustration. Still the same Franco. He took that as a queue to approach us.


    ¡°Sir, Senator, thank you for the invitation but I have to go home, my mother prepared something at


    home with the neighbors. I would love to invite you but the ce is too crowded and . . .¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry son, its okay. Now, you two talk and we will just wait in the car. Nice to meet you again


    young man and thank you.¡±


    ¡°Nice to meet you Sir, Senator.¡±


    My mother hugged Franco again to bid farewell. Wow. Twice this evening.


    When we were alone, he led me to the corner of the gym and then he hugged me very gently, then he


    let go and held my hands. Looking at me so intently.


    ¡°Saphira, I am very happy today that I was able to say all those things in front of everyone. I always


    wanted to do that, to protect you from everyone and to acknowledge everything you have done for me


    and to always make you happy. Thank you for still being here even if I¡¯m a dummy and a dimwit and a


    stupid a. . .¡±


    I mped my hands on his mouth to keep him silent. He took it and held it to his chest.


    ¡°No Franco. It¡¯s me who should thank you. My life changed because of you. I am a miserable person


    before we met. Now I see life differently. You really make me very happy. You even sacrificed your


    safety for me. I can never imagine my life without you. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Naah. . . you¡¯ll never lose me bestie, because we are going to University together and no one can ever


    stop us!¡±


    ¡°With those stunts you pulled earlier, I guess, we are really unstoppable!¡±


    ¡°Yes, I guess we are. We will always be together.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Our soft whispers of agreement made me swoon. As we gazed at each other¡¯s eyes, I felt my knees


    weaken.


    ¡°Hey you guys, can I join you?¡±


    I was startled but Franco pulled me closer to his side as we faced Rob.


    ¡°Rob dude! We were wondering where you were.¡±


    ¡°Of course you¡¯re not. You too are in your own bubble again.¡±


    We justughed at him since he always teased us with that phrase.


    ¡°Silly! Congrattions to all of us! Now we will soon be off to College!¡±


    Rob hugged us both and did a fist bump with Franco before he winked and walked away. I was d


    that my two best friends got along pretty well and will both be joining me in University.


    ¡°Saphira, Franco, don¡¯t forget our date tomorrow!¡± Rob shouted at us.


    ¡°Sure! Where are you taking us?¡± I had to ask since knowing Rob, his surprises usually are too much to


    handle. He took us bungee jumping, wall climbing and go cart racing.


    ¡°If I told you, would it still be a surprise Saphira?¡±


    ¡°I guess not. Silly me to ask.¡±


    And so this is one of the milestones of our lives.


    I am deeply overjoyed that everything worked out for the best.


    I will be looking forward to our future together.

 Chapter 36: Finale - Yes

    Chapter 36: Finale - Yes


    Years passed and we were on another graduation ceremony. Both of us graduated Magna Cum Laude


    for our course in Business Economics.


    Our parents and friends congratted us.


    We made many friends during our college days but we still remained best of friends and loyal to each


    other. The three of us, Franco, Rob and I were unstoppable when together. Rob pursued Engineering


    and was also busy with his basketball career at school, which made our time together limited in college.


    But we made sure to get together for at least once a month to catch up. Currently, Rob is out of the


    country for a basketballpetition for our University but he video called us earlier to congratte us.


    Franco became closer to both of my parents. Every chance they get they will talk nonstop. Though he


    still never visited our house.


    Since we have limited time at school and during weekends when he works, I will sometimes wait for


    him at his house for our study sessions and spend time with his mom who loves me dearly.


    After the ceremony, a graduation party was set for the both of us with the insistence of my parents,


    Franco agreed and we will be soon leaving for the hotel.


    Franco pulled me at a corner and hugged me gently. De ja vu? Then the unexpected happened. He


    looked at me tenderly, caressed my face and leaned in to give me a kiss.


    My first kiss which made my heartbeat twice as fast, the air on my lungs seem to explode and I felt


    tingling sensation from all over my body. It was addicting, the way his lips caressed mine was like a


    drug that made me lose my sanity. Every stroke of his lips, the way his tongue grazed my lips asking


    for entrance, it almost made me crazy.


    The kisssted for eternity, well for me at least. When it ended, he looked at me with so much


    adoration.


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying sorry I kissed you because I¡¯m not. I¡¯ve always wanted to do that. I love you Saphira. I


    always have.


    From the first moment Iid my eyes on you, you bewitched me. Everything that I do, I do to make you


    proud of me and to be worthy for your love. I was just scared to lose you and your friendship if I


    admitted my feelings but I guess, I am so overwhelmed right now because of all that was happening


    and I can¡¯t contain this feelings anymore. . .¡±


    I kissed him this time to stop him from talking. I kissed him the way he kissed me earlier. I held his face


    and moved closer to deepen the kiss. I let him savor all the love and happiness I was feeling. When I


    ended the kiss, I closed my eyes and pressed my nose to meet his. Our bodies pressed together.


    ¡°I love you too so stop bbering nonsense. I will never leave you and you should know that by now.¡±


    ¡°You lo. . . love me? Why?¡± He held my face on his hands and made me look at him.


    His face lookedical as he was so shocked and ted at the same time and I can¡¯t help butugh


    at him.


    ¡°Yes! Of course I love you. Why wouldn¡¯t I? You¡¯re intelligent, funny, kind and gorgeous. . . Oh wait, you


    dummy! You were fishing forpliments weren¡¯t you?!¡±


    Heughed and kissed me once more, briefly this time.


    ¡°I am and I am the happiest fisherman alive right now. But, I still can¡¯t ask you to be my girlfriend.¡±


    ¡°And why is that? You just admitted that you love me and you just took my first kiss.¡±


    ¡°I did didn¡¯t I?¡± He looked smug and I can¡¯t help butugh in response.


    ¡°So?¡± I kissed him once more.


    ¡°You¡¯re distracting me. So, I am saying that I have to prove myself worthy for your love first. I will still


    make my first million to provide you a good life. Though, I already asked permission from your dad to


    court you and he approved so I told you I love you but I did not expect you to love me so soon. A!¡±


    ¡°You wanted me to say I don¡¯t love you back?¡±


    ¡°No. of course not, I¡¯m so relieved you love me too, It¡¯s just that you ruined my n of wooing you and


    sweeping you off of your feet.¡±


    I felt giddy with his words. How can I be this lucky?


    ¡°Franco you¡¯re such a dummy! I waited for this and now you¡¯re telling me I can¡¯t be your girlfriend?


    ¡°Really you were waiting for me? Ouch stop hitting me! Of course you will be my girlfriend! No question


    about that. But I am now officially a battered boyfriend. Your battered boyfriend. Wait till I tell Rob about


    this.¡±


    I could drown just looking at his eyes and the emotions that seem to emanate from them.


    ¡°Was this why Rob was telling you good luck earlier?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Seriously, I will still court you properly and charm you everyday. ¡°


    ¡°That I will look forward to. And for sure Rob will hit your head once he learned about your silliness. So,


    will you have dinner with us tomorrow night at our house? Tonight¡¯s party will be loud and I want to


    spend some quiet time with you when all this is over.¡±


    ¡°You know my answer to that.¡±


    I was about to swat his head for being stubborn when he held my hands.


    ¡°Yes. I will love to have dinner with you tonight, tomorrow night, the next day and for the rest of our


    lives. I love you Saphira.¡±


    ¡°I love you too Franco.¡±


    -0-0-0-0-0-


    Two years after we became official, Franco built a small Shipping Line. My father was his mentor. It


    was inevitable that he would be invited to my father¡¯spany with the way they were always


    discussing business even when we were just friends. It was like my parents knew that he would be with


    me in the future. He worked with my father to learn the ropes of the business. He worked himself up the


    now, he has his own business. My father always jokes that he would buy Franco out so he would rule


    the Castello Shipping Company in the future but I know jokes are always half meant, they really wanted


    him and me to get married someday. Well, of course I also hoped for that too.


    I guess it was not only me and our parents who were hoping for marriage. Franco took me out on a


    date on our second year anniversary. We always have dinner on one of my restaurants but on that


    night, I knew something was up since he took me to a different ce. We went to a dinner on a yacht.


    He made the dinner preparations even the table settings. We were alone on the boat in the middle of


    the ocean. The bright lights of the city and the reflection of the moonlight added to the romantic dinner


    setup.


    ¡°My love, I hope I won¡¯t disappoint you with my cooking. A trained chef like you and restaurateur may


    have high standards but. . .¡±


    I stood up, went to sit on hisp and kissed him so he would stop bbering. He has that habit when


    he¡¯s nervous.


    ¡°I love you and I will love anything and do anything for your love.¡±


    ¡°Even this?¡±


    When he removed the cover of the first dish, I forced myself not tough. It was a burnt steak and char


    grilled potatoes and peas.


    ¡°Yes, even that.¡± I smiled and kissed him again.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see. How about this?¡± He whispered on my ears and I shivered. The backless and low cut dress I


    was wearing did not help with the cold and nervousness I felt.


    He lifted the cover of the next dish and I forced myself not to gag. It was another ck burnt fish with


    tomatoes and cucumbers.


    ¡°Yes.¡± This time he did not let me kiss him. He gently carried me up and let me stand in front of him.


    Then he opened thest dish cover. What I saw inside made me gasp and hold the side of the table for


    bnce.


    In a horrendous looking cake, I was not sure if it was chocte or it was just burned, a glistening and


    sparkling 3 carat diamond ring was perched inside a box on top of the cake. The ring was beside a g


    that said the words:


    ¡°Will you be mine for life?¡±


    He took the ring from the box and knelt in front of me.


    ¡°It¡¯s a good thing you answered mostly yes this evening. I am hoping you will be answering the same


    thing. . .Will you marry me Saphira? I love you so much and I could never imagine myself being with


    somebody else. All I want to be with is you. My future and my life will always be with you.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°Baby, please say yes. I really want to marry you and build a family with you.¡±


    ¡°I already did! Yes and yes and yes!¡±


    ¡°Saphira. . .please marry me?¡±


    His nervousness might have made him deaf so I did what I thought was best.


    ¡°Franco Briones, if you will not stand up this instant and put the ring on my finger you might as well eat


    all of these god forsaken dish on your own!¡±


    The trick did it. He stood up and kissed me passionately with a toe curling kiss. He pulled me closer


    and I voluntarily wound my arms on his neck. He caressed my arms and took my hand, sliding the ring


    on my finger with a perfect fit.


    ¡°For a moment there, I thought you won¡¯t say yes. Aww!¡±


    ¡°That is for being deaf and silly! How can you think of me not saying yes when I even agreed to eat all


    your ck dishes!¡±


    He was still holding his nose that I flicked when heughed out loud.


    ¡°Of course this is not our food. I just made this so I¡¯d see your reaction. I am a great cook don¡¯t you


    remember?¡±


    ¡°I was wondering why the burn food. For a moment there future husband, I though you lost your touch.¡±


    ¡°Wow. I love the sound of that. My future wife, I love you.¡±


    ¡°I know. Soe and show me the real food. I¡¯m starving.¡±


    ¡°Well baby, you shouldn¡¯t have worn that dress if you wanted to eat. I¡¯ll show you our cabin.¡±


    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.


    Excitement ran through my veins when he carried me bridal style and brought me to our room for the


    night where we shared a night of passion to seal our love and engagement.


    Five yearster


    ¡°Babe, where is my tie? I¡¯ll bete for the meeting.¡± I smiled when I heard my husband¡¯s voice. It was


    his way of asking me toe to the room. It was our secret code.


    ¡°I¡¯ming darling. Lorena, please continue to feed this cute little baby. Leonardo, stop ying with


    your food okay honey?¡±


    ¡°Yes mommy.¡± I moved closer to our 2 year old son and kissed his cheeks. Leaving him and his six


    month old sister Frances with their nanny.


    I walked inside the master¡¯s bedroom and almost shrieked with surprise when Franco, still with a towel


    draped on his waist quickly pulled me and started kissing his way from my neck down to my chest. This


    will always be the best way to start our day. When the doctor gave him the go signal for intimacy a


    month ago after giving birth to our youngest child, he was insatiable. There are times even if he was


    tired with work, he still managed to do some rounds on the bed.


    The love we felt for each other, bonded by friendship and tested through time made us stronger and


    wiser in raising our family. Even with his busy schedule in ensuring that we are well provided for, he


    always makes time to y with our children and to give us his love and attention.


    After my father¡¯s retirement, he was proimed CEO and managed the family business. I on the other


    hand, still managed a chain of restaurants all over America soon in Europe and Asia. Franco agreed to


    carry over the business so I can still do what I want to do, to cook and be a chef. He knew that if he will


    not take over thepany, I would be forced to run the business, being the only daughter.


    My life may have been miserable and lonely before him but with his love and help, he turned everything


    around and made our lives blissful, happy and peaceful. For his love, I was willing to do anything and


    he has proven worthy of everything.


    -THE END-


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!