osevale, I truly needed to

own bubble near the lagoon, I changed. Now, I make it a point to return to the

completing the preparations for d

ighboring town which is just a twenty minute drive from Santa Rosalia. Just like in the previous months, I h

the famous family of Rosario. Most people already know that I live in Rosevale, inside the villa. Moreover, they also kn

een or anything. It wasn't until later when I started listening in on my classmates, especially the boys, that they were saying that I was getting more beautiful by the y

school, though we weren't in the same class. He was this ch

family and my attempts to ignore him. Instead, he brought me flowers everyday different bou

for the love of God, please stop." I shouted at him outside his physics class, his classmates that

narrowing his eyes just a bit. "I'm already taken," I s

I wanted to drive the point home that my relationship, at least f

dn't understand why he particularly interested in me. It was very clear that I had to act fast to av

he responded cheekily, as he eased his palm

ll honesty, the whole burden of reason being on my shoulders. After all,

mutter, it looked like he was cursing under his breath. The color of his face bec

ok at him. With some fight in his tone, his eyes landed on mine. "You're mistaken I

ving up. Why the

is so tiring, I thought as I rolled m

dont yet just give up. This endless dr

istmas. I counted down the days until Christmas Day, anticipation building up inside me. But Elias never came. Later,

honest. In a selfish way, I wished I was one of his top priorities, like his business deals, some

. I was excited to be free of high school, but I still felt like

m before sunrise. "It's time to go dear

he best, knowing that I'm not g

ear at this point that I have no choice

y further for this trip,"

, and I knew she would rather keep

, and I was scared, and I wasn't sure if I was ready.

oftly. "I know you can do this. You're not alone, Liana

e from Rosevale will take about nine hours, bu

ly. "Plus, Elias will be waiting for us. I'm sure you're l

im so much, but was it eno

theart. You will love it there." She stood up, her cheerful tone infectious. "Let's get your stu

to face my f

mustered the courage to go beyond our town's limits. The memories of that devastating accident still haunted me; Mom a

always sparked a yearning in me to go along, but the anxiety of traveling would take hold of me.

's top university. Honestly, I wasn't thinking about the degree, I was looking forward to being with Elias,

travel to experi

L! TR

and I was determined

to be my first ti

grandpa, and I was in the back, hugging my doll, while Dad drove and Mom chat

fect moment....but it turned in

a would ask me to inhale deeply. While doing so took a lot of effort, it manage

I'm able to do this," as the car started moving. My brain is

my hands, she said, "Shh, it's okay, sweetheart. Everythi

side her whispers. "You don't need

to stream down my face, at the tho

o to town five days a week for school, it's similar.

my hands while mom held them. "Nine hours is a

in a blanket of warmth as s

ll be right here with yo

listened to her stories, held her hand, hugged her, and even dozed off to music. Before I knew it, w

continued driv

fears all

rt me, wrapping me up and holding on

ushing through my hair, and the pillows under me. I was in her

h Mom's stare, and to my deligh

in hers, I could feel the gentle squeeze. I r

g into her chest, letting my weight drop onto her as my head fell onto her shoul

, mom and dad must be overjoyed to

erwhelmed wit

t then, the driver spoke up, sayin

name, I looked around,

the capital city, my sadness melted away, and

to the capital. El

will be so happy to see you." Mo

gasped in awe as the car pulled up

ture was breathtak

Elias lived! It looked like somethi

in my tracks, jaw dropped, astounded, and in utter disbelief wh

how I was such a country

I move in with Elias, don't worr

using the revolving doors. Before I knew it, w

oor is it?" I

enty-fourth flo

r?....Are you for real,

t." I wondered if I would adjust to this new w

the door. Mom pressed a red round thing that looks like a b

She comes everyday by 5am till 7pm in the eveni

by the apartment's size, it w

the villa, and I wondere

d it Mid-century modern design. I overheard M

of the country for a business conference, My L

ring the trip, and he wasn't even here? Mom and I l

ocess everything, until

before we left?" Mom sai

surprise, Mom, reme

t this conference?" Her tone was

rise us too,"I joked, tr

were all too frustrated

..couldn't even remember the last time I entered one. Oh okay, back when Mom and Dad were around,

displays of affection between couples, like the holding of hands and kissing,

o

I could feel my cheeks warming up as I walked behind Mom. It ha

d! I hadn't shared it with anyone; I wanted it to

le interview. Despite having been accepted month earlier, the universi

wering them. When it was all done, Mama beamed with pride, telling me tha

made it all possible and easy for me,

icked it, you know? And I only enrolled in the basics because, honestly, I still had no idea what I wanted to major in. There were just too many options. It was weird to realize I have been so focused on Elias and our futur

essed his feelings towards me. He didn't say it directly to me though. He only w

ng Master of Rosevale. He confessed that he didn't wish for me to feel the same way, but still wished to

ans, but never held back on sharing his opinions. There is something about him that I found intriguing, but I stil

guys leave me