SHAN
“Congratulations, bro!
You made it!” Hiro handed me flowers after the graduation ceremony.
I finally graduated Psychology cum laude despite my worst adjustment period in college.
I explored many things, but I am glad those did not affect my grades.
It felt really different because I was studying the program I was interested in.
I did not tell anyone that my graduation was today, except for Hiro and Acel.
I did not want Elyse to know because she will just try to bring the whole family to the ceremony, which was the last thing I wanted to happen.
I graduated earlier than Hiro because his program was for four years, tri-sem.
He and our other engineering friends were left.
I was planning to take a break for a year before I enroll in law school, but I knew I will get bored, so I planned to enroll in some barista training while taking a break.
“I heard you just graduated.
We didn’t know.
Here’s our graduation gift.” Tita Erin handed me a small box.
“That’s from me and…
your dad.” She sounded hesitant to say.
I just dropped Elyse off when I picked her up from the mall again but somehow, Tita Erin caught me leaving.
I told Eli about my graduation after it was over, but it turned out she had already told others about it.
I just shook my head before opening the small box.
“Oh…” I didn’t know what to feel when I saw a car key.
I looked around until I saw the covered vehicle near the side of the mansion.
I pressed the key and it made a sound so I walked towards it to remove the cover.
It was an Audi.
“Good job on graduating as cum laude.” Tita Erin said.
“I noticed that your car was getting old, so I told your dad to replace it…
It should be your early birthday gift too.”
I can’t believe Alfred really got convinced to buy me a new car.
Well…
Maybe he really loved her.
Maybe he loved Tita Erin more than my mom.
I was convinced that he just really didn’t have any affection for us…
because if he did, then he should have treated us like how he treated his current family.
Maybe we weren’t deserving of his love…
but I could not care less about what could happen because it already did.
He already inflicted a kind of trauma and pain that I could never forget, nor was I planning to.
I realized later that it wasn’t because we weren’t deserving of his love…
but he was really just not capable of loving.
It was his problem, and I was collateral damage.
“Thank you.” I told her.
I left my old car there and rode my new car home.
It felt good driving it that I felt thankful to Tita Erin…
not to Alfred.
No amount of money was enough to pay me back for all the pain he made me go through.
I started my barista training a week after and also took baking classes because I was planning to open my mom’s coffee shop again.
I went to classes on weekdays, and then, during the weekend, I would go party with my friends.
Because I was taking a break from school, I just felt free to party and drink.
“Are we done?” The woman asked, covering her chest with the blanket.
I nodded and stood up, putting my shirt on.
“Can’t you stay a bit more?”
“Don’t you know how one-night stands work?” I asked with no emotion before getting my wallet and my phone.
It was already four in the morning.
I ditched the party at three to get some action with the girl.
I even forgot her name.
Fuck.
“You’re going to text me back…
right?” She asked, hopeful.
I didn’t answer and just gave her a small smile before saying goodbye.
It was the last time we saw and talked to each other.
The next night, I was already fucking with another girl.
I was everywhere.
A party won’t end without me getting a quick fuck.
No commitment involved.
“I told you, I don’t do it twice.” I lit a cigarette while leaning against the wall when the woman I met last week asked me if we could do it again during a party.
“You can have an exception…” She ran her hands on my chest, trying to get me aroused.
“Come on.
Just this time.
The man I was talking with dumped me…”
I shook my head and removed her hand on my chest, getting irritated now.
I inhaled some smoke before letting it out, looking in the other direction so she would know I wasn’t interested.
“You can do whatever you want.” She offered again.
I tried dating or getting-to-know people, but all of them had something I didn’t want.
It just didn’t work for me.
Finding a woman who didn’t want to commit like me was also hard.
Since I wanted to prevent them from wanting more, I lived by my rule that I won’t do the same deed to the same person twice unless I really knew this person won’t want more from me.
I wanted things to stay fun and playful.
Nothing serious.
Nothing more.
“Haven’t you found anyone that you’ve thought of…
Shit, I feel like committing.
Really?
Zero?” Neil asked me as we drank.
“There’s no hope for this guy to fall in love.
Don’t give up.” Arman said.
“Shan will always be Shan.
All fun and games.”
“I will still hope,” Hiro said, laughing and leaning on the chair.
“Shan will meet his match one day.”
I doubted that.
I never saw myself having a serious relationship where I will plan my future with someone.
That disgusted me.
I can’t imagine doing those couple things like holding hands, sweet hugs, smiling between kisses, prioritizing my partner’s happiness over mine, and constantly worrying about someone.
Was that what people called love?
It sounded like it will drain my energy a lot.
How bothersome.
I got invited to Samantha Vera’s birthday, so I forced Hiro to go with me because his ex won’t be there anyway.
“Where are you staying right now?” I asked the familiar woman I met last time in the club.
I had already forgotten her name, but I remembered that she was from UST.
“Are you okay?” I asked when she didn’t answer.
She looked distracted.
She almost spat out what she was drinking.
I parted my lips in shock when she suddenly held my nape and kissed me.
She was not my type, but since she had already made the first move, I tried to kiss her back.
I was about to say something when she suddenly left after kissing me.
“What?” I asked myself, staring blankly.
“Did I just get dumped?”
I told Hiro about what happened, but he looked so distracted by something.
I just went around again to talk to other people until I got bored.
“Let’s move to the club, bro.” I told Hiro when I had enough of the party.
When I went out of the club with Neil and our other friends, we saw a woman struggling to keep herself up.
“Hi!
Are you okay?”
She looked like she needed help.
It was also pretty dangerous to pass out around here.
“What are you doing?
A damn charity, dude, just look at your buddy.”
I was about to help her up, but she suddenly stood up and fell into Hiro arms.
My friend, on the other hand, looked so annoyed.
“Can you check her wallet for her address?” I did…
but it only had twenty pesos and one I.D.
with a provincial address.
She was from Laguna.
I laughed when Hiro was forced to take the woman home.
Of course, it was Hiro.
As much as he hated it, he just couldn’t ignore it when people needed help.
“It’s Hiro’s type.” I told Neil, laughing a bit.
“Not really.
I used to hate headaches.” He said back to me.
“That’s exactly his type, bro.” I laughed again as we walked to the other club.
“I bet he will develop a crush on her the next morning.”
I still continued my classes when weekdays came, but I also studied for my law school entrance exams.
I would still have time to go to parties during the weekend, but since Hiro got himself a new girl, I don’t relly hang out with anyone much anymore, either.
Huh…
It must be good for him.
“Don’t tell me you like the person already?” I asked Hiro when I went to their house for dinner.
His mom invited me.
I became her third son ever since.
“He likes who?” Haze asked when he heard.
“What the fuck, did you get yourself a new girlfriend?”
“No, and shut up,” Hiro hissed.
He looked like he was thinking deeply about something.
Ah…
He did.
He liked her.
I knew it.
“Do you want me to help you?
I’m good at this.” Haze offered, smirking. This story is hosted at novelping.com.
He looked so proud with it…
as if he was dating a lot of people at that moment when he was actually in a serious relationship with Acel.
“I won’t take advice from someone who took weeks to admit that he liked the person.” Hiro teased his brother.
“Boys, don’t start,” Hiro’s mom warned them when she served the food.
I was the nicest son here who gave her an innocent smile.
“Did you get yourself a new girlfriend, Hiro?”
“No, Mom.
She’s not my girlfriend.
She won’t be.” He defended himself.
“We’re keeping it casual.”
“How about Giselle?
How is she?
I haven’t heard from her for a long time.”
I covered my mouth to stop myself from laughing when Hiro’s mom asked about his ex.
I immediately cried out when I felt Hiro step on my foot.
“Mom, they already broke up decades ago,” Haze said, exaggerating it.
“But you should invite her for dinner.” He gave Hiro a teasing smile.
“What if we also invite all of the people Haze dated?
I think it’s time to book a concert hall.”
I slapped my forehead when Hiro retaliated.
They were at it again.
“Lies.
I’m pretty loyal now.
Both of you just wish you were me.” Haze smirked and even put his hand on his chest proudly.
“I wish you will move out of this house.” Hiro shook his head.
“This tastes good, Tita.” I told Hiro’s mom just to change the topic and stop the Juarez brothers from starting another argument.
“It would taste better if we didn’t invite the two kids to the table.”
“They’re just like that, but they actually get along well.” Hiro’s mom smiled.
Hiro made a disgusted face when Haze looked at him and sent him a teasing flying kiss.
“See?
They’re cute.”
“I…
don’t think they agree,” I told her when Hiro and Haze started kicking each other below the table.
“Okay, Hiro.
This is enough.
As the bigger person, I will stop kicking you now.
If you kick me again, that is solely on you.” Haze suddenly announced with his low voice.
“Tita, I’m actually opening a coffee shop soon.” I changed the topic again.
“Really?!
Wow, Shan!
That’s great!
Your mom also loved coffee and baking before,” she said.
“She must be proud of you.
Did you tell your dad?”
I didn’t answer and just gave her a smile.
Hiro almost choked on his food when he heard his mom’s question.
“Stop asking about that dick, Mom.” Haze bravely said.
“Haze Limuel!
Language!
We’re eating!” Hiro’s mom scolded him.
“It’s not nice to call people names.”
I understood because she also knew nothing…
because whenever I would go to Hiro’s house before, I would just make lots of excuses about my bruises.
Well, it wasn’t like I saw her home a lot, but she probably thought it was normal for kids to get hurt sometimes while playing games or running around.
“Can we buy Ledezma Group, Mom?” Hiro curiously asked.
“I can’t tell if you’re joking or not.” Hiro’s mom was so confused.
“Why would we do that?”
“He’s probably joking, Tita.” I assured her while glaring at Hiro.
“How about let us all just enjoy dinner, huh?
That sounds better.
A peaceful dinner, right?”
KIERRA
“No, I won’t eat dinner with you.
I need to go home.”
The moment I stepped into his unit, I already knew he was rich.
It was a unit with glass walls, so you could see a beautiful view of the city.
The ceiling was high, so the curtains were huge as well.
It was a loft-type unit, so you could see the bedroom on the second floor.
There were black metal stairs leading upstairs, and there was also a small sofa and a TV there.
There was a large kitchen on the first floor, a shelf full of alcohol bottles, a mini bar, and a dining table.
There was also a spacious living room with a large couch, bean bags, a TV, a PlayStation 5, and then three doors.
He showed me around the unit even though I hadn’t asked him to.
One door was the bathroom, another was his study area with bookshelves full of law books, and the last one was the guest room.
It was a really nice unit.
I wanted something like this.
“The lighting must be good here in the morning.” I peeked through the curtains to look at the city view.
He had so many coffee-related machines that I found myself imagining him making coffee every morning after waking up, while the sunlight poured beautifully into his unit.
It looked comforting.
“To see is to believe.
How about you stay over until morning?” He offered with a smirk.
I rolled my eyes at him and walked over to the dining area to sit on one of the tall stools.
“Do you live here alone?” I asked while looking around.
He made a strawberry shake for me and placed it on the table.
“Technically, I’m with you, so…” He shrugged, teasing me.
I laughed sarcastically to make it clear that it wasn’t funny and that I wasn’t joking around with him.
The strawberry shake tasted so good that I ended up staying longer while he busied himself baking cookies.
I didn’t know he baked too.
It looked like he had been baking for a long time because his movements were so natural, like he was completely used to it.
He was even wearing an apron while preparing the cookies, which made me smile a little.
It was a cute apron.
“How high is your alcohol tolerance?” I asked as I looked at his collection of liquor.
“Do you want to drink with me, so you need to know?
No one’s going home until I get drunk.” He offered again.
I felt like he was doing everything he could to make me stay longer.
“Do you have a crush on me?” I asked directly, narrowing my eyes at him.
He glanced at me and laughed a little.
He didn’t even look surprised when I asked that, as though he had been expecting me to say something that bold.
“Is it too obvious?” He said while taking the cookies out of the small oven that looked like a microwave.
“Liar.” I said, shaking my head.
I knew he was just playing around when he answered that.
He didn’t look sincere at all.
He only laughed at what I said and didn’t bother denying it because it was true.
He placed the plate of cookies in front of me, so I immediately reached for one.
“Careful!
It’s hot—”
I immediately let go of it and sucked on my finger after burning it.
I stood up and washed my finger to lessen the sting.
It wasn’t a serious burn.
It was only red, but Ciandrei really seemed worried as he walked over and took my hand to look at it.
“I told you.
It’s hot.” He whispered while looking at my finger.
I immediately pulled my hand back and returned to my seat to take another cookie.
This time, I waited until it had cooled down.
It was delicious and not too sweet!
He must be a really good baker.
I couldn’t help wondering how many years he had been doing this.
That was probably why his coffee shop was so popular—his recipes were unique too.
He was a good baker and a good barista.
I wouldn’t deny that anymore.
“How much did this condo cost?” I asked because it had become too quiet.
I was planning to buy this kind of condo myself once I started working.
A loft-type unit on a high floor so it would have a nice view.
“I don’t know.
My mom bought it for a low price before.
It’s pretty expensive now.”
He sat across from me and rested his elbow on the table before taking a cookie.
“Wow.
Your mom must be really business-minded.
She must be very rich.”
I wanted to ask about his mom again, but I remembered how he had avoided my question before.
He probably didn’t want to talk about her.
Were they close?
Or maybe they weren’t, which was why he didn’t want to answer.
“How about you?
I don’t know anything about your family.” This time, he was the one asking.
“Apologies if it’s something you can’t answer.”
“No, I have a good relationship with my parents.
Don’t worry.
Hmm… I don’t really have much to say about them.
My dad helps at my uncle’s company, and my mom owns a school.
That’s all.”
I didn’t even know why I was telling him all this, but since he asked, there was no reason not to answer.
I remembered he was a Lopez-Ledezma, so hearing something like this would probably not faze him.
It was something small to him when his family owned hotels, resorts, and other buildings.
He stood up and simply opened the fridge as if he hadn’t heard me.
“Do you want water?” He changed the topic again.
I could only give a faint smile and nod at him.
I just accepted that we weren’t in a relationship, so we didn’t have to answer those kinds of questions for each other.
We weren’t even friends.
That made me wonder what I would say if someone asked what kind of relationship the two of us had.
Acquaintances?
His phone suddenly rang, so he stepped away for a while.
He apparently had something to submit for one of his subjects, so I got up and sat on the couch while waiting.
He even turned on the TV for me.
I don’t know if it was because I hadn’t slept or because I was bored.
I didn’t even realize that I had fallen asleep.
When I woke up, it was already nighttime, and I was lying on the soft couch.
I even had a blanket over me, though I had no idea where it came from.
“Oh no…” I sat up properly and held my head, trying to remember what I had dreamed about.
I did not wake up panting, and I couldn’t remember anything.
I didn’t even know whether I had dreamed or not.
I immediately reached for my phone when it started ringing again.
Luna had already left me so many missed calls!
I didn’t know how I was supposed to answer!
What if she asked where I was?!
It was even a video call.
“Oh, you’re up.”
Ciandrei walked past wearing a white sweater and checkered pajamas.
He was wearing glasses and holding a thick book.
In his other hand, he was carrying a mug.
“Here.
Drink this.
It’s pretty cold since it’s raining so hard outside.”
He set a glass of warm milk on the table.
“Why didn’t you wake me up?!” I complained immediately, already panicking because I didn’t know what I was going to tell my cousin.
“Oh no, it’s still raining!” It was raining, and it was already nighttime, so I knew the traffic going back would be terrible.
Some areas were probably flooded too.
I pressed a hand to my forehead, feeling embarrassed to ask him to drive me home.
“Let’s just wait for a few hours.
The rain should calm down by then.” He looked at his watch.
“I’ll just study.
Come find me in the study room if you want to go home already.”
It was weird seeing him so serious.
I ended up staying quiet and drank the milk while wrapped in the blanket.
The air conditioner was so cold!
It was already raining outside, after all.
To: Luna
Sam and I ended up staying out late.
I’ll sleep here tonight.
In just a few seconds, she replied.
From: Luna
Sam is with me right now.
My lips parted in shock, and I squeezed my eyes shut.
So my lie didn’t work, huh!
I should’ve called Sam first to make sure.
Damn it, what was I supposed to say now?
Luna was quick to catch lies like this.
From: Luna
Who are you with?
Where are you?
Is that your new boyfriend?
Do you want me to punch him in the stomach?
I immediately got scared and turned off my phone so she couldn’t call again.
Every minute, I kept looking outside to see if the rain had stopped yet.
Whenever I opened one of the windows, I ended up disappointed every time.
I just watched Netflix until I got bored and went over to the dining area.
Ciandrei had apparently left food there for me.
There was even a sticky note with my name on the paper bag.
The unit was so big, yet here I was, eating alone.
How did I end up in this situation?
After I finished eating, I cleaned everything up and knocked on the door of Ciandrei’s study room.
When no one answered, I slowly opened the door and saw him resting his head on the desk.
“Hello?” I walked closer when he didn’t answer.
I immediately covered my mouth when I realized he had fallen asleep while reading.
I slowly walked over and took off his glasses.
He moved a little but still didn’t wake up.
How was I supposed to get home now?
I didn’t want to wake him up, and it looked like he hadn’t gotten much sleep either.
I could only pout and walk back out.
I lay down on the couch again and stared at the ceiling, no longer sleepy now that I had just woken up.
When I went into the bathroom, I saw a folded towel there along with some clothes.
There was also a sticky note with my name on it.
I didn’t know where they had come from, but I just took a shower and changed into the pajamas.
They were so big on me!
They looked like they were his pajamas and his clothes!
Good thing I always carried a panty liner in my wallet, so I was able to change.
It was already three o’clock in the morning when I fell asleep again after playing on the PS5.
I woke up the next morning when the sunlight hit my face.
I immediately sat up when I realized where I was.
“Damn, it’s the first time I had a woman sleep over without us ending up on the same bed.”
I was even more startled when I saw Ciandrei already standing in front of me, drinking coffee.
“Good morning.”
I didn’t know how to feel.
The plan was for me to go home once I got sleepy and after he woke up.
I didn’t expect that I would suddenly fall asleep!
I think I was still holding the controller when I fell asleep!
I immediately stood up and went to the bathroom to wash my face.
After that, I drank the coffee Ciandrei had made.
“I really have to go home now.
No joke.” I said to him nervously because when I turned my phone on, Luna was already furious.
Good thing she hadn’t said anything else.
He simply drove me to the front of my condo.
So now he knew where I lived… if he hadn’t already figured out before that my condo was close to the coffee shop, which was why I was always there.
“Wednesday, eight o’clock.
See you at Yesterday’s.” He said to me as I got out of the car.
“Whatever.” I had no intention of going.
“Thank you.”
I hurried upstairs to my condo, already praying for whatever was waiting for me.
I slowly opened the door so Luna wouldn’t wake up, but I nearly fainted when I saw her leaning against the refrigerator with her arms crossed over her chest.
“Where did you come from?” One of her eyebrows rose.
“And what’s with those clothes?
You didn’t even change.
It’s obvious you came from your boyfriend’s place…”
I hadn’t had time to change my clothes!
The ones I wore yesterday were already dirty too!
“Sorry… And he’s not my boyfriend.
He’s just someone I know.
I suddenly fell asleep while playing PS5.
I’m not even joking.”
“Hmm…” She narrowed her eyes at me.
“Then why weren’t you answering my calls?”
“My battery died,” I lied.
“Stop asking questions.
I made it home alive.
That’s enough.”
I hurried into my room and locked the door so she couldn’t scold me anymore, but I could still hear her lecturing me outside, saying that I was already rebelling against her and that she hadn’t raised me to be a liar.
I could only shake my head.
I got busy with school again once classes started, but I couldn’t get what he said out of my mind—that we were supposed to meet on Wednesday.
I told myself I wasn’t going to go, but after class, I found myself choosing what to wear.
“Huh?
Why am I even choosing what to wear?
I’m only going there…” I muttered to myself.
I simply shook my head and put on my usual hoodie and shorts.
I didn’t know why my feet brought me to that coffee shop, but when I got there, he still wasn’t there.
Well, it was only seven forty, so I just waited.
I studied so I wouldn’t think about why I had let that guy fool me.
When it was already eight o’clock, he still wasn’t there, so I thought maybe he was just running late.
I waited again.
I had already ordered bread several times and refilled my coffee, but he still didn’t show up.
Even I didn’t know why I was still waiting.
I had already finished everything I needed to study, but he still wasn’t there.
When it was already ten o’clock, I finally stood up and packed my things.
I had just wasted my time.
Why did I even believe him?
As I walked back toward my condo, I spotted his car parked by the side of the road next to the coffee shop.
It was very dark, but I caught a glimpse of his face when a car passed by.
He was talking to a woman while leaning against his car with his hands in his pockets.
He even hugged the woman and gently stroked her hair.
“Hah…” I could only laugh sarcastically.
I couldn’t believe I had waited for nothing.
“Idiot…” I muttered as I walked away.