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Between two people of different genders, which is more important, love or friendship? Some would say that friendship is more important, for others, it is love. But if you were to be in that situation, which would you choose? Tough, isn't it? Is it possible to have both? Find out how a simple working student faced that situation. A young lady named Cissie was casted away, a young rich handsome transferee named Jay welcomed her at their home. They became best of friends. However, because of his kindness to her, she fell in love with her best friend. The thing is, the feeling is not mutual. Would she sacrifice her feelings or would she gamble on it and continue to love even though she knows that it's going nowhere? How would she face the people surrounding her which keep prostrating her? Would that time come wherein she and her best friend is not just friends but lovers? Book cover: Credits to Natasha Fernandez on Pexels
It was June 14, 2004. Cissie Cruz was in her fourth year in high school at a private school in a town in Siquijor. She was from an impoverished family. She was forced to be a working student as she lost her father at an early age. She did not receive a good treatment from her employers yet she endured them all so as to finish high school. Despite all challenging situations, she remained optimistic towards life. Other than being optimistic, she also loved music. She learned to play the guitar when she was 14.
She was particularly fond of the 80's rock songs from Bon Jovi, Metallica, Skidrow, Firehouse, among others. She wasn't that beautiful, in fact, she had a fair skin and a fit body yet her height was short and her nose wasn't that sharp. Despite her looks, she was gifted with intelligence and talent.
On her third day of school as a graduating student, she had another problem.
"Ugh, I would be late again. This oldie is really annoying, passing me her job of feeding the old guy. She should be the one doing it. She gets paid high while I don't get even a cent. I would be embarrassed in front of the whole class again." While walking at the corridor of the High School Department, she couldn't help but closed her eyes when she imagined the mishap she's leading, "I can do this, I am invincible!" She took a deep breath then walked on. She had to be optimistic at all times, most especially that she was about to graduate. She started running towards the classroom and was hoping that their teacher had a good day. However, she saw their teacher, Miss Langit, enraged as if a volcano about to erupt. It was because her classmates were really unruly.
"Class, don't you ever dare to lose my temper! You already know me. Don't push me to my limit and you'll see what will happen. I will embarrass you in front of the whole campus, even in front of your crushes!" Their teacher was really furious that time. It would surely be a disaster if she enter the classroom. So she decided to just skip the class. She turned around. Just as when Cissie was about to leave, her teacher turned her head to Cissie's direction.
"And where do you think you are going? You're late again!", Miss Langit irately said. Cissie gasped in fear.
"I'm doomed!" Cissie whispered to herself. She slowly turned towards her teacher's direction and hurriedly ran inside the classroom.
"Uhm, Miss Langit, sorry for being late. My boss asked me to do something that's why I am late. Like what you already know, I am a working student and I have a blind patient to be fed every morning before rushing here. So, I...I sincerely hope that you would understand." Cissie was really nervous that she stuttered while explaining.
"Very good excuse eh, but I won't buy it. Do something that everybody will enjoy this morning. Alright, class, what do you want her to do?", Miss Langit said with her eyebrows raised while facing the whole class.
"Why don't we let her introduce herself to our new classmate? That one who looks like a prince, " Steph teased and the majority of the class agreed.
"Alright then. Well, miss Cruz, you know what you have to do. This guy in front who is wearing glassess, he is your new classmate from Manila. Go near him and kiss his hand as if you are a princess introducing yourself to a prince, " Miss Langit mocked. The noise in that classroom resounded that time. Cissie's classmates were all shouting, cheering, and clapping their hands because of too much excitement.
"Quiet!", their teacher yelled and the students all behaved. They were all afraid of their teacher's glaring eyes.
"Do I really have to do this, ma'am? Maybe I can do something else. I can sing or dance ma'am, please, " Cissie pleaded.
"Of course! That is the only thing I am asking you because of your tardiness. Where would you be able to kiss the hands of someone who is really handsome other than here? You have two options, I'd tell your boss that you are always late in my class or you'll do what we want, " Miss Langit threatened Cissie.
"But ma'am, " were the only words Cissie could say that time.
"Class, it seems like Cissie doesn't want to do it. It seems like she needs a cheering squad, guys, " Miss Langit signaled the class to cheer.
"Cissie! Cissie! Cissie!" her classmates cheered.
Noise reigned the whole room. Cissie's knees trembled as she felt hopeless to escape that situation. She looked around and most of them wanted her to be embarrassed. She was about to break down in tears because of the pressure and because she really had nothing else to do. If she won't do it, her employer will reprimand her, they might even take her scholarship away and she didn't want that to happen. She endured all the hardship and fatigue just to be able to finish high school and leave that house right away.
"I can't afford to lose my scholarship especially now that I am graduating, "she said silently.
"Okay, fine! You win! Are you happy now?" Cissie tearfully blurted out while walking towards their new classmate. If only she had a choice. If only she were rich, she wouldn't have to go through this disgrace.
"I'm so sorry for this commotion. By the way, n-nice to meet you." Cissie's head was bent down due to embarrassment and trouble she caused to their new classmate.
"That is fine, no problem. It seems like we were introduced to each other at the wrong time, but it's fun. I like it. By the way, I'm Jay. I transferred from Manila but I can understand Bisaya. Nice to meet you too, " Jay said while extending his arm to Cissie to shake hands.
He sweetly smiled to her. He was evidently gorgeous. He's half Chinese that's why he resembled Rico Yan. Cissie then turned around and walked towards the back row where her chair was; it seemed like Miss Langit was not satisfy.
"We are divorced, Adams." She sighed and wanted to walk away, but he held her. "It doesn't matter." He answered, his voice laced with determination. "I don't love you anymore." "That doesn't matter either. What matters is that I want you, and there's nothing you or anyone can do about it." ***** Alicia's life has been a series of ups and downs. She suffered abuse from her husband and his family because she couldn't give him a child. She thought she had seen it all, but not until the day she returned home only to receive the divorce papers from her husband's parents. She pleaded with them, but was met with deaf ears, and so she signed the documents and left. Little did anyone know that she was pregnant. She returned six years later with her baby girl only to find her Ex-husband craving her once more. How will she take this, and what other surprises does fate have in stock for her?
Sandra Hill, the long-lost real heiress of the Hill family, was shunned by her own kin. Instead of embracing her, they bestowed their affection upon an impostor. They even arranged her to marry a vegetative man in place of her so-called “sister”. Sandra sneered, refusing to put up with this humiliation, cut off ties with the Hill family immediately and ran into the flash marriage with Wesley Cooper, her unconscious billionaire husband. With her incredible medical skills, she defied the odds and revived him. Little did she expect that her husband spoiled her with all his love... A medical genius, a computer prodigy, a national treasure in painting, and a racing legend... Her husband revealed her various identities, leaving the Hill family regretful. Her father came pleading, "It's Dad's fault. Please come back." Her mother wept, "Mom will protect you from now on. Please come back." Even her five brothers knelt before he, begging for forgiveness. Yet, Sandra's smile held a hint of mockery as she vowed, “Never!”
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
My name is Katia, and I am just trying to survive until my fated mate arrives. Which may be easier said than done. Rejectection is the last straw. Whispering my acceptance of his rejection. I run through the pack house, out across the manicured lawn into the forest. "I'm sorry, my sweet girl," I say to my wolf. I'm sorry you have been stuck with me and have had to suffer everything I have. She whispers," it's not your fault, Katia. We came to a cliff with a waterfall. The hurt keeps pounding at me. I need it to stop. My sweet girl, and I just want peace, I keep running and leap off the cliff. Spreading my arms wide, with tears streaming down my face, I fall, not making a sound, waiting for sweet oblivion where we feel nothing ever again. "I love you, my sweet girl! Until we meet again, "My wolf replied just before we hit the water, "I love you too, Katia. I have never regretted a moment with you." The Snow Moon pack is having their last barbecue of the summer next to the waterfall on their land. The adults are laughing and joking while watching the pups play. The alpha, beta, and gamma are swimming with some of the older children and playing a game of Marco Polo. Someone yells, "Oh my goddess, someone just jumped over the waterfall!" Everyone is frozen as they watch what looks to be a child falling arms spread wide, no one makes a sound. The small body hits the water like a plane crashing into the side of a mountain. The alpha, beta, and gamma, spring into action, swimming towards the area the person went under. The alpha is screaming his wolf is going crazy repeating, "Find her. Find her...find her!" They dive and the beta surfaces with a small person in his arms. Alpha takes the girl from his beta, laying her on the ground. The men are shocked by what they see. She is covered in scars and injuries. Her body is twisted and broken. The Beta asks, "Who could have done this to someone so defenseless?" Alpha drops to his knees, repeating, "MATE...MATE...MATE!"
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"