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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.
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..." But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
Desperate to handle her grandmother's towering medical bills, Gianna agreed to a contract marriage with Tristan, the enigmatic man she'd once shared a one-night stand with. She assumed they'd fulfill each other's needs and dissolve the arrangement once the terms expired. Unbeknownst to Gianna, this marriage was a dream Tristan had clung to for ten relentless years. Certain she was just filling someone else's role, Gianna prepared to leave when that other woman returned. But Tristan, his eyes burning with unspoken emotion, seized her trembling hand and declared, "You’re mine. Now and always."
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."