Forbidden Fruit: Falling for the Playboy

Chapter 01

10 years ago...

Maria Ysobelle Tan's POV

I was a firm believer that if life gives you lemons, you throw it back to whomever fucked you up and smash it in their faces. You may not try to literally smash it in their faces but you can throw it in their nonexistent brain. Besides, life is too short to care about other people's opinions.

Although you can gain some lessons from them especially if you're in the wrong but if they just exist to make you feel less when you are already less, then give those motherfreaking faces a big smack in the head.

"Argh!" I screamed internally as I rubbed my mom's headstone here in the cemetery.

It was only a few months since I last visited her tomb because I was studying in Manila. Plus, I didn't have enough money to book a bus trip from Bicol to Manila. There are a lot of expenses at school and the cost of living is high in Manila. it didn't help that I got laid off from my current job since they are reducing workers.

Gosh life is so hard for an orphan and stripper's daughter.

Scrubbing the red marked "whore" on my mother's headstone, I internally murdered the people who did this. And I know a few who did because they knew I was coming home.

"I know you'll be telling me not to fight back on your sister's family because I'm better than them, but I won't let them disrespect you." I growled out in anger as I talked to my mom who is listening in the afterlife "It's not your fault that you stopped going to school to help your family. They should even be thankful because they get to earn a degree and get good jobs."

Thunder loomed in the distance and the sky darkened. Perhaps the heavens heard the turmoil in my chest.

"It's not your fault that you put your heart in your sleeve. It's also not your fault that you stripped for a living and married an abusive man." I spoke my throat constricting as the memory of my mother's beaten face and arms "You tried to gave me a good life and I'll always be thankful for you about it. For me, you'll be my wonderwoman Mom. And as your child, I won't let them disrepesct you. So, no. I won't stand down as they litter your memory by these words."

Scrubbing the last remnants of that awful word on her headstone, I placed the beautiful daisies I bought for her and some chocolate.

"I know you liked chocolates, so I bought you some." I spoke as I sat on the grass infront of her resting place. I also took out the President's Lister certificate I got from last semester "Look, you're daughter's a President Lister again. You don't have to worry about me because I'm doing good in school. It just sucks sometime because I couldn't afford the contribution on our projects. Who said I should go to the most expensive private school in the country?"

I laughed as I can imagine her telling me, "You deserve the best. Hence, I submitted your application to Brent."

"Well, it's helpful being a scholar but I still have some school fees to pay. I might also look for another job. Anyway, I'll be back in a few months once I saved up again. I love you Mom and watch over me from heaven, okay?"

Kissing the headstone, I packed my bag and looked at it one more time before leaving.

Instead of going to the inn I was staying at, I went to the hardware store.

I have some relatives to teach a lesson.

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"What did you do again?" Angel my childhood bestfriend pointedly asked as she picked me up from the bus terminal. I told her that I needed a ride from Cubao since the remaining money that I had was spent in extracting my plan.

I giggled as I remembered the horror and screams of my aunt's family as they saw their house littered with toilet paper, and paint.

"Nothing." i deviously grinned as Angel rolled her eyes.

"You wouldn't be grinning like a devil if you didn't do anything." Angel spoke as she drived into traffic.

"Let's just say that they deserve every inch of it." I arrogantly spoke.

"People should really know not to mess with you." Angel drawled before a grin spread on her lips "By the time, mom and dad asked if you could sleep at home for a few days. They'll be going out of the country for business and Angelico is going to Baguio, so I'll be the only one left at home."

"I can't accompany you tonight, Angel. I have work." I spoke as I remembered the gig texted to me while I was traveling from Bicol to Manila.

"What? I thought you lost your job?" Angel asked in confusion.

Looking away, I bit my lip as I thought of telling her the truth or not. Perhaps it's best that I don't. She knew my family history and I did promised I wont follow on my mother's footsteps. But, I desperately need the money.

I need to pay my rent. I also have a lot of bills and miscellaneous fees to pay at school. Although I was a scholar, there are still some fees that I needed to pay. And it's not cheap! It didn't helped that I was only earning 550 pesos per day with my former job, so every cent that I earn was being spent with my daily expenses and school bills.

If I didn't take the job given to me from one of my mom's friends, then I won't be able to take the midterms exam and I'll lose my apartment.

I couldn't ask money from Angel's family because I know they're a bit angry with me.

How? Well, Angel visited me in my apartment. My place wasn't the safest. There were a lot of men drinking. And well, Angel got assaulted. She wasn't taken advantage of because I was able to get to her, but her family blamed me for it.

They even tried to force Angel to unfriend me but that girl is really the best ever friend you can have. So, her family tolerates me.

This job will only be for tonight. I'll only do it once. Just this once.

"I was asked to fill in for a job at a party tonight." I vaguely told Angel.

"What kind of job?"

"Waitressing." I lied to her.

"Oh okay." she responded as she stopped in front of my apartment "Just text me if you need me to pick you up."

"Don't worry Angel. I'll be fine. Drive safely, okay?" I hugged her before opening the door.

"Yumi." she called back and I paused.

Turning back, I looked at the seriousness in her eyes. "You know you can always borrow money from me. I don't mind."

My throat constricted at the sincerity of her voice. One of the great things about Angel is she'll truly stick by your side. Once you get her loyalty, she'll really be there for you. But, I knew that the money she will give me was from her parents. And I don't want to add more things on the list of why they don't like me.

So, I plastered on a fake smile. "I know and I'll ask when I really need one. Drive safely beshie!"

I waved at her as she nodded back. Backin up from the driveway, I watched her car leave before I went inside my apartment and prepared for tonight.

Gosh, I'm going to need a drink.