I LOOK ED silently into nothingness. My view from the veranda is the shining light in the town. I held my breath. How I wish I could be one of them---an ordinary person who is free to live as normal. I am KEINTH LUCAS HARRISON, from the richest family in the town of Sta. Monica. I have no friends, and I used to be alone since then. But I prefer to be like this, than other people knowing my secret, or should I say---my family's SECRET.
DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction; Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are only products of the author's imagination.
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Maxine's POV
I walk the muddy road to the other village. That's where I attend, Wilford University, a school for the rich, and I don't belong there.
I am Maxine Filmore, nineteen years old. My Mother is a maid, and she has been serving the Alfonzo's for ten years. The couple is nice. In fact, they are the ones who send me to school, and in return, I help Mom every time I don't have class.
I looked at the watch I was wearing. It's eight o'clock so I'm walking even faster, I have class at nine and I can't be late.
Annoyingly, not even a single vehicle passed by when I was in a hurry, add to that the darkening of the sky signaled impending rain.
I frowned as a black car pulled up behind me. My uniform was almost covered in mud. It was Miss Beatriz's car, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfonzo. As good as the couple is, Miss Beatriz is the opposite. She is filled with curses and a core of pride.
I IMMEDIATELY went to the rest room when I got to the University. I carefully observed my own reflection in the mirror. I am just about to go in but I look like I'm going home. I shook my head. I am nothing compared to the students who attend here. But if it's just based on looks, at least I also have something to brag about. They said it was like I had foreign blood.
After getting ready, I was about to leave the rest room when I was bumped by two women just entering, I dropped the books I was carrying. I immediately bent down to pick them up.
"Sorry," a woman said cleverly, obviously not being sincere when she said that. "Because I didn't see you."
"Served right," said another woman who laughed.
I chose not to mind them and just continued doing what I was doing. I am used to it. This is how my life has been since I entered this University. I want to transfer to another school. I don't want it here. The students who come here are proud and arrogant, but I have no choice. Fortunately, I am now graduating this year with BSHRM course. With God's mercy, I will be able to lift Mom out of poverty.
I CHOSE to sit in the back. Just a few moments after that, Miss Gillany, our Class adviser, also arrived. And she started to discuss.
FINISHED the first class and I didn't understand anything. I'm not in the mood and I feel like not doing anything today.
Since the next subject was at two O'clock in the afternoon, I decided to go home first. I don't have money to buy snack. Also, I'd rather save the pocket money that 'Mom gives than waste it.
As I always do, I walked to the bus station. It's only walking distance from the school so I patiently walk it every day. I ran when it started to rain. Fortunately, I got to the waiting area right away before the downpour got stronger. I grabbed a handkerchief from the bag to wipe the few drops of rain from my face when the wind accidentally blew it away. I quickly took a step to catch up with it but at the same time as that step, a motorcycle sped by. I was able to avoid it immediately but I lost my balance due to the shock.
I stayed with my fall. I also saw the motorcyclist fall and spin around.
I forced myself to stand up to help, knowing that the motorcyclist was hurt more.
"Mister, are you okay?!" I asked in a loud voice while trying to get closer. He was wearing a helmet so I couldn't see his face.
I helped the guy get up until he sat down.
"Are you okay?" I ask again. But I didn't expect my reaction when the guy took his helmet off. I was stunned for a moment and just stared at his face; medium-thick eyebrows, pointed nose, ruddy lips, and add to that his rather narrow gray eyes. How did such a handsome creature exist here in Sta. Monica? There are many handsome men in Wilford, but the guy in front of me seems to have something unusual. And I feel like I want to be insecure about the smoothness of his face.
"Are you stupid?!" shouted the guy who returned to my senses. His eyebrows met as he stared at me. "You just cross without looking to see if there's a vehicle or not?!"
My admiration for the guy in front of me disappeared. My ears tingled like I was blown away by the wind. He called me a fool.
"W-what are you?" I asked in disbelief. "Hey Mister, I was hurt too. And then look at my uniform, it's dirty! Who could have driven so fast that he thought he owned the way!"
The guy's eyebrows arched, an irritated smile flashed across his lips.
"And now it's my fault. Do you have any idea how much my Harley Davidson is? Even if you work all your life, you won't be able to pay for that!"
I looked at the motorcycle. I secretly swallowed when I saw that the left side mirror was broken. I don't know what the brand of the motor is but it looks like expensive.
I seemed to have followed my gaze when the guy stood up and headed for the motorcycle. He is tall. He might be a basketball player. Cool.
After a while, the guy started the motorcycle and sped away. I would have protested but he quickly disappeared from my sight. I was annoyed as I stomped on the road and cried as I followed a glimpse the way he took.
Very, very antipathetic. Bad attitude. He didn't even apologize. I almost crashed. Maybe he's studying at Wilford too. The arrogance.
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Author's POV
MAXINE'S nose seemed to be suffocating in annoyance when she got home to the mansion. She immediately went straight to the maid's quarter and took a bath.
Since her class was in the afternoon, her mother ordered her to buy groceries first.
MAXINE went to the vegetable's section first as she arrived at the store. She looked over the list of her mother before starting to choose. She was about to take a whole cabbage with the hand of whoever she touched. She automatically turned to it only to have her eyes widen.
"You?!"
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