Claire Olsen had a great crush on Zion Petrakis since the first time she laid eyes on him. But Zion had his eyes glued at the school's 'It girl' Maddie Jennings. Claire couldn't compete with Maddie who was every boy's dream girl in school. She hid her feelings for Zion and just satisfied admiring him from afar. But a series of events led Claire closer to Zion in Senior High and that made her feelings for him intensified- growing from infatuation to love. She tried to act normal and fought hard to hide her feelings when they were together. At some points, she avoided him, but the more barrier she put between them, the more he barged into her ordered life.
"Infatuation is when you find someone who is perfect. Love is when you realize that they aren't and it doesn't matter." - Pinterest
Claire's POV
Oh no! I'm going to be late.
I was running now, like running for my life. My heart was pumping so hard, my skin was cold as ice and sweat ran down my spine.
Whew! I stopped for a while, catching my breath.
I couldn't miss the school bus, I have a long quiz in my first subject, Math. I have to do good in school, being in my last year in high school so I would qualify in a scholarship program.
I wiped the sweat off my forehead then checked the time on my wristwatch. Shocks no... then I started to run again to the bus station.
I heard a car horned behind me. It was Ashley Farris. My stepsister.
Ashley opened her car window and yelled at me. "Run faster Claire!" Her laughter echoed in the air. She was the reason why I was hurrying right now. She made me iron her school uniform again and again to make sure that there was no single crease left.
Ashley and I were both seventeen, but she was a month older than me. We were both Seniors at Riverview High School.
We looked totally different. She was a blond while I have jet black hair. She was short and curvy while I was tall and skinny. Okay... very skinny. I didn't understand why I was so skinny. I tried to eat plenty and take multivitamins daily, but still I was skin and bones.
She always competed with me eversince we met. In the house, she wanted to get my dad's attention. She got my room and my stuffs. Dad tried to please her by buying whatever she wanted. Everything became in her favor.
Ashley was a smart girl also. We competed each other in school. We were both in the Top Ten Students. But I always got the highest rank and that was very upsetting on her part.
Her mom, Aunt Abby married my dad seven years ago. It was so sudden. I just lost my mom - she was hit by a car. I was still grieving when dad got married again in just two months. Mom was not even cold in her grave.
I lost my dad two years ago in a fire incident and that made my life became a calvary. Aunt Abby and Ashley made my life miserable. They stopped treating me like a family. I became a squatter in my own house.
Don't worry Claire, one more year and you'll be free. I murmured to myself.
I was just in time when the school bus arrived in the bus station. I was so relieved.
I saw my bestie, Rhea when I entered the bus. I sat down beside her and put my maroon Jansport backpack in front of me.
"Hi Claire. You look like a mess."
"I know right." I combed my long tangled hair with my fingers and fixed my eyebrows with my fingertips. I was so conscious with my eyebrows because they were so thick like those of the werewolves and pointing everywhere. I have to flattened them and kept in place all the time.
"Did you finish your Science homework?"
"Of course. I finished it early this morning." I smoothened the creases of my uniform and tightened my tie.
"I'm not sure with my answer in number ten. Can you help me on it?" Rhea pleaded.
"Of course. No worries."
My heart skipped a beat when I stepped out of the school bus. I saw a familiar car turned around the curb heading towards the school's main entrance. A black Mercedes-Benz with a custom license plate. PETRAKIS.
I stopped at the side of the road, waiting for the car to pass by. The windows were tinted black, so dark that it was impossible to see inside. I kept my eyes fixed on my shoes, embarrassed to be caught looking at the car.
Zion Petrakis was inside the car. The most popular boy in school. A heartthrob. Tall, handsome with a beautifully lean muscular body. He walked with grace, pride and confidence. Very athletic. He was the captain of the school's football team. Many girls admired him and sought his attention. Yeah. I liked him too. A lot. But unlike the others, I was contented admiring him from afar.
The car parked outside the school's lobby. Zion went out, with his black backpack slung over his shoulder. He looked so fresh with his dark straight hair glistened. Obviously wet from the shower.
He was greeted with his best friends Harry Allen and Israel Yasin. The three of them were inseparable since pre-school and together they played in the football team.
"Claire, I'm going to talk to Miss Murphy. Just go ahead." Rhea said.
"Okay. I'll see you in the classroom."
I was approaching the lobby to where Zion, Harry and Izzy were standing and praying at the same time. Please God, let them go inside. Let me be invisible that they wouldn't notice me.
I sighed a good relief when I managed to pass by in front of them unnoticed. But I was wrong, it was just a temporary bliss.
"Hi Claire." I heard Israel a.k.a. Izzy said behind me.
I stopped and spun around, staring at him, then at Harry and Zion. "Hi."
Harry said 'hi' back, but Zion just smiled and looked away.
Izzy did not hide the fact that he liked me. Ever since in grade school, he was into me. He sent me gifts, brought roses, love letters and chocolates. He even wrote poems for me, but I couldn't teach myself to like him more than just a friend. I didn't feel the same way he felt for me.
It was always Zion. I didn't understand myself why. He didn't do anything to make me like him. He never talked to me. He ignored me like I did not exist. I hated myself that I kept on thinking about him and deep down inside of me I knew that he probably haven't thought about me once.
I excused myself and walked in a hurry away from them, almost running. I just slowed down when I was out of their sight.
I passed by the bulletin board and stopped to check for any announcements and reminders. A leaflet about a free trip to Korea for top students caught my attention. I was reading it when someone stood beside me - Alex Gomez, one of the student activists. He posted a list of Top Ten Students Who's Hot And Who's Not, covering the leaflet I was reading.
"Not again." Facepalm.
As usual. I was at the Top Ten List Of Who's Not.
This became my burden every school year. But I learned to view it in a positive way. Who cares. It was only a list made by student activists. Sarcastically speaking, I should be flattered because I went down in the ranking from second to fourth.
But still, I checked the list. As expected, Zion Petrakis was at the top in Who's hot, he always did, followed by his friends, Harry and Israel. Zion's ex-girlfriend, Maddie Jennings, the popular 'it girl' in school was also included as well as my stepsister Ashley.
"Stupid list." I heard a familiar voice said behind me. I looked around and saw Zion. We were so close, that our face almost collided. I could smell his scent, like a combination of soap and cologne, and the warmness of his body vibrated through me, like a current. I've never been this close to him ever and the feeling was so electrifying.
I stepped back and looked around. He was alone. I wondered where his friends were.
Zion looked at me and I looked back at him. His dark eyes were sharp and assessing, holding my eyes still. But I couldn't continue looking at him, his stares and nearness made my knees so weak. It would be so embarrassing if I fell down on his feet.
He grabbed the list of the Top Ten Who's Hot And Who's Not , crumpled it and threw in the nearest bin. Then he was gone in a blink of an eye.
Joanna didn't hesitate to return to the Philippines to fulfill her closest friend's request. Her mission: to seek revenge on the eldest child of the Villa Franca couple. Upon arriving in San Andres, where Hacienda Villa Franca is located, she stayed at a resort for a few nights. The opportunity seemed fitting as the Villa Franca siblings were present. The challenge was that she didn't actually know which of the two handsome men had hurt her friend Ivy, and Ivy never mentioned a name before disappearing from the world. So, Joanna observed discreetly and felt her way through. Until the mischievous-looking guy called his brother 'Kuya' without moving his lips for a smile. The one with the dangerous look, yet so damn gorgeous and hot: Nash Villa Franca. Joanna executed her plan without hesitation... Will she succeed?
"Just stay by his side until he remembers everything." "No. I have money, Ylona. I don't need your money," I told her coldly. "Why are you so hard to get? We need your help because Hercules is finding you! I'm his fiance but he can't remember anything! why does he have to look for you and not me." Frustration filled her face "That's not my problem anymore. If this is all we're going to talk about, I don't want to. I'm leaving," I told them coldly. I stood up and walked towards the door. I was about to go out when I was stunned by what he said. "You don't want? Then just wait, Talitha. Your money will disappear." I clenched my fist because of what he said. I didn't look at them anymore and walked straight out. I didn't pay attention to the way they looked at me. this is the last step I will take again. I traveled again towards La Consalancion because I had a lot left to do. It's been a few days since we talked to Hercules' family. They didn't bother me again and that's a good thing. I followed him with a smile while he smiled as he waved the toy. Caitlin is not here because she has a job at the resort that I also own. After we broke up, I left and started my own business. "You want more?" I asked him smiling. He quickly nodded. "Lithaaaa!!!" I stopped eating Baby Hero when Leon, my gay friend, came. "Why, Leon?" I asked him in wonder "Mrs. Galvez was at the resort. I'm looking for you and have companions, rich people." I felt my heart beat because of what he said. Rich? Maybe it's not them. I took Baby Hero from the chair and lifted him up. "Alright, I'm going. Come with me." Mrs. Galvez is the owner of the land where my resort is located. I just held my breath before I got on Leon's tricycle. In less than a few minutes we arrived. I see Caitlin who is outside the resort and seems to be waiting for someone. when he saw me, his face seemed to light up and he quickly approached me. "Litha, good and here it is. Here are the parents of your ex-husband," he whispered to her. I bit my lip before I gave him Baby Hero. Take care of him first. I first kissed Hero who was now smiling at me. "Mrs. Galvez," I called the lady. It quickly stood up and looked at me. "You're here, Ms. Fernandez. I want to talk to you about the land that you haven't fully paid yet," she said. I didn't look at them and only at Mrs. Just Galvez. "Can you straight to the point, Mrs. Galvez?" He sighed first. "I'm selling it to the Guevara couple." "We have something to talk about, Mrs. Galvez," I said emphatically. "Business is Business, Ms. Fernandez." got up and left so the three of us were left. My fist clenched because of the anger I would feel. Heartless! "What are you doing this to me? You said I don't want to enter your world! Haven't you put me through enough?" I told them without emotion "Even me, I will never let you into my daughter's world, Talitha. But because my daughter needs you, I will do it for her, even though I hate it." "I hate it too, Ylona. I hate it because I became your mother-in-law," I told her without emotion. he quickly looked at me and glared at me. "You hate me but you're here in front of me now and you're forcing your son to care for me?" "Because he needs you, Talitha! I'll pay doub—" I was startled by a small hand resting on my thigh. I looked down and a smiling child was looking at me while he was presenting something. "M-Mom!" "Hero..."
"Where did that go?" I asked myself again. We're not friends but we're pretty close to each other, and I know he rarely goes out or leaves his office. "Maybe it's just there." I answered myself again and then searched. The whole library is spacious because this school is also large. Some students here are sons and daughters of business tycoons and politics so it's not surprising. I've almost gone around all the bookshelves with their backs to each other but I still don't have mika, so does Arries, it's amazing, especially since I feel different. Girls instinct matches. in the back I could not go so I went there when I heard someone talking, as if whispering. I know Mika and Arries, because I haven't seen anyone else yet and go home, especially since Mika is the only librarian here and I also saw Arries enter here. I was about to turn around to prove that they were when I heard a growl. "Ahh Arries maybe someone will see us here." The woman growled at Arries. My chest throbbed with excitement, "No! This cant be!" My brain objected. Arries was inside and if I'm not mistaken Mika was the woman who moaned earlier. my tears are already dripping, I can't accept, but my mind is trying to focus that it's not them, that other Aries and Mika are inside, but who did I fool? There are no other names for those two here who are our co-teachers, if there is a student it is very impossible. "Ohh shit! I really love you Mika." The man growled. There I stopped sobbing when Aries proved that my boyfriend was doing nonsense right inside the library, he was still the principal but he acted like a pig. I still accept that he hangs out outside but what he does right here inside the school is too much. To hurt myself even more and prove to myself that my boyfriend and my co-staff are doing the miracle, I peeked, I saw that Mika's uniform was almost open as well as Arries who was in a hurry to get down and remove the belt and open the zipper of the dress. I tried not to make any noise, during the time that Arries and I were together I didn't even notice anything strange about him, he was as tender as the first time we were so it was hard to accept for me. We've been together for four years but I think that's not enough when it comes to talking about the flesh. the entire staff as well as the students knew the relationship between the two of us, others were expecting the wedding we were going to but it wasn't. that's why he hasn't processed yet, he already has someone else, I didn't pay attention to that before because maybe he just had a plan but this is the answer. anger took the place of the love I felt here, so I hurriedly took my cell phone to take a picture of them just in case I could use him. To the two of them. It's bad if it's bad but I'm just hurt too. it's a good thing they were so greedy for each other that they didn't even notice my presence, but that's good too. Slowly I took the steps towards the exit door and when I thought I was far away from them I slowly ran out. I don't care if it creates a sound, even if they chase me they won't see me anymore. They are also far from the door so I have a strong feeling that they will not be able to chase me. the gate show is still shedding my tears, it's a good thing the sandal I used is only 2 inches high so it's not hard for me to run. Fortunately, there were no students, staffs, only the guard was there but I didn't pay attention when I heard him greet me. I just wanted to leave, get stuck in that place.
On the first day of school the large gate of Axford University opened early for students required to enter. there are transferees and most are former school students. But all attention was taken away when a young woman got out of an expensive car. "Angel" "Pre am I in heaven yet?" "Shit. She's beautiful!" "The smoothness is damn." "Pres. The student and the transferees are complete, the gate has been closed and they have all been gathered in the auditorium." polite promise of his right hand. He nodded and stood up. He was Devin Lance Hellias .. the President of the Council and known as the King of Axford University because everyone was obedient to him and everyone was afraid to oppose him. he is Ruthless man, a devil one and he don't know the word mercy .. He can kill you in a snap once you break his rules in this school and he don't give a damn if you begged for your life .. But what if this Devil, ruthless man meet the girl named Alliann Leannah De Villa? the Innocent Angel who break the one and only rule of this President? What will happen?
She is Shia Sheridan. She has no dreams. She doesn't know what she wants. No plans for life. But because of a mistake she owned up to, she ended up in a place she despised. The Titan Academy of Special Abilities. A school for those like her with special abilities. A place for extraordinary people she will never be like. Welcome to Academy of Special Abilities. "Because it takes more than power to be special."
"Then who owns you?" he asked, I could feel and smell his hot and fragrant breath. "I-i-it is yo-you sir," my lips parted as he suddenly came closer to me, bringing our bodies closer together, it's too late for me to close my mouth when I feel his lips on mine. when our lips parted, we both gasped, "then stop making me jealous, because you don't want to know what this friend can do to you."
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
Sheila had her back against the wall when her family tried to force her to marry an awful old man. In a fit of rage, she hired a gigolo to act as her husband. She thought the gigolo needed money and did this for a living. Little did she know that he was nothing like that. One day, he pulled off his mask and revealed himself to be the world's top magnate. This marked the beginning of their love. He showered her with everything she could ever want. They were happy. However, unexpected circumstances soon posed a threat to their love. Would Sheila and her husband make it through the storm? Find out!
Betrayed by her mate and sister on the eve of her wedding, Makenna was handed to the ruthless Lycan Princes as a lover, her indifferent father ignoring her plight. Determined to escape and seek revenge, she captured the interest of the three Lycan princes, who desired her exclusively amid many admirers. This complicated her plans, trapping her and making her a rival to the future Lycan queen. Entwined in jealousy and vindictiveness, could Makenna achieve her vengeance in the intricate dance with the three princes?
Katie was forced to marry Dillan, a notorious ruffian. Her younger sister mocked her, "You're just an adopted daughter. Count your blessings for marrying him!" The world anticipated Katie's tribulations, but her married life unfurled with unexpected serenity. She even snagged a lavish mansion in a raffle! Katie jumped into Dillan's arms, credited him as her lucky charm. "No, Katie, it's you who brings me all this luck," Dillan replied. Then, one fateful day, Dillan's childhood friend came to her. "You're not worthy of him. Take this 50 million and leave him!" Katie finally grasped Dillan's true stature—the wealthiest man on the planet. That night, trembling with trepidation, she broached the subject of divorce with Dillan. However, with a domineering embrace, he told her, "I'd give you everything I have. Divorce is off the table!"
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
The day Lilah found out that she was pregnant, she caught her fiancé cheating on her. Her remorseless fiancé and his mistress almost killed her. Lilah fled for her dear life. When she returned to her hometown five years later, she happened to save a little boy's life. The boy's father turned out to be the world's richest man. Everything changed for Lilah from that moment. The man didn't let her experience any inconvenience. When her ex-fiancé bullied her, he crushed the scumbag's family and also rented out an entire island just to give Lilah a break from all the drama. He also taught Lilah's hateful father a lesson. He crushed all her enemies before she even asked. When Lilah's vile sister threw herself at him, he showed her a marriage certificate and said, "I'm happily married and my wife is much more beautiful than you are!" Lilah was shocked. "When did we ever get married? Last I checked, I was still single." With a wicked smile, he said, "Honey, we've been married for five years. Isn't it about time we had another child together?" Lilah's jaw dropped to the floor. What the hell was he talking about?