"Hello?"
She coughed and took a deep, long breath. "Haze?" she asked, looking out onto the balcony. "Have you returned home?""Yes, and why did you call?"She sighed and decided to get out of bed. She went out to the balcony to have some fresh air. It was three in the morning and darkness was still around. The Mayor of Medellin's lighthouse shone in the distance. Another deep breath. All she could hear were crickets hiding in the dark."I had a dream," she whispered on the phone."Well, that's to be expected.""No, I mean, I had a strange dream."The other line burst out laughing. "That's... well, what's your fantasy little girl?"She frowned. She thought of Hazel's drunken face, grinning from ear to ear, in front of her. "Come on, Hazel. Stop spouting nonsense, okay? I need someone to talk to, then you're like that?"Because of the accusatory tone in her voice, Hazel fell silent. She took another deep breath before telling the story. "It's strange.""What's strange, Laine?""I've dreamed of something," she sighed, whispering."Dreamt? That word again? How can I help you if you can't quit saying strange, dreamt, whatever?" Hazel said, annoyance evident in her voice.Jewel knew that Hazel was not in her right mind so she did not make a fuss about the girl's tone and said, "I've dreamt of something."She closed her eyes tightly. She felt her cheeks burn red in embarrassment as she tried to make the right sentence to describe what she had seen in her dream. "Sex. I've dreamt of it.""Ah? That's it, little girl? ""Come on, I've dreamt about someone having sex with me!"On the other end of the line, laughter erupted. She slapped her forehead and frowned furiously. She still had to take the phone away because Hazel seemed to be on her side because of how loud the laughter was."What's that, Laine?" Hazel asked, chuckling. "Are you serious? If yes, you need to get a guy right now!"She rolled her eyes. "Hazel!"Even though she couldn't see her reflection in the mirror, she could tell how red her face was. It was her first time to dream such a lewd scene and she was uncomfortable. She had no one to talk to except for Hazel who was closer to her, and even though she almost choked on embarrassment, she had no choice but to vent out her weird feelings. "Oh?" Hazel teased.She pursed her lips. "I'm not the kind of girl who daydreams about it," she said to defend herself. Then she bit her bottom lip.The truth was that... sometimes she really daydreams of a guy but it was not explicit! And she was not out of her mind to admit it. She could not bear the shame of admitting her secret, even though Hazel was her friend."Don't worry, I think that's normal. Tiara called me last night and said that she and her boyfriend are doing that in her dream. Hush now, little girl."Hazel laughed, and it was clear that the girl had been to Furry, a bar in Bogo City. Jewel tried to ignore the small noise coming from the other end of the phone because it sounded like kissing.She cleared her throat. "I-I think so," she said, scrunching her nose. "Are you still —-?"The girl on the other end of the phone cut her words off. "How does it feel, though?""Feel?" Her eyes narrowed.Hazel chuckled. "Doing that with someone in your dream?"Jewel gulped and fanned her hot face. "I just feel... something wet down there," she said over the phone."Is he attractive?"Jewel raised her brow. "I don't believe so.""Husky bedroom voice... Charming smile?""No...""I believe you're looking for someone to satisfy you, Laine.""I think that guy is weird..." she recalled the man from her dream. She knew he had a face, but she couldn't recall what it was like. His big arms and elegant physique were the only things she remembered. But recalling the man in her dream, she could not help but shiver. Her hair on the nape stood.She gulped.She exhaled deeply. "Haze? Go to your bed and sleep, I'll hang up now.""Please greet the man of your dreams on my behalf," Hazel joked and chuckled. Jewel shook her head. That girl was drunk.Before returning to her room, she took another look at the gleaming lighthouse. She was startled when she noticed someone standing at the headboard of her bed out of the corner of her eye. When she turned around to look, she saw no one.She laughed as her head shook. She must be hallucinating. Her hand reached for and closed the bathroom door.She left the room and went down to the living room while it was still dark. She noticed a few maids cleaning the mansion. They smiled as they greeted her."It's still too early in the morning, Senyorita, and I didn't see Sir Gideon leave the room, so he won't be able to accompany you outside."She only smiled at Aling Teresa. "I can do it. Don't tell anyone I left early.""But it's still dark outside, and it's dangerous—""Manang..." she said, smiling and motioning to the elderly lady. "I'm big enough to take care of myself. I can do it. One more thing, I won't leave the hacienda. Just a quick walk through the woods. Promise."Aling Teresa smiled and accompanied her to the mansion's front door. "Take care, Miss.""I will, Manang," she said, turning around.She went straight to the stable and was correct in her suspicion that Peter was up and bathing the horses there. The man smiled at her and took a step forward."Oh, Miss, the road is too dark. I can't let you leave early.""I can do it.""Oh, Senyorita! Senyorito Gideon should be here, so I can make sure you get home safely when the sun comes up."She fixed her gaze on Peter. "I'm not fooling around with you."He shook his head and scratched his chin. He then looked past her. "Sir, Senyorita is that stubborn, so it's up to you."Her brow furrowed, and she retreated. She noticed Gideon. The man's brows were knitted together as he looked at her. "What a brat. This early?" he mocked.Her fist tightened. She hadn't gotten over the man's sarcasm on the Aisle. She almost fell off the motor due to its high speed. And why was the haughty man awake?"Pedro!" she exclaimed. She quickly turned to face the attendant again, but that scumbag fled. While fleeing, that servant reminded them to be cautious on the dark road.Jewel clenched her teeth. She wanted to smack Peter in the face, but he wasn't in sight. She realized at that point that the two men had agreed to corner her when she went for a run.Gideon laughed from behind her and took a step closer to her. "You know you can't ride alone, Jewel."Her lips formed a thin line. "I know what's best for me. Don't treat me like a child.""Then stop acting like one.""I'm not!"Gideon was silent for a moment before asking. "Do you despise me?""At least you're aware!""Why?""It's none of your concern."She entered the stable without saying anything. She picked up Francisko, strapped on a saddle, and rode away with the horse. She heard Gideon yell but did not respond. When Gideon followed on his favorite horse, Gina, she enhanced Fransisko's speed."Jewel!" he exclaimed.She kicked Fransisko in the shins. The horse took off faster."Listen to me. You're running in the wrong direction. Stop the horse!"But she didn't pay attention. Her life in the mansion had been disrupted for a few days.She recalled her father's smile when he saw Gideon. He stated that the plan to unite the two powerful families in Medellin would be initiated sooner And she isn't a moron for not knowing what binding it is.She tightened her grip on the reins and kicked the horse in the shins. Francis took off faster.On that fateful day, she realized her life was about to change, especially after learning that she would marry the Mayor's only child, Gideon Manasseh Hernandez, the following summer."Wait a minute-"Perhaps it's too late to seek assistance. She went straight into the Medellin River's dark and peaceful waters. Even her favorite Francisco was in danger. She quickly clasped her hands to get back on the surface of the water. She cursed in her head over and over. In the cold water, her muscles trembled and her chest tightened.She desperately searched the riverbank but couldn't find it in the dark. She gradually became overwhelmed by fear. Which way should she swim?She pumped her fists and stomped her feet, and she screamed when an arm wrapped around her neck. As she raised her head to breathe, she was yanked back.She felt the ground behind her and realized she'd almost got drowned in the water. A hand gently patted her back to release the water that needed to be released.She was leaning helplessly against something hard and hot. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths."You, stubborn brat, will you listen to me next time?"Jewel opened her eyes, but all she saw was the silhouette of a man.Gideon lifted her and climbed to the lower part of the cliff where Gina was staying as the sun rose in the east. Jewel looked around but couldn't find Francisko. She took a deep breath and paused for a few moments before opening her mouth to inquire. "What happened to Francisko?""He got lost in the river. I'll send someone to look for him when the sun comes up. Can you stand?"She blinked and turned her gaze to the dark river, but there was no movement there. When she thought about what happened to Francisko, sadness crept into her chest."Jewel," Gideon said once more."Y-yes, I believe so."Gideon eased her down. As the chill traveled down her spine, she felt the dry and cold ground on her feet.She realized she had no shoes at that point. The man had taken her boots off earlier, and she didn't have the strength to stop him at the time.Her heart was still pounding loudly in her chest, and she could still feel a slight tremble. The terror she felt had had such an impact on her that
Gideon's voice was lovely. It was cold and deep. He may have been a vocalist in a band when he was younger, or he may have competed in various singing competitions. Regardless, she liked his voice.Jewel bit her lower lip to keep her mouth from speculating. But as the song progressed, she was tempted to ask questions until she couldn't anymore.She cut him off mid-song. "Wait, Gideon?""Mmm?""What exactly are you singing?"Gideon raised his head and sang the song's bridge to her. Her face was twisted. "What is the title?" she inquired impatiently.Gideon shook his head and smiled. "Leave me astounded.""And by whom?""Planetshakers.""Who is that?"Gideon shook his head. She scowled. When Gideon saw her contorted face, he laughed and patted her leg. "Move your foot across," he said.Despite her confusion, she immediately obeyed. Gideon dashed to the other side.Gideon suddenly grabbed Jewel's waist and yanked her off the horse. She was startled by the sudden movement. Gideon laughed
They were standing outside the Mansion, unable to enter because her father was waiting. Her father's face was ashen when he saw her, wet like a chick without a hen, but Gideon caught Don Sebastian's rage for her."Don Sebastian, I'm the one apologizing for Jewel."Jewel braced herself for her father's rage. She was taken aback when Don Sebastian smiled at Gideon. She was astounded.'How unfair! He just smiled at Gideon. I couldn't recall the last time he smiled at me! ' Jewel sighed and huffed angrily."What did my unica hija do again, and she's like a petty chick who got lost here in the mansion?" asked Don Sebastian. He turned to face her.He narrowed both eyes on her as he turned to face her. It caused her eyes to blur.Jewel lowered her gaze and crossed her arms across her chest. She let Gideon reason for her. He had already defended her at the outset, so she simply waited for the two men to reach an agreement and let her go. She was still shivering in the cold, and she bit her li
She left and returned to her room. Her hands took the books one at a time. She then placed each of them on the empty bookshelves until she reached the last one. She then placed the box in the corner alongside the books that had been inspected for damage.Her lips formed a wide smile. Her hand reached for the book she was reading. She went to bed and continued reading there.His smile is devilish, almost demonic."It's time," he exclaimed.He stood up and —-Jewel yawned and set the book aside, feeling sleepy all of a sudden. She tried to rub her eyes to keep her consciousness from slipping away, but that didn't stop the weight of her eyelids.Even before she closed her eyes, she noticed someone at the foot of her bed.She awoke later, out of breath. She sat up quickly and panted heavily. Her fist tightened as she remembered that strange dream. She then heard a ring. The constant ringing of her phone jolted her awake.She reached for it and answered the phone without looking to see who
Mayor Calixto Olmedo Hernandez is feared by all. During his fifteen years in office, he was known as Medellin's iron hand. Several ordinances were enacted in Medellin during the Mayor's tenure. The ordinance prohibits assaulting women and sentences those caught illegally logging in any part of the municipality to prison.Those who violate the ordinance face imprisonment or fines, as well as sanitation for the entire community.So when she saw his solemn expression, her knees almost shook. When its sharp eyes landed on her, the color faded from her entire face.She was afraid of the Mayor because she had witnessed Gideon's father's rage at local news. She had refused to meet with the Mayor since then. Fortunately, the Mayor was not present when his spouse came to the mansion for the first time a month ago to ask her hand in marriage. She was given time to consider the offer, but the circumstances were unkind to her that summer, when she met Gideon on the Aisle and the Mayor stood in fr
Jewel sat bored in her seat, as the three of them laughed. Gideon remained silent as he sipped his cup and occasionally glanced at her."Let it go, Sebastian. At the next wedding, I will delegate all decisions to your family," the Mayor said. "Have your questions been answered? I can't stay long because there's still work to be done in the municipality, but I'd like to speak with you two privately."Donya Belinda faced her. "Jewel, you'll take care of Gideon. We'll just talk to your prospective father - in - law," she explained.The three stood up and exited the dining hall at the same time. Jewel sighed and leaned back in her chair, relieved. She shut her eyes. She appeared to have lost her cool after hearing what the Mayor and her parents had said. Her head ached as she considered the marriage contract she would sign the next day.But what could she possibly do? She lacked the courage to stand up to a Mayor and chastise her parents. She was certain that if those three discovered her
“What? You don't want to marry the Mayor's son? ”Jewel fixed her gaze on the monitor of her laptop. She was inside her room, on a video call with three of her friends. She sighed, her lips pursed. “Yes. He informed me that he is twenty-nine years old. It's fine if you're 4 or 5 years older, but 10 years? That's a decade difference, Tiara! ”"You will only harm your reputation. That's correct. Don't get married to that old man! " Hazel chirped as she held a novel with a lewd cover in her hands. "If you marry that egotistic Mayor's son, girl, you'll be the town's next laughingstock!" ”Jewel's lips curved into a smile, but she pouted when she remembered something. She returned her attention to the screen of her phone, where the video call was still in progress. “Egoistic? I didn't describe him in that way. He's actually quite good... and quite attractive."Hazel set down the novel and stared blankly at the screen. "Why are you defending that old man, Laine? I assumed you didn't like h
"He rescued me.""So, knight in shining armor? What's the matter with him? ”She frowned as she returned her attention to the phone's screen. She noticed Hazel and Tiara looking at her with anticipation. Gabbi's frown was also visible to her.She coughed and attempted to change the subject. "Gab, what's up with that expression? " she asked.The young lady sneered. "That stupid toilet bowl is messing with me again! Kuya is to blame! He left his boxer brief in the bathroom, and it fell into the toilet bowl as I was pouring water on it! How do you unclog a stupid toilet bowl?! ”Hazel burst out laughing. "Suck it, lady."Jewel grinned as Gabbi's expression darkened. "You're the only one who can suck a stupid toilet bowl, and maybe you can suck the septic tank as well," Gabbi said."That's enough," Jewel said quietly, returning to the keyboard. Hazel and Gabbi were not very good at playing jokes because they often took jokes personally, which resulted in a nasty fight. Gabbi was grumpy,