Chapter 6

Vanessa sat alone in front of the computer. As usual, she was in their department’s computer lab. This had become her usual spot ever since her life turned into a mess.

It’s been a week since her nosy cousin Mae left for Isla Verde. Apparently, she’s living there now with her grandma on her mother’s side. Vanessa had never set foot on that island, but based on Mae’s stories, it was really beautiful—breathtaking even.

But after one accident, she’s wasn’t sure she ever wanted to go there. An accident she never wanted to remember.

Now, she had no choice but to finish their research paper alone. They had started it together, but now Mae was gone. Such a waste. They were already graduating, and now this had to happen. Life’s really unfair sometimes, you never know what’s coming. Life is so unfair. She let out a sigh.

And seriously, Mae? She had to spread her legs and not even use protection? Not even withdrawal?! Dios mio. And that’s why this country’s population keeps going up, too many unwanted pregnancies.

All she could say was, knowledge is power!

Vanessa shook her head hard. Why was she even stressing about Mae’s problem? She had more than enough of her own! She closed her eyes tight and let out a long sigh.

She opened her F******k account.

Hay naku, Vanessa! That’s why you’re not finishing your thesis because you’re busy flirting with F******k! And then what? What will you get out of it? More issues. More problems. And now you’re stuck with your thesis because you keep scrolling. Think, girl, THINK! her brain scolded her.

Sometimes her brain actually made sense.

She was about to log out and close F******k when she saw a picture. It was from her sister Sharon’s wedding with Sir Lloyd.

It was Sharon flashing a peace sign beside… wait a second… him. The guy with the stinky armpits!

Don’t tell me Sharon is close with this guy? Vanessa blinked a few times, hoping maybe her eyes were just playing tricks. Nope. Still him. It was him.

“Is this a sign that an Alvarez actually likes me?”

Vanessa almost jumped out of her chair when she heard that voice. Her heart skipped and started beating like crazy.

Oh no. No, no, no. It was him. The guy from the picture. Standing right behind her.

She closed her eyes and praying that it just a dream. Sharon, when will luck ever kiss me instead?

The guy cleared his throat. “Well, silence means yes,” he teased. She heard him laugh behind her. She raised her eyebrows.

“I look handsome there, right? Don’t worry, I used Rexona today. My armpits smell good now.” He even smells his own armpit.

She rolled her eyes in disgust. Oh, wow. The confidence of this guy! She turned to him and raised an eyebrow.

“Are you a mushroom?” she asked.

“Why?” His lips curled into a grin.

She laughed. “It’s not a pick-up line, stupid.”

The guy burst out laughing at her comeback. “You’re really something,” he said, pouting, then sat beside her. “Wait. I just need to update something. I can’t open my account here in the lab,” he explained before walking over to the lab staff.

Did I ask? Vanessa wanted to snap back but held her tongue. Weirdly enough, her sass didn’t work on this guy.

She looked back at the monitor and checked who posted the photo. “Alex David Fuentes,” she read aloud.

So that was his name. And apparently, they were already F******k friends! Since when did I accept a friend request from Mister Stinky Armpits?

“You’re staring at my picture, huh?” Alex’s voice came again. “Admit it, you think I’m handsome. Don’t deny it. I won’t get mad.”

She frowned. This guy really was like a mushroom—popping up everywhere. She turned to him and glared.

“So, your name is Alex David Fuentes?” she asked slowly.

Alex grinned and nodded.

“It’s pronounced Day-vid, not Da-vid. My God!” he complained dramatically, even smacking her shoulder. “You tortured my beautiful name!”

Her jaw dropped. “Do you want me to call you Ey-lex instead of Alex? Now tell me who’s the dramatic one between us?” she shot back.

Alex chuckled and took the computer beside her—even though there were a lot of other empty seats. She wanted to complain, but she didn’t want to give him another reason to call her “dramatic.”

He placed his dark blue bag under the desk, fixed his chair, and even dusted off his slacks like there was dirt on them. She made a face. Wow, this guy might actually be more dramatic than me. She shook her head.

He looked about 5’6” tall.

Seriously, Vanessa? You’re measuring his height now? Do you have a tape measure in your bag? her brain teased.

But to be fair… he was tall. About the same height as her husband Gian. She shook her head quickly. Nope. No comparisons allowed. Gian was her husband. Case closed.

“Anyway,” she said to Alex, trying to change the topic. “Are you friends with Ate Sharon?”

“Maybe yes, maybe no. What do you think?” he teased. “Why do you ask? Curious about me? Yieee.” He laughed, which only irritated her more.

“I’m serious! What’s so funny about that?” she snapped.

“Oh, well.” He cleared his throat. “Sharon and I—”

“Oh gosh, don’t tell me you’re her ex-boyfriend?” she cut in, making him laugh again.

“You’re unbelievable. Why ask if you already have your own conclusion?”

She rolled her eyes again. Ugh, men. “So, what then?” she pushed.

“Sharon is my co-writer. We collaborated on the Hacienda Series—”

“What the—You’re Davina?!” she blurted out, her jaw dropping. She looked him up and down. “You don’t even look like a writer. And why Davina? I thought Davina was a girl!”

Alex laughed even harder. “Well, well, well. Looks like you’re one of my readers.” He winked at her.

“Excuse me? The only reason I read your works was because of Sharon,” she lied. Truth was, she was a fan.

“Then thank you, Sharon!” he said, grinning.