Prologue

"Erin?" I heard my sister, Ate Zaf, call out from outside my bedroom.

"What?" I lazily asked back.

"I'm going out with my friends today."

I pouted as I continued to draw in my sketchbook, choosing not to respond. It didn't take long before I heard her voice again.

"Erin, alam kong naririnig mo 'ko. Huwag ka na'ng magtampo. I'll buy you your favorite Pepero pag-uwi ko," she coaxed, her promise making me smile despite myself.

"Okay po!" I shouted back, hearing her groan in frustration which only made me laugh.

I decided to stay in my room the entire day while my sister was out with her friends. Instead of going to the dining room, I had our helper deliver my meals. I even asked Ate Zaf to order my favorite burger and peach mango pie from Jollibee for merienda.

As I ate, I scrolled through the P*******t app, searching for new makeup and outfit ideas. I wanted to show off a different look to my schoolmates when classes resumed. Last year, I embraced the hot chic aesthetic. For this year, I planned to go for a classy look.

I bit my lower lip, silently squealing when I found the perfect inspiration for my outfits and makeup. Agad ko 'yong ginawan ng mood board. Then, I immediately began browsing online shops for beauty essentials to achieve my new look. The whole afternoon was a whirlwind of excitement as I searched for the perfect set of clothes to complement my new style.

I was also planning a shopping trip with Ate Zaf next weekend to add to my new collection. Additionally, I needed to tell mom to purchase a new closet because my current walk-in closet was bursting at the seams.

My online carts in each online shopping apps were quickly filled with cute dresses, tops, and shoes. Oh, how I loved being a girly girl. Some might see it as overly fussy, but I could afford my indulgences. I wasn't earning money yet since I was still a minor, but my parents provided for me. After all, why would they have me if they weren't going to give me what I wanted? I might understand if we were poor, but we weren't. I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth, and everything I desired was served on a silver platter.

Lucky me, I guess?

My life wasn't perfect, especially when it came to family, but at least they contributed financially. I could make do with that.

My phone vibrated with a text message from Jake, my boy best friend.

"Don't buy a lot of stuff," I read his text aloud, laughing as I imagined him seeing my I*******m stories on my dump account filled with screenshots of my online orders.

I purposely did that, though.

I replied with a laughing emoji before getting ready for a quick run at the park. I had done nothing all day but laze around with my phone, and I needed to do something to get my blood pumping.

After spending almost an hour bathing, I put on a black sports bra and leggings, pairing them with my Balenciaga running shoes. I tied my hair into a messy bun and applied sunscreen to my face. Even though the sun was already down, it was better to be cautious.

I took a quick selfie for a fit check, holding my pink Aquaflask in my right hand, and posted it on I*******m before leaving the house. I didn't bother looking back when my mom asked where I was going. Wasn't it obvious I was going out to exercise? Or maybe she was just trying to start a conversation? Either way, I didn't care.

The park was close to our house, so I took a few pictures before starting my run. I planned to do ten laps before heading home. It was getting dark, but there were still plenty of people around, mostly kids with their nannies— a typical sight in an exclusive subdivision.

I stopped running, breathing heavily, and took a swig of water before looking around. The sun was setting, casting a beautiful array of colors across the sky, with orange being the most dominant. It was stunning.

I took out my phone to capture the sunset and a few selfies. For the ninth time, I had those photos posted on my social media accounts. I know I'm being watched by a lot of people. And I want to show them how lavish of a life that I am living.

My mood then soured when my mother called. I just ignored it and started walking back home.

I was surprised to find my sister's friends still in the receiving area of our house. Usually, they left right after dropping her off. What had changed?

They glanced at me as I arrived, making me raise an eyebrow. What now? Had they never seen a beautiful 16-year-old before?

"Erin, sa'n ka galing?" Mom asked as soon as I walked in.

I rolled my eyes. "Outside," I replied shortly.

"Anong oras na?" she pressed, as if I didn't have a watch or something.

"It's still past 6. Stop being dramatic," I said, unable to help myself.

"Watch your words, Zephyrine," my dad warned.

But I didn't care. I walked to the kitchen, passing by my sister's friends without acknowledging them. I was too irritated with my parents to bother being polite—or acting like a polite teenager at that.

I'm so sick of pretending.

If they weren't rich, I would've run away a long time ago.

"Oh, saan ka?" Ate Zaf asked, surprised to see me.

"Kitchen," I replied curtly.

I walked past her and into the kitchen, my mood lifting when I saw my favorite sweets on the kitchen island. There were donuts, cookies, chocolates, and a strawberry shake from Starbucks. Thank goodness! I've been craving for sweets for God knows how long it has been.

I grabbed a choco butternut donut and took a bite, heading to my room to wash up.

As I walked through the receiving area, I noticed a new face among my sister's friends. I hadn't seen him before. Was he a new friend of Ate? If so, that was great. I mean, ano namang pake ko? As if magiging close ko ang circle of friends ng kapatid ko.

He was laughing with the other guys as my sister prepared snacks for them. I couldn't help but stare, though. He was extra good-looking, honestly.

He was exactly my type—chinito, tall, fair-skinned, with a sharp nose, and he looked clean and neat. I would rate him 1000/10 based solely on his appearance. I bet he was the caring type whose love languages were acts of service, physical touch, and words of affirmation. He looked dashing and all, but he also gave off some fuck boy vibe. I don't know! Feel ko lang may tinatagong kulo ang magandang mukha na 'yan.

My eyes widened when he suddenly looked in my direction. I quickly averted my gaze and walked away confidently, exaggerating my walk a bit. I felt like a model on a runway. Who cared? I wanted to make a good impression on that handsome guy.

"Hoy, Ethan, ano na? Ba't biglang natulala?" one of their friends said.

I hadn't heard that name before. So, his name was Ethan. Ate didn't have a friend named Ethan. Not until now.

I silently squealed to myself, biting my lower lip. I was already giddy, and he hadn't even done anything yet.

His looks alone were enough to make me swoon!

I didn't mind my sister's friends anymore. Even if they came over daily, it wouldn't bother me as long as Ethan was with them. I might even prepare their snacks and drinks just to see him more often.

I stopped in my tracks, realizing how ridiculous I was being. But instead of telling myself to back off, I laughed at my silly thoughts. Maybe fate would work in my favor with Ethan, who turned out to be quite different from how I initially perceived him.