LOGINI stopped in my tracks when I arrived in front of Karlo, who was being interviewed by the girls my age.“Hi! What’s your name?”“Can I get your number?”“Are you single?I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists. Karlo was obviously flustered and was having a hard time answering them. When his eyes found mine, he stood straight and silently excused himself to go through the girls. I remained glaring at the foreign girls, who were confused by reading their expressions.“I’m his wife,” I declared and shot my eyebrow. “Do you mind moving away from my fucking husband?”I swear, I was bathed with anger inside my system. From what I am seeing, they are definitely college students on campus. Their building is different from mine, so I don’t see these kids around. Of course, I am aggressive like them when it comes to boys when I was their age, but man, not my husband!“Oh, sorry, sorry…”A playful, satisfied smirk was plastered on my face when they went away like scaredy cats. When my eyes dri
I yawned and stretched my arms a little bit after the class was done. Shiela immediately went to me, asking how I managed to convince our condominium’s management to party in the pool area.“Trust me. It was just so easy,” I merely said and winked at her.Our friends were already in the students' lounge, waiting for us, since Sheila called us for a meeting. The group chat again was lined up with messages, but I didn’t bother to look at them. My mind was still thinking about the professor’s discussion, so I had to read a book while walking through the hallway. Shiela was still pattering. I managed to reply to her whenever she asks questions while reading.“Hey, guys! Classes done?” I heard Sheila as she ran towards the table where our friends were.I had to finish the last part of the book chapter, so I didn’t look it up. I stopped in the middle of the lounge. They were clamoring and calling me already, so I had to raise my hand and make them stop. When I was satisfied with what I read
Unknown Number: This is Victor. I got your number from Bogdan. I want to apologize for the things I said a while ago in the meeting.After that message, my WhatsApp was bombarded with messages from all our other friends. Shiela already made a group chat for all of us, and they were sending pictures of the food, beverages, and decorations they could think of. The girls were excited to approve. The boys, though, were just on seen or on delivered, showing uninterest. They were mentioning my name in numerous messages, but I replied to Victor’s message instead.To: VictorIt’s fine.I turned off my phone and went directly to the shower room so I could take a bath. I am so tired from the training, and only cold water can take that away from me.“Protect her at all costs. If she is being followed, tighten the security. She should not be dead, Timothy…”I stopped walking towards the kitchen after showering when I heard the authoritative voice of Karlo. When I peeked over, he was already pacin
“That was not a good suggestion, though,” Victor retorted. “Just because you are rich, Minerva, doesn’t mean you have to suggest a grand place where you can brag about your expensive contribution to the party.”“So this is all about me in the end?” I concluded and dramatically pointed at myself. “I just want the best for Kristine’s birthday party, and you are attacking me-““No, I am not attacking you. I am talking about how you are not thinking about-““A mere suggestion and yet you are now making drama-““It’s still not logical. Just one night. We cannot spend that much money, you know?”“Okay, fine. Where do you want to suggest, then? In your house?”“We have no pool. Everyone in this group has no pool in their houses. Do you have one?”I bit my lower lip to stop myself from speaking up again. They were all so silent, their eyes ping-ponged, alternately looking at Victor and me. He has a point, though, and I didn’t even realize that Victor was right. If no one in the group has a po
His response only deepened my curiosity. He didn’t like the question, much as he didn’t like me asking about his family. I just realized I have no idea who Karlo Rodriguez is, except as my annoying husband and mafia boss in his stupid organization.I hated that the morning came. It would mean that I have to face Karlo after he excused himself last night. When I sat up on the bed, I stared at the window glass that showed the sun rising barely due to the see-through curtains, wishing it would just go back to nighttime.Suddenly, my phone beeped. A text came through. It was from Karlo.Karlo: Breakfast now, queen.Oh!Without even thinking twice, I stood up with exuberance, almost leaping out of joy because of his text. I thought he wouldn’t talk to me anymore! My home slippers were so loud running up the staircase that I bet Karlo could hear them. When I reached the kitchen, I saw him stirring the two coffee cups that were plastered on the counter. There was also a plate of bagels, frui
“I expected weapons in your cabin because you told me last morning that you trained here with your family. Except for the guns we used to train in the shooting area, your cabin seemed pretty normal,” I shared with Karlo when we ate in the dining area after he served our lunch. “So, where are the weapons and a practice area? Did you train combat without equipment in the vast Bermuda grass or-““No,” Karlo answered abruptly while putting pieces of the chicken curry on my plate. “Eat.”That’s it?“Rest for a while, and we will be back in training,” he said.“Well, how did you train when you were young?” I asked furthermore, refusing to dismiss my curiosity.He continued eating. “We had a special place that is now secluded. I don’t want you there,” he said.“And… why is that?”“You don’t have to know, Minerva.”“But-““Please… I would rather not talk about this.”Irritation rose inside my brain, but based on his expression, he seemed uncomfortable with my question. Even though I want to f
“Wow,” I muttered in awe.The cabin is vintage brown. From what I could see, it is three-storey with glass doors and windows. I couldn’t see the interiors because there were white curtains from the inside. A terrace was on the second floor, filled with a marble table, two chairs, and flowery plants
Sheila and Christine introduced me to their party. I knew some of them from the classes I attended today, and the others were studying from other universities, but they know each other in the city. We were the same ages, and they were interesting to know. We had light drinks since we all have clas
Together, we went to the parking lot. When he let me inside the car, I immediately messaged my friends that I am now going to the party. They said the circles were already complete and I am the only one who is still not there. It’s not like their other friends were expecting me, but they wanted to
I keep looking at my phone during my training because the girls might text me any minute now. Karlo maintained his lecturing. Meanwhile, I am half listening to him and then taking my eyes on my phone that I put on the table under the canopy. We are in the backyard again of the building where we usu







