15: Love is Not Dead Pt.2RED"Why don't you focus more on your studies, Reagan? Why do you prioritize playing music over studying diligently?" My mother lectured me while I kept my head down. I wanted to explain to her that music was an integral part of my life. That it wouldn't leave my system, but I didn't want her to get even angrier with me. I didn't want her to be mad at me."Didn't I tell you that you need to study hard? You need to finish your education. You need to become a professional engineer so that your father's new family won't look down on us anymore. Reagan, do you understand me, son?"I clenched my hands when I heard her mention my father. I knew that she wanted me to finish my studies and become a professional just to prove to my father that she could provide for me good education even though he left us for his new family.It hadn't been easy for my mother to support my education up to college. Ever since my father left, my mother had worked tirelessly just to provi
15: Love is Not Dead Pt.3"May I know your name, hijo?" Governor Del Martin asked before I could fully sit down."Reagan Dwight Guzman, Governor," I replied. I was on my way home from school when one of his bodyguards picked me up and informed me that Symphony's father wanted to talk to me, so I accepted the invitation."I was told that you're in a relationship with my daughter. Is that true?"I took a deep breath before respectfully answering, "Yes, Sir. We are in a relationship."He took off his glasses and leaned back. He rested on his chair and looked at me again. I maintained a straight posture on the sofa. I didn't know if I was nervous because I was facing the governor of our province or because it was the first time I was talking to my girlfriend's father."How long have you been together?""It's more than a year, Sir."He nodded and clasped his hands, resting his elbows on the armrest of his chair. "You know what responsibilities my daughter has, don't you?"I remained silent
16: When Love Returns Pt.1SYMPHONYThe faint smell of alcohol and medicine lingered in my nostrils as I slowly opened my eyes. I groaned as I felt the pain all over my body when I attempted to move a bit. When I finally saw the entirety of the room, that's when I realized I was in the hospital. My eyes still felt heavy, as did my entire body."Damn!" I hissed when I couldn't even move without feeling the pain in my back. It was torturous."Finally, you're awake." I flinched upon hearing that voice. I followed its source with my gaze. And there, I saw the devil sitting like a boss on the small couch in the corner.I remained silent. As much as I wanted to speak, my throat felt so dry that I couldn't find my voice.He straightened himself and crossed his arms. "I have to go. I'll just tell the nurse that you're awake."I watched him walk out the door. I sighed and rolled my eyes. I hoped he wouldn't come back.After a while, the nurse entered my room. She checked my vitals and asked ho
16: When Love Returns Pt.2Although I had made sure to keep myself busy throughout the week, I still couldn't resist giving in to what Melody wanted to happen.Right now, we're heading to an out-of-town beach resort. It's about a two-hour drive, so Melody is currently sleeping soundly on my lap, while Wesley is the one driving.We were just silent. No one was talking. The atmosphere felt tense and awkward. I tried to occupy myself by watching the beautiful view outside. We passed by plains filled with rice fields, corn, and various crops. The scenery was refreshing to the eyes, but Wesley's presence spoiled it. I couldn't fully appreciate the beautiful sights because of him.I heard him clear his throat. From the corner of my eye, I saw him glance at me through the rearview mirror. I ignored him and kept my gaze fixed outside. He didn't speak either, so I let it be. It was a good thing. His silence throughout the trip allowed me to breathe properly.After a few more minutes, Melody wo
I closed my eyes tightly as he threw the picture frame he was holding at me. I'm grateful that it only hit my shoulder and not my face. As I lowered my gaze to the frame, a pang of pain shot through my heart. That was our family picture... now shattered. "How many times have I told you that I don't want you going out?! Can't you understand? Are you really that stupid, Symphony?" I bowed my head and remained silent. It's not that I'm guilty, but because I'm already tired. I'm tired of proving him wrong. I’m tired of always arguing with him. He always thought that every time I go out, I'm always seeing his cousin, which is not true. But I'm tired of explaining myself. It's exhausting to keep up with his anger. How many times have I tried to fix this family? I know I made mistakes, but I tried to fix everything after realizing the things I've done. I apologized... more than a hundred times already. But this man in front of me doesn't know how to listen. He loathes me to death, and
01: DRUNKEN MISTAKE I slowly opened my eyes. The sun rays coming from the window welcomed me. I smiled when I felt an arm tightly hugging my waist. The arm of the man I have loved ever since I was in college. I tried shifting my position when he spoke. "It's still early, love. Let's sleep a little more." My forehead suddenly creased. Then my eyes widened the moment I realized that it was not Red's voice that I heard. Slowly, I turned to the person beside me until my eyes widened in shock. "Ahhhhh!" I pushed him away from me hastily. "What the fuck?!" I heard him shout as he fell to the floor. But I continued screaming in horror. I was getting hysterical, realizing that the man next to me wasn't Red. What the hell is happening? "What's wrong with you, Charitee--" he was cut off when he finally realized that I am not the woman he called Charitee. "W-What the hell?!" I stopped screaming when he stood up and approached me. I hugged the comforter tightly when I saw his eyes full of r
02: THE CONFRONTATIONSeveral weeks after that incident, I decided to continue living as if nothing happened. Thinking about it really frustrates me, so I always keep myself busy to forget about it.The election is coming soon, and Mama and Papa are busy campaigning. Because of that, Papa entrusted the company to me, so I became even busier. My father's term as the governor is about to end, and now he's running for the position of a congressman. I thought he was done with politics, but apparently not. Until now, I still don't know how he manages to juggle politics and the company. Just thinking about the company alone is draining me. Well, maybe there's no such thing as being 'tired' for a person who craves power.Since the party, I haven't seen Red again. I also avoided listening to their band's music because I always feel guilty about what happened whenever I hear his voice. Ever since that day, I curse all the liquors on earth! I promised myself that I will never drink alcohol agai
03: PROBLEM UNSOLVEDI had no idea how I got home safe and unscathed when I drove home while tearing up. ‘Furious’ was an understatement for what I'm feeling right now. I think I'm about to explode. My pregnancy, Wesley, and... Red. I just couldn't believe how everything got messed up. It happened so suddenly... I don't know what to do anymore.Just the mere thought of Red makes me think I'm about to lose my sanity. All this time, he's been trying to prove himself to my father that he's worthy of me. He's just waiting for the perfect time for us. And yet, here I am, ruining all his plans."R-Red..." His name is like a wound in my heart. I'm continuously breaking. My conscience is overpowering my entire being.I slapped myself again as I remembered Wesley's face. That asshole's image inside my head makes me want to puke. I can't believe there's something connecting me to that person. I held my stomach. This thing inside me is just a few weeks old, but it's already starting to ruin my l