You could say, I am not a morning person. When I used to live in the de Milano Estate, maids tried to find ways to get me off my bed but failed, much to my parents’ frustration. After a lot of unsuccessful attempts, they had finally lost hope and requested me to be homeschooled instead.All of my childhood, minus the time before reaching university, I enjoyed my morning slumbers. And if anyone dared to wake me up, it would only have awakened my wrath. Yu had his first-hand experience and not once did he attempt to give it another try.I tried to change it, really. The secret to success has always been to start off a new day in the morning. But I could only wake up at 8 AM.But that changed in the arrival of my little nuisance.Today is no different. Three weeks have passed and I am now getting used to waking up at 6AM or sometimes before that.As I wake up, the first thing I see is an unfamiliar room. It registers to me that I decided to stay in Yu’s apartment, since Heather
The feeling I have… I couldn’t understand it myself. It feels so heavy, like a huge boulder, hard, unbreakable, that has been burdening on my shoulders.So right after he left, I decided to run.I run as fast as I can like I normally do. To reduce the indescribable pain. Could this be fear? No, this is completely different from what I normally experience.Sadness? But it’s a different kind. The kind that made me worry for Gene during his basement incident.Then, a thought strikes me and I slow down until a full stop. I lean down, hands on my knees as I pant. Something snaps in me as I snort a laugh. Then I start to laugh, like a madman in a pitiful state.It is still early dawn and people don’t usually go to this area in the early morning. And I’m thankful I left at this time because no one would like to see a teenager laughing all to herself in public.Wearing nothing but matching pajamas.But either way, I don’t really care. You see, I've been such an unfortunate case all o
If my morning wasn’t enough, it gets worse at school.No, it has nothing to do with Clarence, despite being project partners, we still resume our game. And no, the isolation and the snickering voices are nothing new to me, really.Despite my bad mood, I am still attentive to him, potentially striking me when I’m down. I won’t allow myself to consume this queasy feeling, akin to both anger and sadness.But what really puts me in a sour mood is the result of my Math pop quiz.My eyes widen, as my hands tremble while holding tightly on the piece of paper that was given to my Math teacher.How did I get a 0 out of 100?! Well, back in my previous school, I did get at least one correct answer but seriously?!I whimper as my face presses on my desk. I studied really hard. I tried but I just couldn’t understand a single word at all.Their Math is way too advanced for me!Yes, I am not really fitted to study in the number one most prestigious school in the United freaking States.“Mis
“You’re job-hunting? Why?” Gene questions, his voice a bit louder. I can’t blame him since I can hear the sound of rumbling washing machines in every direction. Gene told me that his shifts are both early in the morning and after school.“To distract myself from my own problems, that’s all,” I say as I am walking in the boulevard, my eyes are looking around if in any case Clarence or his followers are attacking me out of nowhere.“About Luca?” Gene adds without beating around the bush. “Or is it related to your school?”And at that question, I momentarily stop. “Who says that it has something to do with school?”I can already imagine Gene giving me a suspicious look. “Nina, I can sometimes hear you running during lunchtime. It seems like it’s an everyday occurrence. They’re not hurting you, right?”“Ah, no,” I say while I laugh, nervously. Gene is such a worry-wart. I guess that makes us even.“Our bullies grew up learning our own methods. The ones here can’t even catch me.”
Originally, when Gene called me, I had no intention of telling him about my rough day: Luca, Clarence, and of course my Math result. But in the end, I just kept complaining about Luca. It’s a terrible habit, really.But what surprises me the most is at the end of the conversation. Sure, he teased me a bit but he actually sounded panicky after an afterthought. I’m sure that's the case.Sigh, Gene won’t probably budge even if I probe him. It’s better to ask him that in person. Which is months away.But right now, I need to solve my problems one at a time. First to convince Clarence that Luca’s place is not an option. Second, is to wait for Yu to sign it for me. Lastly, to get a part-time job.Any decent job will do just so I can save up for my goals. Even if leaving Luca’s apartment is impossible.All this thinking is making me hungry. Well, since I’m not expecting to see Luca tonight for dinner, I might as well go out.To the Pizza place nearby the boulevard? It’s closer to th
“I haven’t formally introduced myself yet. My name is Heather Wilson, lawyer of de Milano Inc at your service... or whatever lawyers from TV are often depicted. We met when you first arrived here.” She says in a straight-laced face and I can only nod but only for two swift movements.I just recover from the shock of the news earlier.“Y-yeah, Yu told me about you.”“About Yu, it’s normal not to know his birthday when he doesn’t even mention it so don’t worry,” she reassures me as she twirls her curly hair.“I’m surprised, really.”She then turns to the Japanese owner. “What is it, Mr. Oda?”The Japanese owner glances in my direction and my cheeks flush. I shake my head, hoping that he gets the signal. And he responds with a smile, uncertainty flickers in his eyes.“Just surprised that the boss has a stepsister. He never mentions it to me at all.”Wait, I blink. “H-he’s your boss?”He chuckles. “Luca de Milano is a friend of mine and he bought my restaurant when it was on the
NINA “Happy Birthday, Yu!” Yu stands there, stunned, trying to process his mind before he laughs. “Well, damn, it’s a huge surprise for me, indeed.” “Heather and Olliver were the ones who decided this party,” Luca says as he shrugs. Yu immediately nudges his side . "Okay, asshole, at least say that you are involved in this plan," Yu turns to face him with a smile.“But, I knew something was up when you decided to pick me up at the airport.” Luca’s jaw clenches as he nudges him back. “Well, they ask me, their boss, to pick you, my partner, to the airport.” They only laugh in unison as they keep cheering about their banter. “Welcome back, Yu,” the Japanese owner comes back to the counter, I unconsciously duck and hide under the stools. Luckily, the lights here are dim so they can’t notice me unless I make a sound. But as to why I decided to hide from them? T-that’s still a debatable topic I’ve been wondering about. “We prepared your favorites: Tom yum soup especially and
“You look happy.”“What? Isn’t it wrong to be happy on your birthday?” My so-called boss says, defensively.“Nope, I haven’t seen you smile like that since…” the kid arrived. Yet, I won’t let those words slip in my mouth. It looks accusatory for both Nina and Luca.Apparently, my boss reads my mind and sighs. “She hates me, Yu.”I just laugh grimly as I lean on the railing, taking another puff of smoke. Bad habits don’t die even though my biological father died due to these cancer sticks.But work is fucking stressful and that includes babysitting my best friend slash boss. They are just temporary relievers.Luca, on the other hand, doesn’t like smoking, yet he enjoys the scent each time we have some serious conversations like this. We decide to go outside, have a chat at the backdoor railing, getting away from the noise you call my birthday party.“She said the same thing, Luca. Didn’t I tell you to start talking to her? You can even just ask about her day at school.”He sighs