Chapter 1: The first meeting

The newlyweds were overjoyed even though only a few of their guests attended their reception. Jane and her family, Jester and his parents, the emcee, organizer, godparents, and ten of Helson's business partners were the only ones who witnessed the event at that time. However, their wedding day plan was successful.

"Congratulations to the newlyweds, Jane and Jester."

"Wooh... wooh," they shouted.

"What is your wish Jane?" the emcee asked.

"I wish that I get pregnant right after the honeymoon. Hehehe," she said and giggled in joy on her face, while the groom did not react at all.

"How about you, Mr. Jester?"

He was hesitant to pick up the microphone because he was not prepared to say anything. However, he just thought quickly to just say something.

"I wish that our marriage will be prosperous. That's all."

Then, they both blew the candles on the cake and sliced it together afterwards. Their faces looked so happy and content in the eyes of the people who attended the wedding reception. However, no one knew their inner desires.

Way back in the year 2018, Jane was a third-year college student taking up a Bachelor of Science in Criminology at Ateneo De Manila University. She is a woman with great resiliency, bravery, and a full dedication to education. She grew up poor with her parents in the city of Manila.

Therefore, she was more reluctant to take such a course to defend herself, her family, and her nation, and, above all, to lift her former state of life out of poverty.

Meanwhile, Jester's race is known to be rich. He is handsome, well-liked on campus, and the smartest young man in the entire Department of Business Administration. Yes, he took a business course because that's what his parents liked. So, he tried to study even though he didn't like it. The real profession he wanted to finish was the police, because he wanted to serve the people.

Jane was in her third year of college and Jester was in his fourth year of college when they met by destiny at a party held by the college every February, "Hearts Day". They were the only ones who drew the colored match hearts that were selected from them one by one. At first, Jane was afraid to show her on-hand paper heart because she didn’t want to pair with the young man standing in the middle. But when the man decided to speak, this was her reaction.

"Anyone who holds my heart?" the man asked in a joking way.

"Weeeeh," shouted the crowd.

"Haha, I'm just joking guys. In truth, who's the lucky woman who holds the same shape and color as my chosen paper heart?"

Everyone was silent and observed which woman would approach the man in front. But, no one dared to cheat on him, until they noticed the girl student who did not show her paper heart. Immediately, one student says, "Miss, where's your paper heart?"

She crossed her arms and said, "Ah... I threw it. Well, I'm not the lucky person. I had already checked it. It's not me."

The man beside her was confused about the explanation she gave, until later, a handsome man came to her and talked to her.

"Lady, can you show me your paper heart?" asked the man who was steadily staring at her.

Jane didn't resist him. That's why she just said the words, "Ahm... here."

She was afraid of the man, that's why she automatically gave the paper heart to him. At that moment, she used to cover her face with her long hair.

"So, you are—" the man said with a pause.

Jane was restless then, as if she didn't know what to say to the questioner.

"Yeah, but no! That's not mine. I just... just... just held it a while ago. Yes, the girl beside me gave it to me. That's why..." she stammered in response to the man.

"That's why you lied to me. Hmm."

Then he smiled at her while snatching her arms and going to the middle of the stage. Jane refused to go over to him, but the man held her arms tightly.

They were surrounded by students captivated by the man's beauty, and all of them became jealous of Jane's position.

"Don't look at them, just be with me," he said nicely, while the girl remained uncalm.

"Okay."

Jane and Jester didn't look back at the students who teased them, but rather they danced like a couple, dated like true sweethearts, and talked like long-time friends. Jane learned to keep company with him in the whole day of the event. When the day ended, the man started to approach the girl seriously.

"Hey, I just wanted to thank you for accompanying me throughout the whole event. Actually, I'm a lonely person, but you taught me to be happy."

Then, the man smiled at her while blinking his left eye.

"You're welcome, Mr.—"

"Jester Helson, that's my name and who are you?"

"Jane... Jane Briones."

The woman took a handshake. "Let's depart. I will take a step then." she continued.

"Okay, goodbye, take care."

While holding his helmet, his eyes would tell that he didn't want the woman to go.

"Bye, you too." She blinks her eyes.

Then, they both diverted to different destinations afterward.

A few days later, the semi-final examination date was announced on the bulletin board. Jane's group intentionally read the information written on the board with worry in their expressions.

"Oh, Henry, my friend, what should we do? I haven't saved any money yet for the upcoming payments for the examination. Huhuhu."

"Me too, Beshy. Maybe let's find a racket for the remaining days," suggested by her gay friend.

Lila was saddened by the examination schedule she read, so she thought of being negative. Friends often work part-time jobs in various hiring establishments, so sometimes they got tired of coming home. It used to be one month before the exam date was posted on the bulletin board, so they were usually prepared for it. But unfortunately, at that time, the admin's posting seemed to be urgent.

"My God! It takes a short time for us to work in Beshy. We can't make it," Lila said.

"You're so negative, Lila. Why?" Henry said while hitting her head not so hard.

Jane could not think of a good plan because of the noise of her two friends, so she stopped them from arguing and began to preach to them.

"Hey, stop it! Let's do Henry's plan. We, soon-to-be police officers, do not easily give up, right?"

"Yeah, fighting!"

They raised their hands as a sign of expressing their positivity. However, negative thoughts follow.

"But wait... where do we find such a large amount of money in just a short time?" asked Lila.

So, their energy suddenly fell.

Lila and Henry have been Jane's best friends since high school. They took the same course in college as their pledge not to leave each other.

A second later, a handsome man passed by, glancing at them.

"Oops, what's the problem with you?" the man asked them.

Everyone was stunned, as if they had seen an angel come down from heaven. The Tom Cruise-like face of the man caught the eyes of the three students. Who wouldn't be able to stop talking if a man with a white skin complexion from head to foot passed by in front of you, right? Well, all of them might be stuck, not only the three students, but all.

"Ahm... Jester, you're here. Actually, nothing. It's just a friend's problem," explained by Jane.

"Oh really? You lied again, hehe," Jester said.