Chapter 3

I didn’t sleep that night.

I didn’t celebrate anymore.

Mum said Daphne came looking for me, but I lied. Said I was asleep. I’m sure she knew it didn’t go well. She always knew.

I was supposed to go to school this morning, but my eyes were too swollen to face the world.

Daphne came in early. She wasn’t dressed for school either. She was like my twin she just knew things.

The moment she walked through the door, I burst into tears. I thought I had run out of them last night. Turns out, there were more.

She rushed to me, and we cuddled without a word. It was around 7:30. Mum had already left for work at their place.

“Just sleep,” Daphne said softly, tapping my head which rested on her chest.

“We’re not going to school today.”

And that was it. I closed my eyes.

I don’t remember if she slept too. The only thing I remember was her singing in that mock-sweet way of hers to make me laugh and drift off.

When I woke up, she was still there, sitting beside me, eating.

She had this habit of always coming to eat at our place like it was her ritual. It was basically her second home.

“Get ready,” she said between bites. “We’re going to the beach house. We need to chill at least just for today before my mum finds out we skipped school. Hurry. Ken’s agreed to drive.”

She was glowing with excitement, like always. And she didn’t bring up the crisis from last night. She knew me too well.

I got up slowly and teased, “Just me, you, and Ken? That sounds a little… sus.”

She burst out laughing. “My boyfriend too.”

I turned to her, forgetting how much my head hurt. “Girl! You didn’t tell me? Aww baby, I’m so happy for you!”

We jumped and giggled like little kids.

“I planned this already,” she confessed, “but since Ruben’s a dickhead, let’s still go. You’re better off without him. Now shower, shower, let’s go!”

Ken was always smiling. That kind of boy who wore sunshine like a second skin.

We got to the beach house and met Jayson there rich, calm, and honestly very cute.

I tried my best to forget Ruben. Maybe it wouldn’t be so hard. He was never around anyway always at work, leaving early, coming home late.

But fate has a cruel sense of humor.

While waiting by the car with Ken for Daphne, he walked by.

Ruben.

He said hi like nothing happened, like he had no idea he shattered me just last night. Like he had amnesia. I couldn’t even look at him.

“Why aren’t you in school?” he asked casually.

I ignored him.

Ken noticed something was off. I was never not interested in Ruben.

“Post-birthday celebration,” Ken said, stepping in. “We’re just going to the beach house for a bit.”

Daphne arrived then, walking down to the garage like a goddess. She didn’t greet Ruben either. Just walked right past him and got into the back seat.

God, I loved that girl.

I got into the front seat, my body aching with every step, my heart even more so. As Ken drove away, my eyes locked with Ruben’s.

The pain in mine met the emptiness in his.

I still loved him.

The beach house was freedom. Real, warm, messy freedom.

We swam, we ate, we laughed.

I wasn’t rich, but I grew up in luxury. The beach house was a two-hour drive, but always worth it.

I tried not to watch Jayson and Daphne being all lovey-dovey in the water. Tried not to wish that the man I loved… loved me too.

Ken never missed a chance to compliment me. Today, I appreciated it more than ever.

Eventually, Jayson and Daphne left. I heard the car drive off.

Ken walked in.

“Where did the lovebirds go?” I asked.

“Went to get some real food, I think.”

He walked up to me. Close closer than usual.

I had never really looked at Ken. Not like this.

The toned abs, the sun-golden hair like Daphne’s, the way he looked like some sculpted god without a shirt… it hit different today.

Then he ruffled my hair.

I pulled back, annoyed. “Stop it. I’m not a child anymore.”

We both froze. I didn’t mean to snap.

The pain of last night was still speaking.

His smile didn’t fade, though.

“I know you’re all grown,” he said softly. “My Lia’s all grown and beautiful and…”

He stepped closer.

“And gorgeous.”

Then he kissed me.

I didn’t expect it. My head spun.

He pulled back, gave me a soft peck on the cheek, then walked over to the bar like nothing happened.

“Want some?” he called, lifting a bottle.

I blinked, still reeling, and nodded.

He brought it over. I gulped it in one go. My mind still buzzing.

Ken was the guy girls lined up for. Too handsome, too perfect. His smile could stop time. His blue eyes could drown nations.

I never considered a him and me scenario.

He was too… everything.

He faced me again. This time, there was no teasing in his voice.

“My Lia… your eyes…”

He paused, breathing deeply.

“Who am I kidding?” he said, his voice lower, raw.

“I love you.”

I froze.

“No, no you don’t, Ken.”

He grabbed my waist gently.

“How would you know? The only man your eyes can process is Ruben. I’m always there. But the moment he’s around… I’m invisible.”

He wasn’t angry. Just… heartbroken.

For the first time, I saw pain in his perfect eyes. Maybe it had always been there, masked by his shine.

“I, I…” I stammered.

“Just let me. Let me love you,” he whispered. “Will you?”

He cupped my face and kissed me again.

Harder.

This time, I didn’t resist.

My hands gripped his back, pulling him closer. His body against mine, his warmth burying all the cold Ruben left behind.

And then

the door opened.

We froze.