My mother decided to leave Claybourne and settle down in Clayland. I protested against it but my mother was so stubborn about her plan to relocate to the countryside. So, I had no choice.
As soon as we reached Clayland, there was a huge change in my life. My mother always told me that it was a wise decision to relocate to the province, but I was not convinced at all. I grew up in the modern life of Claybourne City and it was difficult to adjust to the new life in Clayland. I was a city girl, and I loved the nightlife in the city. Honestly, I never expected that for three years, I would be able to survive in the countryside.
After our business went bankrupt, we all moved to Clayland. Daddy was devastated, and so was my mom. Then, my older brother decided to try his luck outside the country. Since then, several things have changed in my life. I would admit that it was hard at the beginning, and it got harder as time passed by.
A city girl like me use to spend the day in the mall in the morning and at the bar at night. I loved buying things and wasting money. I was born with a silver spoon, and I didn't know the other side of the world, or should I say I didn't care about it before.
I never thought that we would reach a point of hardship. It was because of a major issue involving our family business, and then there was a scam that involved my family. I remember how deeply we sank because of it. My family was buried in debt and shame. We were forced to move here to Clayland. It was an unknown place for me.
Clayland was boring with its rice and corn fields. There were noisy pastures with cows and animals, uneducated people, poverty, and simplicity—all things that I was not used to.
I was so angry at the world to the point that I gave up on being happy. I was even labeled as the Grumpy Queen back then. And if there's a Queen, there should also be a King, that's when I remembered him. I could still remember him snorting, and I believed that he was the most standoffish and grumpy person I have ever met.
Alice and I were hanging out at the back of the house. We could see the vast field in front of us. The sun was scorching, so despite the wind, the breeze on our skin was still hot.
"Hey, you're lost in your thoughts again. What's up? Are you thinking about that man again?" Alice teased me in a mocking tone.
"Who told you that?" I retorted grumpily but the truth was, I'm hurt. All of this was because of Logan.
"Oh, come on! You're so bitter! Stop it, Krystal." She laughed, teasing me. “It's like we're not even friends if you won’t tell me what’s bothering you!”
"You know what, I'll just leave if you won’t stop teasing me, okay? Let me tell you, Alice, if we're not meant for each other, that's fine. We are not meant for each other. Life is not always full of sunshine," I told her. And here I am being hypocritical again.
It's hard to accept, but I don't have a choice. I couldn’t even tell Logan that I'd fallen for him. My feelings for Logan became so deep when I met him again in Clayland. It turned out that his family owned huge plantations in Clayland.
“Hmpp, I hate him!”
“If only his ex-girlfriend didn’t come back here, then, you will have a chance with him. What do you think?” she asked.
“I don’t think so,” I replied because the woman that Alice mentioned had everything against me. She was beautiful, smart, lovely, and kind. It would be hard to compete with someone better than me, and it’s hard to fight against old flames.
Because I've already packed my things and I'm leaving Clayland later with my brother, I thought of going on a solo trip. I left Alice for her to have her moment with my brother.
I decided to go to my favorite place in Clayland. I loved taking a dip in the forbidden place here. The waterfall belongs to Logan’s family. I took the bicycle that Logan gave me. It was a gift on my birthday. He also taught me how to ride a bike. All those good memories...
I parked the bike and proceeded to my destination. I passed by the vast cornfield, rice fields, and some pastures. The wind was starting to feel warm too. I remembered how I didn’t like this kind of life. But now? It's hard to leave, but I really have to.
Or maybe it's not just because of this place, but because of the person I created lovely memories with him. It's so hard to let go. But I have to, or I'll realize that I've already risked every single emotion I have.
After hiding my bike so it wouldn't get stolen, I walked toward the towering wall. There's a secret passage filled with grasses, and once I get through there, I'll see the dense forest. I have a trail to follow. After stepping on dried leaves, I could hear the sound of water falling from the towering falls.
I remembered that it was where I first met him again after the one-night stand where he had no recollections. I remembered how we fought like it was raining cats and dogs. I was so annoyed with him back then. For all his good looks, he was equally grumpy. In short, he was a jerk!
Who would've thought that I would fall in love with him despite how annoyed we were with each other?
I never imagined falling in love with the man who always gave me a headache. He's a douche, he could be so mean, and so annoying! But I really fell in love with him. Sadly, I have no place in his heart.
Gosh! I'm not used to this! I never thought I would become this pathetic!
“Krystal! What are you doing here?”
I was startled when I heard his voice, then I wiped my face before I looked up to him. “Why don’t you tell me why you’re here, Logan?” I asked grumpily.
For one whole week, I endured not seeing him because I wanted to forget about him but then my efforts were all wasted! I glared at Logan for sneaking into the waterfall. Oh wait, I was the one who sneaked into their property. When I glanced at him again, he cackled.
"Well, obviously, this is one of my properties. I basically own that fall,” he declared arrogantly.
I decided to stop swimming and took my things. I couldn’t spend another minute with him, or my heart would melt instantly.
Anyway, why did he come to the falls? Where's Rhaena? Did they get tired of each other's faces already? Ever since Rhaena returned to Clayland, they were always together!
I clenched my fist and took a deep breath. I'm so jealous that I'm being irrational in my thoughts and actions again.
"Wait? Why are you leaving this early?" he tried to stop me. "And why are you so grumpy?"
When I looked into his face again, I was reminded of how passionate he was that night. I would say that he was the most handsome man I have ever known in my entire life…well of course, after my brother.
Okay, I need to stop praising him in my mind! I should not forget that the jerk ignored me for a damn whole week! I shrugged before considering the appropriate words to say to him.
“You don’t have to go back home yet. Please go on swimming,” he told me.
"I want to but it's embarrassing to stay here when I don't own that fall. And if you're annoyed, it's not my problem anymore,” I snapped at him. Then, I was about to walk away when Logan grabbed my arms and pulled me back into the water.
"Gotcha!" he grinned.
"What's wrong with you, Logan?! Don't you have anything better to do?" I asked, obviously annoyed with what he did. Logan, you're so immature. I thought I was the childish one between us,” I said my complaints but then he just looked at me with a smile; the smile that I fell in love with…over and over again.
It hurts to think that he would never be mine. He never failed to give me a roller coaster ride of emotions. Sometimes I'm happy on top, but then he'll suddenly bring me down to the lowest point.
"I've missed you, Krystal. Where have you been these past few weeks?” he asked in an emotional tone.
Of course, I didn’t know if those words were true or just an illusion. An illusion that what I felt for him, he felt the same for me.
"Because I felt like you didn't need me anymore,” I admitted.
I wanted to say that to him... but I didn't want to ruin this moment between us. I tried to divert the topic to something else. Like the old times, we spent the day swimming, eating wild fruits, and having small chit-chat. I will not forget this moment that happened in my life.
"Let's come back here tomorrow, I have something to tell you," he said, and then I immediately expected he would tell me how much he loved me.
I couldn't respond immediately. At the moment, I couldn’t tell him that I would leave Clayland anytime soon; that he was the reason why I had to go to another place in order to heal the wounds he caused me.
So, I just nodded, even though it was just a fake reassurance. Even though I know it's too late. So I hugged him tightly. I didn't ask him to take me home.
"Until our paths cross again, Logan Lopez,” I told him before I walked away.
While I was packing my things, I remembered all the things that happened on the day we arrived in Clayland. I was not the happiest when we had to move to the countryside but my mother was so adamant about it.****I stared blankly at my room. The pink wall, the expensive decorations, the spacious room that I'm used to having. I never imagined that in an instant, everything would be taken away from me.My comfortable life was now gone and it's all gone!I suddenly sat on the floor, silently lost in thought. Even the mansion that we owned has been sold to pay off all our debts.I felt my nanny’s hug from behind. She's the person I spent the most time with. And now, amidst our bankruptcy, my Nanny has to leave."Nanny..." I couldn't help but rest my head on her chest. It's just too hard for me.She comforted me by caressing my back. "It's okay, my child. Everything will be fine. This is just a test for your family. The higher power knows that you didn't have anything to do with that scam
I woke up drenched in sweat. I noticed that the two electric fans weren't working. And because of that, I remembered my new life. I scratched my head in frustration!I ended up with this kind of life. I simply cannot imagine waking up every day with this horrible situation. It's just not for me. I hope my dad could fix this as soon as he could.It's so early, but I'm sweating so much right now. No air conditioning, right?I left my room. I wanted to wash up and brush my teeth, knowing that the water pipe in my bathroom was still broken.I approached Mom in a sulking matter. I'm rotten spoiled, so what? This is not the life I was accustomed to. Then, when I saw what was prepared on the table for breakfast, it was my last straw!"Mom! What is this? No air conditioning? No shower room, no walking closet, no pool! Mom, I don't think I can handle this kind of life. Let's just go back to Claybourne! I will die here!” I complained nonstop but my mother just stared at me in disbelief.When I
I looked into his eyes again to see if there was some sign that he remembered me, but unfortunately, there wasn’t! I groaned in frustration that all those months that I have wasted to daydream about Logan was useless.Since that night, I couldn’t forget his face. His lustful eyes haunted me in my dreams, and his tantalizing voice kept bothering me in my sleep. Earlier, when Alice told me that half of Clayland was owned by Logan’s family, I didn’t think I would meet the Logan I slept with in a hotel.When I heard his name, from his mouth again, cold shivers ran down my spine, but of course, I couldn’t let that jerk see my weakness. For the record, even though I was in his territory, he had no right to invade my privacy. Right? Oh well, I don’t know anymore. If he didn’t remember me, then fine! I could just act like a complete stranger to him!"And so?" I retorted sharply. He stood there, so arrogant and proud. He looked at me as if I had committed the worst crime in the world. How self
I woke up from that incredibly weird dream. Is that a damn wet dream? About that guy?I couldn’t believe it, and I couldn’t accept it either! I couldn’t believe that I was kissing that guy in my dream. Like hello! I never dreamed of having a wet dream for a guy like him.And thanks to Alice's loud mouth, I woke up. This is the first time her blabbering has been useful."Good morning! You look fresh," she said to me with a smile. Is this girl bored or something?"And what's with the noise?" I asked her."Guess what? The enrollment has been rescheduled! Let's go to school today," Alice said to me as if there was something exciting about enrolling.I looked at my wristwatch. "It's only seven in the morning. You're too excited for nothing.""Hey, this is nothing. Don't you have a crush yet? I haven't seen Andrew for so long, gosh! I miss him," she said with a giggle. "Miss him."I just shook my head while choosing my outfit. Maybe I'll get ready around 9 in the morning."Okay, let's go en
I was taken aback by how intimidating Logan was. Of course, he was much older, taller, and stronger than us. If I were to confront him, I didn't know what would happen. I hoped he was a bit chivalrous and wouldn’t punch me straight in the face for kicking his balls last time. I immediately removed his hand from my arm. How dare he touched me like that?"Excuse me?" I asked him, pretending to be innocent. There is no way in hell I'm going to admit what I did. A liar could win sometimes."If you don't want me to create any commotion here, it's better to come with us in our car," he said.I couldn’t believe what he was saying and insisting. How bullshit of him to actually think that I would go with him."Sorry, Sir, Mister, or whatsoever... But I'm not going with you. Do I know you? I don't talk to strangers either. Who knows what you might do to us."He smiled, and it was one hell of an attractive smile. Erase! Who's attractive? Once again, I scolded myself for being attracted to this h
I could say that Alice was really weird. Just because she found out that her crush was in the house, she has been staring at the sleeping Andrew like a creepy person."He might melt," I said to her.She giggled, refusing to hold back. She insisted that she will guard her prince no matter what, even though he was just drunk. She's overacting."If Andrew melts, I'll be the one to lick him," she said, acting all love-struck.Can I kick this girl out of our house?"Girl, you are so gross!”"Just kidding, I'm just being silly. But why is my Andrew here? Maybe he wants to court you?" Alice pouted. "Well, who am I for him to court?" And then she started to act dramatic."Huh? It didn't even cross my mind. You know, entertaining suitors is my least priority. My priority is to leave this place. I have to get back what I lost."Just in time, Andrew woke up. Alice immediately stood up and went behind me. Earlier, she almost kissed Andrew while he was asleep, but now that he's awake, she's hiding
I was just planning to watch the procession and the parade of queens. I used to read and watch events like this before, but I didn't even know that they still do these parade with beautiful women in their finest dress. We were just waiting in a shed near Kyla's house when her older sister approached her."Oh no! It happened again, Kyla.""Can you believe it? That show-off Maribeth was so into her queen role, as if she's the center of attention! Because of her pretentiousness, she had an accident, fell down the stairs, and got injured."Kyla suddenly stood up, looking like she won the lottery. She didn't seem to hide her joy very well, right? It looks like she has a deep hatred towards that girl."Good for her! She was too obsessed with being arrogant and boastful. She thought she was so beautiful! Karma is real, I tell you!"Her older sister lightly punched her. "You're enjoying this too much! What about us? We're looking for a replacement for our representative, but we can't find any
WELL, I didn't expect him to be here this early. First, their estate was far from our house. I feel like it's not just a mere coincidence either."Hey," he greeted me with a smile as he jogged towards me.I couldn't help but notice what he was wearing. He had on volleyball shorts that showcased his muscular thighs, and because he was tall, you could clearly see the shape of his legs. He was also wearing a hoodie, I don't know what this guy's style was all about. But all in all, he looked pleasant. He didn't dress like Alice or her cousin. The color of his clothes suited him."What are you doing here?" I asked, slightly puzzled.He scratched his head. "I just remembered yesterday that you go jogging before I pass out, so I thought, maybe you're exercising again today."I nodded and decided to start jogging. Since we were near the countryside, we passed by a few farmers.Andrew seemed to be popular among the farmers. He seemed to have a friendly rapport with them. So maybe he's here to