"Oh! Jaz Amanda.. What a surprise! I thought you had already vanished.." She smirked and then continued to go away. I ignored her, proceeding to my class. Our classroom is just next to each other. The class ended, and when I got home, I tried to talk to Dad again about marriage. I know I will marry after college, but I don't know who. Dad said nothing about it. The only thing he kept telling me was that it was for my future and the company.Mom, who I thought would be my ally, also did nothing but follow Dad, and they both planned it. Nanny Cynthia is the only one I can approach and tell my inside, but still, she can't do anything at the end of the day. I will still marry someone I don't love or even know. I have had so much respect and love for my parents. They are the best parents on earth, but I was wrong. My parents also have a hidden agenda. Why would they want me to marry a person I don't love? Dad even told me to get to know the person before committing, so I wouldn't h
[ANIKA HODGENS POV] It's the weekend, so I considered joining my friend's plans tonight. They are going into a restaurant with a live band performing. Not bad for someone like me trying to distract myself from getting too attached again. Besides, I love music. Instantly as we arrived, liquor began to hail at our table continuously. It's been a while since I stopped drinking and promised not to do so again, but perhaps tonight will be an exemption. Hardly they won't let me excuse myself for it, though. "Hey, Anika!" One of them gets my attention. "Is Gwen Stacy your girlfriend?" I frowned at what she asked. What made her think that? It's Mimi, my classmate and a femme lesbian. In her tone, I guess she's into Gwen, but that won't be a problem, and I'd be happy if they ended up together. Besides, Mimi is a good catch, beauty, and brain and seems a good person. They will be the best match. "No! She's just a friend." I said, giving what she wanted to hear. "Oh, okay, so I ca
[JAZ AMANDA POV] It's Saturday night which would be the perfect to go out alone. I ended up in a bar drinking, even if I hated the taste of liquor, just to forget everything bothering my mind for a moment.I even sang a song for Anika but not revealing her in the crowd. Speaking of her, I didn't expect to see her. "Would you mind enlightening me? I don't exactly understand what you are going through.." Her hug seemed to stop the storm that was ravaging my entire being. Anika is probably also wondering who I was talking about earlier that I secretly love. Should I confess to her now? "I'm marrying the person I don't love or even know, Anika.." After I let go of her embrace, I seemed to run out of breath as I told her one of the things bothering me. "What?! Then why did you agree?" Her face showed displeasure. "It is my parents' desire, and I can't disobey them, Anika." I feel like I'm gonna explode, and I'm ready to cry a river. "Fuck! Are you crazy? Are you that naive? That's no
"Will you answer me yes if I tell you how I feel? Are you gonna take responsibility for it? Will you take my hand?" Those words ran into my mind. Will Anika say she loves me too? I didn't want to prolong the conversation, so I said goodbye to head home. To stay makes me suffer more. I couldn't even tell her the whole truth. "I have to go, Anika. Thanks for listening." [ANIKA HODGENS POV] All I could do was sigh when Jaz left. I want to scream out loud, to be angry at her situation. What parent would force their child to marry someone they don't love? What kind of person would be such a ludicrous? Can Jaz really spend her whole life with someone she has no feelings for? She doesn't love ?? She doesn't know ?? Because what?? Because of her parents ?? Damn !! What the hell? I thought that my parents were even better than hers. Instead of returning to my friends, I have gone home, losing my appetite to enjoy the rest of the night. Rest may be significant. When I arrived, Dad was ho
[ANIKA HODGENS POV] I swallowed steadily when Jaz and I were sides by side. It isn't our first time sleeping together, but I feel different now, as if it's our first time. I shifted, turning to her before asking. "Do I know the person you secretly love?" She laughed softly. What's funny about my question? "Hmm, no .." I was damn curious about who's the lucky guy, but I guess it will be a waste now that Jaz is getting to marry someone else. "Let me ask you again. Don't you want to come with me? We can rent a house together to save money. Let's share the expenses.You're smart, Jaz. It will be easy for you to find a job after graduation." "That is not what I'm afraid of, Anika. My parents. I can't lose them.." "Okay. I give up. Our situation may be different. Our parents are unlike. That's why I can't blame you.." Jaz also turned around. Now we are talking face to face.Suddenly the surroundings became quiet, and we just looked at each other. "How are you and Gwen? She likes you
[NARRATOR] FAST FORWARD>>>"Good Morning.." While bugging each other, a husky voice gets their attention. "Hi, Dad! What are you doing here ?!" Anika's jaw dropped, surprised to see her Dad this early. "Won't you introduce me to this beautiful lady?" Smiling, her Dad uttered. Anika swallowed, then turned to Jaz, hesitantly to speak. She's my batchmate in high school and at the same school now in college. Jaz Amanda, Dad." They shook hands, exchanging greetings. "Nice meeting you, Tito." Jaz's eyes blazed, showing her broad smile. The same goes for Mr. Hodgens. Her Dad's politeness to Jaz gave her suspicious thoughts. She never sees her Dad treating others this well-mannered. "Today is Sunday, Anika. Why don't you invite your friend to visit our resort in Batangas?" "Oh! That would be nice, Tito." Jaz is delighted to hear that from Mr. Hodgens, excitedly clapping her hands. "But I need to ask my Dad permission first, Anika." Jaz's stare goes to Anika. "There's no need. I will
[ANIKA HODGENS] After a long drive, we finally arrived as well. As soon as I exited the car, I saw Jaz's happy reaction. I also smiled because of that. Jaz was the first one I brought here because she was the only one Dad allowed. What Dad is showing up today is terrific. But anyway, it's time to enjoy the moment, not to think of anything not worth it. "Come inside?" I invited her, holding her in her hands. Her eyes were still busy touring the whole place. "Is this yours? It's so nice, and hmmm, the air is so refreshing. Thank you, Anika, for bringing me here. You are the best best friend I ever had." Yeah, and forever we will be—Spoking into my mind. "As much as you know .. Come on .. Let's set our things first." We went up to the villa together with our belongings. "Okay, so this will be your room .." I pouted, showing her place."Ha, why?" She questioned, meeting her eyebrows in the middle. I also frowned because I didn't understand her. "Why? Don't you like it? You don't
[NARRATOR] "FUCK!" Anika swore when she woke up naked beside Jaz, no clothes too."What's wrong?" Jaz asked Anika while caressing her forehead, and her eyes were still half open. "What did you do to me?" Words came out of Anika's mouth, meeting her eyebrow and still holding the blanket covering her chest. "What? Why are you asking me that? I did not do anything to you. Maybe you did something to me." Jaz's voice expressed irritatedly. "That's impossible.." Anika blurted out, unbelieving. "So, are you saying that I did this to you?" Jaz asked incredulously. "Do you mean that I raped you? Come on, Anika. Please don't make me feel like I was the culprit. You are not funny. We both drank last night." Jaz scolded, then tried to stand up, pulling the blanket covering their naked bodies. "Hey! Stop it! I'm also naked. Okay.." Anika resists, but Jaz doesn't seem to listen and forcibly continues her actions. She was upset. One by one, Jaz picked up her scattered clothes on the floor, we