[JAZ AMANDA] When I got home, Mom immediately met me. "Put it on, Jaz." She said quickly, then handed over the big rectangle box. It landed on my palm with no choice as I looked at it with a frown. What's up?! My brain wakes up in an instant. Something is odd because my parents don't usually append me to a party. Why do they suddenly want to include me? They don't use to do that. I'm always begging them to take me sometimes, but they said I'm too young for such gatherings. I wasn't in the mood to ask, so I followed and went straight to my room, doing what she ordered. As I opened the box, it captured my eyes. The dress is dashing, but it doesn't excite me that long. Since I discovered I was doomed to marry a total stranger, I lost interest in everything, including my parents. There seems to be a boundary between us. Taking a deep breath as I reminisced about my destiny, I went to the bathroom to wear it—a quick grin flashed as I looked at my whole body in the mirror. If someone
AMANDAS MANSION>>> "Dad! Anika and I can't be knotted! Please don't do this to me. Married me off to anyone but not her. I'M BEGGING DAD! MOM!" Jaz pleaded with her parents in tears. "This will be good for your future, Jaz." Her father responded. "Is it for my future?! Or for your interest? For the company you love the most!!" Jaz lamented, then walked out, crying. "JAZ! Come back here! Don't you ever talk to me that way!" Her Dad shouted, but it didn't stop her from leaving. [ANIKA HODGENS] In the chaos happening in my fucking life here at the bar, my dead end. Gillian is on duty now, but it's okay. I don't care what she thinks about what I am struggling with. "Is drinking your habit now?" She dares to say, but my ears are preoccupied to listen. "Is your job to interfere with your customer's personal life?!" I said with irritation. "There's a lot of bars I can go to if the service here is this bad.." I postscript. She seems to realize, serving me my drink at last. "Would yo
I didn't realize I had fallen asleep while crying. When I woke up, it was time to go to school again. What a tiring day it would be. Before, it excites me, knowing I'll be with Anika, but now a lot has changed drastically. I reluctantly got up from the bed and went to the bathroom. I held my stomach, rumbling. I didn't eat before bed last night as my soul was shattered. A long sigh just came out of my mouth. I looked in the mirror, remembering what Anika had said. Her upset face won't leave my mind. She strongly disagreed with our parents' plan. I could not believe our company's joining forces is more important to our parents, especially mine. I didn't imagine them that way. After getting myself ready, I went downstairs but not to eat. Having these negative thoughts caused me to lose my appetite eventually. "Let's have breakfast now." It was my Mom and Dad waiting in the dining area. "I'm late already, Mom. I will eat at school," I said hesitantly, but I didn't feel like facing
AFTER CLASS>>> Jaz is at the gate, waiting for Anika to talk to her about Drake, who isn't her boyfriend. She wanted to clarify that matter, but she saw her with Gwen. "What are you doing here, Jaz?" Anika asked. "Waiting for you. Isn't it obvious?" She responded with a frown."And why?" "What happened now about considering reputation? Why are you with her?" Jaz tilted her head, crossing her arms into her chest. "What is this girl talking about, Anika?" Gwen interject. "You didn't tell her?" Jaz said with raised eyebrows. Her eyes were on Anika. "I was about to tell, but here you are leading me. Also, we don't do any public displays of affection. It's not like you and Drake, who kiss in front of many people.." Anika pointed out. Jaz paused and tried to control her temper. She badly wanted to say that it was a big mistake. It's a ploy. "So what? Aren't you guys going to include me in your conversation?" Gwen spoke again, clearly annoyed. "I'm her fiancee.." Jaz repulsively say
[JAZ AMANDA] A lot has changed between Anika and me. We are likely strangers. I don't know if I will be the first to speak because the silence here in my room is crazy. I can't imagine how desperate my parents are for us to be really close, letting us sleep in one room, one bed, even though we're not married yet. What's the difference, anyway. We had slept twice, but those times they thought we were just friends or perhaps they already knew. I forgot they planned it all. Oh, shoot, what am I babbling in my mind? "So Drake isn't really your boyfriend?" I turned around when Anika suddenly spoke. "No." I only answered without looking back. "You? Do you really love Gwen? What happened with the incapable-of-loving thing?!" I feel like I want to vanish from what I said. I don't want her to think I expect her to love me instead. "Can't things change?" I was not happy with what she responded. I want to know what exactly we are. Is that really just lust? Our sex before? "Perhaps we call
[JAZ AMANDA] All my classes are over, so I'm just waiting for my driver. Later, my Nanny, Cynthia, called me and said that our driver had an emergency and no one was available to pick me up, so I should just take a taxi. My eyes twinkled, and a smile appeared on my lips. This is an excellent opportunity for me to be alone. It's been a while since Dad grounded me, so my life is boring. I thought of going for a walk. While walking, I saw a group of men who seemed to have something terrible going on. When I got closer, I saw a familiar face. They surrounded Drake. They are crazy. One against five? Or they are six—those without balls. I dropped my bag on the ground and immediately ran to them. "Hey! You guys? What are you doing with my friend?? You shameless people! There are so many of you, and then you will gang up on one person?? Wow!" I don't care if they fight me too. What they plan to do is not right.Putting a solid front doesn't mean I'm not afraid. There's, of course, nerv
"What did you do to her?!" Adrenaline shot me out as I saw her bruise. I impulsively attack Drake, grabbing him by his collar. "What is your problem, Anika?! Let him go!" She dared to defend this guy, which made me more intense. I was still shaking as I dropped my grip on him. "Those bullies did this to me, not him. Okay! What happened to us not interfering with each other's stuff?? Huh??" I swallowed at what Jaz said. She is right. "It's still a public place, Jaz. Your Dad asked me to take you to your house. Now, if you don't come, then fine. I'm easy to talk to." "FINE! I'm coming!" She walks first and hops in the car. I glared at Drake before I followed Jaz. Perhaps Jaz sees him as a friend, but this guy, I don't think so. He likes Jaz, more than just a colleague. AT THE CAR>>> "What are you doing in that place? And he let those bullies hurt you? And why are you being bullied? Or perhaps Drake is their target, not you.." "Why do you ask so many questions? It's my fucking lif
[NARRATOR] Jaz and Drake's professor are currently discussing their supposed task. They will have a group project. "You will be divided into four groups, and the deadline will be next month, so you have one month to finish it. There are 40 of them, so ten people per group. Fate plays a game, and Jaz and Drake are in a group. "So, since I am the leader you have chosen, I suggest we have an overnight study each week to finalize everything we have finished. Do you agree?" Their leader taught this, and everyone except Jaz was left dumbfounded. She thought about her Dad's anger when he found out. "Is it essential to have an overnight study? And whose house will it be?" Jaz asked anxiously. She doesn't want her Dad to scold her again, but the universe is testing her. And why Drake always brings them together. Jaz went straight to her room when she got home. Will she tell her Dad about her and Drake being in the same group and that they have overnight study every once a week and the wor