Chapter 1

 

 

I usually wake up at around four in the morning, especially on weekdays. I have to. I am now in my third year of college in the Business Management course, and unfortunately, the earliest schedule came to me. Seven in the morning is my first period and that was the subject of our terror professor from Understanding The Self subject. Akeala University is twenty-five minutes drive from our apartment so I really need to wake up early.

I’m a woman, but I like heavy metal songs. I used to play one while doing my daily rituals. That makes my brother, Javier, sick. His bedroom is next to mine on the second floor of his rented apartment. He often knocked on my bedroom door and begged me to turn off the sound system, but sometimes he just let me get going.

“Raine... Raine…” Gradually my eyes opened. I feel something shaking me.

"What?" My voice rang out.

"Aren't you going to school?" Javier asked.

My eyebrows met. “We have prelims today. Why do you ask?”

"Then why are you still in your bed?"

“It's early—” I rolled over on the bed when I noticed the sunlight penetrating the window blinds. My eyes widened. “OMG! Why didn’t you wake me up early?”

"I thought you already left," he said. “But I saw your scooter was still in the garage so I went here to check. What did you do last night?”

"I don't have time to explain, Javier." I immediately got up and went to the bathroom to take a shower.

It was just a short shower. In a hurry I did not know if I had buttoned my uniform correctly.

"I'm on the way." I caught up with Javier in the living room. He had just called someone from the company where he worked. My mom was in the dining room, while the maid, who took care of her, fed her.

"I'll take my breakfast at the university, Javier," I said. I approached my mom and kissed her on the cheek. I wish she can hug or kiss me back. “Hannah, take care of mom. Give her everything she needs.”

"All right, Ma'am."

"I'll take you."

“No need, Javier. You still have a job. I can handle myself.” I smiled at him.

Javier nodded. I took the red electric scooter from the garage, and left.

Honestly, I’ve been stressed all week. Two weeks from now will be my eighteenth birthday, and until now, I had no plans in mind. I focused more on our preliminary exams today. Javier insisted that we should hire an event coordinator, for less hassle, but I did not agree. I wanted my birthday to be personal. Aside from less cost, I am happier when I work hard at everything.

I turned on the next street. I looked at my scooter. An innocent smile crossed my face. I've been with it for three years. It represents my father, my late father. This was the last thing I received from Dad. He went to a business gathering. And in an unexpected event, a strong earthquake came and he was one of the victims.

That incident changed everything. Javier had to shift a course from Civil Engineering into Business Management to manage Dad’s business. He became the bread winner in the family. But, still, it wasn't a success.

The Santiago people, who have the largest share in the company, recovered our business. We had to sell our house to pay our debts. He felt devastated and depressed for almost two years. He went missing for a day. Mom and I looked for him, but an incident happened.

It was an afternoon in June. We got into a taxi and I just noticed that Mom was not moving. Her eyes were wide open, and we ended up visiting the nearby hospital. The doctor said she was diagnosed with severe stroke.

My attention was turned when my cell phone suddenly vibrated on the scooter's phone holder. It was Dawn who's calling. I paused and answered the call.

"Waaah!!" I screeched out. With the horn so close, it was as if my soul had separated from my earthly body. I gritted my teeth.

"Best, are you okay? Am I really a surprise?"

I ignored Dawn. My eyes were sharp and I looked at anyone who came to surprise me. A black Sedan was parked right in front of me.

See? I guess they even have plans to run over me!

I got closer to the car and slammed its hood hard. I don’t care if I break something. I'll fight for my rights!

"Are you blind?" I roared. "You almost killed me! Get out!"

The door to the driver's seat opened. A young man came out of there. He was in a dark blue winter jacket, sunglasses, ripped jeans, and casual shoes. His dark brown hair was a mess. We seem to be the same age as well. I was distracted by him. In the intense sunlight, how could he endure the heat of what he was wearing? Is he flexing how rich he is?

“Cool outfit,” I said. "Do you want to go dark so that's what you're wearing? Anyway, that's not my point. You almost killed me!"

"Are you done?" I was taken aback by his American accent. He took off the sunglasses he was wearing. His hooded eyes were exposed to me. He's handsome, but a killer. "I'm in rush. How much money do you want?"

My mouth fell open, but I got my senses back again. "Do I look like I need money? I don't care if you have a business to do. What I wanted is your apology!"

"Why should I do that?" His eyebrows met. "Blame yourself and not me. First of all, you violated many traffic rules. Do you want me to list them all?"

I was caught off guard.

"First, you suddenly stopped meters away from me. You must thank me instead that the breaks are working. Second, you're not wearing any gear," he said. "Lastly, you're insulting my outfit. I just arrived all the way from New York. I didn't know this is the weather here."

I grinned even more. "So you're a foreigner here, but you acted like that? Can you leave your behavior in New York?"

A corner of his lips lifted. "How can you say that?"

"Isn't it obvious?" I raised an eyebrow. "You look like a foreigner to me. You speak like one, and you act like one."

"Is that an insult?"

"If you think that way, then yes. I'm insulting you."

"What can I do to make amend from my mistake... even if it's not my fault?"

"Drive me to school." Good idea, Raine. "If not, I'll call the police."

"I'm really sorry, but I'm in rush. I have an important event to attend to,” he said. "But if you like, I'll get your contact. I'll drive you home after class. Is that enough?"

"Why would I? What if you'll do something terrible to me?" I defended.

"You have my word. And sorry, I'm not a bad person. Do you know Ernest De Vera?"

My eyebrows met. "Why do you know him?"

Ernest De Vera is the current governor of Isabela. His idealism brought the province to progression.

"Like father, like son." He winked. "I must go now. See you after class."

The car drove away and I was left stunned on the road. Did he just say that he's the governor's son?