Mariella’s POVShe rejected me. But she still kissed me—on my forehead and cheeks before she turned her back at me. Sitting a few meters from where I was standing was the man who offered Minerva a ride on that very day. Lushan Angeles is drinking. Twelve bottles of beer were on his table, along with a plate of sizzling pork and grilled strips of beef. My mind keeps on whispering to me that I’ll join him. But I can’t see myself drinking with him, striking a conversation with him. Being with him. He lifted his head and there’s no reason for me to turn my back away. Especially when he gestured by tapping the seat of the chair, beckoning me for a seat beside him. And God knows I really did sit beside him. Our bodies are a few inches from touching each other with every move. “Have you eaten yet?” I shook my head. “Here,” Lushan handed me the plate of grilled beef and called the waiter for a small bowl of ma

Minerva’s POVMariella is bearing little Hemera in her arms. I just recently woke up after a day and a half, and I immediately saw the two of them. I looked to the left and I found Darwin sleeping soundly on the coffee-colored couch. “How’s little Hemera?” I asked. Mariella Chu’s brows rose. “Hemera?” I tried to sit up but my head ended up falling back to the pillow. “Yes. Her name is Hemera Lou.” A shock look on her face made me cackle. “Why? You didn’t expect that we’ll name her sooner?” We because Darwin and I named her. In fact, it was only him who named her. I just added Lou as her second name, derived from my favorite young adult book series, Serpent & Dove. I glanced at him and I forced a smile. “How are you after that—“ I took a breath, a pause before continuing. ”That rejection of your offer?” Why do I make it sound like Mariella is offering me a huge business deal and I simply jus

Cyrene’s POVThe camera is still on and everything is recorded live. E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. Everything was unexpected, disheartening, and a shitful, goddamn surprise. Jocelyn was full of surprises, as she had always been. But her tearful confessions earlier…it’s like watching a telenovela that I didn’t even anticipate to watch. I watched her vanish on that door and checked the comments on my live stream that I even forgot to turn—it was a good thing also that I didn’t, frankly speaking. It has reached a fucking two hundred thousand views in just a matter of hour. I was astonished, flabbergasted, and gaping that even an elephant could fit in my mouth. I pressed stop and ended the live stream. I closed my laptop and grabbed my phone while I dial a number. Yet, I was confused on what number I should call. Should I call Darwin? Damon? The police? The mental hospital? I should probably call Minerva for a warning. “Hello?

Darwin’s POV“Look Lushan! You look like that fish!” Holding my fifth beer of the day, I immediately turned around to see Mariella teasing Lushan as she quickly pinched his cheeks. I never expected the two to see them here, the place where I ‘cloistered’ myself from everyone who knows me by drinking and weeping and plunging myself into deep thoughts, then drinking again. But with Mariella and Lushan’s presence…God, I never felt out of place as today. I pretended that I didn’t—I wasn’t in the bar in front of the large aquarium where several sea fauna were swimming before everyone’s eyes. “Oh really?” Lushan challenged. “You look like that puffer fish over there.” Mariella nudged his elbow. I am not single. In fact, I have a fiancée. But why the hell do I feel so goddamn small and lonely and unloved compared to these two? I’ve been a coward. I know that. I also know that I have been a jerk towards Minerva during our company out

Minerva’s POVThe reception is beyond beautiful. Though I was still panting due to me and Darwin’s long lips-to-lips fondue, the place felt as if we had finally entered the final circle of heavenly paradise to where His Holiness resides. Shades of sky blue and pink bathe the whole reception. One could mistake this as a lavish debut celebration due to the colors. But I don’t give a damn. This is my wedding. Our wedding. A fucking wedding and, whether one sees it as a teenage birthday party, I don’t care. Everything feels like a dream, everything feels as if I am walking in my own dream. A place that I thought I could only see when I slept. But with this…money can buy happiness truly. Upon entering, we are greeted with a man-made white chocolate fountain atop a water fountain, waters flowing down like a waterfall. Flowers play a huge role in this sophisticated scenery. Every inch of our wedding reception has flowers and candle lights and other glitter