Lahat ng Kabanata ng My Rival My lover: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

Alex’s povToday was Saturday, a day most students spent catching up on rest or enjoying some much-needed fun. For me, however, it was a day of work. Saturdays meant a full shift at the eatery where Linda and I worked, and while I usually found some comfort in the routine, today felt different. The soft rays of morning light spilled through the thin curtains of my small room, bathing everything in a golden hue. But I didn't have the energy to leave my bed. It should’ve been a calming and energetic morning for me, considering my huge paycheck from Jeff yesterday, but instead, my chest felt unusually heavy. the sunlight felt accusatory, dragging me back to reality, as the events of yesterday rushed back in.I stared at the ceiling, my mind replaying the scene with Andrian and i. It had felt like a dream come true, felt so good, and for once, it had felt right. But it didn't last long. The cold reality slapped me on the face so hard that I had to hold myself from shedding tears like a b

Alex povThe mention of that name was like a slap in the face. Andrian's sneering face flashed through my mind. My stomach twisted, and the air seemed to grow colder around me. "I don’t see how that’s relevant," I said, my voice laced with an edge I hadn’t intended. His smirk returned, softer this time, but no less unnerving. "Not all power is used for good, Alex. Sometimes, those at the top are the most dangerous." That was it, I couldn’t keep up the facade that i was enjoying the lunch. It was more of an interrogative session than a lunch. I pushed back my chair, my appetite thoroughly gone. "Thank you for lunch, but I should get back to work." He leaned back, his smirk melting into a knowing smile. "Take care, Alex," he said, sliding a sleek black card across the table. "If you ever want to talk, you know where to find me." I hesitated for a moment before snatching up the card and walking away. My thoughts churned with unease as I pocketed it without looking. Someth

Alex pov The rest of the day felt like I was walking on a tightrope. The entire morning, I kept glancing over my shoulder, expecting Andrian to show up. But he was nowhere to be found, which only heightened my anxiety. Andrian wasn’t the type to let things slide, especially when it involved embarrassing his closest friends. Classes had been smooth. surprise quizzes, no awkward encounters, no more run-ins with June and her minions, except for the embarrassing moment in history class. I sighed, remembering what had happened. I was in history class, half listening and half thinking about who would be sent to torment me this time. My eyes trailed to the empty seat of Andrian, wondering why he was not in class. I shook my head. Was I just worried about Andrian? It wasn’t just me being paranoid. I had blamed it on my tense body, which had not relaxed throughout the incident in the hallway with June, the girlfriend of Andrian and his lackeys. “Now, the list of all your names will

Alex pov I wasn’t supposed to feel this way. He wasn’t mine to want, in the first place. And yet, the pain was real. I felt like the walls were closing in on me, the sound of their voices still echoing in my mind. My fingers trembled as I wiped my eyes, brushing away the hot tears that betrayed my resolve. I couldn’t stay there. I couldn’t bear to listen to another moment. The world outside felt colder than it had just moments ago, as if the air itself knew the storm brewing inside me. My steps faltered as I wandered aimlessly through the hallways. Andrian and June. It wasn’t just a crush anymore. It was a brutal reminder of where I stood in his world, a forgotten piece of trash. Always on the outside, looking in. This was real. And it was high time I stopped fooling myself, stopped clinging to the illusion that the Jacob I’d met, the boy with the soft laugh and kind eyes, was the same Andrian who now treated me like I don't exist. I couldn’t imagine the dist

Alex pov The morning sun streamed into my room, mocking me with its warmth and brightness. I pulled the blanket over my head, wishing I could disappear. My chest still ached with the weight of humiliation, and the memory of yesterday haunted me. Andrian’s smirk, the crowd’s laughter, the whispers, they all played on a loop in my head. “Alex?” My mom’s voice drifted in softly, followed by a gentle knock. I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. I didn’t want to see anybody, especially my mother. “Alex, I’m coming in.” The door creaked open, and her footsteps stopped just inside. “You’ve been in here all morning. You’re going to be late for school.” “I’m not going,” I muttered, my voice muffled by the pillow. “Alex, you can’t just…” “I said I am not going mum, just drop it” “Alexi, what happened? Did anybody hurt you or bully you…” she was saying “Mom, please!” I snapped, my words sharper than I intended. “Just leave me alone! I don't need you breathing down my neck!!” Silence stre