gineering Department. Aren't you even a little bit embarrassed? Almost all of them
al power over her. So what if she managed to go through eve
e that people had started to call her a playgirl, a flirt, a tease-spreading hurtful rumors and disgus
reating false stories and issues that weren't even true. As her best friend, Melisa hated seeing her dragged down by all the gossip, and so she would repeat the
it was the simplest truth in the world, reminding her friend that no matter what she said, her habits wouldn't chang
of my life. So, starting now, I'm going to search for the man I'll marry-my future engineer husband," she said, her voice dreamy and full
for you anymore. Don't search for him. Just wai
nd waiting for the guava fruit to fall. If there's something I want, and I know I can do
ce again. She had always been the kind of person to take contro
ve. Everything she had, she worked hard for, even if it meant taking risks. She knew that pursuing her dreams, including finding an ideal boyfriend who was an engin
she would console herself with a plate of Mega Sardines, knowing it's good for the heart, serving
She remained hopeful, convinced that with just a little more e
e," she threatened, her voice sharp. The audacity! She, who had no shame, dared to intimidate her. She couldn'
She had exhausted all her comforting words, trying to lift her friend's spirits, but it seemed like they never really made an impact. The moment her boyfri
an. Sure, she would admit that she had been hurt before, b
elligent, and kind to those who deserved it. Beautiful? Oh, let's
s I've had, when was the last time I cried? Maybe when you die, for sure, I'll cry. But until then, foc
her head. The force of the slap knocked her off balance, and she stumbled, her mind
are compare yours to mine! I admit, I'm vulnerable sometimes, but the subject here is your love life. And trus
king tone, left a bitter taste in her mouth. For a moment, she didn't know wheth
ee that even for a second, her words had gotten under her skin. No,
ood friend, a partner-in-crime. That means, your life will be so b
e not irreplaceable," she said bluntly, her words cutting through the air. It was a harsh facade,
'd been struck, trying to act like it stung more than it actually did
ck of the head, but I knew better. The radar was on high alert-she was too quick to c
y to give you that smack you
me!" she yelled back with a playful
y freeing about it, something that reminded me of our carefree college days-two young souls, c
s, these small, silly things that made life feel so alive. If I caught her,
all her best friend. Melissa
rother. Then Melisa came along and they've grown up together. Their bo
stood each other without words. They shared so many of the same traits, the same quirks. It made them inseparable. It was almost like their souls were destined to be intertwined, and so, they
llel paths as they both worked toward the same dream-to become doctors someday. Their
photo shoots for magazines. It was her dream to be a model, and her natural beauty made her the perfect fit. Her parents, though protective, support
She wasn't looking for fame or the attention it brought. No, her heart was set on something else-on someone else. She was searching for her "man of destiny," the one who would complete her. The engineer. She believ
nt boyfriend, a young engineering student, waiting by the side of the gate. H
engineering student boyfriend. The list o
ing in her life. After all, she had n
sked, her voice light, thoug
ut her at ease. "Just arrived," he replied, wrapping his ar
blic places, in front of strangers and acquaintances. Mike was the type to mak
her own death by now, at the hands of the people who sti
mates seem to carry a shared meaning based
re's some
flirt
lay of affec
dy presses closer to his with each passing moment, as if seeking refuge, as if the world no longer matters. But the stares-they never leave her. They're unspo
o her classmates. They had seen this before-the constant cycle of boyfriends, of being chauffeured around by different men. It had become routine, a reflec
es, they already knew-she had moved on, like she always does. Sh
ist the chance to strike. "That was fast, huh?" she said wit
hot back, the bitterness and hurt of everything she had endured rising to the surface. How dare she? The audacity to mock her like that
so deeply. She was done pretending that it didn't bother her. She was done being the subject of their gossip. But as the anger bubbled up inside her, she couldn't help
't need to explain herself to anyone. She didn't need anyone's approval. She had chosen to live her life f
e's completely on her brother's side. Who wouldn't be? Her brother practically begged, even knelt before her, just to ask her not to
e's head. Instead of Kevin begging for her to stay, it was
ope it lasts," she said, her voice dripping
, she didn't believe for a second that she and Mike would last. In fact,
a fleeting moment-never lasting, always crum
t," she said, her voice soft but
ew deep down that she was right. Maybe, just maybe, one of these day
mind, she quickly sai
er tone gentle yet resolute as she guided hers
p," he said, his voice filled with care. She simply nodded
re she knew it. True to his word, Mike was waiting for
ake her. After all, it was already a given
sion. Without hesitation, Mike stepped out and qui
lemanly, made her heart flutter wi
h a smile, she took it, feeling the
tleman
and she couldn't help but pause for a moment, her mind r
de if you want," she offered, he
y smiled
one a mix of resignation and reluctan
then, t
gave Mike a casual wave, then Mike quickly revved th
ot forming in her stomach. She tried to shake off the feeling, bu
ely greeted by the soft voices of the house staff, the
yet?" Gypsy asked, her voice low,
he maid replied wit
me for dinner tonight," she said, her voice a little more distant. "I'm not
eight of her words. She bowed again, her eyes filled
t was wrong, but everything felt off. She needed to be alone, to quiet the chaos
wirling within her like a storm. She stripped off her clothes and quickly changed into her sleep
atically navigated to her social media accounts, searching fo
ied to ignore it at first, convincing herself it was just a phase, but deep down, she knew the truth-Mike was no longer the person she wanted to be with. It wasn
nally end things. It wasn't that she was cruel, it was just that she couldn't keep pretending everything was fine when her heart was
was e
. There were plenty of guys lining up, all eager to win her attentio
al with the endless stream of messages from guys who were either too forward or too eager, most of whom she didn't ev
ll of them anymore-there were simply too many. So, she let it all slide, letting the flood of messages go unanswered. She
pass her standards. Not a single one was worthy of her attention. Sure, the guys were good-looking and seemed to h
, but it wasn't enough to distract her from the emptiness she felt. She wasn't really active on Instagram-s
wasting her time reading these worthless texts. Every single message was the same-nonsense. They all said the same things: "Can I cour
ace him. She had been naïve, thinking that finding someone new would be easy-after all, there were so many options. But now, she realized it was