Beautiful Beasts (Lovestruck Series #1)

PROLOGUE

Do you ever just want to be a better person, but always have that certain someone ruin everything for you?

Well, I do.

And for me, it's Chase freaking Fortalejo!

"Kuya, bakit mo nanaman ba inimbitahan ang lalakeng 'yon rito? Umay na umay na ako sa pagmumukha niya!"

Kuya Arch just chuckled and continued fixing his coat. Hindi na pinansin ang paulit ulit kong pagrereklamo.

"Jeez, Jas. It's his birthday party. He can invite whoever he wants to invite." Singit naman ni Leon. "And besides, Chase is his bestfriend."

Umirap ako.

"Shut up, Leon."

Leon looked as if he was offended.

"You call Archer Kuya. Meanwhile, I get 'Shut up, Leon?' How rude." Aniya na animong nabastos talaga. "I'm 2 minutes older than you!"

"Kuya was born 3 months earlier than the both of us. Your 2 minutes don't count, stupid ass." Inis na sabi ko at inirapan siya.

"That's enough." Suway sa'min ni Kuya. Nilingon niya ako matapos ayusin suot. Naupo siya sa mahabang sofa at inayos naman ngayon ang relo. "Give Chase a break. Wala namang ginagawang masama sa'yo 'yung tao." Pagtatanggol niya pa roon sa mokong na 'yon!

"Are you still mad at him for outranking you in class?" Natatawang tanong ni Leon, may bahid na pangaasar ang boses.

My brows arched. Nagpintig ang tenga ko sa inis. Seriously?

"Outrank??" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko. Nakaka-offend ang term! "Excuse me, Leon! He did not outrank me!"

"Technically, he did." Aniya pa, ayaw magpatalo. "Before him, you were the top of our batch. Pero nang dumating siya, you became the second best."

"Leon." Pigil ni Kuya sa kanya bago ako nilingon. "Top 2 is still good, Jas." Pampalubag loob niya.

I smirked at Leon.

"At least may place ako. Ikaw nga, wala e." Pangaasar ko, pero tinawanan niya lang ako.

"As if I care." He said, clearly unfazed.

Magsasalita pa sana ako nang makarinig kami ng katok mula sa pintuan. Sabay sabay kaming napalingon roon. Sumungaw ang ulo ni Ate Weng.

"Oh, ano pang ginagawa niyo rito? Kanina pa kayo hinihintay ng Mommy't Daddy niyo sa baba! Dumarating na ang mga bisita mo, Archer." Sabi nito kaya napatayo na kaming tatlo.

"Susunod na po kami, Ate." Sagot ko at inayos ang gusot sa gown ko.

I wore a beige pleated one shoulder long gown with a 2 strap open back. I'm not really into gowns or dresses, but I wear them on special occasions like this.

And for tonight, I specifically picked this gown because it had such a versatile style and a sleek satin look finish. To complete the whole outfit, I paired it with an open toe lace-up stiletto heels that Mama gave me for Christmas. My long hair was straightened and I wore only light make up for the event.

"Ito na ba si Jasmine?" Tanong ng isang kakilala ni Mama. Isa isa na naming binabati ang mga bisita ngayon at natigilan lang kami sa table na ito nang tumayo ang ginang at namamangha akong tinignan.

Mama nodded proudly beside me.

"Grabe ang laki na niya! Ang ganda ganda mo naman, hija." She said and smiled at me.