Jace and I were at the library doing our activities together. Class is almost over and sooner or later we were gonna graduate and leave Montezalde University. Some of us will be separated from us and pursue the dreams that we've been chasing our whole lives, while others will still see each other at work.
I felt like time was going very fast for us. Time will fly and we'll be straight up adults and doing our careers and taking care of our kids.
Speaking of the future, Jace is d*mn sure that I would be his future wife. Not that I'm complaining, it makes my heart flutter everytime he says it.
"Earth to Jewel."Jace said while waving his hand infront of my face.
"H-huh?"
"I am asking you if you're gonna pass your report today to Professor Cortez."
"Y-yes, I have just finished it."sabi ko at sinira ang libro na binasa ko. Well, I didn't completely read it, because I suddenly daydreamed of such nonesense.
"What were you thinking?"Jace asked, curiously.
"Things that is not your business."I sarcastically said.
"Feisty."Jace smirked. Tumingin kami sa phone niya nang bigla ito umilaw at tumunog. I saw a message from his uncle. Jace took his phone and looked into the message, before sighing. "Uncle is calling me again. I better go."Jace said and kissed my forehead before leaving me at the library.
I sighed and started getting the books and putting it where Jace and I took it.
"Let me help."someone said and I looked at my side and it was Damon.
"Hey Damon. I haven't seen you lately."I said while I handed him some books and he accepted it.
"Well, you were pretty occupied with your boyfriend."he said, jokingly. But I kinda felt guilty, knowing tht he likes me."You seem happy."
"Should I not be?"I joked.
"No, it's just that. You compliment each other."
"I'll take that as a compliment."I smiled at him and placed the last book in its section.
"Hey Jewel! Damon, let's go!"His friend said and smiled at me.
"I better go."
"Yeah, see you."I smiled and his friends pulled him outside the library.
I sighed, when I already finished arranging the books when Damon helped me. I decided to leave the library, since I was already done with things and all I have to do is pass them. Well, may kulang pa akong ibang subjects, but madali lang naman sila. I can finish it by tomorrow.
Nagulat ako nang biglang dumating si Carter at hinawakan ako sa balikat. He was breathing heavily like he just ran from a track field."You seem work up."
"Ang daming projects pinasa ko kanina."buntong-hininga niyang sabi. He grabbed his bottle of water and immediately drank it."Nakakapagod!"sabi niya habang umiinom nang tubig, mukha na nga may plano siyang maliligo sa tubig. "Where's Jace?"he asked and looked around.
"Bakit mo hinahanap?"
"Well, the two of you are always glued together. I haven't seen a time where the two of you are seperated."he smirked and I rolled my eyes.
"Well, count this as one of them."I nughed him as we started walking back to our classroom. "What would you do after you graduate, Carter?"I asked in curiousity.
"I was planning to become a secretary at a big company."
"That's great. What company?"
"Yours actually."he smirked at me.
"So, I'm gonna be your boss?"I jokingly asked.
"Yes, boss."He said and even made a salute. I chuckled.
"It's weird."
Nang makadating na kami sa classroom ay biglang lumabas sina Sapphire, Natasha, at Amber at lumapit sila sa akin na mukhang kanina pa ako hinahanap.
"Jewel!"They shouted."Kanina ka pa namin hinahanap!"And I was right...
"Why?"
"Let's pass the report now!Change of plans."Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi ni Natasha. Akala ko ba tomorrow kami papasa sa report dahil iyon ang sinabi nila.
"What?!"
"Tapos ka na diba?"tanong ni Amber.
"Oo naman. Akala ko hindi pa kayo tapos-"
"Kanina pa. Let's go!"sabi ni Sapphire at hinawakan ang kamay ko at bigla kami tumakbo.
"Oh, hey Carter!"Natasha said when she saw Carter.
Pagkatapos namin pumasa ay pumunta kami sa cafeteria upang mag-lunch. Amber also said the boys are there. Pagdating namin ay may table na kaming available dahil sa mga boyfriend nito.
"Tapos na kayo sa pinapagawa ni Miss Castro?"tanong ni Rigel sa amin.
"Yup, babe."Sapphire answered.
"Sana all."That was Kaizer.
"Isa nalang at tapos na din kami."buntong-hiningang sabi ni August.
"How about Jace?"Natasha asked.
"He already finished earlier. Sinabi niya sa akin kanina."I answered her.
"I'm pretty sure, siya ang summa cum laude natin."Rigel said, confidently.
"Well, it could also be Jewel."Sapphire said and pointed at me.
"Oo nga, talino din naman si Jewel."says Kaizer.
"Si Jace na iyan."I said and took a bite from the sandwich.
"Ang humble mo naman."Natasha nudged me and I almost drop my sandwich. I glared at her and she was just smiling.
"She's just trying to be modest."Amber smirked.
"Mas karapatdapat pa si Jace sa title."I said to them and continued eating. Kanina pa ako gutom na gutom, dahil sa daming gawain.
"Eh, ikaw din naman ah! Ang talino mo at masipag ka mag-aral."August said.
"Kayo din naman, ah!"
"May times di na tamad kami, Jewel. Eh, ikaw palaging determined, mukhang walang araw na walang inspirasyon."ngising sabi ni Sapphire.
"Baka dahil kay Jace."Amber said and nudged me.
"Yiee!!"they all said and I rolled my eyes.
"Shut up."
"Hey mon amour."Jace suddenly appeared infront of us and kissed me on the forehead, before sitting at the chair beside me."So I heard my name?Anong pinag-uusapan niyo?"
"Kung sino sa inyo ang maging summa cum laude."Rigel answered.
"Para sayo, Jace. Sino?"Sapphire asked.
"I'm sure it's Jewel."Jace smiled at me and then winked.
"Oh diba!"sigaw ni Kaizer. I rolled my eyes. Kanina ang sabi niya si Jace.
"Hindi ka ba pwede tumingin sa records?Tutal owner ka naman sa school diba!"August said and we all looked at Jace waiting for his answer.
"Even if I'm the owner, I am still a student. That's a bit unfair for all of us."
"Okay, what if ipusta natin?Kung sino sa kanila?"Kaizer suggested.
"Ang ending diyan ibang student pala."sabi ni Rigel at bigla na man binatukan ito ni Kaizer.
"Huwag kang mag-overthink. Makabigay iyan nang negative energy sa atin ngayon."Kaizer said and Rigel glared at him."So, saan kayo?"
"Jewel."the girls said, altogether.
"Jace."Rigel and August said in unison.
"Jace."Kaizer answered and smirked.
Tumingin sila sa akin at hinintay ang sagot ko. And here I thought I wasn't included in this."Jace."I rolled my eyes.
Tumingin naman kami kay Jace at hinintay ang sagot niya."Both of us."
"Huh?Pwede ba iyan?"takang tanong ni August.
"Bawal, isa lang dapat."sabi ni Kaizer.
"Unfair mo, bro."says Rigel. Jace rolled his eyes.
"I'm betting that Jewel and I will be summa cum laude. I would still lose if it was one of us."he said and crossed his arms.
"Bet ko iyan."
"Sige. Magkano sayo?"tanong ni Kaizer.
"25k."Natasha answered. Wow, that's a lot of money to bet on.
"50k."Rigel said.
"20k."Napatingin kami na nag-tataka dahil sa sagot ni August. And here I thought, he was gonna say 50k."Hindi ako kasing-yaman niyo."August crossed his arms.
"Your father is a lawyer, while your mother is a prosecutor. Talaga bang hindi ka mayaman?"sabi ni Rigel at binatukan si August.
"100k."Kaizer shouted and even stood up. Maraming students napatingin sa kanya nang dahil sa biglang pag-sigaw, may iba nga nagalit eh. Kaizer gave a peace sign and sat down.
"Sana all rich."Rigel said.
"Bakit malaki?"takang tanong ni August.
"Trip ko lang."Kaizer shrugged his shoulders.
"Nakakagulat ang trip mo."Rigel said and nudged Kaizer.
"How about you, love?"Kaizer asked Amber. Amber rolled her eyes from the name-calling, but I know kinilig na iyan on the inside.
"50k."Amber said shortly.
"65k."Sapphire said.
"Jewel?"They all looked at me and waited for my answer.
"500k."I said, boredly. They all gazed at me, stunned. "What?"
"Ang laki naman."August said and scratched his nape. I laughed.
"Jace?"
"1 million."ngising sabi ni Jace at nagulat kaming lahat. The f*ck?!One million?!
"Parang kinabahan ako diyan."Rigel whispered in August, but we all still heard it. Hindi ko alam kung sinadya ba or talagang malakas ang boses ni Rigel na kahit bulong ay marinig parin namin lahat.
"Bakit?"takang tanong ni August.
"Lakas nang tiwala ni Jace na manalo siya."he said.
"Talaga bang wala kang alam kung sino sa atin ang summa cum laude?"I asked him.
"None."he smirked at me.
After our lunch, Jace went back to his office, because he still had a tedious task to finish. While I went back to the library to finish my work.
"Hey Jewel."
I looked up to see Damon in front of me with books in his hands. I winced, recalling a memory that he put the books on the floor. Or I'm just totally OA about it.
"Hey."
He took a seat in front of me and started opening his books. "Do you still have a lot to do?"
"Yup."
"Same."he smiled. But there was something different from his smile, it looked forced. His hands also started tapping randomly on the top of his book.
"Is there...something wrong?"
His smile looks strained."Do you have a good relationship with your father?"I blinked a couple of times.
"If I'm going to be honest, I haven't seen my dad for years." His smile faltered replacing it with a soft gaze.
"I only see my dad sometimes." He said. "Well, we're kinda the same. You and I."
"Maybe."
I wanted to ask what his problem is so I can help him, but I cannot force him to do so. I know that he came to me, because I know he could seek refuge in me.
"My dad's in jail."He looked down and gritted his teeth. His hands were turned to fists. "He just did the right thing, but he had to be punished for it."
"What...did your dad do?"I asked. I was about to ask Did he kill someone?
"You don't have to know."His face suddenly looked guarded. I tried to read him but he looked isolated.
If what is saying is true, then why does he refuse to tell me? My stomach churned, uncomfortably.
I tried to say it kindly and slowly, because I don't want him to think otherwise."Damon, if what he did is truly noble, then it is fitting that you can tell me."
He glared at me and a shiver ran down my spine. My eyes widened and I took a step back away from him. His eyes widened a bit but got back to his usual setting. He pursed his lips and I saw how his jaw clenched.
"How about you ask Jace."My brows furrowed.
"What does it have to do with Jace?"
"Everything."He abruptly stood up, gathered all his things and left me here like a fool.
"Damon!"I shouted his name, but he didn't turn around. His footsteps were fast and heavy.
I stood there, confused, for a solid minute, before I stood up and went to the door to go to Jace's office. My footsteps were fast and long so it could be mistaken that I was running.
When I got there, I didn't bother to knock and just went inside. Jace looked up and his eyes widened when he saw me. I immediately closed the door.
He stood up and he looked confused when he saw my expression."Jewel?" I was breathing heavily as I came towards him. My arms went around him and I laid my head in his chest. He hugged me back and rubbed circles on my back.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?" I shake my head. "Did somebody hurt you?" he said and pulled me away from him so he could have a better look at me. His hands immediately went to my cheeks. "Jewel?" His eyes mirrored panic and anxiety, trying to tell me that I should tell him.
I had a bad feeling about all of this. I don't know why, but I just do and I want to go home. Damon and Jace. I always wondered why they were enemies and the sudden confession of Damon made me dizzy.
Why? Why did he tell me all of this? Why? WHY?!
"Jewel, tell me. What's wrong?" He sounded desperate.
I wanted to ask. I had a ton of questions, but I can't do it here. I felt trapped. I'm not comfortable around here even though Jace is with me.
"I want to go home."
Seeming to understand my thoughts, Jace nodded and smiled at me, reassuringly. "Okay. Let's go home." he kissed my forehead before going around his office and arranging his things. I stood there as he worked around. I suddenly felt guilty.
He still has a lot of things to do and I'm selfish for taking him away.
When he got his bag, he approached me and gave me a hug. He opened the door while his other hand was around my shoulder.
"Your work-"
"Nevermind my work. You're way more important." he said.
My mind went to the library and the things that I have left on the table. I didn't even notice that I didn't get him. I Just ran out of the door.
"I forgot my things in the library."
"Do you want me to get it?"he asked.
I shake my head. I really much like to leave. "No. I want to go home now."
"Okay. I'll tell Amber to get it for you." I only nodded.
As we were heading home, the noise of honking and cars speeding up could be heard. Even black smoke can be seen in the background. I put my arms in my head and leaned myself into the door as I tried to sleep. Lots of things are going in and out inside my head that made me nauseous.
Biglang nag-red light kaya kailangan tumigil si Jace. When it went green, we were about to drive off when suddenly a truck passed in front of us. Muntik na namin ito nabunggo kung hindi lang nakabrakes si Jace. I even almost hit my head at the glass, but Jace was quick enough to put his arm in front of me so I would be secured.
Jace immediately glanced at me and checked me if I was okay.
"Are you okay?"he asked me and cupped my cheeks looking for a sight of a bruise.
"I-I'm okay."I sighed."W-what happened?"tanong ko at tumingin sa paligid namin. The truck had already reached a long distance. How can the driver be so irrational?
"We almost got into a car accident."Jace's jaw tightened. "F*cking bastard."he cursed and we drove off.
I kept thinking of what happened and how Jace is so mad. I couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't a mere coincidence that we almost...died or got into an accident. A thought came into my mind that someone wants us dead or rather Jace. I was just merely a bystander.
Damon.
Why did my thoughts went to Damon? Damon told me that Jace knows everything. He had always been so angry with Jace. But..Damon couldn't have done this. He's not like that.
As we head inside my house, I turn my attention to Jace.
"Jace."
"What?Does your head hurt?"he asked me, worriedly.
"It was Damon, was it?"His eyes widened and his mouth parted. Judging by his expression, he does not have to tell me that it was really Damon.
But maybe, I am wrong. Maybe..maybe a lot of things are inside my head right now making things up.
"Damon told me about his father that he went to jail. And he doesn't deserve it. He also told me that you know everything about it and it was like...implicitly telling me that you were the reason his father is in jail."His lips pursed and he crossed his arms as he listened to me.
"He said that?" he asked and I nodded.
"Jace. What does he mean?"
"Remember what I told you about a guy hunting me down and he targetted you because you were close to me or he assumed you're my girlfriend?"he asked me and I nodded."It was him. It was Damon."I felt a shiver run down my spine, remembering Damon's glare to me in the library.
B-but That's impossible! Damon is my friend!
And yet, I couldn't shake the feeling earlier that something was wrong. It was like he peeled a mask, showing me a bit of who he is.
"Is that the reason why you warned me about him?"
"Yes."He sighed."But I couldn't tell you the reason. I know you would say I was crazy and it would make you hate me more. And I don't want that. The last thing I want is for you to be away from me and it would be the perfect opportunity for Damon to get you."he said. "But the f*cking bastard was cunning, he befriended you and you gave him your trust."
I stayed silent. It was like being slapped on the face by the truth, yet it was better than a lie
Damon shouldn't be like that, he's a good guy and he treats me as a friend. But is he really like that? Or I was just talking to someone he made up?
"I know, it's insane. And a lot to take in."
"But why?Why is he doing this?Why does he hate you so much?"I asked Jace and he sighed.
"Remember, the man who killed my grandfather?"He asked me and I nodded. I remembered what he told me at the cemetery and the guy that killed his grandfather.
"It was his father."
"Yes. Damon Salazar Sr."He said, coldly. Hindi ko na alam kung anong sasabihin ko. The bastard that killed his grandfather is Damon's father. It all makes sense, now.
"So, he's doing this out of revenge."wala sa sarili kong sabi.
"Yup."Jace answered."Because I put his father in jail."
"Jace, tell me the truth."I said and reached out to his arms, clutching it hard. I felt nauseous and Jace was my only strength. A thought came inside my head and I couldn't shake it away. It's impossible but somehow close to being possible. "Is he the one who kidnapped me and tortured me?"Jace nodded.
I felt like I was going to pass out. I was about to fall on the floor but Jace caught me. He held me as I slowly slid down the floor. My breath became rapid as the truth sank in, as it crawled its way into my heart, breaking it into pieces.
He was my friend!
Damon.
Damon.
Damon.
How could you?!
"He ordered someone."
"He was using me."I said and tears started falling down to my eyes and I can't even control it anymore. "I-i thought he was my friend."
I never felt so betrayed in my entire life. I realize that I was used as a puppet by the strings that Damon used to me. How could he?!
"All things are not what it seems to be, Jewel."Jace said and hugged me. I just cried into his shoulder because he was the only thing that could ease my pain right now.
"But the way we act. He said he likes me."Jace hugged me tighter and I cried even harder.
"In more ways, he could manipulate you."he said."The most hurtful thing is; it may be real to you, but it was nothing to them."Mas lalo lumakas ang iyak ko sa kanyang sinabi."Shhh."
"It h-hurts."I said as I clutched into my shirt trying to gather up the shard pieces of my heart that were breaking.
"I know.Just cry to me."
F*ck you for doing this to me, Damon Salazar.F*ck you to infinity!F*ck you!