Chapter 3
"Out of all people, why are you the one fetching me? Interested in me, Miss?" I teased her, a playful lilt in my voice.
"I didn't know Athena had such a feeler sister," she said, a hint of disdain in her voice.
"I'm not feeler, Miss. Everyone likes me," I retorted, a mischievous grin forming on my lips.
I leaned back in the passenger seat, arms crossed, feeling completely at ease as I watched her reaction from the corner of my eye. I wanted to tease her more, to see that annoyed expression on her face again. It was entertaining— addictive, even.
"Everyone might like you," she repeated, her tone cold and unyielding, "but don't include me. You're nothing more to me than Athena's younger sister."
Her words were like a slap—sharp and calculated, meant to hit where it hurt.
But they didn’t break me.
No, if anything, they only fueled the fire inside me.
Her rejection wasn’t a wall; it was a challenge.
And I had never been one to back down from a challenge.
The colder she became, the more intrigued I was.
"D'yan talaga nagsisimula lahat, alam moba 'yon?" I said, smirking as I leaned in slightly, my face close to hers. I kept my tone playful, but there was a hint of flirtation in it—intentional, deliberate.
She immediately responded, not even bothering to look at me. "Get out of the car." Her voice was flat and emotionless, and at the same time, she pulled the car to the side of the road and parked.
For a second, I blinked, surprised she actually did it.
"Gosh, I'm just joking around," I said quickly, trying to soften the tension before she seriously kicked me out. Baka totoo'ng pababain niya talaga ako. Her expression didn’t change though—still stern, still unreadable.
"Keep saying nonsense and I'll be the one to push you out of this car," she added, her voice dangerously low. It wasn’t a loud threat, but it didn’t have to be. The way she said it—calm, cold, and precise—was enough to send a chill down my spine.
"Harsh," I whispered under my breath, turning my gaze to the window, pretending to sulk. But deep inside, I was more intrigued than ever.
This girl— Miss Sanchez— was unlike anyone I’d ever met. She wasn’t impressed by me, not swayed by my charm like everyone else.
Her attitude wasn’t just "hard-to-get." No, it was something else entirely—like a fortress I wanted to tear down, brick by brick. She was unpredictable, captivating, and fiercely guarded. It made her irresistible.
So I stayed quiet for the rest of the ride. Tahimik lang ako sa sasakyan, baka hindi ako makauwi ng ligtas kapag nag-ingay pa ako. I could tell she was serious. She wasn’t one to bluff.
The silence between us stretched, tense but oddly electric. I kept sneaking glances at her as she drove—her grip on the wheel steady, her eyes fixed on the road, jaw tight. She was beautiful when she was annoyed, even if she looked like she wanted to kill me.
After what felt like forever, we finally pulled up in front of my house. The familiar gate and well-kept lawn came into view, and a sense of relief washed over me—though I’d never admit it out loud.
"Get out," she said flatly, not even looking at me as she spoke.
"Thank you, Miss. I like the way you drive, but do you know that I'm good at driving too?" I said, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of my lips as I reached for the door handle. I couldn’t help myself. Teasing her was becoming my favorite pastime.
"I didn't ask," she replied sharply, her irritation palpable.
"Try riding me in bed, Miss. I'll show you how good I am," sabi ko sabay kindat.
"Get the hell out of the car now. I'm losing patience with you, Gomez," she snapped, her voice slicing through the thick silence inside the vehicle like a blade.
"Chill, I'm just joking. See you again, Miss!" sabi ko sa kanya, trying to lighten the mood with a grin as I unbuckled my seatbelt and opened the door. I hopped out casually, slinging my bag over my shoulder.
The moment the car door shut, she slammed the gear into drive. The tires screeched lightly against the asphalt as the engine roared back to life. Her car sped off without another glance, the wind stirring my hair as I stood there on the curb, watching her taillights disappear into the distance.
Despite the tension and her coldness, I couldn't help but smile.
I really like her.
Shaking my head with a small chuckle, I turned around and headed inside our house.
The familiar scent of the foyer greeted me as I stepped through the front door, and the faint sound of music played from somewhere in the background.
I took off my shoes and walked into the living room where I saw Ate lounging on the couch, legs curled under her, her eyes glued to her phone screen.
"Ate," I called out, walking over to her.
She didn’t look up right away, just lazily tapped something on her screen before finally acknowledging me. "What?" she asked, her voice flat, her face unreadable as she glanced up from her phone.
"I want to transfer to your university," I said, my voice soft, almost hesitant. My hands were clasped behind my back like a child caught doing something mischievous.
She blinked, eyebrows rising. "Out of nowhere? Stop it," she replied, her voice sharp, eyes narrowing slightly as suspicion instantly clouded her face.
"It's not what you think," I defended myself, a teasing lilt in my voice. I walked over to the arm of the couch and leaned on it, grinning. "I have friends there. I just want to spend more time with them before I graduate."
I made sure to emphasize the word friends, stretching it a little for effect. I was hoping to sound nonchalant, casual. But I knew Ate wasn’t buying it—not even for a second.
"Why did you just decide this right now?" she asked, her tone more serious now, her eyes boring into mine like she was trying to read between the lines.
"Because I just realized it now," I mumbled, looking away briefly as I tried to suppress the giddy smile forming on my lips. I kept my tone quiet, like it was just a harmless thought I suddenly had. But in truth, it was far from harmless.
Ate didn’t look convinced. Her brow furrowed deeper. "No, it's a hassle. Just stay at your current university," she said, her tone clipped with finality.
I straightened my back and looked her dead in the eye. "You can't stop me, Ate. I'll get permission from Grandma and our parents," I said firmly, the playful edge in my tone now gone. I meant every word. If I had to beg Grandma, I would.
"Stop being stubborn, Sylvia." she snapped, her voice rising with irritation. Her hand finally dropped her phone onto the couch cushion beside her, and now she was sitting up straight, full attention on me.
The tension in the room thickened, buzzing like static in the air.
Just then, a familiar voice broke through the rising storm.
"What's going on here?" Grandma's voice echoed gently but firmly from the hallway as she walked toward us, her shawl draped over her shoulders and a slight frown etched on her usually serene face.
"La..." Ate started, quickly lowering her tone. Her voice softened at the sight of our grandmother, but she clearly struggled to explain the argument without escalating it further. Her hands clenched on her lap, frustration lingering in her eyes.
"Why are you arguing?" Grandma asked again, her voice calm but with a quiet authority that made both of us fall silent. She looked between me and Ate, eyes sharp yet kind. "Athena, what's going on?"
Ate let out a sigh, as if trying to rein in her annoyance. "Sylvia wants to transfer to my university. It's a hassle, La," she explained, the irritation still threading through her voice.
Grandma turned her gaze to me. Her eyes were warm, but I knew she could see through any half-baked excuse. I held her gaze, trying not to look guilty.
"For what exact reason, Sylvia?" she asked, her tone gentle but probing, the way only grandmothers who know you're hiding something can sound.
I swallowed hard, unsure how much truth to give away.
"I just want to spend more time with my friends," mahina kong sagot. Paawa mode activate.
"Do what she want, Athena," Grandma declared firmly, cutting through the tension in the room with her usual authority. Her voice was calm, but there was no room left for argument.
"But— " Ate began, her tone quiet but insistent.
"No buts, okay? Your sister wants to spend more time with her friends. I'll talk to your mom and dad," Grandma added, her words final. She turned gracefully on her heel and walked away, the soft shuffle of her slippers fading down the hallway.
The room fell into an awkward silence. Ate sat there, clearly unhappy, arms crossed tightly over her chest.
She exhaled heavily, glaring at me. "If you're doing this because of Cynthia, stop it already," she warned, her voice low but edged with steel.
"I'm not, okay? I love you, 'te!" I said, throwing my arms around her shoulders in a quick, playful hug, trying to soften her anger.
"Get off," she muttered, swatting at me. "Hopefully you haven't done anything stupid with Cynthia, because she's the owner of the university. Baka hindi ka tanggapin."
My arms slowly dropped from around her as I stood frozen, blinking at her in disbelief.
She's the owner?!?!
A sudden chill ran down my spine as flashbacks of what happened earlier with Miss Sanchez— Cynthia— played in my head. Her voice, her glare, the way she threatened to push me out of the car...
Oh God. I might’ve made the worst first impression ever.
"Y-yeah, I-I didn't do anything," I said quickly, my voice cracking as I stepped away from Ate, forcing a casual smile. I tried to look innocent, but my palms had gone cold and sweaty.
Without waiting for her to say anything else, I quickly turned and made my way up the stairs. I needed a long, scalding shower to calm down and maybe cleanse the regret starting to bubble up in my chest.
After bathing and slipping into a casual yet stylish outfit, I headed out to blow off some steam.
I grabbed my keys, walked out the front door, and slid into my car. My phone buzzed on the passenger seat— our group chat was blowing up. My friends had already arrived at the bar.
I stepped on the gas a little harder than usual, eager to escape the sudden anxiety and regroup with the only people who could distract me: my chaotic, lovable best friends.
I walked inside, the sound of music and chatter immediately enveloping me. I spotted them at a corner booth, already halfway through their drinks.
"Tagal mo ah," Kinsley said as soon as I reached the table, raising her brow and sipping from her glass.
"I'm transferring to your university," I announced, sliding into the seat beside her, like I had just dropped a casual fun fact.
Their reactions were instant and loud.
"Totoo?"
"Hindi nga?"
"Nagbibiro kaba?"
They exclaimed all at once, their faces morphing into disbelief and curiosity.
"Yeah, I'm serious," I replied, resting my chin on my palm with a smug smile.
"Out of the sudden?" Kinsley asked, narrowing her eyes. She leaned in like she was interrogating me, but her grin betrayed her excitement.
"Ayaw niyo ba? 'Wag nalang— " I teased, pretending to rise from my seat dramatically.
"Nagtatanong lang! You're so OA," Kinsley interrupted, pulling me back down with a laugh.
"Finally, may makokopyahan na 'ko na matalino," Cecilia chimed in with a grin, stirring her drink lazily.
"So sinasabi mong bobo ako?" Kinsley shot back, raising an eyebrow at Cecilia.
"Wala akong sinabi, feeling mo," Cecilia replied coolly, rolling her eyes with a dramatic sip from her straw.
Eliana glared at her before muttering something under her breath and crossing her arms.
"So, what's the real reason you're transferring?" Kinsley pressed again, eyes narrowing, her tone suddenly more serious.
"I'm bored at my old university. I want to try new things," I answered as nonchalantly as I could, twirling my straw in my drink.
"Mhm, sounds like a convenient excuse," Cecilia said with narrowed eyes, clearly not buying it.
"So, you like someone at our university, huh? Am I right?" Eliana teased, a mischievous smirk tugging at her lips.
"It's not exactly a 'like,' but... she's definitely gotten my attention," I admitted honestly, my voice softening for the first time.
The table erupted with excited squeals.
"Told ya! Sino ba 'yan?" Eliana pressed, practically bouncing in her seat.
"You'll find out soon enough," I replied, grinning as I lifted my glass and took a sip.
"Can't wait!" Kinsley said with a giggle.
"Silly," I muttered, laughing along with them.
It was crazy, I thought, transferring universities for someone I barely even knew. But I was determined. I’d show her. I’d make her crazy over me.
I sat there nursing my drink, my fingers wrapped loosely around the glass as I watched Cecilia and Kinsley laugh and flirt with the crowd around them.
The bar buzzed with life—loud music, the clink of glasses, and laughter echoing off the walls—but none of it reached me.
The festive atmosphere felt miles away; I wasn’t in the mood for fun.
“Why are you chilling here? That’s unusual of you,” Eliana said softly, sitting beside me with a curious look.
“Not in the mood,” I replied, my voice low and flat.
“Mhm, ’kay,” she said, shrugging but not pushing me.
After a moment, I stood up. “I’m going to wander around for a bit, be right back,” I told her, and she just nodded in response.
I pushed my way through the crowd, scanning faces, searching for someone interesting to talk to. But no one caught my eye— not even close.
Then, out of nowhere, a smooth, sultry voice purred in my ear, cutting through the haze of the bar’s noise.
“Hey, baby.”
I turned, narrowing my eyes at the woman inching closer to me. “What?” I replied, raising an eyebrow.
She grinned, hand brushing my arm in a way that was meant to be inviting. “Wanna have some fun?” she teased, her voice dripping with false sweetness.
I pulled my arm away sharply. “I’m not interested. Get lost.”
She stumbled back, muttering a string of curses under her breath, but I didn’t give her a second glance. I wasn’t in the mood for games, and besides, she wasn’t my type.
Feeling restless, I decided to wash my face and clear my mind for a moment. I made my way to the restroom, pushing through the door, when suddenly, a sharp voice cut through the background noise—a voice filled with panic.
It was familiar.
Miss Sanchez.
My eyes immediately darted to where the voice was coming from, and my heart lurched.
There she was, trapped in the arms of a man who was far too close. Her eyes were wide with fear, her body tense and straining to break free.
“Let me go! I’ve already said no how many times?!” she screamed, voice trembling with desperation.
“Don’t play hard to get, lady. I know you want this,” the man growled, reaching toward her face.
Before he could touch her, I stepped forward, voice low and dangerous.
“Get your hands off her. Now.”
The man turned to me, his eyes narrowing. “And who are you, bitch?” he sneered, but Miss Sanchez’s gaze never left me—no emotion, no relief, only cold indifference.
“You really want to know who I am? I’m a Gomez. You don’t want to mess with someone like me. You’re committing sexual harassment. If you don’t want this to get worse, you’ll get your hands off her right now. Did you not hear her say she doesn’t want you? Are you deaf?” I said, my grip tightening as I held Miss Sanchez gently but firmly from behind, shielding her.
The man’s face twisted with fear and regret. “S-sorry, f-forgive me,” he stammered before dropping to his knees.
The Gomez family wasn’t just successful— we were a force to be reckoned with. Our influence stretched across continents. People didn’t underestimate us. They feared us.
“Leave,” I said coldly, not waiting for another word.
The man scrambled to his feet and disappeared quickly into the crowd, vanishing before anyone else could even notice.
I turned back to Miss Sanchez. “Are you okay?”
She gave me a sharp look, her eyes icy. “Why do you care? I never asked you to help me.”
She started to walk away, but before she could get too far, I grabbed her wrist gently.
“Aren’t you going to thank me?” I asked quietly.
She yanked her hand free with a harsh twist of her lips. “I didn’t even ask for your help in the first place.”
Her words stung, but I didn’t let it show. Sometimes, helping someone wasn’t about thanks—it was about doing what was right. Even if she didn’t want to admit it.
I watched her walk away, her anger cutting through the air like a sharp sting. I never expected her to be so cold, so cruel. But it was okay. I wouldn’t give up on her—not now, not ever. There was something about her that pulled me in deeper, and no amount of her harshness could push me away.
Trying to shake off the tension, I decided to wash my face. The cool water felt refreshing against my skin, helping to clear the fog in my mind. After splashing water on my face a few times, I dried off and made my way back to where my friends were.
As soon as I returned, Eliana looked up at me, concern flickering in her eyes. “Are you okay? What happened?” she asked softly.
I gave her a small, reassuring smile. “I’m okay, something just happened,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
Eliana didn’t look convinced. “Sure?”
“Yup, don’t worry,” I said, nodding slightly to ease her concern.
I found myself drinking more than usual tonight. The alcohol tasted strangely sweet— almost deceptive— as if it was trying to hide the sharp edge beneath. I didn’t even realize that Kinsley and Cecilia had already returned to the table.
“Nanyare d'yan?” Cecilia asked Eliana, her voice curious.
“Ewan ko, wala na ‘yan ginawa kundi uminom,” Eliana shrugged with a knowing look.
“Hoy, ayos ka lang?” Kinsley asked, turning toward me with a teasing grin.
“Oo nga, pa ulit-ulit kayo,” I replied, annoyed but unable to hide the smile creeping on my lips.
“Hindi kaba naka isa kaya ganyan ka?” she teased, poking fun at me.
“Baliw,” I muttered with a chuckle, shaking my head.
“Tumawa siya, it means ayos ‘yan,” Cecilia said, laughing softly.
Kinsley glanced at her watch and sighed. “Let’s go home?” she suggested, and I nodded along with the others.
We stood up and made our way out of the bar, the cool night air a welcome relief after the loud, crowded room. I called my driver again since none of us were in the condition to drive ourselves. Thankfully, Manong arrived quickly, and we piled into the car without delay.
"Ano ba gamot sa kuto ng aso?" out of nowhere na tanong ni Cecilia.
"Ano ba sakit ng kuto?" sagot ni Kinsley.
"Wag nalang pala," she said with a heavy sigh, clearly annoyed.
"Problema nun? Nagtatanong naman ako ng maayos," she complained, turning to Eliana as if seeking backup.
Eliana just ignored her, unfazed by the petty drama, and soon after, I found myself back at home. It was only 8 p.m., so I still caught the family finishing dinner.
“Keylan kaba titigil kaka-bar mo?” Papa greeted me with a knowing smirk as I walked in.
“If the ocean runs out of water,” I shot back sarcastically, matching his teasing tone.
“Don’t be a philosopher, Sylvia,” Mama interjected, shaking her head with a small smile.
“Sorry, hindi kayo mabiro,” I replied quickly, wanting to avoid stirring up tension. I really didn’t want another argument tonight.
“Sit down and have dinner with us,” Papa insisted warmly.
I complied, taking a seat beside my cousin. My eyes drifted to Lola, who was sitting across from me, her expression stern and disappointed as usual. I was used to this— she always looked like that when I came home late from the bar.
“You reek of alcohol, hays,” Luke, my cousin, muttered with a teasing grin.
“Shut up,” I snapped back, rolling my eyes.
I forced myself to eat, even though the alcohol made my stomach churn. The food tasted bland, but I kept chewing quietly. The room was filled with a heavy silence, until Grandma finally spoke up.
“Sylvia,” she called softly but firmly.
“Po?” I responded, looking up at her.
“I’ll allow you to transfer universities, but after graduation, I want you to manage our company in Singapore,” she declared, her gaze unwavering.
My protest came immediately. “But Ate’s here, and my cousins too. Why should I be the one to handle it?” I asked, dreading the weight of responsibility.
“It’s your responsibility, not theirs. I’m giving you what you want; this is the only thing I’m asking in return,” she said firmly.
I let out a heavy sigh, feeling the pressure settle on my shoulders. “Okay, La,” I said quietly. What choice did I have?
After dinner, we cleared the table and I headed upstairs to take a shower and rest. The warm water washed away the day’s exhaustion, but as I stepped out of the bathroom, I heard a gentle knock on my door.
“Come in,” I called.
My sister entered, her eyes sharp and serious. “You’re enrolled, and I’ve already bought your uniform. Be ready to go with me tomorrow. And don’t do anything foolish.”
“Noted, Ma’am,” I replied, struggling to contain my excitement. This was a big step, and I couldn’t wait for what lay ahead.
She studied me for a moment, then added quietly, “I know your friends aren’t the reason you transferred; if it were, you would have done so sooner.”
Her insight hit me like a punch to the gut. She really knew me too well.
“So?” I challenged, though her words stirred something deep inside.
“Cynthia’s caught your attention, I know. But don’t cause trouble, or I’ll make you regret it. Be grateful she accepted you into the university,” she warned, turning to leave.
I watched her go, my mind racing. So she accepted me into the university after all? I had assumed Cynthia hated me. Well... just you wait, Miss Sanchez.
I’ll make you fall for me.