#The10thOrdinance
Text
CHAPTER 1
“Confessions”
[2002]
It’s Isla. The eldest child among five siblings. Mhmm.
My parents are really hardworking. Eyyy!
We live in a simple, lovely home here in Ciudad Real, Spain.
Here I am, a simple 13-year-old, 8th grade student.
This is when I found my puppy love, Vincent.
I had a crush on him not only because of his looks but also for his intelligence, camaraderie, and sense of humor.
No wonder a lot of girls were also attracted to him.
I’d also found my best friend, Adelle, who also got close to Vincent.
For a couple of months, I used to keep my feelings for Vincent.
During those days, I used to text with my classmates, including Adelle, David, Jasper, and Vincent.
One day, I had a conversation with David.
He told me about the disappointment he felt at having personal feelings for me and for Kate, because he was aware that both of us admire Vincent.
After a couple of months, Adelle asked me to confess my feelings to Vincent.
But why would I?
One day, Adelle told me that Vincent also has feelings for me, and he’s also aware of my feelings for him.
So now, my status with Vincent is that:
We both know that we have feelings for each other.
But this so-called “pride” or “shame” is keeping us from formally confessing to each other.
Due to the increasing expenses of our family, I have had to limit myself from spending money on things that are not so necessary including my phone’s load.
So, Adelle used to call me a lot.
“Why aren’t you replying to our texts?”
“I do not have a load.” I said.
-
A few minutes later, I received €2 worth of load.
Then Vincent texted me, so I knew that he’s the one who gave me that load, so I would be able to text him back.
From then on, he regularly initiated providing for my phone’s load so we could continue our talks more often.
We used to discuss a lot of things, including our dreams.
He told me that he has this great interest in astronomy.
I also told him about my dreams, including my desire to become a fashion designer.
We both look up to each other’s desires in life.
-
One day, Vincent told me about Kate’s confession to him.
He felt the need to tell me the truth, even if we still do not have the label.
VINCENT: Kate told me something
ISLA: What is it?
VINCENT: She has a crush on me and told me that she loves me a lot
-
I did not reply, but I felt a bit jealous, so I immediately told Adelle about it.
In just a couple of hours, I received a message from Adelle...
“Vincent asked Kate not to message him anymore. Because he wants you, not her.”
I really appreciate what Vincent has done. I also felt that he was serious to me.
-
One day, I planned to formally express my personal feelings for him.
I was hardly encouraged by Adelle to do so.
ISLA: I have something to tell you
VINCENT: What is it?
...
VINCENT: Hey, what is it you want to say?
ISLA: Nothing.
Still, I didn’t have enough courage to tell him.
I also got confused about why he would not tell me first about his feelings when he had already told others about it.
It seems like he’s really waiting for me to do the formal confession before him.
It is either pride or shame that keeps him from telling.
Then, I texted Adelle.
ISLA: I can’t…
ADELLE: Do it now!
ISLA: Are you serious that he really told you that he has feelings for me?
ADELLE: Yes, of course!
-
Fast forward…
The day has finally come. I decided to formally tell him through text.
ISLA: I have something to tell you
VINCENT: What is it?
…
VINCENT: Hey!
ISLA: Do you know…
VINCENT: What?!
ISLA: I have a crush on you.
VINCENT: I also have a crush on you, Isla.
And then it finally happened! We formally have mutual understanding now.
---
In just a few days that passed, everyone in our classroom knew what’s between me and Vincent.
It’s so funny how they supported us.
But something has changed, we cannot talk now in person, maybe due to shame? XD
Jasper, one of my classmates, told me something after knowing about my status with Vincent…
“It’s fine.”
Then he smiled at me, and I just ran out of words. So, I just smiled at him back.
From then on, I have known that he had feelings for me.
I thought he was just a gentleman to everyone, but his actions towards me meant something.
[2003]
We have now finished the school year and are now enjoying the 2-month vacation.
Some thoughts came into my mind, so I texted Adelle...
ISLA: I don’t have feelings for Vincent anymore.
ADELLE: You’re just confused because you’re not seeing him.
ISLA: No, I’m serious.
ADELLE: Wait until the start of class this school year. I’m sure you’re still in love with him.
-
I am an incoming grade 9 student.
*It's the first day of class…
Tadaaa! Say “Hi” to Celestine, whom I call “Tin”. A newfound friend.
I’ve met Adelle in front of the school gate...
ADELLE: Kristina, come here!
ISLA: Hey! In what section are you?
ADELLE: Sampaguita. How about you?
ISLA: Sunflower.
ADELLE: Have you seen Vincent?
ISLA: No.
After class, Vincent and I saw each other outside the school, but as usual, we didn’t even smile at each other. Then I went home. A few hours later, Adelle asked me a question...
ADELLE: Vincent told me you saw each other after class.
ISLA: Yes, we do.
ADELLE: How about now?
ISLA: What?
ADELLE: You still have feelings for him, right?
ISLA: Okay, I’ll be honest, I still have feelings for him.
ADELLE: I told you!
I used to keep in contact with Adelle and Vincent. Their friendship had also grown even more. A few months later, Adelle confessed something to me...
ADELLE: I admire Jasper back then.
ISLA: Oh, really? Why didn’t you tell me?
ADELLE: I just can’t.
ISLA: Oh.
ADELLE: I think I still have feelings for him.
ISLA: Just keep up your communication with him.
Even with that late confession from Adelle, I didn’t come to the conclusion that she might have encouraged me to express my feelings for Vincent because she likes Jasper. I am certain that Adelle is really a good friend of mine and of Vincent.
We managed to maintain our communication even if we went into different sections. Although Vincent still feels awkward interacting with me in person, he still shows his support for everything that I do, which I truly appreciate. He expresses his admiration for me whenever I got achievements in school. And with that, I used to appreciate him even more.
One day, Adelle and I just hung out in the nearest mall. We talked a lot.
ADELLE: Vincent introduced you to his parents by showing your photos.
ISLA: Oh.
ADELLE: His parents told him, “We’re going to prepare foods for her when she comes here.”
You know what? Vincent told me that he collected all your photos from your social media account. He really likes you.
With the conversation we had, I got to appreciate Vincent even more. I’m so lucky to have him. ~
[2005]
*Saying goodbye to junior high school life is approaching*
I didn’t get any academic awards, but I’m grateful that all my family members attended my moving-up day. Tin becomes the rank 1 in our class. And Vincent also becomes the top student in their class. I’m so proud of both of you.
Tin and I enrolled at Saint García College, just here in our hometown, to pursue our senior high school lives.
Vincent and Adelle went to another school.
#Hardworking
#PuppyLove
#MutualUnderstanding
#LateConfession
#Proud
CHAPTER 2
“A Friend to a Lover”
And we are now in senior high school.
We have this new classmate who’s also our schoolmate when we were in junior high school, a responsible student whose name is Bruce.
A man with good looks and a good heart.
A very low-key person and very calm.
BRUCE: Isla, let’s review.
ISLA: Do we have a quiz?
BRUCE: Yes, in English.
ISLA: Oh, I’m not aware. Alright, let’s review.
Study, study, study ---
Obviously, some similar characteristics have contributed to our friendship.
One day, I received a text message from Bruce.
I don’t know with whom he got my number.
BRUCE: Good evening, Isla. This is Bruce. When are we going to have our group meeting in Arts?
ISLA: Hi. I don’t know. I’ll ask the other members.
-
BRUCE: Good evening
ISLA: Good evening
BRUCE: What are you doing?
ISLA: Just texting. How about you?
BRUCE: Texting
Study, text, study, text.
That’s how I illustrate my status with Bruce who I think is just like Vincent.
He’s the one who texts first, showing motives that he likes me, but is not directly telling his personal feelings.
Why are men so weak these days? I was like, “Why waste your time?”
Going back to Vincent, even if we’ve not been in an official relationship for more than two years, as I am not allowed to have a boyfriend yet, I have felt a love for him. And he means so much to me.
We’ve continued our talks, he gifted me presents occasionally, and he expressed his love in the ways he could.
But sometimes, love is not enough. Due to personal differences, arguments, and a lack of physical closure, and I’ll be very honest, due to being infatuated with Bruce, I fell out of love very quickly.
Vincent felt so much hatred against me for leaving him out of the blue.
And I tried to understand his feelings, for I knew how much he loved me.
But I guess he should also understand that there are traits that I find hard to deal with.
And if only we’d had enough closure, I might have stayed with Vincent, but that’s just life, everything happens for a reason.
E n d o f o u r l o v e s t o r y .
-
One day, as usual, I received a message from Bruce...
BRUCE: Good evening
ISLA: Good evening as well.
BRUCE: What are you doing?
ISLA: Just texting. How about you?
BRUCE: Texting and reviewing notes
ISLA: Then?
BRUCE: Nothing. I’m just sharing. Have you eaten?
A lot of thoughts have come into my mind.
What’s the purpose of communicating with me from time to time if his questions are only about what I do and things alike?
So, I asked him a question.
ISLA: What am I to you, Bruce?
BRUCE: Friend XD
ISLA: Oh, okay.
BRUCE: Okay fine. I have feelings for you. How about you? What am I to you?
ISLA: Same. Why do you have feelings for me?
BRUCE: Because you’re beautiful, smart, and kind
ISLA: That’s too much
BRUCE: How about you? Why do you have feelings for me?
ISLA: I don’t know. I just like you a bit. Maybe because of your face and attitude
BRUCE: Can we meet tomorrow?
ISLA: Tomorrow is my birthday. You may come.
BRUCE: Oh, really? I’ll come!
---
What a smooth conversation! ~
And then here’s my day.
Another year and another thrill!
Bruce gave me a bracelet and chocolate.
My friends also came.
And that was really a happy birthday, though I felt a bit awkward.
He was just a friend a few days ago, and he’s now my lover. WITWIWWW
---
[2006]
Bruce may be my lover, but we’ve honestly treated each other like best friends for a couple of months. During our 2-month vacation, we met almost every day to exercise by jogging, cycling, playing badminton, and basketball. That made us closer and made our bond even stronger. With that, we used to love each other even more.
After a few months of courtship, I’ve decided to finally be his girlfriend.
BRUCE: Can you now be my girlfriend?
ISLA: Hmm. Yap.
BRUCE: Yey!
ISLA: In one condition
BRUCE: What is it?
ISLA: I’ll cut a little bit of your hair
BRUCE: Sure!
Then Bruce and I went to their home to get a scissor.
After cutting his hair, he asked me…
BRUCE: You’re my girlfriend now, right?
ISLA: Yes!
Bruce smiled like there’s no tomorrow, and then we went home.
But something is bothering me.
ISLA: It’s a prank!
BRUCE: Ay!
ISLA: I don’t want to be your girlfriend yet
BRUCE: Argh!
ISLA: Oh
BRUCE: I’m mad. But it's fine.
-
Few hours later…
“Okay, deal. I’m your girlfriend now. But let’s keep it a secret in the meantime. You know why.”
“Yes!”
It wasn’t supposed to be serious, it’s just a simple prank, but look what happened. I have now my first boyfriend!
As the months passed, Bruce and I got closer, to the extent that Tin feels disappointed in me as I’ve given most of my time to Bruce during break time. I was so in love that I didn’t notice this until she confronted me about it.
TIN: You know what, I prefer Vincent more than Bruce for you
ISLA: Why?
TIN: Never mind...
You’re not joining me anymore during break time. I’m so disappointed in you
ISLA: I’m sorry. I didn’t notice
TIN: You didn’t notice because you’re so happy with Bruce. Fine.
ISLA: I’m sorry. Let me make it up for you.
Then Tin just walked out.
I’ve felt her disappointment in me,
so I spent more time with her to make it up and to show how sorry I am.
After Tin’s confession about Bruce being with me most of the time,
I told Bruce to keep some distance from me so I could also spend more time with her. Then things between me and Tin became smoother from then on.
Because of this, Bruce demanded that we meet more often during the weekends.
So, we had the chance to go to some places we’d never been to.
We experienced a lot more thrills. We even go to some places to hide. XD
*Texting again with Bruce*
BRUCE: I have something to ask you
ISLA: What is it?
BRUCE: Did you know that when we were in 8th grade, I asked Larisse if I could court you?
ISLA: What?! For real?
BRUCE: Yes. But Larisse told me you didn’t want to
ISLA: She didn’t tell me such a thing. You’re just familiar to me from when we were in junior high school since we were schoolmates. But I’ve only known you since you become my classmate this school year
BRUCE: Oh! She didn’t tell you, I thought you rejected me back then.
So, I asked Larisse if this was true.
ISLA: Hi, Larisse. Is it true that Bruce asked you to tell me if he could court me?
LARISSE: Yes HAHAHA
ISLA: Why didn’t you tell me? HAHA
Larisse didn’t answer my question, but it’s fine.
Maybe she has a reason why.
Larisse is friends with Bruce and Vincent, and she’s fully aware of what’s been going on between me and Vincent since we started in 8th grade.
So maybe she didn’t help Bruce with respect to Vincent.
We really can’t judge, right? So, it’s hard to draw a conclusion.
#SmoothConversation
#GoodbyeVincent
#HelloBruce
#PrankFailed
#SecretRelationship
#Let’sHide
#CrushSince8thGrade
CHAPTER 3
“Hola, College life. Hola, Faith”
[2007]
Tin stayed at SGC.
Then Bruce went to a university in Madrid,
and here I am at White West University in Segovia.
So, we used to see each other less often.
We’ve become so busy with our personal lives. It became so boring.
No thrill. No dates. He always talks about his studies.
This is, I guess, the most boring chapter in our relationship.
When I went home and scrolled through my social media account,
I received a follow request from that handsome Russian boy I talked to in the waiting line when I enrolled in the Financial Management course.
What a beautiful name, Meinard Finn. ~
MEINARD: Hi
ISLA: Hello
MEINARD: How are you?
ISLA: I’m good. And you?
MEINARD: I’m happy
ISLA: Why?
MEINARD: Because you accepted my follow request
ISLA: Oh. You’re welcome
MEINARD: Do you have a boyfriend?
ISLA: Yes. And you?
MEINARD: I’m single
ISLA: Okay
MEINARD: He’s so lucky to have you
ISLA: I’m also lucky to have him
MEINARD: What are you doing?
ISLA: Just scrolling through my social media. And you?
MEINARD: Staring at your photos.
With the messages he’s sending, I guess he wants to be my side guy. LOL. I’m getting bored. Why not go for a ride in the meantime?
~
The first day of class...
WTF? That Russian boy is my classmate?!
To make distance from Meinard, I decided to transfer to another class section.
MEINARD: Why did you transfer to that section?
ISLA: I have my personal reason
MEINARD: I’ll also be transferring in there
ISLA: No way!
MEINARD: Why?
ISLA: I don’t want you near me in public!
MEINARD: Please. I want to be close with you
ISLA: No!
MEINARD: I’ll be transferring in there
ISLA: Don't forget that what we have is just a play. I told you in the first place that I’m just bored and just want someone to talk to in the meantime. I won’t be messaging you anymore if you do it.
MEINARD: No, please. I won’t be transferring to that section anymore. Just keep our communication
ISLA: No, I’m so done with you!
-
On the next day, when I opened our door to purchase our breakfast,
I saw Meinard outside our house. WTF, how did he know?
And so, I went back inside. But my grandma wants to have his breakfast already…
“Why did you come back?” My grandma asked
“Ahm. I will brush my teeth first.”
I intentionally brush my teeth slowly in the hopes that when I go outside,
Meinard won’t be there anymore.
But after going outside, I still saw him. Oh ohhh!
I can’t do anything. I must buy our breakfast from the nearest bakery.
While walking, Meinard still follows me and is begging for my reply.
MEINARD: Please don’t stop what we have.
ISLA: Okay, okay. I’ll give you another chance, just go home right now.
I feel like I am going to explode, LOL.
He’s still following me, but I can’t get angry.
I can’t shout at him, as there are a lot of people passing by near us.
After I bought our breakfast, I rushed home.
MEINARD: Please!
ISLA: Stop it! People are looking at you. You’re embarrassing! I’ll just reply to your texts. Go home now.
And then he went home.
I got so mad.
What a breakfast!
---
One day, I heard my two classmates gossiping beside me...
“That's why I left him because he's obsessed.”
“Who are you talking about?” I asked.
“Meinard Finn. We had a mutual understanding before. I left him after a month because he's obsessed, he follows me to almost wherever I go. Like, wat da ef?”
---
Here’s to the second semester.
Because of the long travel time,
I decided to look for an apartment to rent near the University.
This is where I met the lessor, Auntie Mercedes, and her daughter, Faith.
ISLA: Thank you again, Miss Mercedes, for giving me the discount.
AUNTIE: You’re welcome, Isla. Just call me Auntie.
ISLA: Okay, auntie. Good night for now.
FAITH: Have a good night's sleep, Isla!
ISLA: Thanks, Faith. Good night!
I feel like I will stay here until I graduate.
They are so welcoming and kind. ~
And again, it’s Monday...
When I opened the door, I saw Faith at the front.
ISLA: Oh, you’re here.
FAITH: Good morning, Isla!
ISLA: Good morning, Faith!
FAITH: Mom told me you’re also studying at White West University.
ISLA: Yap.
FAITH: Do you want to come with me so I can teach you where you can ride?
ISLA: Yes, of course. Thank you!
FAITH: Let’s go?
ISLA: Yes!
-
FAITH: So, what are you studying?
ISLA: Financial Management
FAITH: Oh, common!
ISLA: Why?
FAITH: We’re in the same field!
ISLA: Oh, nice! In what section are you?
FAITH: Four, and you?
ISLA: One. On what floor is your section?
FAITH: We’re on the third floor.
ISLA: Oh, we’re just on the second floor.
FAITH: What a small world! So, can we have our lunch together?
ISLA: Of course, that would be fun!
FAITH: Yey!
ISLA: Goodbye for now.
FAITH: See you later, Isla!
Lunch break~
FAITH: So, what are you going to eat today?
ISLA: The usual, fried milkfish. How about you?
FAITH: The usual, fried chicken.
ISLA: Let’s go.
~
ISLA: What a happy lunch!
FAITH: Yeah!
ISLA: So, what are we going to do now?
FAITH: Hmm, let’s go to the library.
ISLA: Alright!
FAITH: So, do you have a boyfriend?
ISLA: Yap, and you?
FAITH: Yeah! So, how long have you been together?
ISLA: 1.5 years, and you?
FAITH: Just recently, going 4 months.
ISLA: Yown!
FAITH: So, what’s his name?
ISLA: Bruce.
FAITH: Mine is Albert. So, what’s the secret to staying that long?
ISLA: I guess, being honest, caring, and loving.
FAITH: Oh.
ISLA: And spending enough time.
FAITH: Yeah! So, where is he living?
ISLA: He’s currently renting an apartment in Madrid.
FAITH: Because that’s where his school is?
ISLA: Yeah.
FAITH: So, you’re currently in a long-distance relationship.
ISLA: Yap, we are. But it’s fine.
FAITH: Yeah. You can have dates on weekends.
ISLA: Yes. How about your boyfriend?
FAITH: He’s just there, near the church.
ISLA: So, do you often meet?
FAITH: Not really.
ISLA: Why?
FAITH: He’s actually a nerd. He often studies. He’s just there in front of us.
ISLA: Oh. Like mine, but not a nerd, he just likes studying so he can make his parents proud.
FAITH: That’s nice. So, what do you often do on weekends?
ISLA: Hmm. We usually watch movies.
FAITH: What kind of movies?
ISLA: Action movies. How about you?
FAITH: Hmm. I’m actually part of the choir at that church. We practice singing for mass. Then I just go home after.
ISLA: Oh, nice.
FAITH: Do you want to participate sometimes in our activities?
ISLA: What activities?
FAITH: Charitable activities.
ISLA: Yeah.
FAITH: That would be fun.
#MeinardFinnKaFlingFling
#HowDidHeKnow?
#FinanceStudents
#FaithAGoodFriend
#LongDistanceRelationship
You can continue reading the story by viewing my profile.
It has 21 chapters in total.
I recommend using a laptop or computer in reading this.
Go to the lowest part of my profile to see the chapters 4, 5, 6, and so on. ^
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CHAPTER 20
“THE 10TH ORDINANCE”
“Hey! Wake up. Why are you saying my lines?” I said.
“I had a nightmare!” Gray replied.
“What is it?”
“I went to Steven’s jail.”
“Then?”
“Ugh. Nothing. He just said he doesn’t have a soul.”
“At least he knows!”
---
GRAY: If I am given a life again, I hope to be someone who can forgive easily, just like you.
ISLA: Are you joking?
GRAY: If not through me, you might not be continuing this. So, I feel bad.
ISLA: You shouldn’t, I did it for Faith.
GRAY: If you were given a life again, who would you choose to be?
ISLA: Not who, but what.
GRAY: What do you mean?
ISLA: To be a man.
GRAY: Why?
ISLA: I feel like there’s something special about being a man. Though I’m grateful that I was born a woman.
GRAY: Well, we wouldn’t be taking this revenge if not for two... Ahh, one precious woman in our lives. But I can’t argue with your opinion since I haven’t experienced living the life of a woman.
ISLA: Hmm. We’re also doing this for aunt. So, yeah, it’s for two precious women.
I remember that thing you told me about Precious.
GRAY: What?
ISLA: You told me that she broke up with you because there’s a third party involved.
GRAY: Yeah.
ISLA: Are they still together?
GRAY: They are not.
ISLA: Oh, good.
GRAY: Because she’s dead.
.
.
.
.
.
ISLA: Oh, I’m sorry
GRAY: It’s fine
ISLA: Why did she die?
GRAY: The night before the day of the accident, Precious texted me.
ISLA: What did she tell you?
GRAY: ... That she still loves me. So, we planned to meet the next day. I waited for almost three hours at the park where we usually had our dates.
ISLA: Then?
GRAY: I called her phone several times, but she didn’t answer until it became unattended.
ISLA: What happened?
GRAY: That jerk might have known that Precious had a plan to go back to me. So, he planned a car accident.
ISLA: Ohhh...
GRAY: Under investigation, they claimed that it was a real accident. But I know it was planned
ISLA: How do you say so?
GRAY: Someone intentionally hit Precious’ car.
A maid who left Steven’s mansion told me that she heard Steven asking someone to hit Precious’ car.
ISLA: Steven?
GRAY: Yap, that jerk.
ISLA: Ohh.
GRAY: I’m sorry, I confessed just now.
ISLA: That’s why I really had that feeling that you might have other reasons for our revenge. Anyway, why didn’t you go to the police and use that maid as a witness?
GRAY: She was riding a motorcycle back then, and they suddenly left after saying that to me. She was so afraid because she knew how powerful Steven was. And even if I could make her a witness, I know I couldn’t win, as Steven could just simply give them millions to make him innocent.
ISLA: He stole Precious from you and made her die, yet he did this to you? Well, maybe it’s still because of your stepdad, who left them.
GRAY: A day after the accident, Steven learned through Precious’ best friend that Precious was three months pregnant with him.
ISLA: Ohhh.
GRAY: So, yeah. He’s blaming me for his own mistakes
ISLA: Tsk.
GRAY: Yeah. She really is so precious to me. She’s really kind, sweet, and loving.
ISLA: Can I see a photo of her?
GRAY: Here!
ISLA: Oh. She looks like the combination of Raquel and Cherry.
GRAY: Yap.
ISLA: Is it just a coincidence?
GRAY: Partly, yeah. But I really approached them because they resembled Precious.
ISLA: Hmm. You said you’re poly because you don’t like feelings like jealousy in a relationship?
GRAY: That’s just one of the reasons.
ISLA: But the main reason is because they remind you of Precious?
GRAY: Yeah.
ISLA: Oh. Her name really suits her since she’s so precious to you.
GRAY: Of course, that’s 10 long years.
ISLA: You really are a Libra... You don’t easily forget.
GRAY: Well, how can I forget someone whom I dreamed of having a happy ever after?
ISLA: You’re right... Do you blame him for your suffering?
GRAY: I will lie if I say no.
ISLA: I hope it’s only him who you blame.
GRAY: What do you mean?
ISLA: Why don’t you have a spiritual life? Is it because you also blame God?
GRAY: I also had faith in God back then.
ISLA: Back then? So, you mean it was lost?
GRAY: Maybe.
ISLA: That faith you had before is not worth keeping.
GRAY: Why do you say so?
ISLA: I have read a book saying, “Any faith lost in suffering isn’t a faith worth keeping, for genuine faith will be tested while false faith will be lost.”
GRAY: Aren’t we the same? If your God is really good, why does He make us suffer?
ISLA: I don’t know.
---
And then, I went back to my family in Ciudad Real to settle again and continue to pursue my passion.
-
One day, Gray and I had long, deep talks about random things in our past,
including our previous jobs. We had this talk about my senior manager at ZTN Corporación, whom I got a bit close with.
ISLA: He's so lucky to have survived from prostate cancer because of her daughter.
GRAY: What did his daughter do?
ISLA: Her daughter looked for ways to have the money needed for him to be treated well.
GRAY: Oh.
ISLA: There really is hope. His surname suits him well.
GRAY: What do you mean?
ISLA: His surname is hope.
GRAY: Hope?
ISLA: Yeah.
GRAY: As in “H-O-P-E"?
ISLA: Yeah.
GRAY: What’s his first name?
ISLA: Jan Welmer
Then Gray stared at me for a few seconds...
ISLA: Why?
GRAY: Do you have a photo of him?
ISLA: Here.
GRAY: Where is he living?
ISLA: In Castellón. Why?
GRAY: Can you contact him? I want to meet him.
ISLA: Why?!
GRAY: He’s Precious’ dad
ISLA: Oh! What the...?!
GRAY: There’s a possibility that he chose to be with Steven for money so she could finance his dad’s medical needs.
ISLA: Ohh!
GRAY: Contact him. I want to meet him.
ISLA: Okay... Let me see if I still have his number... Gotcha!
Trrt trrt... Trrt trrt... Trrt trrt... Trrt trrt...
“Sir Jan. This is Isla Salcedo.”
“Oh. Hi.”
“I’m sorry to bother you, but this is something important.”
“What is it?”
“Did your daughter Precious had a boyfriend named Apollo Gray Mcdowney?”
“Oh. I remember him. How did you know?”
“He actually wants to meet you. He will explain.”
“Okay. Let’s meet at Castellón Park today.”
-
Traffic...
And then here we are.
DAD: I was actually undergoing dialysis back then.
GRAY: I thought she chose Steven over me because of money.
DAD: No.
GRAY: That’s a relief. That's why, despite knowing she cheated on me, I still loved her back then.
DAD: That's not how my daughter is. She loved you so much.
GRAY: She didn't tell me you're undergoing dialysis.
DAD: Maybe she didn't want to be a burden to you.
---
GRAY: Isla, you seem to have discovered a lot about my past.
You seem to have so much purpose for me.
ISLA: Well, my pleasure, Master Libra.
GRAY: What do you think is my ultimate purpose for you aside from this and your revenge on that jerk?
ISLA: I don't know... Do you believe in destiny?
GRAY: You mean predestination? That means no one has free will, and I like to believe people have a choice.
ISLA: I mean, when people meet, are they destined to meet, or is it just a coincidence?
GRAY: Ohh, specifically for meeting people?
Hmmm.
I’m not sure, I don’t think of an event of meeting someone as something that is set in fate, if I believe that, then there must be other forms of fate.
Like... What makes meeting someone different as compared to what you end up doing as your job in life? Even Protestant churches are split on predestination or not. How about you? What are your thoughts on free will versus predestination?
ISLA: In terms of meeting people, I feel like some of them are meant for us to meet for some purpose.
GRAY: Well, we don’t have to figure out everything.
---
Going back to the passion that has given me a sense of fulfillment. By selling my digital arts, I was able to earn far more than the salary I was receiving at my previous jobs. The saying, “Everything really happens for a reason” is damn so real. I didn’t expect that I would be this grateful for the bad experiences I had at my job before. It was part of the process all along. God really moves in mysterious ways.
---
GRAY: Hey, let’s have an official relationship. Like, a serious one.
ISLA: Why?
GRAY: Hmm. I just want you to be my only one.
ISLA: Pssshhh. Funny! I have a suitor right now, and I like him.
GRAY: More than me?
ISLA: Of course, you’re more valuable to me than him! As of now, ha? But soon I’ll be wanting a serious relationship again.
GRAY: Then choose me.
ISLA: Hmm. Give me time for that.
GRAY: What’s one lesson you gained from me that you’ll never forget?
ISLA: It’s when you told me that there are probably people who don’t like you, but you don’t have a negative view of them. I really like your mindset.
GRAY: Well, everyone has good and bad sides. The mere fact that people can maintain even just one or two loved ones for a long time only tells something about them. They definitely have these good sides, which they can only show to certain people. The same goes for their bad sides. So, we don’t need to have a negative view of them, even if they don’t like us. We don’t like everyone either, but that doesn’t mean we hate them.
ISLA: Do you believe in karma?
GRAY: Hmm, to be honest, not really. You make your own future, and your decisions can affect what things happen to you, even if it’s good or bad. Of course, there are some things you can’t control at all, but that’s life. Since we’re a society, you kinda have to hope that society will do good for you. And for the completely random things in life, then you just trust God.
ISLA: So, you still have this side who believes in God.
GRAY: How about you? Do you believe in karma?
ISLA: Yeah, I believe in karma, both good and bad. Though we did revenge...
GRAY: Next month, I’ll tell you about the 10th ordinance. That will be the last.
ISLA: Ha? There’s still one?
---
GRAY: I have a suggestion.
ISLA: What?
GRAY: Get your tattoo today.
ISLA: I'll do it right after our mission. You just said that there's still one left.
GRAY: Can I ask you a favor?
ISLA: What?
GRAY: Do it today.
ISLA: But we aren’t done yet.
GRAY: Can you just do it, please?
ISLA: But it's a personal thing for me.
GRAY: Can you just trust me this time?
ISLA: Alright! I'll do it today.
-
GRAY: I'll have my 2-month vacation in Somalia. Can you come with me?
ISLA: Of course.
GRAY: If there’s one place you won’t ever be back again, where is it?
ISLA: In that church.
GRAY: What church?
ISLA: IN THAT CHURCH WHERE I LOST FAITH.
GRAY: You were just sad... I’ll help you pack your things.
---
Then, here we are in Somalia. ~
We took a walk and went inside a church.
Gray then prayed to God.
After this, I asked him...
“I thought you're an atheist?”
GRAY: Not anymore
ISLA: So, since when did you start believing in God?
GRAY: Since I loved you...
ISLA: Sorry, but I don't love you that way.
.
.
.
.
.
So, what's the 10th ordinance, Master Libra?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
“LOVE ME.”
.
.
.
.
.
Yeah, the Pisces won...
I love you, Isla.
.
.
.
Won’t you say anything?
.
.
.
ISLA: Since when did you love me that way?
GRAY: A few weeks after we met.
ISLA: So, I was supposed to be a millionaire even back then.
.
.
.
What did you pray to God?
GRAY: I want to live in peace
ISLA: We finished the mission. Aren't you satisfied?
GRAY: I don't know. I hope I just followed you.
ISLA: With what?
GRAY: Not to continue the revenge.
ISLA: I said that to you?
GRAY: Yeah.
ISLA: When?
GRAY: Hmm. I can’t remember.
ISLA: I thought it was a dream since I was in denial that Faith was dead. But did I actually say that to you?
GRAY: Hmm. I just remember...*
ISLA: Well, I was almost consumed during our vengeance, but I had a change of belief, that's why I continued.
And you know what? I’m actually not a Pisces.
GRAY: Then what are you?
ISLA: I’m also a Libra...
GRAY: What?!
ISLA: Yeah!
.
.
and I love justice and balance.
.
.
So, I believe that what we did was right and just. It only balanced the scale between them and us.
.
.
This worldly life is already unfair.
.
.
Since many people can be controlled by money, we must make our own ways to make this life more even. With this, we can reduce the real evils.
.
.
I also felt tired of being constantly put in situations that contradicted my spiritual beliefs and moral values. But I realized that it will never make us less for believing in a thing like revenge that most people don't believe in, for we all have different encounters in life.
.
.
Some people may even say that only weak people seek revenge.
But that isn't real.
That is gaslighting...
The so-called “psychological short- and long-term effects” are just bullcr4p.
.
.
Some people will never understand us until the real evils approach their lives and experience the same pain...
Some people will never understand us until they lose someone they love in an unfair way.
.
.
I understand that we're being controlled by some moral principles and standards to make this world a better place to live in. However, exceptions do exist in such a way that some actions that may seem bad could be morally justified if we will deep dive.
.
.
There are really some bunches of horsesht beliefs and teachings that seem unrealistic and inapplicable to some real-life situations. You know? It is not our mistake if we're put in a situation like this where, in the eyes of others, integrity and justice cannot coexist. After all, what matters more is that we're trying to be good human beings.
.
.
We just have to be responsible for its outcomes.
But really...
Revenge is good as it stops $htty people from doing $htty things to you.
GRAY: After all this time, you’re also a Libra?! What’s your birthdate?
ISLA: October 22.
GRAY: Why didn’t you tell me the truth? Is it because I told you that I usually like Pisces people?
ISLA: Nope! I didn’t tell you, so you won’t know my weakness.
GRAY: What weakness?
ISLA: You’re also a Libra, right?
GRAY: Yeah, I know. But what weakness are you referring to?
ISLA: ...That I love deeply and can’t accept being betrayed by people I love the most. So, if ever you betray me, you wouldn’t know that you hurt me deeply.
GRAY: So, does it mean...?
ISLA: Yap. I love you... so deeply and sincerely.
#GoodbyeFaith
#Acceptance
#She’sNowHappy
#IslaTheDiscoverer
#JusticeAndBalance
#RightAndJust
#When2LibraeCollide
CHAPTER 21
“The Law of Karma”
One day in our family’s home...
BROTHER: Sis! You have such a good taste!
ISLA: Ha?
BROTHER: Your boyfriend is here tho!
SISTER: Hunk!
ISLA: Ha?
BROTHER: Are you high? Why not get out of your room and welcome him?!
-
MOM: Why didn’t you tell us about him?
DAD: You’re just like your mom. Both have a good taste in men.
MOM: Wow, ha?
DAD: Let’s eat!
-
While eating, I whispered to Gray...
ISLA: How did you know?
GRAY: Thanks to GPS navigation apps.
ISLA: I mean, the home address?
GRAY: I edited your CV tho!
ISLA: Oh. Yeah.
-
And Gray roamed around our home...
GRAY: Are you this girl?
ISLA: Yeah.
GRAY: Oh, common! You were that girl?!
ISLA: Where?
GRAY: The one I put out of the canal when I was about fourteen!
ISLA: Oh, you were that boy?!
GRAY: What a small world it is!
And then Gray had long, deep talks with my family.
---
“Hey! Let’s watch on cinema.”
“Alright!”
~
“What is this?”
“A VIP ticket of your favorite band.”
“Ohhh. Thank you!”
What a happy day huhu.
~
One day...
Gray told me to invite my family to his resto bar’s 10th Anniversary next week.
“Happy 10th Anniversary!” ~
We are all so happy for Gray’s continuous success.
And look how small the world is.
Gray’s mom and my mom were classmates when they were in college.
Lots of talks happened ~
Lots of games were played ~
Lots of prizes were won ~
Almost everyone gets drunk ~
The day was filled with lots of smiles and laughters ~
GRAY: We all got so drunk last night.
ISLA: Yeah!
GRAY: What exactly did my mom do to your mom to get her job back then?
ISLA: Mom told me that your mom simply told her to apply for that job. With that, she was able to finance Grandma’s medications back then, which are obviously prolonging her life.
GRAY: Oh!
ISLA: That firm was established in 1921 by nine intelligent men. It’s a good company to work for.
GRAY: It’s just a small act of kindness but look how it turns out to be a big blessing in my life.
ISLA: So, I'm a blessing to you?
GRAY: Of course!
ISLA: No wonder you are so considerate. You’re just like your mom! I hope more people realize the importance of initiative, no matter how simple it is.
GRAY: Well, she didn’t lose a single centavo for doing such a simple thing! Right?
ISLA: Right! Unless she’s a toxic, manipulative, insecure, psychotic, badass, bch!
GRAY: HA-HA correct!
---
“What’s this?” Gray asked.
“Open it!” I said.
“Oh. Dark chocolate! Thanks!”
“To activate your happy hormones!”
“Well, you’re better than a dark chocolate. You’re my happy pill.”
“I dreamed about Faith.”
“What is it?” Gray asked.
“She gave me a sunflower.”
“Oh. That symbolizes happiness and joy.”
-
“Won't you get tired of me? Because you know, feelings fade.” I asked
“There's a difference between feelings and love or commitment to be honest. Don't worry, I love you, that's commitment. You eventually got tired of your exes, right? I'm more afraid that you won't see me as amazing anymore and leave too.”
“No. I love you, and that's commitment... I remember you telling me that I have so much purpose in you, and you asked me what your purpose is for me.”
“Mhmm?” Gray expressed.
“I feel like you don’t have to figure it out. You were just reaping the fruits of your and your mom’s kindness to me and to my mom through me. That’s the answer.”
“That was two and three decades ago. But yeah. That’s how the world works.”
~ THE END. ~
REFLECTIONS:
The quality of one’s life is not solely based on its length, though of course it has a significant impact since when you live longer, you have more time to do things. The point is that you can make your life worth living when you maximize its use by living with your purpose.
We are living in a world full of injustices. When you are weak, you have no better place in this world, so being strong is not a choice, rather, it is mandatory.
When a couple breaks up, it’s not automatically a failed relationship. If we deep dive, we’ll realize that some relationships that have been broken are somehow successful in the sense that some beautiful things happened to both when they were together. No one can change it because it happened. There were laughters that added colors to their lives. There were lessons they have carried to becoming better individuals. And so much more.
It is not all about the length of time that makes a great relationship, but the quality of the connection you have built.
Don’t let the pain of your past prevent the happiness you could find in the present.
We can’t judge a person in just a chapter we saw, we don’t have any idea what's going on in their lives during those times.
We mourn, and we move on.
It is indeed true that villains are not born; they are made either by people, by situations, or by themselves.
Taking revenge doesn’t automatically make someone bad or evil. It may not undo past events but, at the very least, it gives someone justice. In a moral universe, this could sometimes be justified, especially if the people around you cannot do anything with your situation, cannot understand what you’re feeling, and the people who wronged you don't admit the mistakes they intentionally committed for their own pleasure that caused you damage. This is when your only choice is to either let it be, or time will do the justice, or stand up now on your own and get your own justice. God knows everything anyway and that in the end, we will all be judged accordingly.
Each one of us has different situations, beliefs, and morals. We have different hereditary traits. We’ve been in different environments. We’ve been exposed to different encounters in life. And all of that had a significant impact on how we see the world and life in general. This is why we shouldn’t compare ourselves to anyone else, though we should still be open to being influenced if that makes us feel better. Just keep in mind that we must be able to manage the possible outcomes of every decision we make and the views we used to believe in, especially since we are living in a world with so many rules and beliefs installed in our minds, not to mention the absolute principles, for these only require common sense. The bottom line is that what may be right for you may not be so right or totally not right for others. The same goes with what may be wrong. So just expect that you will face different judgments from society. Nevertheless, it is our choice what to change, what to retain, and what to fully let go of. It lies in us how to be better and to live better.
It’s fine if you haven’t figured out everything yet, no one knows everything anyway. Well, even the smartest people who have ever lived don’t know everything. So, you just have to keep going and continue learning.
Insecurity is like a termite that slowly eats up relationships of any form. No matter how good you are to them, if they want to destroy you, they will. There are really f*ck*g people who want to see you fall to make themselves feel better. Like they will silently kill you! What's worse is that some of them are the people you least expect. Believe it or not, it’s your gain or loss, not mine. Well, you are one in a million lucky btch3s if you don’t experience the pain it causes. But this is a reality you should be aware of in advance, so you won't be surprised if you get to experience it. You’re welcome.
We can forgive, but we can never forget, unless you have an amnesia. XD
No one will admit the sins they committed unless they are either brave or punished.
When money is involved, people reveal who they really are.
Never let the betrayal of someone take away the kindness inside you. Let them live in conscience, if they have one.
Age is just a factor in maturity in the sense that as people age, we tend to experience more in life. But the combination of experience, mindset, and attitude are the ultimate factors to it.
Not forgetting a past mistake does not make us unforgiving. It is not our mistake to be hurt enough to finally cut ties with $htty people who wronged us. If detachment is the only way to forgive people, do it not only for yourself but for them as well. Because if forgiveness should always be given freely, you would wonder: Why are there souls in hell? Well, it’s simply because they chose to be there, they don't repent, and they don't ask for forgiveness.
Intended sins left unpunished don't exist. Every act and every thought we had will all be put on a scale to be measured.
Just because "someone" is more approachable to you than the "other one" doesn't mean he is kinder to you than the latter “behind closed doors”. "Someone" may seem friendly to you but is constantly backstabbing you, while "the other one" may be defending your name when you are not around. So, you must be careful with whom you favor. The saying, "Even salt looks like sugar," is damn so real. We really can't judge a person's true character based on just one positive or negative side we see. That’s one proof why this world seems to be mysterious, for we really can’t rely alone on what our eyes can see.
As we get older, we will discover more about life that will surely blow our minds. (for example, traitors are just around the corner...XD)
It’s fine not to be liked by everyone; you don’t like everyone either. But be sure to be more understanding of animals. Keep calm. -_^
In a world like this where living with convenience takes a lot of effort, you will see having someone in your life who is doing better than you as a blessing, not a threat, unless you are a bull$ht, afraid to be compared, easily intimidated, and have a low-quality mindset.
Make sure that those you prioritize are the ones you can rely on when you need help the most.
Gaslighters and silent killers do exist. They may be hiding behind innocent, smiling, beautiful, ugly, or average faces. Looks can truly be deceiving, be wise who you trust.
When you are receiving unreasonable hate from people, I guess we don't need to have much talk about the reasons behind it. Just expect that they will be silent about your success but loud about your failures, imperfections, and mistakes. And if they team up just to bring you down, just laugh at them. Their action is just a reflection of their character anyway. My dear, they are seeing something in you, and they know exactly what they are feeling. Keep on shining.
Some people are not real friends, they are just approaching you because of what you have in life, such as your accomplishments, popularity, status, wealth, looks, and things alike that if you don’t have, they won’t be there for you. Be careful. Some only seem friendly because of what you have in life, not because it's you. They are not worthy of us. However, do not misinterpret people. Some are approaching you because they really like you and admire your success and influence. The main point is to just know who’s genuine and who’s just pretending.
Before we judge a certain issue, make sure to know the full details. We must not draw a conclusion based on the characters of the people involved. Someone can “appear” having a better character in the eyes of many than the other one, but that doesn't mean the former is the one who's more right or totally right on that certain issue. Everyone makes mistakes, no matter how good a person is. So, we must not judge without knowing the whole situation.
We are all valuable, valueless, and in between, the determination lies in perception, situation, and when & where we are. Similarly, we are all good, bad, and in between, the determination lies in perception and in the chapters where people meet us.
Never let anyone define your entire worth, not even the people you love and the people who love you the most. You, yourself, only have a piece of an idea of how valuable you are, so what about everyone else?
All of us are made of both light and dark. Use your light as an advantage in life, not only for yourself but for others as well. Likewise, recognize your dark sides and work on them. Don’t let it discourage you from growing in any way, as it’s just part of yourself, not your whole self.
Some failures are blessings in disguise.
A simple act of kindness can turn into something huge, just as a simple betrayal can turn into a lifetime regret. That's how the world works.
A past mistake doesn’t define the person in his end, as it is just a part of a chapter in his life. It is not our mistakes that count, but rather our willingness to be better.
There will be happenings in life that we will not fully understand at some point. However, life must go on.
There’s no one more handsome than a father who is selfless enough to allow their children to love their mother more than him. I'm not generalizing, but in most cases that I saw, that’s how a gentleman should be, and no man competes with his woman unless he's gay or not an alpha one.
When a couple breaks up, it’s just so funny to know that most people assume the cause is having a third party. Little did they know that faithfulness is not the only thing that significantly matters in a relationship. How about the support, the initiative, words of appreciation, gestures, and things alike?
Being a kid is just so special since we do not know how to keep the pain and anger inside us. We don't care that much if people have wronged us, for we could easily move on. So, there is really beauty in not knowing much about life, about everything that happens. With that, we could be happier and more at peace. Nevertheless, we may experience more pain as we get older, but at least, through pain, we become stronger and wiser.
Most of the pain caused by betrayals cuts deepest when it's caused by people we love most. But it means almost nothing when it's done by people who don't matter to us.
In every suffering, we learn, and we tend to appreciate more the smallest things that could provide a little joy.
Spread love, not hate. But remember, my dear, never tolerate being betrayed, for you are worth more than you know. It's not ego, but pride.
There's no one-size-fits-all definition of success. The same goes with kindness. So, never feel obliged to prove your kindness to people, it’s what’s inside that truly matters.
Acceptance is the main key to one’s healing, while denial, in the long run, won’t do anything. Allow yourself to feel the pain, no matter how long it takes, it will disappear anyway.
Some chapters have to close so that new chapters can begin. Similarly, people really come and go. But sometimes one must leave for others to come.
If you have the means to help others, do it. You may not have an idea, but one simple initiative can go really far.
Never get too attached to anything or anyone in this world. But do not take your loved ones and those of other importance for granted. Everything here is temporary. So, you must be spiritually complete on your own, for at the end of your worldly life, you will only have yourself, for you are your only soul. The only real treasures you will carry are the good deeds you made and the intensity of your faith and love for God. Nevertheless, you must not deny that “no man is an island.” We really need other people to live a happier and more meaningful life.
Life is much more beautiful than we expected. And that can only be felt if we have a good heart and mindset.
There’s a deeper reason why the brain was placed higher than the heart.
There is love we cannot accept, but what's worse is that there is also love we cannot have in the end.
There are really love stories that will not last a lifetime. But at least, at some point in our lives, we were given the chance to love and to be loved by that special someone. And even if you didn't end up together, you can still carry the memories, lessons, and love you’ve shared in this lifetime.
It is how genuine love is that matters more than anything else, even the length of time you’ve shared it together.
Being betrayed is really part of any type of deep relationship. So, you will either: forgive and stay; or forgive but leave; or stay but don't forgive; or leave and don't forgive. We can share our lives with people even if we know that they may suddenly hurt us, either intentionally or not, for everyone makes mistakes, no matter how good they are or how much they care for or love us. We just have to know that we are responsible for the outcomes of our choices. Nevertheless, I still believe that love is stronger than hate, simply because we are humans, and we are designed to love. We just have to choose people who are worthy of risking the pain of betrayal. Because if we don't forgive, we won't reap the love and support we could possibly find.
~ After losing some people I valued and loved, I must admit that I tried not to get too attached to anyone. So, if I must leave them or they leave me in any way, sadness won’t consume me again. I saw beauty in this heavy trial of my life, for through this, I used to appreciate more the art of solitude that had given way to creating this piece.
By being alone, I was able to recognize the grudge I had been holding for so long, caused by betrayals done by toxic people in times when I was already carrying burdens in life. It was like a dark energy that had been holding me back from seeing the joy that life could still offer me. I questioned several times, "The world was bad, so why would I be good?". The harshness of life almost burned the kindness living in my heart. The world left me with no choice but to be bad just to survive. It was like an exchanged energy for the darkness that this world had given me.
Until a time came when I realized that the world itself is not bad, it’s only the people I met who did bad things to me, making me feel that the world was bad. But then I finally accepted that life is really not a straight path. We will experience so many random things that will truly leave us questioning the existence of God. I felt afraid that if I went back to living a God-centered life, another heavy burden would approach me one more time. The thought served as a defense mechanism to protect my emotional well-being. Nevertheless, I decided to surrender my heart again to God. And I realized that it was for my own sake in the end, and it actually paid off really well. As I grew older, I realized that maintaining kindness in this chaotic world takes a lot of inner strength. Through this, I was able to learn more about the importance of forgiving people and finally have the peace of mind I had been longing for. Well, we all have no other choice but to help ourselves be healed from the wounds of our past. We have no choice but to move forward, live life, accept things that have already happened, and leave those we can no longer control.
This life is so short to live in hatred, and the time finally came when I felt so tired from keeping this burning pain. So, I asked for strength and guidance from Above, and through this, I was able to see and feel again His light. And this is undeniably a win for my side. Nevertheless, if we delve into life, we will wonder why the brain was placed higher than the heart; thus, I still believe in the power of vengeance. And I will stand firm that this belief can truly be justified. So many evils have approached me before. And it was only through vengeance that those evils stopped when I finally learned to fight back. So, this belief will never make me feel again that I am bad. Though as of writing, I had some reflections in life. I witnessed that God really is justified, for I have seen how some people who wronged me experienced a lot of suffering. My words seem to be conflicting with “taking vengeance” versus “letting karma do the work”, I guess, in the end, the belief lies in every individual, for we all have different experiences in life.
By choice, I was almost alone for a long time, for no one could betray me this way. After all, it is not my mistake if I was traumatized by the betrayals done by real psychos out there. The only mistake I unconsciously made was holding the pain for so long. But the good thing is that, while writing this novella, I realized that we, as humans, are not afraid to care and to love; we’re just afraid to be betrayed and to be left behind. We’re just too afraid that our trust will eventually be broken by $htty-btchy-crappy–trashy-f*cky-people around us. Nevertheless, we should share our lives with chosen people, for that’s one way of making this life more meaningful. We just have to be aware of protecting ourselves, just in case, and find ways to be genuinely happy just by ourselves alone. And this realization is being shared to serve as a reminder that...
“You’re not alone in being alone.”
... ‘coz there is a ghost when you turn your head back. XD
Well, seriously...
“You’re not alone in being alone.”
Read it twice and have your own interpretation, because, you know?
I’m getting tired of thinking of an explanation. XD
You’re welcome. ~
21 April 2024
To everyone who came this far, I thank you with all my heart.
This is the very first story I made and published, and it really means a lot to me.
I’m happy that I finally had enough time to share it with you.
And just in case you enjoyed the story... XD
Here’s my PayPal: [email protected]
My GCash, Maya Wallet, & Coins.ph number: 0912 611 6170 (Patrischia Andrea Gapasin)
You may also send crypto here on Binance ID: 866 677 270; or Coins.ph.
You can message me on my WhatsApp, Viber, or Signal (0912 611 6170) and let’s have some talks about life!
There are just lots of things I have to do right now, but for you, I promise to write stories again in the future.
Sincerely,
Trischia ~
Credit to the owners of the images used:
Cover Photo background: Pexels
Characters:
Isla: Unsplash
Mercedes: PIXNIO
All other characters: Pexels
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~
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CHAPTER 18
“Isla in an Isla”
“F*ck!
Here’s the plan.
You must be stranded in Montaña Clara. It’s the best option.
No trees, but at least you have the jet.
Tell Steven that you want to stay at the Hotel de Hispano
so, your jet will surely pass by Montaña Clara.” Gray said.
“Alright!”
“Hotel de Hispano is actually a luxury staycation, so very few people are booking it. When you’re about to leave the hotel, of course you have to put new drinking water to the gallons you have. And get more foods stocked in that hotel.”
“I know, right.”
---
[OCTOBER 2017]
“I’m so excited, love.” I said.
“Me, too.” Steven replied.
-
“This island is so beautiful.”
“Just like you.”
“Will we have a vacation like this in the future?” I asked.
“Of course, everything for you.” He answered.
And here we are at Hotel de Hispano.~
The place is just so beautiful.
We had our lunch.
After this, we roamed around, had long, deep talks, and settled into our room.
“I’m so happy, love.” I said.
“Me, too.”
Then... We listen to romantic songs... danced... and
... I start seducing him...
“I love you.” I said.
“I love you, too.”
“Won’t you get tired of me?”
“I won’t.”
“Say sexy things.” He said.
“Cum with me....”
“Hmmmmm...”
“Ughh...”
“Take it slow...”
“I will...”
“Is your d*ck mine forever?” I asked.
“Mhmm. It’s yours... forever...”
“Is your p*ssy mine forever?” He asked.
“Mhmm. It’s yours... forever...”
“Ughhhhhh....”
“Mmm..”
“I will keep you for life...” I said.
“Mhmm.”
“Your body is mine... forever...” I said.
“Yours is mine, too...”
“Ughhhhhhhhhhhh.....”
“Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...”
“I’ll keep you happy... forever...” I said.
“I’ll keep you happy, too... forever...”
“Ughhhh....”
“Mmmmmmm...”
“I can’t live without you anymore...” I said.
“Me, too...” He replied.
Waking up - Eating – swimming – dancing – singing – card games – long deep talks – sex – sleeping.
That’s our life for six months...
[APRIL 2018]
The day has finally come. ~
Here we are at the jet.
“That’s a long vacation. Let’s have some drink...” I said.
“Mhmm.”
“Thanks for making me feel so loved and special.”
“You also made me feel that way, too. I love you.” He said.
“I love you, too.”
He got so drunk until he fell asleep...
And I inject the substance to put him into deep sleep for longer hours.
The pilot and I just did the techniques...
I destroyed our phones...
I hid my backup phones under the sand...
I wounded myself a bit.
The pilot scattered blood in the cockpit\
He then crashed the jet and left...
Then I act unconscious...
“Isla! Isla! Wake up! Wake up!”
“What happened? My back is hurting...”
“The jet crashed.”
“Ha? Oh, no... Why did it crash?”
“I don’t know! We fell asleep!”
“What should we do now?”
He then checked the cockpit...
“Oh, sh*t!” He expressed.
“Why?” I asked.
“I think... The pilot is dead.”
“Ha? Where is he?”
He went outside the jet and observed...
-
“The pilot was carried by the sea...” He said.
“Oh! F*ck!”
He then looked for our phones and other ways to communicate...
“F*ck!”
“We’re in the middle of f*cking nowhere, Isla!”
“Let’s think what we can do...”
When he realized that we’re really stranded, he said...
“Let’s organize our food and water.”
Then I just followed him and acted like I was sad and in despair.
“We have to expect the worst. This is an uninhabited island. We have to eat and drink less, use less of our toiletries.”
I just nodded, then he just had a deep sigh.
Woo! Steven is just so stressed...
-
After a few days...
No planes are passing through the island...
So, I guess we’re going to be stranded here for a longer time...
Steven then just gets himself drunk.
Every time he’s asleep, I’m updating Gray about our current condition...
Then, I just leave Jazon, doing the forbidden techniques of destroying the VenZon Corporación.
-
One day, Steven hugged me...
He then kissed me on the lips...
.. then on my neck...
.. until he reached my bottom...
“Say sexy things...” He asked.
“Ughhhhh...”
��Won’t you leave me?”
“I won’t...”
“Ughhhhhh....”
“Hmmmmmmmm....”
“You are mine...”
“You are mine, too...”
“I’ll stay with you... forever.” I said.
“I will, too...”
“Will we do this forever?”
“We will...”
“Hmmm...”
“F*ck!”
“I can’t live without you...”
“Me, too...”
“Ughh..”
“Mmmmm...”
Gray was right.
For as long as men are alive,
they won’t stop wanting sex. ~
---
After three months of being stranded, unfortunately, a jet passed by this sea.
And then we’re rescued... I don’t know what to feel.
But yeah, at least, a total of nine months is a bit long to destroy his company...
-
[JULY 2018]
We went to his mansion, then ate all we wanted...
I lost fifteen kilos. We literally look like a f*ck. LOL
That was an unforgettable journey...
-
Welcome, Steven and Isla, to VenZon Corporación.
I just can’t explain how people look at us. XD
Steven threw the laptop away while we were having a meeting.
He just can’t believe what happened to his company.
---
“Let’s have a coffee date.” Gray said.
“Oh! Gray’s Coffee Island. Hmm.”
“Yap. That’s the game changer.”
“Oh!”
So, yeah. Before Steven and I went to the Hotel de Hispano,
Gray established his very own coffee shop in Madrid.
It gained a lot more customers when VenZon Corporación was facing a lot of new issues due to Jazon’s deeds...
Fraudulent transactions -
Resigned employees -
Hiring not-so-qualified employees -
Contaminating the products -
Inactive social media accounts -
Decreasing of rewards -
Steven and Jazon had so many arguments.
Like f*ck? He literally hit Jazon with a lot of combo attacks XD
Steven then decided to close the company temporarily.
-
“We’re done, finally.”
“We’re not. He still has so much money...”
So, what’s the 9th ordinance, Master Libra?
#TheEightOrdinance
#GoodbyeVenZonCorporación
#Gray’sCoffeeIsland
#JazonOurAlly
#IslaTheMillionaire
#TheHardestOrdinance
CHAPTER 19
“GET MARRIED”
“.... and leave.
Will you still follow, my soon-to-be Mrs. Esperanza?”
“That will be hard. Besides, he lost millions, and you got his old loyal customers.”
“So, you won’t follow anymore?”
“He knows I’m nothing compared to him. So, I don’t feel he will marry me.”
“We came this far, Isla.”
---
AUNT: This is too much. What is this for?
ISLA: For Faith.
AUNT: For Faith?
ISLA: For her hospital bills
AUNT: What?
ISLA: Why?
AUNT: Faith was dead.
ISLA: When?
AUNT: On the day when the bomb exploded... Are you serious?
ISLA: I... I thought Faith was just in a coma.
AUNT: She's dead, Isla. What are you talking about? She was dead on arrival.
ISLA: Gray, Faith was dead.
GRAY: I know.
ISLA: She’s just in a coma.
GRAY: Ha?
ISLA: We visited her just last month.
GRAY: Yeah.
ISLA: Yeah.
GRAY: Yeah. We visited her grave last month.
ISLA: No, in the hospital.
GRAY: Ha? Are you serious, Isla?
ISLA: You said to me just last month that you're the one who's supposed to be in a coma, not Faith.
GRAY: I didn't say that. Faith is dead... Are you...?
Then Auntie and Gray just stared at each other, looking so confused.
"I think we need to talk", Gray said.
GRAY: Isla, Faith was dead on arrival when the bomb exploded in January 2014. Remember?
ISLA: I thought she was sent to the hospital
GRAY: Yeah, but she was dead on arrival. Why did you have that idea? Have you seen Faith lying on the bed in the hospital?
ISLA: Yeah.
GRAY: When?
ISLA: Since she was sent to the hospital up until just last month.
GRAY: You visited her in the hospital?
ISLA: Yeah.
GRAY: How often?
ISLA: Once a month.
GRAY: Who said she's in a coma?
ISLA: I... I don't remember. I just thought she was in a coma.
GRAY: Really?
ISLA: Yeah! That's why we took revenge, right?! For money, for Faith!
AUNT: You two got revenge? On whom?
GRAY: We'll explain to you later, sis.
Isla, let's talk.
.
.
.
Isla, we took revenge for justice.
ISLA: Yeah, justice for Faith. I know.
GRAY: Mhmm, so we could be at peace. But Isla, Faith was dead. So, what are you talking about? We only visited her grave last month, not the other previous months. Isla, Faith was dead. You're just dreaming you were visiting her in the hospital.
ISLA: I thought we also stole their money to pay the hospital bills for Faith.
GRAY: No, we did it just to revenge. To make it equal to them.
Isla, you were just sad.
ISLA: Was it just in my mind all along?
GRAY: Yeah.
You were in denial.
We must accept it.
Faith was dead, but she's now happy.
ISLA: But why did I suffer that long?
GRAY: You were just sad, Isla. You were only hurt by what happened.
Your Faith was precious to you, I know, but...
ISLA: WHAT FAITH ARE YOU REFERRING TO?
.
.
.
So, after all this time, both FAITH are dead.
GRAY: The other one is not. You are just sad...
Have you forgotten what you said? “Any faith lost in suffering wasn’t a faith worth keeping, for genuine faith will be tested while false faith will be lost.”
---
GRAY: Just go along with them. Express fake sympathy. Do you know their phone’s passcode?
ISLA: No. They are not even allowing me to touch it.
GRAY: Why?
ISLA: Well, privacy matters.
GRAY: Their passwords in their bank accounts, social media, and others must be written there. I want to steal more money.
ISLA: I’m getting married anyway. So, just relax.
GRAY: How about Jazon?
ISLA: Leave that to me.
---
[AUGUST 2018]
“I’m so tired.” Steven said.
“Take this coffee and relax a bit...
Don’t worry, you always have me.
You can start again,” I said.
“How?”
“I’ll help you think of ways.”
---
ISLA: I have thought of something.
GRAY: What?
ISLA: I’ll help Steven establish his new coffee shop.
GRAY: Hmm. That can be, so you will gain his full trust.
ISLA: Mhmm! If I give him a unique idea, he may consider me to be its EVP.
GRAY: Yeah!
ISLA: But wait... I can convince him to just establish a restaurant.
GRAY: Better!
---
“Love, I have thought of something.”
“What is it?” Steven asked.
“Why not consider establishing a restaurant?”
“Hmm. That’s a good one, but what type of restaurant?” He asked.
“A resto with different cuisine.”
“Mmm. I can consider that.”
“And coffee!” I added.
“Yeah!”
“Don’t stress yourself too much, love. Hmm. Would you like to go to a hot spring?” I said.
“Alright!”
And here we are relaxing in the hot spring...
“Don’t think much about the resto. I’ll help you with it.” I said.
“Thanks, love.” He replied.
“You always have me.”
“I’ll keep you for life.”
“Really?”
“Of course!”
“I love you!” I said.
“I love you, too... and for always.”
---
“What’s that?” Steven asked.
“Just open it!” I said.
“Oh! A puppy!”
“Yap! Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her. I know you’re busy.”
“Well, it’s fine. I can also take care of her.”
“Have you had a dog?”
“Nope. It’s my first time having a pet.”
“Oh! At least, you can finally experience having a pet. It’s a stress reliever, that’s why I got her for you.”
“Thanks, love!”
“Everything for you, love.”
-
“Wanna have some fun?” I asked.
“What fun?” He asked.
“Basketball!”
“Oh. Let’s go!”
-
“Why are you wearing rubber shoes?” He asked.
“I’m going to jog. Want to come with me?”
“Mhmm!”
“Okay! I’ll wait for you.”
-
“What’s that good smell?” He asked.
“Albondigas!”
“Mmmmmmmmm!”
“So, what’s the score of my dish today?”
“Eleven out of ten!”
“Yay!”
“Thanks, love!”
“Mhmm!”
---
“So, these are my recommended design schemes for your resto!”
“Nice!”
“Why are you looking at me?” I asked.
“Hmm. I have thought of our resto’s name!” He answered.
“Ours?”
“Of course! Read!”
“VenViana Island Cuisine. Oh! I have more names here.”
“Of course, it’s your main idea!”
“Aww... Thanks, love.”
~
[DECEMBER 2018]
“Welcome to VenViana Island Cuisine!”
So many customers came...
We felt pressured due to the volume...
But yeah, this is a success!
“Congratulations, Sir Steven and Miss Isla!”
“Your tandem is just so great!”
“Thanks!”
“Thanks for supporting us!”
“I’m hoping for more success for both of you!”
“Thank you!”
-
“I’m so happy for us!” I said.
“Me, too!” Steven replied.
-
[FEBRUARY 2019]
“Flowers for you, love. Happy Valentine’s Day!” He said.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, too! I also have flowers for you.”
“What flower is this?”
“Daffodil!”
“Why is it?” He asked.
“Daffodil symbolizes new beginnings. Look at the success of our resto right now.”
“Thank you, love!”
“I love you!” I said.
“I love you, too... and for always...”
-
“Congratulations and best wishes, Mr. & Mrs. Esperanza.” ~
---
“Won’t you leave me?” Steven asked.
“I won’t...”
“Will you love me forever?”
“I will...”
“Won’t you break our promises?”
“I won’t...”
“Say sexy things...” He asked.
“Cum with me..”
“Ughhh...”
“Mmmmmm... F*ck me...”
-
“Hey! Put on a condom!”
“I want a baby...”
“Oh! That quick?”
“Well, you’re now my wife. So, what’s the problem?”
“Ahh... Hmm... Let me think first about it. Let’s take it easy, tho...”
“Alright!”
“Ughhhhhhhhhhhh....”
---
I texted Gray...
ISLA: I got nervous earlier!
GRAY: Why?
ISLA: Steven would f*ck me without using a condom. He wants to have a baby, but I told him to let me think about it first.
GRAY: LOL! But it’s a good sign tho!
ISLA: LOL! Any update about our plans so I can file for divorce as soon as possible? I’m getting more irritated seeing him, tho!
*Gray sent a photo
ISLA: Your new girlfriend? Pretty! What’s her name?
GRAY: Nope! My college friend. She’s Carmen.
ISLA: Oh. Why did you send her photo?
GRAY: I told her everything, and she agreed with our plan to seduce Steven!
ISLA: Oh, sht! I get it! So, what move will she make? The same thing I did?
GRAY: Nope! That will take more time, tho! Hire her as your maid there.
ISLA: But maids here are enough.
GRAY: You’re Mrs. Esperanza now, tho! You can ask one maid there to resign.
ISLA: Alright!
---
Welcome, Carmen, to the Esperanza mansion...
“While you’re having obvious secret dates with Jazon, Carmen will make the moves to Steven. Get a little bit cold to him and don’t show much interest in sex.” Gray said.
“Alright!”
---
“You look so pretty in that dress! Where are you going?” Steven asked.
“Ahm. I will hang out with my college friends!” I answered.
“Take care!”
---
“That make-up style suits you! Very pretty!” Where are you going?” Steven asked.
“I will watch cinema with friends.”
“I’ll give you a ride.”
“Oh, ahh. I’ll just drive myself.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah!”
“Okay, take care!”
---
One night in our bedroom...
“You look pretty, love.”
“Thanks.”
Then... he kissed me on my cheeks...
“Say sexy things...” He asked.
“I’m not in the mood today.” I replied.
---
“Where are you going?” He asked.
“Will hang out with my college friends.”
---
“You changed your phone’s passcode?” He asked.
“Ah. Yeah.”
---
ISLA: He’s already finding me suspicious. LOL
GRAY: Good!
[JUNE 2019]
“I’m now getting Steven’s attention.” Carmen said.
“It’s time!” I said.
“Where do you want us to make love?”
“In our room. I’ll pretend that I’ll go somewhere. There’s a hidden camera there, so I will know when to enter.”
“Alright!”
-
*Day of Execution...
After dressing up, I went inside my car and watched Carmen seducing Steven.
Until... BOOM! It’s time to go and see it with my own eyes...
Like f*ck... They are fully naked. LOL.
“F*ck you! Get out of there!” I said.
Then, I pulled Carmen’s hair and slapped Steven’s face.
“Remember this day, Steven!” I said.
“She only seduced me. I honestly don’t like her.”
“M*therf*ckr!”
And the best actress goes to...
Selviana Isla Salcedo !!! ~
---
Then, I filed for divorce.
Like f*ck...
I’m now almost a billionaire.
We then celebrated the victory. ~
“We’re done.” I said.
“We’re not.” Gray said.
“Why?”
“Jazon is still winning.”
And so, I settled into my new apartment in Madrid to approach Jazon.
Lots of dates happened...
[SEPTEMBER 2019]
One night at Jazon’s home...
Deep talks ~
Singing ~
Dancing ~
Movie marathon ~
Game cards ~
We got drunk... like really, really drunk. LOL
---
“You are under arrest for attempting to murder Jazon Castro.”
What?!
I asked myself, “Is this a dream again? We’re supposed to keep them alive.”
Then, I pinched myself several times.
It’s hurting, so this is real.
“I didn’t do anything...
We’re just having fun that night.
We got drunk, then I just fell asleep.
The last thing I remembered before I fell asleep was that...
Jazon was talking to someone on the phone, then he went outside.
You can check his phone call history.”
They claimed that there’s strong evidence that I was the one who hit Jazon with my own car.
“I can’t do such a horrible thing.
I love him, really.
Besides, that car is keyless and was given to me by Steven.”
“Who’s Steven?”
“The Chairman-CEO of VenZon Corporación. He’s actually my ex-husband.”
I showed them proof that I was the one who divorced him.
And they know what happened to VenZon Corporación
when we’re on vacation, that it was led by Jazon until it fell.
And the two had so many arguments when Steven finally came back.
So, he was investigated...
Jazon had serious brain injuries, which put him in a coma.
After a thorough investigation, Steven was found guilty...
and he was sentenced to life imprisonment. -
F*ck...
We’re done.
---
In the jail...
GRAY: We were on a war, aren’t you aware?
STEVEN: I don’t have to.
GRAY: How does it feel to be betrayed?
Aren't we equal now?
My friend, time is running out.
The clock is ticking.
You better repent of all your sins.
STEVEN: Who says I’m alive?
I’m not.
I don’t even have a soul...
I'm just existing in this body...
I don’t even know who I am...
They say Pisces people are forgiving, but I guess...
I am an exception.
#TheNinthOrdinance
#Mrs.Esperanza
#StevenTheMurderer
#Isla&GrayTheMultiMillionaires
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CHAPTER 16
“DESTROY THE CORPORACIÓN”
[JANUARY 2017]
And then I woke up. XD
HOOO! I drank too much!
“Don’t be too assuming, Isla. You’re just a girlfriend.” XD
---
“Hey. Stop using your car to go to work. Ride a taxi from now on.” Gray said.
“Fine.”
-
GRAY: First, contaminate the ingredients. This will surely be a big issue. Then make fraudulent transactions when everyone’s attention is diverted on that issue.
ISLA: But they will surely make a thorough investigation.
GRAY: Who says you’ll get caught? People’s loyalty is invested in money, not in people. Here’s €50,000.00. You can convince the CCTV operator to conspire with you, and that’s when you’ll contaminate the ingredients.
ISLA: If no criminal is found, they can simply fire everyone and continue their operation.
GRAY: If they fire everyone, they will surely retain you. Besides, they will have a hard time hiring new employees.
ISLA: You told me we can’t have other people’s loyalty, especially since we’re dealing with Steven and Jazon here. Don’t forget that they are far richer than you.
GRAY: Hmm. You must make a way for the operator to know that you’re in a relationship with Steven, though you’re keeping it private. So, he will allow you to access the CCTV records. Just tell him you just have to see something. Like.. You have to give reasoning.
ISLA: What reasoning?
GRAY: Hmm. Something like you’re suspicious of one customer who often comes to the company just to see Steven. Make him have the impression that you’re just feeling jealous, so he will surely feel awkward and allow you to access the records. Plus, it will be easy money for him. It’s €50,000.00, he will surely remain quiet if ever he finds you suspicious.
ISLA: Hmm. But the CCTV operator will surely be found suspicious if there’s one footage missing.
GRAY: Who says you can’t use digital techniques?
ISLA: CCTV records can be edited, but many times it’s complex. Like, I really have to know what watermarks, codecs, that the CCTV uses. And what if they find an expert to detect if the records are edited?
GRAY: That’s when you will take charge. Tell Steven and Jazon to leave that to you, that you’re the one who will find an expert. And I just told you that people’s loyalty is invested in money. We can buy that expert. But that is only applicable in the worst-case scenario, “when they decided to retrieve the recordings.”
Listen to me.
First, given that there are CCTVs outside the company that they could ask for recordings to detect the criminal, that means before the day of contaminating the ingredients, you won’t leave the company, you will hide. That’s why you have to stop using your car, so you don’t have to edit the recordings at the parking lot.
ISLA: Well, they can still detect who didn’t leave the company on that day.
GRAY: Who says you’ll contaminate the ingredients that will be utilized in the coming weeks? You have to ask the CCTV operator how long they keep the recordings. Well, most stores keep their CCTV footage for a period of 30 to 90 days. Since it's VenZon Corporación, just expect that they are keeping it up to 90 days. In that case, of course, look for the ingredients they will be using after 3 months. It’s the biggest and most well-known coffee shop in Madrid, so they have a lot of stock. The recordings they are keeping will be investigated, but of course no criminals will be found since you contaminated the ingredients three months ago, which means the recordings are most likely deleted. Although they might also be transferring camera footage to external storage devices or cloud services for long-term preservation, but don’t ask such a thing to the CCTV operator, so he won’t find you suspicious.
And given that there are experts, they can surely retrieve it, and they will find that one footage when you do the plan. But the good thing is that given that there are already so many recordings, they will find it hard to detect which footage might be edited. Besides, don’t forget that you can ask Steven that you will find that expert who will actually be our ally.
ISLA: You really are wiser than me.
GRAY: Well, I’m with someone younger than me. It will be an insult if I can’t think of creative techniques.
ISLA: But even if they had that issue, people could trust them again given that they had already built their reputation in the market. And even if they lose millions and the worst happens, they can simply ask Steven’s parents to lend them money, and the company will continue its operation.
GRAY: If it continues, then we can also continue to let them down. Does it make sense, Miss Pisces?
ISLA: Yeah. But what if they find me suspicious?
GRAY: That’s why you must be careful. Make Steven feel that you’re his only source of courage, so he won’t find you suspicious. Also, by that time, make yourself a little bit haggard. So, he will have the impression that you’re in distress due to what’s happening to the company. If ever he finds you suspicious and expresses his doubts, that’s when you can simply manipulate him by playing the victim. Get angry at him for doubting you. And if he continues doing so, threaten him with a breakup.
---
One day, when I was inside the comfort room’s cubicle,
I heard the conversations of some coworkers...
“Mae saw Sir Steven and Isla eating at a European resto yesterday.”
“Really? Yesterday is Sunday.”
“Maybe they have an urgent task.”
“Harold told me just last month that he saw Sir Steven and Isla walking at Olahio Park.”
“Really? Why did you say it just now?”
“He told me not to say it to anyone.”
“Ohhh.”
After this, I just noticed that some of my coworkers are now greeting me first.
Some are now approaching me more and even treating me better.
I just go along, at least I know who is real and who is fake among them.
-
“I dreamed of Steven being stabbed by multiple men,” I said.
“That’s horrible!” Gray replied.
“Hey! They are keeping the CCTV records for 60 days.”
“That’s good!”
---
One day, Jazon asked me for a date.
“What was that I heard?” Jazon asked.
“What?” I asked.
“You and Steven were seen at a European resto eating together.”
“Oh. He’s now my boyfriend, but he asked me to make our relationship private.”
“Really? How about me?”
“Well, I’m sorry. You know my situation, right?”
“What?”
“Grandma has a lot of medications.”
“I can help you.”
“We can continue what we have. You know how much I love you.”
“It’s unfair, Isla. I’m the one who courted you first.”
“Well, it won’t last long. I just need you to understand. I’ll make a way for us to meet.”
---
[FEBRUARY 2017]
*The Day of Execution
I packed clothes that I would be wearing the next day.
Before the working hours ended, I hid in a made-up, out-of-order cubicle in the comfort room. Until it became totally quiet.
Then, I started contaminating the ingredients.
-
On the next day,
I entered the CCTV Control Room wearing my branded necklace given to me by Steven before, so the operator would surely notice it.
I also take bread for our breakfast and put some sleeping substance in the operator’s bread so he will fall asleep.
OPERATOR: Buenos días, Miss Salcedo.
ISLA: Buenos días también.
OPERATOR: That necklace is familiar to me. It suits you well.
ISLA: Oh. Thank you. It was given to me by Steven.
OPERATOR: Really? That costs a lot.
ISLA: Just around €80,000.00
OPERATOR: Sir Steven gave that to you? Why?
ISLA: Ssshhh! Look at this.
I showed him photos of Steven and me dating.
OPERATOR: So, that means?
ISLA: Yeah, we’re in a relationship, but Steven asked me to keep it private.
OPERATOR: Oh!
ISLA: Though I already heard some coworkers talking about us dating.
OPERATOR: Well, there’s nothing wrong with that. He’s the Chairman-CEO anyway.
ISLA: Hmm. Accept this.
OPERATOR: Oh. It’s a lot.
ISLA: I actually find that one regular customer who often comes here. Can you help me?
OPERATOR: Sure! Who’s that customer?
ISLA: I don’t know, but she’s a beautiful girl. I hope I’m not overthinking, but I feel like she just comes here for Steven. And I once saw her outside his office.
OPERATOR: Oh! Are you jealous?
ISLA: Hmm, a bit. So, I want to make sure. I love Steven so much, so I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. I’ll do my investigation about that girl, so I must see her face clearly. Can I access the recordings?
OPERATOR: Sure!
ISLA: Thanks! I filed for sick leave today because, you know? I’m a bit stressed.
OPERATOR: Don’t be. Here’s the password to access files.
ISLA: Let’s have our breakfast?
OPERATOR: Oh. Thanks!
And then I started doing the forbidden techniques. ~
Like yeah. That was a mission accomplished.
---
One day, when I’m at Steven’s mansion,
I roamed around the bedroom.
I saw a photo of a man who’s really familiar...
ISLA: Love, who is this man?
STEVEN: My biological father.
ISLA: Oh.
So...
STEVEN: Yeah, he’s just my stepdad
ISLA: But you seem like a real dad and son
STEVEN: Yeah. Maybe because he wasn’t able to have a child with mom, so he treated me like his own.
ISLA: That’s why you’re a little bit spoiled.
STEVEN: Not at all. I’m actually longing for a sibling.
ISLA: Oh.
STEVEN: Yes, I’m serious.
ISLA: Why did they break up?
STEVEN: He left us for that Brazilian woman.
ISLA: Oh, I’m sorry.
STEVEN: He, at least, gave us money. But mom worked so hard to give me a good life. Until she met my stepdad, who made our lives even better.
ISLA: You’re so lucky!
STEVEN: It’s because of mom.
ISLA: Do you hate your real dad for leaving you?
STEVEN: Yeah. Mom was so depressed when he left us, I couldn’t do anything.
And then we sleep together.
-
When we woke up and Steven went down to the first floor,
I suddenly took a picture of his biological dad and texted Gray...
ISLA: Gray, may I see the photo of your stepdad again?
GRAY: Here.
ISLA: Look at this photo.
GRAY: That is dad.
ISLA: Yap. Your stepdad is Steven’s biological father.
GRAY: Ha? Why do you say so?
ISLA: Last night, before we went to sleep, I saw that photo and asked Steven who he was. He said he’s his biological dad and that he left them for a Brazilian woman who’s obviously your mom.
GRAY: Oh.
ISLA: Your half-brother's surname is Esperanza, tho!
GRAY: I didn’t think about that since Esperanza is just a common surname tho!
“Isla, let’s eat!”
ISLA: Wait, we’re going to have our breakfast. I’ll text you later.
GRAY: Okay. Be careful.
-
And here we are eating our breakfast...
ISLA: If you were that rich even back then, why didn’t you choose a better university.
STEVEN: I have to study there.
ISLA: Why?
STEVEN: I just have to...
ISLA: And you are five years late.
STEVEN: I stopped studying for some years.
ISLA: Why?
STEVEN: I just want to.
ISLA: Oh. Was the business course your first choice?
STEVEN: Nope. I prefer computer science.
ISLA: Then, why didn’t you take it?
STEVEN: I had to be in that course.
ISLA: Why?
STEVEN: To be friends with someone.
ISLA: Really? Who?
STEVEN: Someone who must pay for the damage his parents caused to me, especially to mom... more than two decades ago.
ISLA: Who’s that person?
STEVEN: You don’t know him. It’s a long story... Let’s eat.
-
ISLA: Hey! I’m driving. Come to my apartment, let’s talk. I’m thinking of something.
GRAY: Okay! On my way.
-
ISLA: Gray, guess what? Steven outwitted you. He studied at New Stark University and took the business course to approach you on purpose.
GRAY: What purpose?
ISLA: So, he could be friends with you! He told me that you’re the one who must pay for the damage your parents did to him, especially to his mom, more than two decades ago. That means, he was a traitor all along, without you even realizing it.
GRAY: I was so stupid. That’s why he’s five years late.
ISLA: So, it’s more than just the Latin honor of why he takes away good things from you. He also told me that he’s actually longing for a sibling, but his mom and stepdad couldn’t have a child of their own... Is he aware that you have a half-brother?
GRAY: Yeah!
ISLA: He’s living in Córdoba, right? Can you convince them to live somewhere else?
GRAY: Why?
ISLA: Why are you asking? Can’t you analyze his purpose? He takes away good things from you! From your friend, Jazon, your business idea, Precious, Faith. Don’t you get it?
GRAY: I get it.
ISLA: He may come after your brother or auntie. He’s just letting the time pass so you won’t suspect him!
---
“What happened to your face?”
“Steven slapped me.”
“Why?!”
“He saw me dating Jazon.”
---
GRAY: What’s the problem, Isla? You look so stressed.
ISLA: I’m not having my period yet.
GRAY: For how long?
ISLA: It’s been two weeks delayed.
GRAY: When was the last time you make love with Steven?
ISLA: Hmm. We’re using protection.
GRAY: But there’s still a chance, you know?
ISLA: Hmm.
GRAY: Have you tried a pregnancy test?
ISLA: Nope.
GRAY: Wait, let me buy.
-
-
-
ISLA: It’s negative.
GRAY: Maybe you’re just stressed.
ISLA: Yeah.
GRAY: Did it happen before?
ISLA: Yeah. Years ago, when graduation was approaching.
GRAY: You really are just stressed. Hmm. Want to walk at Castellón Park later at night?
ISLA: Okay!
-
And here we are at Castellón Park.
We’re just roaming around.
Eating street foods.
Seeing the fountains.
“I’m craving something sweet,” I spoke.
“Okay. Let’s buy groceries later.” Gray replied.
-
“Why are you getting all-purpose flour?” I asked.
“I’ll bake cupcakes later for you!” Gray answered.
“Oh. You know now how to bake?”
“Of course!”
-
A few days later.
“Hey! Why aren’t you replying?” Gray asked.
“I’m hot.” I replied.
“I know, right.”
“I mean, I feel I’m getting sick.”
“File a sick leave.”
“Yeah, I did.”
“I’ll go there.”
“No, I can take care of myself.”
“Nope, wait for me.”
---
And then, I recovered.
GRAY: I have thought of an idea. Since you’re sometimes staying in his mansion. Before you eat your dinner, put coriander on his food since he is allergic to it. And use that chance to take care of him. That will leave a good impression, so you could ask him for whatever you want soon - money, jewelry, tech gadgets, bags, and even position. Make ways for him to lose money.
ISLA: Okay. I’ll look for some... But wait, how about his chef? He will be fired if I do that.
GRAY: We have no choice.
ISLA: Besides, his chef must be aware that Steven is allergic to coriander, that’s why I’m not seeing any of it in his ref.
GRAY: Wait, have you once cooked for him?
ISLA: Not yet.
GRAY: He didn’t tell you that he’s allergic to coriander?
ISLA: Yeah! He didn’t.
GRAY: Good! Start cooking food for him. Cook well a few times. Then, when he’s comfortable with what you’re preparing for him, that’s when you’ll cook something that has coriander in it. Hmm... You can cook a dish and then pair it with a soup. Put the coriander in either of the two where he won’t notice it.
ISLA: Alright!
GRAY: Good luck, buddy!
ISLA: How about Jazon? What technique can we use for him so he will be more stressed?
GRAY: Hmm. As far as I know, he’s not allergic to any. We must attack him in a different way.
ISLA: What way?
GRAY: Have you thought of any?
ISLA: Should I break up with him?
GRAY: Hmm. You can just tell him you want a cool-off so he will be stressed. With that, you can still have a connection with him. You can’t totally cut off Jazon, we still need him.
---
[APRIL 2017]
One day at VenZon Corporación...
There’s a long line in the comfort rooms, and customers seem irritated.
I went inside it and saw some of them vomiting in the sink.
“It’s her third time to po*p.”
“I think I’m getting sick.”
“I don’t feel good.”
“Me, too.”
“What’s wrong today? We’re all not feeling well.”
“Is it just a coincidence? Or maybe there’s something wrong with their products?”
“That’s what I’m also thinking, but it’s VenZon Corporación.”
“Hmm. What’s happening?”
People are complaining. So, I guess this is it.
~
The issue became the talk of the town.
The company received lots of hate from people.
A thorough investigation is now being done.
CCTV records are investigated as well as all the employees, including me.
No one was found guilty.
“We need to find an expert to retrieve the records,” Steven said.
“I know someone. He graduated from the Universidad de Madrid as Summa cum laude, with six years of experience.”
“Please call him.”
Then, the expert just did the forbidden techniques.
No criminal was found in all the retrieved footage.
“Can you detect if there are edited records?” Steven asked.
-
A few days passed...
“Nothing was edited,” the expert declared.
---
“I still can’t make fraudulent transactions;
coworkers are so attentive to details.
I’m getting tired, Gray.
Can we use other techniques?
The effects of the contaminated products became controversial anyway.
They are now losing the trust of customers.” I said.
“But given their position in the market, they can regain their trust.
I read a lot of reactions online about the issue and
even if Steven is not yet giving statements about it in public,
I can tell that many people will still patronize them.
We have to find new ways to let them down.” Gray answered.
---
One day...
I cooked Pulpo Gallego, and Steven liked it. ~
ISLA: Don’t be too stressed. You can still regain the trust of customers.
STEVEN: I hope so.
ISLA: You can make it up to them by offering more rewards.
STEVEN: Yeah. That can be. Hmm.
-
STEVEN: Did you approach me on purpose?
ISLA: What do you mean?
STEVEN: You seem to know a lot.
ISLA: About what?
STEVEN: Never mind.
---
One day. While sweeping my immediate environment outside the apartment,
a group of police suddenly came.
.
.
.
.
.
“You are under arrest for contaminating the ingredients... You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”
#TheEightOrdinance
#PlasticCoworkers
#IslaTheDiscoverer
#StevenTheGenius
#FailedFraudulentTransactions
#IslaTheTiredAvenger
#TheHardestChapter
CHAPTER 17
"The Forbidden Techniques”
And then... I woke up. Woooo!
That was a nightmare, tho! XD
One day, when Steven was busy thinking of ways to resolve the issue.
I started to cook falafel, a Mediterranean dish with coriander.
I also made soup, other dishes, and put a lot of desserts on the dining table,
so, he won’t be so focused on Falafel.
While eating, I intended to ask him so many questions about his past experiences, career plans, and other desires in life. So he would be more distracted.
A few hours later,
Steven started to have skin rashes and itching sensations. He also vomits.
“What’s happening to you? Don’t be so stressed,” I said.
“Hmm. It just happened.” Steven replied.
-
I immediately made a cold compress and bought aloe vera, coconut oil, and antihistamines. I acted like I was in a hurry.
-
“Take this and apply it.” I said
“What are the ingredients of that dish?” He asked.
“Which dish?”
“Hmm. The Falafel.”
“Oh, the Falafel? Hmm. Dried chickpeas, parsley leaves, onion, garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, cayenne...”
“Wait, coriander? Oh no. I’m actually allergic to that.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“It’s fine. It’s delicioso anyway.”
“Let me make it up to you.”
-
“I’m fine now. Thanks!”
---
[SEPTEMBER 2017]
After a few months of being the talk of the town and having lost millions of revenues,
VenZon Corporación was able to regain the trust of its customers.
-
ISLA: I thought eight was a lucky number, but I can’t seem to do the 8th ordinance...
MY LIFE WAS ALMOST RUINED WHEN I LOST FAITH.
Have you thought of other reasons why we met?
GRAY: Hmm. It seems like you are my twin flame.
ISLA: What do you mean by that?
GRAY: I can’t explain, but you seem to have discovered things from my past. You changed a lot about me. And we have this spiritual connection.
ISLA: Is Faith the only reason you're very determined to get our revenge?
GRAY: She's just one of the reasons.
ISLA: Why do you say that just now?
GRAY: Am I required to say everything to you?
She's precious to you, right?
So, stop asking questions and just follow!
ISLA: My Faith is precious, and so am I.
GRAY: But your bills don't care how precious you are.
ISLA: Just to remind you, it's not for the money I'm after. Besides, I’m the one literally doing the plans. I’m the one literally making ways to get his millions for us, not you.
GRAY: Wow! So, am I indebted to you? Of course, it must be you! Aren’t you thinking? Besides, it’s for Faith, not for us!
ISLA: We may have thought we’re winning, but I feel like our souls are losing...
.
.
.
Aren’t you afraid?
GRAY: I’m not. I don’t even have a soul. I'm just existing in this body. I don’t even know who I am.
.
.
.
Sounds familiar?
ISLA: I sometimes wonder how I became this bad
GRAY: If you are bad, what more am I?
.
.
.
But I think we are not bad; we’re just put in this situation.
---
GRAY: This time, you must convince Steven to promote you as the general manager so you can control those below your position.
ISLA: Wait, I think I should know the birth dates of important employees. Starting from the general manager up to administrative professionals.
GRAY: Why?
ISLA: To know their strengths and weaknesses.
GRAY: That makes sense! Hmm. Jazon is an Aries. They say that Aries people are strong, hotheaded, and full of energy and desire. They can’t wait to take over the world. They are born leaders and have a strong “me-first attitude” attached. Aries is a cardinal fire. People born under cardinal signs are said to be ambitious. Hmm. What if...?
ISLA: Oh! Are we thinking the same?
GRAY: Okay. You first!
ISLA: What if I convince Jazon...?
GRAY: Yeah! That’s what I’m thinking! Make him desire the position of Steven. Continue making them secretly hate each other. And... Steven must be sick, so Jazon will take over in the meantime.
ISLA: That will be hard. He takes care of his body.
---
ISLA: Do you know the movie Cast Away?
GRAY: What is it?
ISLA: It’s a movie about a man who got stranded on an uninhabited island after his plane crashed.
GRAY: Oh.
ISLA: What if I negotiate with Jazon?
GRAY: How?
ISLA: Like, I can make him think of comparing himself to Steven, so he will feel intimidated.
GRAY: Yeah! Continue!
ISLA: With that, hmm... He can make ways to let the company go bankrupt while Steven and I are on vacation. I’ll make him desire to have his very own company where he will have the highest position. I’ll tell him that I’ll ask Steven for an out-of-the country vacation for a few months so he can execute the plans for letting the company down.
GRAY: Gotcha! But you must let him know that you’re already in a relationship with Steven, but you’re keeping it private.
ISLA: Yeah. I’ll ask him to keep it to himself, though he will surely be disappointed in me. But I can still seduce him, so he won’t let me go.
GRAY: Then tell him that it’s actually an advantage to him that Steven is your boyfriend, and you want to let him down.
ISLA: What reasoning can I tell him if he asks why I want to destroy Steven?
GRAY: Tell him you’re taking revenge because Steven has another woman.
ISLA: Hmm. That’s a good one.
GRAY: And you can tell that you’re not breaking up with Steven yet since you still need his money for your grandma.
ISLA: You’re wise, ha.
GRAY: Wait, if Steven got to know that the company is at great risk. He will surely go back here to Spain to take in charge.
ISLA: That’s why I told you about the movie Cast Away. I have thought of something weird. Like, we must be stranded on an island so that...
GRAY: Oh, sht.
ISLA: If that happens, he won’t have any means to have any updates about the company. We just need food and water there so we can survive for a couple of months...
GRAY: I have thought of another idea so Jazon can make the plans as soon as possible. We must look for job openings that offer higher salaries and better benefits, and ask your closest friend there to let your coworkers be aware of that. So, they would surely pass their resignation letters. And when that happens, Jazon would have valid reasons why he needed to hire new employees.
ISLA: You’re wise, ha?! Sounds familiar?
GRAY: But I feel like if you grow older, you’ll probably be wiser than me. Wait, how about Steven’s parents? They will probably know if the company is at risk and Steven is out of the country.
ISLA: I’ll ask Steven to make our vacation exclusive. So, his parents won’t contact him. Besides, his parents are already seniors. They are not using their phones that much.
---
GRAY: This will be the plan. You can have a vacation just here in Spain, so I can find ways to know your condition. First, tell Steven that you want a vacation on an island that must be uninhabitable. You must rent a private jet. We will look for a pilot who will help us execute the plans. You must have a lot of food and water in your jet that will make you survive for a couple of months.
ISLA: What if I ask Steven first about the maximum period that we can have a vacation? So, the foods that we will be eating during that period will not come from our stocks. Then, in the last week, that’s when we’ll ride the jet going to the island, and it will crash there.
GRAY: Gotcha!
ISLA: Wait, we don’t necessarily have to be in that jet. I can make Steven so drunk that he will fall asleep. And that’s when I’ll inject a substance that will put him into deep sleep for longer hours. So, the pilot will have enough time to crash the jet, and he will then escape using a jet ski that must first be on that island.
GRAY: Yeah! And when everything is fine, just act unconscious somewhere else, near Steven. Let him be the first one to have consciousness. When he wakes you up, act like you’re in pain and wonder why you’re lying. Don’t be the first one to look for the pilot, so he won’t find him suspicious. There must be a lot of blood scattered on the cockpit, so he would have the impression that the pilot is dead and maybe carried away by the sea. In that case, the jet must land near the sea.
ISLA: Our phones must be destroyed.
GRAY: Yeah. There must be no means to communicate. I’ll make sure you’re safe. I’ll visit using a jet.
ISLA: He will surely hear it coming.
GRAY: Hmm.
ISLA: Or I can keep two other phones and hide them on the sand or a tree. My original phone must be destroyed so he won’t find me suspicious. I’ll keep the two phones off, and when Steven is asleep, I’ll just update you on our condition.
GRAY: Yeah! That makes sense. Hmm. You both must have a few wounds, so it will be more realistic.
ISLA: Mhmm. Just leave that to me. We just need to have a first-aid kit there and other essentials.
GRAY: We came this far, Isla.
ISLA: I know.
GRAY: It’s so funny how I thought of so many strategies to finally let him down without realizing that I’m already pronouncing the passcode for his total downfall... He will be stranded again on another isla.
ISLA: That sounds meaningful.
GRAY: Yeah. That’s really what I meant... And hey! Pack some condoms.
ISLA: Do you think he will still be in the mood when we’re in the middle of nowhere?
GRAY: For as long as men are alive, we won’t stop wanting sex.
---
And again, it’s weekend...
I brought my lingerie for tonight’s sex with Steven.
I slowly removed his t-shirt,
Then his shorts.
I slowly kissed him...
... from top.
.. to bottom.
Then I slowly removed his underwear...
... while kissing his d*ck.
And then I sucked it...
... for a minute...
.. until here comes the magic...
“Ugggggghhhhh.” Steven moans.
“Hmmmmmmmmm.” I responded.
“F*ck me...”
“Ughhhh... ughhhh... ughhh...”
“Don’t stop... don’t stop...”
“I love you...”
“I love you, too.”
“How much do you love me?” I asked.
“I love you a lot... You’re the most important person in my life.”
“Will you love me forever?”
“I will.”
“Won’t you leave me?”
“I won’t.”
“Ughhhh... ughh.. Ughhhhhhh...”
“You are mine...” I said.
“You are mine, too.��
“Your d*ck is mine.”
“Your p*ssy is mine, too.”
“Uggghhhhhh.”
“F*ck meee...”
“F*ck....
Uggghhhhhhhh.”
“Will we do this forever?”
“We will.”
“Won’t you get tired f*cking me?”
“I won't...”
“Ugggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh....”
“Right there... right there...”
“Hmmmmmmmmm.”
“When can we have a baby?”
“Soon...”
“Ughhhh...”
“I want us to have a long vacation... and we will make so much love in there...”
“Yeahhhh... Everything you want...”
“Ughhhhhhhhhh...”
“You’re the best man I ever had...”
“You’re the best, too.”
“Ughh...”
“Can we have a vacation for a year?”
“Hmm... Let me check my schedule.”
“Ughhhhh... Do you think it’s possible?... Ughhhh...”
“Hmmmmmmm.... Can six months do?” He asked.
“Yeahhh... I love you, baby...”
“I love you, too...”
“Ughhhhhhhhhhhhh.....”
---
“Hey! Steven agreed to six months!”
“Nice! It’s time to intimidate Jazon.”
“Right!”
-
Then, I texted Jazon...
“Love, I miss you.”
“I miss you, too. Don’t leave me.”
“But you know I need Steven.”
“I can support you.”
“I really miss you.”
“I’ll go to your apartment.”
“I’ll wait for you.”
~
And here he is...
“Why do you look happy?” Jazon asked.
“Well, the company’s sales are increasing again. Steven is just so good at handling the pressure.” I answered.
“We all helped resolve the issue.”
“Yeah. But you know? The strategy of Steven is just so great!
No wonder Venzon Corporación is still the best coffee shop in Madrid.”
“I’m actually the one who made his public statement to address the issue.”
“Oh! He didn’t tell me. I thought it’s him who wrote that.”
“I did that.”
“Hmm. Good! He should have told me. Tsk! Tsk! I really don’t get Steven sometimes.”
“Why?” Jazon asked.
“Like, he’s sometimes full of himself,” I answered.
“Yeah. I know that.”
“He always wants to be on top.”
“Yeah! I also hate that side of Steven.”
“But we can’t do anything. He’s great at running the business, tho.
I hope he allows me to be the general manager. I don’t want to settle for less anymore. I think I’m deserving of that position since I’m really working hard.”
“I also notice that.”
“Then, when my savings are enough, I’ll establish my very own bakery shop.”
“Wow! I also want to.”
“Well, you have Venzon Corporación.”
“A few years ago, I also desired to have my own.”
“Like a coffee shop somewhere else, and you’ll be the chairman and CEO?”
“Yeah!”
“Well, you have the power to do that. You’re also really wise.”
A few hours later ~
I make it obvious that I’m staring at a photo on my phone.
“Who’s that girl?”
“Hayyy. The side chick of Steven! That’s why I hate him!”
“Oh. Break up with him! I’m here!”
“But I can’t do that! I need his money for Grandma! And I’ll make him pay for cheating on me!”
“How?”
“I don’t know. But I really hate him! Hmm. I think you can do better than him.”
“With?”
“With running the company. He only had that privilege in life, that’s why he’s the Chairman and CEO.”
“Yeah. That’s why I’m planning to have my own in the future.”
“Why have another business when you can actually own it?”
“How?”
“If there’s a desire, there’s a way.”
“Can you help me?”
“Yeah. I wanna let him down. Hmm.
Actually, we’ll be having six-month vacation starting next month”
“Really? Where?”
“I’m still thinking about it. Hmm.
You can use that time to take charge of the company.”
“Yeah, I will. But that will just be for six months.”
“So, you want to be the chairman and CEO for life?”
“Of course!”
“But you know? That will be an insult to you.” I said.
“Why?”
“Do you think it’s better to have your own?
And make it the most well-known coffee shop in Madrid.”
“How?”
“Easy! Destroy the VenZon Corporación while we’re on vacation.”
“But six months won’t be enough to do that.”
“Well, I can find ways to prolong that.”
“How?”
“You don’t have to ask. You just have to trust.”
---
“Have you made your plans?” I asked.
“Yeah!” Jazon answered.
“Here’s my recommended technique.” I said.
“What?”
“Listen. Look for job openings that offer higher salaries and better benefits, and ask my closest friend there, who hates Steven, to let our coworkers be aware of that. So, they would surely pass their resignation letters. And when that happens, you have valid reasons why you need to hire new employees. And it’s up to you who you hire. Will you hire the most qualified ones?”
“Of course, no. Why did your friend hates Steven?”
“It’s a personal reason. So, I’ll just leave you to do the other techniques?”
“Yeah! Thanks for that tip.”
“My pleasure, Mister Aries.”
---
“Hey! I told Jazon everything. And as expected, he conspired with me!” ~
#IslaTheManipulator
#JazonTheAmbitious
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CHAPTER 13
“ENTER THE COMPANY”
[JANUARY 2015]
“Yes, you must be his favorite employee...
Once you get accepted, you will leave my home.
I’ll find you a solo apartment in Madrid.
Steven is aware that I’m living here in Barcelona.
He should never have any idea that we know each other.
You must live in Madrid, so he won’t find you suspicious when you start approaching him.”
“I know, right.”
“These coming weeks, I’ll teach you to drive. We’ll buy your own car tomorrow.”
“Really? Yey!”
“Well, it’s part of the plan... And hey, prepare yourself today, we’ll buy your office attire, and all the other things you’ll need. You must look more formal. I also bought you a perfume.”
“I don’t wear perfume, actually.”
“I also noticed that, but you must...
Then, I’ll give you tips to pass the interviews.”
---
[MARCH 2015]
Welcome, self, to VenZon Corporación!
Isla, the financial analyst.
The coworkers are just fine.
It’s good to meet people with different personalities.
Introverts, extroverts, and ambiverts.
There are also weirdos, serious, comedians, etc.
Here I met a very friendly and sweet girl, Jasmine, who became a friend of mine.
We’re the ones who eat lunch together.
We became closer as time passed.
-
Then, here’s a project of the company that’s about maximizing profitability. Our group is composed of six members: me, Charlotte, Emma, Zoe, Toby, and Rey.
We started thinking about it...
Everyone contributed their ideas, especially Emma, Zoe, Rey, and me.
Then, here’s a sudden request by Steven and Jazon to present the output to them, though it’s still ongoing.
I thought it would be among the four of us who contributed most that would present, but guess what?
This bratty Charlotte insisted on presenting it to Steven and Jazon when we had the meeting, making the impression that most ideas came from her. LOL.
Another toxic trait I discovered about them was that when I put a wrong question in the file wherein, we have individual tasks of the same aspect, two other coworkers expressed their concern to me by telling me that they heard conversations about it, saying that it's wrong.
To me, what is the point of saying it out loud when I'm not around and my other coworkers who were not part of the project are hearing it?
Why not just send me a private message so I can correct it myself?
Besides, it’s just one mistake out of five questions I constructed there.
But the funny thing is, when I opened the file, all the other questions they put in their respective tabs were like the questions I put in there.
It's just that each of them just revised the sentence.
????? O_o ?????
So, I was like, “Ha?” XD
Is this a normal attitude in the corporate world?
For the desire of proving to others that they are wiser than me (if that’s their belief in being wise, LOL), they failed at considering this so-called “empathy”.
What kind of world do we live in?
We failed again as humans XD
--
ISLA: So, yeah. That’s what happened. Steven and Jazon are not noticing me that much.
GRAY: Well, you must find ways for them to notice you more, especially Steven. You have no choice but to outpower them.
ISLA: I’m making ways.
GRAY: We came this far, Isla. Do better.
---
One day, we have this examination, which is an important part of promotion.
Jasmine was just beside me. The questions are being reflected on our laptops all at the same time. I heard Jasmine whisper answers to some questions, making me think that those were her answers, so I just copied them since she’s more experienced than me.
After the exam, the results just reflected on our screen with our original answers and the correct ones...
I got 8/15
Jasmine got 12/15
“I thought C was your answer to question number 4?” I asked.
“I also thought of that, but I had a change of mind.” Jasmine answered.
Then, I sneaked a look to her answers in the questions in which she whispered answers.
And guess what?
She got the correct answers to those certain questions, while I got the wrong ones.
Instead of questioning her again,
I just ignored it even if I was obviously misled by her!
Maybe her head got hit by a rock that made her a psychotic bch?
Or maybe she had a seizure before?
Hmmm.
Well, it doesn’t matter.
But one thing is for sure, she’s a toxic manipulative bch!
---
One day, Jasmine invited me to her 28th birthday celebration.
I didn’t want to come, but she insisted, so I came.
I just said to myself that after this, I would make a move to distance myself from her.
-
So, here we are at their home, and I met her dad, Victor.
A lot of her friends came to her birthday party, as well as his dad’s neighbor friends.
Then, I roamed outside their house to see their plants.
They have plenty of it.
And then I heard their two neighbors gossiping at the back of their house...
NEIGHBOR 1: I heard Jasmine’s mom finally has a new husband.
NEIGHBOR 2: Yeah, good for her.
NEIGHBOR 1: Why do you think they broke up?
NEIGHBOR 2: We don’t know the real reason why. But we know Victor has an attitude. He’s full of himself. A narcissist. Like... He can’t accept being outshined by others, he always competes, and he always wants to be the favorite.
NEIGHBOR 1: No wonder Jasmine is with him when she’s supposed to be with her mother.
NEIGHBOR 2: We’re not sure, but that may be a reason. Do you think he’s just gay?
NEIGHBOR 1: I don’t think so.
The saying, “Fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree,” is damn so real.
That dark side of Jasmine has finally made sense to me. >_<
Like f*ck?
What a toxic gene? XD
You can run, but you can’t hide, Jasmine XD
Then I finally made the move to distance myself from her by joining other close coworkers I am working with. And guess what?
Since I’m the one who looked for new friends, some coworkers expressed that they are on the side of Jasmine by limiting their interaction with me, without knowing what truly happened in the past.
Besides, she’s more approachable and friendly compared to me.
So, yeah! I’m the villain of the story in the eyes of people who don’t know the full story!
What kind of world do we live in?!
Full of f*ckng playing the victim!
Jasmine, the $htty psycho bch, you know what you did –,^
You will continuously deny it to others,
but you can never deny it to yourself –,^
---
[AUGUST 2015]
And then here’s an individual project given by Steven to propose ideas that will boost sales, which we will individually execute.
I came up with the idea of establishing a stronger digital presence.
Other coworkers came up with ideas such as making new cups’ designs,
reusable cups for a 5% discount, gifting more rewards, etc.
This will be observed in the coming months to see which idea will yield the most profit.
-
“Happy 33rd Birthday, Gray!”
Chess – work – chess – work.
That’s been my life for a couple of months.
“Merry Christmas!”
“Happy New Year!”
-
“What happened? ”
“Well, based on the survey, the best idea generated a 10% increase in profit.”
“How much increase has your idea generated?”
“Ten!”
So, what’s the 6th ordinance, Master Libra?
#TheFifthOrdinance
#JasmineTheSilentKillerTheGaslighter
#FruitDoesn’tFallFarFromTheTree
#YouKnowWhatYouDid
#TheFeelingWiseCoworkers
#IslaTheFavoriteEmployee
CHAPTER 14
“MAKE THEM SECRETLY HATE EACH OTHER”
[FEBRUARY 2016]
“First, make the two of them fall for you.”
>>> Executed! <<<
ISLA: They are both showing motives.
But, you know, Steven has too much pride.
GRAY: Just act like you don't feel it. Make it a bit obvious to Steven that you and Jazon are dating secretly. With that, he will find more ways to be closer to you. Remember, he’s a Scorpio. Scorpios are known as jealous, possessive, and overly emotional in love.
ISLA: How?
GRAY: Jazon likes giving purple dresses to his ex-girlfriends.
ISLA: He gave me three just this Valentine’s Day.
GRAY: Wear it in your office.
ISLA: Okay, I will.
GRAY: Have movie dates with Jazon.
ISLA: Then?
GRAY: Just continue doing it. Make them secretly hate each other.
ISLA: Alright.
~ dates, dates, dates ~
---
“Nice dress!” Steven said.
“Thanks, Sir!”
-
ISLA: Steven gave me an individual project. He told me to keep it to myself.
GRAY: Oh! That’s just his technique, so you can have an exclusive meeting.
ISLA: Yeah. That’s what I also feel. He often looks at my purple dresses. He’s approaching me more than the other coworkers.
GRAY: Just do your best on that project. I’ll help you.
~ work, date, work, date, work, date ~
STEVEN: Isla, come to this address on Sunday. Present to me your project.
ISLA: Esperanza Librería? Is it yours?
STEVEN: Yeah.
ISLA: Oh, nice.
-
And then it’s Sunday...
I simply presented my project to him, and he praised me for it.
After this, we had our lunch just in his library.
“What do you usually do on weekends?” Steven asked.
“Hmm. Just hanging out sometimes and watching movies.” I answered.
“With?”
“Hmm. Friends!”
“Oh. What kind of movies do you watch?”
“Love stories. How about you?”
“Sci-Fi movies.”
“Oh. You really are a serious type.” I said.
“Not really.”
“Wews!”
“Why do you say so?” Steven asked.
“Hmm. I just feel.” I replied.
“That’s how most people see me.”
“Because that’s how you usually appear. Well, of course you have sides that you can only show to certain people.” I said.
“Right!” Steven replied.
“Well, you can show me that side.”
Steven laughed. ~
“Are you free this coming weekend?” He asked.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“Where do you want?”
“Anywhere you want.”
“Really?”
“Yeah!”
“Aren’t you dating anyone?” He asked.
“I’m not.”
“See you this weekend. Come to this address.”
“Is it your home?”
“It’s not.”
-
ISLA: I'm getting Steven slowly. How can I finally make him mine?
GRAY: I know one of his weaknesses.
ISLA: What?
GRAY: Every man's weakness.
ISLA: Sex?
GRAY: Is there anything else?
ISLA: Fine.
.
.
.
GRAY: Are you sure about this? Aren't you afraid?
ISLA: I have nothing to be afraid of. MY FAITH IS DEAD, AND SO AM I.
GRAY: Why do you say so?
ISLA: I felt tired living this way, in so much pain.
My old self was gone.
I'm just existing in this body.
I don’t even know who I am.
They say...
Pisces people are forgiving. But I guess... I am an exception.
---
ISLA: I’m tired.
GRAY: You can’t be tired until we make it.
ISLA: Are you a blessing from Above? Or a curse in disguise?
GRAY: It’s up to you how you’ll see me. To me, you are my ally in this mission.
ISLA: Why would I be good if the world was bad?
GRAY: You're not bad, Isla. You're just put in this situation. I'm the one who's bad.
ISLA: No, you're not, and I feel it. There were just people not worthy of your kindness, but you know? They are not the only people in this world.
GRAY: You're also not bad, and I feel it. There were just people not worthy of your kindness, but you know? They are not the only people in this world.
.
.
.
I'm older than you, but I keep learning from you.
ISLA: Me, too...
GRAY: Do you sometimes wonder why some righteous people live shorter lives than the bad ones?
ISLA: Yeah, of course.
GRAY: Do you think it’s unfair?
ISLA: Yap. But this life is mysterious. Everything really happens for a reason. The righteous may live shorter, maybe because they are finally worthy of seeing the light. While the others may live longer since they are not yet worthy of it.
GRAY: But that’s not always the case.
ISLA: I know. I’m just giving you a different perception. What’s one lesson from me that you’ll never forget?
GRAY: It’s to set aside principles when it’s a matter of life and death. Is it inspired by your life’s experiences?
ISLA: I once lost someone when I chose religion over money.
GRAY: Can you tell me exactly?
ISLA: Well, that’s a happening in my life that I don’t want to remember anymore. That’s one reason why I want to become rich. That’s when I realized that there really is a deeper reason why the brain was placed higher than the heart... I am not like this before. But pain really changes people.
ISLA: What if let's just forgive them?
GRAY: How about justice for Faith?
ISLA: I don't know. Auntie Mercedes seems fine now anyway.
GRAY: She is. But we are not. This is the only way to get justice, and I will work like a slave until the grudge fades away. I'm the one who's supposed to be in a coma, not Faith.
.
.
.
ISLA: When can we visit Faith again?
GRAY: Let’s try tomorrow.
---
ISLA: That head trauma is a $ht.
.
.
.
Do you sometimes feel tired?
GRAY: Of course.
.
.
.
Can I really trust you?
ISLA: Of course.
GRAY: Of course, what?
ISLA: Of course, yes. You can trust me.
GRAY: Won't you betray me?
ISLA: Why would I?
GRAY: It seems like you don't want to continue it.
ISLA: I want to.
GRAY: Then why did you tell me to just forgive them?
ISLA: I just wandered... Never mind.
~~~
[SEPTEMBER 2016]
“Ready to play?”
“Of course.”
.
.
.
.
.
“Triple kill!... I mean...”
.
.
.
.
.
“Check!”
.
.
.
.
“Congrats, Miss Pisces, the Chess Master.”
.
.
.
.
.
So, what’s the 7th ordinance, Master Libra?
#TheSixthOrdinance
#IslaTheTwoTimer
CHAPTER 15
“BE HIS GIRLFRIEND”
“To someone like Steven, sex is not enough. He has a standard...
The first four ordinances are the ultimate keys for you to finally be his girlfriend.
Steven is actually a chess master;
He’s a gambler;
His two ex-girlfriends are both ballroom dancers;
and he’s a professional skydiver.”
ISLA: It’s finally making sense now.
GRAY: That’s why you just have to follow me...
In the office, let him notice that you are watching online chess tournaments. With that, he will invite you to play. And no matter what happens, the Pisces should win the game...
He has so much pride in it, so he will surely invite you again... and again... just to win...
Just expect that among these four, this will be the hardest.
That’s why I made you focus on mastering the game.
.
.
He’s also good at gambling, though not as good as me. They go to casinos occasionally. So, if he knows that you also gamble, he’ll be more interested in you.
.
.
At every year-end party, everyone performs.
Find a coworker who can perform tango with you. Wear red.
.
.
And last, Steven is a professional skydiver. For now, upload this video to your social media.
ISLA: What’s that?
GRAY: A compilation of all your skydiving videos. Upload it so that it starts getting a lot of views. And he will soon see that when he gets interested in knowing you more. When it happens that you get closer, he will surely invite you for a tandem skydiving. And don’t forget to upload photos at Casino Millionario!
ISLA: So, what should I do first?
GRAY: Are you willing to take a risk?
ISLA: Yeah...
GRAY: Then, do the first ordinance.
---
And here I am watching online chess tournaments every day during lunch breaks.
I’m wearing earphones so that I look busier.
In just a few days of doing it, I got the attention of Steven.
And I know he notices me watching chess tournaments.
Other days passed, and he finally approached me about it.
“Do you play chess?” Steven asked.
“Yeah”
---
GRAY: Have you found a coworker whom you’ll perform tango with?
ISLA: Yeah! We’re practicing already. It’s just a few days left before the year-end party. It will be on 17th, Saturday.
GRAY: I hope you get the best performer award so Steven will admire you more.
ISLA: We’ll try our best.
And hey! While watching chess tournaments earlier, Steven asked me if I’m playing chess. So, yeah. He’s getting curious about it now.
GRAY: Good!
----
Then here’s the day of the year-end party...
I put a lot of makeup on, and I am wearing my red tango dress.
And then we’re about to perform.
I feel a little bit nervous. But I must do my best for it.
I’m trying my best not to look into the eyes of people, so I won’t get distracted.
And then we’re done!
People are clapping, as well as Steven.
I have a good feeling about it.
.
.
.
.
.
“And the best performance award goes to...
Isla and Bryan!”
YAY!!!
“Congratulations!”
“Congrats, Isla!”
“Congrats, Bryan!”
People greet us.
Then I suddenly texted Gray...
“Hey! We got the best performance award!”
“Wooooooooooooooooo!”
---
A day after the party, Gray asked me to go to his home.
So, I suddenly took a bath and prepared myself to travel.
When I’m about to enter my car, I receive a message from Steven.
“Hey. Can we meet today?”
“Why?”
“I want us to play chess.”
“Where are we going to meet?”
“Here at my office.”
“Okay, I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
So, I messaged Gray...
“Hey! Steven is inviting me to play chess in his office today!”
“Oh. Meet him. Let’s just meet after. Good luck, Miss Pisces!”
“I got this!”
“Yeah! No matter what happens, the Pisces should win the game. Always remember that Isla.”
“I know...”
---
This is one of the most-awaited parts of vengeance.
I know this will be one of the hardest.
But yeah, at least I did my best to master the game.
Tok.. Tok.. Tok..
Then Steven opened the door.
“Ready to play?” Steven asked.
“Of course!” I answered.
Instead of flipping a coin to know who would have the white pieces, Steven told me that I could have them. So, I accepted it.
And yeah... I am doing my best to relax so I can focus.
“No matter what happens, the Pisces should win the game.”
.
.
.
I got a lot of deep sighs...
Steven looks so relaxed.
He’s using a lot of strategies...
And he turns quicker than me.
Nevertheless, I’m trying my best not to feel too pressured
so I can make wiser moves...
.
.
.
With the kind of strategies he’s using against me... I really can’t deny that...
.
.
.
.
.
He’s really great in this game...
.
.
.
.
And then here we are at a point where he seems to have more possibility of winning the game, but...
Yeah... “No matter what happens, the Pisces should win the game.”
I feel like I still have hope.
So, I continued using strategies.
I should not give up.
“We came this far, Isla.” I told myself...
.
.
.
.
.
After almost two hours of the game...
Steven asked for a draw.
Yeah! I was able to make it a draw.
[a phone call]
Trrt trrt.. Trrt trrt... trrt trrt... trrt trrt.
“Where are you?”
“In the office.”
“Can you go here?”
“Why?”
“You’re not visiting me... Christmas is approaching. Come here.”
“Okay, I will.”
-
“Your mom?” I asked.
“Yeah.” Steven answered.
“Let’s play the other time. Your mom is asking you to visit her.”
“Okay, let’s play tomorrow after work.”
---
And then we separate ways. I made sure that he wouldn’t see me going somewhere else.
I went to the nearest mall to park my car for a couple of minutes. And then I texted Gray...
“Hey! We ended up with a draw.”
“Oh. Who asked for it?” Gray asked.
“Steven!”
“Nice. It’s still good! Come here!”
“Coming!”
And then here I am at Gray’s home.
ISLA: Wow! Did you cook all this?
GRAY: Yeah!
ISLA: Yum!
GRAY Tell me about your game. Was it intense?
ISLA: Really intense! I almost gave up.
GRAY But it’s a tie.
ISLA: Yeah. In the first hour of the game, he seemed to be closer to winning, but I managed to outwit him.
GRAY: You’re doing really good.
~
ISLA: It’s tasty! You really have a talent for cooking ha.
GRAY: Thanks!
---
And then it’s Monday...
After working hours, I went to Steven’s office.
“Let’s start.” Steven said
.
.
.
.
.
And here we are again.
The energy is still almost the same, but Steven looks more focused this time.
.
.
.
.
.
But if I was able to make it a draw in our first game, what more this time?
.
.
.
Besides, I have known a lot of his strategies.
.
.
.
Yeah.
.
.
.
“No matter what happens, the Pisces should win the game.”
.
.
.
I must admit. It’s hard to totally outwit him.
.
.
.
.
.
After almost two hours...
.
.
.
.
.
“Check!”
.
.
.
.
.
I really can’t believe this.
.
.
.
.
.
F*ck!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I won.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
“Congrats!” Steven said.
.
.
.
“Thanks!” I replied.
“Let’s play again on Saturday morning, at my home. I’ll message you the address.
Will it be fine for you?” Steven asked.
“Oh... Yeah.” I answered.
“Bye for now?”
“Yeah! Bye.”
-
Then I went to the comfort room just to text Gray...
“Hey!!!”
“What?!”
“I won!!!”
“F*CK!!! Let’s celebrate!”
“He’s inviting me to another game on Saturday morning. And guess what?”
“WHAT?”
“We’ll be playing at his home. He will message me the address!”
“Can we meet now?”
“Where? I’m a little bit exhausted. It’s intense, you know?!”
“I’ll go to your apartment! I’ll just book a car.”
“Okay. See you!”
---
And here is Gray...
“The best Pisces in the world!”
“I know, right!”
“Barbeques for you!”
“Thanks!”
“So, tell me about your game.”
“As usual, it was intense. Steven looked more focused this time. But yeah, I won!”
“Yown!”
“It was tiring, you know?”
“I know that’s why I bought you barbeques”
“Sweet!”
“So, tomorrow after work. Continue learning, okay?”
“Yeah, I will!”
“You’re finally getting his admiration, Isla.”
“I also feel that”
“You have to be stronger this time. You always have me.”
---
And then it’s Saturday...
I feel a bit nervous while driving to Steven’s mansion...
But I came this far...
And here I am...
Before leaving my car, I ate a lot of nuts.
“Have a seat.” Steven said.
We had our breakfast first, though I already ate at my apartment.
And we went to a room that seemed to be designed for playing chess and card games.
.
.
.
And...
.
.
.
Let the battle begin!
.
.
.
As usual, it was intense... I know Steven prepared a lot...
But I also prepared tho
.
.
.
.
.
“We came this far, Isla. We came this far...” I told myself.
.
.
.
.
.
His moves this time are a bit unexpected.
It’s like I’m battling with a different person.
Maybe he figured out my moves and strategies...
So that he could outwit me.
.
.
.
F*ck
.
.
.
It’s hard.
.
.
.
I feel like I could lose anytime...
.
.
.
“Will he still be interested in me if I lose this time?” I asked myself.
.
.
.
“Focus, Isla. Focus...”
.
.
.
And...
.
.
.
F*ck...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The Pisces lost this time.
.
.
.
.
.
“Congrats...” I told him.
“Thanks... It was intense ha... You seem to know a lot, Isla... So, I’ll just tell you when we can have another game.”
“Okay!”
“Thanks for today. Please get that wine. I bought that for you.”
“Oh. Thanks!”
-
When I got home, I scrolled to my social media and received a follow request from Steven. I followed him back so I could also see his posts.
“Hey! Do you gamble?” He asked.
“Sometimes! Just for fun!”
“You also do skydiving?!”
“Yeah! Why?”
“I gamble a lot, and I’m actually a professional skydiver.”
“Oh. Nice! You do a lot!”
“You, too! It’s so nice to know more about you. You’re amazing tho!”
“Thanks! You, too!”
“Can we have a tandem skydiving this coming 24?”
“Yeah!”
-
I texted Gray...
“Hey! Steven followed me, and he saw my casino photos and skydiving video.”
“Nice! Hey... You’re not answering me about your game!”
“Well, I lost this time. I’m sorry! But he’s inviting me for a skydiving trip this coming 24!”
“Yes! This is it! We came this far, Isla.”
---
“Let’s have some fun today!” Steven said.
“What are we going to do?” I asked.
“Wanna go to Casino Billionario?”
“Oh. Let’s go!”
Then, we gamble a lot...
“That was fun! See you tomorrow?”
“Yeah!”
-
And here’s the day of our skydiving.
I did this a lot, but I still feel nervous.
Is it because I’m with a demon? LOL.
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Yeah! XD
That’s the shout when there’s a demon skydiver at your back XD
After this, we had our lunch at a fine dining resto.
---
“Merry Christmas!”
“Can we celebrate the new year together? Steven asked.
“Yes, of course!”
-
“Happy New Year!”
Then...
We eat... eat... and eat.
And we had a lot of drinks.
Steven then asked me...
“Can you be my girlfriend?”
“Oh. Yeah!”
This is it...
Then, here I am now, not just his employee, but a girlfriend.
Since Steven is a very private person, he asked me to keep our relationship private.
Yeah. That’s another mission accomplished!
---
“So, what’s the 8th ordinance, Master Libra?”
---
“Will you marry me?” Steven asked.
“Yes!” I answered.
#TheSeventhOrdinance
#IslaTheGirlfriend
#IslaThe Fiancée?
0 notes
Text
CHAPTER 10
“LEARN GAMBLING”
“I can teach you myself since I gamble a lot.
You don’t have to be great at gambling, you just have to learn.
Okay... Let’s start with Slot Games because they are easy to understand,
and unlike any other games, you will spend less time playing it.
In this game you must create a line of matching symbols to win.
Let’s go?”
“Let’s go!”
And then here we are at Casino Millionario.
ISLA: I remember grandma, she still gambles and is almost always with her friends, like she prioritizes them over us, her family.
GRAY: Just let her enjoy life.
ISLA: I mean, even when she’s younger, mom said that grandma really has that side, a not-so-family-oriented. But when she needs help with her maintenance, it’s us, her family, she’s always asking for help, not her friends. But yeah, she’s still her mom. So, she couldn’t do anything but still love and support her.
GRAY: Yap. Family is family, no matter what.
ISLA: But I hope Grandma will realize it.
-
GRAY: Let’s start. The major types of slot games that I’ll teach you are Classic slots, Video slots, Progressive slots, and 3D slots.
ISLA: Mhmm!
GRAY: Classic slots are single-line slot machine games. Here, you must pull the lever of the machine to make a spin, and you will hit the jackpot if you land on three similar symbols.
ISLA: Let me try... I hit it!
GRAY: Good! Then Video slots are advancements of classical slots. This game involves higher jackpot offers and has a larger engagement owing to its top-tier graphics. Compared to classical slots, it has more pay lines which increase the odds of winning.
ISLA: Let me try... Gotcha!
GRAY: You seem to have luck in gambling.
ISLA: Well, I told you grandma gambles a lot.
GRAY: Good... In progressive slots, you need to play with the maximum wager. When you make a maximum wager, a part of the amount of the bet placed is added to the jackpot prize. And this jackpot prize progresses with every bet placed until you win it.
ISLA: Alright... Hmmm... Yeah!
GRAY: Go, Isla!
Good... Then here’s the 3D slots. This involves three-dimensional elements within the game with improved graphics and colorful animation effects. The goal is to make the on-screen action appear realistically. The characters and objects seem like you can touch them.
Go...
ISLA: Basic!
GRAY: Let’s continue tomorrow. It’s Sunday anyway.
ISLA: Yeah!
---
And then we went home...
ISLA: Why do you often have dark chocolates?
GRAY: To activate my happy hormones.
Do you know how to cook?
ISLA: Yap. Do you want me to cook for you? We’re always eating ordered foods.
GRAY: Yeah. That’s your other task - to cook our dinner. I’ll prepare the ingredients.
---
GRAY: Hey, I just bought groceries.
ISLA: Yey!
GRAY: I want Arroz con bogavante later.
ISLA: Alright!
Gray went to his room, and I am now starting to cook.
The ingredients are prepared, but something is missing, black pepper,
So, I just bought it at the nearest mini-store.
Then the dish is now prepared.
ISLA: Gray, let’s eat!
GRAY: Coming!
ISLA: What’s your favorite Spanish dish?
GRAY: This!
ISLA: Oh.
GRAY: How about you?
ISLA: Vieiras en su concha, Cordero asado, Carrillada, and Rabo de Toro!
GRAY: That’s a lot
ISLA: Yeah.
A few minutes after eating, Gray had abdominal pain.
ISLA: That’s because you ate a lot
GRAY: Maybe. You cook so well.
ISLA: My pleasure.
Other minutes have passed, and Gray is still hurting.
GRAY: Did you wash the lobster well?
ISLA: Yeah!
GRAY: Have you added other ingredients?
ISLA: Hmm. I just added black pepper.
GRAY: Oh, no. I didn’t notice.
ISLA: Why?
GRAY: I’m allergic to black pepper
ISLA: Oh, I’m sorry!
GRAY: It’s fine.
ISLA: Let me make it up to you tomorrow. Which other foods or ingredients are you allergic to?
GRAY: Just black pepper. Tomorrow, let’s have Rabo de Toro, one of your favorites.
ISLA: Yey!
---
And then it’s Sunday.
After eating breakfast, we go straight to Casino Millionario.
“This time, I’ll be teaching you the Table Games. Some table games that involve cards are Baccarat, Blackjack, Teen Patti, Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, and Red Dog.
Let’s start with the Baccarat. It is a card game between the player and the banker. The objective is to bet on the winner between the two hands, which are the banker’s hand and the player’s hand.”
“Let me try...”
“Then here’s Blackjack. It is a casino game played using a deck of cards against the dealer. In this game, you will draw cards with a value close to 21 but not exceeding it.”
Go, Isla...”
-
“Let’s proceed to Teen Patti. It is an Indian-origin card game. The objective is to have the best three-card hand or to be the last player left in the round.
Go!”
“Yeah. I made it!”
“Then here’s the Three card poker. It is a card game played against a dealer. In here, each player competes with the dealer rather than rivals.”
.
“Four card poker is like Three card poker. This game allows players to place a bet three times their Ante or mandatory bet.”
.
“Last, Red Dog. It is a casino game that involves three to eight players. In here, players place bets on whether the rank of their third card would fall within the first two placed cards.”
“Gotcha!”
“And we’re done. Let’s continue tomorrow after your work.”
“I’m hungry”
“Me, too. Where do you want to eat?”
---
Again, it’s Monday.
After work, we ate dinner and went straight to Casino Millionario...
“This time, I’ll teach the Specialty Games, which I am sure will be easy for you. Specialty Games are just the Bingo, Keno, and Wheel of Fortune.”
Then we both just laughed.
“I knew you would be tired after work, so you’ll play the easy ones today.”
“You know how to be timing ha.” I replied.
“Aside from the fact that they are just easy to play. These games are solely based on luck, which you obviously have... Let’s go?”
“Let’s go!”
“First, Bingo. It is a casino game where numbers are called out randomly from mechanical or electronic number generators. The objective of the game is to cover a specific pattern of numbers before anyone else.”
“Let me play...”
“Go, Isla!”
“Bingo!”
“Yey!”
“Second, Keno. This is like a lottery. It is a game where you must choose numbers ranging from 1 to 10 from the given table of numbers ranging from 1 to 80. Then, the numbers are drawn by the casino, and the payout you’ll receive will be based on the correct match with your card.”
“Let me try”
“I got matches!”
“You really are so lucky!”
“Last, Wheel of Fortune. It is a casino game where contestants simply spin the wheel until they achieve three spins on the pay line. Alright, let’s wait for the others.”
“Here we go!”
“Go, Isla!”
-
“Yay! We’re done!”, I said.
“We’re not. You’ll repeat playing all the games in the coming few days after work.” Gray replied.
“Okay!”
-
Then, we went home.
Gray went to his bedroom, as usual.
Then, I started cooking.
*Ding-dong... ding-dong... ding-dong.
Gray then opened the door.
“Hey, mom!”
-
Wtf? He didn’t even tell me that his mom would come.
So, I suddenly turned off the gas stove.
And I hid in the cabinet in my room. I was in a rush, so I didn’t close the door.
So, I’m listening to their conversations.
-
“Oh, you’re cooking, ha!” Gray’s mom said.
“Ahhh. Hmm. Yeah!” Gray replied.
“Just wait in the living room, I’ll call you when it’s done.” Gray added.
-
Then Gray entered my room...
GRAY: Hey! I didn’t know mom was coming.
ISLA: Why did you tell her where you’re living?
GRAY: Of course, she’s my mom. Hello?
ISLA: How about now?
GRAY: I don’t know how to cook that... Let me just introduce you.
ISLA: You can see the instructions on the internet!
GRAY: That will take more time!
ISLA: You’re the owner of a resto bar, but you can’t cook?
GRAY: I can cook but... just the basics. Besides, I’m not the chef, I’m the owner. Get out of there!
ISLA: I don’t want to. Can you see how I look right now?
GRAY: Well, you can fix yourself in three minutes.
ISLA: But...
GRAY: Just do it! Don’t be shy! I’ll wait for you outside.
Then Gray suddenly went to his mom. I have no choice but to get ready.
GRAY: Mom, I’m living with someone since last month.
MOM: Ha? Who?
GRAY: My girlfriend.
MOM: Oh. You’re not telling me. Where is she?
GRAY: In her room, just fixing herself. She’s the one cooking.. ha-ha.. not me.
MOM: Oh.
Then they just laughed.
“Isla!” Gray said.
“Coming!” I replied.
-
MOM: How old are you?
ISLA: 25, mom
MOM: Where are you working?
ISLA: Hmm. At ZTN Corporación.
MOM: I’m familiar with that. Is that located here in Castellón?
ISLA: Yes, mom.
MOM: What’s your position there?
ISLA: Financial analyst.
MOM: That’s why you’re also living here, Gray?
GRAY: Ahm. Yeah.
MOM: So... Let’s continue cooking your Rabo de toro?
ISLA: Oh, right.
Then, we had lots of talks ~
“Fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree” is just so real XD
Her mom is also straightforward XD
Genes don’t really lie XD
And then we ate, and yeah, they liked my dish.
His mom praised me for that, and then she went home.
---
On the next few days, I just repeated playing the casino games until I have finally learned enough about it.
After this, we ate a lot of street foods, then Gray asked me...
“Wanna have some drinks?”
“Of course!”
And then we drink a lot until Gray gets drunk.
Then, I asked him...
“What’s the 3rd ordinance, Master Libra?”
#TheSecondOrdinance
#IslaTheGambler
#IslaTheChef
#IslaTheGirlfriend
CHAPTER 11
“LEARN BALLROOM DANCING”
[MAY 2014]
“What are you doing? We should be playing chess.” Gray said.
“I’m finding a good tutor online near our place.” I answered.
“What tutor?”
“A ballroom dancing tutor.”
“How did you know?”
“Well, you got drunk last night, and you told me the third ordinance.”
“Did I say that?”
“I actually asked you.”
“Oh. You’re a cheater ha. You took advantage of me.”
“If I’m a cheater, then what do you call yourself? Sounds familiar?”
“Are you sure you want to start learning ballroom dancing?”
“Yap!”
Then here I found an expert ballroom dancer, Miss Vergara.
GRAY: Hey! You insisted on learning ballroom dancing. You must lose weight. Reduce eating meat and sweets starting today.
ISLA: That will be hard. I'll eat meat and sweets once a week.
GRAY: Just make sure to stick to 1000 calories per day and avoid meats that are hard to digest.
ISLA: Sure.
Every day after work and on weekends, I practice ballroom dancing.
It’s not a joke. It’s hard.
My body has been in pain and adjusting for a couple of days.
I feel like Miss Vergara is getting annoyed since it takes me more time to do the dance steps. But yeah, at least I’m still trying and getting better each day.
---
A time came when I felt so stressed, too occupied, and couldn’t focus on work.
So, I must admit that I wasn’t able to perform well on a specific project for the Company. This could be solved in a more formal way, but they’ve become so loud about it.
I saw two possible reasons for their excessive reactions,
either they only felt disappointed in my performance,
or they just feel satisfied, dragging me down.
But I guess, both are reasons, though the latter seems to be a more convincing reason.
Then...
the hidden haters started to come out.
And guess what???
They are all the ones who don't have the looks.
Deyyyymmmmm!
They even recruited others to treat me a bit differently.
Whenever I greet some of them, they are no longer greeting back simply to make me feel like an outcast.
What a fabulous team effort!
It’s like they only used that one failure of mine as a chance to express their hidden feelings against me XD
Well, it's a reflection of their character, not mine. ~
And I know very well where that unreasonable hate is coming from.
What’s funnier was that they even recruited haters from another department whose faces were really unfamiliar to me XD
I guess, in the afterlife, I won't go to hell for being real.
But as a matter of fact, the haters seem to come from the bloodlines of bulldogs, gorillas, dwarfs, wild boars, and walking skeletons with bad skin tones and inappropriate body proportions.
I wonder how exactly they feel whenever they see themselves in the mirror XD
Well, they didn’t get any prettier for doing such a thing to me. ~
So, I didn’t think of getting back at them since their looks are already an everyday curse to them. XD
Instead of taking revenge, I just empathized with them. XD
It’s really like...
When the man from Above showered good genes, they were literally sleeping so deeply like they hadn't slept for two straight days.
Even the best plastic surgeons will give up fixing their faces.
People judge me like they know me well.
If and only if I could focus, I could have done better.
But that’s life, full of immature, judgmental, and narrow-minded animals.
It's so funny how they thought they were winning by making the environment uncomfortable to me without them even realizing that they are with someone who's been through hell (and really immune to betrayals XD).
So, I didn’t allow them to become a hindrance to our plans.
Who are they anyway?
I don’t even know their whole names.
Like f*ck?
Who are these mammals?
Or, should I say, reptiles? XD
They even targeted my dating status, like it's just so funny to know that they haven't experienced any.
They haven’t even seen the magic of how $p3®m explod3s.
They haven’t even tasted a single flavor of it.
They don’t even know how to s*ck a big c*ck or what it looks like in real life.
What’s worse is that they don't have any suitors, not even the poor and ugly ones.
So, they are just like t h a t --- c o l d, b i t t e r & d r y.
.
.
.
>>> KO! <<<
.
.
So, yeah... I know where that noise is coming from.
They are too busy talking about my existence when I don't even care if they don’t wake up the next day.
---
ISLA: Don't you get tired? ‘Coz I’m getting tired.
GRAY: Well, you have no choice but to follow.
ISLA: I can’t focus on work.
GRAY: Then just resign immediately.
ISLA: I can't do that. Grandma has a lot of medications.
GRAY: How about your mom and her siblings? Don’t they support her?!
ISLA: They are, of course! But you know I have four other siblings studying, as well as my cousins.
GRAY: I'll just give you money, double your salary.
ISLA: Make it triple.
GRAY: Deal.
And so, I resigned after almost two years of working here.
Then, we settled into his home.
---
[AUGUST 2014]
One day, I woke up and remembered the unreasonable hate I got at work.
This is when I finally decided to pursue my passion, which is painting.
I came up with the idea of making digital arts so I would be able to reach buyers around the world.
-
GRAY: Hey. Let’s go this weekend to an amusement park so you can unwind. I know you’re tired.
ISLA: Yey!
And then, here we are, riding on the different rides like children.
We even ate cotton candies, lol. And went home.
---
“Wanna play computer games?” Gray asked
“Yeah!... Oh. You’re gaining muscle, ha?” I answered.
“I’ve been going to the gym these past few months.”
“Trying to impress someone?”
“Not my thing!”
---
One day, after practice, I saw Carrillada at the dining table.
So, I asked Gray...
“It smells so good! Where did you buy this?”
“I cooked that for you.” Gray answered.
“Oh. Thanks, it’s one of my favorites!” I replied.
“I know, right?”
And then he really looked at me to see what my impression would be. XD
“You cook well, ha!” I spoke.
Then Gray just laughed.
I really appreciate the gestures Gray makes for me.
He felt that I was really in distress during this chapter.
So, he made a lot of effort to make me happy.
“I reorganized your schedule. You’ll have 15 hours of practice every day. In this case, it will take almost two years for you to finally master the game. Let’s play chess again tomorrow, okay?” Gray said.
“Okay!”
“Wanna play UNO card game?”
“Yeah!”
“Let’s sit on the floor.”
“UNO!”
“UNO!”
“UNO!”
HA-HA-HA ~
“Hey! Why are you laughing.” Gray asked.
“Let me sew that later. I’m seeing your brief, tho.”
“Oh! I’m sorry.”
After playing, I asked him...
“What’s the 4th ordinance, Master Libra?”
#TheThirdOrdinance
#IslaTheBallroomDancer
#LooksMatter
#TheBitterTruthOfLife
#TheNotSoBadassWriter
#JustStatingF*cksEsteFacts
CHAPTER 12
“LEARN SKYDIVING”
“Ohhhhh. I’m afraid of heights.”
“You have no choice but to learn.”
---
“Hey! Want to have some fun?” I asked.
“What kind of fun?” Gray asked.
“Let’s join the Tomato Fight Festival this coming Wednesday.”
“Oh. Let’s go!”
"That was fun!"
---
A problem came...
The sales of Gray’s Resto Bar have been constantly decreasing by 25%-30% these past few months due to a newly built resto bar near his.
ISLA: What should we do now?
GRAY: This is the first time that the sales have constantly decreased to such an extent. We must think of another technique... What if we try offering new foods and drinks?
ISLA: Yap. Hmm. You can also ask your staff to wear elegant clothes to make them look more formal. Consider having a stronger online presence. And don’t you dare decrease the price of the drinks and meals you’re already offering. That will make them think you’re losing. Just add new offers.
GRAY: Alright.
ISLA: That will attract more customers. Also, consider making the place look more elegant.
GRAY: How’s life without Isla?
ISLA: My pleasure, Master Libra.
You have me, so don’t worry that much.
---
Then, here’s the day of my first skydiving...
I feel like I can’t do it, even if it’s tandem skydiving.
I feel so nervous, so I asked for more time to prepare myself.
“You can do it, Isla. We came this far.”
“I have no choice. Okay, I’m ready.”
And then...
We jumped!
“WaaaAaaaaAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAaAaaaAAAaaA!!!!!”
“WooooooOOOOooOoOoOOoo!!!"
“I thought I couldn’t make it!”
Then, the skydiver behind me just laughed at me.
Yeah! It was an unforgettable experience.
---
“What did you feel?” Gray asked.
“It’s far scarier than all the rides we tried. My soul almost left me!” I answered.
“Well, you’ll repeat doing it occasionally so that you’ll be a bit more used to it.”
---
Then here’s another day...
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“To the bar. I’ll talk to my staff about the solutions.” Gray answered.
“Best of luck, Master.”
“Thanks, buddy!”
---
“What happened to your meeting?” I asked.
“They are now starting to look for new attire. Then, they are now working on new drinks and foods.” Gray answered.
“Good!”
---
[a phone call received by Gray]
*Trrt trrt... Trrt trrt...
ISLA: Hey, someone is calling you.
GRAY: Can you look at it? I’m still taking a bath.
ISLA: My hands are messy; I’m cooking our lunch... Wait.
GRAY: I’m done.
ISLA: It was cancelled.
GRAY: It’s fine. I’ll just look for it.
ISLA: What is it?
GRAY: My nephew is missing.
ISLA: Oh no. How old is he?
GRAY: Five
ISLA: Did they report it to the police?
GRAY: They are in the airport right now.
They’ll have a vacation in Hawaii.
*Tut tut...
“Oh. You received a message.” I said.
“We found him!” Gray read.
“Hoo! I got nervous!” Gray added.
I thought there would be another problem.
---
“Hey! Not afraid of heights anymore, right?” Gray asked.
“Hmm. A bit!” I answered.
“Wanna have some fun?”
“What kind of fun?”
“Hot air balloon!”
“Oh. Where?
“Just there in Catalonia. Let’s go?”
“Let’s go!”
-
“That was fun!”
“Hey! Let’s focus on chess in the coming months. I can’t wait any longer. We have to take a risk.” Gray said.
---
[DECEMBER 2014]
One day, after skydiving, we went to a beach to swim and relax,
and stayed there until the next day.
Under a midnight sky, Gray and I had long, deep talks while looking at the stars...
GRAY: Hey. Thanks for your idea. The sales are increasing again.
ISLA: My pleasure.
GRAY: What will you do after our mission?
ISLA: I'll get a tattoo on my back.
GRAY: What tattoo?
ISLA: A Dove.
GRAY: Why is it?
ISLA: Because it symbolizes harmony, love, and peace.
GRAY: Do you feel the need to do it?
ISLA: I lived in hatred for so long and had some realizations.
The world was bad, so why would I be good?
That’s why... I lost faith.
GRAY: I feel like you didn’t lose it.
You were just sad, so you feel that way.
ISLA: I hope so.
How about you? What will you do after this mission?
GRAY: I’ll take a vacation in Somalia. Will you miss me?
ISLA: Pssh!
GRAY: May I ask, what's your type?
ISLA: Do you mean my ideal man?
GRAY: Yes.
ISLA: Someone who will understand me even if I don’t usually understand myself.
GRAY: What do you mean exactly?
ISLA: I feel like.. I only understand half of myself. So, I want someone who will understand me and stay with me no matter what.
GRAY: How many boyfriends did you have?
ISLA: Just one.
GRAY: Ows. You told me about your long-time boyfriend and that, Hernan.
ISLA: I don’t consider Hernan to be one. He’s a complete jerk.
And you know what? He only dresses up like a masculine man but can’t even give me an orgasm.
GRAY: Okay, I won’t argue...
How long have you been with that one, and what’s his name again?
ISLA: He’s Bruce. We've been together for almost 6 years. How about you?
How many girlfriends did you have?
GRAY: Three.
ISLA: Ows?!
GRAY: Well, others are just one-night stands.
ISLA: So, who’s the other one?
GRAY: She’s Precious. We've been together for 10 years.
ISLA: That's long! What happened?
GRAY: She broke up with me. How about you?
ISLA: I broke up with him.
GRAY: See? Girls give up so easily.
ISLA: No, I didn't. It took me years to come up with that decision.
GRAY: Really?
ISLA: Yes. Why did she break up with you?
GRAY: She said I didn't have enough time for her, but I know the real reason. How about you?
ISLA: Personality differences. What's the real reason?
GRAY: Third party.
ISLA: Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. Do you know who's behind it?
GRAY: Not just one person.
ISLA: What do you mean?
GRAY: You'll know.
ISLA: Did you take revenge on them?
“You seem to be almost ready...
It’s time for him to meet the beautiful Pisces.”
#TheFourthOrdinance
#IslaTheSkydiver
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Text
CHAPTER 7
“In a Sudden”
[SEPTEMBER 2013]
As time passes, our bond becomes stronger.
We had a lot of trips.
This is our first time traveling this often.
We’re traveling almost every weekend.
Gray is just so generous to us.
Faith also invited Gray to join us in doing charitable activities.
And this has become our life since then.
ISLA: We’re traveling every weekend. How about Raquel and Cherry?
GRAY: I meet them the other days
ISLA: Like after work?
GRAY: Anytime during the weekdays
ISLA: Are you working online?
GRAY: I don’t work like you’re doing. I handle my own time.
ISLA: So, what’s your work?
GRAY: I have my own resto bar.
ISLA: Ha?
GRAY: Yeah.
ISLA: Why didn’t you tell me?
GRAY: You didn’t ask, right?
ISLA: Oh, I didn’t expect that you’re rich.
GRAY: I’m not. It’s just a resto bar.
ISLA: What’s the name?
GRAY: Gray’s Resto Bar.
ISLA: Oh... Is that the one?
GRAY: Yap. That’s mine.
ISLA: You have such a good life, huh? But you’re so simple. Like... You’re joining us in feeding programs, even if it’s hot.
Then Gray just laughed at me.
GRAY: How about your parents? What do they do?
ISLA: Dad is a software developer, and mom is a pharmacist. And your parents?
GRAY: They are running a business.
ISLA: What’s their business?
GRAY: Do you know the Mcdowney Staycation?
ISLA: Wait... Is that the one in Seville?
GRAY: Yap.
ISLA: Oh! Are you that rich?
GRAY: It’s theirs, not mine.
ISLA: They are your parents, tho.
.
.
.
GRAY: Do you want to come there sometimes?
ISLA: Of course!
GRAY: I’ll be celebrating my birthday there on September 25... Wait, you’re a Pisces, right? When exactly is your birthday?
ISLA: Hmmm. February... 28
GRAY: Why did you think that long?
ISLA: Ha? I’m thinking of something else.
GRAY: What is it?
ISLA: Nothing. Let’s party!
*At a beach party~
Everyone is dancing...
Wooooohooooooo!
Party partyyyyy!
*Tugs! Tugs! Tugs! Tugs! Tugs! Tugs! Tugs!
.
FAITH: This is like... one of the best chapters in our lives!
ISLA: Yeah!!!
FAITH: You know what?...
I had a dream last week...
Like...
I’m in heaven.
*Then I just laughed.
FAITH: Maybe this is it! We’re living the life, Isla!
ISLA: Yeah! Thanks to Gray!
Tugs! Tugs! Tugs! Tugs! Tugs! Tugs! Tugs!
Cheers!!!
.
.
.
.
.
And that feels like a long vacation, thanks to the holiday. Thanks, Gray!
---
Then, here we are at Gray’s Resto Bar.
Happy 31st Birthday, Sir Gray!
Woohooooo!
Gray introduced us to his employees.
GRAY: Here’s my girlfriend, Isla.
And here’s my long-lost half-sister, Mercedes.
And my beautiful niece, Faith.
“Hi!”
“Hello!”
The staff greeted us.
“How are you?”
“How old are you?”
“Where are you working?”
Yeah, we are very welcomed by Gray’s staff.
And this day is just so special for us, especially for Gray.
ISLA: Gray, where are your parents?
GRAY: We’ll have a separate celebration later at my home.
ISLA: How about Raquel and Cherry?
GRAY: After my relationship with Precious, I’m just keeping my relationship private.
ISLA: Then, what is this? You just introduced me to your staff as your girlfriend.
GRAY: Well, you’re an exemption. Because of you, I found Sis Mercedes and Faith.
ISLA: Oh.
GRAY: Yeah. You are special to me, Isla.
ISLA: Hmm. Will you also introduce them to your staff? How about in your family?
GRAY: Well, they are not asking to be introduced.
ISLA: Oh.
GRAY: Come with me later, I’ll introduce you to mom and dad.
ISLA: No, I don’t want to.
GRAY: Why?
ISLA: Well, we are like.. very different. You have such a good life compared to me.
GRAY: Sus! It doesn’t matter.
ISLA: But still! I don’t want to.
GRAY: Just tell me when you finally want to meet them.
---
[OCTOBER 2013]
*
Due to busy schedules, there are still weeks that we don’t see each other.
“Here’s a gift for you, Isla!”
“Thanks, Faith!”
“What’s Gray’s gift for you?”
“Ahh. Ahmmm... A dress! Yeah, a dress.”
“Where is he now?”
“He’s actually busy... Ahm, I’ll go tomorrow to my family”
“Alright, enjoy!”
*
---
Christmas is approaching!
So, I bought gifts for my family, and of course, for Auntie, Faith, and Gray.
Before going back to my family to celebrate Christmas tomorrow,
I was about to leave my apartment to give my gifts to Auntie and Faith when Gray knocked at my door.
“Merry Christmas, Honey!” Gray greets.
“Wow! Merry Christmas! Thank you... I also have a gift for you.”
“Thank you!”
I received lots of gifts from Gray, Faith, and Auntie.
I’m so happy! He gave me a phone, shoes, and bags.
To have our advance celebration since I won’t be here tomorrow, we ate at a fine dining restaurant.
Then, here I am in our province, with my family.
Merry Christmas!
I gave them lots of gifts. And I also received gifts from them.
“You look so blooming, sister.” My brother said.
“Yeah. Are you in love again?” My mom asked.
“Ha? I’m not,” I answered.
“Weh?” My younger sister said.
Then, we celebrated Christmas.
Like... Yeah... I’m so happy in this chapter of my life because of Gray.
---
[JANUARY 2014]
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Cheers!
Fast forward...
It’s Friday night...
Gray stayed at my apartment because tomorrow we’ll be volunteering to give relief goods to people...
And we’re about to go to sleep...
GRAY: You know what? I feel like random people are following me whenever I leave my sister’s home.
ISLA: Ha? Maybe they have a crush on you.
GRAY: No, they are men.
ISLA: Oh. Maybe you’re just overthinking.
GRAY: I hope so.
ISLA: Or maybe they are ex-boyfriends of Raquel and Cherry?
GRAY: Hmm. I don’t know. I’ll just ask for photos of their exes.
* Raquel and Cherry sent the photos of their exes.
GRAY: None of them look like the men who are stalking me
ISLA: Oh. Just observe the next few days after you leave Auntie’s home to see if they are still stalking you.
.
Wait. You can check the CCTV records.
GRAY: Right.
---
And then it’s Saturday...
A tiring day...
but seeing people happily accept their goods is just so fulfilling.
Everyone is just busy doing their things...
“I don’t feel good today.” Gray said.
“Why?” I asked.
“I don’t know.” he answered.
>>> BOOM!!! <<<
A bomb just exploded...
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.
LIKE F*CK?
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.
Everyone was just in total shock...
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.
“What was that?”
“Who da fvk did that?”
People are complaining...
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.
“Are you guys okay?” Auntie asked.
“Yeah, we’re fine.” I answered.
“What was that?” Gray asked.
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.
Then Auntie asked...
“Where is Faith?”
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“A woman is dead... A woman is dead.” a man said.
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“Where?”
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“Three women are injured, and one is dead”
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“Where?”
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“Where?!”
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“At the parking lot”
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Then we rushed to the parking lot to see the victims...
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And...
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I can’t say anything else... But,
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MY FAITH IS DEAD.
CHAPTER 8
“The Root of All Evil”
ISLA: I remember last Sunday, when we were all dancing at the beach, Faith told me about her dream.
GRAY: What dream?
ISLA: ... That she’s in heaven...
GRAY: We must find the criminal.
---
Faith’s case is now under investigation...
INVESTIGATOR: Did Faith have a fight with someone else?
ISLA: No, she doesn’t have a single enemy. Her life is just like.. work and church. Then travel.
AUNTIE: Faith is too good to have an enemy. She must just be a victim of it.
INVESTIGATOR: How about you, her family?
AUNTIE: We don’t have.
GRAY: Do you remember what I told you last week?
ISLA: Your stalkers? Have you checked on them?
GRAY: I haven’t...
INVESTIGATOR: What stalkers?
GRAY: Since last month, I feel like there are random men following me whenever I leave my sister’s home. Can you check on it?
Then, we checked all the CCTV records...
INVSTGTR: They really are stalking you, sir.
ISLA: They are all wearing hats.
INVSTGTR: Do you have any idea who they are? Did you have a fight with someone else before?
GRAY: There are only two people with whom I had a fight back then. The Chairman-CEO and EVP of VenZon Corporación, Steven Esperanza and Jazon Castro.
AUNTIE: I know them, they are extremely rich people.
ISLA: It must be them. Why did you have a fight?
GRAY: They must have discovered that Faith is related to me.
AUNTIE: I also had an argument with Steven before, I was a custodian in their company. I was accused of stealing his watch, costing around €82,000.00. They haven’t found any evidence, yet he fired me. After a few months, someone set fire to the apartment I was renting out. We were so stressed back then, but I couldn’t do anything. No criminals were found. The same happened to another custodian, her mini store was set on fire. I don’t know the exact issue, but there’s a rumor that it’s most probably because of Jazon.
GRAY: Sir, please investigate them.
INVSTGTR: Okay, we will.
---
ISLA: Then, in my room, Gray told me something.
GRAY: I remember something I didn’t say to the investigator
ISLA: What?
GRAY: On that day, a woman was rushing me to get the goods on that truck where the bomb was put.
ISLA: Then?
GRAY: I was busy distributing the goods to people, so I asked Faith to get them.
Then Gray just had a deep sigh.
I feel his disappointment...
like he carries all the burdens.
GRAY: I hate myself. I really do.
ISLA: It’s not your fault
May I know why you had a fight with them?
GRAY: We were all friends from first-year college until our first work. I’m the only one who got a Latin honor among the three of us.
ISLA: Then?
GRAY: Jazon was happy for me, but I felt like Steven was not. But I just ignored it. Then, we all joined Corporación de Pio to gain some experience. Steven didn’t need to work actually as he came from rich parents and he’s the only child. After almost a year of working, Steven thought of an idea.
ISLA: What idea?
GRAY: He invited us to come up with ideas for a business plan, so we could have a business of our own. After a month, they both resigned, and told me they would find another company to work for. I wondered why they both became cold to me in the last few days. I asked them for updates about our planned business until they totally stopped communicating with me. I was hurt by what they did. After a year, I knew through my coworkers that Steven and Jazon had finally established their own company. After searching about it, I learned that the marketing ideas for their business were mine. And yeah, that’s the VenZon Corporación,
the most popular coffee shop in Madrid, since it’s not a typical coffee shop, it’s a coffee bar. I was so angry at them during those times.
ISLA: F*ck...
[FEBRUARY 2014]
Based on the investigation, all the volunteers were found innocent.
However, they said that they couldn’t detect where all the people on that day came from, and their faces were blurred on the record.
Gray and I did almost everything to find the criminal.
GRAY: Steven and Jazon must be the only masterminds of it. They are just hiding the evidence, as the two could have given them millions to protect their identities.
ISLA: That’s what I’ve also thought of since the moment the investigator asked you with whom you had a fight before. I noticed that he suddenly became quiet after knowing that the Chairman-CEO and EVP of VenZon Corporación are the only people with whom you had a fight... They are f*ck*g rich, so I wasn’t surprised by your assumption.
-
ISLA: Do you believe in bad luck?
GRAY: No, I think the only thing that has true luck is in quantum mechanics, where there is true randomness. Otherwise, everything that happens is because some entity acted on something to make it happen. Even when you roll a die, if you can calculate the exact force and trajectory of your dice throw and if you have exact control of your motor function, you can determine how it will land before it actually stops rolling. Why do you ask?
ISLA: Nothing.
GRAY: How about you? Do you believe in luck?
ISLA: I believe in both good and bad luck, even if I don’t know exactly the explanation behind this belief.
GRAY: That’s one reason why religion and science cannot coexist.
ISLA: So, what’s your religion?
GRAY: I don’t believe in the existence of a divine being. How about you?
ISLA: I belonged to two religions back then. I belonged to the first one for more than two decades, and the other one was just for a few months.
GRAY: But you’re doing charitable activities in that church?
ISLA: I’m just doing it for people, but I don’t belong in that church, just like Faith. GRAY: Oh, you also don’t believe in God anymore?
ISLA: Well, I’m not like you. I still believe in God, but I decided not to belong to any religion anymore.
GRAY: Why?
ISLA: That’s one thing I just want to keep to myself. I felt better when I chose spiritual independence.
---
GRAY: I will make them pay for what they’ve done to my only niece.
ISLA: I’ll join you.
GRAY: You have no idea how risky it is.
ISLA: You have no idea what I’m capable of doing.
GRAY: Let me think first.
ISLA: This is not an exchange for the favor you’ve done to me.
GRAY: No, leave it to me.
ISLA: You have 24 hours to make it official that I am part of that mission. If you don’t, I will make my own plans to destroy them myself.
GRAY: You’re in.
ISLA: I will do e v e r y t h i n g to get our revenge.
GRAY: This is not revenge, only justice.
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ISLA: Who else will join us?
GRAY: We can’t have other people’s loyalty since they will know that Steven and Jazon are the ones we are going to destroy. They will only be scared. Besides, most people’s loyalty is invested in money, not in people. They will only betray us.
ISLA: Yeah. We can’t trust anyone else.
GRAY: Will you be loyal to me?
ISLA: Not to you...But to our mission.
GRAY: Good.
~
GRAY: Most lives are uninteresting...
So, why don’t we make a thrill?
ISLA: What kind of thrill?
GRAY: This will take a long time to finally accomplish the mission.
ISLA: Then?
GRAY: You know... We must live together to make the plans.
ISLA: Then?
GRAY: We may fall for each other, like.. we may love each other for real.
ISLA: What makes you say that I will love you that way? Just to remind you, sex is just sex for me.
GRAY: Oh, common!
ISLA: Okay, deal... So, what kind of deal are we having?
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Wait, I have thought of something.
GRAY: What?
ISLA: If I’m the first one to fall in love, I’ll pay you €100,000.00. And if you do, you’ll pay me €1,000,000.00 since one hundred thousand will just be easy for you. Deal?
GRAY: Deal!
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Wait, next week is your birthday. How are we going to celebrate that?
ISLA: Ha?... Ahhh. Yeah. February 28! ... I don’t want to celebrate it. I’m still sad.
GRAY: No, we should still celebrate it, Isla.
“Happy 24th birthday!”
“Thanks!”
“So, you’ll go today to your family?”
“Ahh. Hmm. Yeah. That’s why I took a leave today.”
“Okay. Let’s eat!”
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“Thanks. You make me happy today.”
---
[MARCH 2014]
GRAY: This time, I'll be the mastermind
ISLA: And I'll be your ally
GRAY: Until when?
ISLA: Till the end.
GRAY: How can you be useful to me this time?
ISLA: I will do everything... I will make us win... No matter what ��
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GRAY: Will you follow my ordinances?
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ISLA: Mhmm!
So, what’s the 1st ordinance, Master Libra?
#Heaven
#ForFaith
CHAPTER 9
“BECOME A CHESS MASTER”
ISLA: Why should I?
GRAY: It’s part of the plan
ISLA: Can you explain?
GRAY: This time, I’ll be the mastermind. You just have to do it.
ISLA: Alright!
GRAY: It takes strong dedication to become a chess master. You’ll have to spend at least 10,000 hours of constant practice.
ISLA: That long? Who will teach me?
GRAY: Pack your things and move to my home as soon as possible.
ISLA: So...
GRAY: Yap. I’m a chess master.
ISLA: Oh.
GRAY: So, pack your things and move to my home.
ISLA: Aye aye, Captain!
---
“Hey, tender a resignation.” Gray asked.
“Oh. I can’t do that; I like my work. And I’m giving money to my family.” I replied.
“Hmm. If that’s the case, then let’s just rent the nearest apartment in your office. So, we could maximize the time.”
“Mhmm!”
“Okay. Let’s organize your schedule.”
“Can you tell me now all the plans?” I asked.
“This time, I’ll be the mastermind... and?”
“I’ll be your ally.”
“How many hours do you sleep?” Gray asked.
“Eight”
“Make it seven. How many minutes do you prepare for work?”
“Thirty minutes”
---
Then, we transferred to our chosen apartment near my work.
“You are at the office nine hours a day, from Mondays to Fridays. It only takes 10 minutes to and from your building and around 5 minutes for you to get to and leave your office.”
“Yeah.”
“You’ll eat your breakfast in the car while I’m driving.
We can get home at 5:15 and we have 15 minutes to eat our dinner every day.”
“Mhmm! That can be.”
“Then I’ll start teaching you at 5:30, for 4 straight hours, and then we’ll have a 10-minute break after. We’ll continue at 9:40, then stop at 12 midnight. You can wake up at 7:15 if you’re preparing yourself for 30 minutes.”
“Alright!”
“That will give us 6 hours and 20 minutes of practice every day.
That’s equivalent to 31 hours and 40 minutes in 5 days.
For weekends, I’ll teach you from 8 AM to 12 noon.
We’ll continue from 12:20 to 3 PM.
Then we’ll have a 10-minute break after, a 15-minute dinner, another 10-minute break, and then we’ll stop at 12 midnight. So, your body clock won’t change.
That will give us 30 hours.
Overall, in a week, we can have 61 hours and 40 minutes of practice. But just expect that this schedule cannot be perfectly followed since there will be days when we’ll not be in the mood to practice. Hmm.
In a month, that’s almost 247 hours. We can have more than 3,000 hours of practice in a year, given that there are holidays. I’ll let you watch online tutorials as well.”
“Yap!”
“It will take us more than three years if you won’t resign from your job.
But I respect your decision.”
---
Then, here we start...
“Okay. Let’s start with the basics.
Set up the chess board with a white square in the bottom right-hand corner.
Put all of the pieces facing each other on the back two rows of each side.
Put the pawns in front, then line up the other pieces symmetrically with the king and queen in the middle.
Then each player controls 16 pieces: 8 pawns, 2 bishops, 2 knights, 2 rooks, 1 king, and 1 queen.
Each type has its own way of moving across the board and potentially capturing your opponent's pieces as it goes.
Okay, let’s start with the pawns. Per turn, pawns can be moved 1 square forward, except on your first turn when you can move forward 2 squares. Pawns capture other pieces diagonally, moving one space diagonally forward, and they cannot be moved backward.
Next, the Rooks. Using Rook, you can go to as many squares as possible, either horizontally or vertically. If one of your pieces is in the way, it must stop at the square just before it. And if one of your opponent's pieces is in the way, capture it using your rook and stop exactly there.
Next, the Knights. Using a Knight, you can move 2 squares horizontally or vertically, then 1 square to the right or left of that second square. Knights are the only pieces that can jump over other pieces, and they only capture an opponent's piece if it's on the final square of the move.
Next, the Bishops. Using a Bishop, you can go as many squares as possible diagonally. Like the rook, a bishop must stop at the square before one of your own pieces, and it captures an opponent's piece and stops there.
Next, the King. It is the most important piece, as the game ends if it's captured. The king can move 1 square in any direction. You cannot move the king into any space where one of your opponent's pieces could capture it.
Last, the Queen. The queen can go as many squares as possible in any direction. Like the rooks and bishops, the queen must stop before one of your own pieces, and it must capture an opponent's piece and stop there.”
Then, it gets harder and harder. Yeah. But I must do this.
---
“Today, I’ll teach you the special moves that can be made by pawns, rooks, and kings.
Let’s start with the Pawns.
If your opponent moves a pawn 2 spaces on its first move and it's sitting right next to one of your pawns, on your next move, you can capture it with your pawn —but only on your next move. Okay?
Also, a pawn gets promoted if it makes it all the way to the back row of the other side of the board.
That means you can change that pawn to any type of piece other than a king.
Most players promote a pawn to a queen, of course, since the queen is the most powerful piece. Right?
Next, Kings and rooks.
If there are no pieces between your rook and your king on the back row, you can actually move your king 2 spaces toward your rook.
Then, immediately move the rook over to the other side of your king.
This special move is called castling.”
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“Are you ready to play?” Gray asked
“Yeah.” I answered.
“Okay. The player with the white pieces always makes the first move. You know that, right?”
“Yeah!”
“You and I, as your opponent, may flip a coin to see who gets the white pieces.
The one who got the white pieces has a slight advantage, mainly because with white you get to attack first.”
I chose the head, and he chose the tail.
Then, we flip the coin...
Tadaaa! It’s head. So, I got the white pieces. This time I had a slight advantage.
“So, Chess is just like any other turn-based board game, we have, of course, to take turns to move one piece. Consider the different moves that all the pieces can make when thinking about the move you want to make. Take note that there's no "pass" in chess. When it's your turn, you must move something.
At some point, as the game progresses, I, your opponent, will likely put your king in check, or perhaps you'll put my king in check. This just means that if nothing changes, I will capture your king on my next move.
When I announce "check," you must do something to get out of check.
This time, you have 3 basic options: block, evade, or capture.
To block, move one of your pieces in between the attacking piece and your king.
To evade, shuffle your king over one square so I'm out of the attacking piece's line of attack.
To capture, use another piece to capture the piece I am attacking. With that, the threat will be eliminated.
Your goal is to checkmate me and protect your king so that I can't checkmate you.
This may seem simple, but due to the many pieces in play, the strategy and planning can get complex. Since you're just starting out, focus on always protecting your king.
Sometimes we play to a stalemate, that's the opposite of a checkmate when neither of us has any legal moves left. It usually happens when most of the pieces have been captured.
And when you're playing in a tournament, there are other ways the game can end, such as if you run out of time. But you don't need to worry about those yet since you’re just a beginner.”
---
Another day, another chess tutorial, another games...
“Today, let’s focus on the strategies.
Here...
You must control the center of the board as quickly as possible. This gives you the upper hand and allows you to make attacks while defending against my attacks. When you have control over the center of the board, you can maximize your ability to move while also limiting your ability to move without being captured.
Then here...
Since chess isn't a game that you can play one turn at a time, try to think of a move or two ahead. Consider all the pieces and their possible moves, and make your move based on what might happen a move or two as you go along.
Of course, you must protect your king. If I put your king in checkmate, that's the end of the game, so protect your king at all costs. In every turn, evaluate your king's position and where it might be vulnerable. As a beginner, it's always better to make a move that protects the king's defenses than to attack.
Then... Involve all your pieces in the game. While you don't necessarily have to develop your queen too early in the game, your other pieces can come forward to build a strong defense and lay the groundwork for future attacks. Consider leaving space open for your queen to enter later. Then, maximize her power and use her to the fullest of her potential.
There's nothing wrong with sacrificing pieces from time to time, but avoid unnecessary sacrifices. Since a piece lost can't be regained, and if you get too far down, you'll find it hard defending against a multi-pronged attack from your opponent.
Then, every time I make a move, ask yourself why I made that move. If you can figure out what I’m trying to do, you might be able to make moves that will disrupt my plans, or if not, at least make them more difficult to pull off.”
---
Here I am...
In this chapter of my life, I have met plastic coworkers at different levels.
They seem very friendly to each other but are constantly backstabbing each other.
Here’s Maya, a petite, simple woman with undeniable beauty and two professional licenses: MBA and CFMS.
Then, here’s Brenda, an attention-seeker with inappropriate body proportions and an undeniable ugly face, but, for fairness, with an MBA title.
During my stay in this company, I didn’t hear any bad comments about the work performance and attitude of Maya from our coworkers, with whom she directly worked and is currently working. I also had my own observations of Maya.
She’s just really working hard and is very quiet.
I am also having some talks with her about our love life, family, etc.
She’s just really nice. I can’t say anything else.
One day, we’re given a new project, and we are composed of ten members.
While doing this project, there were days that I heard rants about Maya, led by Brenda.
“I can’t understand Maya sometimes.”
“She’s like a fool.”
Bla bla bla -
Then, my coworkers are not responding to Brenda every time she’s backstabbing Maya. Because there is really nothing wrong with the latter.
Besides, for the record, they didn’t have a project where they had to work together. So, where are the rants coming from?
What’s funny is that they are having lunch together. XD
One day, Brenda was ranting again, but here’s an unbiased, straightforward girl, Natalie.
“What’s the problem with Maya?” Natalie asked.
“I can’t understand her sometimes.” Brenda answered.
“With what?” Natalie asked again.
Then, Brenda just acted like she’s busy with what she’s doing since she can’t give justification for her rants about Maya.
A sad thing is that Maya obviously likes Brenda more than Natalie since the latter is not approachable to her. I even saw in the social media stories of Maya some photos of her with Brenda XD
Like wtf?
I feel sad for Maya for thinking that she’s with a friend when, in fact, she’s with an insecure, backstabbed, ugly bch.
WaaAaAaaahhhHHH!!!
What kind of world do we live in?
What am I discovering about human nature?
I feel sad for both Natalie and Maya.
---
[MID OF APRIL 2014]
Fast forward.
GRAY: What are you watching?
ISLA: K-Drama
GRAY: You’re supposed to be watching chess tutorials.
ISLA: Later, master.
-
GRAY: Ready to play?
ISLA: Yap.
GRAY: Who do you think will win?
ISLA: The Libra
GRAY: Ha?
ISLA: I mean... the Pisces, of course.
GRAY: Good!
And yeah. Here’s the battle.
Gray is just so serious.
I prepared for this, so I am confident that I will win.
The battle is intense...
“Check!”
“Congrats, Master Libra.”
“More practice, Miss Pisces.”
“I’m getting curious about the second ordinance.”
“Hmm. It will definitely take you more time to master chess. Our planned timeline will change, especially if you don’t resign from your job. Hmm. But I can tell you the second ordinance, so you won’t get bored.”
So, what’s the 2nd ordinance, Master Libra?
#TheFirstOrdinance
#IslaTheFutureChessMaster
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CHAPTER 4
“Chapter Closed. The Beginning”
As time passes, the lessons are becoming harder.
So, I have to study more. Luckily, I now have my study buddy, Faith.
So, studying is getting way easier, and I’m having more fun.
We help each other a lot, so we’re able to perform better in class.
From being regular students in the previous semester, we’re now able to have the dean’s list award. We treat ourselves to different restaurants and travel a lot every time we pass the exams and have other awards.
What’s best is that Auntie also surprises us with gifts.
Despite being busy with my studies, with charitable activities, and with my friendship with Faith, I make sure that I also spend some time with my family and Bruce as well.
I visit home once a month, and I keep having dates with Bruce on some weekends. We tried to become more understanding of each other as we now have more responsibilities in our studies.
We kept giving presents every time there was an occasion.
And this has been my life for a couple of years.
[JULY 2011]
Tadaaa! ~
Here’s the day of graduation!
We’re reaping the fruits of our labor.
Thanks to my professors and friends, especially to my family, Bruce, Auntie, and Faith, for making this journey even more meaningful.
Most importantly, thanks to the Man from Above for the guidance and strength given to me all throughout. Chapter Closed.
---
[SEPTEMBER 2011]
And we are now working professionals.
Yap. That quick!
Welcome, Faith and self, to GT Blue Corporación. ~
We’re so lucky! It’s one of the best companies for finance graduates!
Here in Castellón de la Plana, Spain.
New apartment, new environment, and new people.
Again and again.
New experiences are approaching.
-
At first, I couldn’t find any satisfaction in my job.
But I tried to enjoy this new chapter of my life by traveling to different places, either alone or with my friends, such as parks, museums, libraries, malls, bars, and restaurants.
We even went to high class hotels just to take some pictures there.
A point in my life came when I felt too occupied.
I didn’t know what to do first.
I am finally earning my own money, but the work didn’t give me any satisfaction.
Since many people say that it’s really a good company for finance graduates, they recommended that I stay here, so I did.
Then, I felt so lost. I didn’t know what I really wanted in life.
So many problems arose. I realized and remembered a lot about my past...
There were pains still hiding, which again came out. There were things I couldn’t accept. Until a time came when I finally broke up with Bruce because I wanted to be alone this time.
E n d o f o u r l o v e s t o r y .
After almost a year of working here, a time came when I finally decided to resign.
I have my savings anyway.
[AUGUST 2012]
Then, I looked for some other companies to apply to.
I made sure that this time I would be liking the nature of the job.
It took me only two weeks to find this one.
Hola, ZTN Corporación! Just here again in Castellón.
What a lucky girl! The salary is just as good as the benefits.
I was doing well at work for a couple of months.
So, I got a lot of praise from my employer, managers, and a few coworkers.
---
One day, I’d received a message from Hernan, a schoolmate who’s also working here in Castellón.
HERNAN: Buenos días
ISLA: Buenos días también
HERNAN: Are you working at ZTN Corporación? I saw your stories.
ISLA: Yes.
HERNAN: Nice. It’s a good company.
ISLA: Hehe.
HERNAN: I’m also working here in Castellón.
ISLA: In what company?
HERNAN: Viola Corporación
ISLA: Nice.
HERNAN: Can we meet sometimes when you have time?
ISLA: Yeah.
---
After a couple of months, Hernan and I fell in love with each other.
So, he became my boyfriend.
We traveled a lot after work.
We usually go to coffee shops.
And we tried eating a variety of foods at different restaurants.
After a few months of dating Hernan,
he asked me if I could lend him money for his mother.
I didn’t hesitate to lend him.
Another week has passed, and he asked for more money.
He told me that there’s just an emergency.
Because I really care for him, I lent him money again.
I notice that he dates and updates me less often.
I thought he’d just been busy these past few days, but something is bothering me.
So, I decided to go near his office after work.
I saw him with another woman, so I followed them, and they ate at a restaurant.
I gave him the benefit of the doubt by asking him...
ISLA: Hi, love, can we meet today?
HERNAN: Hmm, let’s just meet tomorrow. I’m busy right now, so much work.
ISLA: Okay. Love you!
I didn’t even receive a response to that last message.
So, I guess something is wrong.
On the next day, I went again near his office. And guess what?
He’s with that woman again.
They even eat at a fine dining restaurant with so much sweetness, like a real couple.
Then I messaged him...
ISLA: I’m here now at Viola Park.
HERNAN: Wait, I’m still at work.
ISLA: Okay. I’ll just wait.
What a liar!
Let’s see what I can do.
ISLA: Love, where are you now?
HERNAN: I’m on my way.
-
Then here he is...
ISLA: I guess you’re doing great in your job.
HERNAN: Not really. What makes you say that?
ISLA: Because you seem busier now.
HERNAN: Oh. There’s just lots of work this period.
ISLA: Alright, let’s eat?
HERNAN: Yeah.
Hernan, the liar cheater!
But yeah, not my loss.
He’s not that handsome, lol.
----
[JUNE 2013]
And then here’s the weekend.
Due to boredom, I replied to random men on my dating app.
And here I met the libra man, Apollo Gray.
GRAY: Ughhhhhhhhhh!!!
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.
.
ISLA: UGHHHHH UGHHHH UGHHHH!
GRAY: I’m c ü mm!nğg ... I’m c ü mm!n ğ g ...
ISLA: Boooooogshhhhhhhhh!
GRAY: My turn!
ISLA: Ughhh... Right there, right there...
GRAY: Yumyumyumyumyum...
ISLA: Yamete kudasaiii... Yamete kudasaiii... Yameteeeeeeee
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. This is it...
GRAY: Hi, I’m Gray.
ISLA: Is that your real name?
GRAY: Yeah. How about you, Miss Pisces?
ISLA: Yeah. I’m Isla.
GRAY: So, why don’t you have a boyfriend?
ISLA: I have.
GRAY: How many?
ISLA: Just one. And you?
GRAY: Just two. Can you be the third?
ISLA: HAHAHA. Cheater.
GRAY: If I’m a cheater, then what do you call yourself?
ISLA: I have a reason why I’m here.
GRAY: What?
ISLA: He’s the one who cheated first.
GRAY: So, that means you’re not looking for someone else. You just want a revenge.
ISLA: Hmm, maybe. But I’m also a bit bored.
GRAY: Alright. I’m actually a polyamorous person, that’s why I have two girlfriends.
ISLA: Really? Why?
GRAY: I’m tired of getting jealous.
ISLA: Me, too!
GRAY: Oh, you’re also a poly?
ISLA: Nope, I mean, I’m also tired of getting jealous... But I think it’s better to have a relationship with only one person.
GRAY: That’s how most people think about it.
ISLA: Maybe you’re just bothered by jealousy.
GRAY: Pros and cons of both, I don’t think one is inherently better than the other. In my opinion, it’s more on the people involved.
ISLA: Well, it depends on every person.
GRAY: Like if you’re with one person who abuses you, that’s bad. But if you’re with two people who actually love you, that’s good.
ISLA: It’s a matter of perspective and experience. But yeah, that makes sense.
GRAY: Mhmm!
ISLA: Are you happy with that?
GRAY: Of course! So, can I date you?
ISLA: Let’s try! You’re easy to talk to. A Sagittarius zodiac sign suits you better.
GRAY: How did you say?
ISLA: Straightforward! LOL.
GRAY: HAHA! When and where can we meet?
ISLA: You choose.
GRAY: Okay. Where do you live?
ISLA: Here in Castellón. And you?
GRAY: I’m here in Barcelona. Okay, let’s meet today, 3PM at Castellón Park.
ISLA: All right!
GRAY: Ughhhh. See you, honey!
#GoodbyeBruce
#LongTimeBoyfriend
#ThanksForEverything
#ChapterClosed
#IHopeThisFinallyHelpsAllOfUsMoveForward
#IWon’tBeEntertainingQuestionsRegardingThisAnymore
#ThankYouForUnderstanding
#ALifeWithoutAThrillAin’tLifeAtAll
#ThisIsTheBeginning
CHAPTER 5
“Victory”
While riding in public transportation, going to our meet-up place. I texted Faith...
ISLA: Hey, got a soon-to-be boyfriend!
FAITH: Again? When did you guys break up?
ISLA: I'm not breaking up with Hernan yet.
FAITH: Why?
ISLA: He cheated on me.
FAITH: Oh. That’s why you have another date?
ISLA: Yap. But it’s not a serious one.
FAITH: Just a play again?
ISLA: Mhmm! We’re going to meet today.
FAITH: Alright!
---
I honestly feel a little bit nervous. He’s quicker than me.
Then...
Here he is...
Relax, Isla... He’s just a person......
Yeah, so why would you be afraid, Isla?
He’s just a person, and you’re a demon. XD
-
GRAY: Honey!
ISLA: Hey!
GRAY: How are you?
ISLA: I’m good. How about you?
GRAY: I feel so good. So, where do you want to eat?
ISLA: Anywhere you want. No problem for me.
GRAY: Hmm. In the Victory Hotel?
ISLA: Oh!
GRAY: Don’t you want to eat there?
ISLA: What are we going to eat there?
GRAY: What do you want to eat?
ISLA: How about you?
GRAY: You answer first.
ISLA: Of course, food.
GRAY: Yeah, but what food?
ISLA: Hmm.
GRAY: A hotdog?
Then, our laughter just exploded.
Like wtf? The connection is just so strong XD
GRAY: Let’s go?
ISLA: Let’s go!
While going up to the floor where our room is... We’re still like...
holding our laughter while looking at each other.
We really have the same vibe.
Like yeah... This is it.
~
Then here we are, inside our room.
He ordered the food via phone...
“Hi.”
“Hi, sir. May I know your orders, please?”
Before making our orders, Gray looked at me with a smile on his face.
“Two jumbo hotdogs... two large eggs... two rice... and two beers”
“Anything else, sir?”
“Nothing,”
“Okay, sir. The waiting time is about 30 minutes.”
“Okay. Thanks!”
GRAY: Have you heard of that?
ISLA: What?
GRAY: The waiting time is about 30 minutes.
ISLA: Then?
GRAY: What can we do while waiting?
ISLA: Hmm. What do you want?
GRAY: Can I hug you?
ISLA: Sure.
Then, we hugged each other. It’s weird, but I really felt a kind of connection.
...
Then we e a t... e a t... and e a t...
... our ordered foods.
Then... We drink the beer while having long, deep talks about Hernan and his two girlfriends.
Yeah.
And...
We stared at each other for so long...
“Say sexy things.” Gray said
“Cum with me.” I answered.
“Ughhh...”
“Hmmmmmmm...”
He slowly kissed me on my cheeks...
...then on my lips.
I sucked his tongue...
... Then, he sucked mine.
Then...
I left a mark on his neck...
... and on his chest.
We slowly touched each other...
... from top...
....
.. to bottom.
And then...
.
.
I t h a p p e n e d .
.
.
.
.
.
Zzzzz~
.
.
.
.
.
Then, we woke up...
ISLA: I have not been like this before. I really am not. But pain really changes people.
GRAY: How’s our night to you?
ISLA: It’s wild. I will never forget that night.
GRAY: What comes to your mind? I thought we’re just joking about doing it?
ISLA: I don’t know. How about you?
GRAY: You don’t have to ask, of course I want it.
ISLA: That quick?
GRAY: Yeah. I already imagined that when I saw your profile.
ISLA: You seem used to having one-night stands.
GRAY: Yeah! Why not break up with your boyfriend? You’re done.
ISLA: I have something to do first.
GRAY: What?
ISLA: I want to get back my money first, plus double the interest. He owes me more.
GRAY: Did you lend him money?
ISLA: I cared for him, that’s why. He said that he just needs it for his mother.
GRAY: I will help you with your revenge.
ISLA: This is not revenge, only justice.
GRAY: Then I’ll help you get your justice. I want to be useful to you.
ISLA: Up to what extent?
GRAY: I will be an accessory to it. I will make you win... no matter what.
ISLA: How can I return the favor to you? How much do you want?
GRAY: Nothing, just you.
-
GRAY: So, what’s the plan?
ISLA: I feel like he has no plan of returning my money. We have to think of an idea of how I can get his money in his apartment.
GRAY: Yeah... Why not try to live with him?
ISLA: I can do that, but if he discovers that his money is missing, I’ll be the only one he will suspect because he’s the only one who has the key to his unit. The custodians don’t have it.
GRAY: You’re right... Hmm...
ISLA: But I can consider your idea.
GRAY: How?
ISLA: I’ll try to live with him, but I’m not the one who will steal his money.
GRAY: Then, who?
ISLA: Is there anyone else here?
GRAY: How can I?
ISLA: You have to pretend.
GRAY: As?
ISLA: Like a visitor... But you must cover your face because there are CCTVs outside his unit.
GRAY: A visitor?
ISLA: Not really a visitor. Like... We must make a scenario so you can enter his apartment with a purpose.
GRAY: I get it!
.
.
.
ISLA: I will act like I’m in a hurry to color my hair for the next day’s occasion at work. Then, you’ll act like a parlorist doing home services.
I will act like I have a cough, so you can wear a face mask without making you look suspicious.
GRAY: You’re wise, huh?
ISLA: Also, wear a volumized wig with a bang, eyeglasses, and girly clothes. Don’t forget gloves.
GRAY: When are we going to do that?
ISLA: It must be on a Friday night, after our work, so he would be tired. He told me that he’s just resting during the weekends, so he won’t need the money to buy anything. I just have to make sure that he has a lot of stock in his apartment, so he won’t buy groceries that coming weekend. And he just often watches TV every night, so he won’t be noticing you that much. Then, on the next day, after the made-up occasion, I will distract him more, so he won’t immediately find out that he lost his money.
GRAY: Alright.
ISLA: Don’t have your car on that day. Book a taxi, and don’t get off near his place. So, if he ever tried to detect where you came from, no vehicle would be reported. Come at around 8:30 PM, so the guard is not in there anymore. Then I’ll just open the main door for you.
GRAY: How about my record on your phone as a parlorist?
ISLA: I’ll just tell him that I only got your details through a printed ad I saw somewhere here in Castellón that day when my friends and I are roaming around after work. I’ll just tell him that I suddenly got an idea of coloring my hair when I saw that printed ad. Then, I’ll tell him that I saved only your number and then just read your other details, which I’d tell him I couldn’t remember anymore since I’m tired and in a hurry. Then, you just have to deactivate that number after, so if he calls, the number will be unattended. With that, you’re the one he will only suspect.
GRAY: You’ll also be a little bit suspicious with that.
ISLA: I know, but if ever he finds me suspicious, he won’t have any evidence that I’m guilty. To make me look less suspicious, I have to live with him for about a month before we do that. His savings are just inside a cabinet.
---
After a week, Gray introduced me to his two girlfriends, Raquel and Cherry.
They both look gorgeous and have so much resemblance.
Fast forward ~
[JULY 2013]
*The Day of Revenge*
ISLA: Love, a parlorist will be in here in a few minutes.
HERNAN: All right.
I opened the main door for Gray, then we went straight to Hernan’s unit...
I tried hard to hold my laughter after seeing Gray dressed like that. XD
Hernan was just so busy watching TV.
A few minutes later, he went inside his bedroom to sleep.
So, this is it...
Hernan, the stupid bch. Here we goooooo...
ISLA: It’s just there inside the cabinet.
GRAY: Gotcha!
After stealing the money, Gray immediately went outside.
Yap, that quick. ~
On the next few days, after the made-up occasion, I distracted Hernan.
And...
The enemy has been slayed XD
Victory! ~
---
That was a mission accomplished, tho
Then again, it’s Monday...
After work, we celebrated the victory.
We went to a resto bar. Danced.
Went to my apartment and slept together.
#GrayTheParlorist
#IslaTheMasterMind
#HernanTheF*ck*gIdi0t
#AStup!dWifeSuitsYouWell
#SoYouWillAlwaysFeelBetter
#EffectsOfChildhoodPsychologicalIssues
#I'mSorryButYouNeedAPsychiatrist
#ThankMeLater
CHAPTER 6
“Small World”
*5 missed calls* (from Hernan)
ISLA: Hey, why are you calling? I’m still at work, celebrating a coworker's birthday.
HERNAN: My money is missing.
ISLA: Just look around. It’s just there.
HERNAN: I did. But it must only be here in the cabinet.
ISLA: Wait. I’ll get there later.
-
ISLA: Hey, what now? Have you found it?
HERNAN: No. It must be stolen
ISLA: Ha? Maybe it’s just here in your bedroom
HERNAN: I already checked it there.
ISLA: Maybe an apartment’s cleaner went inside here
HERNAN: No, the custodians are cleaning just the outside, they don’t have the key.
ISLA: Oh.
HERNAN: Wait, it must have been the parlorist last week. Have you observed him the whole time when he’s here?
ISLA: Hmm. Yeah.
HERNAN: Haven’t you gone to the comfort room while he’s here?
ISLA: Just once, when I had to po*p.
HERNAN: It must be him.
ISLA: How much money have you lost?
HERNAN: Almost €3,000.00
ISLA: Oh, sht.
HERNAN: What’s his name? Can you show me his details?
ISLA: I only got his number.
HERNAN: How about his name? You must know it.
ISLA: I only got his details through a printed ad I saw somewhere here in Castellón on that day when my friends and I were roaming around. Then, I saved only his number. I just read his other details. I couldn’t remember it anymore since I’m tired and in a hurry on that day.
HERNAN: Try to remember his name
ISLA: Hmm... It’s like... Ra...
HERNAN: Ra... what?
ISLA: I really couldn’t remember because I wasn’t myself that day.
HERNAN: Wat da fvk, Isla?!
ISLA: I’m sorry.
HERNAN: Show me his number.
ISLA: Here.
*Dialing...
Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt...Trtttt.
“The number you have dialed is now unattended. Please try your call later.”
HERNAN: Tsk, tsk, tsk. It must be him. Do you remember his face?
ISLA: He’s wearing a face mask since I told him I was coughing.
HERNAN: Tsk. I’ll check his face on the CCTV recording.
-
HERNAN: Tskkk. He was wearing it all along.
ISLA: Oh no. What if you try to see his car plate number on the CCTV record?
HERNAN: I checked the record outside the apartment. He was just walking when he was nearby. I’ll try to look at the other records on the other streets.
---
I texted Gray...
ISLA: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
GRAY: What? XD
ISLA: Hernan is now in so much distress
GRAY: Dasurv!
ISLA: Em0tional Damage!
GRAY: Double kill!
-
Two hours later...
HERNAN: I’ll check again tomorrow.
ISLA: But you have work.
HERNAN: This is more important. I’ll just be absent tomorrow.
ISLA: Okay. Let’s sleep now, I’m tired.
HERNAN: I’ll also try the DNA test.
ISLA: It costs a lot
HERNAN: Yeah, I know. But if there are no records of him that will show his face and where he came from, it will only be the last solution I can use to find him.
---
A few weeks later...
CCTV records failed...
No other fingerprints were detected...
So, Hernan finally gave up finding the culprit.
->>> First blood! <<<-
[AUGUST 2013]
Fast forward...
Gray and I were watching a movie at my apartment when Faith called...
Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt
FAITH: Hey, can we go outside?
ISLA: I’m with Gray right now.
FAITH: Where?
ISLA: Here at my apartment. Wait for us outside, then let’s eat somewhere.
FAITH: Alright!
-
GRAY: Who is Faith?
ISLA: My best friend since college. She’s the daughter of this apartment’s lessor, Auntie Mercedes. She’s working at GT Blue Corporación.
GRAY: Oh.
ISLA: Let’s go!
~
ISLA: Hi, Faith!
FAITH: Hi Isla! Is he the one you’re talking about?
ISLA: Yeah. He’s Gray, my boyfriend. And Gray, she’s Faith.
GRAY: Hi, Faith. Nice to meet you.
FAITH: Hi, Gray. It’s nice to meet you, too.
-
GRAY: So, where’s your province, Faith?
FAITH: At Toledo.
GRAY: Oh, we also lived there before.
FAITH: With whom?
GRAY: My family.
FAITH: Where are they now?
GRAY: My parents are now living in Seville. And my half-brother is in Córdoba.
FAITH: You only have one sibling? And just a half?
GRAY: I actually have an older half-sister on my mother’s side.
FAITH: Oh. Both are half siblings.
GRAY: Yap. But it’s fine.
FAITH: Where is your half-sister now?
GRAY: On my biological father. He and mom got separated when I was two, and my sister was fifteen at that time. So, yeah, I was raised by a stepfather.
FAITH: How about your real dad? Is he not visiting you?
GRAY: Mom said they were visiting me once a month when I was a child. But a year after they separated, he died of lung cancer.
FAITH: How about your half-sister?
GRAY: Hmm, she’s still young back then, so maybe she didn’t know how to get to our home.
FAITH: Have you asked your mom about your sister?
GRAY: She doesn’t want to talk about it. So, I couldn’t do anything. She didn’t even tell me their names. So, I hated mom for that.
FAITH: That is similar to mom’s case. She also has a half-brother on her father’s side. They were visiting him after her dad and stepmom got separated. But when her father died, she couldn’t see his half- brother since then. She couldn’t know where his half-brother now is. She couldn’t find it on social media either.
GRAY: What’s the name?
FAITH: Apollo?
GRAY: Apollo, what?
FAITH: Hmm.
.
.
.
As I remember, the surname sounds like a restaurant... Apollooo...
.
.
.
Mcdowney?
Then...
Gray and I were both in shock.
Like... We literally stared at each other for almost fifteen seconds...
FAITH: Hey!
Are you guys, okay?
GRAY: Where’s your mom?
FAITH: At home.
---
FAITH: Hey, what?!
ISLA: Wait!
FAITH: Why did you react like that?
---
When we arrived at their home...
Gray suddenly knocked at the door...
Then Auntie Mercedes opened it...
GRAY: Do you know Elizabeth Mcdowney?
AUNTIE: She was my stepmom before.
And Gray immediately hugged Auntie...
Faith seems to finally understand what’s happening.
Auntie seems really confused.
GRAY: I will explain everything
AUNTIE: What?
GRAY: You have a half-brother on your father’s side, right?
AUNTIE: Yeah!
GRAY: He was two and you were fifteen when your dad and stepmom got separated, right?
AUNTIE: Yeah. How did you know?
GRAY: Elizabeth Mcdowney is my mom. She told me I have a half-sister.
AUNTIE: Oh.
Then, Auntie just had a reaction that I couldn't explain.
Like... She’s confused but is laughing and has teary eyes.
AUNTIE: So, that means... You are my half-brother?
GRAY: Yeah. Mom didn’t tell me your names, that’s why I couldn’t find you on social media. And I hated mom for that. I did everything to convince her to tell me. But she just didn’t want to because they were not on good terms when they got separated.
AUNTIE: I also tried finding you on social media.
GRAY: I’m sorry, but I’m not a fan of it. I’m just using dating apps. So, yeah. That’s where I met Isla.
Then, we all just laughed.
And... They hugged again.
Gray also hugged Faith.
“My niece!”
“My uncle!”
I was so happy for all of you.
“Hey, were you just chatting random girls in dating app?” I asked.
“Nope. I’m choosing, of course.” Gray answered.
“So, why did you chat with me?”
“Well, I find you attractive, but there’s a deeper reason why I chat you.”
“What is it?”
“Your zodiac sign.”
“Oh. Why?”
“Well, I usually like Pisces people.”
#TheReunion
#ThanksIsla
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