75

\[Five years ago\]

Joaquin's straight hair was tied in a single pink knot. Scooping up her long hair carelessly, she didn't want to waste any time as they were almost at their peak soon.

Being on top of Oliver like this had always been Joaquin's favorite position, as she could see how that handsome face looked at her seductively.

Two of the woman's hands were now placed right on her lover's plaid stomach, while her own body was moving to create a rhythm that both of them loved.

The unavoidable touch of skin-to-skin succeeded in igniting feelings of mutual adoration, as they knew they were on the same wavelength of love.

"Faster, darling," Oliver growled, holding back the desire that was almost built up and ready to be released.

Joaquin smiled happily, feeling proud of herself that she managed to keep a handsome and dashing young man like Oliver by her side.

With her unquestionable beauty and visuals, Joaquin Schutler pushed aside several women at once, who openly showed their interest in Oliver.

And when the man's choice falls on her, Joaquin certainly doesn't waste the opportunity to make love with the man she adores.

Growling again, Oliver simply pulled Joaquin's body to lie on top of him.

"Hold me," the man pleaded.

In between activities that were almost over, Joaquin rested her almost Spanish guitar-like body on Oliver's firm body.

Letting the young man shower her with kisses all over her face, until a single peck landed on lips that she couldn't avoid.

Oliver let it all go, in one long breath.

Both of them were panting, trying to inhale as much oxygen as possible now. Falling right into the man's arms, Joaquin landed one more peck on Oliver's neck.

"Do you like it, darling?" It was her turn to ask, now running her fingers across Oliver's chest.

"You know how to make me happy, Joaquin," the man complimented.

Joaquin shifted, now lying right next to Oliver with one of the man's arms outstretched as a pillow for her.

"You know I love you, Oliver," Joaquin whispered clearly. "Now, and always."

Oliver tightened their embrace, enjoying how the warm atmosphere enveloped them both.

"I know that," Oliver whispered back. "I'll always love you too, no matter what lies ahead."

Oliver and Joaquin both had deep feelings for each other, but the young lovers didn't realize that the world sometimes didn't work the way they wanted it to.

Everything was easy in the early days of the relationship. Until one cold night, the two are reunited with anger bubbling inside their chests.

It was beginning to snow outside when Joaquin knocked on the door of Oliver's studio.

He had almost fallen asleep when the knock on his door reflexively made Oliver jump out of bed.

"Joaquin?"

Bursting into her lover's arms, Joaquin couldn't stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks.

"They're taking me out of the city," she stammered. Her embrace tightened, not caring that she was still in the doorway. "Take me far away from here. I don't want to marry that man!"

Oliver swallowed with difficulty. His beady eyes looked straight outside, noticing how the white-colored snow was still falling in slow motion.

"I love you, Oliver," Joaquin said again. "I don't care if I have to leave everything behind, I'm willing to live hard with you and start all over. As long as you are with me, as long as you are by my side."

The woman's sobs did not subside, instead they intensified along with the pain that penetrated her heart.

The arranged marriage arranged by her parents was clearly displayed in front of her, and it was only to Oliver that she wanted to return.

"Calm down, Joaquin," Oliver whispered just as quietly. "Come inside, we'll talk slowly."

Joaquin agreed to go inside the man's studio, and let Oliver close the door to keep out the cold that had entered his rundown studio.

Joaquin's presence there was a stark contrast, as everything the woman wore on her body was in stark contrast to what Oliver had.

Because the fact that they came from two different families would never change even if the world was split in two.

Sitting on the edge of Oliver's rickety bed, Joaquin did not feel uncomfortable at all. Because she had already loved that man, because she had already given her heart and life to an Oliver Janson.

A young man who was labeled by people as having no future, due to poverty and the destruction of his family that caused him to live alone.

"Listen to me."

Oliver now approached, taking a position to squat right in front of Joaquin.

"I can't do anything against your family, Joaquin," the man said honestly. "Living with me will only make you suffer, because I can't even be sure if you will eat regularly every day."

Joaquin shook her head, her lips beginning to tremble.

"I don't care," she argued. "I can get through anything, as long as it's with you."

Oliver blinked a few times, noticing how his lover's beautiful face looked sad with the remnants of tears on her cheeks. He never expected Joaquin to be that down on him when they had only been in love for a few months.

"Let's get out of here," Joaquin asked again, cutting in before Oliver could speak. "We can go far away, and start all over. I can leave everything behind, no matter what."

There was no hint of doubt in Joaquin's tone, but Oliver knew it wasn't a very viable option at the moment.

Keeping Joaquin by his side would only make her sink into poverty, when Oliver was struggling to make ends meet.

Clasping his hand which he placed on his lover's knee, Oliver again shook his head softly.

"Maybe this is the only way our story can go, darling," he said half-heartedly. "I can't let you sink into poverty, so you might as well do what your parents ask."

Joaquin's eyes reflexively narrowed, as if she hadn't expected Oliver to say that to her.

Joaquin was ready to let go of everything she had, but it seemed like Oliver was the one who was not ready to face what was ahead with her.

"Did I hear you wrong, Oliver?" hissed Joaquin this time. "You want me to give up?"

Oliver breathed with difficulty, not yet making a sound when Joaquin rose from her seat and shook off their handshake.

Standing up to try and neutralize the mixed feelings, Joaquin walked over to the nightstand and accidentally dropped an object from it.

Oliver's eyes widened, unable to resist the movement of his lover who had already picked up something on the dirty floor.

"What's this?" asked Joaquin almost mumbling, hands now moving to trace the envelope-like object.