Chapter 10

First flush morning of the first day of the week, Zev was awakened by the loud noise of the alarm clock. Damn, she learned to set it for Pete's sake she's not used to waking up early in the morning. If it wasn't for her fucking morning class, never she'll wake up that early. She stood up and stretched her body. She idly opened the window. It was a beautiful Monday morning. There was no hint of rain in the sky and a slight breeze played with cassia fistula leaves. After some morning exercise, she went out of her room and went to the kitchen to cook breakfast. Boiled egg, fried egg, hotdogs, hot milk, and fresh fruits. That's all for her breakfast.

As she stared at the hotdogs and eggs, her little wild imagination running. She told herself, that she want the eggs and hotdog of the president of MMC. Reese has an erotic novel and the bed scene was very detailed. She thought maybe that was based on his experience. She asked herself when she'll taste the heaven that Reese once savored to his fictional characters. Too bad for morning thoughts. Why only Reese invades her mental being? It's too bad when her professor asks her about something and she mentioned Reese and he wants him-badly. She shook her head and drew a snigger on her lips. She immediately finished her breakfast before she imagined the ripe cavendish and longan lay on the table.

She was ready for her morning class and it was already eight-thirty in the morning. She recalled Reese yesterday who asked her to climb a beautiful mountain in Rizal. Why? Why does he want to climb the mountain together with her? It seemed to be wild. Climbing the mountain with him is an actual chance to confess if possible. What is she confessing to? Does she love him? Does she have a crush on him? But in her imagination he already fucked her. Collen telling the truth that she's innocent yet her mind is filing an application for a porn star actor. She told him about her morning class. He wasn't disappointed. Did she expect him to get disappointed? Reese as a CEO and billionaire and dealing with people is just a diminutive and effortless thing. And she expected her to be disappointed because she declined his favor? And in his eyes, she was just a poor applicant trying to get a position in his company. Embarrassment for her thoughts. But it was a relief when Reese understood her and suggested that drive her to the university.

When he went out of her house and locked the door. She hasn't turned her back yet to the road, a familiar scent taunting her nostril. She smiled. She perceived that it was coming down the road. She slowly turned her back to see the incredible black Ferrari SF90. What the hell? Who was the owner? Was the owner inside the Ferrari? If the owner wasn't inside she want to have a selfie with that damn car. But when the driver's side window opened, it was the man who she always thought and asked herself about how thick and long his member is or even the inches, it was Reese. He was the owner? Obviously, he's the owner of Medel Motors. Co. Why she was surprised? expensive car for him is just a toy. He's wearing a simple white T-shirt and black cotton pants. She didn't know if those pants is for sleeping. Well, some billionaires and the way they look at things don't matter.

Clothes are meant to cover our body and it doesn't have to do with our status in life. People mostly treat you better if you have decent and expensive clothes to wear. At least Reese wasn't like that. Oh, why he was thinking about it? He's not even in his office yet. But she knew Reese well, and if he wasn't good enough then how come she's go well along with him as a friend? Yes, a friend for the meantime. He was very manly and his handsomeness stood out. No matter what he wears. He's always hot and handsome. Good as a celebrity and Italian billionaire vibe like most women wanted to sleep with. She was lucky to have the opportunity to talk to him. "RK!" She invented that name. She immediately noticed Reese's sweet smile as he approached her.

"Buenas dias mi futuro Medico." (Good morning my future Doctor) he greeted her.

"Buenos Dias." (Good morning) she greeted him back. The my in his word feels paradise.

"You look so beautiful today." He smiled.

He was unaware that the repetition of his words thundered in her mind. It draws a line from his mouth to her heart it leaves a surreal feeling and feels like paradise even. The only thing he noticed was the two-red apple on her cheeks. She blushed, maybe she put a blush on or that's natural to her since she has a perfect visage, like a goddess of an unknown empire who captivated the heart of every man being. "By the way, you called me RK earlier. I love it." He indicated that what followed was biting his lower lip. He always did that, biting his lip in front of a new lady. It is a little way to seduce someone. Hell, he was good at seduction. If he only lives in the past, perhaps for the hundred hours he'd been in the Philippines he'll eff the girl he wants. What he wants, is what he gets. He misses doggie style, blindfolding, handcuffing, and whatsoever that brought so much pleasure and moment of orgasm. "Beautiful..."

Was he trying to seduce her? Why it feels complicated feeling one of them has an intimate feeling, and it was Zev for sure who has one. His little weird heart knew it as well as the dumb Collen who always told her about false hope and disappointment in the precipice of nothingness. Such a void world of Collen-like cavern amid the woods abandoned by some creature, forlorn and horror is completely boring. If she told her about Reese, Collen always drained Zev in her absurd thought. In her head, she always listened to her voice. As it seemed that she was accustomed to listening at it-Forever. What a horror-struck, her voice lingering in her head. He chases after women and women chase him. He can play-wise. He's not for you. Wait, are you even fit for his wealth? It's to shame to walk in his red carpet life. That's what she heard whenever she thinks of Collen and many more that she wanted to bury in the oblivion or to fill in Collen's void cavern so that somehow Collen's boring life has a mate. Zev knew that Reese can't reciprocate her love if she ever confess. He has priorities in life-Family, wealth, money, company, and personal life.

"Thanks for the compliment." She coaxed. Then she went to explain her invented name. "Reese kid, Rich Kid, corny, I knew it. Just nonsense." She chukled.

"Lard-ass. But I love it. RK, RK." He smiled then went on "What I said earlier isn't a compliment. Admit it that you're beautiful." He was telling her the truth. He traveled to a different parts of the world and met different women, beautiful, he believes that every woman is beautiful. But Zev was different. Being beautiful can't be seen only through the face but in the eyes, heart, and soul. She seemed like a great picture hanging in the world famous museum and it was a mesmerizing panorama of her paradisical visage. And if her portrait was sold in the museum for the wealthy, he would spend billions just to have her portrait. She was perfect like an endless tune of the unbroken roar of nature, that lulls his soul to sleep, and wakes up. Her presence sometimes fueled his heart and it works nimbly and beats like he's been in a race. He never had such feelings.

Whenever he saw her semblance in his mind, in his novels. He feels like falling into deep thoughts of imagination that turn his once course of writing, from tragedy to romance. Before he was afraid of writing romance because he believes in the imperfections of everything, his life, his gained experience, and his failures, that was good only for tragedy. But his once thought of the pain he puts in writing slowly turned into romance sacrosanct to the relationship of happiness ever after. This isn't the era of Romeo and Juliet. This is the twenty-first century and the relationship encompasses what we called trust-and once it broke everything turns into despondencies and morosity. Fidelity versus infidelity. One night stand can ruin everything, a one-night stand can ruin ten years of a relationship or even a third-party issue can instantly ruin a relationship. That's what his generation of romance was all about.

She creased her forehead and asked herself in silence what was Reese thinking. She could see how he parted his lips as if speaking into the air. But she didn't mind what's all about. She checked her wristwatch. "Let's go now, I'm late. Besides, we have a new Professor in the damn subject that I hate the most. Do you know surgery? People can rebuild their imperfections because nowadays beauty standards matter. Being white is beautiful, however, I think is a misconception of beauty. You can do everything because of technological advancement. And the power lies in our hand as a future Doctor." She said changing the subject. But his praise of her or just compliment who knows? And regardless of whether what he said was just flattering or true, brought a strange thrill to her. But she knew in herself that she was beautiful.

"Well enjoy the ride," he said as he sat in the driver's seat.

While traveling she secretly glanced at Reese. She doesn't know how many women or gays have fallen in love with him. Was he a heart player and heart conqueror? He seemed like a senseless handsome who doesn't give everyone a single fuck. His life, his rule. Though he was once a vaginatarian and whatever you called a fuck boy. His simplicity remains the good thing about him. He was not like the other men she knew, who even if they were just white and tall or with a pointed nose were already boasting. No, Reese was very different. He's rhyming and iamb perfectly.

He's gentle and she just doesn't want to talk when it comes to Reese's sexual appeal. Everyone knows that and that's one thing women love about him. They want to sleep with him. Just one look at him makes you feel like you're in bed with him. His eyes were sparkling and she love the mustache under his lower lip also. The thing that makes him hornier was the piercing on his left nipple. What if he has a piercing on his frenulum on his member?

He was only the man who always animates her thoughts alone or even in the crowd. And when she was already in her room it was Reese's perfect photograph that was playing with her brain. He's always present in her thought. Was that the feeling of falling in love too deep?

"Your turn Ms.-" Her Professor said pointing his finger at her. But Zev seems to have heard nothing. She only keeps on imagining things. She was shocked when Collen slapped her lightly on her shoulder. She looked at her full of protest. Collen's eyes pointed to the Professor who had been looking at Zev from second to second. She smiled at him, Zev's eyes were sparkling like diamonds.

"Your turn to introduce your name," Collen whispered.

Zev stood up and introduced her name "I'm sorry, Me Illamo, Zev Aiden Foxleif Polavieja I am half Filipina and half Spanish. But I am proud Filipina." Virgin pearl of the southeast.

"Why did you think of transferring here?" Camille asked her. Camille a snarky jerk who pretends she knew everything. She was willing to do anything just to compete with Zev

Who cares for a transferee like me? Please stop asking why I transferred here. Is it forbidden? She whispered disgustingly to herself. Then it was in her second-year college when she transferred to Bezos IU from the University of Madrid.

"My choice," she said a thousand times. She was annoyed with Camille, even though she had no intention of competing, Camille automatically thrusts herself into her place. Talk about pathetic. Camille was trying hard. But she didn't care about her or anyone else.

"Okay, our lesson today is about plastic surgery. I knew you guys love our lesson." The Professor began.

Zev, as usual, finds no interest in the said lesson, she finds no interest in everything not even in a single thing except for her feelings for Reese. And who the hell loves his subject anyway? He's a boring professor and she always finds him secretly looking at his students' cleavage. She was sitting near the window, so she was free to look down at the oval of the school.

The mob of students below grabbed her attention, she looked at them carefully.

She saw that they queueing to have the chance to touch and have pictures with the man who was wearing a black coat. He was handsome that's why the group of students wrangled. Like ass kicking competition. Whoever the guy was she didn't know. Whether he's Bezos IU's heartthrob or Cupid who is consarn. She was annoyed with those female students, who were taking pictures of the man. She grinned.

Who cares she whispered. They are old-fashioned. Well, they're just attracted to some damn fucking guy the other part of her mind protest.

"I'm not interested in whoever that asshole was," she said audibly.

Everyone looked at her. Her eyes met their eyes. She avoids their gaze by looking down again. Now, school security guards have stopped the girls who tried to approach the man and break the queuing. He looks like an actor, a celebrity, or a famous person.

"What beautiful scene captured your attention Ms. Polavieja?" The Professor asked and added quickly. "You don't even pay attention in my class. Does something bother your mind?"

She did not answer. She was not interested. But she had to be polite, so she just apologized to her Professor.

"Ah, holiest, do you have something intelligent to add here .."

"Perdon!" Why holiest? Is it a good thing to be called a virgin that way? What she was thinking. This old man, her professor, is a curser.

"What did you expect to say? Your mind is somewhere else!" He shrugged, then he added quickly. "What's plastic surgery?"

She stood up and said. "Plastic surgery is the branch of surgery concerned with the correction of Physical deformities..." She explained it broadly. She filled his empty glass with her knowledge. How come you asked me to explain the damn, your class is a disgusting old man, I'm not interested. She knew it was disrespectful to say that but she was effed up with him who keeps looking at her breast. His eyes seem like ripping her clothes and bra off. Jerk! And to explain Plastic surgery without basing his lesson was exactly what an idiot with a brain would say. Even though her professor hadn't told her that she could sit down, Zev sat down. A while later Zev excused herself to go to the comfort room.

Inside the comfort room. She heard two students talking about a visitor they said that he was handsome and ought to be in Hollywood actor. She heard that he was american guy.

When she went out she received a text message from Reese that he was outside the gate and he was waiting for her so she was in a hurry and she almost ran when she was close to the gate. She didn't want Collen to meet Reese. She didn't forget Collen's absurd thought about him. She didn't like what Collen would think. She keeps on running and she doesn't see a man standing and blocking in her direction. She collided hard with him causing his cellphone to fall.

"I-I'm so sorry!" Her lips quivered as she spoke.

"Fuck." He cursed.

She looked at him, this is the man that the female students were talking about and because it was at the gate of the university where she hit him and still they stood there, it grabbed the attention of the students. So they are surrounded by many students holding cell phones. They took pictures and videos.

"I'm sorry!" she apologized.

"Don't you have eyes, Dullard?" He asked.

Dullard? What was that? She asks herself. Wait, do I have the Meriam dictionary app?

"Z-zev?" She heard Reese's voice calling her from where the students were assembled. She turned her back in the direction where possibly Reese stood and she was right that it was him. She slowly walked over to Reese. She's walking timidly.

"What happened?" he asked when she was in front of Reese.

"I bumped into him." She lowered her voice.

"Wait," the guy called. "Pick up my phone for me," he added.

She could see Reese's eyes widen in shock. His eyebrows knitted together. Reese clenched his fist. Reese walked slowly closer to the man.

"Long time no see, Bro!" the man approached him.

"Clyde, Should I give a fuck?"

Clyde? She whispered asking herself. She remembered the conversation she had with Reese last night. He mentioned that night Clyde Patterson was his stepbrother. So this guy was the CEO of Patterson airlines?

"I have sent you a lot of invitations and you haven't -"

"Over my dead body Clyde," he said quickly to stop Clyde. Reese's eyes were burning with anger.

"And tell your girl to pick up my Phone. She was lucky that I wasn't reporting her. She hit me," Clyde said.

"That was unintentional." She said defending herself.

"Just pick up my Phone thickhead. You're trying to hurt me, Huh. Pick up my Phone. You hit me intentionally."

The students were perplexed. Yet, some of them giggle because of the two perfect beings and hot billionaires fighting. Fighting over her? She hates the idea. Everyone knows Reese because of its well-known MMC branch in Quezon and some other branches in Asia and Western countries. Everyone knows him because of the news and newspaper. Everyone has a crush on him. Jerk.

"You oversimplify. That was unintentional I repeated my words." She blurted out. She knew it was unintentional. And why the hell he wasn't moving when he saw her running? The word adjustment doesn't have any space in Clyde's world? Or that was his demeanor and too different from his brother, Reese. Ah, of course, they are not the same. Reese was a good, unlike Clyde.

"It doesn't matter dickhead." Clyde clenched his teeth.

Why was he calling her dickhead? If he only knew that her brain is more functioning than him. She badly wanted to slap her. But it's too scandalous if she does that in front of these jerks students who care only for the two handsome men.

"Watch out your words asshole!" after saying that Reese's right fist suddenly landed on Clyde's face. Due to the force of his blow, he was stepping back. Everyone's boo.

Clyde just shook his head. Reese clenched his fist even more. Clyde seemed fuckinp up and wanted to punch whether she or Reese. Reese walked out, and she followed him. He waited for her inside his car. She knew Collen saw everything. She heaved as she entered his car. Reese took a profound breath as he started the car's engine and left the area, ignoring her.

"Hey? Are you disappointed in me?"

He shook his head.

"Why did you punch Clyde? You just met, didn't you?" She asked with action.

"He's bitch," he said coldly, cold than the icicle. He's indifferent now, cold-blooded.

She shook her head.

"Did you still think about what happened earlier?" he asked glancing at her.

She nodded.

"I think he deserves my fist. ¿Que le parece?" (What do you think?)

"I think Patterson is kind," she replied. Clyde was in temper and like everybody else when temper hits it's uncontrollable. He's bad, he's fucked up but he was good nonetheless. She regretted her thoughts about Clyde earlier, she must treat Reese's step-brother as a friend. She hope that she would meet him and apologize. It was her fault that the two were fighting and Reese even punches Clyde. It was her fault.

"He forced you to pick up his phone. Greek god. What did that Patterson eat, hah?"

Zev remained silent. She did not want to argue with Reese. When she spoke again she changed the subject. "I'll be free tomorrow. Maybe we can continue your plan to climb the mountain."

"Sure! I'll pick you up at six in the morning." He said and stopped the car in front of the gate of her house.

"Thank you very much." She said before getting out of his car.

"Por favor, no hay de que." (Please don't mention it.)

"¿Porque?" (Why) she asked.

"You have thanked me enough." He smiled.

"Hasta manñana. Adios." (See you tomorrow, bye.)

"Adios," he said with a smile.

Zev was left stunned. She was angry with herself again and the stepbrother even quarreled because of her. But she didn't mean to hit Clyde. It was unintentional and accidental. The reason she clung to was enough for her not to feel self-blame. She ignored what happened. Right now she has to take care of what she has to wear tomorrow. That night Zev did not fall asleep right away so she just got up and looked for something to read, she thought of reading Reese's book. She could not help but admire the author's writing style. But she feels the pain in it, even though the book was a work of fiction it was connected to the young man's life as a child left by his mother. It was a reflection of him. The book speaks for his failures when it comes to love and she feels sorry for Reese. But she is happy with Reese because he has been able to overcome the challenges of life. She fell asleep and the last thing she read was ...

Mi Amor Every time I was sad I heard your sweet voice that bruited in the castle wall. Thy soft voice touched I feel very loved. I love you more than what the world has to offer. If we are not able to finish our lives together in this world, my only wish is to find you, love you, and seek your beauty and love in the afterlife. If I die first promise me to marry my corpse and make a promise on the altar. Because if you die first at your young age I'll carry your corpse to the altar, kiss your dead body, put an expensive ring on your finger and I'll make a vow that I'll love you no matter what, your death can't tear us apart. I'll bring your dead body home. Sleep with me at night. Every night I'll tell you how much I love you. I love you ... I know your soul will come. Broken and shattered in the dimness but oh Mi Amor Don't cry, don't shed a tear because I'll seek you in the afterlife.

At five o'clock in the morning, she woke up and prepared breakfast. After her breakfast, she put on her sports shoes. She was wearing only simple summer shorts but her beautiful and glossy legs were exposed like a piece of precious jewelry. She hurried out when she received a message from Reese saying he was outside. As usual, his sweet smiles always greeted her. While they were traveling to Rizal because that's where the location of Mt Paminitan was. Zev asked Reese, and he kindly answered her series of questions.

"Are you an adventurist?" She asked him.

"Nope. But I love dangerous sports.

"Example."

"Surfing, wakeboarding, ice skating, and hiking. And last month I and my Thai friends were climbing Mount Everest. It was an interesting event in my whole life.

"Recreation," she remarked.

She glanced at him.

"You're cute P'RK"

"Thank you." He said, then added quickly. "So You're using the Thai word for brother, 'Pee' How about calling you Nong'Zev?"

She smiled. "Are you fluent in speaking Thai?"

"A little. You know we have a lot of partners from Thailand. We also have a lot of Thai employees. But they can speak English, so no problem." He smiled.

She nodded at what he said.

Later, he told a story about the countries he went to just to surf. He has reached Bali, Hawaii, Barcelona, Mexico, San Juan Puerto Rico, and other parts of the world where he can enjoy a variety of water activities. Then after his long story, she asked about the life of a CEO, and Reese kindly answered that and she found out it's just a lightwork especially since they are the owner of the company. But sometimes is stressful especially when they lose millions because of a shortfall. He didn't mention the reasons. After long minutes of travel, he stopped the car.

Zev was wowed by the picturesque place the truth is that was the first time she saw the mountain in person. "It's nice here." She commented as the two began to climb the mountain.

As Zev expected the path is rocky and there were ravines they were going through. She was scared so she didn't want to distance herself from Reese. So when he turned his back and faced her, the wooden cane he was carrying struck her. She shouted to death when she felt like she was going to fall into the cliff but he pulled her up and then she bumped into Reese's body which hugged her tightly.

Zev didn't know why her chest throbbed. Not out of fear because of the thought that she would fall but because their bodies were pressing together. She could no longer resist the thought that Reese felt the force of the beating of her chest. She felt the warmth of their bodies. Pressed together even more and it was romantic and intimate. Inside her, she heard a rhythm, a lovely tone.

When he released her only then did she seem to return to her right sanity. She couldn't look at him because what had happened might have made him think she liked Reese hugging her so she didn't let go of her right away. So she just apologized to him. Reese answered her with a sweet smile.

Later, he invited her to rest in the clear space of the forest. She was getting tired. She picked up some stones to throw them anywhere. But it accidentally hit the beehive nearby.

"What the fuck-" She shouted standing up when she saw the bees swarming flying in their direction.

Reese and Zev had different running directions for fear that some of them would sting them. But one of the bees sting her left hand, therefore she sped off, running full speed into the crowded woods, as she ran swiftly she turned her head to make sure no bees chased her and when she turned in her direction... Bannnnngggg ... her head bumped into the body of a big tree. She fell back like a dead tree. Poor Zev lumps her forehead.

"Zevvv?" Reese shouted then wipe his bloody forehead.

"OH MY GOSH." He exclaimed when he saw Zev's seemingly lifeless body that was in the roots of a large tree. He quickly grabbed Zev, and check her pulse he heaved a sigh of relief when confirmed that her pulse was still in a stable function na that she just lost consciousness.

She was still unconscious when Reese lay her down in a comfortable place. He quickly wiped the blood running down her forehead and knees. Her thin lips were bruised and cracked, probably caused by her strong collision with the tree. He took out the first aid kit and cleaned his bloody wound of Zev. He was sure that when she woke up, Zev would feel the pain of her wounds. Mi culpa he whispered if he hadn't asked her to climb the mountain with him that wouldn't have happened.

He was very grateful and he could easily retrace the way back to where the car was parked. He felt sorry for her because the blood continued to flow from the wound in her knee.

He stopped and looked at her gentle face, he was out of his mind to glance at her reddened lips. He kissed her lips when she was drunk. Don't be a fool, Reese.

***

Zev woke up because of the pain and her painful wounds. She looked at the injured knee, the wounds were pretty bad, the Doctor told her she was lucky it wasn't a laceration or puncture it was only an abrasion. After she changed it with a bandage, she went down to buy her breakfast because she couldn't cook. It was obvious that she had difficulty walking even though it was said that it was just an abrasion and it still caused severe pain.

When she went out he cry in pain and walked slowly but she was suddenly stopped when on the side of the road she saw Reese's car parked and later he came out. He waved at her as he approached her and she just smile.

He looks so handsome in his office suit. Maybe he was on his way to MMC Quezon. The young man's handsomeness stood out. Her heart again beat so fast. She remembered the night when she was him, the night they were drinking when Reese kissed her on the lips. It's like a sweet sensation caressing her feelings. She closed her eyes as she imagined how he kissed her.

"Hola." He greeted her.

But Zev didn't seem to hear anything. She still smiles and she closes her eyes. His lips unto her that night lingered still.

"Hey, señorita," he said and slapped softly on her shoulder.

"H-hah?" She was startled when she opened her eyes. There she just realized that she was facing, Reese.

"How are you?"

"Pretty bad," she replied then he invited him inside.

"I have some food. I know you can't cook." Reese smiled.

"Muchas gracias, RK." (Thank you very much.)

"My pleasure." He said and he laid on the table what he was bringing. "All right, eat that so you can take the medicine later., I have to stop here for an hour then went to the company."

He brought Cheese sandwiches, Scrambled eggs, Fried Rice, Almond Pancakes, and Cheesy bread. Seeing the food she was suddenly hungry she ate immediately and she didn't mind him who keep observing her. She ignored the scattered oil and cheese in the corner of her mouth.