He despises me... From head to toe... Despite his incredibly handsome face, his unusual sharp tongue speaks volumes. The perfect shape of his body screams that I'm unfit for him. His red and thin lips only know how to utter, "stay away!" In his deep eyes symbolizing strictness, all my flaws and mistakes are reflected. Considered very intelligent, but to me, he's a handsome fool! Because he dislikes me, pushes me away, mocks me, avoids me, and sometimes shouts at me. He sees me as a person with a contagious disease. My stay in their happy home is like a colossal and devastating collapse of his world. He is Lucas Eion Jimenez, and I am Cara Isabelle Mendez-this is my story and my unwanted existence.
Chapter 1 1
Chapter 1
"Cara, let's eat," Aunt Samantha calls from outside.
I quickly closed the curtain in my window and rushed to the door. As I opened it, Aunt Samantha was already there, waiting.
"I'll follow you, Aunt," I assured her with a smile.
"Follow right away, dear, while the food is still hot," she reminded me, a reminder I promptly acknowledged.
I closed the door behind her departure. I returned to the window and gazed at their large swimming pool. Lucas was gone; he must have entered the house.
Since then, I've always watched him swim. I'm lucky because I can just peek from my room window to see him. I can't watch from below because I'll surely burn my ears with the spicy words he often says to me.
After fixing myself, I went down to the dining area. Uncle Luke and Suzy were already there.
"Can I go out, Daddy?" Suzy sweetly asked her father.
"Eat first, dear," Aunt Samantha directed at me. I sat beside Suzy, who was still waiting for Uncle Luke's response.
"Where are you going?" Uncle Luke asked her.
"Just to the mall, Daddy... with..." Suzy paused, seeming hesitant to continue.
"With whom?" Uncle Luke raised an eyebrow.
Suzy bit her lip. "With Zena," she replied, referring to the third child of Uncle Matteo and Aunt Zyrene.
"Anyone else?" Uncle Luke asked again, and Aunt Samantha also waited for an answer. I glanced at the dining entrance; Lucas hadn't come down yet.
"P... Perhaps Zafara and Tammarie will join us. They're asking for help with the prom preparations," Suzy answered. Zafara is Tito Zach's youngest, and Tammarie is the child of Tito Timothy and Aunt Tine.
Most of our friends are children of Uncle Luke's friends, so we practically treat each other like siblings.
"Just Zafara and Tammie? How about Kendall?" Now Aunt Samantha asked. Kendall is the only daughter of Uncle Kervy and Aunt Grace.
"Ma... maybe?" Suzy hesitated.
"If Kendall is coming, Ken will surely come too. It's a no, Suzy," Lucas interjected, just arriving.
I was astonished again by his arrival. His hair was still wet, making him even more handsome. Actually, even without it, he's undeniably attractive.
"Daddy," Suzy called to Uncle Luke, seeking help against her brother Lucas's prohibition.
"Suzy, don't be stubborn," Lucas ordered with authority while scooping rice.
Suzy fell silent and focused on her meal. My attention was all on Lucas. He's really strict with Suzy, even to the point that she complains to me about it. Instead of agreeing with her, sometimes I envy her.
My eyes widened when Lucas gave me a sharp look. His face was stern again, as if I were the reason his day was ruined.
"Stop staring at me," he ordered firmly. "Damn it," he added under his breath.
I lowered my head as well. I'm used to him anyway.
"Lucas, do you have plans today?" Aunt Samantha asked him.
I didn't even attempt to look at him; I kept my attention on my ears.
"Yes, Mom. I'll go with Uncle Axus and Eroz," he politely replied.
"You'll be racing again," Samantha said with a hint of concern.
"Don't worry, baby. Axus will be with him; nothing to worry about," Uncle Luke reassured.
Uncle Axus is Aunt Elaine's husband, Tito Luke's sister. He's a famous racer, and Lucas enjoys accompanying him, teaching Aunt Elaine and Uncle Axus's son, Eroz, about racing and cars.
"Just don't drive fast, okay?" Aunt Samantha reminded him.
"Alright," he replied curtly.
After eating, I went back to my room. I needed to memorize the periodic table. I don't know why, but I should have memorized this in high school, and I still can't remember it.
I was in the middle of memorizing when Suzy barged into my room.
"Lucas is so annoying!" she complained.
I grinned. "Where's your brother?" I teased her.
She just rolled her eyes at me and sighed. She's always like this when she's annoyed with her brother Lucas. Despite being twins and the same age, she can't stand him at the end of the day.
"Just let it be, follow his rules," I advised her.
"Oh, Cara! I don't know who your best friend really is, me or Kuya. You always take his side... probably because you have a crush on him," she pouted.
"Well, we can't do anything about it. You know what he said. That's it..." I reminded her.
She didn't respond to me, just lay down on my bed. "He allowed me to go out, but I have to go with him," she narrated while staring at the ceiling.
From the periodic table I was holding, my gaze slowly shifted towards Suzy. It seemed like she noticed, so she quickly got up.
"You, huh! You want to watch him, huh!" she teased, to which I just nodded shamelessly.
"But you're reviewing," she sarcastically pointed to the periodic table in my hands.
I immediately let it go. "Actually, I finished earlier," I assured her.
"Oh, I don't know about you... go get dressed," she said and quickly left my room.
I didn't waste any time and went straight to my walk-in closet to change. I opted for a simple baby pink polo and faded jeans. I admit I'm not like Suzy, whose body suits anything in her closet as if she were a model or an actress. In contrast, I would look like trash next to her.
"Where are you going?" Lucas asked coldly as I descended the stairs.
I slowly lifted my gaze to him. Once again, his cold and piercing eyes greeted me, reserved only for me.
"I-I'm g-going w-with Suzy," I stammered and gave a cold response.
"You can't come," he said coldly, blocking my way as he passed.
"But, Lucas..." I tried to stop him.
"I only invited Suzy to watch. I don't remember inviting you," he replied.
I faced him. "I'll just watch... I won't disturb," I reassured him.
He looked at me, his lips almost touching, seemingly annoyed and restraining himself. "If I say I don't want you there, I don't want you there! Understand!?" he said with a slightly raised voice.
I swallowed because my eyes were threatening to warm the corners. "Suzy said it's okay..." I intervened.
He closed the distance between us. "Just a little more, Cara... don't push it, understand!? Upstairs!" he shouted at my face.
I couldn't hold back my sob, so I ran upstairs to my room. Suzy knocked on my door several times, but I just said I wasn't feeling well, and she believed me only after Lucas called her.
"Girls, Lucas has your allowances. Take them," Uncle Luke said to us the next morning before getting into the car on his way to the office.
Lucas is no longer at home; he left for the university earlier. He's now in his third year of college, while Suzy and I are only in our second year. He got accelerated, so he started ahead of us. He's incredibly smart, able to keep up with higher years, and sometimes Aunt Samantha laughs, unsure if Lucas is still normal.
"Cara, just go home with Kuya later, okay?" Suzy whispered to me.
I raised an eyebrow. "And where are you going again?" I asked her. We were at the cafeteria.
"Ken will pick me up," she whispered, seeming to be thrilled.
"If your brother finds out again, you'll be in trouble," I warned her.
"Whoo... pretending like you'll have Kuya all to yourself again later... Ayyieee!" She teased me while poking me in the side.
I just sighed and focused on the book I was holding. Suzy has done this several times, leaving me alone with Lucas. She always thinks he's taking me home, but that never happens.
"Just wait for him here at the quad, you know the drill," she said, referring to her brother.
They're both smart, but Suzy tends to be attacked by laziness. Sometimes, in our quizzes, she scores higher than me even though she didn't review. Meanwhile, I, despite burying my nose in books, struggle to pass. Just my luck, it's so irritating!
Lucas wants to become a doctor, and that's fine. No problem for him, being smart and wealthy. I also wanted to take a medical-related course, but even Lucas told me not to attempt it, as I'll surely fail and just waste his parents' money.
I felt hungry a few minutes after Suzy left. I didn't get to ask if she got her allowance from Lucas. Sometimes, I miss getting my allowance from him. He can be so grumpy, handing it over with unnecessary comments.
"What can I buy here?" I pondered. Our cafeteria seems like you're eating gold for the price you pay.
Counting my coins, someone suddenly bumped into me, causing my coins to scatter. "You're such a big obstacle," Lucas said irritably.
I didn't say anything and knelt down to pick up my coins. "Suzy texted me to accompany you. How many times do I have to tell you not to let my sister boss you around?" he complained.
I just looked up while kneeling. "I'm not ordering her," I defended.
He didn't show any reaction. So, I knelt down again to pick up the remaining coins. "Excuse me..." I said when I noticed a five-peso coin under his foot.
"Lucas..." I called out to him, but he didn't budge.
"How long do you think my family should support you? Your life seems so enjoyable! You don't care about anything... everything's free for you, that's why you're thriving!"
He insulted me further. I was hurt, but I've grown used to it. It happens every day.
I ignored him and tried to retrieve the five pesos under his shoe, even though it was difficult. "Just leave," he pushed me slightly and lifted his foot before kicking where my money lay.
I felt sorry for myself, but there was nothing I could do. Everything he said was true.
Lucas didn't give me my allowance for this month. I'm broke, but thankfully, I have a piggy bank. I broke it yesterday; that's what's supporting my daily needs. The next allowance won't come for a while; I can't just sit idly.
I don't want to ask for extra from Aunt Samantha. She said if we're short, never hesitate to tell her, but they'll add it.
"Where are you?" Suzy asked me after school.
"We're doing a project with my classmates. I'll go home alone," I excused myself.
I plan to apply, even at fast-food restaurants or as a cashier in grocery stores. I'm embarrassed in front of Uncle Luke and Aunt Samantha. Though I haven't heard any complaints from them, I understand what Lucas is telling me.
I walked about three blocks before reaching the row of fast-food and small stores, mostly crowded with working students.
I decided to continue my search tomorrow after classes. I didn't want to spend, so I tried walking. In the middle of my walk, a black Mustang stopped on the side of the road and honked. I immediately knew who it was.
"Lucas," I called.
"Mom thinks I'm taking you home. If she asks later, say I gave you a ride," he ordered, and I just nodded.
I felt disappointed again, thinking he might give me a lift. Before leaving, he called me again. I was surprised when he threw something out of the window, and it landed on the ground.
"There's your fare," he arrogantly said and sped away in his Mustang. I looked at the money he threw, picking it up with closed eyes.
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