"Good morning, Elle!" Eri greeted me promptly. "Morning," I mumbled shortly and sat in my chair. He really annoys me! Well, if you're asking who I'm referring to, it's just my cold, ungentlemanly husband. Hmp, he's lucky I love him. Yes, I'm married and I have feelings for him, although it's just an arranged marriage. "Ohh? What happened to you? Why do you look like the sky and earth fell on you? Did you have another fight with your husband? Haha," Cia teased and moved to the chair next to mine. I didn't bother to answer her goddamn question and just rolled my eyes instead. I looked at Xyra, who was busy on her phone. She's probably stalking Kuya Axel again. "Hey, Elle!" I scowled as I remembered what my dear husband did again- "ASTHERIELLE LOUISVILLE!!!" I jumped and snapped back to reality when Cia shouted my full name. I glared at her, but she just made a peace sign. "Are you trying to make me deaf, huh, woman?" I asked irritably, but she just rolled her eyes at me. "We've been calling you for a while, but it looks like you're busy daydreaming," Eri said, moving closer to Xyra, who was still busy on her phone and smiling. I just pouted and said sorry. "Why are you spacing out? Is there a problem?" Cia asked. I just shook my head and nudged Xyra. "What?" she asked in confusion, seemingly unaware of what was happening around her. "Ouch! Damn," she complained when Cia smacked her on the head, glaring at her. They ended up chasing each other like children. Eri and I just shook our heads.
Chapter 1
" she complained when she got hit by Cia, so she gave her a dirty look, and they ended up chasing each other like children. Eri and I just shook our heads.
"Elle," Eri called out to me, and I turned to look at her.
I sighed as I understood what she wanted to say.
"We had a fight," I pouted and looked at her.
"Again?!" she asked, and I nodded.
"I have an idea!" I looked at Xyra, who was panting and sitting on the chair in front of us, as well as Cia, who was disheveled and red-eared. I hadn't noticed that their chase had ended.
"What? You have an idea?" Eri laughed and covered her mouth with her hand.
"Of course, idiot," she snapped, making us laugh and straighten up.
"What idea?" I asked, and she grinned as she told me what she was thinking.
"What?!" I exclaimed, noticing some of our classmates looking at us.
"S-sorry," I said, turning my attention back to Xyra.
"Ignore him? You wanâ" she cut me off.
"No. It's not just a request or command; it's a dare, right, girls?" she said, grinning. Cia nodded in agreement.
"Buâ" I was interrupted by Eri.
"No more buts. I think it's a good idea, right?" I looked at Cia, silently asking for help, but she just nodded.
I pouted.
"You look like a duck," Xyra said, making me pout even more.
"So, we have a deal now. If you don't do our dare, you'll buy us whatever we want for a month. So, will you do it or not?" Xyra asked.
I had no choice but to nod because if I didn't, I would go broke because of these three.
I'm Astherielle Louisville, 18 years old, and those three witches-oops, I mean girls-are my best friends: Erica Jade Hoseah, 18 years old, Cianna Roosevelt, 18 years old, and Xyra Shen, 18 years old. We're all first-year college students here at Wartor Academy
Astherielle's POV
"I'm tired," I yawned and lay on the couch.
I just got home. Sigh, another exhausting day. As for the dare, maybe I'll just start that tomorrow because I'm so tired. I was so exhausted that I didn't even notice falling asleep on the sofa.
F
A
S
T
F
O
R
W
A
R
D
I woke up feeling hungry, so I got up. It was only then that I realized I was in my room, but I distinctly remember falling asleep on the sofa. How did I end up in my room?
I brushed it off and went straight to the bathroom to freshen up.
After cleaning up, I headed to my walk-in closet and changed into my house clothes.
Once I was dressed, I went downstairs to the kitchen because I was really hungry.
I ran into Nanay Feli, the housekeeper in our home. I smiled and approached her.
"Nay Feli," I said, smiling, and held onto her arm.
"Oh, dear, you're awake. Are you hungry?" she asked. I nodded and pouted at her.
She laughed and led me to the kitchen.
In the five months I've been here, I can say they've gotten used to my ways, and I've grown close to everyone in the mansion except for my cold-hearted husband.
"Dear, here's your food. Eat up," Nanay Feli said, bringing me back to reality as she arrived with my meal.
"Thank you, Nay," I said with a smile. She nodded, and I started eating.
While eating, I glanced at the clock on the wall and noticed it was already past 10 PM.
While eating, I glanced at the clock on the wall and noticed it was already past 10 PM.
Has Zacharious come home yet? Has he eaten? I'll ask Nay Feli later.
I finished my meal and brought the dishes to the sink. I saw Nanay Feli there and approached her to ask if Zacharious had eaten and come home.
"Nay Feli, has Zacharious come home?" I asked her while she was cleaning some pots.
She turned to me and nodded.
"He got home around seven, dear. He was the one who carried you to your room," she replied with a smile.
Wait, what? He was the one who brought me to my room?
I turned away from Nanay Feli to hide the smile I could no longer contain. I was thrilled!
I faced Nanay again and asked if Zacharious had eaten. She said he had, so I bid her goodnight and went upstairs.
As soon as I entered my room, I lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
I smiled again, remembering how Zacharious carried me to my room. Thinking about it, I didn't even realize when I fell asleep.
Astherielle's POV
The next day, I woke up to the incessant sound of my alarm clock. I got up and turned it off.
Yawning and still half-asleep, I dragged myself to the bathroom to start my morning routine.
After finishing my routine and getting dressed, I went downstairs to the kitchen, where I found Zacharious sitting at the table with breakfast already laid out.
I sat down and started eating immediately. I could feel Zacharious's gaze on me, but I ignored it. Maybe he was surprised by my behavior because I usually greeted him with a "Good morning" before we ate together.
Zacharious Clevion Wartor, 21 years old. He's a fourth-year college student, about to graduate, and he's also the CEO of his own company.
"Ahem..." I heard him clear his throat, but I didn't pay attention and continued eating. Even though I wanted to greet and talk to him, I couldn't because of Xyra's dare. But they aren't here and wouldn't know, so maybe I could talk to him, right? They wouldn't find out, would they? But we did make a deal... Ugh, never mind!
I stood up and said goodbye to Nay Feli, telling her I was leaving. But before I could get out the door, a cold, deep voice spoke from behind me.
"Let's go."
I turned to look at him, and as always, there was no emotion on his face.
I shook my head and said I would ask Tatay Karlito (Tay Lito) to drive me. Tatay Lito is Nay Feli's husband and our driver.
Anyway, back to the topic. He insisted we go together, so I had no choice but to agree, as we were already running late. It was 7:14 am, and our class started at 8 am.
During the drive, an awkward silence enveloped us. In the past, I would chat with him when we went to school together, but not anymore because of Xyra's dare.
After more than 15 minutes, we arrived at the university. I got out of the car immediately and headed straight inside, ignoring him calling after me.
After more than 15 minutes, we arrived at the university. I got out of the car immediately and headed straight inside, ignoring him calling after me.
I reached my classroom at 7:35 am, greeted by three grinning faces.
"I saw that," Cia said.
"Me too," Eri added.
I ignored them and slumped at my desk. They kept pestering me about riding with Zacharious, but I didn't respond. They finally stopped when our first professor arrived.
DISCUSS
DISCUSS
DISCUSS
DISMISS
Our last class before break ended, so we packed our things and left.
"So, are you giving up on our deal already?" Xyra asked with a grin.
I shook my head and looked ahead as we walked to the cafeteria.
"He insisted we go together, so I had no choice but to agree. But the deal is still on; I didn't talk to or acknowledge him," I explained as we reached the cafeteria.
They nodded, and we found a place to sit.
"Eri and I will order. You two wait here," Cia volunteered. Xyra and I nodded and waited for them.
A little while later, they returned with our food, and we started eating.
But before I could take a bite, the cafeteria erupted with screams and cheers.
I didn't bother looking to see who it was about and continued eating.
"Kyahhh Press, I love you!"
"V-Press, have my baby!!!"
"The SSG Officers, ackkk!!"
"Axel, I'm free tonight!!!"
"Ms. Ylaine, how do I become like you?"
"Elex, eken kene leng ehe~"
These were some of the screams and cheers echoing in the cafeteria, but I paid no attention since I was used to it.
"Axel is still so hot, isn't he?" Xyra said, staring behind me. I smirked and glanced back to see my brother and his friends approaching us.
"Hot, huh," Cia teased. Xyra snapped back to reality and gave Cia a flustered look.
"H-huh?" she stammered, but we just shook our heads.
The three of us knew she had a crush on my brother Axel, but she wouldn't admit it yet.
To Be Continued...
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