CHAPTER 4

The mall is conveniently located near our university, and it only takes about 10 minutes to get there. I sat carefully, trying not to lean back in my seat because I'm worried that I might get blood on it while Rafael drove.

Once we arrived and parked, we went straight to a department store to shop for clothes. Rafael took the lead in selecting items, and I just followed him. I realize that he had a much better sense of style than I did.

"This one... and that one," he instructed the saleslady assisting us.

I was shocked by the pile of clothes he had placed in a black basket. I had expected him to buy just one shirt!

"One shirt is enough, Raf. You've picked out so many," I murmured shyly.

He gently brushed my hair back, smiled at me without saying a word, and despite what I said to him, he led me to a bench to sit down.

"I'm going to pay for these, and after that, we're going to the hospital. You can change your clothes there, okay?"

I nodded silently. The payment process was quick because the manager in the store assisted him. I shook my head as I watched Rafael talk to the manager. I wasn't sure what he did, but he paid the cashier in no time.

"You really should have just bought one, Raf," I said as we left the store.

"That's fine. Now you'll have plenty of t-shirts," he replied.

I sighed at his comment. "My siblings will just take them when they see the paper bags."

I heard him chuckle softly. "I'll bring these clothes to school so you have something to change into if you get sweaty. Does that sound okay to you?"

"Hmm."

Once we reached the parking lot, I got into his car and buckled my seatbelt. Rafael started the car quickly and drove us to the hospital.

Upon arrival, someone who recognized Rafael immediately came to assist us. He spoke to a nurse, who nodded and hurried away. I frowned and glanced at Rafael, who wore a serious expression as he spoke to a well-known doctor. Was the Zevallos family so important that they got this kind of treatment?

"Rafael."

He quickly turned to me and gestured for the doctor to pause.

"What? Is something wrong?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

I shook my head. "No. But, Raf, maybe we should wait. He might have other patients to attend to," I suggested, referring to the doctor.

"No, Sarah. My uncle will take care of you. You need to get your shot right away, and it's for your own good," he insisted.

I scratched my head, choosing to remain silent because I knew he would have his way. After a few minutes, we were led into a room, and I received the shot.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

"Raf, your birthday is coming up soon."

He was driving back to school now that I had received my shot. I had already changed clothes and felt much better, especially around my stomach.

He nodded quietly as his eyes fixed on the road. "I know, but I wish I could delay my birthday a little longer. But I don't have a choice."

I frowned. "Why? You'll be 23 then. You're getting old," I joked.

He glanced at me briefly and smiled faintly. For some reason, a pang of pain and anxiety shot through my chest. The smile faded from my lips due to this unexplainable feeling.

"Are you okay?" I asked, concerned.

"Of course," he replied softly.

The drive back to school was quiet. He was usually quiet, but his silence felt different this time, as if he were lost in thought.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

"I feel like you're going to leave me, Raf," I said softly as we walked home.

He was walking me to my house backyard after our school, and we were already passing the hangout place we visited on my birthday.

"I promise I'll never leave you, Sarah," he replied.

He held my arm as we walked through the slightly tall grass. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow, and a strong wind blew through our hair.

"I don't know why I feel this way," I confessed unconsciously.

He chuckled and hugged me tightly. I hugged him back but let go after a few minutes, feeling silly for holding on for so long.

He wouldn't let me slip away, and I felt he gripped my wrist so I couldn't escape. I was caught off guard as he pulled me toward a nearby tree. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting shadows around us, we found ourselves cloaked in darkness, hidden beneath the branches.

I leaned back against the rough bark, my heart racing so wildly it felt as if it might get out of my chest. I blinked a few times as I met his intense gaze, It seems like he memorized every detail of my face. Why does it feel like this will be our final moment together? The warmth in his mysterious gray eyes made my breath hitch, and I fought against the thought that this would be a goodbye.

When his fingers touched under my chin, I felt a rush of excitement. He lowered his head and captured my lips in a soft yet electrifying kiss. My left hand gripped him tightly, while my right hand clung to the tree behind me for support. He pressed his body closer to me, pinning me against the trunk, our kiss deepening and becoming a rhythm all its own.

His fingers glided from my chin to my neck, and I felt he tangled my hair to pull me closer to him. A soft moan escaped me, an unfamiliar heat flooding my senses with every brush of his skin against mine. Each kiss ignited new sensations. He made a sound between our fiery kiss, which only intensified the fire building within me.

He playfully nipped at my lower lip, and our tongues entwined, igniting a fierce, raw passion that took me completely by surprise. It was almost embarrassing how awkward I felt while he moved with a confidence that I think he had done this before. But he didn't pull back. Instead, he led me deeper into this intoxicating moment.

When I finally began to feel breathless, I was the first to retreat. We both gasped for air, our eyes locking again. My hand rested on his chest, gently pushing him back. His lips were swollen and glistening, a quiet satisfaction shining in his gaze that made those gray eyes sparkle. We remained silent, yet in that wordless exchange, I could feel the happiness radiating between us, a bond forged in that stolen moment.

"I think you should go inside. It's already dark," he softly whispered to me as he caressed my hair.

We didn't bother to talk about why we kissed or what it meant. I felt so foolish for letting him sweep me away like that. But deep down, I wanted those lips on mine and the rush feelings that came with it. This was the second time we'd lost ourselves in a kiss, and yet we never even brought it up.

There are no friends who kiss like lovers. There are no friends who behave as if they're in a relationship. Most of all, friends don't share deep and fiery kisses that make their bodies almost touch as one.

"Okay..."

Before I entered my yard, we took a picture at his request—a selfie and a portrait. We posed both playfully and formally. Afterward, he hugged me again, as if it might be our last.

"Bye. Be careful, Raf," I whispered as I waved goodbye.

"Bye. See you..."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

A loud slap jolted me awake. I sat up quickly and touched my stinging left cheek.

"Sarah!" Hillary shouted, her eyes blazing as she looked at the phone in her hand.

"Where did you get the money to buy this, huh?!"

I stood up to take the phone from her, but she shoved it into her shorts pocket.

"Give it back, Hillary. That's not yours," I said calmly.

I felt nervous about the phone because Rafael had given it to me! I was afraid Hillary might do something to it. She grabbed my arm and pulled me closer while glaring at me.

"Are you so desperate for a phone like this? You probably slept with someone to get it, didn't you?" she spat angrily.

I quickly snatched the phone back and tucked it into my own pocket. Her anger only intensified at my action.

"You're insane! Let's sell this to buy milk for your nephew!" she shouted.

"Get a job so you can buy it," I replied. I grabbed a towel and headed to the bathroom for a shower.

"I'm not done talking to you! You're so stupid!" she yelled after me.

"Damn it, Hillary! It's too early for your nonsense. You're child is crying! If you hadn't prioritized flirting, you might still be in school!" my mom shouted.

I sighed and continued to shower. This is how my mornings usually begin. My head throbbed from the argument.

After my shower, I opened my phone to message Rafael.

To Rafael:

Hi! Good morning!

After I dressed, I went downstairs and noticed my mom busy organizing the firewood she had collected. Hernand was outside and not even bothering to help her.

"Let me help you, Mom," I offered softly.

She shot me a glare. "Stay away from me, Sarah. You make me angry just by being here!"

I pursed my lips and smiled at her even though her words made my chest feel tight. I told her I was going to school and left immediately.

While walking in the sidewalk, I took out my phone again to call Rafael, but he didn't answer.

"Why aren't you picking up?" I whispered to myself.

My brow furrowed when I saw a large crowd outside the school, including reporters.

What's going on?

I quickly took a picture and texted Rafael.

To Rafael:

There are a lot of people here. Are you already here?

Just after I sent the message, someone grabbed my arm, and it startled me.

"Are you Sarah? Rafael Zevallos's best friend?"

"What do you think about his death?"

"Are you his girlfriend or just a friend?"

"W-wait. What death?" I stammered, confused.

I thought I was going to be swarmed by reporters, but one student who was also studying at our university quickly pulled me inside our school. She was panting as she looked at me.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly.

I looked at her. She was sweaty and out of breath. She took a deep breath and walked me under a tree.

"Thank you. What's going on? Why are there so many reporters?" I asked gently.

'Rafael Zevallos's death?'

A sharp ache pierced my chest at that thought. Surely they were just joking, right? But no one jokes about something like this if reporters are involved.

She didn't answer. Instead, she took my hand and led me to our classroom. Only when we arrived did she speak.

"Just go in and you'll see. Condolences, Sarah," she said softly, giving me a light hug.

Fear and dread filled my chest. Please, I hope I'm wrong. With each step toward the classroom, my feet felt heavier.

Everyone's eyes turned toward me as I approached Rafael's seat. But there was no Rafael sitting there, only flowers and pictures of him.

My mind spun from what I saw. What's going on? Why is this happening? Where is Rafael?

"Condolences, Sarah," our teacher said softly.

I took a deep breath and touched my cheek. I didn't know that I was already crying. My body felt numb.

"W-what happened? Why is all this here? W-where is Raf? Where is he?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"They said his parents' car was hit while they were driving to a restaurant for dinner. Rafael suffered from severe injuries because he was the driver," she explained. "The front of the car was mangled. You could hardly recognize his face except for the leather bracelet he was wearing."

Her last words deafened me. That bracelet was one of the biggest pieces of evidence—it was a gift from me on Valentine's Day! I knew it was him.

My vision blurred as I stared at Rafael's empty seat. Tears streamed down my face as happy memories of us flooded my mind. Why did it have to happen so fast? If I had known that night would be the last time I saw him, I would have stayed longer.

He wouldn't leave me, he promised me. So why was this happening? The pain was overwhelming.

I leaned on the armrest as I felt my legs were jelly. As my vision darkened, I heard loud shouting before everything went black.

"Sarah!"

"Ms. Dayanghirang!"

SHANGPU