CHAPTER I

I want the patient to be transferred as soon as possible. And run those tests immediately, will you? Mariannes voice sailed across the emergency room with a wave of apprehension. The nurse stood amidst the doorway with her craning neck, confused of her task, and stared at the bustling commotion of the ER. This had always been the common scenario of the emergency room, flooded with people that one can barely identify the patients and the medical assistants. She derricked her neck, trying to find the young petite doctor who took residence in the hospital four years ago. She saw her busily attending to five patients at the left corner. She raced towards the narrow-spaced alley of beds and spoke hesitantly, Doc, there is someone looking for you at the hospitals foyer. Without looking at the nurse, Marianne shook away the falling locks of hair that was pinned firmly awhile ago. Cant you see that Im busy, Cora. She then gaped at her, If its another MedRep, tell them to wait. But, Doc Cora, just go. Shes not a MedRep, I mean, the one thats looking for you. Timidly, she took the paper that the older woman handed her and gave it to Marianne. She took it with clear impatience. She told me it was urgent and that her name was Marissa. Marissa Vill- Marianne made a quick scan on the note and recognized her Titas scrawl. A surge of panic groped her eyes. Without finishing the note, Marianne yanked her stethoscope and murmured instructions to the attending nurses before taking off. She felt the cold rush of emotions around her as she raced down the hospital lobby. It had been a year since she last saw her Tita Marissa. She was barely eighteen, a sophomore in pre-med years, when her mother died. No one took her in after that. Of course, who would take responsibility of a grown up dork-looking teenager? She chased from

one aunt to another, taking her courses in the morning and doing a tutorial in the evening to pay her tuition and college needs. It had been a hell of nightmare for her that sometimes she thought she would give up, until one morning her current adoptive aunt called her to meet her moms friend. She was devastated at the thought that she was about to move to another aunt. But all thoughts were gone when she saw her. Her Tita Marissa hugged her tightly the moment she went past the door. She was astonished by the warmth of her embrace. I dont know, not until today. Im so sorry, child. It must be hard for you. She told her. She learned that her mother sent a letter to her Tita days before she died. She took Marianne out of her aunts ominous care and let her stay with her sons flat. I cant let you stay in the house because its far too distanced. Dont worry, hes not always here. You see, hes a senior Medicine. Of course, you will have separate rooms and there is someone I hired to do the domestic chores every week. Dont let yourself worry; Ill take care of you. She almost cried, Thank you, Tita Marissa. Marianne saw her waiting in the small couch. She smiled as she saw her lit up with relief. I thought Im not gonna get a chance to chat with you, dear. Tita Marissa!She ran towards her gave a peck on both cheeks. Now, child, what took you so long? You let me wait here for almost an hour after not showing up last year. Im so sorry, Tita. I just cant go out, especially at this time of the day. And for last year, I called you, right?It was more like a statement than a question. What took you here? Its a bit of surprise. She took the old womans hand and led her back to the couch. What do you mean surprised? Are you not happy to see me? The old woman grunted in dismay. Of course I am happy. I missed you so much, but you know exactly that I cant take an off. She told her pleadingly. Look at you, youre so thin. Are you eating on time? If Jason saw this, he would scold your stubborn little head.

At the mention of his name made her flinch a little. How long has it been that last time she saw him, seven, eight years? She loathed the thought of him. Thinking of her unanswered letters to him pricked her precious little heart. And yet, shes aware of the lingering emotions she still felt for him. Anyway, the reason Im here is to tell you that this time you have to take an off for a week. Come on, child, Im too old to make another trip like this. I want to make most of my time while Im still able to. I want you to go with us on a summer vacation in Bohol. But, Tita.. No, you have to come. Jasons coming, too, and, Maya and Paul have said their yes. Now, child, you know how much I wanted this. Its been four years of rift between my two boys. Sadness poured down in her titas eyes. She knew it, too, almost felt it. It all started out when Paul sent their wedding invitations to Jason who never set foot on the day of their matrimony. They may never mention it, but Im their mother, Maya. All I wanted is for them to settle whatever reasons of their discomfort. Her titas pleading eyes made a lump of forlorn in her throat. Sighing, Ofof course. Ill be there. Thank you, child. I know that I can always turn on you. She took her hands and stood, Now, I must be going. Ill call you tonight for the arrangement, yes? Marianne nodded and stood as her tita scurried down the hospital exit. Now, what am I supposed to do?

Chapter 2

Marianne scurried down the lane across the university past 7 oclock in the morning. Carrying a bulk of activity sheets and book manuals, she cursed softly at the thought that shes going to be late for her class. Last week had been a hell of exams and assignments, a deadline to be chased, and piles of projects to be passed. She was too busy clamping all her parcels that she barely noticed the rushing red sports car towards her. It had rained last night, making the road holes pooled with mudded water. The car hit the nearest road hole, splashing hefty amount of mud on her starched-white uniform. Oh..ohhhh! So shocked of the cold dirty water drenching her skirt, she took some of the parcels into her other hand and jostle down her hand on her skirt that now plastered along her lithe thigh. Now, what? Frowning, she gauged the extent of the mud on her uniform. Shit! she marched up towards the halted car. Jason stopped the moment he toppled a wave of mud at the scuttling student. Too busy looking for his stethoscope that had dropped when his mom called; he took the wrong curb and hit the muddling lane of road holes. He cursed a bit whilst holding the car door open. He walked towards the gawking girl, dripping with mud from waist and below. A man in his early twenties came out from the sports car. Marianne continued gaping at him with an obvious anger and irritation. You! Look what youve she trailed off as realization hit her with massive gust. The man striding towards her was the great Jason Damien Villeza. Notoriously known for having an IQ of 300+ among the medical student of the university, he walked like a cat ready to paw on little mice. Apart from the fact that hes totally gorgeous with jet black hair and well-honed body, he has an overly-sized pocket. Gulping all the courage she could take, she continued staring at him with evident fury. His mouth twitched at the corner making an electrifying tingle of excitement. The man was a handsome monster. Im sorry, Miss.

That voice could have frozen any boiling water the instant, so cold. But it brought a coil of unexpected warmth inside her tummy. Think Marianne. Think. Sorry? What do you think youre sorry could do? she started, trying hard to cool her trembling voice. Look, miss. I said Im sorry. It wasnt really my intention to run down that lane and splash mud on your skirt. You listen, Mrwhoever you are-, she lied. Villeza. Yes, er, Villeza, dont tell me youre not gonna do anything about this? pointing down to the stained skirt with a hint of nuisance in her voice. He sighed. Look, miss. I want to help, I really do, but Im late. He stated with apologetic look. Anger buoyed up inside her. Why, do you think youre the only one thats late? She started to shout. Im also late, Mr. Villeza. I have an exam fifteen minutes ago and another three for the next three hours, and I still have a deadline to be met in forty-five minutes. So tell me, what am I gonna, tell my professors when I came in breaking their number one rule: no unclean uniform? Tiny drops of tears welled at the corners of her eyes. All the emotions pent up inside were slowly pouring down; frustrations, disappointments, anger, exhaustion. Jason was too stunned to answer as tears threatened to run down her innocent face. It seems that his charms werent effective at all and felt a stab of guilt crossing an emotional boundary. I..I-, he faltered. It seems he lost his reasoning. Students were already crowding around them with their curious stares and snaking nosy eyes. Marianne was all too unaware of her surroundings when he took her hand and dragged her into his car. What are you doing? She groped her eyes in the car interior the moment he slammed the door shut. She wasnt even sure if she heard the car door closing at the passengers seat. Where are you taking me? Jason hoisted himself in drivers seat and started the car. He was too annoyed to answer the ensuing question of the scrawny girl. He

made a reverse, and try to lunge back to university lanes, propelling the sports car at its speed. Cant you hear any of my questions? I said where are you taking me? Jason sighed with obvious surrender. Cant you shut up for a minute, miss? Calm down, and besides, you need my help. Marianne was too stunned to even react to his intimidating words. Whos your professor? Im going to talk to him. But Come on, miss. Do you really want to take the exam or not? Yes, but Ill talk to your professor, ok, and let you excuse for few minutes and then Ill find something you could wear. Fine, its Dr. Torre. She looked at him at the sound of his laugh. I see.(Add something) Everyone in the university knows the owner of the extraordinary red sports car. Of course, who would not know the sole owner of Lamborghini Aventador in this country? Female students started to run down the hall with obvious excitement, so are the males too. Everyone was too eager to know the person whom the great Jason Damien Villeza came for, but, should I say came with? Here we go! Jason unfastened his seat belt and stared at the messy girl beside him. She looked totally lost and confused. She wasnt even aware that theyre already at the front of laboratory building. He slammed his door and opened for the passenger seat. Her trembling little hands were wrapped around the fastener of the seat belt, trying to undo the clasp. Tick, tick, tick.. Gosh! Why cant this unfasten itself?

Marriane cursed at her stupidness at the little work. She heard his impatience and before she could retort, she felt his strong hands enfold hers and started to do it on his own. Her senses were filled with the sweet smell of his signature cologne with a musk scent of his own masculinity. He damned smelled good! Marianne was too busy smelling him, and wasnt even conscious that he has unclasped the seat belt and now was looking at her with amusement on his eyes. She staggered forward, ready to escape the embarrassment. Ummumm, thanks. Sorry about that. She clumsily stepped on the wet pavement and skided out. He took her hands and balanced her with the other on her waist. Students were already murmuring