FORBIDDEN LOVE (English Version)

DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction; Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are only products of the author's imagination.

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Maxine's POV

I walk the muddy road to the other village. That's where I attend, Wilford University, a school for the rich, and I don't belong there.

I am Maxine Filmore, nineteen years old. My Mother is a maid, and she has been serving the Alfonzo's for ten years. The couple is nice. In fact, they are the ones who send me to school, and in return, I help Mom every time I don't have class.

I looked at the watch I was wearing. It's eight o'clock so I'm walking even faster, I have class at nine and I can't be late.

Annoyingly, not even a single vehicle passed by when I was in a hurry, add to that the darkening of the sky signaled impending rain.

I frowned as a black car pulled up behind me. My uniform was almost covered in mud. It was Miss Beatriz's car, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfonzo. As good as the couple is, Miss Beatriz is the opposite. She is filled with curses and a core of pride.

I IMMEDIATELY went to the rest room when I got to the University. I carefully observed my own reflection in the mirror. I am just about to go in but I look like I'm going home. I shook my head. I am nothing compared to the students who attend here. But if it's just based on looks, at least I also have something to brag about. They said it was like I had foreign blood.

After getting ready, I was about to leave the rest room when I was bumped by two women just entering, I dropped the books I was carrying. I immediately bent down to pick them up.

"Sorry," a woman said cleverly, obviously not being sincere when she said that. "Because I didn't see you."

"Served right," said another woman who laughed.

I chose not to mind them and just continued doing what I was doing. I am used to it. This is how my life has been since I entered this University. I want to transfer to another school. I don't want it here. The students who come here are proud and arrogant, but I have no choice. Fortunately, I am now graduating this year with BSHRM course. With God's mercy, I will be able to lift Mom out of poverty.

I CHOSE to sit in the back. Just a few moments after that, Miss Gillany, our Class adviser, also arrived. And she started to discuss.

FINISHED the first class and I didn't understand anything. I'm not in the mood and I feel like not doing anything today.

Since the next subject was at two O'clock in the afternoon, I decided to go home first. I don't have money to buy snack. Also, I'd rather save the pocket money that 'Mom gives than waste it.

As I always do, I walked to the bus station. It's only walking distance from the school so I patiently walk it every day. I ran when it started to rain. Fortunately, I got to the waiting area right away before the downpour got stronger. I grabbed a handkerchief from the bag to wipe the few drops of rain from my face when the wind accidentally blew it away. I quickly took a step to catch up with it but at the same time as that step, a motorcycle sped by. I was able to avoid it immediately but I lost my balance due to the shock.

I stayed with my fall. I also saw the motorcyclist fall and spin around.

I forced myself to stand up to help, knowing that the motorcyclist was hurt more.

"Mister, are you okay?!" I asked in a loud voice while trying to get closer. He was wearing a helmet so I couldn't see his face.

I helped the guy get up until he sat down.

"Are you okay?" I ask again. But I didn't expect my reaction when the guy took his helmet off. I was stunned for a moment and just stared at his face; medium-thick eyebrows, pointed nose, ruddy lips, and add to that his rather narrow gray eyes. How did such a handsome creature exist here in Sta. Monica? There are many handsome men in Wilford, but the guy in front of me seems to have something unusual. And I feel like I want to be insecure about the smoothness of his face.

"Are you stupid?!" shouted the guy who returned to my senses. His eyebrows met as he stared at me. "You just cross without looking to see if there's a vehicle or not?!"

My admiration for the guy in front of me disappeared. My ears tingled like I was blown away by the wind. He called me a fool.

"W-what are you?" I asked in disbelief. "Hey Mister, I was hurt too. And then look at my uniform, it's dirty! Who could have driven so fast that he thought he owned the way!"

The guy's eyebrows arched, an irritated smile flashed across his lips.

"And now it's my fault. Do you have any idea how much my Harley Davidson is? Even if you work all your life, you won't be able to pay for that!"

I looked at the motorcycle. I secretly swallowed when I saw that the left side mirror was broken. I don't know what the brand of the motor is but it looks like expensive.

I seemed to have followed my gaze when the guy stood up and headed for the motorcycle. He is tall. He might be a basketball player. Cool.

After a while, the guy started the motorcycle and sped away. I would have protested but he quickly disappeared from my sight. I was annoyed as I stomped on the road and cried as I followed a glimpse the way he took.

Very, very antipathetic. Bad attitude. He didn't even apologize. I almost crashed. Maybe he's studying at Wilford too. The arrogance.

---

Author's POV

MAXINE'S nose seemed to be suffocating in annoyance when she got home to the mansion. She immediately went straight to the maid's quarter and took a bath.

Since her class was in the afternoon, her mother ordered her to buy groceries first.

MAXINE went to the vegetable's section first as she arrived at the store. She looked over the list of her mother before starting to choose. She was about to take a whole cabbage with the hand of whoever she touched. She automatically turned to it only to have her eyes widen.

"You?!"

Lucas's POV

I decided to have a round first. I don't have anything to buy actually. I just accompanied my elder sister since she asked me to.

My feet took me to the vegetable section. I smiled upon seeing those round green leafy vegetables, my favorite. I took a cabbage but suddenly someone grabbed my hand. I turned my head to take a look.

"You?!"

Small world. She is the one I almost ran over earlier.

"Are you following me?" I asked her instead, looking at her face.

"Conceited.." She murmured.

"Saying something?" I teased a question even though I heard it. But instead of answering, the girl took a whole cabbage and spoke to it.

"Hey Maxine, do you see anyone around?"

So Maxine is her name.

"I'm Lucas."

"Excuse me?" She said in a flat tone. She also looked at me badly.

"You were stating your name, so I guessed you wanna know mine." I uttered in amusement as I crossed my arms. I don't know why I am talking to her but it's just that it's kinda fun. "Girls' strategy, right?"

The girl breathed and looked at me in annoyance. If only the look could kill, I swear I'd be hit.

"You get away from me before I smack this cabbage into your face!"

I couldn't help but slightly arch my lips. Seemed she gonna spew a fire any moment, something that made me want to tease her even more.

"I knew it, pretending to be angry. Women always do that to get men's attention."

I saw her chest rise and fall before she uttered again.

"Find someone to talk to! You're not my type!"

I promptly held her cart when she was about to leave. And that made her shoot me another look. How cute.

"What's wrong with you?!"

"Nothing. Have you?"

"You freak!"

I grinned again. She talks weird or that's just how people like her talk.

"Wanna to talk about my motorcycle?" I uttered in a lower voice as I got closer to her, bowing my head for she was a little bit small. "Do you even know how expensive it is---its Harley Davidson."

At my comfort she was slightly stunned. Her face was pale as paper as the color escaped from it.

"Lucas..."

I looked at that voice.

Big sister, Lourine. She's only a year old than me.

Lourine hissed, stepping towards me. "I thought you left me already. And who's that girl?" She looked next to me. "Girlfriend?"

"Hell, no!" I refused and helped her with her cart.

One more glance for the stranger before I continued walking. I shook that I stared at my hand, I'm not sure if the girl felt the same way I felt earlier.

THIRTY minutes before we reached the palace. Our home is on top of a hill so we rarely get out of town.

"Good day Ma'am, Sir!" greeted the guard who then opened the big gate that serves as a barrier to the palace. Lourine was in her car while I just followed with my motorcycle.

"I told you darling, you don't have to do that. Let Ebith do her job." It was Mommy.

"It's okay, Mom, I love doing this. It relieves stress," said Lourine while arranging the groceries we bought earlier.

"Yeah, you're right, darling."

"What are you doing, baby brother?" Lourine turned to me.

"You didn't buy cabbage?" I asked again while rummaging through the other items.

"No."

I frowned, looking at her.

"Wait!" She faced and waved at me. "You were too rushed earlier. You even pulled me, didn't you? It's your fault baby brother, that's why I wasn't able to buy it."

"You should insist me to stay." I grumbled.

"Enough baby, I'll just order Ebith to buy it for you," said Mommy.

Pissed off I turned them away. Dunno, but cabbage is my weakness. Funny, isn't it? I guess I was conceived from it.

"Lucas." Mommy called as I turned around. She let out a deep sigh before speaking.

"Your Grandfather is coming soon."

I couldn't speak, even Lourine was staring at me.

"You cannot runaway from it, Son," continued Mommy.

"I know," I replied almost in a whisper. I secretly clenched my hands. That old man is going to witness my 21st birthday, and that day is the one I don't want to come in my life the most.

---

Maxine's POV

"Here," I said to the tricycle driver as I handed over twenty pesos. We are in front of the mansion. I put down the purchases one by one.

"It's not enough, Miss."

"How much then?"

"Twenty five."

"Too expensive. Is there no discount? I'm a student." I complained.

"You're so exaggerated. Only twenty-six pesos will you ask for a discount? You had just walked."

Oh, come on! Why do people seem to be pissing me off this day?

Annoyed, I picked up a coin and held it out from my wallet.

I caught up with Miss Beatriz in the living room, reading a magazine. She might not have class today.

"Hey!"

I stopped walking and turned around.

"Yes?"

"Bring me a glass of water."

"Alright," I replied and continued to the kitchen carrying the groceries.

"What is that?" Miss Beatriz raised an eyebrow and asked the glass I was carrying.

"A glass of water, can't you see?" I asked back.

"I know!" She stormed. "You're gonna make me drink it without ice?!"

"You didn't say."

"Common sense, stupid!" She stormed again.

"I'll get another one," I said calmly.

"Never mind!" She whined. She put down the magazine she was reading and stood up.

Shaking my head, I gave Miss Beatriz a look while climbing up stairs. I really meant it. I'm very tired today.

I picked up the glass of water to take it back to the kitchen when my attention was drawn to a picture in a popular magazine. It's like a family picture. The two women sitting on the long couch were very beautiful. Three men stood behind. My eyes were fixed on the guy in the middle wearing a black suit---the arrogant guy?! Next to him is an old man who is probably his Grandfather. I don't know, but I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up. There seems to be something strange about the old man's face.

[Harrison]

I raised an eyebrow. No wonder why that guy was so arrogant. He has something to brag about.

Author's POV

"Ma'am is there!" shouted a classmate of Maxine the next day while running into the room. The students were immediately seated. The previously noisy room became silent.

"Excuse me." Maxine whispered to the girl next to her. "Do you know who's gonna handle our Law-1?"

"Miss Calupe."

"Is she nice?" Maxine asked again.

"My God, you don't know Miss Calupe?! She's one of the terror Instructors in this University." The girl answered annoyingly.

Maxine frowned ahead and talked almost whispering. "Retarded..!"

"What did you just say?"

"I mean, you're beautiful."

"Indeed."

Maxine grinned. "Just kidding."

"B*tch---."

"Good Morning, Ma'am!"

The girl next to Maxine stopped when Miss Calupe arrived, although she squeaked a finger sign to her.

"Good Morning!" Miss Calupe's wishful greeting.

A moment of deafening silence passed before the Instructor spoke again.

"Okay. Before anything else, I want to give you guys a very warm welcome," She said calmly looking at the students. "And as of that, get one whole sheet of paper---now!"

Everyone panicked as the Instructor's voice boomed as she said the last thing before writing something on the white board.

"Start answering."

After a while.

"Ah..!" Maxine's moaning voice was restrained. She was thrown a battered piece of paper that looked like it was still inside. She opened it to see, a white-out. She looked annoyed at the girl next to her but she just shrugged her shoulders and smiled.

"What is that?!"

Maxine quickly hid the battered paper behind her. And she was as if she had been bitten by a snake when she looked at Miss Calupe.

"What's your full name?" The Instructor asked calmly. She stood up and walked towards her.

"Maxine Filmore," Maxine responded in a low voice. She was sweating profusely despite their air-conditioned room.

"What is that behind your back?"

Maxine swallowed one after the other due to nervousness. She seemed to be beating her chest even though she didn't do anything.

"It's nothing, Ma'am."

"Let me see."

Maxine didn't move and just kept staring at the Instructor.

"Are you cheating?"

"No, Ma'am."

"Then let me see it, or else you wouldn't like it, Miss Filmore."

Maxine nervously handed the paper to the Instructor and silently prayed that there would be nothing written on it.

"Finish or not finish, pass your papers," said Miss Calupe afterwards, walking back to the desk.

It seemed that Maxine was pulled out of a thorn when she heard it. That means the paper is blank.

---

Maxine's POV

CURRENTLY I am in the school's mini park and resting. I was almost there earlier. Why are they so mean to me? I'll be martyred, I'll be even more bullied, same as when I fight. I don't know where I will end up.

"I hate you Wilford!" I screamed at myself and then put my head on the stone table. Suddenly, I heard something collapsed. I raised my face in shock.

"D*mn!" A guy who came from nowhere, holding his hips while forcing himself to stand up. He looked at my direction and walked.

"Hi!" He forced his smile to greet me and sat down in front of me. "Mind if I join you?"

"It's okay," I replied casually. I stared at him, feeling him. He's not that handsome but he's cute. "Where have you been? I I didn't notice you."

The guy smiled, both of his cheeks came out. Yikes, cute!

"At the top of the tree." He looked in the direction of the mango tree in front of us.

"At the top of the tree?"

"Yeah, I was reading my favorite book," He said, holding up the Harry Potter book. "Do the students here bully you?"

I looked at the guy questioningly. He feels close when we're not.

"Oh, don't get me wrong. It's just that I heard you screaming you hate Wilford," He explained, perhaps reading my thoughts.

"Because I am not as rich as the students here. That's why it's like discrimination for them to be poor," I said. Suddenly I thought. I couldn't help but look at the guy in front of me. He's inside the Campus, which means he's also a student here.

"Oh come on, don't count me in. I'm not one of them," He said with a laugh. I guess I was very obvious and he read my mind. "Honestly, I don't like the students here either, they're all stupid hypocrites."

I did not comment. Do I know if this guy is cheating on me?

A few moments later, the bell rang, signaling for the next class.

"I'm afraid I can't stay here for long. I still have class." The guy stood up but did not move. "By the way, I'm Hevo. And you are?"

"Maxine..."

"See you around, Maxine."

The guy turned his back on me and started to walk away, but he only took a few steps when he suddenly stopped and turned back.

"Um, friends?" He asked smiling while holding out his hand.

"F-friends," I responded hesitantly and accepted it.

"Alright," He said with a wider smile, I could also feel his slight squeeze on my hand.

I can't believe while following a gaze to "My new friend" who was walking away, for the last three years that I spent in Wilford someone also made friends with me. It turns out that not all of the students here are arrogant, there are still some who are sober.

---

Lucas's POV

I was on the veranda, closing my eyes while breathing in the fresh air. Smelling the scent of nature. In my three years here in Sta. Monica, it seems that my body has gotten used to the weather and climate.

I breathed deeply. I can't stop the memory of my youth from entering my mind.

"Do it, Fernan!" Grandfather yelled at Uncle. He was sitting on the silver seat in front with the four elders. While at the bottom of the hall there were people lined up on both sides, wearing black ankle-length clothes. Their faces are covered so that only part of their mouths are visible, they smell like messengers of death.

Uncle Fernan was standing in the middle, fear and dread on his face. And behind hin was a woman about the same age as Mommy with both hands tied, trembling and crying hopelessly. I had no idea what was going on inside.

"I can't, 'Dad! Just let her go. She has nothing to do with this!" Uncle shouted. "It was all my fault! I was the one who betrayed Ella.."

I gripped the door tightly. So that woman is his mistress?

"You are a godd*mn jerk, Fernan!" Grandpa's voice boomed, eyes glaring with anger. It's scary. "Are you gonna kill her, or I, myself will do it for you..?"

"I won't allow anybody to hurt her. Not even you, Daddy!"

"She's a d*mn human, Fernan!" Grandfather roared. That's scary to hear. His eyes became bloodshot, his snout grew longer and his face, and even his entire body, grew fur. Grandfather's size and height are doubled, causing the coverings he was wearing to be damaged. He also has long claws on the hand that can kill anyone who gets hit by it.

"I love her," replied Uncle emphatically, at the same time he also changed his form. Became a monster like Grandpa.

In just an instant, the two wrestled. I can't even see them at such a high speed..

...until Uncle fell down bloody.

I gasped with horror, trembling for what I have seen. I didn't realize the tears falling from my eyes. Behind my innocence I witnessed how Grandfather took the life of his own Son. Until I felt hands covering my eyes.

"Mom?" My voice was raspy as I looked at Mommy. I'm still shaking with fear to this day.

"What are you doing here?" She asked. "You shouldn't be seen by your Grandfather."

"But what was that Mom..? How could he kill his own Son?"

"Enough, baby. Someday you'll understand why your Grandpa has to do it." Mommy hugged me tightly and rubbed my back as if that would ease my fear.

I took a deep breath as I came back to reality. I opened my eyes. I feel hot and my muscles are shaking.

..I'm thirsty.

I jumped down from the third floor of the veranda, and effortlessly scaled the high walls that served as protection for our home.

Until I found myself in the dense forest of St. Monica, standing above the tree; watching and waiting for a victim.

I was just a child when I knew something was wrong in my family..

..we are not ordinary.