For The Stars Have Sinned

I know a lot of women who love to get involved in life with life, but only now have I met a man who is not only nosy but also weird and rude.

My gaze cast down on my wristwatch. It is three o'clock in the afternoon. Dad is not in the office yet and the man who is sitting in the visitor's lair has no plans to leave.

Earlier I was standing beside the water dispenser near the door. I didn't want to go near Papa's big table because in front of it was sitting the weird man who had been glaring at me since I got inside the office.

How can I get rid of him?

I looked outside the window. There is a bonsai pot there. If I slap him in the face with it, will he excuse himself? When I looked at the large wooden table, I saw a large binder. Such a perfect thing for smacking his face full of resentment in the world. It's been a while since I've had someone glare at me.

"Do you need something other than falsely accusing me of a victimless crime?" I asked him.

It was only at that moment he averted his gaze. I breathed a sigh of relief. I don't know who the man in front of me is, but I just saw him sitting in the visitor's lair when I entered the office earlier.

He looks like Papa's client or business partner. I wasn't raised rudely, but that man looked strange when our gaze met earlier. Well, he was accusing me of something with that kind of look on his face. When I asked what was going on, he then started accusing me of being involved in a crime that took place in Baclayan, a town in Boljoon.

"Where is your father?" he suddenly asked after a few minutes of silence.

Phew. I thought he was just here to blame me. My lips twitched into a smile. "He's still traveling to get past the city." But a few seconds passed when I realized something. My lips parted as I looked at him again. "How did you know my Dad owns this office?"

"I looked into your family's information." He intently stared at my face again. "And I got two shreds of evidence that you were there when the crime happened in Baclayan."

"Eh?"

He got something from his pocket and then pulled out a crumpled piece of paper and a necklace. I frowned.

"See it for yourself," he said then stood. He stepped close and stopped in front of me. I was startled when he took hold of my hand and then placed the crumpled paper and necklace atop my palm. I winced when I felt his hold tighten.

I looked down at what he'd handed. Looking closely at the paper, I covered my mouth when I saw my name written clearly on the crumpled paper. And when I looked inside the necklace's heart-shaped pendant, I saw a picture of Levi on the right and my picture on the left.

Wait. Didn't I give these things to Levi? How did these end up in his hands?

The man grinned when he saw my petrified face. He leaned his face closer and whispered beside my ear, "Tell me that you have nothing to do with what happened two months ago, Rishel Joy Larica."

My hand trembled as I held the paper and necklace. I looked up, staring into his mysterious eyes, and swallowed hard. No. How could I tell him what I saw that night?

I shook my head. "It has nothing to do with me," I whispered and averted my gaze, clenching my fist where the paper was.

He suddenly grabbed my chin and turned my face to him. My eyes widened in fear. "W-What are you doing?" I tried to remove his hand holding my chin, but I could not remove it. There was nothing I could do but stare at his face with a playful smile hanging on his lips.

Jerk. He's enjoying this taunt. I hate him.

He smiled and then brought his face closer to mine. "We both know that you have something to do, Rishel. Don't deny it. I hate pretentious rich brats."

"W-What?"

"If tell your father about this... do you think you can escape his wrath?"

My lips trembled and I glared at him. Telling my father that I have something to do with what happened two months ago is simply asking for my death. Even if it was against my will, I still drew a breath and looked straight into his eyes. "W-What do you want then?"

He stared at my face for a few seconds. I didn't know if he saw how nervous I was, but he let go after a minute or two. I breathed a sigh of relief.

I saw him draw something from his pocket and he handed me his phone. "Here, save your number."

Even if I don't want to I can't do anything. I obeyed him. Then I handed it back to him, but my eyes widened when he brought his face close to mine again and whispered in my ear. "Relax, I won't eat you if you'll behave."

My body stiffened as I clenched my fist. That was a threat!

Did he think highly of himself? Wait and I'll kick him right in the face when I got the upper hand soon!

I glared at him, but he just flicked my nose and laughed. He turned around, walking back to his chair.

Without saying a word, I left Dad's office. If I stayed there for another minute, who knows what I will do with that arrogant bastard!

The salty wind from the sea gently hit my face as I left the office. The second floor of the Larica building is an open area facing the sea, so I saw the glistening seawater after leaving the office.

It was past three in the afternoon so the sun was hanging a bit low on the horizon. The sky was turning orange as well and I saw some kingfishers flying above the waves.

The corner of my lips curled up and I forgot the weird man inside the office. Sometime later I went down the nearby stairs and exited the Larica building. I plan to take a walk on the dock first to relieve my stress today.

Honestly, I just went through the Port to hide from Mama the books and merchandise I bought earlier. Mama doesn't want me to buy things I don't need so I hide those items in the room next to Papa's office.

It's safer there and Papa doesn't visit that vacant room. He's just too busy so he gave me that room as my shelter when I'm hanging out by the Port.

Papa knew I was buying things like that but he didn't interfere as long as I don't neglect my studies. It's the reason why I was so nervous when that weird man threatened to tell Papa about the letter and the necklace.

If my father ever found out what happened that night, he would forbid me from buying merchandise and books. And I won't let that happen.

My feet halted and I looked ahead. I'm at the dock. At the end was the small yacht. I walked along the dock while entertaining myself with the flying colorful birds in the distance.

I suddenly remembered what happened three years ago. It was also a yacht where Tiden, June, and I was hanging out. Papa said it was a gift to the three of us for graduating high school.

If Tiden and June were here, I would probably be happy strolling the dock. But they're busy with the band. They are members of the band called Vine which my idol Levi's a member of too. Those two are the first reason why I support that group so much but after knowing Levi, I had grown my admiration for that man.

But I always think they've come so far that I can't reach them anymore. Even though I want to stay by their side as their number one fan, I can't do it. Aside from the fact that my parents forbade me, I am also unable to walk the path they were treading.

They are like stars that I can't reach. It's always like that.

I pulled out the cell phone and saw the new message from Mama. She wants me to come home to Boljoon. Sighing, I stared ahead at the setting sun.

It's almost six o'clock, realizing I'm staying in the dock for almost two hours. A careless breeze blows past me and strands of my hair fly in the air.

Looking down, I stared at the home screen where Levi's side-view photo was displayed. In that picture, he isn't facing the camera. All the photos of him on the internet were sided view and if not, his bull cap is down hiding his face from the world.

Maybe that's a tactic to maintain a mysterious prestige?

I chuckled, thinking that I had seen Levi's face at the University before they went viral and became very famous. But those times are rare, just a count on a hand so I want to get a picture of him facing the camera.

"When is your next concert?" I whispered while scrolling on FB.

But while scrolling on my social media account, I heard quick footsteps running close in my direction.

Wait, it's forbidden to run on the dock yet they still do. Are they not informed? But there is a large signage at the entrance that prohibits running on the dock unless those bastards can not read.

I turned around to see who are these bastards when a hand gripped my shoulder, startling me! My hand lost its strength and I dropped my phone in shock, it fell straight into the sea. I even heard the water splash!

"What the heck!" I yelled in shock, staring intently at the phone that was sinking under the water.

Goodness! The important files for my final grades are there!

My teeth gritted in anger and I clenched my fist, annoyed. I wanted to dive into the sea but the sun had set and it was too dark to see anything under the water.

But my main reason is the seawater's too dirty for my sensitive skin.

My eyes squinted hard when I remembered the hand that gripped my shoulder - the culprit of everything!

I turned around, glaring at the man who was standing behind me. He was wearing shades and a cap that was hung low so I could only see his sharp nose and a pair of thin lips.

Hateful! I snarled at him.

What should I do now to pass the final grading? Ass! Why is this man so stupid?!

"Didn't you read the sign there at the entrance? No running! Don't you know how to read, huh?! You cause me great mishap!"

Even the man did not know what to do with the fallen phone. His lips pursed into a thin line and he averted his gaze. I knew right away that he didn't mean it but who will shoulder the blame?

"You!" I drew a breath. "Compensate me -"

I couldn't continue my words because a second dumb ass ran towards the man standing in front of me. Instead of stopping, that idiot pushed the man's back forward. "Bro! You ran fast!" he yelled and laughed.

My eyes widened when the man who gripped my shoulder earlier lost his balance. But wait, why is he falling in my direction?

I hold my breath when the man pulled me into his arms. Parting my lips to protest, I yell in shock after I realize that the man's falling out of the dock with me in his arms.

Seeing the pastel skies as my body's falling into the calm waves, I yelled at the top of my lungs. "Bastard, let go!"

But it's too late.

Many people believe you'll see your dream when you are at death's door, and I think it's true. If only my dream hadn't kicked me awake.

My eyes widened as I slowly sank under the warm water. It's dark. There was no light around except for the light above. I quickly swam towards the light and poked my head above the salt water.

Shocks. Why did I see Levi's deep eyes and thin lips under the water?

I almost kissed him but he suddenly kicked me away. Tapping my forehead, I sighed. Well Rishel, if you're gonna daydream please make Levi a little romantic, okay?

Suddenly, a shrill female voice shouted from above the dock. "Levi! What are you doing there? Come back, we're late!"

I looked up at the dock and saw a beautiful woman who looked like Nicole, the only girl member of the Vine. She was wearing a summer hat on her head and a blue dress that's swaying with the afternoon breeze. Just by standing there, one will know that the girl's elegant and sophisticated. So unlike me who's swimming on the dirty seawater.

I just foolishly watched the dumbass swim to the edge of the dock and climb up. Salt water was dripping from his clothes. I snorted. That must have been the man who dragged me with him. Tch.

He didn't even say thank you for accompanying him with his free bath.

Frowning, I swam to the edge of the dock. I smacked my wet lips as I climbed up and stood at the edge of the dock. "What an ungrateful bastard!" I snarled. "You didn't even help me --- "

My words were cut off when suddenly, the man turned around to face me. I was stunned because he looked like Levi, the Vine's vocalist and my ultimate idol! His cowlick was hanging down on his forehead and seawater's dripping from his neck down to his V-neck polo shirt.

"You've insulted me?" he asked. I was rooted in my spot because he had the same voice as Levi!

I could not believe there's someone in this world having the same face and same voice as my idol! What on earth's happening?

"I heard you insulting me, Miss."

"No, I-I'm not!" I swallowed and looked away. "I'm complimenting you!"

"Huh." The man chuckled and walked towards me. My body stiffened and my heart beat fast. I was about to step back when he quickly grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the edge of the dock. "For the second time, woman, don't act pitiful. I don't buy your poor acting skill."

"W-What?"

I blinked and gaped at his retreating figure. My eyebrows meet, annoyed. Did that guy think I was craving his attention? In his dreams!

Before I could protest, someone called my name behind me. "Rishel."

I turned and saw Tiden's face. I was even more confused. Levi, Nicole, and now Tiden. What the members are doing here --- wait, that's right. Vine is here!

My eyes blinked in surprise. "Tiden? Is that really you?"

"Oh?" The corners of his lips rose and he crossed his arms over his chest. "You can't play dumb with me like that, Rishel. I'm going to take you to Tito," Tiden said then grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me away from the dock.

The corner of my lips twitched and I looked at Tiden. I also looked at the man who looked like June who was walking beside me. That's when I realized I wasn't daydreaming.

Vine is really here!

"Hey hey! Stop!" I quickly took my hand from Tiden and took a few steps back. I frowned at them. "So that bastard is Levi?"

June and Tiden looked at each other. June closed his eyes. "Who do you think fell into the sea with you?"

I felt as if an icy bucket of water had been poured over me. Why? How? Why did I let Levi escape!

"Ah!" I slapped myself. "Stupid, Rishel! You should have stopped him!"

"Richel!" Tiden quickly grabbed my hand and frowned at me. "What's going on with you?"

"Tiden! Help! My phone fell into the sea! And Levi just ran away! Bastard! After what he did, he'll just run away? What? He won't take responsibility? My poor baby!"

Tiden quickly covered my mouth and secretly looked around. Then he looked at me as if another head had grown on my neck. "What are you talking about? How much? I'll pay."

"No! I want him to take responsibility! That dumbass!"

June sighed and waved his hand at Tiden. "I'll go first. You'll take care of Rishel. The screw in the head has loosened again." Then he left the dock first.

Tiden's lips twitched with a smile. He looked at me for a long time before pinching my nose. "Ouch!" I glared at him. "What's your problem again, huh?"

"You're the one with the problem," Tiden said. "What's gotten into your head and you think of hanging out right on the dock?"

I snorted and folded my arms. "I want to relax, but you guys are too much! You bully me!"

Tiden sighed. Before he could speak again, we heard someone cleared a throat. I looked at the man standing at the dock entrance, not far away from where I was standing at.

I saw his face again as he walked toward to me. My face contorted and I looked away, folding my arms together. "What are you doing here?" I asked.

But he didn't answer my question and instead turned to Tiden. "I will take Rishel from here, young man."

Tiden's eyebrows met. "Who are you?" he asked the man before pulling me closer to him.

My eyebrow rose as I looked at the newcomer and I even crossed my arms over my chest. I looked at him with my beautiful smug smile. But he just chuckled and winked at me, as if I was a kitten acting cute. My face darkened. Just then, how I wish I was a big tiger in his eyes. I looked away.

"Rishel, do you know that man?" Tiden asked.

I pursed my lips. "No. Not at all!"

Tiden frowned then turned to the man. "Mister, it's bad to joke with a lady you're not familiar with."

"Oh?" the man teased. He looked at me and adjusted his necktie. "Do you think of me as someone untrustworthy, Rishel?" he asked.

I know what he's saying. He wanted to remind me of the crime in Boljoon, that I was more distrustful than the two of us. I gritted my teeth. I don't know how many buckets of patience I have drank since I met him.

"Tiden, let's go!" I said then pulled him past the man blocking our way. But before I could step pass him, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me away from Tiden. "Hey! What's the matter with you? Let me go!" I shouted while struggling in his hold.

"Your father is there. You'll be punished when he'll see you like this," the man whispered in my ear.

I was tickled by the hot breath touching my ear. Frowning, I averted my ear from his hot breathe. I looked at Tiden who had a dark expression while looking at the man holding my wrist.

Ah, what a pain in the ass. I sighed then waved my hand at Tiden. "Aren't you late for the night gig? You can go first else your manager will scold you again," I said.

There was nothing wrong with what I said, but Tiden's face darkened. Squinting my eyes, I looked away. Why? Did I say something wrong?

"Okay. I'll call you later," Tiden said.

"Oh no!" I quickly waved my hand and shook my head. "Did you forget? My phone fell into the sea. I'll buy another one tomorrow!"

Tiden nodded then walked away without saying a word. My shoulder slumped and I flicked the hand that was holding my wrist. "What are you doing? He's gone so let me go, okay?"

Only then did he release my wrist. I held no hope when I saw that my school uniform was so messed up with stains all over it after that fall. Mama will scold me again for being too dirty.

"Lyndon," the man suddenly said.

I looked up and frowned at him. "What are you saying?"

"Call me Lyndon. That's my name."

Sunset and Dock

I pursed my lips and took a step back to Larica shipyard just a few meters away from the private dock. Lyndon was just following behind and I had no plans to talk to him. I was thankful that he was silent even though it was awkward.

When the wind blew, I hugged myself. The coolness of the breeze at dusk is not for nothing, but he placed a warm jacket around my shoulder and my teeth stopped chattering instantly. I simply turned to the side and saw the side view of his face.

The sun was setting in the west and the soft rays touched the tip of his nose. From the angle I could see, it was as if the dim rays of the sun painted Lyndon's face, tracing his side profile which made him look ethereal.

I looked away and sighed. He has the looks but the attitude... err nevermind.

A few minutes later, I took a step in the shipyard. Here is the place where ships used for sailing are repaired.

It was one of Larica Shipment's properties and it is not far from the shipping port where the center of business is. I didn't pay attention to the looks of some of Papa's employees who kept on pulling something while looking at my direction from time to time. They knew me because I always walk past the area whenever I go to the dock, and it was their first time to see me with a man. Tch. Good thing that they kept their mouths shut or else...

I was surprised when Lyndon suddenly bid goodbye to buy something in Emal which is nearby. He said he was going to buy me new clothes. I raised my brow at him. "What are you up to?" I asked but he didn't answer me and immediately turned his back on me. I just looked at his back going away with a frown.

It was surprising he took initiative. Our first meeting was not that pleasant so why would he do that?

Bah. If he wants to buy, then buy. Why am I thinking about the motive of that man when there are clothes in Papa's office? I shrugged my shoulders. It's up to him.

I hurried to Papa's office and found him busy reading contracts. Fortunately, my clothes have dried a little earlier so the sea water is no longer dripping on the floor. Papa turned to me and raised his eyebrows. "You dived? The water at the pier is unhealthy," he said.

My lips twitched and I laughed wryly. "No, Pa. I just fell."

"Take a shower first and change. You probably have clothes on the other side," he said and turned to the papers again.

I folded my arms. "Pa, do you know Engineer Lyndon? He was waiting here earlier but I didn't send him out because he told me he's your business partner."

He paused for a moment before reaching for a personalized pen and signing the contract. "Mmm. Where is he now?"

"Buy clothes at Emal."

"Why buy more? You have a lot of clothes next room."

I snorted. I knew that he knew why Lyndon would buy clothes.

"You gave him money?" he added.

I shook my head. "He don't need it. He has a lot."

Papa closed the open folder and sighed. "Change your clothes now. It's late and you might get sick."

"But Pa, who is Engineer Lyndon?"

'And why is that one so nosy? I was even suspected of being involved in the massacre there in Boljoon,' I said in my mind but I didn't ask Papa and he might get suspicious.

"Rishell. I'm busy right now. Get dressed," Papa said and reached for the second folder. I glanced at the mountain of contracts in his desk and sighed.

Papa plans to grow the business so he is in contact with many of his acquaintances in the corporate world. I once heard that he wants to export goods to other countries. As of the moment, the business is still at the local level so he is taking steps to raise Larica Shipment to the national level and compete with the big corporations in the capital.

I shrugged and nodded before walking out of his office. There was a door on the side of his office and I opened it before stepping inside. I first saw the big Vine poster I had pasted to the wall last year.

Levi had a big smile as he looked at Nicole who was facing the camera. Even in the poster, he's still in a side view, and what's more painful is that he's only looking at Nicole. My lips pursed into a line. It's okay. I had an encounter with Levi earlier.

I took a deep breath and opened the cabinet but I couldn't find any nice clothes. And since someone showed up to buy, I thought I'd just wait for that one. Maybe the clothes he bought are better than the ones hanging inside the cabinet.

I walked to the balcony. Papa's office is on the second floor and the building is close to the fish market, so I can see the Pasil Fish Market from here. The market is illuminated by large outdoor lights. I hugged myself when the wind blew. My eyes squinted. Where is that man?

Just as I thought of him, someone suddenly knocked on the door. I thought it was Lyndon so I quickly opened the door to get the clothes he had bought, but Papa's face appeared before me. "Your mom called. She's sending you home. Why can't she contact your number?"

I blinked. Oh "My phone fell into the sea, Pa. It was at the bottom so I didn't go down. It's already dark."

"Buy a new one tomorrow and don't bathe there at the pier. There is clean water in Badian, visit that place if you want."

I smiled at Papa. "I guess..."

He nodded seeing me shrug before returning to his office. I closed the door again. I was about to step back to the balcony when someone knocked again. I blew out air and opened the door to the man I had been waiting for. "Why only now ---"

I stopped talking when I noticed something on his polo shirt. There is a big red stain there. I frowned. "What happened?" I asked and winced. I smelled something fishy when the wind blew in my direction. I stepped closer, knelt in front of him, and leaned my face closer to the stain on his shirt. "Fish blood?"

"What are you doing?"

"Huh?" I looked up at him.

His expression was dark as he looked down at me. That's when I realized my position so I quickly stood up. But suddenly I lost my balance and almost fell. He quickly held my shoulder and helped me steady on my feet.

My cheeks suddenly became hot. I closed my eyes and looked away. "T-Thank you!" I said then reached a hand for the bag he was carrying.

I turned around and quickly closed the door. I leaned against the door for a few minutes and calmed my fast heartbeat. I didn't know why, but his eyes told me that he knew my secrets and it's driving me insane. I let out a breath and walked to the bathroom.

Minutes passed but he was still staring at me. I didn't have a choice but to smile at him and accept his unfathomable gaze, even though I'm trying hard not to make my smile falter.

"Mr. Davies, this is Rishell Joy Larica, my daughter. I know that you've seen her earlier. Rishell, this is Mr. Davies, one of the outstanding bachelors in the province and the head engineer of project renovation and expansion of Larica building."

I looked at Dad. "Ah, renovation. Of course," I vaguely said. That's why there's heavy equipment staying around not far away. He has a plan to renovate the building, and I guess it's a good decision since the building is a bit crowded, especially since there are now people with thick faces hanging around the place.

"It's nice to meet you," Lyndon said and extended his palm to shake my hand.

I smirked and grasped firmly his palm. I squeezed his hand hard so that he would know that I'm itching to punch his smug smile. "Likewise. I hope you'll live up to your reputation, Engineer," I emphasized with a smile on my lips.

But I just didn't expect him to reciprocate my gesture with a slight squeeze. I was stunned. I saw how the smile on his lips widened when he noticed that I was affected by that squeeze. I cursed in my mind.

I quickly withdrew my hand and turned my gaze to Papa. "I'm going home, Pa. I have an exam tomorrow."

"Are you going to take the bus?" he asked.

I nodded. "The trip is only four hours."

He thought for a moment. "It's not good to take the bus. It's too late." Papa looked down at his wristwatch. "Just wait for Gerard. He will deliver you."

"I can manage," I said, but Papa was stubborn and wouldn't let me take the bus. I just took a deep breath. "Alright," I said casually to Papa and shrugged. "I'll just stay at the dock," I said then stood up.

Lyndon suddenly spoke. "Be careful not to fall," he warned.

My face crumpled and I sneered. "Thanks for your concern but it's not needed."

The night was deep as I left the office and went to the dock area of ​​pier one. The full moon was fixed in the sky and because it was close to the sea, I could clearly see the crystalline reflection of the moon's rays in the sea.

Because it was a private property, there were only employees staying around the area. I silently walked to the dock even though the road was dark because the distance between the light poles was large. Fortunately, I had memorized the way and the Pier's beacon was also alove, occasionally lighting up the path I was treading on.

While I was enjoying the beautiful view on the dock, someone spoke behind me. "Miss, the sea water is cold at night. It's nice to take a bath. Why don't you jump in and swim for a while?"

I back straightened up. Swimming in the sea at this time? Maybe he wants me to drown and die?

Frowning, I turned around hoping that the person who spoke was joking but I was stunned when I didn't see anyone.