TILL MY LAST BREATHE

POV – ALTHEA

Hi, I'm Althea Jane S. Cervantes. I'm 17 years old, and I'm from South Seoul, Korea. I'm currently staying here in the Philippines because this is my father's hometown. I'm half Korean and half Filipino, and yes, I know how to speak Tagalog, English, and Korean. Why am I here in the Philippines? It's because my Dad found out that I have a boyfriend, and I also didn't maintain my grades in Seoul; that's why my Dad decided to sent me here. I'm not the only one here. I'm with my cousin Mitch, she's a pure Filipino, and we're very close. We treated each other like sisters.

"Althea!! Wake up already!!!.." Mitch yelled at me the moment she entered my room.

"Ugh, I'm still sleepy Mitch, give me more than 10 minutes." I told her as my eyes still close.

"Althea, wake up already. We will both be going to be late if you will continue sleeping. It's our first day in school right now."

The moment I heard that today is our first day, I immediately opened my eyes.

"OMG! You're right. It's our first day of school today.

"Yes, Althea, finally. Hurry up and do your morning routines already."

When Mitch left me, I immediately went to the bathroom to wash my face and to do my morning routines. I was irritated with myself. Why on earth I forgot that it's the first day of class today. I shouldn't sleep late last night.

When we arrived at St. Michael University, there are already many students inside the campus, Mitch and I directly went to our designated classroom, which is on the 4th floor. When we entered the room, we became the center of attention, and I swear to God it's very embarrassing. All eyes were looking at us, especially me, since I'm the only newbie here.

"Ms.Cervantes and Ms.Ladesma, stand up." Our professor seriously said, OMG, she looks so scary. I feel like her eyes will go anytime and eat my soul. I can say that professors here and in Seoul are very different.

"Both of you are late! Aren't you aware that today is the first day of school? You guys are both seniors already, yet you still don't know how to manage your own time! You are not elementary kids anymore!.

"We are very sorry, Ms. Sales. Althea and I will promise that this will never happen again. My cousin is still adjusting to our time." Mitch explained.

After we explained, Ms. Sales told us to sit down as the class will begin already. WOW, 30 minutes have passed, and I'm starting to get bored already. If the professors in Seoul are boring, I can tell that it is just the same here.

After our thirds class, we had a break, so Mitch and I went to the canteen to buy food. When we bought our snacks, we looked for a vacant place, and then we eventually found a table.

"Mrs. Salez is a little rugged." I said to Mitch.

"It's our fault, after all. By the way, where did you go last night? It was almost 10:50 when you came back home, and besides, you don't know much yet about places here in the Philippines."

"Uhm, I went to the bar that's just near our subdivision." I answered her.

"Huh? At the bar ?! At which bar? And who's with you? How did you find out about that place?" Why in the world does Mitch have many questions just like daddy.

"I was with Diego last night. He's one of our classmates. He became my friend on Friday."

"So, what did you do at the bar ?!"

"We just drink, and he also tours me around as well as in the parks."

"Hayes, for sure when uncle finds out about this, we will both be in huge trouble."

Mitch is too scared of daddy.

Prince's POV

There is a new student on campus, Diego said, and she is half Korean. I don't know, but he is so excited to introduce me to the woman he is talking about.

Hays, what kind of plane is this slow? I'm bored and starting to be annoyed. When I arrived at the Manila airport, Jake was there waiting for me in the arrival area.

"Bro! How was your vacation with aunt and uncle?" said Jake with a delighted face.

"It was good. They just left for the US before I went home."

"Oh, really?"

"By the way, where is Diego? Why didn't you come with him?" I asked him.

"He called me and said he's with Althea now, so he can't go with you." Jake explained.

"Ah, that's right. Wait, who is Althea? I just heard her name." I asked him.

"Haven't I mentioned Althea's name to you yet?" This Jake is very vague. Will I ask if he has already mentioned it?

"Not yet," I replied.

"Althea is Mitch's cousin from Korea, the new student I'm telling you about."

"Althea?" I said.

"Yes, and you know when you see her, I'm sure you'll fall in love with her. She is so beautiful."

"There will be no substitute for Jae. She's still the most beautiful for me." I sparingly answer.

"By the way, have you met her in the US?" He asked.

"No. I've never seen her." Sad to say.

"Maybe she forgot you, or maybe he already gave up, Prince.

"I know our relationship with her parents and her whole family is secret, but even in that situation, I still loved her, and I know that she still loves me. I didn't complain even though we were the only person who knew about our relationship." I insisted on Jake.

"Eh, if she loves you, where is she now? Why did she suddenly disappear? You don't even know where she is or if she's still in the US or not, don't you know? Besides Prince, you don't even know if you and Jae are still together since you came home to the Philippines 2 months ago." Is Jake annoying me? I'm being annoyed by what he's saying.

"I love Jae, and she loves me too."

"Okay, you said. But I know that you also think there's a point to what I'm saying."

"Hayy, come on." I invited him to go home because I was annoyed with what he's saying.

Althea's POV

"It's stunning here in the Philippines, isn't it?" I said to Diego as we walk in the park.

"Of course, you can visit a lot of beautiful places here. By the way, my friend will be coming to school tomorrow. I want to introduce him to you."

"Of course, no problem. Is your friend a woman?" I ask.

"Nope, he's a guy, and do you know that their family is the richest in the whole Sta. Ana Village."

"Ah, really? He's super-rich then."

"Yes, um, by the way, where are your parents?" He asked me.

"They are both in Seoul. My Dad is a pure Filipino, while my mom is pure Korean. They both have a business in Korea, so they don't visit the Philippines much."

"Ah, really? So you're stuck here in the Philippines?" Hays, why does Diego has so many questions just like Daddy and Mitch?

"Because daddy found out that I have a boyfriend in Seoul, actually a secret Boyfriend, so he got angry and sent me here in the Philippines. He said I'd stay here for a while." I explained to him.

"Ah, so you're not a good girl, are you?" he said to me while laughing.

"So, what do you mean? That I'm a bad girl ?" Pretty pissed, I said.

"Maybe, because you lied to them, it's just natural for your daddy to be angry with you."

What in the world, you just lied a little, and you're a bad girl right away?

"Okay fine." I answered.

"You're funny. I'm sure if you meet my friend tomorrow, you will both get along, and I bet you can always make him laugh."

"Wait, you're telling that friend of yours for a while, you haven't said what his name, yet."

"Tomorrow, you'll meet him too." He answered with a laugh.

"Okay fine." Seriously, I enjoyed my trip with Diego earlier. I felt like we've known each other for a long time because we're already super close to each other. It's nice because he's easy to get along with and very kind.

I've been curious about his friend for a while. What's his name? What does he look like? Hayy, why is that? It seems like I'm excited to see him.

"What are you thinking? It seems deep." Mitch said.

"Oh, Mitch, you're here."

"What are you thinking?"

"Uhm, about that friend of Diego, because he wants to introduce me to him tomorrow."

"Friend?" Mitch asked in astonishment.

"Yes, he will go to school tomorrow."

"Is it Prince?"

"Prince? I don't know? Maybe he is. Diego didn't mention his name yet."

"Wait, Althea, do you know the personalities of your friend and his friends?"

Mitch asked me why is it that my cousin is too overprotective of me. Does Diego have opposing sides that I don't know yet? As well as Prince? Eh, I haven't seen and recognized him yet.

"Diego is kind. Does he have negative sides that I don't know yet?"

"Just stay away from them, Althea."

Mitch's very vague. I went to bed at 9:30, and fortunately, I woke up early, but Mitch woke up first, and I found her having breakfast.

"Oh! It's a miracle that you woke up early in the morning?" she opened up to me.

"I don't want to be late. I'm already deaf to Mrs. Salez's sermons."

Prince's POV

Jake, Diego, and I went to school simultaneously, and I heard screams all around from the female students again! They are all noisy. When we entered the room, I saw a woman who was a bit unfamiliar to me but looked like Angela/Jae.

"Althea!" Diego waved at her, and she approached us.

"Hi Diego .." she greeted with a smile.

"Hey :) by the way, I want you to meet my friends. This is Jake." Diego points to Jake.

"Hello, Althea. Nice to meet you." Jake greeted him.

"Hello Jake, nice to meet you too.." she said.

"And this is Prince De la Questa; he's the one I'm talking about." Diego points at me at the same time.

"Oh really? Hi Prince :) nice to meet you." She greeted me with a smile.

"Okay?" After I said that, I already sat down in my chair.

"He's rugged." I heard althea say.

"If you just put up with him, that's just the way he is." Diego said.

After our class, it was our lunch break already. Jake and Diego went to Althea.

"Althea, Mitch, we just want to invite you over for lunch." Jake said to them.

"Ha eh."

"Please, Althea?" Diego said.

"Okay, alright." Althea replied.

"Wait, what do you want with us? and why do you want us to have lunch with you ?!" Mitch shouted at them. I laughed because they were so shocked.

"We want to be friends with you. Why are you always mad at us?" Jake asked.

"We won't eat with you, okay! And can you not even talk to or approach my cousin!"

Mitch and Althea came out. Mitch's scream is loud and causes pain to the ears.

"Mitch's very surly." Jake complained.

"Maybe she's just really protective of Althea." Diego said.

"Protective ?." I asked the two, and I smirked.

"Don't you like Althea ?." Jake asked me.

"No."

"Why? Is it because she looks like Jae?"

I couldn't answer Diego's question because Althea looks like Angela.

"Don't mention Jae's name in front of me again."

After saying that, I left the room and went to the canteen. I was surprised when someone suddenly called me from behind.

"PRINCE! :)" who is that? I turned around and saw Althea behind me.

"You're Althea. Right?"

"It's me :)" she said, smiling. "Prince, are you mad at me?"

Angry? Why did she ask that?

"Why are you asking me like that? We just met, so what is my reason for being mad at you?"

"I just feel like you're mad at me. you didn't even introduce yourself."

Is that her only problem? Just because I didn't introduce myself before? She's on another level.

"Okay fine. I'm Prince De la Questa, 19 years old." I introduced myself. "I think it's more than enough. You've already met me." I told her, but just when I turned my back, she suddenly called my name again.

"PRINCE" I turned to her again and approached her.

"I'm Althea Cervantes, 18 years old. Nice to meet you, Prince."

Hayy, I know. She's very recurrent.

"I already know. You don't have to say your name to me over and over again." I said to her, pissed.

"Okay, Prince, can we be friends?" She asked. I was surprised by her question. This girl doesn't know me, She doesn't know who I am.

"NO," I said to her.

"Is that so?." she bowed, then suddenly, her face saddened. I was about to turn around when she suddenly called my name again.

"PRINCE" I turned to her again.

"What again?"

"Prince, are you heading out to eat?" she asked.

"Yes, why?"

"Let's go together?"

"I DO NOT WANT TO"

"Please?." She said.

Tsk. In the end, I still concede. We went to a restaurant for lunch.

"Meals here are very delicious." she chirped.

"Aren't you with mitch?" I asked.

"Yes, before, but I prefer to be with you. I want to meet you more." Is she like this when she speaks? She just reminds me of Jae.

"Do you know that I'm being annoyed by you since before? You act like a child. You're interfering too much. Don't recognize me anymore. You might just regret it, Ms. Cervantes." I got up and left her inside the restaurant.

Althea POV

Finally, I got to meet Prince De la Questa. He's handsome, he's cute, but a little rude.

What's wrong with me? Why doesn't he want to be my friend? I was kind to him before.

When Mitch and I got home, I immediately asked her about Prince.

"Why do you want to ask about him? Can you ask me something else, Althea?"

Why is Mitch very annoyed with Prince? What's wrong with Prince? Were they together?

"It's just interesting to talk about Prince."

"Althea, there are many others out there that you can be friends with, not just Jake, Diego, and especially that Prince De la Questa."

"Why is that? What's wrong with Prince? He looks kind to me. Tell me, what's wrong with him? Is he a monster?" What did I just say?

"Of course not!." Mitch replied.

"Then what is your reason for constantly keeping me away from Prince?"

"Because you don't know him, Althea."

"Hays, I don't get you." I was annoyed and went to sleep.

9:00 pm DE LA QUESTA's RESIDENCE

"Prince, whom did you eat with earlier?" Diego asked.

"Althea. Is she like that? She acts like a child." I annoyingly said.

"You had lunch with Althea!?" Jake asked in shock.

"Yes," I replied.

"She's nice, right? did you enjoy being with her?" Diego asked.

"Of course not. Althea doesn't know me. The students have been staring at her before."

"By the way, Jasper wants to see you tomorrow." Jake told me.

PRINCE POV

I went to school late, so the Dean, I mean Tito, sent me to the gym to squat for 30 minutes, and I found Althea there in a squat position, so I guess she was also late.

"Hi, good morning, Prince." she greeted me.

"I don't think Mitch is late?" I said.

"She woke me up earlier, but I let her go first to school instead of being late just because of me."

I just kept quiet and squatted.

"Prince, sorry if you're being annoyed by me, huh." she said

"Why do you always want me to talk? I don't want to talk to you, so shut your mouth." She bent down, and I saw her face suddenly saddened.

What does Althea have that she's making my heart so soft? Ha, what is this? I shouldn't feel this way.

Eventually, I noticed that Althea was sweating, and her knees were shaking. Maybe she was already tired.

" What's wrong with you? "I asked.

"I can't take the pain in my legs anymore..." she said.

"Sit down." I ordered, then I threw her my handkerchief.

"Wipe your sweat. "

" Thank you." She said.

Suddenly Dean entered the gym.

" MS. CERVANTES, WHY ARE YOU SITTING THERE? THE TIME I GAVE YOU IS NOT OVER YET."

I suddenly answered because I was the one who told her to sit down.

"Dean, I'm the one who told her to sit down first. She couldn't handle the punishment you gave her." I said.

"You? Prince, tell me, who told you to do that? Did anyone permit you to make Ms. Cervantes sit down? "

"Dean, the punishment you give to the students here at school is wrong." I replied.

"Prince, I'm the dean of this school, and not just because you're my nephew, you have the right to interfere with the way I manage here."

"Do what you want, uncle. "

"Ms. Cervantes, you can enter your class, and you, Mr. De la Questa, clean the whole area of ​​the gym. After that, you can go to your class."

I'm pissed right now. Why in the earth did I tell Althea to sit down in the first place? Here's the consequence, then. It turns out I'm the one punished more. After some hours, I heard the bell, and that means it's break time already. As I am cleaning continuously, I suddenly felt that I was hungry.

"PRINCE"

The voice sounds familiar. AS I looked behind, I saw Althea approaching me, carrying a burger and soft drinks.

"You again? What are you doing here, huh?"

"Uhm, it's break time already, and I know that you're still here at the gym, so I thought I could bring you snacks because I'm the reason why your punishment elevated. Sorry, huh."

"I don't need to hear your excuses. And why do you always come near me?"

"Alright, I'll be out then." she said goodbye. Then she left the gym.

I thought she would accompany me here, wait, wait, why do I even expect that she will stay with me? Hayy, I don't know. I'm bewildered right now.

I was surprised because, after our break, I was allowed to enter my class. I found out from Jake that Althea talked to Dean, that she'll be the one to continue my punishment. Why would she save me?

"Althea, can we talk?" I asked her.

" Of course, what is that? "

"Althea, did you take the punishment that wasn't yours? "

" I feel guilty because I should be the one punished more than you. "

"Don't worry, next time, I won't help you. "she just smiled at me then sat down. She was still smiling, so I was annoyed.

"Prince 9:40's the call time you'll meet Jasper later. " Diego said to me.

"Are you sure you don't want to include us? Maybe Jasper has friends later, and we don't know what will happen." Jake said.

" Don't worry. I can handle myself. "

"By the way, aren't you annoyed by Althea now? "Jake asked.

" I'm annoyed with her."

" Why? Is it because she's a Vasilia, Californian? "Diego also asked.

"Maybe, and she doesn't want to stop. She's always approaching. She's only bothering me."

" Really? Or are you just stubborn?" Jake added.

"You're angry because of Jae Sun, because she left you, and you see Jae with Althea, so you're getting mad at her. That's why you're annoyed." Diego said to me. I feel that Diego is somehow fitting. What did Althea do to me that I am so mad at her?

ALTHEA POV

Oh my! It's 8:50 in the evening, yet I'm still here at school, while Mitch is already at home by now.

I'm so tired. How in the world I got to clean the whole classroom of every department. Well, I have no choice but to do it.

While I was cleaning, I noticed Prince passed by. He is still here. He saw and approached me.

"What else are you doing here? It's already late, ah." He says.

"Uhm, this is in exchange for your punishment."

"Ah, really? So good luck then, it looks like you still have a lot to clean, so I have to go."

It was 10:40 in the evening when I finished cleaning. As I was walking home, I noticed Prince sitting on a bench in the park, so I approached him.

"PRINCE"

"You again? Why are you still here? It's late." Says Prince while in shock.

"I saw you. Are you waiting for someone?"

"Go home. It's too late."

"Are you waiting for someone?" I asked again.

"You know, you're annoying. Just go home." He told me.

"Sorry." I was about to leave when suddenly someone called Prince's name.

"PRINCE DE LA QUESTA"

Prince and I looked at where the voice came from, and we saw five men holding baseball bats. Who are they? They look like Prince's enemies.

"JASPER." said Prince.

"Are you with someone?" asked Jasper.

"I'm not with her, and I don't even know her." Prince replied.

"Oh, really?" There was a mixture of threats from the voice of Jasper.

"I came here because I want to negotiate. I'll agree with what you want."

"Really? But we don't!" Jasper's answer was serious. Oh my! I think he will catch a fight any time from now.

"Althea, go." Prince ordered

"You're with this beautiful woman then."

Jasper then commands one of his companions to block me.

"Don't touch her." Prince said.

"Why is that Prince? What are you going to do then?" said Jasper.

Suddenly, Prince's eyesight instantly sharpened, and at the same time, he rushed at the four men! Is this true? He knocked down the four guys fearlessly.

"Prince, are you alright?" I asked him. He looked at me, and he looked angry.

"I want you to erase from your mind the things you saw today. If you want to report me to the Dean tomorrow, that's up to you."

Why is he like that? Is this the side he's hiding? Is this the reason why Mitch doesn't want me to be involved with him?

"I'm not going to report you. You're not the one who started the trouble. They're the ones looking for a fight." I said again.

"Go home and forget what you saw." He said seriously.

MITCH POV

I thought Althea had already no plans to go home when she arrived at precisely 10:15 in the evening.

"Oh Mitch, you still awake?" she said.

"Hey! Althea! Where on earth did you go? I've been waiting for you." I shouted at her.

"Ah, at the campus. I have a punishment. I just finished it."

Is this girl's saying valid? Or maybe she's with Diego again. Hay, when will I be able to tell my cousin.

"Alright, I'll sleep then. Goodnight."

Look at that. She didn't even eat dinner. Why on earth did Althea become friends with Diego? Does she not know that they belong to a well-known youth fraternity here? Especially Prince, Prince, who founded that fraternity. I need to do something; I don't want my cousin to be hurt just because of them.

ALTHEA POV

OMG! My head hurts so bad. I'm sure you know why it's because of Prince. He ran through my mind all night, and I still can't get over what happened last night. In fairness, even though he's rude and annoying, he's still handsome and cute. When Mitch and I arrived at school, Diego and Jake approached me.

"Althea!." Mitch looks at me with a sharpened eye.

"Mitch, we have no bad intentions with you or even Althea. We just want to be friends with you." Said Diego.

"Diego's right Mitch, we have no ill intentions with the both of you." Jake promised.

"Don't fool me," Mitch said firmly.

"Mitch, that's enough, okay?" I scolded my cousin.

"Althea, you don't know them."

"I already know them, Mitch."

"How?" she asked.

"I was with Prince last night."

"You were with Prince last night!?" Jake asked in shock.

"Yes"

"So you lied to me last night?"

"Jake, Diego, I know there's something you're not telling me, especially you, Diego. I've been with you from the start."

"Yes, Althea, I'm so sorry." Diego replied.

"Admit it already. Who is Prince, the real Prince?" I asked with a toned voice.

"Prince is the founder of every gang fraternity in the entire village of Sta. Ana. Especially the" Jake said.

I was surprised by what I heard because Prince doesn't look like a gang lord.

"So he has a lot of enemies?"

"Yes, many are annoyed by him." Diego replied.

"Did you got into a fight last night?" Mitch asked.

"Yes." the three of them were surprised by my answer.

"Althea, you're going to die on what you're doing."

"Die? What are you, Mitch? I'm not their enemy."

"Mitch has a point. You can be in danger for what you're doing. They can come back to you especially they knew that you are acquainted with Prince." Jake said with a worried tone.

"Why are you even scared?" I said.

"Althea, don't you understand? didn't you hear what Jake said?" Mitch asked angrily.

"Of course, I heard it. I'm not deaf. "

"So you must stay away from Prince, okay?? " Mitch repeated.

"No. I can't." OMG! What's my answer all about?? Is Prince that important to me? My response was shocking.

"Why should I stay away from Prince? He's a good person, and I feel that he has a problem. That's why he can't smile like anybody else." I told them seriously.

"Althea, you are stubborn." my cousin said, angrily.

"Wait, are you by chance interested with Prince?"

What's the matter with Jake? His sudden question surprised me. And I don't like Prince; we just met in three days.

"Of course not! Why should I like him? And I just want to be his friend, not his girlfriend or lover. "I replied angrily to him.

"It's up to you then, Althea. I don't know about how you feel."

"Don't worry, Mitch, we'll take care of your cousin, okay?" said Jake.

"Just make sure of that, because if something bad happens to her, I'll kill you." wow, is that a death threat?

"Mitch, sorry." Diego said.

"For what?"

"Because we're always putting you in trouble, so you don't want us to be friends."

"Fine. You don't kill people, do you? " I suddenly looked at Mitch badly.

"Hey! We can't do that. We're still afraid of God." Jake said.

I'm sure Prince isn't that kind of person either.

"Fine, we're friends now." Hays, Mitch also gave up at the end. It's fun having them, Diego and Jake.

Wait, I've been paying attention to them for a while.

"Ahem, won't Prince come?" I asked.

"We don't know. He didn't text us either." Diego replied.

"Ah, that's right."

"Althea, are you sure you're just friends with Prince?" Jake teasingly asked.

"Of course."

"We know you can change Prince." Diego said.

"Why is he constantly gets into fights?" I asked again.

"He's been like that since ..." Diego suddenly stopped talking.

"Since what, Diego?" I asked again

"Since... Ay, whatever, you'll eventually know, it's tough to speak right now. "

"Ah, okay." I replied.

It seems that the problem Prince got is severe. And I want to know what it is.