Why We Fell

This novel is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product oft the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This story includes strong language and scenes that could be disturbing to certain readers. Read at your own risk.

WHY WE FELL, CHAPTER ONE.

"One more shot!"

"Please look here!"

"Sideway glance!"

"Fierce Aura!"

I can hear Kent's assistants sigh dreamily as I posed in front of the cameras.

"Olivia is so pretty!"

"How I wish I can be like her!"

"And that is a wrap! Amazing job as always Ms. Harris!" Kent exclaimed proudly as Fierra quickly approached me to give me my phone while retouching my makeup. I looked at the time and shook my head, I was out late again. I quickly went down to grab my stuff, and Fierra did the same.

The chilly December breeze penetrated through my coat as we went outside. Almost no one is around except for a few people going to the convenience store, probably to find solace in the dead silence of the night. As creepy as it may seem, the silence felt...

Comforting.

"Ms. Harris, should we go now?" My reverie was cut short by Fierra's voice, I turned to look at her. Long, brown hair tied in a lazy ponytail, creamy skin and pale lips. She looks very tired, I'm aware of it. She has been my assistant for almost five years already.

"I told you to call me by my name when we're outside right?" I gently smiled at her, which she returned.

"I can't do that, I am way too shy." She responded and I couldn't help but chuckle as we went to the parking lot. I helped her put my things at the back and she was about to go to the driver's seat but I beat her to it. She looked at me with surprise but I just shook my head.

"I'm driving today."

"But Ms. Har-"

"No buts, you're tired today." I responded and she had no choice but to sit in the passenger seat in defeat.

Fierra Walkinson, she has been my assistant for the past three years that I have been modelling. She has always been a very patient person, even when I was starting with almost nothing. She never left my side through the highs and the lows. She cried on my sorrows, she rejoiced on my achievements. She felt like a family to me.

"What is our schedule for this coming week?" I queried while driving and she rushed to check her notebook, her hair falling to her face.

"You have an upcoming schedule for this coming Thursday, so you have the three days free since the interviews got rescheduled." She replied hesitantly. That is one thing that I have always felt odd about her, it always seems like she's walking on eggshells when she's with me. I kind of got curious about what her past employer was like, but I didn't want to bring up the past and just brushed it off. I tried to make my voice as cheerful as I could.

"Then I guess you have four days off then." I told her cheerfully and she gaped at me in surprise.

"But Ms. Harris!" She tried to object but I cut her off.

"Oh shush, it's fine! I'm still gonna pay you so you don't have to worry about it. Use that time to look at your backlogs, I'm sure your professor is waiting for your work already." I assured her. Fierra is still a college student, currently in her third year. I know the Third year is very hard, especially since she is majoring in Psychology. This is why I try my best to be as understanding as I could.

"I'm halfway through my backlogs, but are you sure you're going to be okay?" She asked in her tiny voice and I was taken aback, being asked if I was okay seemed to be a very new thing to me. I smiled gently and patted her head.

"Silly girl, I'll be fine! I'm already twenty- five. I can already take care of myself!" I tried to convince her but she seemed to find cracks in the mask I am hiding in, but she didn't pry.

"Just call when something happens Ms. Harris, my lines will always be open." She concluded and I looked at her, she never backs down after all. I laughed.

"Okay, okay I will. You sure are very persistent. I will call." I reassured her, and she nodded her head like she's some sort of kid.

I drove her back to their place in Valkyrie Hills and she still looked at me like I'm going to change my decision.

"Are you sure you can manage Ms. Harris? You don't have to do this." She seemed like she was about to cry and I found it kind of adorable, not in a romantic kind of way though.

"Come on, is that the way to treat your senior? Remember I'm going to proofread your Chapter two so you should focus on that instead of pestering me to let you stay with me on a non-working day!" I teased and she didn't seem at all convinced.

"Besides, let me have my alone days. I won't be able to find a boyfriend if you keep clinging on to me, they will think you're some kind of obsessed assistant and that is weird as heck." I joked and it was her turn to laugh this time, she agreed in the end and started walking toward their gate. But before going in, she turned at me and waved.

"Thank you, Ms. Harris! See you on Thursday!" This kid, honestly. I thought and just waved at her as well before getting into the car.

It was already two o' clock in the morning when I finally reached the parking area of Blue Moon Residences, in which my condo unit is located. I got out of the car and dragged the luggage towards the elevator. It was getting really late, but I still haven't found the drowsiness in my system so I had no choice but to organize my stuff just so I don't have to face it as a task when I get lazy.

As I finished placing the last dress into the laundry bin, drowsiness seemed to have found me. Thankfully, I quickly washed my face and got into my house clothes and plopped myself on the bed.

This was a tiring day indeed, I thought as I let the fatigue wash over me.

"To say "I love you, but...." is to say, "I did not love you at all"".-Jamie Weise

WHY WE FELL, CHAPTER TWO.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to sleep for eight full hours and still woke up at the usual six o'clock. The weather was gloomy today, not the type of gloomy that tells you it is gonna rain though.

"I guess even the sun has his days off. " I sighed to myself as I opened the fridge to grab the ingredients for my smoothie bowl. Smoothie bowls have become my holy grail breakfast items, simply because I am too lazy. No, just kidding. The management I used to be in before doesn't allow their talents to eat breakfast cereals as they tell "it's full of sugar". I stayed there for almost a year so I guess I just got used to it. Even though my current management allows me to eat what I want, I still have to control myself. The modelling industry is very cruel, once you fall short of a characteristic...

That marks the end for you, I sighed and sat down.

That Saturday was pretty much quiet, too quiet to be honest. I just ate a lunch of rice, egg and spam and spent my afternoon staring at the gloomy sky. I was starting to get bored and thought of what I should do instead of watching TV and going around the condo like an idiot. At the end, I decided to grab my keys and drive around. I wore black jeans and a white shirt on top of it paired it with some sneakers. I let my short hair down as it is and placed on some powder and gloss. I looked at myself in the mirror and couldn't help but smile.

I missed dressing up like this. I thought to myself and grabbed my keys, walking towards the parking lot.

The drive was definitely a calming activity for me, with the weather adding up to it. But the cold quickly bit in when the sky started to get darker, signalling that the night is about to begin. I returned to the parking lot shivering slightly. Thankfully, I had my beige cardigan on the car and I quickly placed it on my body as I locked the car. Not wanting to go back to the condo yet, I found myself walking to the coffee shop at the ground floor of the condominium.

The front has the words "Café Milan" and the quote "warmth that feels like home" under it.

Home.

Home.

Home.

"Well, that's new." I muttered to myself and went inside. And true enough, it did look like home. The walls were painted (or made) in a way that resembled bricks, there were people sitting on chairs and some were sitting on the floor! But since it was carpeted, it doesn't seem too uncomfortable. I pushed my other critiques for now and proceeded to the counter to have my order.

"I will have a hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies please." I said softly to the cashier. She looked at me for a short while and shock registered through her eyes, which dissipated quickly. She keyed in my order and gave me the confirmation.

"A medium hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies, that would be ten dollars please." I quickly gave her the money and she gave me my change.

"This would be for who, madam?" I thought of how I can disguise my identity and one familiar nickname rung through me.

"It's for Raine." I said and she nodded as I went to one of the tables near the window. The rain is starting to pour and little splatters of it were on the window. I was left in a reverie as I waited for my order.

It has been a while since someone called me that, or it's been a while since I saw that person.

My sweetest, yet most painful downfall. My thoughts clouded my head as the rain continued to pour, steadily increasing its intensity. How ironic he named me almost after the rain, I couldn't help but to smile bitterly.

The bell rang from the door, signalling that someone came in. I couldn't care less and continued staring at the sky, it has been a while since I have been this peaceful. Maybe I should let Fierra take more days off, I thought to myself. Speaking of Fierra, she hasn't contacted me today which is kind of odd. I looked at my phone and realized that I was the one who didn't check my phone. I mentally knocked myself back to my senses as I clicked Fierra's message.

Fierra Walkinson:

Are you sure you're doing okay Miss?

This silly girl, I thought to myself and typed a reply.

Olivia Harris:

I'm having a blast actually, lol.

"One hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies for Raine!" I quickly put my phone in my pocket as I went to the counter to grab my order. From afar, I can see a man stifled in front of the counter. That's odd, I thought as I continued approaching. Is he stuck in some sort of situation? His back was kind of hunched and his hands gripped the counter so tightly it can almost break on his grasp.

"Is this for Raine?" I asked and the cashier nodded at me.

"Enjoy your treat."The cashier smiled at me and I smiled as I took the tray. The cookies smell delectable and I couldn't help but feel excited.

But as what a person would say, excess happiness often lead to sadness at the end.

"Raine?"

That familiar voice. My heart froze and my smile started to fall as I mustered every last bit of my courage to keep myself calm.

How could I have forgotten? He is from this area, I stifled a fake smile as I turned at him.

Tousled brown hair, although it was clearly arranged to make him look neater. He was wearing a brown cardigan over a black shirt, sunkissed cheeks...

And hazel eyes.

The eyes I loved so much.

He's here.

Karl Jayden Ford.

"We must be willing to let go of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." – Joseph Campbell

WHY WE FELL. CHAPTER THREE.

Everything came to a stop, at least for me. His features got more mature, more manly that I am quite at loss for words. But it's not his appearance that struck me, it was the sudden surge of memories that rushed through my head.

Sadness, frustration, anger, betrayal...

Love.

Longing.

"We should probably sit down." He muttered, smiling sheepishly. Every fiber of my being wanted to say no, so I don't know why I saw myself sitting in front of him. His actions seemed unsure, which is not like him.

at least the version of him I knew before.

-Flashback-

"Olivia! Stop running you hag and come back here!" Lianne shouted at me as I ran around the corridors of our school. It was sophomore year of college and syllabus week so most professors weren't present. I wanted to go around but Lianne actively refused, saying she would much rather stay at the library and sleep! Not wanting to back down, I grabbed her bag and ran off until she went after me as well.

Miyako Tan University was a huge one to boot! Who knew there would be much space to run off? I laughed as I doubled my speed while Lianne still shouted at me.

"Come and get it!" I turned to her and saw that her face was turning pale due to running for so long. I stopped and immediately went back to her.

"Hey, are you okay?" I said worriedly and she just nodded, motioning that I get her water bottle and some pills. I guided her towards the benches underneath a really big golden mimosa tree. Although there wasn't any leaves to shade us, it was the nearest. Luckily, the sun seemed to be at our side this time and took low for a couple hours.

"Why should you run off so fast like that?!" Lianne burst at me while still trying to catch her breaths, I smiled sheepishly and said sorry. It was already eleven o'clock in the morning and the day was about to come to an end. At least for me, Lianne still has a class orientation to attend at two in the afternoon so she can't go home with me. That made me sad but she assured me that she will drop by at our house when she gets home.

"Promise?" I looked at her expectantly like I was some sort of kid and she smiled, ruffling my hair.

"Yep, I promise. I'll also bring some ice cream from the corner store, that's your favorite right?" I squealed in delight! She really knows how to tickle my fancy, and trick me into agreeing to something? Lol.

"Hmm okay! Just message me when you're done so I can prepare the house in advance." I said and she nodded, the bell rang signaling the end of the upper half of the school day. Lianne walked me through the gate and I looked back at her.

"What time are you going to come home?" I asked and she laughed, like I said some sort of joke. This meanie!

"I'll be home around four, since we have an org meeting after the orientation. I'll text you when I'm done." She chuckled and I smiled happily as I went through the gate and waved back at her. She waved back and turned around to return to the building. I clutched my bag tightly and started walking to the bus station, once I had a seat...

My smile fell. I put on my earphones and watched as the buildings zoomed past me, the bright sun wasn't helping to cheer my mood either. I sighed and looked at my phone. There was a message from mom.

Mom:

Are you on the way home?

I sighed once more as I typed a reply.

Me:

Yeah, I am. Why?

Mom:

Nothing, I brought you new groceries. Just arrange them the way you feel like it.

Me:

Okay.

Mom:

I'm really sorry you have to put up with this, sweetie. Don't be up too late okay?

I didn't bother typing another reply and just shoved my phone back to my bag, just in time for the bus conductor to make a stop near my house.

"Golden Hills, I repeat Golden Hills!" I removed my earphones and stood up to get out of the bus. It was quite silent this time, maybe because it was lunch time and almost everyone is in their homes eating.

Lucky them, I thought as I started walking. The weather seemed to be sympathizing with me this time, with the sun retreating again and the clouds covering the sky. Damn this unpredictable weather.

My phone rang again and I looked at it to see Lianne calling me. I cleared my throat and answered the call in the most cheerful way I could muster.

"Heyo Lia! Missed me already?" I joked and she laughed at the other end. Maybe I should try being a clown next time? Or a comedian, she seems to be loving my jokes lately.

"Silly girl, I just called to ask if you're home already." I shook my head as if she could see me.

"Nah, but on the way. Did you eat lunch?" She said yes and I smiled faintly.

"Be sure to change your clothes when you go home okay? Class is almost about to start so I'll catch up with you later."

"Okay, take-" I looked at my phone to see that she has ended the call already. Being a senior college student must be really tiring, especially with her taking up Biology. I walked lazily as I caught sight of the neighborhood play area, although it's empty at this point. I didn't want to go home yet so I settled on one of the swings. I stared at my feet as if it was the most amazing thing to exist and heaved another heavy sigh as I looked at the gloomy afternoon sky.

"The sky is so sad today." I muttered.

"And so are you." My heart almost leapt out of my chest as someone talked behind me! I looked back to see a man about the same age as Lianne, with jet black hair and piercing green eyes. He had an earring on his left ear, which made him look more of a thug? I don't know.

"My gosh, are you planning to kill me? You almost gave me a heart attack!" I exclaimed and he laughed, a manly one at that and it made him look really attractive. Wait attractive? Get a hold of yourself Olivia! I mentally slapped my self as he took a step closer.

And then I realized who this geezer was.

The hottie of the university who allegedly charms people with his looks, the grandson of the founder of MTU...

Karl Jayden Ford.

This is trouble.