Chapter 1
1228 Words
Alya Paige Penerose stood in front of the mirror, fixing her hair for the third time.
She glanced at her reflection, smoothing down her skirt before adjusting the hem of her crop top. A small smile appeared on her lips.
She knew exactly why she was making so much effort today.
Grey Anderson was downstairs. His long time crush and also his brother's Best friend.
Grey is twenty five years old while Alya is Nineteen. He is five years older than her, but for Alya, in her eyes, Grey is the most handsome man she has ever seen.
He was rich, confident, and had the kind of presence that could make her forget what she was about to say whenever he looked her way.
her brother Jericho, and his other friends Jhaycee, Nathan, Bryan, and of course Grey had been inseparable since grade school. They grew up together, became best friends for life, and somehow, even after all these years, the Penerose mansion still seemed to be one of their favorite places to gather.
Today, they were downstairs playing basketball.
And Alya couldn't wait to see Grey.
She gave herself one last look in the mirror, fixed a strand of hair behind her ear, and took a deep breath.
“Okay, Alya,” she whispered to herself. “Act normal.”
She smiled.
That lasted for exactly two seconds.
Her heart was already beating faster.
*This time, Grey is going to notice me.*
With one last glance at her reflection, Alya hurried toward the door.
She went downstairs and headed straight for the backyard, where their private basketball court was located.
The Penerose family was one of the wealthiest families in Monarch City. They were respected and influential, with a name that carried weight throughout the city. However, compared to the Anderson family, the Peneroses were still considered less powerful.
The Anderson family was far wealthier, more influential, and one of the most feared families in Monarch City.
Despite that, the two families had been close friends for many years. Their long-standing friendship was also how Jericho, Grey, Nathan, Bryan, and Jhaycee had grown up together and eventually became best friends.
As Alya reached the bottom of the stairs, she ran into Manang Grace, who was carrying a tray of drinks for the boys.
“Manang Grace, I'll take those to Kuya and his friends.”
“Of course, Ma'am.”
Alya took the tray from her, then caught her reflection on the nearby glass door.
She paused.
“Manang Grace, do I look pretty?”
Manang Grace smiled as she looked at her.
“Yes, Ma'am. You look absolutely beautiful.”
Alya's face brightened.
“Really?”
“Of course. I'm sure Sir Grey will be captivated when he sees you.”
Alya giggled, feeling her confidence rise.
“Thank you.”
She lifted her chin and walked toward the basketball court, deliberately making her steps a little more graceful.
*This time, Grey is going to notice me.*
When she reached the court, the boys were already taking a break.
Jericho, Nathan, Bryan, Jhaycee, and Grey were gathered together, catching their breath after playing basketball.
Alya smiled.
Her eyes immediately found Grey.
He was sitting slightly away from the others, his hair messy from playing basketball. His shirt was damp with sweat, and he was wiping his face with a towel while looking at his phone.
Alya's heart skipped.
She slowly approached them, hoping he would look up.
“Kuya, here are your drinks.”
All of them looked at her at the same time.
Except Grey.
He didn't even lift his head.
Alya's smile slowly faded.
She waited.
Nothing.
Grey remained focused on his phone as if she wasn't even there.
*Seriously?*
She had spent so much time getting ready.
She had fixed her hair three times.
She had changed her outfit twice.
And he didn't even notice.
Alya tried to hide her disappointment and placed the tray down.
Jericho, however, immediately frowned.
His eyes traveled from Alya's face down to her skirt and crop top.
“What do you think you're wearing?”
Alya blinked.
“What?”
Jericho pointed at her clothes.
“That’s what you decided to wear downstairs?”
Alya looked down at herself.
“What's wrong with it?”
“You're wearing that in front of all of us?”
“Kuya, it's just a skirt and a crop top.”
Nathan suddenly laughed.
“Whoa. Look at Alya. Our little girl is all grown up.”
Bryan grinned.
“She's not a little girl anymore, Jericho.”
Jhaycee looked at Alya and smirked.
“Someone definitely dressed up for somebody today.”
Alya's cheeks turned pink.
“I did not!”
Nathan raised an eyebrow.
“Then why are you suddenly dressed like that?”
“Because I wanted to!”
Jericho sighed.
“Alya, go back upstairs and change.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I said so.”
“But I just changed!”
“I don't care. Go back to your room and change your clothes. Right now.”
Alya's mouth fell open.
“What? That's so unfair!”
“Alya.”
Jericho's stern voice made her glare at him.
“Fine!”
She turned around, embarrassed and irritated.
As she walked away, she glanced back one last time.
Grey was still looking at his phone.
He hadn't even bothered to look at her.
Alya's heart sank.
*He really doesn't care.*
She quickly turned around and walked toward the house.
Behind her, Nathan chuckled.
“She is definitely mad.”
“Let her be mad,” Jericho muttered.
Grey finally looked up for a moment.
His eyes followed Alya's retreating figure.
Only for a second.
Then his gaze returned to his phone.
“Anyway,” Grey said casually, “whose turn is it?”
The others looked at him.
Nathan laughed.
“Bro, you seriously didn't notice anything?”
Grey frowned.
“Notice what?”
“Alya.”
Grey glanced toward the house.
“What about her?”
Nathan shook his head, amused.
“Nothing. Never mind.”
Grey shrugged and returned his attention to his phone.
“Okay.”
And that was it.
No concern.
No curiosity.
Nothing.
To Grey, Alya was simply Jericho's younger sister.
The same annoying little girl who had been following them around since they were kids.
Nothing more.
Meanwhile, Alya hurried upstairs, her face burning with embarrassment.
She opened her bedroom door and slammed it shut behind her.
*Bang!*
“Ugh!”
She threw herself onto her bed and grabbed a pillow, burying her face into it.
“This is so embarrassing!”
She kicked her feet against the mattress.
“I spent forever getting ready!”
She lifted her head, her eyes beginning to water.
“And Grey didn't even notice me!”
She squeezed the pillow tightly.
“He looked at me for, like, two seconds!”
Alya groaned before burying her face into the pillow again.
“Stupid Grey Anderson!”
She kicked her feet against the mattress again.
“I hate him!”
She paused.
Her voice became quieter.
“...But I still like him.”
Her cheeks became even hotter.
Alya screamed into the pillow.
“Why am I like this?!”
Downstairs, Grey continued talking with his friends, completely unaware of Alya's little heartbreak.
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