Love is a Trap

Chapter 4

One cold afternoon, Zey treats us to our favorite coffee shop across the main gate of Stallion. The place is dreamy and picturesque making its name perfect, Oblivion. The building has 2 floors with different entrance to avoid congestion of people. Dimmed lights are enough to guide the people in walking around the spacious place. Glow in the dark stars are hung in the ceiling which made this cafe really popular to the students because they call it 'instagramable'.

All of us ordered our favorite frappe while Heirra just wanted a cheesecake because she was advised by her doctor to not take any drug as of the moment. It was expected because she's been dependable to caffeine and energy drinks in the past few months. However, her glow after getting a gold in the recent sports competition is undeniable too. Her jolly personality finally returned.

We are halfway through with our snacks when a group of men came in. Zey and Heirra stopped from laughing with what was Sceeya's telling when the group of Alfonso sat in the table next to us. The girls made 'oooh' sound to tease me, but I am not slightly affected by his presence this time. Aside from my brows furrowed when I remember what he said 2 weeks ago to meet each other on the wedding day, I showed no other reaction.

"Gino Emmanuel's arms, girls." Heirra was drooling over that everytime we see their group. She's a big fan of Alfonso's friend.

Gino, Travis, Hunter and Red are with him. According to Sceeya, they are among the most respected students in the campus not just because they are filthy rich, but because they are oozing with talent, charm and wisdom. Alfonso, the famous heartbreaker, happened to be the cousin of Kid Fontanilla who is the son of the owner of Stallion. He's my ultimate crush until last semester before he graduated with the degree of Business Engineering.

Hunter Lescante is one of the royal students as what he was called. It's his luck in this life to be born as the eldest of Francis Kevin Lescante and Kimberly Panganiban. They have a business for every product in the country. One those is their famous standalone oil company that his grandfather refused to integrate with other companies although it has been previously confirmed that they are 'partners' with other Lescante companies.

Travis is a friend of mine. We used to be in the swimming team together in high school, but he also left when he went to college because his priorities became his academic performance and the business that their group started. Nonetheless, he stayed the humble and gorgeous man he was. Meanwhile, Red is looking mischievously at our way as if he's having fun with the attention he's receiving from us. He's my type of man. Playful, prodigal and very intelligent. If he and Hunter are not Alfonso's friends, I might consider hanging out with them. I will spare Travis because he's a good friend to me.

I rolled my eyes when Alfonso's lips twitched as our eyes met.

"Don't look at him. You might spark another war." Sceeya murmured.

We continue our conversation, but I already lost my appetite. Heirra keeps looking at Gino from the next table which makes me feel uncomfortable. They are supposed to go to the counter to place their order, but Red signaled one of the staffs to get their order instead. What a shame.

"Excuse me, Miss Westly." My eyes went to the waiter who called me. I tried to smile when I asked why, but before he could answer, I already saw a chocolate mousse cake on the tray he's holding.

"Oh my gosh!" Sceeya's exaggerated reaction. In front of us are Heirra and Zey who are exchanging looks.

"Mr. Alfonso from the next table wants to give this to you. Enjoy." He placed the slice of cake on the table. There was a slight of jolt when I saw him looking in our way the next time I check on him. What does he want this time?

"If I have a stepbrother that is as hot as Alfonso, I would also rebel until the wedding gets cancelled." Sceeya sarcastically said and indulged on the cake.

The sound of the message notification almost made me jump from my seat. I know it's from Alfonso, but I refuse to check it now. I'm afraid he's going to make me do things for him again. No way.

"You can eat the cake, I'm already full." If he thinks he can tame with a cake then I'll show to him that I cost more than just that.

"By the way, what happened to you and Hedrin? Have you sorted things out?" Zey asked as she prepared her form to taste the cake as well.

"We never talked about it bluntly, but I think we could stay friends eventually. We just have to let the time pass." After 2 weeks of no communication with him, I am convinced that there's no more special feelings left for him in my heart. Despite that, I still need him as a friend.

"You have no choice anyway. When your parents get married, you will automatically be brother and sister to each other. Unless you want to play a b***h role then you should terminate whatever feelings there are left." Heirra commented and I agreed.

"Exactly. I understand why Yllana is acting this way right now. Everything happens in a blink of an eye. After Uncle Vade died, everything has changed. Her brothers are to be blamed here as well. They should have stayed to look after Yllana and Aunt Camille, but they went to Europe." Sceeya has a point, but I understand my brother and their decision.

"Okay. Can we talk why Alfonso gave you a cake?" When I shook my head, they started giving their fantasies on this little thing.

My phone vibrates again with the sound of a notification. When I checked Alfonso, he's already busy discussing something with his friends. If he isn't wearing the school's uniform, I would think he's a businessman in his 30s given how sexy his hair is.

I checked my phone and saw that both messages came from Alfonso.

'From +639069110***

That's for flouting my own words. I can't stand not seeing you.'

My jaw dropped with the content and my heart felt unbelievably happy. When I read the message in the next balloon, my knees trembled in both surprise and fear.

'I missed my stepsister. Did you miss me too?'

I know he's being sarcastic with the last message, but my mind tells me that this could lead to a more complicated situation if I answer.

I get my bag and took a deep sigh before showing them a smile.

"I have to go ahead, girls. The case study and research that I have to do are waiting for me at home. Movie is on me after finals." I kissed them on the cheeks to their surprise to my immediate decision.

"But..." Sceeya could not finish her sentence when a husky voice coming from behind ruled our private space. My knees felt weak again when I remembered what happened on our last meeting. Hedrin was really mad at him for the humiliation.

"Alfonso!" Zey was smiling when she greeted him.

"Hello, ladies. I just want to hand this to your friend. Kindly help her with these requirements." He put a printed list of things that my professors asked me to submit. Why does he have that?

"You don't have to care about me, Alfonso. What part in that sentence can't you understand?" His eyes are dark even when he's smiling.

"Intruding with your business becomes my obligation now that we are about to become family. I will keep it short this time. Make sure to pass all your courses this semester." He looked at the cake that he bought for me. I didn't even get to taste it, but who cares? I know that he's doing this to annoy me.

When I got home, I made myself busy with all the things that I need to submit for next week. I don't have time for breakdowns or overthinking. I dealt with the major subjects first because these require more effort and thinking. I am in the middle of answering the assignment in Econmath when Hedrin called.

"Do you need help?" It was the first thing he said when I answered the call. He might have heard from my friends that my professors are trying to kill me all these requirements. But I'm afraid he couldn't be of any help although he sincerely wants to because he has no background knowledge in business subjects.

"You can send me samples on how you're doing it, and I will try to analyze how it's being done. If I'm able to understand then I will be happy to help." He must be so bored to offer me help in academics. However, this is just the Hedrin that I've always loved. He will always offer a helping hand even in an impossible way.

He helped me in the case study for that computer class that I never attended even once this final term. She gave me the 10 links of case study from the online library of Stallion. I am required to make a 3000-word essay with the application of computer ethical theories for each of 10 links. When I first heard about it, I was thinking of hiring someone to do it for me, but here comes Hedrin.

It was a long sleepless night. Hedrin and I were videocalling until 3 in the morning. I just can't tell him, but he's also hardheaded like his brother. I've been telling him that it's okay if he slept already, but he refused and insisted on finishing half of the case study. He didn't just helped me with my work, he also gave me motivation to keep going with this track because he's there. In return, I promise to treat him to his favorite Japanese Restaurant in Tagaytay.

It's already Friday afternoon when the Student Council President made a last-minute announcement that there will be a meeting about the graduation ball for this year. At first, I was planning to not attend and just get sleep. I feel weak after a week of staying late every night. But when I learned that whoever fails to attend the meeting will be put on hold, I've decided to go with the girls.

A buffet of food is placed at both sides of the hall, but I'm too upset that I'm here instead of my bed to care about those dishes.

"Do you want a glass of water, Yllana?" Zey asked when they noticed that I remained silent in the middle of their conversation. I am listening, but I don't have energy to talk.

"No, thank you, Zey."

"Okay. I will just go to the necessarium. Do you want to go with me?" I refused to that as well, so Heirra said she would go with her.

My sight focused in the stage searching for the hosts. They should get started already!

"It's been a while!" My eyes rolled when I saw the man who occupied Zey's seat. It is Steve, my ex. I can't even say a proper hello to him because I'm in a really bad mood. Sceeya intentionally hit my knees with hers, and I can tell from the way Steve chuckled that he saw that.

"Why are you here?" I asked annoyed.

"Sorry, Steve. She's been pulling an all-nighter for a week straight that's why her mood is a bit off." Sceeya explained. She's nice to all my ex-flings because she's aware that it's always me who hurt them in the end.

"I'm used to that, Sceeya. How have you been?" He asked as he leaned on the arm rest of my seat. I didn't mind that. I know that he's just trying to annoy me more.

"I'm fine, Steve. Hope you're doing great too. You can ask Yllana if she needs some help from you." Damn. I am trying to stay away from men for the mean time, but if Steve starts to sway me again, I would just fall all over.

"Thought you would quit school after 2 weeks of no show. What happened?" With the palm of hands, I touched his face to move away a bit from mine. He chuckled again as he removed his jacket. What he did next surprised me. He covered my legs with that before he continued to flirt. Although I didn't like his familiar gesture, I didn't move to contradict it too.

"I went on a vacation and forgot to write a letter. My bad." That's what I always reasoned out to my classmates and friends who asked me the same question.

"Really? Why won't you answer my call?" I gave her a look of dismay. I thought it was clear to him that we are over. It has been 2 months since we last communicate and aside from his random calls and messages, he never showed up again.

"If you want to have me again then do it right. Give me flowers and expensive gifts that I deserve. I hate being questioned for the things I did."

I tilted my head as I gave him a sweet smile. His familiar scent lingers around me and that gave a vivid memories of our trip to Singapore before we fell apart. But I got distracted by the sight of a man in dark blue tuxedo at the center hall. Alfonso Keith Ferrer was intensely looking at me using those dark eyes. It should mean nothing to me, but I don't know why my knees trembled that I have to cross my legs to compose myself after seeing him.

"Okay. Will do that." Steve replied as he said his goodbye to Sceeya. He went back to his friends who are sitting in the front part of the hall. Did Alfonso witness everything? I am very sure that he couldn't hear anything because of the distance, but he will surely nag about me cheating to his brother.

"You are not required to attend the graduation ball but everyone is encouraged to. There will be no payment for this event since it has been already in your account upon enrollment. It will be held in the Fontanilla Hall." That earned a big "woah" from the crowd. The Fontanilla Hall she is talking about is the grandest hall in the university located at the northern part of the school, and perhaps it is the most expensive building in the campus. Even it has only three floors, it is made up of silver, gold and diamonds. The grand stairs are crafted by silver while the interior design of the house is mostly made up of diamonds. It is secured by CCTV and guards every day and night.

It took 30 minutes before they called it a day. I hurried to go to the parking lot. Seriously, I haven't ever been this obsessed with sleep before. When my phone beeped, I checked if it's urgent and when I saw an unregistered number, I know it's Alfonso. I acted like I didn't see anything. That may be just another prank, and I am not mentally and physically ready to deal with it.