Love or Vengeance

Chapter 4: Not Again!

Louise's POV



I'm standing in front of my science professor. She's talking... talking... talking... but I can't hear a thing because my mind is drifting... to that image of Mr. Grim Reaper he's really handsome, though a bit grumpy. We've met three times already, and I still haven't asked for his name. Ugh! I still feel so embarrassed. Every time we meet, I end up doing something ridiculous. So annoying.

I wonder if we'll ever meet again? I hope so, hehehe. I want to hold his soft hand again. It gave me this strange, tingling feeling—like tiny volts of electricity running through my skin... Even now, I can still remember the scent of his cologne. So masculine, but not too strong... Damn! I think I have a crush on him.

"Miss Lopez!" I stood up in shock at my professor's shout.

"What's wrong, Miss?" I asked, confused.

"Wrong!?" She walked toward me and stopped right in front of me. "You were just blushing and smiling at me like a creep!"

That was the first time the whole class laughed at me, and I got yelled at by a professor.

"Sorry, Miss..." I said quietly, bowing my head in embarrassment.

"Stay focused, Miss Lopez. And please—daydream about your crush later," she said gently, but she really emphasized the word crush.

"Eh?"

"You all heard her, right?" she asked my classmates, and everyone nodded. "She even cursed... She said, 'Damn! I think I have a crush on him,'" she said while mimicking my tone and gestures. Did I really do that?! The whole class laughed again, and I wanted to disappear from sheer embarrassment.

"Sorry again, Ma'am..." She gently tapped my shoulder and continued the lesson.

"So... who's the lucky guy?" Zayra, one of my close friends, asked as soon as the professor left.

"I just accidentally met him yesterday," I admitted.

"And his name is?" she asked excitedly. I just shrugged.

"You mean... you don't even know his name?! Why didn't you ask?"

"That's why it's called accident, duh," I replied with a pout. I wanted to tell her everything that happened, but... maybe not. She'll probably just laugh at me... especially with all the embarrassing things I've already done.

"Love at first sight, huh?" she said, resting her chin on her hand while staring at me.

"What are you talking about? That's just crush at first sight, okay?"

"Believe me... that's definitely love at first sight. Wow, even your blush reached your whole face!" she teased, laughing.

"It's not! Stop it already! It's just a crush, okay? Give me a few days and this will all be gone."

"Hush... here comes the monster prof," she whispered, referring to our terror professor, so I went quiet and tried to focus. But no matter how hard I tried, thoughts of that guy kept sneaking into my head. Not now, please, I begged my own brain.

Dismissal...

I hadn't even packed my things yet when I spotted Butler Kim and one of my bodyguards already waiting at the classroom door.

This is what I get for escaping three times. Deep sigh. Their surveillance has only gotten stricter. As soon as I stepped out, both of them bowed respectfully, and Mark—one of the bodyguards—took my things.

The ride from school to the mansion wasn't long—just about an hour. Yeah... just an hour. I put my earphones in and started playing random music.

"Miss Louise, we're here," said Butler Kim. I must have fallen asleep during the ride home. As soon as I got out of the car, I went straight to my room. I had so many things to review and schoolwork to finish.

I had just started working when someone knocked on the door.

Knock Knock* Knock*

"Come in!" I called out, continuing to write without even looking at who entered.

"It's you, Kuya. Don't even think about trying to scare me," I said with a slight pout. I could already tell it was him from the scent of his cologne.

He laughed. "Hahaha! Princess, here—eat something first." He placed a tray down, which had a glass of raspberry juice and an almond cupcake.

"Thank you," I paused what I was doing and began to eat.

"What?" I asked when I noticed him staring at me like he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.

"Nothing."

"Come on, spill it..." I heard him take a deep breath before speaking. I silently prayed it wasn't bad news.

"By the way... Dad's already here. Aren't you going to check on him? He's in the library," Kuya Kyle said.

"Really? I thought he wasn't coming until Friday?" He just nodded.

"I'll finish this first, then I'll go see him," I said, referring to the books and notebooks on my study table.

"The Riveras are arriving tomorrow."

"What? Don't tell me—" He averted his gaze.

I knew it.

"I'm sorry, Princess," he said, holding both of my hands. "No matter how much I tried to convince Dad, I couldn't change his decision," he added sadly.

"It's okay, Kuya, don't worry," I smiled at him. "I guess... I really need to talk to Dad about this."

"You really should."

"Tsk! It's always been my dream to marry the man I love—and who loves me back, hahaha."

"Whatever happens, I'm always here for you."

"Psh... Kuya, by the way, why did you agree to get engaged to Danica, even though you still love Ate Miley?" I asked, hoping he'd answer honestly.

"To be honest..." he seemed to be thinking. "I didn't want to at first. I loved Miley and I was ready to fight for her. But when she broke up with me and said she never loved me—that she was only after my money—I was devastated. So, I gave in to what Dad wanted."

"So... your heart rebelled?" I asked.

"Maybe, hahaha."

"Then why are you still looking for her?"

"Because I still love her. And like I told you before, it's enough for me to know that she's okay."

"You're getting married next year," I said quietly, my heart sinking. "You'll be moving out, and I'll be left here all alone."

"But when Miley was still my girlfriend, you were always pushing me to get married already," he said with a laugh.

"That's because I could see you were truly happy... and that your happiness was real." He fell silent for a moment, then smiled at me.

"Before you marry Danica," I said with a determined tone, "I'll give you one reason to fight for Ate Miley again."

"Why don't you like Danica, huh?"

"You're asking me? Let's turn that around—why don't you like Danica, Kuya?" He burst into laughter at my comeback.

"I'll be waiting for that one reason to fight for Miley again."

After our heart-to-heart talk, he excused himself and left. I got busy again with my schoolwork, and once I was done, I headed to the library where Dad was.

The library was located on the third floor of the mansion. We had a collection of over fifty thousand books.

Inside the library stood bookshelves that reached up to the fifth floor. Four small chandeliers surrounded one grand chandelier in the center. A blue carpet stretched across the floor, leading to the desk where my father sat, his back turned, facing the window. In the middle of the library was a long sofa and two single sofas arranged around a glass center table.

This was where I used to often see Mommy. She loved reading—it was her favorite hobby. As I walked toward my father, flashes of our joyful memories here with her rushed back to me.

"Dad," I began, clenching my fists while forcing my entire being to stay calm. He turned his chair to face me. His expression was serious, but in his eyes, I saw a sadness that hadn't faded since the day we lost Mommy.

"Louise," he said my name in a firm tone. "I heard you've been sneaking away from Butler Kim and your security team again." He didn't even bother to ask how I was. "Why are you here?" he asked, his voice cold.

"I want you to cancel your plan of marrying me off to the only son of the Rivera family," I said, meeting his eyes with unwavering resolve. "That's all," I added firmly.

"I can't. And I won't," he answered without hesitation, full of authority.

"No... not this time, Daddy. I've done everything I could since I was a child just to please you—because I love you," I said. He stood and turned his back to me again, looking out the window. "But not this time... You can't force me to marry someone I don't even like." He turned his head to look at me, shaking it slowly in disbelief.

"You don't have a choice, Louise, except to obey me. This is for your own good," he said sternly. "The Rivera family will arrive tomorrow, so prepare yourself."

"Give me one reason, Dad—just one reason—that will help me understand how this is supposedly for my good!" I couldn't hold back my emotions anymore. He looked visibly surprised by my reaction. "Dad, please, I'm begging you. Just explain it to me so I can understand."

"This is a promise made between your grandfather and Uriel's grandfather."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. All this... because of that?

"Your grandfather left everything to you, Louise—everything. But there was one condition: that you marry Uriel."

"Are we having financial problems?" I asked bluntly. "Because last I checked, our businesses earned three times more than the previous year." He didn't respond. "Don't get me wrong, Dad, but we both know that even if I don't receive a single cent from Grandpa's inheritance, we'll never go poor." deep sigh "In fact—we're richer than the Riveras!"

"Stop shouting!!!" he yelled at me. "You know nothing, so just obey me!" His face was turning red with anger again.

"That's exactly the problem, Dad... I know nothing!" I gave him a bitter smile. "Are you really that greedy for money, Dad? So much that you're willing to trade even me away?"

A sharp, resounding slap landed across my cheek—the first time he had ever hit me. I saw tears falling down his face. I had gone too far. My words, driven by emotion, had crossed the line.

"I'm sorry, Dad... but I can't marry him!!!" I cried, then ran out of the library and straight to my room, tears streaming down my face.

I locked the door and cried into my pillow, lying face down on my bed. I heard knocking from outside, but I ignored it. I was deeply hurt by Dad's decision. I still couldn't understand it, but the guilt I felt after seeing tears in his eyes was even stronger. It had been three years since the last time I saw Dad cry.

A decision slowly formed in my mind—one I knew was the only way to help myself.

I looked at my wristwatch. It was already 1:00 a.m.

I didn't realize I had been crying for that long.

I took a shower and changed into a plain white t-shirt, layered it with a gray jacket, wore black denim jeans, and slipped into my high-cut shoes.

I packed my most important belongings into my backpack—my wallet, both of my cellphones, laptop, and the family picture that sat on my study table. Then I slung the bag over my shoulder.

Getting out of the mansion wasn't easy. Security guards were stationed everywhere. If you didn't live here, you'd honestly need a map just to find your way.

I made sure the door to my room was securely locked, then took the climbing rope I often used whenever I practiced wall climbing.

I tied the rope securely and began to climb down slowly. I was halfway down when two security guards suddenly stopped right below me. Just my luck—they started chatting.

No choice—I had to put them to sleep.

I quietly knocked them out and carried their bodies over to a tall bush nearby.

"They'll wake up soon, sorry." I whispered.

I rolled and crouched low as I moved, since there were guards everywhere. I moved quickly but carefully.

Forgive me, Dad. but I just can't.

I haven't even fulfilled my plans yet, and when I do—I'll come back. I'll marry him... not just to please you, but because I love you... you and Kuya.

I wiped away my tears and took a deep breath before dialing a number on my phone.

"Hello, Louise," a woman's voice answered.

"Is everything ready?" I asked her.

"Yes... everything is ready."

"Thanks, Kiera... I'll see you later."

I ended the call and dialed Emilie next.

"Hello, besty!" I said, trying to sound cheerful—I didn't want her to worry.

"Hello too, Besty! What time is your flight?" she asked, her voice still sleepy. I had already told her earlier that I was flying to Cebu to see her.

"Uhm... my flight's at 8:00 a.m."

"Okay! I'll pick you up at the airport, ha!? Yieeee! I'm so excited!!!"

Her squeal made me smile.

"Thank you... I'll see you later."

"Okay, bye... take care, Besty. Love you." She ended the call.

I took extra care getting out of the village, avoiding the roving guards stationed around.

When I finally got out, a black car was already waiting for me.

Kiera and Christian got out—they're more than just my people; they're my friends. Along the way, our goal brought us closer.

I smiled at them and got into the car.

Both Kiera and Christian were trained in martial arts and dependable in all things. I'd already tested their skills—and more importantly, their loyalty.

"Louise, here's the paper you asked for," Kiera said, handing me a brown envelope.

I opened it and carefully checked the contents—fake birth certificate, fake diplomas, ID cards, driver's license, and passport.

Allejah Rodriguez, 18 years old, and so on.

"This is good," I said with a small laugh, glancing at Kiera who was sitting in the passenger seat while Christian drove.

"You know your name Allejah is really pretty! Hahaha. Don't you think it's pretty?" she replied, laughing.

"Yeah, it's pretty," I said with a smile.

Then I glanced at the rearview mirror. "How about you, Christian? Don't you think Kiera is pretty?"

"Definitely yes," he answered without missing a beat.

Christian suddenly hit the brakes.

"Are you joking, Louise?" he said. Hahaha—I wanted to laugh at their faces. They were both blushing. "You think she's pretty?" he pointed at Kiera. "Hahaha! Never. Like, never." He started driving again.

"Don't worry, you're not handsome either, Christian," Kiera snapped back at him.

"Tch!" Christian scoffed.

In the three years I've been with these two, I can definitely say they're like cats and dogs. I wouldn't be surprised if the two of them ended up together someday. And I'd be their Miss Cupid... I'll shoot both of their hearts at once.

We've arrived at our base. But this is more than just a base—it's private property registered under my other name. Sigh. That other name.

From the outside, it looks like an old, abandoned building. But if you go all the way to the end, there's a hidden door that leads underground. The doors inside are secured with digital passcodes known only to the three of us—plus our three other friends.

It's clean, smells good, and is well-organized—thanks to Kiera and Christian, both of whom are neat freaks. There's a small living room, a tiny kitchen, and four rooms: one each for Kiera and me, one larger room shared by four of the guys, and the fourth room—the biggest of all—isn't just a bedroom.

When you enter the fourth room, you'll see all kinds of weapons framed and hanging on the walls. Each one was crafted by expert swordsmiths from different parts of the world. There's also a shelf of small knives and a large cabinet filled with various types of guns.

"Wait, take this." Christian handed me a bottle of medicine. "Even though you'll be leaving under the name Allejah, we still need to make sure you're the one in control. That girl... there's really something about her—just hearing her name sends chills down my spine."

Kiera elbowed him in the side. "Sometimes you're an i***t. Who do you think you're talking to?"

"I'm just being honest here," he replied. "You know how that girl—"

"Don't worry, guys. Everything's under control."

The two let out a sigh of relief.

"You two should get some sleep now," I said with a smile. "I really want to be a godmother," I teased.

"Louise!"

I giggled as I made my way upstairs.

..................................................

Hi-Yu