My Forbidden Lover

CHAPTER 1 – The Orphan Child

The Fuentes family was one of the most well-known families in their country. They had only one son - his name was Zackarya.

Zackarya was quiet, somewhat arrogant, but intelligent and always at the top of his class. Because of that, he was famous throughout the university. With his sharp, slightly slanted eyes, kissable lips, and black hair, he looked gentle at first glance - but his words were rough and unfiltered.

One day, Zackarya's parents decided to adopt another boy so that their son would have company at home and someone to go to the same university with.

Everyone was busy that day, celebrating Zackarya's 21st birthday. But it was also the day Juen, their adopted son, arrived - the very day he was officially taken in from the orphanage. Juen had a kind and gentle face, like an angel fallen from the heavens. Even Zackarya's male guests couldn't help but turn their heads to look at him - his soft, dreamy eyes and innocent charm drew attention. He wasn't tall for his age, only eighteen, but his bright eyes disappeared whenever he smiled.

As Juen walked into the house, the cheerful smile on Zackarya's face darkened - as if a storm had suddenly come.

After the party, Zackarya's parents introduced Juen to him. Instead of welcoming him, Zackarya treated the boy with arrogance and rudeness. But Juen simply ignored it - after all, Zackarya's parents had already warned him about their son's temper.

It was Juen's first day living in the Fuentes mansion. The young boy was peacefully reading a book about law - his dream was to become a lawyer.

"What a day-ruiner," Zackarya muttered under his breath.

Juen continued reading, unbothered.

The next day, Zackarya came home and once again found Juen sitting in the living room with a book in hand. The younger boy smiled at him, but Zackarya only rolled his eyes.

"So annoying," he said, turning his back on him.

During dinner, the four members of the Fuentes family sat together at the long dining table. Mr. Fuentes, Zackarya's father, told his son to accompany Juen to the university to enroll for his first year in college - since Juen had finished high school while living at the orphanage.

"Zacky, go with Juen to enroll at your university," said Mr. Fuentes.

"Brother? As far as I know, I'm the only one your wife gave birth to," Zackarya replied sarcastically.

Mr. Fuentes threw the red table napkin he was using - it hit Zackarya right in the face.

Juen couldn't help but let out a soft laugh; he found the scene funny despite himself.

"Hey, orphan. Go ahead, laugh! I know you're laughing at me in your head," Zackarya snapped. "Did I trip or something?"

As Zackarya spoke, his mother slammed her spoon on the table. The room instantly fell silent - even the sound of the air seemed to stop.

"Zacky, is this how your father and I raised you?" said Mrs. Rona.

Raised me? I raised myself, Zackarya muttered softly.

"What was that?" his mother asked.

"Hey, orphan, did you hear something?"

"N-no, ma'am..."

"See? Nothing," Zackarya said smugly.

After dinner, Zackarya stood up to leave, but his father called out,

"Zackarya! I told you to accompany your brother tomorrow."

"Fine, fine! But if I kiss him, can he still be called my brother?" Zackarya teased.

"ZACKARY!!!" his parents shouted in unison.

Zackarya just turned his back and walked away, grinning.

"Hey, orphan! Get ready - you have three minutes!" he called out.

"Three minutes?" Juen asked, surprised.

"Yeah. Why, any complaints?"

Inside the car, Juen sat quietly in the back seat while Zackarya drove. Through the rearview mirror, Zackarya caught sight of Juen's reflection - the boy's soft face framed by the window light. For a moment, he couldn't look away. Juen noticed it and blushed slightly.

What's wrong with this guy? He was so cold before... and now this? Juen thought.

When they reached the university, Zackarya said,

"Hey, orphan. I'm leaving you here. You're on your own."

"But-"

"You're eighteen. You can manage!"

Juen was left standing alone outside the campus gates.

As he wandered around the university, a young man with slanted eyes and a calm expression approached him.

"Ni hao. I'm Wu Jiang," he greeted.

"Hello," Juen replied politely.

"Are you alone?" Jiang asked.

"Yes," Juen nodded.

"Well, it's my first day here too. Let's find our classrooms together."

"What's your course?" asked Juen.

"Engineering. You?"

"Law. I want to be a lawyer."

"That's great! But why law?"

Juen fell silent, holding his arm and staring into space. Jiang gently nudged him, and he quickly snapped out of it.

"You okay?" Jiang asked.

"Ah-uhm, y-yes! I'm fine!"

As they walked quietly side by side, Zackarya suddenly appeared.

"Hey, orphan! Since I left you, you've just been wandering around campus? My class already ended!" he said, with a girl clinging to his arm.

"I... I didn't know where to go," Juen stammered, his eyes starting to tear up.

"Didn't know? You're not a kid anymore! What am I supposed to do, take care of you forever?" Zackarya snapped.

Juen bit his lip, tears falling as he ran away.

"Juen! Juen!" Zackarya called after him.

He stopped by a large tree and found Juen there, crying like a child. Without thinking, Zackarya went to him and embraced him. A strange feeling stirred in his chest - something unfamiliar - but he brushed it aside and led Juen home.

As the years passed, instead of seeing Juen as a brother, Zackarya's feelings for him only grew deeper. He knew it was wrong, but he couldn't stop his heart.

The next day, Juen quietly read a law book inside the car while Zackarya drove. When he looked up, Zackarya's eyes were already on him through the mirror. Distracted, Zackarya hit the brakes too hard, making Juen drop his book.

Damn it. Why does it feel like I'm the adopted one and he's the real son? Zackarya thought bitterly.

Juen silently picked up his book without saying a word.

"So, Young Master Juen, do you want me to fetch you later?" Zackarya asked mockingly.

Juen didn't answer. He just opened the door and stepped out.

"Unbelievable. I drove him here, and he's still got an attitude," Zackarya muttered.

For a week, Juen ignored him completely.

One day at the canteen, while Juen was eating, Jiang came over.

"Ni hao~" Jiang greeted.

"Hey! Long time no see. What are you doing here?" Juen asked.

"Obviously, eating," Jiang replied playfully.

"Your brother - that handsome jerk - he's kind of famous, huh?"

"Ah, yeah... He's my brother. I'm... adopted," Juen admitted.

While they were eating peacefully, a tall man - about 189 cm, sharp features, and slightly slanted eyes - slammed his drink down on their table.

"Hurry up. You're the only one I'm waiting for," Zackarya said coldly.

"I'll just take the bus. I'm not going with you," Juen replied.

"Tch. f**k off," Zackarya muttered under his breath, storming away.

After eating, Juen and Jiang left together and waited for a bus. They laughed as they talked, enjoying each other's company.

"By the way, why didn't you just ride with him?" Jiang asked.

"Just because," Juen replied curtly.

“ummmh...never mind"

When he got home, he found Zackarya sitting in the living room. Juen ignored him completely and went straight up to his room.