1 Chapter 1: Crush

As I entered the campus, cheerful and lively students greeted my ears. It's another new semester that we will embark on. I am now a 3rd-year college student this year, pursuing my course in architecture!

Yana!" I heard a loud shout from behind me. It was Mitch, my closefriend at the same time my roommate.

"When did you arrive?," she immediately asked.I  just arrived a while ago.

I came straight to the campus to check the schedule of my subjects, so I won't have a hard time finding my classrooms on Monday," I replied promptly.

Mitch is someone I can describe as a fun and cheerful person, completely opposite  to me somewhat serious demeanor.

She is a Psychology student, the same level as mine, in the 3rd year of college. We are quite similar, both focused on our studies. The only difference is that she is a bit more outgoing and friendly towards everyone. But overall, she is a good influence on me.

After Mitch left.I sat down on a bench on campus and reflected. I looked around me, and everyone seemed busy with their parents preparing for the upcoming school year.

I felt a twinge of envy because even though they're already in college, they still get to have their parents accompany them to school. In my case, it's just me and my mom at home, and she's quite busy with our small business, so I often had to walk to school alone even back when I was in highschool.

Being an only child, I only have my mother as my companion ever since my father left us and joined another woman. It happened when I was in sixth grade, and my world truly crumbled when he abandoned us, leaving me and my mom behind.

Before my father left, he told me his address and said that I should visit him if I ever needed anything. He loved me dearly, and I couldn't understand why he would leave me and my mom behind.

' Yana you know that I love you so much, always remember that. The day you came into my life was the happiest day for me. But someday, when you're old enough to understand, I will come and visit you regularly, and I will continue to support you and your mom. My father's words were filled with emotion, and tears welled up in his eyes.I hope our relationship will not change, you are still my one and only princess he added.

I pleaded with him to stay, crying, but his decision was already firm. I sobbed as I tried to catch up with his car, but I couldn't reach him, and I ended up crying on the side.

My mother quickly approached me, also in tears. "Hold on, my child. We will overcome this pain."

Days and months passed, and my father still didn't come home. It was incredibly heartbreaking that he could bear leaving us like that. He would call on the phone, looking for me, but I couldn't bring myself to answer because what I wanted was for him to come back home to us, but he still hadn't returned.

Every day, I would secretly see my mother crying, and my heart would ache for her.

I decided to visit the address he had given me. It turned out to be a large house, undeniably extravagant. Our own house was spacious as well, but the house he had given to his new woman was even bigger.

My father is a skilled and successful architect, which is why he is able to provide for our needs. I also inherited a passion for design, which is why I chose to pursue architecture as my course of study.

A housemaid opened the gate and asked, "Yes, may I know what you need?" I quickly replied, "I'm looking for my father, Edward. Please let him know that Im here, Im Yana anyway.."

"Alright, ma'am. Please come inside and have a seat. He's around, and I'll call him for you," the maid said as she gestured for me to sit down.

I sat down on a bench in a garden and looked around. The garden was spacious, with a beautiful swimming pool. The surroundings were meticulously designed and appeared to be newly constructed. Based on the design of the house and garden, it was evident that my father was the one who had designed them.I felt a sense of sadness and frustration welling up within me.Yany!! My baby, who's with you? Is Kervin with you?" Referring to our driver''

My father asked with a welcoming smile.

"I'm alone, Pa, and Mama doesn't know that I'm here," I replied.

"Baby, I get worried when you come alone. Next time, call me, and I'll come to pick you up or have Kervin accompany you. His expression showed genuine concern and worry as he looked at me.

Alright, go inside now. I want you to meet Cynthia and Jessa , and they're excited to see you.He referred  his new family.I'll introduce you to them," he added.

I didn't come here to get acquainted with your new family. I'm here to invite you to come home.If you see Mama, she was feeling sad and crying every day, and it hurts me deeply every time I witness her like that.I muttered

A sudden shift washed over my father's smile, and he sadly said,  Yana, I know you and your mother are going through a difficult time, and it pains me too. But staying by her side would only bring more pain to your mother."

I don't understand,Pa . How could you just forget about us so quickly? What did Mama do wrong? I said, tears streaming down my face.

Please, baby, I won't go back to your mother. I love you, and I can be a father to you, but not a husband to your mother. I hope you understand this,Yana,

my child, please let's talk like we used to. But just don't ask me to return to your mother for now. I want to know if your okey, I just want to check on you.

Don't bother checking if I'm okay because I know you already know the answer. Don't pretend anymore.

I turn away and walk away from him.

I've lost count of how many times I've returned and pleaded with him. At a young age, I've already experienced the most painful heartbreak, which was begging my father to come back to us, but he remained stubborn and refused completely."

Where are you coming from?" My mom's first greeting as I entered the house."

I've already told you not to go back there. We don't need your father anymore; he doesn't love us,  Mama said tearfully. I, too, started crying and just hugged Mama tightly.

Ma , sorry .I can see that you're also feeling sad like me, and I don't want to see you going through this. I'm just hoping that maybe there's still a little love left from Papa for us."

No Yana, his not

I decided we're gonna leaving, Yana. We're going to leave this place. This is the only way to alleviate our sadness and move on. From now on, let's forget about your father, and we won't accept any help from him anymore. We'll do this to move on and continue with our lives, okay?" I stared at Mama, realizing she was right.

Distance was the only solution for both of us to move on from him.

She even considering changing my last name to her middle surname, completely removing him from our lives.

We moved to the , Garfield County It was just a 6-hour journey to Seattle, but that was fine. We also changed our phone numbers and deactivated our social media accounts to avoid being found by Papa. He seemed happier now. Why would he even look for us? I shook my head in disbelief.

Seven years have passed without any contact with my father. I have returned to Seattle to study here. Seattle is a big place, so it seems impossible for him to find me. Meanwhile, my mother stayed in Garfield County.

It's been 3 years since I've been back here in Seattle then and I have no intention of visiting or asking for help from my father.

I took off my glasses and wiped away my tears. I was still sitting on a bench on campus, not realizing that I had been lost in thought for two hours, reflecting on my past.

It seems like we have deep thoughts, huh. I could hear a familiar and full voice from the side it's Kiel they sat on the opposite bench.,with his gang consisting of four individuals.

One of them is someone I know, who used to court me. His name is Tristan, and he happens to be Butch's cousin.

Kiel, he's a fourth-year engineering student whom I've had a crush on since my first year of college.

Suddenly, my heart started beating faster. When I saw him smiling at me, he looked handsome, and he's also intelligent in class. We have some subjects together, so he knows me, but I know him very well.

Many have a crush on him because he's not only good-looking, but he's also kind to the people around him, and that's what I like about him.

Yes! I gave him a brief response and quickly left my seat. I was just extremely nervous, that's why I couldn't engage in a long conversation with him.

He has never spoken to me before, so I felt nervous when he initiated the conversation for the first time.

Kiel POV

We were on campus with my friends Megi, Tristan, and Marlon. We were preparing for the new semester as we are graduating this year, so we were extremely excited about this year.

After we finished searching for our classrooms, I saw Yana  sitting on a bench, seemingly lost in deep thoughts. I took a moment to observe her face... Her eyes looked weary and somewhat sad.

They were beautiful eyes to behold, hidden behind thick glasses. She had a smooth complexion and rosy lips that appeared as if she had applied makeup, even though she hadn't. She was just a simple girl, but she possessed a hidden beauty. I couldn't help but smile when I noticed her pouting lips.

I've been seeing her on campus for a long time, but I couldn't approach her because she seemed quiet and difficult to approach. So, I was overjoyed when we had a subject together last year. She was intelligent, and in fact, she ranked first in our class. I often found myself watching her from a distance.

We approached and sat beside her on the bench, but it seemed like she still didn't notice us due to the depth of her thoughts.

It seems like we have deep thoughts, huh. I started. Yes!" That was the only thing she said before quickly leaving. I felt saddened by her response, as if she really wasn't interested in me.

Isn't she our nerdy classmate from Arch 6 before,? Marlon asked mischievously, Don't call her that buddy. My defensed.

For a moment, the three mischievous friends exchanged glances and simultaneously exclaimed, "Uyyy!!!

Seems like your taste has changed, buddy. No more chasing after busty girls," the three mischievous friends laughed together. I just shook my head at them.

It's indeed difficult to pursue someone like her who is always focused on her studies.

One of her friends, Bruce, who happens to be my cousin,  the gay architecture

.Tristan says.

She rejected me, man, it's painful. Tristan shook his head and said.

They laughed and teased each other, and Kiel couldn't help but shake his head and join in the laughter upon hearing it.

You guys do whatever you want, but I'm going home to rest. I just shrugged and left my friends behind.

Yana POV

I only have two close friends since I started college, Mitch and Bruce.

I share some aspects of my life with Mitch and Bruce, but when it comes to my father, I kept it a secret from them. However, when it comes to my crush at school, we're all open with each other. That's why I couldn't help but tell Bruce about what happened on campus earlier.

I immediately called Bruce on his cellphone. Where are you, Bruce?" Bruce and I are fellow townmates, and we traveled together to the city. However, we separated upon arrival because I was heading to the campus while he went straight to his dorm.

I'm already in the dorm. Are you done as well? Let's have dinner together later with Mitch, okay?" Bruce replied all at once.

The three of us had dinner here in our dorm with Mitch. We've never been to Butch's dorm because it's mostly occupied by guys, and Mitch and I feel a bit uncomfortable. That's why Bruce is the one who often comes here to our dorm, sometimes even staying overnight instead of going back to his own dorm.What happened, girl? Is that it?" Mitch asked with a smile. I got really scared, girl. He just suddenly appeared beside me out of nowhere. I wasn't prepared for what to say," I explained.

Oh girl, how can you get noticed if he might think you're being rude? It would have been better if you just smiled," Bruce commented.

In my mind, perhaps it's enough to just fantasize about him for now. I know within myself that I am far from the type of girls he usually hangs out with. If it were up to me, I wouldn't want to have these kinds of feelings, but I'm only human, and it's inevitable to experience such things.

Bruce will be sleeping here as well. It's quite obvious since he brought a big bag with him when he arrived earlier.

After we cleaned up the dining area, we each went to our respective sleeping spots and started using our gadgets. I couldn't help but gaze at the screen of my laptop where I had saved pictures and videos of him. I tilted the monitor sideways to prevent my companions from seeing what I was looking at.

He is undeniably handsome, tall, and somewhat tan. He also has thick eyebrows and a well-defined

nose that adds to his attractiveness.

I freely take pictures and videos of him from his public Instagram account.

While me,I don't have any social media accounts, and if I do, they are set to private, making it difficult to search for me. My mom always reminds me to be cautious on social media to avoid being found by my dad.

There are only a few pictures, but they are not about me. I also use a different name on my account. I did this to prevent my father from finding.