1 My darkest nightmare

Disclaimer: This a work of fiction, names, characters, places, informations, businesses, events, and incidents are either the product of authors colorful imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual events or actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Plagiarism is a crime, Punishable by law.

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CHAPTER 1

It was a fine afternoon. Wearing a black skinny leggings, off-white hoodie, and sneakers, I went out for a walk when I reached the park just near the condominium unit where I'm currently staying right now. And nothing has changed as expected except for the old plants that were replaced with new ones.

And of course, those lovers were still present everywhere. I am used to seeing them even when I am still in France. Truth is... lovers there were more liberated. Still, I couldn't help it. My blood is boiling every time I saw them. I could hear their corny pick-up lines that no longer excite someone who could hear it. And yet, these girls out there are still thrilled.

While some are wholesome, most of the couples here were very liberated. They were french kissing in public as if they were filming porn! Can you even imagine the horror of it?

I hissed and just averted my eyes from them because it was a disgusting sight. And I hate couples. They're ruining my day in any possible way.

I looked up to the sky and sighed when I saw that it was darkening. I'm sure it's going to rain since the wind was blowing strong. I sighed heavily as I grabbed the water bottle beside me and took my shades on. I stood up and started walking my way back home. It was only a few blocks from here, so it's fine.

Besides, I don't have a car to use yet.

"Allyssa!"

I stopped and furrowed my brows as I wandered my eyes around when I heard someone call my name. Standing on the other side of the road with a wide smile, Devianna waved her hands when she saw me looking at her.

My eyes widened in surprise. I had to blink twice to confirm if it was really her and not just a piece of my hallucinations.

I didn't expect that we'd see each other today. Though, I have plans on contacting them for a reunion, seeing one of my best friends today is beyond my expectation. This is truly surprising and emotional for me since I haven't prepared myself for this possibility.

I watched her quickly cross the road when there is no car passing by anymore, and she immediately opened her arms for a hug. My eyes immediately watered.

It's been more than three years since I left the country to study at a Music School in France, and I missed them so much that seeing Devianna today pained me.

Slowly, my hands raised to hug her back.

"When did you arrive?" She excitedly asked before letting me go and pouted. "You didn't even call me to inform me of your arrival! And look what happened, I—we weren't able to fetch you in the airport!”

I chuckled a bit. "I opt to surprise you than informing you about my arrival. Yet here you are, spoiling my plan."

She laughed and touch the corner of my face as if she couldn't believe that my existence is real. I chortled.

"Miss you, Devi..."

Her eyes watered, so I laughed. She hugged me again, tighter this time.

"You liar! How could you say that when you didn't contacted us all these years? You cut our connection as if you cut off us in your life, too!"

I grimaced at her drama. "Well, I have to! Unless you want my parents to pester you?"

"How will that happen? They wouldn't know!"

"Oh, I know better."

She let go after a while and wiped her tears away. I smiled sadly at her. "I'm so sorry for leaving you all without a word, Devi. I just thought it's for the best. My parents knows too well whom to contact concerning about me, so I left without a mark. I somehow regretted that abrupt conclusion. There's no day that I haven't thought of the friends that I left here. Especially you and Alexia."

She smiled a bit. "You could've leave a note or mail, at least. But, anyway, it's all in the past now. How have you been these passed few years?"

I sighed. "Every day in France is a nightmare for me. I'm penniless. You'll probably sympathize me if you've seen me in my situation there. Gone was the rich Allyssa you knew. I had to work to buy my needs. Although, Kuya Ricos, the only person who knew I was there, and who helped me leave the country beyond our parents knowledge is sending me money monthly, I don't wanted to be dependent to him. So, I had to work in a coffee shop at night and study in the morning."

"How about your sleep?" she asked worriedly. I just shrugged.

"Didn’t think much about it. My day offs were on holidays and weekends. That's when I sleep all day."

"It must've been tough for you," she said sadly. I only smiled and laughed it out.

"Let’s not talk about it or else, we'll fill the atmosphere with your dramatic reactions!" I cackled. She rolled her eyes. "How are you, Devianna?"

"I'm fine, but not quite."

"Oh?"

She sighed. "You know I've always dreamed to be a nurse, Ally. But I didn't expect my years on college to be this hard."

"Nothing's probably easy in college, dear. Not even those minor courses."

She shrugged. "I could agree! By the way, Mom and Dad invited you to come over for dinner, and I'll never give you the option to decline it!"

I furrowed my brows. "How did they know?"

"Well, I told them that you're already here!"

I accidentally glanced at the other side of the road and I saw two teens, probably on their 15's were fighting. The girl's face is so red in irritation and anger, while the man is just serious with a bit of mockery smile in his mouth. From nowhere, a memory suddenly popped up in my head.

I looked at them again and sighed as I shook my head. Somehow... they remind me of the old days.

I averted my eyes from them and immediately erased the thoughts in my mind.

"How sure are you that we'll meet today?"

"I went for a salon," she pointed the establishment across the street where I saw her standing earlier. "And I saw you, so I immediately called my mom to inform them. At first, they thought I was hallucinating, so I sent a photo of you. That's when they believed, and told me to ask you to come over for dinner."

"How did you recognize me? My shades are on." I arched my brows and slightly narrowed my eyes on her. She rolled her eyes as if I was saying stupidity.

"Hello? You are my best friend! I could recognize you even if you're turning back at me!"

"Oh, good for you." I smiled at her. "Have you brought a car?"

"Absolutely!" She smiled broadly.

"Great! So, shall we go? Can't wait to see Tita and Tito again. I miss to chitchat with them. Somehow, I regretted not reaching out to you nor plan a visit during my five days stay here," I gave her a sad smile.

"As you should! Anyway, my car is on this way. Follow me!"

"Oh, you have a car!" I exclaimed. She giggled.

I thought she only brought a car that was owned by her Parents!

"Yes, I bought this from the money that I saved ever since high school." She laughed when I gasped. "It felt so surreal, but I actually bought a car from my own money after declining Mom and Dad's offer countless of times to buy me one!"

"Lucky you." I smiled happily for my friend, ignoring the painful thought that suddenly popped up in my mind. I wish they were as thoughtful as Devianna's parents. "I'm happy for you, Devi. You deserved it."

"Thanks! Anyway, my cousin's coming too. I hope you won't mind. He's a good person, anyway, so no doubt you'll get along."

"Him? You mean, a boy?"

We stopped walking when a motor bike passed by.

She glanced at me and nodded. "I know you hate every bit of the mans in the world, but trust me, he will be an exemption like how you see Kuya Ricos and your male cousins."

I rolled my eyes. "But I won't promise to be a good approach tonight."

She smiled broadly and clapped her hands in merry. I just pursed my lips. "Oh, my goodness! I thought I will have a hard time convincing you! Thank you, Ally! Hugs and kisses for you." She giggled.

I grimaced. "You're gross!"

We started walking again with a smile on our lips.

The happiness I felt right now is probably untamable. That's what I thought until I accidentally saw a familiar built from a far. My gaze returned to the place and for a moment, I felt my whole world stopped moving.

I could only see his back from here, but I'm so sure... And I know him very well to declare that it was him. Years may have past, but I will never forget his feature.

He is in front of a coffee shop, talking to someone.A certain girl.

I unconsciously stepped back, so Devianna looked at me. I could see it from my peripheral vision.

"Ally? Are you alright?"

I glanced at her and nodded quietly. She frowned, so I forced a smile.

“I am...”

Meeting Devianna today is probably a very unexpected event, but seeing him again after years is truly unanticipated.

"Are you sure? You're pale!"

I blinked my eyes and unconsciously touched my face as if it will confirm her statement. I shook my head in disbelief. How stupid can I be?

"I'm fine. Maybe I'm just starving," I lied. Devi narrowed her eyes on me, so I had to force a laugh.

"You look at me as if I did a crime."

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"Certainly."

She nodded and sighed. "Alright then. My car's over there. I'll just get it. Wait for me here okay?"

I only nodded and watched her walk towards her car. I returned my eyes on his location again. My breathing hitch when he slowly faced my direction, and a confirmation slapped me so hard that I couldn't recover right away.

He's not looking at me, but L my heart began to hammer as the sight of him. On a white long sleeves, black slacks and a leather shoes, realization flooded in me like a water that escaped from water from the dam.

It was really him...

My darkest nightmare.

A/N: Hello. Thank you so much for reading this story. This is my first ever written novel in english language. Thus, I would like to apologize for some errors that you may encounter ahead. Please beat with me. I'm trying my best to improve in every chapter. Also, I would like to tell you that if you're looking for something heavy, you can't find it in this novel. Thank you, and happy reading!