

CHAPTER 15 

WHERE ARE WE HEADING? 

The wild animals are one of the most beautiful part of the nature. They have all the rights to live. Isn't it? 

Significantly, the news of a wild pregnant elephant had triggered a nationwide outrage. This happened in the state of Kerala, where the chief minister claimed that the culprits won't be spared. 

The forest divisions also registered a case and initiated a probe into killing of the fifteen year old elephant carrying a baby inside her. 

The elephant had chewed on an explosive stuffed pineapple that went off on her mouth. The injured animal stood in the river for hours when she finally died in the forest. 

The forest department had employed to rescue the injured animal. The effort went in vain. 

The officer said the firecracker filled with fruit could have been placed to kill crop raiding wild animals. 

However, it seems now that the elephant was likely to be killed by accident, with a trap meant for pests like boars. Was the elephant really killed or was it an accident? 

We don't know, but it is very unfortunate for us to see an innocent animal die because of our deeds. She didn't deserve to die but oh well yeah, it's better for her to get away from this human world. 

Gone was her baby who couldn't even see the world. This thing might happen anytime but this year has brought a lot of unfortunate events, where the animals are not spared either 

Another shocking incident took place in Himachal Pradesh. The cow is respected as a holy animal in India. 

The news came that a cow was strayed towards a field in an area covered with bushes and shrubs where someone had placed some wheat flour mixed with explosive substances! 

The police of the state arrested a person in connection with the injury to this pregnant cow, which ate the wheat flour mixed with those explosive substances. 

The incident triggered an outrage on social media after a video was posted by the owner of the cow which showed the injured animal, went viral. 

The cow was then medically treated and the police was informed too. A case was registered in the police station. The officials said that the cow was then in a stable condition and delivered a healthy calf as well. 

First an elephant and now a cow, a holy animal which is worshipped in our country. What are we turning into? 

The animals were hurt and created a rage on the social media but we don't stop hurting them! Every time it creates a rage and we forget after a few days! 

On the other hand, we all know the incident which happened in the United States of America. 

George Floyd, a forty six year old man was killed by a white police officer. 

He arrested him and knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes while Floyd was in handcuffs and lying face down in the street begging for his life and repeatedly saying 'I can't breathe!' 

A second and third officer further restrained Floyd while a fourth officer prevents bystanders from intervening. 

After three minutes Floyd was motionless and had no pulse. While the officer ignored the onlookers who were pleading him to remove his knees, which he did not until medics told him to. 

The surprising thing is that the bystanders and the onlookers were making videos, helpless! The video of him suffering like that got viral in all over the world! 

Soon there were people from all over the world showing their rage on various social media platforms. 

Nowadays it is very easy for anything to get viral, thanks to social media. The protests on these platforms can have a huge impact on the people worldwide. 

Not to forget, all four officers were fired the following day, after the videos made by witnesses and security cameras became public. 

Also, two autopsies found Floyd's death to be homicide. 

Floyd's death triggered demonstrations and protests in more than seventy five US cities and around the world against police brutality, police racism and lack of public accountability! 

It had worldwide impact, people questioning the system in the US. People started raising their voices and participated in the protests through social media as well. 

Floyd's cousin, Tera Brown, said, "Police were supposed to be serve and to protect and I didn't see a single one of them lift a finger to do anything to help while he was begging for his life." 

The questions were raised by several celebrities and public figures from all over the world apart from US. It had become the new trend on social media. 

If we consider India, there were people who had no idea what they were standing for. They themselves had being a racists once in their lives but when it comes to a worldwide protest, they participate blindly. 

Apparently, the young generation on the social media had started using the hashtags on their stories as black lives matter. Meanwhile in their older days, they had done the same thing by suppressing a different coloured person. 

The truth is these platforms are used to follow a trend. Yes, there is an impact but if we see the percentage, there is a higher number of people participating just to enjoy the latest trend in the town! They least care about the cause and the change which needs to happen. 

Not to forget, there were people who actually supported the cause and had actually made an impact on people's mind. 

The protests were initially peaceful, but later there was vandalism of stores, police station windows were broken and fires were set. 

Police in riot gear used tear gas, flash grenades, rubber bullets and smoke bombs. Some protesters threw rocks at the police. 

The media highlighted the apparent day differences in aggression between the police response to this year's US anti lockdown protests featuring gun welding white protesters. This sentiment also spread on social media. 

The unfortunate death of Floyd sparkled a civil war like atmosphere in America has now snowballed into worldwide protests. 

After all these, can we ask a question to ourselves? Would we choose to be black or white, if given an option? 

We all somewhere are racists down there, me, you, all of us. I would honestly prefer to be a white because sadly since a long time, it is considered as the definition of beauty and we will obviously get more privileges, we all know that. 

The harsh truth is, this is all our definition of things, there is no such thing as the colour differentiation, we have made it as it was never default. Why is blacks not given that much privilege as compared to the whites? 

Just because of the skin tone? Do we ask this question to ourselves? 

The irony here is that nothing has changed and yet everything has changed. Our lives have been affected drastically and the year has brought a lot of new problems as well as solutions.

The book '2020 THE YEAR'  is a non fiction work. This book is about the year '2020'. The book helps us in looking at the changes which we faced during this pandemic, how it changed our lifestyles all over the world and how we are dealing with this situation. The world is in a war against this deadly Corona virus which have affected us in a major way and there has been huge losses all over the world. The world has been transformed into something new and wearing masks is our new normal. Reading the chapters helps the readers to open their eyes and realize those things from which we were blindfolded. There have been a positive as well as negative changes in the world. The important thing is what we learnt from these changes. The communities all over the world have been facing different and difficult situations in their lives, during this time, we all have to keep patience and fight this deadly virus together.

I'm gonna use this as my personal diary. 

My ex-gf is 'depressed'. She has NOTHING to be depressed about. She has a wonderful family, great friends, and she has a great life. She always posts depressing shit on her social media. 
When we were dating, she would always talk about her sadness and killing herself. 

She has no idea what kind of life I have then. 

I see my dad once a week. I barely see my mom. And no, my parents are not divorced or separated. My sister lives across the country, and my brother is the definition of a dickwad. I get bullied for my weight and appearance daily. BOTH of my crushes are dating each other, but they're not official. I think both of my best friends have crushes on me. I CONSTANTLY feel like shit. I'm tired. Everything hurts.

I've thought about suicide multiple times, but that's a stupid way to die.

*PARAMASHIVA'S MESSAGE DIRECTLY FROM KAILASA:
*THE DEFINITIONS OF ANAVOPAYA, SHAKTOPAYA, SHAMBHAVOPAYA, ANUPAYA AND MAKING THEM AS YOUR EXPERIENCE IS THE MESSAGE FROM PARAMASHIVA DIRECTLY FROM KAILASA.
*NOW I AM GOING TO GIVE THE SHASTRA PRAMANA AND DEFINITIONS AND EXPAND ON THESE GREAT REVELATIONS OF PARAMASHIVA. I AM PROJECTING IT ON THE SCREEN AND IT IS ALSO ALREADY UPLOADED ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
*ANAVOPAYA: DEFINITION FROM MALINI VIJAYA TANTRA : VERSE 21
उच्चारकरणध्यानवर्णस्थानप्रकल्पनैः।
यो भवेत्स समावेशः सम्यगाणव उच्यते॥२१॥
UCCĀRAKARAṆADHYĀNAVARṆASTHĀNAPRAKALPANAIḤ|
YO BHAVETSA SAMĀVEŚAḤ SAMYAGĀṆAVA UCYATE||21||
TRANSLATION: THE COMPLETE ABSORPTION INTO ONE'S ESSENTIAL NATURE (SAMĀVEŚAḤ) THAT (YAḤ) OCCURS BY MEANS OF UCCĀRA, KARAṆA, DHYĀNA, VARṆA AND STHĀNAKALPANĀ (UCCĀRA-KARAṆA-DHYĀNA-VARṆA-STHĀNAPRAKALPANAIḤ), IS KNOWN AS (UCYATE) ĀṆAVA (ĀṆAVAḤ)||21||
*AS DEFINED BY THE MALINI VIJAYA TANTRA, ANAVOPAYA MEANS,
THE INDIVIDUAL CONTROLS HIS HEART AND PULSE BY REDUCING IT SIGNIFICANTLY. THE FINAL STAGE IS RENOUNCING CONSUMPTION OF FOOD AND WATER. AS A RESULT, HE/SHE CONNECTS THE STATE OF THE SUPREME IN THE FORM OF PARAMASHIVA WHICH RESULTS IN PURIFICATION OF THE BODY AND GENERATION OF OJAS."
*YESTERDAY I READ OUT ONLY FEW LINES. TODAY I AM GIVING YOU THE ELABORATE ORIGINAL SUTRA, TRANSLATION AND CLEAR DEFINITION. I WILL GIVE YOU DETAILED UNDERSTANDINGS IN FURTHER SATSANGS.
*NEXT IS SĀKTOPĀYA — THE PURIFICATION OF THE MIND.
DEFINITION AS PER MALINI VIJAYA TANTRA : VERSE 22
उच्चाररहितं वस्तु चेतसैव विचिन्तयन्।
यं समावेशमाप्नोति शाक्तः सोऽत्राभिधीयते॥२२॥
UCCĀRARAHITAṀ VASTU CETASAIVA VICINTAYAN|
YAṀ SAMĀVEŚAMĀPNOTI ŚĀKTAḤ SO'TRĀBHIDHĪYATE||22||
TRANSLATION: THE ONE WHO PONDERS (VICINTAYAN) BY (HIS) MIND (CETASĀ EVA) OVER THE REALITY (VASTU) WHICH IS NOT WITHIN THE RANGE (RAHITAM) OF UTTERANCE (UCCĀRA) OBTAINS (ĀPNOTI) AN ABSORPTION (IN THE SUPREME SELF) (YAM SAMĀVEŚAM). HERE (ATRA), THAT (ABSORPTION) (SAḤ) IS TO BE CONSIDERED (ABHIDHĪYATE) AS ŚĀKTA (ŚĀKTAḤ)||22||
*AS DEFINED BY THE MALINI VIJAYA TANTRA, SHAKTOPAYA MEANS "THAT METHOD (UPAYA) WHICH FUNCTIONS BY THE MEANS OF ENERGIES (SHAKTI)." SHAKTOPAYA IS CALLED JNANOPAYA, BECAUSE IT MEANS — WHICH ORIGINATES FROM JNANA SHAKTI, THE ENERGY OF KNOWLEDGE.
*IN SHAKTOPAYA, THE YOGI HAS TO ONLY SEE AND CONCENTRATE ON THAT SUPREME BEING THAT IS FOUND IN TWO ACTIONS WITHOUT ACTIONS. IN THE VIJNANA BHAIRAVA TANTRA THIS IS CALLED UNCLUTCHING.
*IF THE YOGI'S AWARENESS BECOMES LOOSE, HE WILL BE FORCED OUT OF SHAKTOPAYA INTO THE LOWEST UPAYA, ANAVOPAYA.
*NEXT IS SĀMBHAVOPĀYA, THE METHOD OF CONSCIOUSNESS
DEFINITION AS PER MALINI VIJAYA TANTRA: VERSE 23
अकिञ्चिच्चिन्तकस्यैव गुरुणा प्रतिबोधतः।
जायते यः समावेशः शाम्भवोऽसावुदाहृतः॥२३॥
AKIÑCICCINTAKASYAIVA GURUṆĀ PRATIBODHATAḤ|
JĀYATE YAḤ SAMĀVEŚAḤ ŚĀMBHAVO'SĀVUDĀHṚTAḤ||23||
TRANSLATION: IT IS SAID THAT THE ŚĀMBHAVA ABSORPTION (SAMĀVEŚAḤ ŚĀMBHAVAḤ) IS THIS (ASAU) WHICH TAKES PLACE ONLY IN ONE WHO THINKS OF NOTHING THROUGH AN AWAKENING BESTOWED BY THE GURU (GURUṆĀ)||23||
*AS DEFINED BY THE MALINI VIJAYA TANTRA, SAMBHAVOPAYA MEANS "THE ONE WHO PRESERVES THOUGHTLESSNESS."
*BY PRESERVATION OF THOUGHTLESSNESS MEANING: NOT HAVING THOUGHTS AND MAINTAINING THE CONTINUITY OF THAT THOUGHTLESSNESS, AND BY THE GRACE OF THE MASTER, ONE ENTERS INTO THAT TRANSCENDENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS WHERE HE FINDS THAT THIS WHOLE UNIVERSE HAS COME OUT FROM SENTENCES, AND SENTENCES FROM WORDS, AND WORDS FROM LETTERS, AND LETTERS FROM THAT REAL "I" WHICH IS PARAMASHIVA. HERE, ONE FINDS THAT THIS WHOLE UNIVERSE IS REFLECTED IN HIS OWN CONSCIOUSNESS AND THAT IT IS REFLECTED FROM WITHIN RATHER THAN FROM WITHOUT.
*SHAMBHAVOPAYA IS CALLED ICCHOPAYA BECAUSE IT ORIGINATES FROM ICCHA SHAKTI (THE ENERGY OF WILL). IN SHAMBHAVOPAYA, THERE ARE NO MEANS TO TRAVEL UPON. IT IS MEANT, 'THERE IS NOWHERE TO GO, YOU MUST RESIDE ONLY IN THE MEANT'.
*IF HIS AWARENESS IS FAULTY AND IS NOT BREAKLESS, THEN HE FALLS AND ENTERS INTO THE LOWEST UPAYA, ANAVOPAYA.
*FOURTH IS ANUPĀYA THE 'METHODLESS' METHOD.
DEFINITION AS PER MALINI VIJAYA TANTRA : VERSE 24
सार्धमेतच्छतं प्रोक्तं भेदानामनुपूर्वशः।
सङ्क्षेपाद्विस्तरादस्य परिसङ्ख्या न विद्यते॥२४॥
SĀRDHAMETACCHATAṀ PROKTAṀ BHEDĀNĀMANUPŪRVAŚAḤ|
SAṄKṢEPĀDVISTARĀDASYA PARISAṄKHYĀ NA VIDYATE||24||
TRANSLATION: CONCISELY DESCRIBED (SAṄKṢEPĀT), THIS — THE THREE TYPES OF ABSORPTION — (ETAD) IS SAID TO (PROKTAM) (REACH THE NUMBER OF) ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY (SĀRDHAM… ŚATAM) PORTIONS (BHEDĀNĀM) SUCCESSIVELY (ANUPŪRVAŚAḤ), (BUT) DESCRIBED IN DETAIL (VISTARĀT), THERE IS NO (NA VIDYATE) ENUMERATION (PARISAṄKHYĀ) IN ITS CASE (ASYA) — I.E. THE PORTIONS OF THE THREE KINDS OF ABSORPTION ARE INNUMERABLE — ||24||
 — ANUPAYA IS 'INITIATION OF THE GURU'.
*I THINK IT WILL TAKE ONE OR TWO DAYS FOR ALL OF YOU TO READ THIS AND UNDERSTAND.
*THEN I WILL REVEAL THE DEEPER MEANINGS AND EXPERIENCE TO ALL OF YOU.
*TODAY AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE WILL BE OBSERVING THE HINDU HOLOCAUST DAY; HOLOCUAST DONE ON HINDUS FOR THE LAST FEW HUNDRED YEARS.
*THAT'S IT. I BLESS YOU ALL.

"This college thing is working out nicely. Brilliant media coverage. The fans love it," the triumphant voice belonging to the head of a modelling agency announced over the phone.
"Oh? Weren't you concerned about my education?" Takumi asked lazily. He looked out of the car's window and saw his own face on an advertisement billboard.
"Who cares about your education? Anyway, don't fuck up in school," Nishioka warned. "We'll pull you out after this term's over."
"What are you going to tell the media?" Takumi wondered. "That I flunked out?"
Nishioka sounded almost bored when he explained, "Of course not. We'll just mention workload, exhaustion and that you need to focus on your art."
Art. All he did was to show his pretty face to cameras. Although one should not refuse the random gift of genetics.
"Sure."
The older man switched topics. "How's the new agent doing?"
"Ogita? He's okay."
"Try to keep to him for a year? Or I'll run out of people to assign to you."
It wasn't him who demanded the constant changes. The situation with the previous agents simply became untenable for various reasons. But Takumi did not wish to dive into the details. It was better for Nishioka to believe that he was just another moody, spoiled and eccentric diva. That was at least not out of line with industry norms.
"Hmm," he said non-committedly. "I'm almost there. See you."
"I mean it, you brat!"
Takumi hung up as his driver pulled up beside the sprawling campus.  He adjusted his sunglasses and grabbed his bag.
"My agent will pick me up later. Thanks," he told the family driver.
"Have a good day, sir."
Takumi got out and walked through the gates. Within minutes, the heated whispers, minor shrieks and obvious stares followed. No one was aggressive today, which was a good start.
He ignored it all.
This was a circus act. An idea concocted by the agency to showcase his "ordinary side" after recent negative press which followed an article flagging Takumi's background.
Son of the owner of a food conglomerate and a former actress. Educated by home tutors throughout high school years. Seen in flashy cars and lived in an ostentatious property. Zero social media presence. Distant in interviews. Did he think that he was better than the rest of the common folk, the reporter wondered?
If only the bitch knew the truth. Then her article would really be the stuff worthy of tabloids.
So here he was, playing the part as expected of him.
A group of students saw him and waved. Takumi automatically plastered his commercial smile and went over.
Wealthy students from families that his parents socialized with. His father had issued a stern warning for him to stay in their good graces. Takumi was certain that every one of them had received the same message from his or her sires.
An all-rounded education.
xxxxxxxx
The arrow hit the target. His last shot for today's practice. A little off the center so there were improvements to be made. Akira nodded to himself as if to affirm that thought.
"Good form today," the captain of the club, Katsuki, commented.
"Could be better," Akira said.
Katsuki grinned. "That's the spirit. Don't let your guard down."
Akira nodded. "Understood."
He started to head to the lockers to pack up.
"Hey, wait for me!" Segihara, one of his closer friends, exclaimed. "Let's grab lunch after."
"Sure," Akira agreed.
"Did you see the commotion today?" Segihara asked as they walked together.
There was indeed a minor ruckus earlier. Shrieks and gasps. Akira hadn't paid any attention.
Segihara sighed in exasperation. "A group of rich kids passed by. The model was with them. It's been crazy since he started here!"
Akira was amused by the envy and disgust in Segihara's voice. He shrugged. "Didn't bother me."
"Nothing bothers you," Segihara muttered as they both changed out of their practice gear.
A lot of things bothered Akira. Those things just didn't factor into the psyche of the ordinary college student.
So he just kept quiet.
"I'm surprised they haven't trampled all over him." Segihara shook his head.
Probably due to the dean's warning that any student caught for harassment would be expelled immediately. As it was, the university had extra security due to some of their more illustrious attendees.
Akira hoped that most people would possess some form of self-preservation.
"Not everyone is reckless," he said.
Segihara snorted.
"Although," he brightened. "Did you see the girls checking us out at practice today?"
"You mean checking Katsuki out?" Akira referred to their popular and outgoing captain.
"Don't sell yourself short, my friend. I'm pretty sure some of them were looking at us too."
That was probably true but Akira wasn't paying any attention to that either. He closed his locker and slung his bags over his shoulder.
They walked out of the room and made their way towards the cafeteria.
"Speaking of which, you're coming to the party this Friday," Segihara went on. "Don't bail out. I promised some friends that you'll show up."
"You're managing my social calendar now?" Akira asked sardonically.
Segihara merely laughed. "Of course! You're too serious, man. We're in college. Have some fun."
"Don't I?" he mused.
"Yeah, sure. Your definition of fun needs some serious adjustment." Segihara genuinely found the notion amusing.
Akira thought about Segihara's comment.
He enjoyed partying with his friends and the attention of the members of the opposite sex as any guy would. In fact, he was open to harmless flirtations with members of both genders.
What he couldn't explain was that there was a part of him which simply couldn't find a connection with any of them.
That was not arrogance. That was fact, backed by the files in his child psychologist's computer.
"I'll be there."

Here was an amazing person he chanced upon. Someone who had been through hell and pulled through with everything intact and more. Someone good, kind and steadfast.
Out of his reach. But Takumi would do anything to keep him in his orbit. 
[Note: If you've read my other novel Capture, this is Takumi's and Akira's story.]

JingYuan didn't understand what XueQing was referring to. "What?" he asked. He raised his hand to touch the spot she exposed. Teeth marks, slightly swollen. It must've neem from last night when YiHan was so excited that he bit him. At the thought of last night, his lips unwittingly stretched into a strange (sweet?) smile.
At the sight of JingYuan's reaction, the bad feeling within XueQing grew stronger. She stared at JingYuan, waiting for his answer.
He snapped back into focus. "XueQing, I'm sorry. Our engagement is going to be cancelled," he apologised.
XueQing's heart sank. "Why?" she questioned.
"Because last night, HanHan and I were together," he solemnly replied.
"Together…meaning what? You two…"
"As you've seen. We did it," JingYuan honestly answered.
XueQing blinked. Her gaze bore right into JingYuan. "When he's sober?" she pushed.
JingYuan paused and frowned. "He was drunk," he hesitantly said.
All of a sudden, XueQing recalled Dr Chen telling them they could give YiHan some alcohol. Then, she remembered seeing Aunt Yang moving a few bottles up into his room. She had shaken her head in exasperation then. With her younger brother's "drunk in one shot" alcohol tolerance levels, he didn't need that much. It was clear Aunt Yang's mind was befuddled from all that worrying.
Then, the current situation was: JingYuan got YiHan drunk, took advantage during then and…
The thought of that possibility made XueQing's blood rush up to her head. She didn't even pause to think. She raised her palm and gave JingYuan a loud slap.
"How dare you betray our trust in you? How dare you betray my brother's dependence on you? I didn't think you were a monster that'd take advantage of other people when they're incapacitated! And you dare say you were together? Did my brother agree?" she interrogated through gritted teeth.
No wonder there were scratch marks and bite marks on JingYuan's body. It must be from when her poor brother struggled and fought. And where was she then? She's such a failure of a sister. She and all the people in this household sent the foolish little sheep straight into the wolf's jaws!
XueQing clenched her teeth so hard that her gums were about to bleed. That slap was not held back at all. A handprint quickly emerged on JingYuan's cheek.
"I love him and he likes me. Is it that wrong for us to be together?" he asked with another frown.
"He likes you?" XueQing let out a cold chuckle. "You really know how to dress yourself up in glitz and glamour. He's drunk. What made you think he likes you?"
JingYuan let out another smile, as mysterious as Mona Lisa's. A tinge of blush flushed through his handsome face. "He himself kissed me when he knew it was me. When we…ahem, did it, he kept calling out my name. What do you think that means?" he asked.
XueQing was stunned. How can this be? She clearly remembered her little brother's girlfriend from a few months ago. "Are you sure it's not a hallucination?" she said in a raised voice. Was JingYuan hallucinating out of mad desperation for YiHan?
"Of course not," JingYuan unhappily replied. "My name was on his lips the entire time. I heard it loud and clear. It was consensual between us. It just happened because both parties wanted it. If he didn't want to, I wouldn't have forced him."
XueQing's blazing mind slowly calmed down. Yes. If JingYuan really was a monster in disguise, then he's way too good of an actor to have hidden his personality for over ten years as if they were just a day. From how important JingYuan held her younger brother, it was certainly impossible for JingYuan to push himself on her little brother. Then…does that really mean HanHan likes JingYuan?
 
Translator's Notes:
1. As mysterious as Mona Lisa's: Mona Lisa is not directly referenced in the original text. The phrase used (迷之笑意) is a "copy-paste" of the phrase (迷之微笑) used in memes. Notably, it's used when referencing Mona Lisa's smile.
2. Consent: As **** is within this story, it's best we address this incident between JY and YH here too. This is under the category called "dubious consent" (dub-con) on the internet. No one in published media really uses this phrase though.
According to Planned Parenthood (USA), sexual consent is:
Reversible at any moment
Specific as to which actions are being consented to
Informed on both ends on what's going to happen
Freely given without any pressures/inhibitors like drugs or alcohol
However, that's a very textbook way of defining things. Half of sexual encounters, inside or outside of committed relationships, occur when intoxication is involved. Instead, ReachOut.com (Australia) has a more realistic and simple checklist:
It must be explicit. Just a simple hum won't do.
Minds can always be changed.
Consent is ongoing. Always check-in on each other or speak up about it.
There are yellow lights like "slow down"
Alcohol/Drugs affect consent. The moment the other party is too drunk/high to know what's going on, they can't (give an informed) consent.
The same definition is given by Healthline which has a more in-depth article.
Also, Arousal =/= consent.
Now that all definitions are pointed out, I'll attempt to explain why this situation with JY and YH should be viewed as dub-con instead of flat-out ****/non-con.
According to PP's definition, YH shouldn't be able to give consent since he's drunk. But ReachOut's/Healthline's definition states YH's consent here is technically valid. YH was drunk, but (as JY states) he knew who it was, what was going on and he was saying yes. Yet something to keep in mind is the POV. We witnessed the entire encounter through JY's POV. That means the narrative is slightly unreliable. Did YH really give consent the whole way through or did JY just interpreted YH's body language whatever he pleased?
We never really hear a "yes" from YH throughout the chapters around it. The only time we had a clear-cut yes was when YH kissed JY. Consent to kissing is not consent to actual sex. Dub-con essentially means the reader doesn't know whether the consent was ongoing, accurate, explicit and/or voluntary. The scene is presented as consensual but if it's taken apart, it can be non-consensual. Examples in this range include the non-rapey "****" scenes seen in smut, very drunk sexual encounters that are passionate and might've had some social/personal pressure involved, surprise sexual encounters like semi-somnophilia where the other person wakes up and passionately says yes halfway through, sexual encounters where consent is missing for the introduction of a "surprise" kink, etc.
With all that being said, dub-con scenes are generally viewed as **** in real life, especially during convictions/trials. Dub-con also rarely applies to real life because real life involves two human beings thinking in the moment. If such a situation ever happens, speak up. Communicate. Failure to do so will firmly put it in the non-consensual section. Dub-con is only morally acceptable as romance novel fodder.
3. I wouldn't have forced him: Rephrased for tonal issues from literal translation. This was changed from "How could I have forced him?" The implied meaning of the original sentence is more of "It's not in me to force YH to have sex if he didn't want to" than a smug rapist's excuse that can be read as "males can't be raped if they're aroused". As this is fluff, the author didn't really mean anything by it, it's just social norm and nothing would be discussed about this later, the "social norm" sentences have been changed to be less controversial and more accurate to the tone attempted.
 

As a useless spoiled wild child, Bai YiHan finally brought about the end of his family, chased away the one he loved and caused his own death. After rebirth, he decides to cleanse himself and work hard at being a good child. But a lot of things don’t seem to be as he expected…

Bai Pa + Bai Ma: My son’s so obedient. Someone must be bullying him. This cannot be forgiven!

Bai Big Bro + Bai Big Sis: If my little brother’s sensibility comes from his suffering, then I’d rather he be a spoiled brat forever!

Mu JingYuan: If HanHan hits you, you must accept it. Yet you dodged…The wind’s changing. Someone should be bankrupt to make HanHan smile.

Bai YiHan: …I was so wild in my past life. Your involvement are undeniable!

This story is speculative, speculative, speculative. Important matters must be said thrice. Everything is about speculative time-traveling.


Tags
Cute Protagonist 
Depictions of Cruelty 
Depression 
Devoted Love Interests 
Doting Love Interests 
Doting Older Siblings 
Doting Parents 
Emotionally Weak Protagonist 
Familial Love 
Inferiority Complex 
Modern Day 
Past Trauma 
Reincarnation 
Reluctant Protagonist 
R*pe 
Second Chance 
Tragic Past 
Transmigration

...Minutes later she slipped into a sleep dreaming of the man behind the smile plastered on her face that she didn't know she had.
...

The holidays' passed almost too swiftly, at least for her. The Ire family house was filled with holiday guests, lots of stories and a few of her mothers friends reminding her it was time for marriage.

Food was cooked and sent to their neighbours which was her favorite part. 
She filled precious in on the event with Su Yan  meeting her parents and her best friend couldn't wait to get back to see what he gave her.

The holiday couldn't get any better, well it could if she saw Su Yan every time she wished she could. He had told her he would be tying up loose ends in business himself during the break. That way no one would affect his judgement.

She had even spoken to his best friend and remembered her promise to Precious concerning him. The man sounded sexy on the phone, she'd give him that. He was a good looking man, but not as good as Su Yan she concluded.

"Hey," a knock sounded on her room door before her sister peeked her head into her room.
"Hey, whats going on?"
"I want to talk,"
"Sure, come in. What's going on?"
"Well I am good. I want to talk about you."
"What about me?"
"I'm just going to say it. I know we've gone over this more than twenty times but for the last time."
"If you think that is you just saying it, you missed the point."

Dupe laughed. "When are you going to come back to life?"
"Excuse me?"
"No I mean, mum and dad don't see it, maybe because of the festive season I've seen you smile so often and even make more jokes than you ever care for. A new year is coming, I wish that, that would be your mood for the coming year."

She was touched and couldn't believe how grown her little sister was becoming and she wasn't about to cry so she hugged her small but tall frame. "I'm perfect, as long as I have you watching after me, I'd be fine I promise."
"OK, coz I don't want to worry about you"
"Who should be worried?"
"Exactly my point!"
"OK I get it, I am making big changes I promise."
"I believe you. You never go back on a promise."
"Glad I have a distinct trait."

Her sister stood up to get the big book that sat on her bedside table.
"So where are you going to be visiting first?"
She was sure she didn't have enough money to travel the world but she could make it work with two countries. And she had that in her back pocket to make more research.

The two sisters bent over her book she named her window to the world as they discussed the different sites like they did the first five times, creating scenes that would never happen in the real world.


It was finally new year and the celebration was more of a thanksgiving for her family and the community, she and Su Yan talked more often now and on two occasions he had suggested she talked to his sister. She wasn't sure she was OK with the idea yet but this year was about staying alive and living so she had shyly agreed to the notion.
...

"Do you have to leave tomorrow?" Tales' mum queried her as she was packing to leave. She wanted to go back on time to write out her resignation letter along with the fact that she needed an alone time to consider all the decisions she had made over the holiday. 

She had downloaded and activated her social media accounts which was a huge step, she never felt beautiful enough to even be on social media since her life revolved around her work, she never had moments she wished to share with the world but that was going to change.

She had decided the next time she saw  that man she was going to ask him what he really wanted and a clear definition and clarification of where their friendship was going.

She was going to quit her job.

She was going to live her life.

She was going to disappoint her parents that's for sure. 

But she will shut out those voices and listen to the tiny voice inside of her that she had constantly tried to shut forever.
 
"Yes mum, I have a few work to do." she hated lying but now she had no choice.

"OK, I'm proud of you. You have achieved quite well for yourself and I love it. You are a born accountant,"
"Thanks mum." she tried to force a smile as she noticed her siblings come into her room.
"Let me go pack up some food for you to take back with you." her mum hurried down stairs to fulfill that.
"We are going to be proud." her brother said
"Yes we are! When you take of your mask and get on with the real you"
"What will I do without you guys?"
"We are never going to let you find out."

Strikingly beautiful young Tale is a girl whose hearts longs for adventure, love, excitement and all the beauty of this world. Find out what happens when she finally finds the courage to leave the four walls of an office into an intriguing world she had always only dreamed of with a man who forced his way into her life and maybe her heart.

Zhang Su Yan is the heir to the biggest civil engineering company in all of China, the only son of his parents and a carefree human deep down. He finds himself in Africa, on Nigerian soil to break grounds with the government of one of the states in the country. He had dealt with a past love that had left a physical scar and was content with his life as it was, or so he thought. 
The boy within him takes over when he meets with a stubborn accountant with a shrewd head for business. A black skin goddess, who wanted nothing more than to live a life full of beautiful moments and memories.

Find out what happens when this two discover the price for desire, risk, adventure...and maybe, Love.

Love, Tale.

——————————————————————————

"I've had quite a bit of Nigerian food and i can say yours might be good" he replied ending the topic as he finally dug in.

Tale had been avoiding his face since the moment they met but now she could see clearly under her mini chandelier.
His face was well sculpted and all clear with a jawline to die for and It embodied the very essence of masculine beauty, he had a perfect forehead and his eyebrows were perfectly winged that they made her fingertips throb and made her a little jealous. The only place that held a little softness were his eyes, there were as dark as night but beautiful. His hair was midnight black and fell to one side of his face covering a scar she couldn't see yet.
Such a face did not belong to a man who was sweet but of one who commanded, demanded and took action. His lips were so fine and firm, it sent a seductive shiver down her spine. Men like this-- who looked like he did led women to sin... And into loosing their peace of mind. 

"You know it's rude to stare?" he said when he felt he had allowed her have her fill.

DISCLAIMER

All characters asides from the lead female character Tale which part of her is about my life (I'm an accountant, i never liked my job and I really want to travel the world, someday soon) is fictional. I believe one of the joys of writing is being able to become someone else. 
All characters are fictitious and any resemblance to a real life person is completely a coincidence.

Original Cover photo by @Bre. Lexis.
Source  (Pinterest)


UPDATE

I'm still trying to figure it out.. lol
stick with me to find out.

Everyone keep talking about the death of the Senator Frank. They said it was because of the jewelry he bought last week.

"Do you really believe that? That's not true you know?" I said, butting in their conversation. All their eyes were on me. I rolled my eyes as I crossed my arms on my chest.

"There's no such thing that a jewelry can kill a person. It's a disease, beats me" I said again, no one said a single word and they ignored what I said.

"Demi, there's nothing wrong with believing in supertitions. It's okay to believe and be cautious" Veronica said to me, i scan our classroom and saw their eyes on us. Whispering and listening to our conversation.

Veronica is our president and our topnatcher here in Chad Academy. She always keep on nagging me and embarassing me whenever i speak ill about supertitions. Veronica is also from province so I can really understand why she believes all of that.

"You know Nica, no one prove that supertitions is true. That's all bullshit, spending your time just-" Careon cut me off he cupped my face and smiled at me.

"Demi i'm hungry let's go somewhere before you spit anything shit out of your mouth. Bye Veronica!" He pulled me out of our classroom and he left me walking towards the canteen.

"Yeah, the knight in ugly armor came to the rescue! Thank you my prince! I'm-" he went towards me with a glare, I just laugh it off and cling to his arm.

"You're the one who hates noise huh? I'll buy you what you want! Name it!" I looked at his face and saw him blush, he's really easy to make him blush.

I don't know if he's like that to everyone. We went to the canteen and as expected, we're the only ones here. We have classes but we decided to skip.

"Do you check your social media? There's a famous place right now" He said as he sipped the mango juice. We went to the gazebo even it's so hot right now. I looked at Careon, and realized that he's so handsome. No wonder why girls keep on glaring at me the past few days.

Careon has the best definition of knight shining armor. He have brigh personality and small eyes when he smiled, a sharp nose where you can roll over a coin and most importantly is the jawline he have. His lips is normal a thick in the upperlip and thin in the lower lip.

"Enjoying the view?" I went back to my senses when he break the silence. I coughed and beat his back hard.

"You're blocking my view" I said, he turned his gaze on the other side and looked back at me with narrowed eyebrows.

I got curious about his face so I pushed his head to the side so I can see why he's making a face like that. 

"No, it'a just-"

"So you like bald person?" He asked me with a sad face, I don't know why he make a sad face, maybe bcause he doesn't expect me to have a fetish on bald person.

But the truth is i don't have interest on that man. I just appreciate his looks that time! How can it came out like this?

"No it's just that, uhm how could i explain it?" I said and thinking a better excuse to lessen his curiosity.

I heard his sigh and pat my head. "So what do you think to the place?" I look at him with astonishment and suddenly remembered what he said earlier.

"Oh! I haven't checked it earlier!" I open my cellphone and lots of people sharing their experience to that place. I scroll over my newsfeed and they really have their story about it!

"What the! How can they find their soulmates their? Just a few days after?" He shrugged and put he put his arms over shoulder. I stomped his foot so he pulled his arms while laughing.

"Let's go?" He asked me, i stood and raise my middle finger at him.

"It's only a coincidence, there's no such place that can put you together just a few days after" and left him at the gazebo.

I went back to my classroom and saw my teacher writing something to the board, I hurriedly ran to my chair but my classmate called me out.

"Demi! Where have you been? I missed you!" I glared at Seven at raised my finger at him with a gesture that 'I'll kill him later' he just laugh and wrapped his arms over his body with a mouthing of 'I'm scared' 

"Ms. Corella where have you been?" I stood and face my teacher. They are waiting for my answer so i just gave them a sigh. 

"I went to the Comfort Room. I puke so much that i feel i can puke again anytime" my teacher shows a disgusted face while covering his nose like he already saw me puke.

He let me out and rest in the clinic. I went to the bed and thinking to the place that was spread all over my social media.

It's just a coincidence

I was too blinded by my ambition to think that at the age of 24 i’ll be a successful bussiness woman. But who would’ve thought that i’ll be the director of a porn industry?

Yes, you’re right. I’m the director of this obscene. I didn’t know how i get to this position, i just simply don’t know.

This is my story begins at the age of 24 my life became miserable.

After returning from sea, Chu Xian could relax again.
Every day he either headed over to the fish farm to leisurely watch the large yellow croakers and white flower fish grow, or he would head out to sea with Old Huang and the others to retrieve more aquarium material. Soon, he had over five thousand completed tanks.
Right by the fish farm, a large group of construction workers were starting construction.
Chu Xian had bought up all the small fish farms around Fengtai lake and merged them into a dorm and factory for making aquariums.
Since the matter was not as complicated as some skyscraper, the estimated projection was a ready build within a month.
As time passed, the film Chu Xian and the others starred in slowly grew famous on the internet.
Duan Ke was obviously very good at advertising, and started things off with bumping up and resurfacing the previously posted shark hunting video, spending money to boost its visibility on Weibo and other social media platforms.
The video began trending in just a couple of days.
"Fuck me! Is this real? Killing sharks out at sea? What is this, some kind of movie?"
When the video was posted, no one thought it was real, and thought that the scene must have been shot for a movie.
How could anyone dare dive into the water to fight sharks? These were not some dolphins, but sharks! If you said that humans had dove into the water to fight some other sea creature it might be somewhat believable, but this was a shark, and the incredibly ferocious great white at that.
"Is this some big budget American film? Why does it look cooler than that big white shark movie?"
"Are you blind, can't you see that everyone in the video is asian? Is this a big budget Chinese film? It feels like the special effects are very good?"
"What a boss, brawling with a shark. Although the story seems kind of unbelievable, but it's still very cool."
The video was filmed from a phone, and the grainy definition obscured a lot of the detail. When the video was posted, everyone immediately assumed that it was made for a film.
But very quickly, to everyone's astonishment, a group of people stood up and claimed that the video was real, and that it was impossible to create this kind of recording with special effects.
Once the news emerged, everyone was struck speechless, and they could not believe that such a thing was possible.
"If there really are people who dare fight sharks barefisted, i will eat my keyboard on a live stream. Great White Sharks are apex predators, and on an equal playing field, not even lions and tigers can compete. How could it be possible for men to beat these sharks, do you think they are supermen?"
"I agree. If this is real, I will eat my keyboard beside you. Although they used some sort of weapon to injure the shark, even a starved shark is still bigger than a human, and blood in the water will only make it more ferocious. Sharks that weigh two to three tons are impossible to hunt without a heavy weapon."
"I don't believe it, they're all fools. Even if they severely injured a shark, fighting it in the water is still impossible."
The video went viral, and countless people followed the news, but no one believed that this video was real.
Duan Ke read the comments and laughed. Everything was as he had planned, and he only needed to release these videos and guide the flow of conversation a little, and then he would not need to do a thing. The curious would keep seeking the truth.
And just as he expected, although many people refused to believe that the video was real, some were still convinced.
Many of these people worked in the film industry, and knew a little bit about special effects.
"Right now, special effects cannot create such a realistic recording, some portions of this video are not altered."
"Really, who among you has seen such realistic effects? Do you really think that our technology has reached such a stage today?"
In this slew of comments, a famous director reposted the video and commented as well. "With the standards of our current technology, our special effects cannot achieve such a high standard of realism. This video should be authentic, and have you all missed to real focus? This group of people dived into the water and braved the shark because they wanted to save the little child in the water?"
When the director spoke out, many others immediately voiced their agreement, and he was especially supported by his friends in the industry.
"That's right. Our current special effects cannot create such a realistic fabrications. And if you look carefully, this is clearly a real shark, not one created by special effects."
"I'm stunned. These people are incredible! They must be people who make their living on the sea, and in order to save a child they even dive into the waters to face a shark! Amazing."
When the professionals spoke out, everyone was stunned again.
"F*** me, how monstrous. They really fought a shark?"
"Respect!"
"All I want to know is where those brothers are going to stream there keyboard eating. I already said before that this was too realistic to be fake."
"Don't lie, I clearly remember that you were one of those that said they would stream themselves eating their keyboard."
"It's all a publicity stunt. This is clearly an advertisement for a film. I want to ask this director if this video is part of a film he made?"
Although many more people began to believe, they were still outnumbered by those who could not accept such a ridiculous truth.
But as time passed and as more credible sources supported the truth, more and more people began to believe.
Among these sources were verified social media personalities and famous entrepreneurs, and if you did some research you would quickly discover that all these people were eye-witnesses to the event, and the truth was nobody had been more stunned than they to witness such a scene.
"This video is authentic. We were resting on the cruise ship, and some children had gone out on a small boat to explore the waters. Suddenly, a great white shark appeared, and one of the naughty children grabbed onto the shark's fin. Immediately the shark went crazy, and if it weren't for the fishing ship that happened by at just the right moment, then a tragedy might have taken place. These people shot at the shark and a small group of four or five people dived into the water to control the shark and save the children."
A famous entrepreneur from Wu Shan posted on his Weibo.
"This really happened. At the time I also took a video and posted it a while ago, but nobody paid any attention. I'm going to repost it now, to pay respect to these brothers." An assistant manager from a nationally owned company posted as well.
Many wealthy figures posted their accounts, and the authenticity of the video was verified again and again. Many of those who had taken films themselves posted their recordings, and although many of them were blurred and indistinct, it was clear that they were not made with special effects.
In the blink of an eye, the popularity of the video surged again, and struck people speechless. The video was played again and again.
At this time, another video was posted and went viral.
Out on the vast seas, a fishing ship rammed full speed into another ship, and the loud crash rang out across the water.
And seemingly without pause, the ship repositioned and rammed into the other ships surrounding it.
Everyone who watched the video was stunned.
"What the f*** is going on? Is this a movie? It must be a movie, this can't be real."
The same thought popped into everyone's mind, and even the professionals could not help but wonder. Wasn't this kind of ramming and ship-to-ship combat clearly a naval battle?
Everyone already had the shark incident on their mind, and now there were battles at sea? When the people noticed the national flags flying on the ships, their certainty grew.
"This is a f****** fishing boat? With a high pressure gun? Ships ramming into each other, and people fighting sharks? Is the ocean really this terrifying?"
Many people had already been interested in the romance of the sea, and these videos were in some way a first glimpse at the lives out in the waters. After these two videos were uploaded, many people began talking passionately.
Very quickly, some sharp eyed viewers noticed a similarity between the two videos.
"Did you guys notice that this ship that rammed the other ships is the same one that fought the shark? F*** me, who are these people? The Triad? Pirates?"
The thought of an underground community controlling the waters sounded funny at first, but after watching these two videos nobody laughed. These people were more frightening than gangsters.
Daring to fight a shark?
Boldly ramming other ships?
Any small mistake would cost lives!
And these risky, dangerous actions were all taken by this singular ship.
Suddenly, news about this ship went viral, and whether it was on your social media feed, or on various message boards, or even on some news outlets on TV, the whole country was paying attention.
Some people claimed that these sailors must be Chinese soldiers, because only soldiers would be so daring.
Others called them brave warriors, fighting sharks to save children, fighting Japanese ships to show the strength of the nation. For the Chinese people, the ship was a symbol of bravery and strength, and many people supported it.
Of course there were still voices that argued and castigated, and since the ship clearly had lethal weapons, certain experts believed that these sailors must be part of a mafia, and that their possession of weaponry was illegal, and their slaughter of the great white shark crossed laws preserving endangered species.
Many people believed that these videos touched upon the dark side of seafaring, and that this ramming situation most likely involved smuggling, and the ship had somehow came in conflict with Japanese smugglers.
In the end, nobody agreed on one set explanation, and there were experts on every side with conflicting views.
Each group of expert could give many examples and offer many opinions.
But whether they thought well or ill of the circumstances, they all shared something in common, and over the next few days, everyone was talking about these two videos.
Duan Ke watched everything and smiled. He did not care if people were giving praise or insulting him — the first publicity step had been successful, and it was time for the next part of the plan.
The editing for the movie was finally finished during this time, and the promotional trailer polished and ready to ship.
The trailer contained many scenes from these two viral videos, all in high definition.
On the third day, Duan Ke posted a trailer on his Weibo account.
If he could not have been considered famous before, after the recent videos Duan Ke's name had already spread throughout the internet, even if most of the comments about him were insulting.
But in the end, even if a lot of people were talking badly about him, and he had gathered a big group of haters, he had still captured their attention.
Over ten million people followed his Weibo.


A chance to change, challenge destiny, make dreams a reality, and live a legend! A regular man gains a system that allows him to turn into a fish! 
In the modern world, a young man gains an unconventional system that gives him the power to transform into a fish! With this strange power, he shoots for the stars!

Yesterday was a happy event for all of them. Before the sun goes down, Rissa secretly took a photo of Francheska and Race while they were hugging each other. When Francheska saw that photo, she decided to post it on her social media and announced to the whole world that she is no longer single. Francheska has no reason to hide her relationship.

Remembering the photo she posted on her social media account, Francheska put her pack of cookies aside and opened her phone. She quickly checked her social media only to see millions of likes, thousands of shares, and hundreds of comments on that specific post. Francheska checked the comments of her fans and a chuckle escaped from her lips when she saw that everyone is curious about that man who is hugging her in the picture. Some of her fans are still actively posting a lot of comments asking her if she will soon reveal his identity.

Francheska also discovered that her post accidentally trampled the live interview of her ex-stepsister yesterday regarding their latest scandal. Out of curiosity, Francheska watched the replayed video of Rachel's interview yesterday. As expected, Rachel pretended to be a pitiful damsel in distress in front of her fans. She even tried to make herself a loving sister by pleading in front of the camera to stop harassing her younger sister. 

Currently, Francheska's post is still the number one trending news online while the news about Rachel is currently in the eleventh place. Francheska can swear that it was not intentional. She did not know that her snake ex-stepsister had an interview yesterday. But even if she knows it, Francheska knows to herself that she will do something to stop Rachel from covering her hideous personality in front of her fans.

"Cheska, why are you still awake?"

Turning her head, she saw her boyfriend walking towards her. His hair is a bit messy and he is walking at a slow pace. He quietly yawned before pulling the chair next to hers and sit on it. Then Race sluggishly put his head on Francheska's shoulder and rub his face on it.
"Stop it. Your hair is tickling me." Francheska said with a smile.

"I'm still sleepy." Race murmured as a reply.

"Then go back to your room and sleep again."

"Why are you here anyway?" Race suddenly asked.

"I cannot sleep so I thought drinking milk and eating some cookies will make me sleepy." Francheska explained in a hushed voice.

"But why can't you sleep? Do you have insomnia that we didn't know about?"

"Of course not. I am usually like this. My body is sometimes missing my past schedules where we need to shoot a scene at midnight."

"That's not healthy."

"Hmm." Francheska hummed as a reply. "How about you? Why are you here?"

"Ah, right. I came downstairs because I want to drink some water. Wait a minute." 

Race pecked Francheska's cheek first before he stood from his chair and opened the refrigerator. Then he took bottled water and opened it. After taking a few sips, Race returned to his seat and placed his head again on Francheska's shoulder.

"Is it uncomfortable?" Race asked.

"No, it's okay." Francheska said before putting her hand on his cheek. "But Race?"

"Hmm?"

"Why are you acting like a puppy all of a sudden?" 

"Am I not allowed to act like this in front of my girlfriend?" Race asked her back.

"Girlfriend... To be honest, that is actually nice to hear."

"Of course. And I am your boyfriend." Race said proudly although his voice is still sounded a bit sluggish and sleepy. 

"Yes."

After that, the two of them stopped talking and silence quickly filled the kitchen. But the silence around them is comfortable and relaxing. Francheska quietly sips her milk while slowly munching the cookies she got earlier. She was about to open the pack of raisins too when Race talked with her again.

"Cheska?" He called her name again.

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Are you not regretting it?" 

"Regretting what?"

"Are you not regretting your decision when you said yes to me earlier?"

Francheska frowned a bit and moved her head a little to see her boyfriend's face. Race's eyes were still closed. She thought Race is sleeptalking with her. But when she touched his face, Race's eyes fluttered a bit and slowly opened it.

"Why should I regret agreeing to be your girlfriend?" Francheska asked. 

"Because I am not the sweetest man you will ever find. I am just pretending to be cool in front of you. I know you know that too."

"And your point it?"

"Well... You might suffer and have a lot of grievances later in our relationship. I am awkward most of the time. Maybe it is true that my own definition of romance is completely different from other people's knowledge."

In his defense, Race does not anything about it because he was too busy organizing the mess in his life. He does not have any time to spare for meaningless and useless things. If he did not meet Francheska, who knows what are the things he is doing right now. He can guess that maybe his life will just consist of his company and work. 

Race will never admit it, but he tried to study the art of courtship. But all he learned from it are the words written on it and not the true meanings behind it. He also tried to ask Leon about it. But that jerk had the nerves to laugh at him. 

"You might find me boring and stiff sooner or later, Cheska."
"Oh. If that is your problem then I guess you will also feel bored with me in the future." Francheska whispered to him. "In the end, you will break up with me and you will find another girlfriend. If that is the case, then we should—"

"Wait! No!"

Race quickly lifted his head and looked at Francheska who is staring at him with a playful smile on her lips. His drowsiness suddenly disappeared. Francheska suddenly chuckled when she saw her boyfriend's confused gaze.

"I guess we should—"

"No. Don't say that ever again. That will never happen, okay?"

"But I just want us to—"

"No. We are not going to break up. Never." Race seriously said.

His expression really amused Francheska that a soft chuckle escaped from her lips.

"Who says that I want to break up with you?" 

"You don't? Then..."

"I just want to say that we should do our best to make our relationship stronger than ever."

"Oh..."

Race flattened his lips and tried to cover up his mistake by coughing awkwardly. Francheska let out a helpless sigh and cupped her boyfriend's face with her two hands.
"Race, I did not agree to be your girlfriend because I am looking for a man who is cool, funny, and entertaining. I agree to be your girlfriend because, despite all the troubles and hardship I gave, you remained standing next to me and never leave me." Francheska explained as if she is talking to a child.

Race wanted to complain about it but he chooses not to interrupt Cheska in the meantime. 

"If anything, I should be the one who needs to be more worried about our relationship. What if you suddenly got tired of me? What if you suddenly realized that I am not worthy of your sacrifices in the end? You will just suffer with me and I don't want that to happen."

"Cheska, that will never happen. Okay? I will get tired of loving you. I promise you that." 

Race gently removed Francheska's hand from his face so he can both hold it. He gently give her hand a squeeze before planting soft kisses on the back of her hands. Francheska watched her boyfriend for a while before a gentle smile appeared on her face.

"I love you, Race." Francheska suddenly said.

Francheska can feel Race tensed a bit before he slowly pulled her in his embrace. Francheska automatically returned his hug and wrapped her arms around his neck. She can feel his breath on her neck which makes her feel a little ticklish.

"I love you so much, Cheska." Race confessed. "And again, thank you for accepting me."

"And thank you too for being patient with me and understanding my situation."

"I am willing to do anything for you, Cheska."

The two of them remained in that position for a few more minutes. They basked in each other's warmth. Francheska is sometimes running her fingers through Race's hair which made him sigh in relief.

"Race, I don't care if we are going to be an awkward couple in the future or not. So what if that is the opinion of other people towards us? The most important to me is that we are in love and we can always count on each other all the time. Am I right or am I really right?" 

Race stared at his girlfriend's face for a while before he pulled away from her embrace and give a soft kiss on her lips.

"Yeah, you're right."


Francheska Cruz already experienced being betrayed, backstabbed, and being hurt by the people she used to love and trusted. These experiences leave a deep scar in her heart. But when she leaves the country, she chooses to live her life in a different way. She promised in her heart that she will forget it and starts a new life.
 
When comes back to the country, Francheska was already a successful person. She is not the same person they hurt and betrayed. As her career and life are getting smoother as the day goes by, her past suddenly comes knocking back in her life. She plans to ignore it first, but of course, they will never let her have an easy and peaceful life.
 
So what should Francheska do? Of course, she will fight.
 
"Hurt me once, it’s a shame on you. Hurt me twice, it’s a shame on me. Hurt me thrice, then it’s definitely a war to end all of you."

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