Chapter 31

Three years ago, Francheska chose to go abroad to pursue her dreams. But that was not the only reason why she chose to leave. Francheska wanted to leave everything that hurts her physically and mentally. She wanted to leave everything behind in order to forget those dreadful memories and create a better version of herself.

Fracheska left everything behind. Including him.

Jerrick Race Delgado already knew Francheska since high school. He first met her at an awarding ceremony held inside the school auditorium. At that time, Francheska was receiving a bronze medal award from the acting competition she participated in. She was only wearing a plain white shirt, a loose pair of pants, and white rubber shoes. Her hair was like a messy nest of birds and tied into a bun using a rubber band. But at that moment, Race saw the most beautiful woman in front of him.

The girl has a small and clean face without any thick make-up unlike the other girls in their school. Her lips and cheeks were naturally dyed in pink. When she moved her small lips to make a smile in front of the camera, two little dimples were shown on her cheeks. Her head was slightly tilted which makes the girl cuter.

And her eyes...

Her eyes were russet orbs with rings of amber. It curved into a pair of gentle crescent which makes her face more lovely. They say the eyes are windows for a person's soul. At that time, Race feels like that girl gave him special permission to take a peek at her pure and beautiful soul.

The girl on the stage was clearly not the top winner of the competition she participated in. She was not dressed in formal attire and was only wearing simple clothes. But the way she smiles in front of the crowd gave them an invisible vibe that she was clearly happy with her achievement.

And at that moment, Race fell in love with her.

After that day, Race secretly follows the girl's movements every time he got a chance to see her. He also gathered some information about that girl. Her name was Francheska Tan and a sophomore at that time. She was a member of the drama club and the Student Council secretary.

Race feels like a stalker when he kept observing her from afar. But Francheska is like a natural magnet for Race that attracts him to her. She has the power to lighten up the gloomy mood of the atmosphere wherever she goes. She has the ability to make the people around her smile and temporarily forget their problems.

And Race always finds himself falling in love with her every single day.

Race wanted to approach her before. But he chose not to do it for now. It was not because he was shy or coward. It was because Race knew that was not the right time yet. And besides, there was also someone who was always stuck on Francheska's side.

Iñigo Sanchez.

Iñigo was his classmate and the Student Council Vice-President at that time. Race also discovered that Iñigo and Francheska were childhood friends. They said that they are only friends, and Race believed it. It is because Race can see the way Iñigo stares at her.

The deep meaning of his stares is too obvious for Race to understand. Of course, Race can understand it because he is also a man like him. Iñigo was staring at Francheska like a man looking at his treasure. But unfortunately or not, Francheska was looking at Iñigo in a different way. Whenever she was with Iñigo, Francheska always acted like a little sister who was very close to her older brother.

This makes Race let out a sigh of relief. The girl he likes is not yet giving her heart to anyone. Iñigo has not yet managed to get Francheska's heart. The two of them have no ambiguous relationship.

After a year, Race was already in his senior year while Francheska was in her junior year. Race was not contented on staring Francheska from afar anymore. He decided to finally introduce himself to Francheska. Race wanted to properly approach the girl and moved her heart with his pure intention. And he really did.

Race bravely approached Francheska during lunchtime. He purposely sat beside Francheska and introduced himself. Being friendly and approachable was part of Francheska's nature. Before they finished their food, Race and Francheska finally became friends. This gave Race a chance to know Francheska more.

But while he was happy that he finally got a chance to became closer with Francheska, Race was not aware that things are starting to become difficult for her. During those years, there are two new transferees in their school. It was said that they are Francheska's stepsisters on her father's side. Having a mistress and step-children were already common in their society, especially if the patriarch of the family has a powerful background.

But Race became worried for Francheska. He knew that she was the only child in her family. He was worried that Francheska will suffer from having her father's mistress and their children in their house. And his hunch was right.

Her stepsisters slowly destroyed Francheska's reputation in their school. Because Francheska started her career as a new young celebrity at that time, she can only attend her classes once or twice a week. During her absences, Rachel and Giselle always make themselves very good in the public while making Francheska the bad guy. They spread a lot of bad and false rumors about Francheska in their forum and it quickly spread in their school like a wildfire.

Race wanted to help Francheska at that time, but his situation was not allowing him to do it. He tried to make a counter-attack comment on Rachel's post, but it was buried by the new comments from the students who believed the rumors. In the end, Francheska's reputation in their school was destroyed in just one day.

Race thought that will be the end of it, but he was wrong. Iñigo, who was always with Francheska all the time, left her side. Race cannot see the happiness in his eyes anymore whenever he looks at Francheska. It was replaced with a condemned and disgusted look.