Rainne's POV
Wednesday (Two days before my 18th birthday)
I didn't get a good sleep from last night because I was thinking about Gavin. I know to myself that he's having a hard time again getting some sleep.
I woke up at around 7 o'clock since I don't have an early class today. I started with my morning routine before going down to have my breakfast and to my surprise, my Mom is still here.
She greets me with a hug and kisses and I hug her back.
"Why are you still here? Mom, I'm getting worried now huh."
My Mom laughs at me and hands me a glass of milk.
"You're worrying too much, why not join me here and let's have our breakfast together." I sit next to her and my Mom serves me food just like what she always does when we're together.
"What time are you going to school today?"
"11 so that I can still have lunch with Kai and Madi."
"And Gavin?"
"Mom, we have different schedules and besides he always has his lunch with his friends.'
"And why is that?"
"Maybe because we have our own lives too? Mom.... are you worried that Gavin and I are not okay?" I asks her directly
She laughs and wipes her mouth with a napkin then she grabs my hand "Do I need to?"
I gulped harshly "Mom...." I stood up and gave her a back hug. "Just like the other couples, we sometimes face misunderstanding and such but it doesn't mean that we don't love each other, what we have is more than love." I am trying my best not to cry because if I did, everything that I said will be doubtful in my Mom's ears.
"Alright, sorry for making you feel uncomfortable." She stood up and hugged me too.
She said that she will send me to school so that she can meet with Uncle Miguel and my friends too. I didn't argue with her since I already know that I will not win.

We dropped by first to Mall to buy some gifts for Uncle Miguel and my friends as my Mom insisted before heading to school. I already text Kaiden and Madi that I'm with my Mom and that she wants to meet them.
As we arrived at the University, we directly went to the Director's office but I already excused myself informing Mom that my friends are in the field watching some football game. I'll just ask her to follow when she's done talking to Uncle.
As I reach the grandstand, I look for Kaiden and Madi and there they are cheering for Axel who's the rival of Gavin's team again.
"Hey guys!" I sit in between them "0-0? What half is it now?"
"2nd girl, would you believe that? And take note Gavin is having a hard time scoring because Axel is defending him hard."
I looked into where Gavin and Axel are and they looked so determined to win this friendly game.
"I think there's a competition between the two of them and the prize is you." Madi laughed at her own joke and giggled.
"Competition?" We looked at the exact place where the voice comes from and to my surprise it's my Mom.
"Auntie.......O my god.... You're so pretty." Madi stood up and hugged Mom as well as Kaiden
"You look so pretty yourself too, Madi and very handsome as always Kaiden." She both gives them a kiss on the cheek before sitting next to us.
"We're so happy to see you, Auntie" Kaiden said
"Me too. Everytime I'm with Rainne's friends, I feel so young."
We all laughed with what Mom says "Anyway I heard that there is a competition, where?"
"There" Madi pointed to the field and both Kaiden and I gave her a pinch.
"Oh... there's Gavin.... Now I know why you excused yourself a while ago."
I just smiled at her, we keep on watching and talking at the same time until the game is over.
My Mom waved at Gavin and Gavin looked so surprised yet happy to see her.He just asked permission from his coach and then went to our place.
"Auntie Jen...." He gives my Mom a warm but quick hug since he is still wet from his own sweat.
"You looked so handsome my dear, Gavin."
"Thank you, Auntie. What brought you here anyway?"
"Oh... you know to thank you personally for taking good care of Rainne. I heard from your Dad that she fainted twice yesterday and you're the one who takes good care of her."
"What?" He looked so surprised, just the same reaction that I had last night.
Then a familiar voice calls my name, it's Axel.
"Captain....." He smiles widely before realizing that we are with someone. "Oh.... sorry."
"It's okay.. New friend of Rainne?"
"Ahmmmm. Yah... Mom this Axel Mendez, and this is my Mom Jenny Henderson." Axel offers his hand and My accept it.
"Didn't know that my daughter has a new friend, anyway I'm happy to hear that."
"He's my teammate too, Auntie."
"I see. Okay, shall we now have our lunch since all of you are already here?"
"Sure.... Let's go." I said
"Join us, Axel. I want to know you better." Then she smiles at him before heading outside the field.
Gavin and Axel went straight to shower room and we waited for them in the restaurant inside the University.
While we were waiting, Mom distributed her present to my friends one by one and they looked so happy.
"You're spoiling us, Aunt Jen."
She laughs and drinks her lemonade. "The person who's important to my daughter is important to me too by the way when did you meet that Axel?"
I looked at Madi and Kaiden giving them a hint not to give Mom any idea how Axel and I became friends but before Axel can answer Gavin already did.
"They're in the same department, Auntie." They both sit next to Kaiden.
"I see. Here" Mom gave them the present "It's nothing too much but I hope you two will like it and here." Mom distributed a small invitation.
"What's that Mom?"
"An invitation for your 18th birthday and I hope you all can come on Saturday."
"Of course, it's my girl's special day." Then Gavin reached my hand and caressed it.
"How sweet of you." I can feel the stares of my friends like "Fake" and just smiled at Gavin before pulling my hand
"They looked so good together, right?" My Mom asks Axel and Axel just nod as a response to my Mom. "So, Axel what are your parents up to?"
I looked at Mom giving her a warning
"They are into Telecommunication, M Telecom."
"No wonder why your name sounds so familiar, how's Bianca?"
"You know my Mom?" Axel smiles at her "Well she's fine and doing good."
"I see, I give her a call later and inform her that I met her son."
"Thank you."
"Ahmmmm. Stop being too formal, I'm your Mother's friend. Anyway I don't want to take your time anymore and besides I need to go back to New York today."
"You take care, Auntie and see you on Saturday." Kaiden at Madi gives her a kiss and Axel gives her a hug.
"I'll just walk Mom to the parking lot." I inform Kaiden and Axel since we have class at 1 pm.
"I'll go with you, let's go Auntie."
As the three are walking down the parking lot, I have noticed how Mom looks at Gavin until we reach her car.
"Thank you for taking good care of my daughter, Gavin. You don't know how happy I am that she finds a man like you."
"Don't mention it, Auntie. Rainne is important to me as how she is important to you too and to Uncle Jin." Then he held my hand
I looked at him and he smiled
"Take care Mom and kiss me to Dad."
"I will, Ahm... Gavin ... next time if you two are going out and it's already too late you just stay in the house or she can at your place but anyway thanks for driving Rainne last night."
Gavin was shocked at first but then smiled at Mom.
"It's nothing, and yeah I'll take your advice."
"Okay then, bye love birds."
We watched the car disappear in our sight before Gavin let go of my hand.
"I'll go to class now." I walk as fast as I can but Gavin is way faster than me that's why he managed to blocked my way
"Who dropped you last night that Auntie taught it was me?" He asks looking so mad
"I said, Kaiden drives me home."
"Kaiden? Don't fool me, who are you with last night?"
"Why do you care? Gavin please let's just let it slide."
"Why do I care? Because your Mom taught it was me, if you have an affair with someone tell it straight to you parents"
"Affair? Can you hear yourself? Gavin please! I don't want to have an argument with you."
"Then answer me, who were you with last night?"
"I bumped into Axel last night and he offers to drive me home since it's already late."
He smiles sarcastically "You like him?"
"No.... I said....." He cut me off
"I don't care, just make sure that I will not look bad into your parents eyes."
"You are the worst." Then I walk away from him. I was fooled again by his sweetness just a while ago not realizing that this is how he is when my parents and his parents are around.
Luckily I'm not late in my Human structure and function subject, there's Kaiden and Axel who saved one seat for me.
Our professor is good but from time to time my mind drifted into Gavin's image.
I am distracted by a message on my phone and it's from Madi, saying that she saw Gavin with a girl heading to his penthouse.
I keep on thinking why is doing this to me? Why is he hurting me intentionally?
Without my own knowledge, I stood up unintentionally and caused disturbance to the whole class. I feel a hand on my arm trying to pull me back to my chair and when I get hold of myself again that's when I realize that everyone is looking at me, I go back to my seat and bow my head because of embarrassment.
"What was that?" Kaiden asks
"Nothing." I whisper
"If it's nothing then focus on what Professor Brown is saying."
I fix my hair and try my best to focus on our class professor until 3 hour have passed with me being absent minded.
We just headed to the library since we still have 1 hour before our next class.
I made an alibi that I will just visit the clinic since I forgot my pills and luckily Kaiden was bought by the alibi.
I walked fast outside the library, where I bumped into Axel who was holding a 3 bottle of juice.
"Where are you going?" He handed me one of the juice and I accept it
"I'll get some pills in the clinic, I'll make it quick." Then I pass through him
Then I remember that his penthouse is a little bit far if I am just going to walk and I have class at 5:00. Before I knew it, Axel was already in front of me.
"You need company?" He asks
I smiled at him shyly and nod
"Let's go."
I told him that I need to ask Gavin something and he will drive me to the building.He said he will also get his book for our next class and we separates our way in the corridor of the penthouse.
I click the doorbell but no one is responding and since I know his pass code, I typed it in. I felt so nervous while walking inside, then I saw him sleeping peacefully on the sofa before the door of his room got open and a girl wearing just a robe went out. I scanned her image from head to toes and yes, she is the girl that has been with Gavin since the start of the semester.
I am stunned for a moment until I hear his voice and then I drop the bottle of juice that I have been holding tight like as if I am getting some strength from it.
"What are you doing here?" He asks me without even showing any shame that he brought a girl in his room.
"I...... I...." I couldn't find the right word to say and I know that I really look like a fool right now.
"Excuse me." The girl wearing the robe says while walking towards Gavin's room.
"What was that?" I asks , stupid! It's obvious what it looks like. Why do I need to ask?
"You saw it with your own eyes, I don't need to explain myself."
"Yah.... I know. I'll go now." I slowly take a walk outside and when I make sure that the door is already closed, I started to cry my eyes out
I sit on the floor outside his place, sweeping and crying like a poor kid. I hate myself for loving him and for pretending that I didn't feel any hurt at all because right now, I feel like my heart is starting to burst out.
I just cry and cry until I sense someone sitting next to me.
"In any moment from now he will be going outside from that room and he will be seeing you crying." It's Axel and I am sure of it because in just a short period of time that we have been together, his voice already sounds familiar to me.
I looked at him and he gave me a weak smile before handing me a bottle of water.
"Let's go inside my place first." He helped stand up and we went to his place next to Gavin's.
He leads me to his living area before we both sit.
"Drink that and relax."
I do what he says and I almost finish the whole bottle. "Please don't tell Kaiden or Madi."
"I won't."
"Thank you, I don't know what will be happening to me if you're not there."
"I just feel that you need me and I am correct."
"Are you not going to ask?"
"I feel like my heart is going to burst if I am not going to tell anyone."
"I'm a good listener."
My tears started to flow again just thinking about the girl inside his room and Axel just let me cry.
"Cry as long as you want, it will make you feel better but not too much it can....."
"I saw a girl wearing just a robe inside his place."
Axel just took a deep breath before looking at me intensely.
"Did you slap them both? Or did you just pull the girl's hair?" He asks and I somehow find it funny.
"Should I?" I asks him with a smile now on my face
"Yes, you should have. You want me to punch him for you and pull the girl's hair as well?"
I burst into laughter without even knowing it and then Axel is staring at me while he still has this weak smile on his face.
I hug him and cry on his shoulder. I feel so relieved that somehow I can be so open to someone about Gavin, because I can't even be with my best friends. They will just get mad at Gavin, swear at him and ask me to just break the engagement where in fact I can't.
I can't because I held onto our promise when we were young. I keep on holding that one day, Gavin , who loves me and cares for me, will come back.
I pulled myself away from Axel and smiled at him.
"I love him."
He nods at me and pet me again before smiling. "He's so lucky to have you, I hope he will realize that soon."
Luckily we still have some time to rest and freshen up before going back to our building for our next class.
Kaiden is so annoyed that we left him in the library but as I was able to explain that I took a nap in the clinic because I was having hard time breathing, he immediately believes me.
Axel's POV
Our class ends at 8:00 pm and separate ways after that. This time Rainne's driver is waiting for him while Kaiden has its own car and Madi's just the same. Since it's just me again, I decided to go home too but I dropped by first in the grocery store to fill my kitchen again.
I'm on the way to the penthouse when I accidentally saw Gavin and the girl that maybe Rainne is talking about.
As soon as Gavin saw me he let go of the girl's hand and kept it inside his pocket.
His acting faithful in front of me but an asshole to Rainne? What is he up to?
I walk past them and there I realize who the girl is. She is the girl who keeps on smiling at me and watching me play football every morning.
I just ignore them and get inside the elevator but before it closes, Gavin enters too.
"I had so much today already, I don't have any energy to argue with you." I openly said without looking at him.
"Who are you Axel Mendez?"
When the elevator stopped in the penthouse, I immediately went out and he followed.
"Wait." He shouts and I stop from walking
"If you are that curious about who I really am, why not just search my name in google?"
"I will find out who you really are and why are you here." With that he leaves and enters his penthouse.
As I walked inside my place, I put down my grocery bags and started to take everything out before putting each in their right place.
After filling up my kitchen again of foods and went to my room and decided to take a shower.
I can't stop thinking about Rainne and how hurt she is because of that Gavin. She looks so weak yet desperate at the same time, how can she endure all of the things that Gavin is doing?
After taking a shower, I looked at my phone and checked it. There is a missed call from Mom and Ashton.
I remembered Mrs. Henderson, never did Mom mention her before. I dialed her number hoping she will pick up and yes she did.
"Hey Ma."
"Finally, I get hold of you.... How are you doing there? I missed you so much, son."
"I missed you too, everyday actually." I really do miss her and London but I need to bear it.
"I received a call from Jenny. .and she said she met you. And you are friends with her daughter?" She sounds nervous
"So, you really know her. How come you never mentioned being friends with Henderson?" Because of the sound of her voice, I got a little more curious about what is going on.
"She told you, we're friends?"
"Yeah... isn't it true?"
"Ha? No no.... I meant, yes were friends."
"Were..You're not friends with her anymore then."
"No... I meant we are friends. I used to hold my book launched in her hotel in New York."
"I see... she looked nice though."
"Really? What about her daughter?"
"Hmmm. She's pretty and smart."
"It's nice that you two are on good terms."
"Yeah.. by the way Mom, how is Ace?"
"Just the same, he always looked for you. He missed you so much, Axel."
"I'll go home this semester break, kiss me to him and to Dad."
"Okay.. see you soon, I love you." Then she hangs up.
I feel something odd in how the way Mom talks but I can't read her.
While trapped in the deep taught my phone buzzed for a new message and it's from Ashton.
"Hi, I kept on calling you but as always you're not picking up your phone.Please call me once you read this.- ASHTON"
I ignore her text just like what I always do from the day I leave from London. I cannot have any destruction right now, I am determined to reach my goal no matter what.
I feel so stressed right now that I want to make myself drunk but I have no one to drink with and besides I have an early class tomorrow and I don't want to get hangover too.
Early morning at around 6, I decided to run and do some footworks at the field. But to my surprise, Gavin is also there who's already running around the field.
It's surprising that he didn't start any conversation that can lead to arguments again, maybe he's not in the mood.
I finished at around 7 and headed directly to shower room to get changed since I have an 8 am class.
Rainne texted me a while ago that she prepared a breakfast for me as her treat for keeping her secret. I got a little excited. That's why I forgot my gym bag in the locker and I realized it when I'm already in the cafeteria.
"And why is it just for him? Is he your best friend or me? Kaiden asks but we know that it's just a joke.
"I can always cook for, Kai. This is my welcome present to Axel and thank you present for carrying me twice to the clinic."
I laughed at her for looking so cute and adorable.
"Well, thank you for the gift my captain. How did you know that I didn't have my breakfast yet and I'm so hungry right now?"
She smiled at me and handed me the breakfast but before I reached it someone flipped the lunch box. And when I'm about to check who did it, we all saw Gavin looking at the scattered food on the ground.
"Oops, sorry?"
"What did you do, Gavin? Rainne cooks that......"
I pick up the lunch box and put it on the table before grabbing Rainne's hand asking her to follow and kaiden as well. I can see that Rainne is about to cry again and I am not going to let that happen.
"Where do you think you're going, Rainne?" Gavin grabs her arms.
"Gav please... it's too early for a fight. Besides we have class at 8."
"You managed to prepare some breakfast for this frick but to your own fiance' you didn't. How sweet of you, don't you know that?"
I am thankful that it's still early, so the students are just few as of the moment. I tried my best not to punch this asshole but he is really getting on my nerves.
"So, you are acting as jealous fiance' now?" Kaiden asks "Let's go now and please Gavin if your plan is to ruin Rainne's everyday life, congratulations because you are succeeding." Kaiden grabs Rainne's arm from Gavin and they headed out of the cafeteria.
I am about to follow when Gavin calls my name.
"Stop lurking around my fiance."
I laughed at what he said "Then try to act like one." before he could give his response, I already walked out.
I drive with my car to the medicine Building and the two of them are already inside the classroom.
"I'll make you another one on Monday." She said and she looks so sad about what happened in the cafeteria.
"It's okay! Anyway thank you for the effort." I sit next to her
"I don't know what specific characteristics of him you love the most that you cannot let go of him. If you're not there, I will really punch him so that he could get back to his senses."
"Can we just not talk about him?" She begs Kaiden who really looks so pissed right now.
"I just wish one day, you wake up and you're not in love with him anymore."
"I'll buy coffee, you want anything?" I asks
"Can I come with you?" Rainne said and I just nod
"I'm good. Just buy her everything she needs to make her wakes up from her nightmare."
"I love you, Kai." Then Rainne hugs him before we go outside. "We still have 30 minutes." She says trying to make her voice okay
"Let's just go to my place."
"Ha? Why? I thought you want some coffee?"
"Yeah.. I'll make one there and......."
"Hi" A girl greeted us and when I looked at her carefully, she's the girl who always with Gavin.
"Let's go...." I ignored her but she keeps on following us.
"Rainne... I just want to return this." We both stopped from walking and look at her. She was holding a small paper bag.
"I don't remember lending you anything." Rainne says, who looks so nervous.
"Gavin did and since she said it's yours, I think it's best if I am going to return this to you personally. Here and thank you." The girl handed the paper bag to Rainne and she gets it, when she checked what's inside, she looked so surprise and about to cry.
" Will you please just leave and here.. " I grab the paper bag from Rainnes' hand and give it back to her.
"It's all yours, she can buy a new one. Let's go back inside the classroom, I already lost my cravings for coffee."
Rainne just followed me inside and sit next to Kaiden. Before bowing her head.
"What happened?" Kaiden asks
"She suddenly feel dizzy but she don't want to go the clinic, so we just decided to go back." I almost forgot my promise to her.
"Rainne are you sure that you don't want to go to the clinic?"
"I'm fine! I'll just rest for a minute."
How can I handle all of this? I take a deep breath and massage my nape.
