Chapter 1

I heard two consecutive knocks from outside my room then I heard one of our helpers say

"Miss Kourt, Madam wants you to her office now." Mom? I curiously asked myself. My forehead frowned and at the same time, I had an idea why. In the end, I just sighed and stood up in my seat.

"All right, tell her I'll be there in a few minutes..." 

  Before finally leaving my room, I looked at the full-size mirror to check what I look like in my new dress.  I immediately smiled when I saw my reflection. Perfect! I said happily to myself.

I am wearing a white backless dress with cherry blossoms print and was above the knee-high.

The truth is, I just bought this dress earlier from Dior with my friends. We were outside the Dior store when I immediately saw this dress worn by one of their mannequins that was displayed in the middle of the store, it was so beautiful and I couldn't take my eyes off the dress.

And my interest in the dress became even more intense when the clerk said that they only had one stock.

I couldn't think of anything else aside from this dress that would really look good on me and it is meant for me because of the idea there is only one stock left, even though I feel like the dress is overpriced for five hundred thousand pesos because of its very simple design. Okay, whatever! The only important thing is, this dress looks so good on me and my friends say the same thing that I looked like Barbie, so I took it.

However, it looks like my Mom didn't seem happy with what I did. Alright, I admit it, I overspent today, I spent almost three million pesos at the Dior store. My feelings got me again. I feel so happy with everyone complimenting me in the store earlier and as a thank you for all their compliments, I offer to pay for everything.

Eventually, I just sighed in the end and then hurried my way out of my room, I had already spent a few more minutes overthinking about what might happen with my conversation with Mom. Anyway, whatever she says is either me or she can't do anything. Three million is gone and we have a lot of money so that three million is nothing.

It's just that I can't help but think, why Mom is overreacting lately to my spending millions in a day, if you look at it, this is normal for us. It was like this then, so what’s up? Unless... okay stop! Before I could continue what, I was going to say to myself, I just shook my head, twice. I am overthinking again. Our company can't be bankrupt. It will never happen!

When I entered the library, I immediately saw Mommy standing on the glass wall and talking on the phone. I also immediately noticed that she keeps on walking backwards, from her left to her right. They also seem to be talking so seriously whoever is on the other line. She didn't even notice my arrival. So I went straight to the sofa and decided to just wait there and relax. And since I'm not a fan of  reading books, to keep myself entertained I fished my phone out of my cute dress pocket.

I logged in to messenger since that's what I mostly do on my Facebook account. I even frowned as my phone vibrated with the number of messages that entered my messenger. There are group chats and personal messages. I keep getting notifications because my name is on their chats.

What's up? I asked myself and was immediately confused as to what I would prioritize to read in the number of messages. Personal messages or group messages?

I even bit my lower lip when I noticed that even those guys that I am not close with got a personal message for me. I'm starting to get nervous, what the hell is happening? Suddenly I am feeling like I am lost.

When all I did was just go home and as if there was a sudden disease that was spread outside and I am the only one who is not informed. Not infected.

I took a deep breath and decided to check my friend's group chat, because that is also one of the group chats who got more notification than the rest. In the group chat are me, Addison and Penelope. The friends I am talking about earlier.

But before I clicked on our group chat, I read another notification that Addison and Penelope left in our group chat!

What the hell?! Why did they leave the group? So, it means, I am the only one left in chat?! Is this a prank? Because it's working and it's making me overthink and really not fun at all! What the fuck is happening? What's going on?!

And with my trembling fingers, I clicked on our group chat to read what the conversation was all about; however, before I could read what was going on, Mommy immediately caught my attention.

"Kourtney!" She shouted my full name. Okay, I'm pretty sure now that whatever's going on right now, it's really serious. She usually doesn't call me by my full name unless I have a serious violation.

“Mom –“ However before I could continue what I’m about to say she cut me off. She really looks mad, by the way.

With her red face and eyes, eyes that seemed to be about to cry any moment from now.

"What have you done?!" She asked me in her angry voice. I bit my lower lip.

"Three million pesos?!" Then her voice sounded exhausted, as she asked me about the digits I spent on shopping.

"Mom-" I wanted to ask her why she's making this a big deal, but she's not giving me a chance to speak. We are rich so I can't understand why she's like this right now. Daddy doesn't care and for sure he will tell me that as long as I'm happy, there's no problem.

She used her two hands to fish her hair in a very hard way, the reason why it ended in a messy arrangement. Mommy is the kind of person who often wants her hair to be neat and always look presentable.

So, this means she's too stressed out about me wasting money.

"You're grounded! You don't know how to listen to me! When to follow what I politely asked you! It was just a simple request but you -" And then she shook her head twice and continued what she was about to say.

"You're not going anywhere and I'll tell your Teachers to just send your module here at home. You also can't use your cellphone and laptop!" My eyes almost came out of my eye socket from what I heard.

"Are you serious Mommy?! It's boring here at home! And no cellphone and laptop? Are you joking with me?! Because it's not funny at all!" I answered her in a loud voice but she didn't seem to hear anything.

"How can I research my assignments and projects if I don't have gadgets?!"

"Do you see these books?!" Mommy pointed out almost all the shelves full of books, she was not even satisfied and because she was close to one of the shelves she took a few books out and then she threw them in front of me.

"This and this! Use them to research your assignments!" I was so upset with what Mommy wanted to happen so I ended up crying and then got up from my seat and said

"I'll tell everything you did to me to Daddy!" And then I hurried out of the library. It's annoying that I'm in such a hurry and I'm also annoyed with Mommy that I forgot my phone. Yeah, I left it at the centre table. 

And since I still have my laptop in my room. When I came out of the library, I noticed that there was a commotion down the stairs and I got curious so I looked at our helpers from up here. Our helpers were in the same spot and looked like gossiping about an interesting topic.

It's my first time seeing them like that. They are often busy with their work.

However, their voices are weak, I can't hear anything but wait...

Is that still my problem?! I just shook my head and decided to forget about them, then went straight to my room.

I speed up going inside my room, lock the door before Mommy gets in or ask one of our helpers to capture my laptop on her behalf. I have read what's going on with my messenger. 

I have a strong feeling that whatever is happening, it is connected to me.

Even though my hands and fingers are again trembling with nervousness. Damn! I really should have stopped having coffee, I easily panic and get nervous about things I am not sure of yet!

When I logged in to Facebook, I went straight to my messenger and my jaw almost dropped when I saw that in all the group chats I was a part of, I was removed, because there was a notification that said "You've been removed to the group" when I click on the group chat there are still those old chats so it's okay I can still back read, however, I can't reply to them.

As I checked their conversation, I was feeling the wetness of both sides of my eyes, I even swallowed one after another just to not choke. And then I started back reading.

"Her Dad is a scammer!"

"Oh my God! Maybe the money she used to pay for our Dior bags also came from a scam!"

"I don't want this bag anymore, I decided to send it back to Kourtney's house!" Those are the messages from Addison and Penelope in the group chat in our classroom.

"I'll order our driver to take it back to their house. I don't want this dirty bag in our place!"

"I no longer want to be associated with Kourt! I don't want to talk or be friends with her!" Then there are other side comments from my classmates, mostly from girls!

"I heard from my Mom that her Mom is a social climber, I am sure Kourt inherited her Mom's social-climbing attitude!"

"My Mom said, her Dad just met her Mom in some cheap nightclubs, so there's a chance that her Mom is a stripper!"

"And now tasted expensive things and a good life so she's trying hard to look rich and fit in the new lifestyle that her Dad offers!"

I was so upset with what I was reading from my friends and classmates. I am always nice to everyone, whether I know them or don't. I didn't understand anything about what was happening. I want to talk to Addison and Penelope so I can explain to them even though I have no idea what's going on.

However, when I look at their accounts the message option is graded out, okay it looks like they have blocked me. So, the last option is to speak with them via phone call but is it worth it? I don't think so if they have blocked me on Facebook, what more with my number, right?

Maybe it's okay that they removed me from the group chat because if they are my true friends, in the first place they won't give mean comments like that, they should have defended me first or waited to hear my side but they blocked me instead and judge me based on the situation I even have no idea.

Do they think of me as a friend or did they just use me to get free expensive things?! I am sure the second option is the best answer to my question!

Anyway, what do they have to do with Mom and Dad? If they are mad at me, it should only be me, they don't have to include Mom and Dad in the conversation. That's rude and I am not letting this go! I swear to God, tomorrow once we're back at school I will speak to all of them and let them explain their side! Even if they didn’t listen to my side, I would still give them a chance!

Hmm, Mom is mad about me spending a million within a few hours and my classmates talk shit about me and my family. I feel like there is a connection to Mommy overreacting to the money I spent and my classmates treating me this way. With so many questions in my mind, I feel like my head is going to explode. I cried earlier, now I have to deal with my classmates so in the end, I decided to go to bed and sleep and then just think about what happens when I wake up.

I woke up when I felt someone gently caress my face. I can feel the frown on my forehead, because I still want to sleep but whoever this a sshole caresses my cheek won't just stop!

So, I ended up slowly opening my eyes and the first person I saw was Travis. His blue eyes were looking at me tenderly while his hand was on my cheek. After all these years, my heart is still fragile when it comes to Travis.

I immediately felt annoyed by what was happening.  I hate this feeling!  I looked at him coldly and then I removed his fingers on my cheek and got up from bed.

"What are you doing here?!" I asked him using my rude voice.  

"I’m here to check on you. You haven't eaten dinner yet." Travis answered me in a faint voice. I became even more frustrated.

"It's none of your business!"

"You're still skinny, you should be eating a lot to gain more weight." He said softly to me. I swallowed one after another because there was a sudden flashback of memories in my mind.

He said the same words before, the only difference was that we were somewhere else then. In a romantic place... 

I closed my eyes tightly but it seemed like a wrong decision because I got more  flashbacked to my mind, how he held one of my hands that night, while we were at an exclusive restaurant that he purposely reserved just for our first date.

I remember how he looked at me  that night like I'm the most beautiful woman in the world, the only woman his eyes can see. How he kissed my hand that he was holding. How his eyes gently look at mine.

How he asked me if I could be his girlfriend that night, before our date ended. How I gave him my first kiss and while thinking about the past I didn't notice I am already crying.

Chapter 2 – I Remember It All Too Well

Kourtney’s POV

I remember that day as if everything happened only yesterday, I was nine years old back then...

"Mommy, where are we going?" I asked Mom as I watched her in the mirror fixing my hair. She smiled at me before she answered me.

"Forger's mansion, Baby..." Mommy gave me a soft answer and then she finished fixing my hair.

I frowned at Mom's answer, trying to remember who the Forgers she was talking about.

Maybe Mom and Dad's new business partners. I said to myself.

"We're going on vacation there, I'm very sure you'll enjoy their place and also the mansion is close to the sea." My eyes widened at what she said feeling very excited. I don't know what's in the sea but I love it when we go to the beaches. It makes me so happy just by seeing the waves touch the sand. Wearing the sound of the waves.

It didn't take long and Mom and I left my room followed by our helpers who were carrying the luggage we were going to take for vacation.

We spent a day and a night on the trip to the Forgers mansion. From the highlands, where we live we will travel for a few hours until we reach the port and there we will board a ship with our car.

A few hours later after travelling on that big ship next, we will travel again through our car and then we would arrive at a private place where only one mansion stood.

A white mansion mostly made of glass is in front of us. The front is beautiful, there's a large garden on the left side while in the middle there is a spacious car park.

Before we finally got out of the car, Mommy reminded me first.

"Don't act like a brat Kourtney that's going to be embarrassing, especially to the Forgers!" I pouted at what Mommy said.

"Hon, it's okay... Kourtney is young, just let her do things what she usually does and I'm sure the Forgers will understand that." Daddy answered immediately, to Mommy trying to depend on my actions. 

Eventually, Mommy just sighed while Dad caressed the top of my head, so I smiled at Daddy because he is my protector.

We got out of the car and as soon as I set my feet on the floor, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the Forgers' mansion.

I also noticed the line of helpers at the entrance of the mansion as they waited for us. And there I noticed that the lives of the Forgers are very different compared to the life we ​​have.

Their lives are more luxurious than ours but I'm still comfortable with what we have so it's not a big deal.

"I'm glad you accepted our invitation, Franky!" The woman immediately said I think it was Mrs Forger. She looks a little older than Mommy though.

Dad nodded at what she had said, while Mommy also greeted the couple who were waiting for us with their helpers.

And then we walked to where they were standing. Mom kissed the cheek of Mrs Forger and shook hands with Mr Forger. While Daddy tapped Mr Forger's shoulder and a nod to Mrs Forger.

The couple asked how our trip was before their attention turned to me. My body was hidden behind Mom's leg while my hands were wrapped around her leg as well. And I just peeked in my head to see what was happening.

While we were travelling earlier, Mommy was talking about the Forgers and one of the things she said about the couple is that they have three sons but they didn't seem to be here in the mansion with them.

Maybe busy at work? I also remember Mommy saying that their youngest child was ten years older than me. Maybe he's eighteen or nineteen. Anyway,  it doesn't matter if the children of the Forger couple are there or not, they are older than me and for sure they are not interested in getting to know me very much.

"Your daughter is beautiful, Kris." Mrs Forger said happily. Both my cheeks get hot from what she said and I immediately hid my face behind Mom. Mom thanked Mrs Forger and modestly laughed.

"She's a shy girl," Mommy added.

"Kourtney, Baby... What are you going to say to Tita?" Mom asked me as she gently pulled me away from behind her so I could face the Forgers.

I was like a robot standing straight in front of the Forgers and Mom and Dad after what Mommy did.

"T-thank you!" I said while stuttering at the same time feeling embarrassed. I still feel the heat on my face now so I'm sure your whole face is red.

Mrs Forger moved close to where I was standing and then she looked at my face, and stared into my eyes.

That made me more nervous because the kind of look she was giving me was like she reads what's on my mind, she sees who I am in the future. The looks she's giving me is really strange until slowly there's a smile form in her lips and she said,

"You're very young, how I wish you're a little older than you are. I'd love to promise you to Travis." She said however I don't understand what she meant.

Me to be promised to Travis? I am still confused however what Mrs Forger said was immediately lost when Daddy laughed and then said that I am too young for such matters, which Mr Forger agreed with and then they invite us to go inside the mansion. Because the weather is hot as per Mrs Forger, but for me the breeze was just right, neither hot nor cold.

As we entered the mansion, I was busy looking at every corner we passed. We are just at the beginning but you will immediately notice how rich the Forgers are.

The things they have here in the mansion are way better than the things we have at home, while I'm busy looking at their things I can still hear them talked about the couple’s children.

It turns out that their children are all boys and Mom is wrong. The three sons are here however they are busy I guest doing adult things? I heard Mrs Forger say their children were on the beach with female friends having fun.

Now I started thinking how it feels like having siblings? Since I am an only child.

Until we got to the Patio, my parents and the Forger couple sat while I remained standing and looked around. Almost every part of the Forgers' mansion is beautiful.

Until two helpers approached us with snacks and while they were unloading our snack to our table she would like her sons to meet us. Mom said that it was okay to let Mrs Forger's son enjoy their time first in the sea.

Then one of their helpers excused herself and said that the young Forgers had returned with their friends and were just preparing for a while before they went here to the Patio.

"Emilia, can you please tell Rush to move fast? I don't like it when they make our VIP guests just to meet them." Mr Forger strictly said that caught my attention, not because the sound of his voice was scary but only now did I notice that even though he is old there is something in him that would make you look at him.

And then Mom answered Mr Forger that it was okay for us to wait since were staying here for a few days and that we are not in a rush to meet the boys. Which I agree. Well, I'm a few years younger than them so I'm sure they would just say hi and they'll go back to hanging out with their friends.

Anyway, about the snack they got for us, there's a strawberry shake prepared for me, anything with strawberries is perfect since it's my favorite. While the old one's have tea and coffee.

There are also cookies and cakes with two flavors that they bought, a chocolate and then vanilla. That's why I enjoyed our snack so much that I didn't notice that the ones we were waiting for had arrived. The Forgers brothers.

"Boys! It's good that you got here right on time, we just started our tea! You can join us! Do you want me to ask our helpers to get you guys something you prepare?" Mrs Forger said cheerfully and tenderly to her sons, so I looked at them. Three tall men came, but Dad and Mr Forger were even taller than them.

Even though they are wearing t-shirts, their fit bodies are still visible. I watched as they kissed Mrs Forger's cheek one by one as they nodded to Mr Forger.

And then they turned to look at us. Mrs Forger smiled at us and introduced the three of us to her sons.

The eldest is Rush. The second son was Noah, who both gave us a welcoming smile.

Rush looks like a mix of Mr and Mrs Forger while Noah is the male version of Mrs Forger. When they approached us, Rush even messed up my hair and asked how old I was while Noah said I am beautiful.

The first time I looked at the two of them, I immediately felt like they are the coolest older brothers in town that I am looking for.  That's why I gave them my sweetest smile. 

And then it was the third man's turn to be introduced by Mrs Forger.

"By the way, this is Travis, my youngest child." I plan to look at them both, I mean Mrs Forger and her son, however when I turned my gaze to them, Travis and I, eyes immediately met.

I don't understand why my young heart immediately beats so fast inside my rib cage that I feel like any time now it will come out of my chest! Is it possible for that to happen?

My mouth fell open, I was trying to say something but words wouldn't just come out of my mouth. 

Travis and I just stared at each other for a few minutes, he didn't say anything. He was just looking straight into my eyes. 

The way he looks at me, makes me feel intimidated. I also noticed that there is no trace of emotion on his face or eyes. I couldn't help but be confused and think at the same time what he thought of me. Or for sure he doesn't care too much about me since I am too young. 

And there before I could say hello, they went back to the business discussion they had earlier and this time, Noah and Rush are now included in the conversation. 

In the end, I was the first to let go of our eye to eye contact and then continued eating the cake. After a few minutes, I was distracted when I saw on the side of my eyes that someone was seated next to where I was sitting. When I looked to my side, I immediately saw who was sitting next to me.

'Travis.' I called him but just in my mind.  I don't have the courage to call him by his name right in front of him. And I don't understand why I can't do it! 

We stared at each other again and here is my heart again beating so damn fast inside my ribcage. If this keeps happening, I feel like my bones in my ribcage will break anytime soon and my heart will have the chance to run out inside my body. Now, I'm feeling scared and think that Travis is not good for me. 

Suddenly I became conscious of how I looked now.

I've been feeling hot since earlier and sweaty and the strawberry shake didn't help much with the heat I am feeling. I can also feel that I'm sweating on my forehead.

"Did you like the cake?" It's a random question and can be answered by a yes or no, however I am having a hard time answering him. I'm sure if I open my mouth to answer him no words would come out of my mouth, just like what happened earlier. I am again like a robot who just nodded in response to his question.

"You really liked it! Since you still have icing on the side of your lips." He said to me in a hoarse voice and before I could react, he approached me and I was statued in my seat.

When he raised one of his hands, he was already holding a handkerchief and the one he used to wipe the icing that he said was on the side of my mouth.

I can feel the rapid heating of my whole face and because  I got a white skin I'm sure it's obvious all over my face.

And of all the people who would see my red face, how lucky I am it's Travis! Just great!

Rush also greeted me good morning and then asked if I already had breakfast.

Suddenly I felt embarrassed, I didn't even greet them with good morning first. This is a red flag! They might take this against me and will use it as a reason why they won't take me to the beach in case they plan to go there. 

But I am sure they would! Where else will they use those towels hanging on their shoulders then? Now, I am feeling guilty as I answer their questions.

"I had milk earlier," I told them in a low voice. 

I'm so excited about going to the seashore that after taking a shower and changing my clothes, I went down to the kitchen hoping to catch up with Mom and Dad there but it looks like they were still asleep until now.

"Come on, let's eat together." Noah invited me.

"Uhhm, I'm not hungry yet ..." I said shyly but at the same time I was betrayed by the sound of my stomach. My eyes widened and then I looked at Rush and Noah back and forth, that's how I even caught Noah biting his lower lip, obviously holding back his laughter! What the hell?! 

Rush, on the other hand, didn't seem to be able to stand it anymore and laughed out loud.

I frowned, Noah and I held the top of my head and then said.

"Just go with us and have breakfast so you can eat and get to know our friends, who are with us." Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that part. It's not only me and my parents who's here. Their friends are still here as well. 

I nodded one after the other because other than that I was curious where Travis was.

Is he still asleep? Or already awake and with the friends Noah talks about?

Chapter 3 - I Bet You Think About Me 

Kourtney’s POV

Rush took my hand so we could walk together to where we were supposed to eat breakfast. As we got closer and closer I could hear the noise of women from somewhere. Someone was talking loudly and another one was laughing. They sound so happy. I wonder what is happening in that part of the house?

Until we entered my dining area of ​​the Forgers, there I saw that they had three women with them and Travis was already there with the women.

I immediately felt disappointed seeing Travis here with this girl who obviously likes him! I just don't understand why I have to feel disappointed seeing this.  

He was sitting there on the left side of the table and had a blonde -haired woman next to him. One of his hands was spread on the back of the chair of the woman next to him. 

I also watched how the woman tried to pour toasted bread on his lips but he didn't want to open his mouth. Good thing! I yell inside my head.  I don't know but I suddenly lost the hunger I felt before and lost my appetite for breakfast.

If I wouldn't just look and sound rude I'd like to say I lost my appetite and I want to go back in my room to Rush and will just wait for Mom and Dad to eat breakfast.

"You can sit here, next to me, Kourt." Noah told me, so I diverted my attention from watching Travis and the woman with him, which I'm sure is his girlfriend. The girl was sweet to him so I'm sure they're in a relationship.

"Oh. Hello, little girl. What's your name?" The short haired woman who was also sitting on the same row where I am asked me.

Noah just mentioned my name. did she not hear it? Or is she not paying attention to the reason why she's asking the same question? Urgh! I seriously want to roll my eyes on her now! So, she would know she's annoying! But I can't! Travis will see it and I'm sure he won't like it and might think that because I am the only child I am spoiled by my parents! 

So I immediately decided to play nice for now. I smiled sweetly at the woman and then I answered her question politely.

"Is she one of your cousins?" The woman next to Travis asked next. I don't understand but even though I don't know her, just by hearing her voice I'm annoyed with her. I don't understand how is that possible!

This is really what I don't understand. I don't want Travis to be disappointed in me. Even if we barely know each other, I prefer that he likes me. I would be upset with myself if I did something he didn't like.

As I sit there with them having our breakfast, I can't stop thinking about Travis and Chiffon, that's his girlfriend's name. I also met the other two girls, which I am not sure if they are in a relationship with Noah and Rush.

They all gave me a friendly smile when I was introduced with the girls, however I'm no longer in the mood, so I just nodded to them all and decided to focus on eating my breakfast. 

In my peripheral version, I saw how Travis and Chiffon flirted, which made my mood even lower.

Chiffon brings her face closer to Travis and then she tries to kiss him on the lips but Travis will look the other way so she can only kiss his cheeks. Chiffon was almost on Travis' lap sitting and neither of any of these adults I am with, didn't even care what these two were doing. How annoying! 

Until I didn't even notice that they had all finished eating and I was the only one who didn't.

"Don't you like the food, Kourtney?" Gradually, I lifted my head when I heard Travis' voice. Like yesterday, there was no trace of any emotion in his voice and when I looked him in the eyes, the expression in his eyes was also blank.

I'm not sure if he's asking me that because he cares or he's just curious why I took so long to eat.

But it was only then that I awoke to deep thinking about him and Chiffon.

When I also looked at my plate, I noticed that I had only reduced almost one -fourth of my food.

"Would you like me to request the Chef to cook other food for you? What would you like to eat?" Travis asked me another question. If I tell me what food I want he might think I'm a picky eater so I'm not going to do that! As a response to his few questions I shook my head. 

 "I'm okay here! I'm just really a slow eater!" I nervously answered him, because I feel like he's not satisfied with me just shaking my head as an answer.  

"Let's go to the beach!" Chiffon said excitedly and then he clung to Travis' arm. 

I was immediately irritated by what Chiffon said. Why would they leave me here alone?! That's rude! Can't they wait for me atleast?! I wanted to roll my eyes but Travis is watching me, carefully. So, I need to be careful with my actions. 

"Kourtney can just follow, she can go with one of the helpers." Linlin added, she is Noah's partner.

 "Just let her go with the helpers later to follow us, let's go!" Charlotte said again that irritated me more but I didn't say a word.

Instead, I tightened my grip on the spoon I was holding and then scooped up a large mouthful of rice and put it in my mouth then chewed the rice into my mouth with so much resentment. 

Until the dining area gradually became quiet, I really thought they were all left, that's why I released the resentment I was holding back earlier. I was carried away. I can't stop myself from voicing out what I am feeling and supposed to say earlier. 

"You old hags thought I wanted to come with you, well for your information I don't want to hang out with old people! Especially you Witches!" Then I imagined the faces of the three witches! And roll my eyes! 

Aside from the Forgers party we went to here, Daddy's other goal was to get a business deal with the Forgers.

However, I haven’t even recovered from the irritation I feel out of nowhere. I heard a crackling sound. What the hell was that?! The first question pops up at the end!

I immediately felt scared and thought that there might be a ghost at the Forgers' house! 

Urgh! Now I keep regretting why I was left alone here, not even a single helper came back to check on me! Maybe they thought the Forgers brothers would take care of me! But hell no, they're busy taking care of those old hags! 

Seriously, if there is a ghost here, I will report this to Mom and Dad and tell them that the Forgers brother's let me stay here alone to attend to their girlfriends! 

I'm going to ask Mom and Dad to go home and won't care about the party. I'm about to throw these plates, glasses and spoons at the ghost at my back as I'm feeling so scared at the same time however I still manage to gather the courage to look behind me, I would have been ready to shout just in case my plan messed up, like hello this is going to be the first time I am about to see a real ghost! And I am not effin' excited at all! I am so damn scared! FML!

However, my plan was hung in the air when I saw that Travis was the only one behind me who made the tiny crackle!

He was leaning against the wall and his two arms were crossed on his chest and he was looking at me without emotion, as usual. But still manage to look cool and very attractive at the same time.

I was astonished by his presence and confused on why he is here right now. 

I thought he left with his siblings with their girlfriends to go to the beach? So, why is he here right now? And now I could not stop myself from standing on the seat where I am sitting and then I walked closer to him.

Since he is just a few steps away from me, when I was able to make it in front of him, I also crossed my arms as a sign I am not happy to see him here! I also raised one of my eyebrows.

"Why are you here? I thought you went down with those Witches-" I was then shaken by the realization that I had slipped into calling the women with them witches. I cast a curse on my mind and then continued what I was saying. 

At the same time, I watched how his lips rose to form a smirk. 

"Uhmm, I mean your friends and your girlfriend. Why are you not with them on the beach?!" He wasn't even affected by my behaviour and remained in his former position leaning against the wall. It even feels like he is not affected by my bratty attitude. 

"I'm waiting for you to finish your breakfast." He simply answered me. My mouth fell open in shock. I wanted to talk back but seriously even one word won't come out of my mouth. 

"I-I can manage. I'm a big girl now!" I answered him, at the same time feeling a little nervous. I didn't get an answer from him but it was obvious from his facial reaction that he didn't believe what I said.

"So, you can go now and hang out with your girlfriend!" I added without thinking twice about how rude I sounded. 

"You don't want to be left alone..." He said meaningfully and that's when my tears triggered, I could feel them in the corner of my eyes and any moment from now I am sure they would fall in my eyes. If I cry in front of him he would think even more that I can't manage and it's true that I can't handle being left alone! He will be turned off at me, for sure and I don't want that to happen!

Crying in front of him, will make him think I am still a child who needs so much care from adults around me. 

Instead, my heart started to beat faster than its usual beat for reasons I don't know. 

I am sure he noticed that I was about to cry so he adjusted his position, from him leaning against the wall, he stood straight then put his two hands in both side pockets of his shorts, and then took a few steps to make it in front of me. 

I bent down and then put two hands on my face to hide my face full of tears because of crying. 

And because my fingers have a bit of a gap covering my face, I can still see exactly what he's going to do.

He knelt with one of his knees so that we would be the same height.

As our eyes met, I am slowly falling to his deep look he is giving to me right now. I feel clueless, nervous and excited at the same time. This mixed emotions inside me makes my heart beat faster than earlier and makes my chest hurt at the same time. This feeling I have for Travis is confusing. It also made me forget that he can clearly see my face wet with tears from my crying. It makes me not care anymore about whatever is happening and going to happen. 

But seriously on the other hand, I badly wanted to know how I can stop my heart from beating so fast every time I have an interaction with Travis. This is not good for me. I feel like behind my fast heartbeat I have a strong feeling that it is just for Travis. I just hope I don’t get hurt or be in trouble for whatever I am feeling for him.

Since this only happens when I'm with Travis. Maybe next time I need to be careful and instead of crossing paths with him, maybe I have to start avoiding him.

"You can tell me anything and I will make a way for me to do what you want. Whether it's hard or easy." He softly told me that he wiped my tears using his thumb. I can also feel like the world stopped spinning because of what he said. I also felt like I became deaf because I could hear nothing but Travis' voice. Is that even possible? I'm not sure. I don't know.

Then I feel like I became a statue after him wiping my tears. 

I stood straight in front of him while looking directly at his face or into his eyes, while he was still kneeling on one of his knees in front of me so that we were the same height.

Now I feel like I'm one of the Disney Princesses and I'm facing Prince Charming and it feels like I'm in my own fairy tale. Then he would tell me that whatever I wanted he would do whether it's hard or easy. I feel like I want to just go back to my room, hide my face in one of my pillows and then I'll shout out loud because of so much happiness. Because of Travis. 

And at that very moment, I realized that he was not like Rush and Noah.

I mean he's never going to be like a big brother to me, like Rush and Noah. He will never be my older brother. Never in this lifetime. There is something else in him that tells my young heart that he can never be my big brother.

After my weird experience with Travis, Mom and Dad came with the Forger couple, and then there, they saw me crying. So I was approached immediately by my parents, while Travis explained to them what happened.

"I'm sorry Travis. It's embarrassing that you are the one left to attend to Kourtney's tantrums." Dad picked me up while Travis got up from his knees.

"It's okay Tita. I should be the one to apologize, Kourtney wouldn't have cried if I hadn't surprised her. I'm waiting for her to finish eating and she didn't know I was still here so she thought I was a ghost." Mrs Forger laughed at what her son said and then told me, 

"Don't worry Kourtney, baby there's no ghost in here." 

While the helpers were arranging the dining table for the Forger couple and Mom and Dad to eat breakfast there, Travis still stayed with us which I just couldn't understand.

Earlier, the girls with him were excited to go to the seashore so I'm sure he was too. So why is he still here? I wanted to ask him, I just didn't dare to voice out my curiosity.

It's good though that Mom is here because it was Mom who asked Travis.

"Travis, where are your siblings and friends?"

"On the beach Tita." Mom and Mrs Forger were shocked at the same time Mrs Forger spoke before Mom could.