The same night, JL was invited by his uncles for a drinking session. He gladly gave it a shot and his uncles also grabbed the chance to throw questions for him. One asked, “How did the closure happened?”. JL did not hesitate to answer, “It went awfully. I still have the pain from earlier. I started reminiscing from when we first saw up to how things really got complicated”. His dad tapped his shoulder and replied, “That’s fine, JL. There are a lot of girls to choose from anyway”. He faked a smirk and started drinking glasses of Bacardi, a white whisky.
The bitter liquor touched his tongue like a bolt. It ran through his throat like a rasp but he didn’t mind. He drank a ton while learning things about breakup from his uncles and from his dad. As he sips another and another, the taste gets sweeter and he can’t help himself but to crave for some more. The elders tolerated as if it is normal for him to do it. One of his uncles remarked, “You two broke up because you can’t raise each other as an individual. You two are too young to begin with and I bet you can understand that your limits stopped you”. He slowly nodded; everything is clearer and sensible now.
The next day came… Lorenzia went downstairs with her hair tied in a bun. Her school uniform made sense at the moment since she did not place any accessory to glam it up. Today, she will be gaining her award for her academic achievements. Not only she has a beauty to impress everyone, but she also has the brain and the wit to charm her own whole self. She fixed her bow tie in front of the mirror and curled her eyelashes. One of her aunts commented, “You are so beautiful already, Lorenzia. You don’t need to put on those cosmetics!” she said while cooling herself up with a hand fan.
Lorenzia greeted her aunt with a smile. “Come on, auntie! This is a celebration for me because for another time, I got a job well done” she replied. A door screeked open with JL coming out with a messy hair and a morning look. Their aunt asked, “Aren’t you coming with us, JL?”. He shook his head and made his way to their kitchen. For some reasons, their aunt thought that his response is rude not until Lorenzia explained. “He can’t stand seeing his ex. He just started forgetting about her” she said. Their aunt gasped in the gossip. She just nodded and made her way to touch up her wine - red lipstick.
JL entered their kitchen with thoughts floating. His mom approached him and gave him bread toasts with strawberry jam. He just stared at the food and chose not to say a word. Her mother again presented a hot cocoa drink beside the sandwich plate and asked, “How does it feel to be drunk for the first time?”. JL sighed, “Just felt tired. Pain is still here” he answered while pointing his chest where his heart is. His mom shrugged, “The moving on process is not fast, especially if you have too many memories that cannot be deleted in a snap” she replied.
JL started munching the strawberry jammed toast his mother prepared. He is up to learn another lesson on how to move on after learning how to make a closure. He plans nothing but to do what he wants. His productivity and activeness in life turned into an impractical one. He became digitally isolated with his game consoles inside his room. He never dared to talk about something unless someone approaches him. He saw their family’s car exited their gate, meaning Lorenzia already left for her recognition program with her parents and some of their relatives.
Juliana asked, “Are you sure you do not want to follow Lorenzia to the campus? You might want to see what she achieved”. JL shook his head and answered, “How can I move on if everything in that campus seemed so remarkable for our relationship to sink back again in my memory?”. Juliana imitated a zipped mouth and left JL alone in the kitchen. His father from outside approached his mother; “Did you see that? JL’s anger issues got really worse” he said. Juliana chuckled, “Just let him be. Besides, he got it from you” she replied.
Lorenzia and some of their family members arrived in the campus. It was so silent; no students flocking in corners, no noises hear everywhere, only birds chirping were echoed in the wind. From where their car is parked, she saw Naomi coming out from a luxurious car. Her hair is well curled and her make up is quite fabulous just like how she styled it before she met JL. She waved at Naomi with an awkward smile. In her back she has Luke, Luke’s parents, and her parents. Lorenzia did not wave back. Instead, she rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. They proceeded in the school stage ignoring Naomi and her companions.
Before the program could start, Naomi asked her parents. “I have to talk with Lorenzia after the program. Can you go back to the venue first before me?” she asked. Therese was about to shake her head when Luke’s mother touched her palm. Luke’s mom convinced Therese, “Come on amiga, maybe Naomi just wants to catch up. Besides, no one is sure if they can still meet each other next school year” she said. Therese sighed, “Alright, just be on lunch time” she answered. Naomi got wonders in her eyes. She already finished her business with JL and now, she needs Lorenzia’s forgiveness and understanding for them to cut ties smoothly before she proceeds to Australia.
After the program, Lorenzia went back to their car while holding a lot of gifts she received from her admirers. Some of it are quite pricy, while the others gave her something that is out of creativity and effort. She carefully removed the medals hanging on her neck and placed it in an acrylic box for collection. Suddenly, a man poked her shoulder. She looked who is behind and saw someone she knows but his looks are not usually how he styled right now. The bright sunlight lit up his gray irises; his eyes are smiling with his emotion. He handed her a bouquet of dandelions and uttered, “Job well done, Lorenzia”.
Lorenzia gasped at the moment. She unbelievably asked, “You are Fonsi? The Fonsi I know?”. He charmed his eyes and leaned close; he showed a playful smile and answered, “I am me, Lorenzia”. The usual Fonsi who got lots of black leather coats and white shirts with ragged pants turned out to something formal while wearing a navy - blue polo shirt and chino pants. His white sneakers were waved with the field of roses in the campus. His mid - long emo hair turned into something clean, not too short for it to look fresh. His cigarette - scented self before transitioned into something cool and spicy.

She loved how Fonsi changed himself from a gangster - looking guy to someone formally attractive. His eyes landed on Lorenzia’s baby pink lips. Fonsi is not sure if he really wants Lorenzia or maybe she is just one of the girls he wants to be trialed in quickies. Lorenzia pushed him not away from a distance. “T-thanks” she said; blushing. She looked away but Fonsi is still glancing at her. He leaned on to the car Lorenzia’s family owns and crossed his arms. “So, you will be going to Prideus again for this year?” he asked. Lorenzia simply nodded; it is not a good topic for them to talk in public.
“I heard JL is convinced also. What is your plan?” he asked again. Lorenzia replied, “I do not know what to expect, honestly. I’ll leave it to the officials”. From a distance, Fonsi saw Luke coming to their way. He grabbed Lorenzia to his back as if he is protecting her. His broad back guarded her from Luke and Naomi who is almost in their location. Luke fiercely glanced at Fonsi who’s eyes conveying fires of resentment. Fonsi initiated, “What do you need?”. Luke seriously answered, “I just accompanied Naomi here. She wants to talk to Lorenzia about something”. Lorenzia just rolled her eyes behind Fonsi who’s still covering her.
Fonsi scoffed, “After all the things that happened, you two still has the confidence to face your victims?” he asked. Naomi answered, “That’s why I am here. To clear things up”. Fonsi sarcastically laughed which annoyed Luke who’s standing closely beside Naomi. Luke commented, “Don’t you dare act roughly in front of us”. Fonsi glared at him more, “So, did you already forget how you acted roughly when you plotted all these things just because you can’t get what you want? Pathetic” he replied. Luke came close and held Fonsi’s polo’s collars. He gritted his teeth in annoyance but Fonsi just smiled calmly.
Luke got surprised when Lorenzia held his arm and removed it away from Fonsi. Lorenzia looked at Naomi whose eyes are on the ground. After the things happened, she can’t look at Lorenzia in the eye because of guilt and resentment. After all, Lorenzia baited her to reveal their plan. Unfortunately, JL refused to listen. Lorenzia’s sabotaging and spying actions towards Naomi bore nothing but JL’s ignorance.
Naomi stepped closer. Still, Lorenzia did not manage to give her a glance. Luke signaled Fonsi to go somewhere just to give space for the two to tie the loose knot. Naomi breathed heavily; her heart is racing as if the two of them never had any happy memories together. Lorenzia stood still with crossed arms. For the first time in a while, she greeted Naomi’s sympathetic eyes with her blank stare. She did not show any emotion but deep inside, she feels resentment.
“Lorenzia…” Naomi started. Her shaking hands approached hers. She bowed down with tears falling from her eyes. Lorenzia did not give any sympathy. After all that happened, her cries are useless for it to be a token for apology. She continued, “I’m sorry I messed up with your cousin” she said with sobs. Lorenzia rolled her eyes; she carefully removed Naomi’s hands from the holding. She answered, “Naomi, my dear old friend. How could you be this cruel? I thought we are friends!”. Naomi smiled bitterly and replied, “Right. We are friends… even best friends yet you managed to be a traitor?”.
Lorenzia scoffed, “You don’t understand why I did that, Naomi. Blood is thicker than water. What do you expect me to do? Feign ignorance while my cousin’s life is on the line?”. She walked backwards, “Maybe you don’t understand ‘coz you are self - centered. You never cared about what would JL feel when you do that tactic of yours. Moreover, you teamed up with my cousin’s enemy”. Naomi shook her head, “You don’t understand me either. I did that to save my family” she replied.
Lorenzia sarcastically smirked, “That… those words literally came out from your mouth. You, yourself said that you did that to save your family yet you made me look like a traitor after choosing to expose you to my cousin which turns to be your boyfriend that time? And mind it… your boyfriend never cared because he is a fool for you! Then Fonsi came, he is a great ally. Still… your team succeeded, right? What’s with the fuss?” she uttered.
Naomi wiped her tears, “I am begging you. Right now, and right here…. Please take my apology. I am lowering my pride to say…” she burst out with tears again. She knelt down with face facing the ground. She continued, “Lorenzia, I am deeply sorry! I am constantly regretting. You know I love your cousin and it was a terrible lie to say that I already loved Luke” she opened. Lorenzia knelt down with one knee; she handed her a pink towelette. For a moment, Naomi stopped crying. She pulled her up but maintained the blank face she usually uses.
She turned around and rode their car. She leaned to the soft car seat and blew a loud breath. From the tinted car she saw Naomi wiping her tears with the pink towelette she gave. She opened the car’s window and said, “Your apologies cannot bring back what you have lost. Bring those apologies to the one who deserves it”. She closed the car’s window and leaned back again. She is emotionless; she just stared blankly but suddenly; a warm tear fell from her eye. The friendship they cherished for a long time ended in just a snap; and it ended bitterly because of love and betrayal.
On the other hand, Luke brought out a lighter and a cigarette box from his pocket. He threw one stick on Fonsi but he chose not to take it. Luke’s eyebrows raised, “What? You quitted smoking after betraying us?” he asked. Fonsi chuckled, “Aside from my change in style, I chose to change my habits also” he answered. Luke lit up the cigarette stick placed in his mouth and started making smokes. Luke opened up a topic, “So, how did things happen from where it ended?”; he pertains to the time when they beat Fonsi up after knowing that he allied to those who oppose them.
Fonsi sighed and answered, “Everything seemed light and bland yet I felt like I am free. You know, free from bad influences”. Luke glared at him badly, “You are saying that we are bad influences?” he asked. Fonsi chuckled, “It’s not that. I have to prepare for something big and it needs a clear record of mine before starting”. Fonsi listed up to Prideus also but this time, he is serious just like JL’s breakthrough. Luke shrugged, “If you say so”.
Luke asked out of the blue, “How’s JL?”. Fonsi smirked, “Do you have the face to ask after what you, and your two minions ruined his love life, huh?”. Luke replied with his anger issues and patience placed on a test, “Just answer… Damn it!”. Fonsi chuckled annoyingly, “JL is doing great after defeating you in so many different ways. We are not that close but I feel that he still loves Naomi. What can he do? You forcibly stole the one he treasures” he answered.
Luke laughed in victory. “Naomi deserves someone who can help her in so many ways. Especially in the company they own. That ‘someone’ is no other than me. I am Lukas Leith Valmoria - Fuerte. I am the only heir of Borderless’ Media who can pull up New Empire International’s future” he said boastfully. Fonsi looked at him pathetically, “Someday, your name will be placed on trash. Know who your opponent is, Mr. Lukas Leith Fuerte. Maybe in the future, you will again be annoyed if someone bosses you around and defeats you with no efforts” he replied and went back to where Lorenzia is.
Luke’s eyebrows raised. He thought about what the cryptic statement Fonsi just said. He chuckled with the thought of JL beating him in the future. “JL? As in the weak JL? Only dumb people can lose to him” he said and chuckled while playing the cigarette stick in his hand.