QUEEN 
The next day I was doing pilates in my room when Ace called me. He told me that they won't be home today so I was left with the maids here. And since I don't have anything to do, I just watch movies. It was a fun way to pass time, watching horror. 
"Kyahhh!" 
"Fely, run!" 
"Oh, she got tripped." 
I was in the middle of the movie when Akie texted me. I open our chat box and read it. 
Akielius Lior✨️
Your boyfriend, run away from home 
I frowned at Akie's message, why would he do that? Or is she pranking me? 
Me
Huh?
What are you talking about? 
My phone buzzed almost immediately. 
Akielius Lior✨️
Her sister told me. They don't know where Vermont is, right now. Thought you’d know. 
Me
He didn’t tell me anything. 
Akielius Lior✨️
Tell him to go home now.
Let's meet later, I'll text you the dets. Bye! 
I sighed and went to our conversation and texted his number. 
Me
Ved, w"here are you? Akie texted me and told me that you left home. 
Vermont
So, you two are close now? 
Me
Don't change the subject. 
Vermont
I was about to go home.
So, are you already here in Ravendale? Today's saturday. 
Me
Nope. There is an emergency here.
You go home now, I'll just see you in monday. 
Vermont
Okay.
I miss you. 
Me
I miss you too. Text me once you already got home. 
Vermont
Yes, Miss Ma'am. 
After that conversation I had already lost interest in the movie and just went back to sleep. When I woke up it was already 7 in the evening. I checked my phone first and I receive no messages from Vermont. 
I didn't bother him and plan to just call him later. After that I went outside and I was surprised when I saw father in the hallway. 
"D-dad..." I greeted him, my voice shaky as I instinctively looked away. 
"Hey, it's good that you're already awake since I was about to call you." he said with a warm smile. I just nod at him. Still not looking into his eyes. "How are you?" He asked, his tone soft yet probing. And my eyes landed on the floor. 
"Me? Oh, I'm good." 
"What about your new university? Did you make new friends?" Hesitating, I finally looked up, and our eyes met. My heart skipped a beat at the sincerity in his gaze. 
"I-I. Ahm I like the new environment." I stammered. "Yeah. I also have meet good friends." 
"That's great." he said, his voice filled with encouragement. "Anyways care to join me for dinner?" 
"Dinner, okay." Dad gave me a sweet smile and motioned the way. 
"After you." I awkwardly smiled back at Dad and walked ahead, feeling his presence behind me. "So, did your brothers behave there? Did they take care of you?" he began as we made our way. 
"Yeah," I simply said, not wanting to elaborate. When we got into the dining room, the food was already serve. Dad gestured for me to sit, and I waited for him to take the first bite before I picked up my utensils. 
"Aren't you bored here?" He asked after he take a bite of his food. I shake my head and then picked up the knife and fork. 
"No, I am good here. I got to read books and watch movies since no one bothers me." He nodded thoughtfully, his eyes observing me closely. 
"Anyways, did you talk to the Fortichs?" He asked and I shake my head. 
"I got to talk to Devi only." I avoided his gaze again, feeling the familiar weight of guilt creeping in. I didn’t have the strength to face the Fortich family. Not yet. 
"I notice that you are not wearing your engagement ring." he said suddenly, his tone light but his words is striking within me. 
I froze and my insides are raging. 
"You always wear that right? You made it into a necklace." He said and pointed my bare neck. I gently touched it and I opened my mouth, but no words came. 
Huh? Since when? 
"I…" I opened my mouth to respond, but I stopped. Dad’s gaze softened. 
"I’m sorry if I brought it up. I was just curious. After all, you loved Adler so much. I know how much you treasured that engagement ring." 
"I hide it." I said quietly, forcing a weak smile. My voice wavered, but I tried to sound firm. "I think it was time for me to let him go." I said it without crying. But inside I'm trembling, my emotions are swirling like a storm. 
How? Since when did I stop wearing it? I can't remember. 
"That's good." Dad said with a gentle nod, clearly wanting to encourage me. 
Can I? Can I really let him go? 
"Is there already another person?" He asked and my thoughts stopped. 
Right. Vermont. 
"We-well, yeah." I stuttered, searching for the right words. "Though, I'm still on the process of knowing him." 
That is right, there is Vermont in my life now. The person that I am just using since I can't forget Adler. 
But why? Why did it feel like Adler had started to fade because Vermont was in my life now? 
As I sat there, a wave of confusion washed over me. My feelings were tangled, and my thoughts raced, yet I couldn’t sort through them. 
Dad smiled faintly, his eyes kind. 
"Take your time," he said. "You deserve to be happy again." Guilt creep inside me as Dad said that. 
I just nodded at him, but deep inside, I wasn’t sure if I even knew what happiness looked like anymore. I didn't even know if I deserve it because I am using someone. 
I spent my days thinking of my actions. My biggest red flag is I am using Vermont while I'm still thinking of Adler. He doesn’t know it and I'm still continuing this relationship with him. 
And I made up my mind that I would assess myself while I am with him and I'll see if I will continue this or not. 
I just realized that I don't want to hurt both of us. 
I notified Vermont that we are already back. He was excited to see and and offered to pick me up but I refuse since I'm with King and Ace now. 
Just like the old days we will went to our class and Ver and I will meet later. And I don't know why but there is something odd in Vermont. I can't tell what is it, but he look bothered. It was our vacant and we are taking a break from our books and was talking. I showed her the bracelet the Akie gave me. 
"It was pretty, she got a taste." He said and I chuckled. 
"Yeah, I always do wear this since she gave this to me." 
"So, you two are close now." 
"I think. We talk about random things, by the way he has a crush on Thunder, and we do shopping spree." 
"Wait, Akie has a crush on this famous singer?" 
"Yes! She had a huge crush on him, my bad scratch that. She's in love with him. Though I already warned her not to date him." I chuckled when I remember Akie's face. "She won’t stop talking about him even though she was ignored by him." 
"Want to bet?" 
"Hmm?" 
"She'll got to date him, but it'll only last for a month." 
"Bad!" I gently tap his hands but he just laughed. "You can't just take a vet on your friend like that. I bet they will be just flings. One week!" 
"What the." We both laughed in the end. "Akie's gonna kill me if she heard this." 
"Yeah, and I can already imagine her red face." I stopped laughing when I notice him staring at me. 
"I miss you, Queen." 
"I do miss you too." I cling unto his arm and he look around for a moment before planting a soft kiss on my lips. "Shit! What if someone saw us!" I playfully pinched him but he just laugh at me. 
"Don't worry, no one saw." 
"Tsk." I rolled my eyes at him and he kissed my cheeks this time. 
"Don't be mad at me, Queen." I just glare at him and he gently smile at me. "Let's eat dinner together in Wrigley's." 
"Okay." I smiled at him and I continue to talk about my week in Hartville. After class we stay in the library for one hour and go straight to Wrigley's where we usually eat. He told me that he will just order and when he get back to our table Vermont was already holding a cake. 
"Woah." I smiled and look at the cake in front of us. 
"Go on blow the candle." 
"You won't sing?" I asked and his eyes widened and I gave him a cute smile. "Please, sing me a song." 
"Okay." I clapped my hands and he take a deep breath. "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday Dear Queen, Happy birthday to you. I wish you all the best and the finer things in life come to you. Belated Happy birthday, Queen." I felt butterflies in my stomach as he sing that while he keep his eye contact on me. I gave him a wide smile, ignoring the butterflies I just felt. 
"Thank you." I closed my eyes and take a wish. 
"Yey!" He clapped his hands and I smiled. 
"Thank you, Ver." 
"No worries. Now let's eat!" He excitedly said and cut the cake. 
"I didn't expect this one." I said as we eat. 
"I was planning to celebrate it once you arrive." He said in a gentle voice. "It's kinda sad that we didn’t got to celebrate it on your birthday." 
"So, why did you leave home?" I asked and he shake his head. 
"Nothing, how's your birthday party?" He said not wanting to talk about it. I just let him and answered. 
"I enjoy the small party that my brothers made and this too, I love that you still surprise me. I didn’t like the party that my parents held in the company. It's boring and they all talk about is business, ugh my head hurts." 
"Glad you enjoy this even though it is simple, just cake and steak." He said and I chuckled. 
"Of course, this is the best, better than that boring party." I said and we both laughed and continue eating. We continue to talk about my week in Hartville and after that, he gave me a gift and it was the perfume I was always use. Miss Dior Rose N’roses. 
"O my gosh this is the perfume that I only use. Thank you!" I hugged him. 
"Thank goodness you like it." 
"Yes, of course. Thank you, thank you." I excitedly said and kissed his lips. He was surprised and so do I. We just laugh it off.
"I'm happy that I got to meet you, Queen." He said and I felt his lips on mine. I froze for a second before I kissed him back with the same hunger and intensity. "I love you..." he murmured between our kisses.
I...
"I love you too..." I said as I deepened our kiss.
—IAmRoseee