TANIA'S POV
I laughed as the gate parted open and I drove in, Roe and the rest were right behind me. We won against the boys!!
I parked my car and stepped out and surveyed our new home. Absolutely perfect!!
As soon as the girls stepped out of their cars, we laughed and high-fived each other celebrating our success. The guys laughed and surrendered in defeat, they helped take the luggages inside.
"Shall I?" Roe asked with a smile indicating to help take my stuff in.
"Yeah," I opened the car boot and he took two of my big boxes in, I took the last one and followed behind.
Let me get this straight, Roe is a good guy and we are just friends, I don't have any romantic feelings for him. Nah, I don't. The only one I think I may be able to date doesn't wanna swallow his pride and show up. His loss not mine. Who am I kidding, my loss too! I've been single since my last break up about six months ago and I'm not ready to go on that road again, except my Mr right shows up.
"Oh my God this is so beautiful," I said in admiration of the painting I saw of Lisa. The one Lia talked about.
"It sure is." Danielle said stepping closer. The guys already took our luggages upstairs to the various rooms.
Oops! We'll be sleeping in different rooms now... Well not bad, we're still in the same house.
"Hey Dan, can you please paint a photo of three of us?" Lia shouted to Dan who was just climbing down the stairs. He smiled and looked at Elle questioningly. She smiled and nodded the affirmative.
"I can do that." He said.
"Yessss!!" Lia and I shrieked.
"Hey girls I'm hungry, who wants to eat and party at the rooftop?" Kim Lisa shouted.
"We are in." We shouted.
"Everyone wants to eat, I'm very hungry today." Roe said as he sank on a couch. We laughed.
"LJ hunny bunny I need my ice cream now." Lia said sweetly, as she walked over to Jay and sat on his laps.
"Bunny?" Dan and Roe asked with wide eyes. Jay put on a pathetic expression, just as Kim and Lia smirked knowingly.
"Yeah sure." Lia said innocently. I chuckled
"Kim, I want ice cream too." I said looking at her.
"Me too." Elle and Dan said.
"Same here." The others said.
It seems like everyone wants ice cream today.
"Okay ice cream we'll have before we eat," Kim nodded smilingly. "Genny!" She shouted.
"Why do you love food so much Lisa?" Jay asked teasingly.
"Oppa!" Lisa whined with a pout just as Lia shoved a spoonful of ice cream into Jay's mouth, silencing him and everyone laughed. She grinned innocently and threw a wink at Kim who smiled back.
By the way, where did that ice cream come from?
"Thanks darling partner." She smirked.
"Anytime dearie." We all laughed again except of cause, stunned Jay he just licked his ice cream filled lips.
Seems like they get along very well, Kim and Lia that is. Anyway they both are mischievous and very funny.
"Genevieve!" Kim shouted again, this time louder.
LUCIA'S POV
"Dad please you have to do something about this. You should call Mr Roberts and complain to him about it, the whole school and beyond recognises her to be Dan's girlfriend and that ought to be me not her." I pleaded with Dad as he sat down nonchalantly on his office chair.
"Luciana it's your fault he didn't pick interest in you. Daniel doesn't love you and you know that, I doubt you even love him." He said as he flipped through a file on his desk.
"That's so harsh Dad. I really like Daniel, you should call Mr Roberts please."
"How many times do I have to tell you that Edward's away on a business trip, calling him might be distracting." He shouted.
"Might...you said." I said persuasively.
"Lucia leave my office, have you gone to the hospital today?" He said and I sighed.
"Dad why are..."
"Why am I doing this? You want to be with someone who will never love you? No! I won't allow that." He shouted interrupting me. "When my dear friend made that suggestion, I thought it was good thinking Daniel would like you gradually, but he didn't and time proved me wrong. Your character is what's chasing people away from you. Thinking about it, I haven't seen Penny for a while now, what did you do that pushed her away?" I looked down sadly. "I will personally call Edward and tell him we aren't interested anymore." He deadpanned to my deepest consternation.
"Dad!!" I shouted in shock. "Don't do that please." I begged.
"Well I'm doing it soon, you need to be with someone who will love you even with your bad character, but it seems there isn't any one like that yet." Tears ran down my cheeks at his words. Am I really that bad? I know Dan doesn't love me not even like, he made that clear to me right from the first day we met. I had continued thinking he would like me soon but it's obvious he'll never, maybe I should give up already?
"I won't sit back and do nothing while you ruin your life. Better go prepare and go to the hospital, this discussion is over." He said with a note of dismissal, turning back to the file.
"I heard Johnny is getting better already, why must I continue to go there?" I asked stubbornly.
"You heard. That's different from you seeing, did you forget I said you'll visit him as your punishment until he's eventually discharged from that hospital? You are questioning my decisions, should I do something about that career of yours?"
"No Dad. I'll go now please don't do anything to my career." I said immediately in remorse. My career is my passion, it's because of dad_well I like it a bit too, that I'm studying phytology.
"Good." He said dismissively. I turned and walked out sadly to my room.
Lucia give up already will you, this is the end of it all. Dad calling Mr Roberts is the end of it all. I can't even do anything, my career is on the line now.
It makes a lot of sense to blame it all on Danielle but I know she's clearly innocent on this matter. She said something about Dan and her connecting way back from childhood, seems like fate brought them together again.
What's that girl really? After all my hard work to bring her down academically, she always got a backup plan. I give up...
I pushed my room door open and stepped in, I should get ready and go visit Johnny Davis again.
Oh the terrible smell of drugs and hospitals here I come....
*
*
*
I sighed as I walked along the corridor, the guy should just get well already. This smell irritates me...
I didn't come see him the previous week because I was busy with my shoot. The upper week I was here, his leg was down already but I always met him asleep, maybe he's asleep today also.
I breathe in heavily, pushed the door inward and stepped in. On raising my gaze from the floor, my eyes widened and my jaw dropped. Sitting on the bed facing his mom was a handsome shirtless Johnny, his mom was applying balms to his already healing wounds. This guy was hot, his abs were perfect and his flexible muscles were killing. I gulped as my eyes trailed every bit of his well defined abs before slowly trailing upwards to his charming face. There wasn't a bandage at the side of his head anymore, I could barely see a scar. His golden hair although disheveled added more to his sexiness. This guy was super hot what's he doing in the meds department? He's supposed to be a super model. He was looking at his mom who was sitting beside him, they were yet to notice my presence. I just couldn't stop staring. In my mind, my hands were trailing around each bit of such swoon worthy masculine flesh.
Jeez!!! Lucia stop staring before you are caught... My subconscious chided.
I can't, I said within as I found myself biting my lower lip unconsciously...
Snap out of it girl...
Shush...
"Oh my dear, I see you are here already. You are welcome." Goodness gracious!! She caught me staring. What would she think of me now??
I immediately snapped out of it, just as Johnny turned his head to see me. On seeing his enchanting, dreamy eyes, my heart thumped incredulously against my chest. Not because I was scared but because I...I don't know? Look away I can't... It was like I was momentarily frozen to the spot.
"Uhm...I...uhm...good evening Ma'am. I didn't know... I'm sorry for barging in." I managed to say amidst my stuttering, my eyes were still fixed on the hottie before me.
He smiled at me, and his smile was so captivating. What? Why should he be smiling at me when he should be yelling on seeing me outrightly? Didn't he know I'm the reason why he's sitting down there?
"You can stop staring already and sit down." He said and my face went crimson. Dan is extremely gorgeous, hot and beautiful looking but this guy is enchanting, sexy and charming. His beautiful silver-gold coloured eyes were distracting and sending me to different beautiful planets and making me see stars.
"Ahem, I'll leave you two to talk. Johnny I think It's time I call that sister of yours." Mrs Davis cleared her throat and stood up as Johnny sighed, don't know why he did that though. Family issues I think...
Well, that was when I recovered a bit and dragged my weak legs to an empty seat beside him. I watched as she left before my eyes returned to Mr sexy. His face and body were a distraction, maybe it would have been better if I had met him asleep like previously.
"Mmm...uhm...can you please put on your shirt." I stuttered, keeping my eyes on his face, which was still distracting but it was manageable other than his bare chest.
"Oh," he smiled in understanding. "sorry." He said and picked up his hospital top nearby. I bit my lips nervously as he wore it.
Will he shout on me now? I should better start apologizing afresh, this time sincerely. Extremely...
"It's nice to finally see you Luciana." He said with a wince as he stretched his bandage leg slightly on the bed, pushing himself backward and leaning on some pillows to aid his back. His voice was the most beautiful okay -second most beautiful- male voice I've ever heard, Jay's was the first.
Madam, start apologizing now and stop thinking....
"Johnny I'm really sorry, I am sincerely sorry for doing this to you. I've..." I fiddled with my fingers nervously, "I've really hurt a lot of people, I've made a lot of people angry and bitter against me. But what I did to you is the worst of it all," he just stared at me. "My dad is disappointed and mad at me, my best friend broke up friendship with me. I really deserve to be punished, I deserve to be punished for all I've done. I'm just too self-centered that I didn't realize on time all the harm I've been doing to people, even the one I did of recent but above everything, I'm so sorry for doing this to you. I'll accept whatever punishment or insult you give to me without a single complaint because I deserve it all. I've been so inhuman and it's sickening more than the smell of this hospital." Johnny chuckled softly to my amazement and I smiled. I was startled when his short laughter suddenly turned to serious one.
What's going on? Is he making fun of me? Is this the point where I prepare my ears for harsh words?
"Hahaha, you've gotta be kidding me, hahahaha...oh my goodness! Is this some kinda joke?" I gulped and looked down Immediately. "I can't believe the Queen Lucia I've heard SO MUCH about is apologizing right now. It really worked, oh my! This is good news to my ears." He gushed smugly, his voice still laced with laughter.
Okay? What's he talking about?
I looked up at him with a flustered and a little bit scared expression.
"Johnny is everything okay? How are you feeling now?" I asked, ignoring the fact that he was laughing hysterically few seconds ago. He turned and looked at me.
"Feeling? How am I feeling you say?" He chuckled, "I'm feeling very euphoric, I'm feeling so thankful that all my hard work paid off and most of all, I feel on cloud nine right now with you and me sitting here and I looking at your beautiful face. Thanks for coming to check on me all the weeks I've been here."
What on earth is he saying?
"Johnny I said I'm sorry, you can yell at me, scream and call me names, throw me out of your sight, do whatever you want but please... please stop confusing me with your words." I said clasping my hands together for emphasis. He sighed.
"I understand I'm sorry, I..."
"Can you just stop saying you're sorry, you've done nothing wrong so stop apologizing. It's kinda making me feel weird." I yelled whispered, interrupting him. He just keeps apologizing for nothing, do I look like a saint to him??
"Alright, the fact is this; I'm very happy that I got to meet you in person. Relax, I'll tell you why," He said before I could interrupt him again. I leaned closer placing my elbows on my lap and cupping my cheeks. I need to hear every single detail, I have to know why he's being so nice to me...
"A year ago I was schooling at the famous University of Canada, one fateful day, I had gone out to eat at this popular restaurant in town. On my way back, I came upon this bulletin about you, your career and about the best youth actress award you received, I fell for you at first sight." My mouth dropped and my eyes widened. "I even carried out an immediate research on you that was when I discovered you were the daughter of my dad's friend and a student at the University he works. I immediately had dad worked out my transfer to this campus and it was easy. Afterall, California's my hometown before I got admission in Canada.
On reaching here, many tried to discourage me, I heard of how ruthless you were and about this crazy likeness you have for that Daniel guy. I knew that I'll be rejected if I tried talking to you, so I came up with this wonderful idea and like I expected, it worked. You are sober, calmer and no longer pompous at least a bit." He laughed as I just stared at him in shock.
This guy is crazy. I can't believe despite my terrible attitude someone out there was doing everything he could to get closer to me. I can't believe someone likes me even when I had so many flaws...
"Y...you...you, wh...what exactly did you do? Why?" I stuttered.
"I heard that you always pay back when you are offended, especially when you're seriously offended. I just watched you from a distance and thought of what to do. So that very day I happened to be at the music hall when those guys came in and performed with all the students cheering and all that. I saw you walk in with your friends which I wasn't expecting, but it seems like luck shone on me that day. When the guys were through with their performance, I wasn't expecting you and your friends to walk up that podium but like I said, luck shone on me and it was just a perfect opportunity. Why let it go? So I did what I had to do, I was sitting at the front so it was very easy to take close photos. I saw the face you made when the guys stood you and your friends so I quickly made a meme of it and many other students did same. Those probably angry at you." I had already covered my face in embarrassment. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you feel bad, I did all that to get your attention. And just like some friends said you would, you were so pissed off that you retaliated. Why did you think I held unto you the first day you walked in this hospital room? Because I'm in love with you, can you please give me a chance Luciana?" I removed my hands from my face as my emotions took hold of me. To say the least, I was shocked, perplexed, happy, and I don't know what... I can't believe this is happening.
"What if you had died you idiot? what if they'd beaten you to death? Because of some unbelievable love you risked your life to that extent? You did all that on purpose? Are you insane?!" I didn't know when tears ran down my cheeks. "You were going to put your entire family in panic because of some stupid heart feelings? You...yo.." my voice broke as I broke down and sobbed. How can this be? I felt him drew closer and clasp my hands in his.
"I didn't die did I? I'm very much alive and I'm thankful for that. Please stop crying okay." He caressed my hands gently.
"What if I hadn't come visit you? And all your efforts gone to waste? You would have been terribly shattered Johnny. Is everyone in your family this lenient?" I sniffed "Are your parents even aware that you sent yourself here on purpose?" I asked amidst my sobs. This is just, so much love....
"Maybe, I don't know about my sister." He said and I noticed a hint of sadness as he made that statement, but then It left as quickly as it came. "My parents aren't aware but my mom kind of had a hint that I like you. I knew you would come visit because I was the one that told my dad not to press charges and instead he should have your dad make you come here as punishment until I've recovered. I heard you dislike the smell of hospitals." He said that last sentence with a soft chuckle.
I wiped my eyes, and looked at him.
"You can't like or even love me Johnny, I'm too bad of a person for a good soul as you. I'm not saying this to make you feel bad, No! I'm saying this because of me, I've too many flaws and you are too good to have your reputation ruined because of me. I told you my best friend left me and look at you, on the hospital bed with all those needles and drugs, wounds and a broken leg. You shouldn't love me John I'm a very terrible person. A failure, please you have to let go. You deserve better, I don't want to hurt you, I don't need your reputation going down because of me. Don't you know? People would talk bad about you especially in the campus the moment you are seen with me. I don't think I deserve to be loved John, I've hurt a lot of people, including those I love. You don't need to be among the list again. I'm very sorry, for all I've done." I tried to remove my hands from his, but he held on tighter.
"I'm not complaining Lucia, I love you already and I won't infact I can't stop loving you. I don't know why though but I don't want to stop loving you and I'm sure you'll love me very soon. Stop seeing yourself as a bad person or a failure, you are not. All you need is to change positively and you'll see that you'll be loved and respected by all. You don't need to be ruthless before people would respect you, you just have to be kind-hearted and compassionate. Don't you wanna be that favorite actress and campus Queen every loves? not the one people are scared of?

Listen, when people become scared of you, they avoid you and gradually they begin to hate on you most times not because you've offended them but because of the bad reputation they've known you for. Lucia you need to learn to forgive, you also need to be gentle, you can be kind, generous and loving like the DSD girls. You just have to believe in yourself. Within you, did you like the fact that people avoid you? Your father's disappointment in you? The way the workers at your home tremble when you are near, the fact that your bestfriend left you, did you like this all a bit?" He said all this with so much concern and affection. I don't think I've been advised in such a loving manner before.
"No, I just thought I'd be respected, and famous when I'm ruthless. I don't like the fact that my dad's constantly disappointed in me, Penny leaving me, Daniel hating me and most of all I hate being scared of Diva." I admitted shamelessly, but I noticed his expression changed a bit when I mentioned Daniel.
"You don't love Daniel do you?" He asked calmly.
"I truly don't, I just used to crush on him when I was young so when his dad made an agreement with my dad that we'll get married, I was happy because I'll be with my crush and because I'll become much more famous, but Daniel clearly rejected me from the start. And now that he's with someone else, I know that we were never meant to be. But I just can't help feeling a bit jealous and that it should have been me. I told you already, I'm a very terrible person." I said with a sigh, Johnny heaved a sigh of relief.
"What's that you said about marriage again? You guys were betrothed?" He suddenly asked clearly worried.
"Well kind of, but Dan clearly doesn't wanna have anything to do with me. My dad also doesn't want me to be with someone who won't love me, so clearly it's not gonna work. Wait, why am I telling you all this?"
"Ah that's a relief," he smiled. "I'm happy you told me so don't worry about it." He said with a grin.
"It's late already I have to go home," I said looking out the window. The evening sky was becoming darker.
"Not yet ma'am, why are you scared of Diva Scott?" That question I hate so much, I never told my friends why. "She's a very nice person, so what's there to be scared of her? Ah, I heard you guys were sort of rivals and you hate her. Tell me the reason?" He asked again.
Oh shoot!
"It's nothing, forget I said that." I said with a fake smile.
"Well then, you won't be going home today until you tell me everything." He said stubbornly, tightening his grip on my hands.
"Ouch! That's painful." I whimpered.
"Tell me!" He said.
"Just release my hand silly, fine! I'll tell you." He released his grip but still held unto my hand. I sighed and bowed my head in shame for the story I'm about to tell to Mr charming before me.
"Nine years ago, I used to school at Lionel's High School in Los Angeles, same as the DSD girls but we were in different class but same grade. I was very mischievous even then and I derived pleasure with my ex-friend Elina in humiliating weak and timid kids....." I went on to tell him all about it, including the comment I made that got me into serious trouble with her, how she slapped me and warned me never to meddle in her affairs again. When I was done, Johnny was stunned. Who wouldn't be? Who would make such comment to a mourning kid?
"Did you still love me and want a chance with me? You can now see I'm beyond redemption, I've been hurting people since I was twelve dude. I couldn't even tell my friends this story when they asked me this same question. You see now why I'm scared of her and how our fate kept entwining us together. I doubt she'll ever forgive me, because I've still provoked her even of recent, I never for once apologized. And then boom she's having something that's supposed to be mine. I've decided to stop going after something that's not genuinely mine, I've given up on that. I just want to be alone now, I want to face my career and forget about it all but each time I look at her eyes, I remember that day. I know as you've heard this now, you can't possibly still want to be with me. Goodbye Johnny Davis. It was nice chatting with you." I tried to remove my hands again, I managed to slip one out but he was quick to grasp my other hand tightly.
What's wrong with him? Didn't he hear all I just said?
"Nice try Lucia, but I'm still not giving up on you. I told you already, you can be better than this all you need to do is believe in yourself, apologize to her and you'll feel better again. You aren't beyond redemption, you just ain't ready to surrender completely. But still, I'll be closeby waiting for you." He smiled and released my hand. I stood up quickly from the chair.
"Didn't you hear all I just said, yet you wanna still wait for me? Are you okay?" I shouted in shock. Just then a nurse walked in. "That's right, you need a dose of that." I said looking at her.
I picked up my purse bag and looked at him. Just doing that made my heart skipped beats. What's wrong with me? I turned around quickly towards the door.
"Hey Laurel, I'll see you in two days." I turned back in shock.
Only very few people know that name, my late mom gave me that name, it's only very few that know about it because it was in my birth certificate but as I grew up and returned from Los Angeles, many forgot about it and everyone calls me Luciana, even in my acting firm. I wasn't known by that name so how did he know?
"How did you know that name?" I asked him shakily.
"I did my research darling. Let's see each other again." He winked at me, my heart responded by beating very fast. I placed my hand on my chest and turned around quickly, I heard him chuckle. I opened the door and as I stepped out, he shouted after me.
"Don't forget all I told you okay? I love you." I slammed the door shut with wide eyes and crimson cheeks.
This isn't happening, I've gotta be dreaming. I told myself as I walked quickly down the corridor to the elevator...