Chapter 1

My love life so far only contains three things: reading romantic books, watching movies, or writing stories. Whenever I read the scene: “He pinned her against the wall and locked her between his arms”, I felt the butterflies in my stomach, and that would be enough to fill my romance fantasy. Moreover, I could say there’s really nothing special in my life besides being a good student.

“Ryan Mcguffin? You are a girl? Oh no, what to do? We put your name on the men’s lists by mistake.”

When I heard that report from the university that I am going to attend, I realized that my simple life, peaceful and quiet, will be in a stormy situation.

Several sighs slipped from my lips as I walked in the street and thought about this problem. Looking above, I saw the soft gray clouds which did not seem to move at all while they waited for the time, they would release the intense rain.

‘Even the weather is going along with my mood.’

“How will I tell this to my mom and dad?” I murmured, bowing my head to look for a rock, an empty bottle, or anything that I can kick with.

However, the road was swept clean, thanks to the street sweeper. Anyway, I just kicked my feet in the space between the air and continued my monologue.

“Mom and Dad will definitely freak out once they find out that I’ll be living with men under the same roof.”

After I was informed that my name was mistakenly placed on the men’s list, what came next was the news that I had to live with men in the same boarding house. Since then, I’ve been on a roller coaster for days.

‘Will it be okay or not?’ I always questioned myself.

Today, I am on my way to the workplace where I will bet my luck on getting accepted as part-timers. There are still some days left before my college life will start, therefore I thought that it would be good if I gained some pocket money.

Truthfully, our family is financially stable so I don’t have to work. Mom and Dad have businesses and I never experienced getting tight on budget. If I ever asked for an allowance, they would surely give me a lot.

‘And that’s the problem.’

Deep inside me, somehow, I feel guilty for always taking for granted the things which were given to me without much effort. And since I am entering the world of adulthood, I hope I can mature both mentally, emotionally, and FINANCIALLY.

My parents won’t give me work, that’s for sure. So with the help of my friend, I found some ways to apply for part-time jobs before school starts.

‘The second problem is I was so used to living like a princess.’

Another sigh escaped from my lips. Then, my pace halted as soon as I saw people swarming around there from a great distance.

“Maybe there’s a celebrity there,” I guessed. My curiosity hit its peak and thus I also approached the place.

“I am begging you, Sharmaine. Don’t be like this.”

“Kyle, what the hell are you doing? Let me go!”

The drama before my eyes was heavy, but this isn’t a film just like I thought. There are no cameras and directors around, that’s why.

‘So this is an emotional break up between couples.’

Since I rarely see a dramatic scene like this in real life, I stayed at my place and continued watching, while other people took videos from their phones. They will surely post this to F*cebook or Y*uTube.

‘This is the reason why many lives were ruined. Tsk tsk.’

As I clicked my tongue, I settled my eyes back on the couple at the center.

“This is so embarrassing,” the woman murmured, covering her face. “Stop this sh*t and stand up!” she told the man who was kneeling in front of her.

I tilted my head to see the face of the man. To my surprise, he has a visual that’s one of a kind!

‘Why is she breaking up with this handsome guy? What a waste!’

“I won’t stand up, not until you take back your decision,” the man said.

‘Even his voice is so sweet. I could feel my heart being sweetened with honey.’

“Please, Sharmaine, don’t leave me alone,” he begged.

This is the reason why I don't want to be in a relationship. You can only feel the butterflies in your stomach during the first phase of dating. But in the end, only heartbreaks and painful memories will be left. That’s the bitter reality far from the novels and fairytale stories.

‘Loving can hurt,’ a famous line from a song.

Indeed.

“You are annoying!” the woman shouted before she pushed the man’s hands away. Everyone gasped because after she pushed him, the back of her head accidentally slapped the guy’s face.

‘Omg!’

The girl turned pale as she looked at the spectators. She must be so embarrassed at her rude behavior, which does not seem so intentional.

Covering her face, she murmured, “Kyle. We’re done, okay? Don’t ever call me.”

She jolted away without looking back. Left in the scene, the heartbroken ex-boyfriend stayed kneeling on the ground while looking down.

The majority left the place but some continued taking videos of the man.

‘What are they waiting for? To see him cry so their footage will gain more viewers? People nowadays are so thick-hearted.’

Fortunately, the heavy rain poured down, smashing onto the heads of the crowd.

I quickly got my umbrella inside my bag and used this to protect myself from getting wet. People ran here and there, looking for places to take some shed.

I am not a person who loves to butt into other businesses. However, the reason why I could not move out from my position is that I pitied that guy who was still kneeling on the ground amidst the rain.

‘Should I give him my umbrella instead? My mom only got this for free. And I still have an extra umbrella in my bag. My destination isn’t far too.’

After contemplating for a short time, I walked towards the man with cold sweat. I thought he would not notice me but he instantly looked up as soon as I shared the umbrella with him.

Staring upon me, I saw and was mesmerized by his round eyes that maybe witnessed the depth of the Earth. His brows are not thick, not also thin but they are arched up.

It was too embarrassing for women like me to say this but his brows are far much prettier than mine. And his nose? It is so sharp that he can use it to cut an onion. He has heart-shaped lips with small moles at the left side of his upper lip. His skin is tanned, like gold. And even if he’s not standing, I could say that he has long legs. Oddly, he’s a stranger but I can sense that he is kind.

There are people like that, right? You don’t know them but they emit an aura that is as bright as angels.

I took a deep breath and snapped my senses.

‘Okay. So what will I say to this man who’s looking at me as if I’m a weird folk?’

If I am in a story, maybe I will say this: “Don’t worry. Soon, you will find the right person for you. Just think of this as a book, and you are just in the introduction of the story. Your chapter one.”

However, this is reality, not my fantasy.

“I am giving you a free umbrella,” I said instead. “Go and get this.” I put the umbrella in his hand and dashed away.

There are real actions and words that we cannot do or say in real life. Comfort words were invited to say at the right time, place, and person. And since I am completely a stranger to that man’s life, I don’t have the right to be like a fairy godmother who came at the time of distress.

Anyway, he will surely think that I am a weirdo because I gave him the umbrella out of nowhere. But nah, that wouldn’t be a problem.

‘We won’t see each other next time so there’s no need to feel shy.’

Or so I thought.

It was my mistake to conclude that we won’t see each other again.

‘I didn’t know that he would be one of the five guys whom I will live with under the same roof.’

Damn it.