Love Game With The Rebel Billionaire

TODAY, I woke up with a light heart. I can't explain the joy I feel while looking out the window of my room. The sun looked unusually shiny and felt warm as its rays touched my skin. The breeze was also delightful. It wasn't that cold, but it was enough to relieve the heat I felt.

It feels like this day will be a good one, or maybe I'm finally seeing the good in everything because I'm in a good mood today?

I just smiled before folding my bed and leaving the room. Fortunately, I'm scheduled for a 10 a. m. seminar that I'll be supervising today, so I didn't need to wake up early to get ready. It was only six o'clock in the morning, and I had a great sleep, indeed.

"Good morning," I cheerfully greeted my mom, who was in the kitchen, before kissing her on the cheek. "You're up early."

"I have work, dear. Your Aunt Loren needed a babysitter, so I took the job." She smiled at me before continuing with her cooking.

It was just dried fish, but whenever I'm with my mom, even in this state of life, I still feel so lucky because I have another reason to live.

One day, I'll be able to give my mom everything she wants. I'll make her stop working and just travel with me wherever we want without worrying about how we'll pay for it.

The side of my lips rose because of that thought. It makes me calm somehow despite how messed up the world is.

"Take a break sometimes," I reminded her while preparing the plates and glasses we'd use. "You don't need to work so hard anymore. I can take a full-time job. I'm almost in my fourth year. My subjects will also be reduced."

"I want you to just focus on your studies." She came over and sat in front of me, bringing a plate with four pieces of dried fish. "Don't worry about me. I can handle this. I'll do everything for you."

That's the purest thing I ever heard from her.

This is truly my mom's nature. Kind, caring, and nurturing. Even to undeserving people like my dad, she still shows love.

Honestly, I'm glad my dad hasn't come home for weeks. I'd rather he doesn't come home than have him here, where I'd have to hold back my anger. If he's not here, at least I wouldn't have to restrain myself from punching him. Maybe that's the reason he couldn't love me. It's because I'm not his real daughter. No wonder I don't feel any blood connection to him.

Or is it because love isn't based on blood, but on the kindness in someone's heart?

"Are you okay? You've been staring off into space," my mom asked while waving both hands in front of me.

"Oh, yes." I immediately shook my head and started eating with her.

We talked about everything superficial. It was about our life, my future plans if I graduate on time, or how annoyed my mom is with some of the people she works for because they don't treat her well.

We talked as if there had never been any arguments between us. The day was just too perfect that if I realized I was only dreaming, I'd wish I wouldn't wake up.

"WHERE were you yesterday?" Evangeline asked me with a frown while typing something on her phone.

Even though she didn't look at me when I entered the student council room, she immediately knew it was me. It's as if she's already memorized the sound of my footsteps or my scent.

Is this cousin's love?

I shook my head at that thought. I almost laughed, but fortunately, I bit my lower lip.

But the worst thing was... Evangeline was already staring at me, raising a brow. She seemed to be in a bad mood even though it was still early.

"What the hell was funny?" she asked in annoyance as she gracefully walked in front of me. "Did you know I almost got dizzy trying to find you? I even had to take over the duties you were supposed to do!"

I didn't respond or say anything while she vented her frustrations.

It was the best thing to do when Evangeline's in a bad mood. Besides that, I was mesmerized to think that this bitch was my... cousin.

No matter how much I think about it, I can't believe I have a cousin like her.

"You're cute." I smiled when I said that to her, while she looked like she wanted to vomit when she heard it.

Evangeline was pretending to be bad and tough, just like Haze and Mason, but in reality, they weren't.

They were just a bunch of cowards trying to hide their real weakness by convincing themselves they're strong and can fight for themselves.

But being strong doesn't work that way. To be strong, you need to accept that you're weak.

"You don't know it, don't you?" I asked, referring to the fact that I already know we're cousins.

"Know what?" Evangeline asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Never mind. I just came here to report that I'll do my duties for the upcoming seminars today. I won't go MIA unless someone takes me in a black van," I told her.

I wasn't being sarcastic, anyway. What I said was true.

"Stop talking nonsense, Jade." But Evangeline was so angry about it. The way she said it was so forceful that one of my eyebrows raised.

However, I'm in a good mood today. No matter how bad her mood is, it won't surpass mine.

"It wasn't nonsense, Rose," I teased before walking out of the room.

"Ash is the only one who can call me that!" I heard her shout at me, but I just smirked, waved at her, and continued walking.

I'M SO TIRED.

I could barely feel my body anymore as I handed out evaluation forms to those who attended today's seminar.

What happened today felt like a cycle: helping the speaker set up the projector, quieting down participants who were either noisy or not paying attention, volunteering to ask questions to the speaker if no one from the audience wanted to, and cleaning up once the event was over.

"This is the last seminar, right?" I asked one of the female members as I picked up pieces of trash.

The students had already finished answering the evaluation forms and had all left. Even the speaker we hired for the event had gone after we handed them the certificate of appreciation.

"Isn't it obvious?" she answered snarkily before rolling her eyes at me. "Why did Ash even kiss you? You're not even pretty."

And your attitude is ugly.

I wanted to say that but chose to stay silent for my peace. They still hate me because of that video. At least no one was messing with me right now inside the classroom where the last seminar took place.

They wouldn't dare, knowing they'd get in trouble with Evangeline-not because she wanted to protect me, but because she didn't want any distractions while we were doing our duties.

I stepped into a small room inside the classroom to grab a broom and dustpan, but when I came out, I didn't expect what I saw.