***The next Day

I woke up early even though I was able to sleep around 3 in the morning. I also got the chance to face timed Momsie and Popsie. I missed both of them so much. Even though we were able to see each other through social media, I am contented because I know they were fine and they're happy to see me.

I immediately did my morning routines and after that I went downstairs. I walked in the dining area to see Mr. Henry and Mrs. Sonia talking over a cup of coffee while sitting on the kitchen island

"Good morning, everyone!" I beamed at them. They smiled when they saw me.

"Good morning, Madam. I guess you woke up in the right side of bed, huh?" Mr. Henry said while sipping his cup of coffee.

I walked towards them and sat on the chair between them. Rose, one of our housemaids came in and put a plate of omelet and a fresh orange juice in front of me. I thanked her and started eating.

Mrs. Sonia left to fetch my comb and when she came back, she immediately comb my hair. This was my usual day at the mansion. Mrs. Sonia had told me that she's fund of combing my hair because she remembered her daughter - who had been working abroad as a lawyer - when she was my age.

I just smiled at her. I was busy eating my omelet when I heard the news on the flat screen television located on top of the wall across the dining table, facing me.

I smiled mentally when I read the headline of the news. 'Famous socialite Gwen Sandoval found dead.'

And I was surprised that instead of saying Gwen has been murdered, the reporter announced... "Famous socialite Gwen Sandoval died in a vehicular accident last night. Based on the Police Investigation, Miss Sandoval was drunk when she decided to drive her car after the famous soccer player Lincoln Eglesias, dropped her off on their house. She was driving when she had fallen asleep, causing her to not notice that she had been on the wrong side of the lane and didn't noticed the 10 wheeler truck fast approaching her car. Gwen was dead on the spot while the driver of the 10 wheeler truck was in full custody of the Philippine National Police. Gwen Sandoval was one of the Sandoval sisters and one of the three daughters of the well known business man Walter Sandoval and Steffani Ramos-Sandoval. This is Pamela Larson, reporting."

"Killed in a vehicular accident? What?!" I didn't know I had said that out loud but it's too late for me to take back those words.

"Do you know her, Madam?" asked Mr. Henry.

"Y-Yes, Mr. Henry. Gwen w-was my schoolmate." I answered him. I've lost my appetite all of a sudden so I drunk my juice and stood up.

"I should go Mr. Henry. I will be late on my first class. Goodbye, Mrs. Sonia." I waved at them goodbye.

I hurriedly walked out of the dining room to the front door. Rose was following behind me, carrying my bag and books.

When I got outside I saw our valet, Mr. Kurt opened the door of my car. I smiled at him as I quickly get in. I thanked both Rose and Mr. Kurt then drove off towards the gate of the mansion.

"Be careful, Madam. Call us if you have any problem," I had heard Mr. Henry yelled. I looked in the sideview mirror to see him standing by the doorway. I horned three times as I drove towards the direction of the campus.

I can't divert my attention to other things, instead my mind keeps on travelling back to what the reporter had said. Killed on a vehicular accident? Really? Wow! X was really something when it comes to faking his victims' death. I wonder how he made it happen.

But what if there's something the police may find and would point at me as the suspect? Did X successfully faked Gwen's death? or there were remnants of evidence that may point at me? My anxiousness began to take over that I hardly didn't saw an old woman crossing the streets.

I stepped on the brake of my car. The sudden stop sent my body slamming on the steering wheel, hitting my forehead on the process. I even forgot to wear my seat belt.

I massaged my forehead while getting out of the car.I immediately went in front of my car to check if I had hit the old woman. I saw her sitting up. I hurriedly went to her and assisted her.

"Are you hurt Madam? I'm sorry I didn't notice you crossing the street. I was in deep thought so I hardly noticed you. I am so sorry. Can you stand up? I'll take you to the hospital." I frantically said. I didn't know what to do. This was my first time in this kind of incident.

"I'm fine, Miss. I was just startled too so I lost my balance and fell down. No need to worry." the old woman kindly said and held my arm to stop me from panicking.

I blew a sigh of relief. I thought I will be imprisoned for reckless driving. I helped her walk across the streets.

"Are you sure you'll gonna be okay, Madam?" I said worriedly. I am still holding the old woman's arm while we sat in a bench.

"I'm pretty sure I'm okay, Miss. You can go. My son will pick me up any moment from now."

"Then I should wait for your son and apologize to him too. I don't want to turn my back on you." I said while shyly scratching her head.

The old woman laughed at me. "It's okay Miss. You can go. You didn't hurt me at all. And based on your uniform, you're only a student. You should go. It's already 7:30, you might be late."

By that, I looked at my watch. The old woman was right. I only have 30 minutes before my first class start. So I quickly stood up and bid my good bye at the old woman and apologized to her again before I hurriedly walk to where my car was parked.

I was getting out of my car after I parked it in the school's parking lot when the bell rang. I immediately ran towards the nursing building. While I was on the 2nd floor of our building I heard the gossips spreading around like a virus.

"Have you heard? Gwen's dead! She had a vehicular accident last night."

"Yeah, I heard the news on the television this morning. Poor girl!"

"But how can she drive around if she didn't even know how to drive her car? Have you forgotten that she had failed her driving lessons?"

"Yeah right! Maybe she was practicing? Haha. Serves her right."

"Yeah, she keeps on bragging how rich she was. She even had the guts to bully Venus. What a bitch! It serves her right."

"Oh! There's Venus. Hey Venus!" Someone called my name. I stopped from walking and started scanning the place, looking for the one who called my name. Suddenly, a girl popped out in front of me from out of nowhere. I stepped back, startled by her sudden appearance.

"Oh! Sorry to startle you but have you heard the news? Gwen's dead! Which means there will be no one to bully you ever again." Antoinette, one of my classmates told me.

'I know, I killed her.' She wanted to say but then she just smiled sadly at them. She's beginning to become a two-faced bitch. "I've heard from the news this morning. It was terrible. We didn't expect anything that might happen to her. Even though she maybe rude towards me sometimes, I know she's a good person." I said with fake sincerity.

"Awww... You're really an angel in disguise, are you? I wish everyone would be as kind and as humble as you." Annie said while clutching her chest dramatically.

"And down hearted, too. You know we can be friends also. We will make sure you will never be bullied again. In the absence of Joeana, we will be your best friends." Mylene said while running her fingers unto my hair gently.

I know they're just offering me friendship to be able to know my secrets and eventually stab me at the back. I know better so I just smiled at them and said, "Thank you for your offer but I think Joeana's enough for me. We can be friends also if you want but Joeana will remain my one and only best friend." I politely said to them and excused myself. I even caught Antoinette rolling her eyes heavenward.

I continue walking towards my class room. When I got there, there's still no sign of our professor so I quietly walked towards my seat. I opened my book to study in advance. I was so engrossed on what I am reading when all of a sudden my phone rings loudly in the table next to my book. I stood up, really surprised by the sudden ring of my phone.

"Sorry." I said, quiet shy because some of my classmates were looking at me, possibly wondering why I stood up all of a sudden. Some just shrugged their shoulders, some smiled while some didn't even care.

I looked at my phone that was still ringing. I picked it up to see an unregistered number calling me. The number was unfamiliar to me so I have no idea if who was calling me. I let it ring for I didn't know who was calling, eventually it stopped but a few seconds later it rang again. I irritatingly picked it up and slide my thumb on the left to answer it. Maybe it was an urgent call.

"Yes? Who's this?" I said emotionless.

"It's nice to hear your voice on the phone, babe. How are you?" came a familiar voice.

My heart started beating faster. The familiar warmth of his voice invade my whole being. I will not forget his voice, ever.

"X?"

"I'm glad you still remember me." he said huskily.

"What do you want?" I said as I put my arms on the table and leaned on it.

"I just want to hear your voice, that's all." he said. I can almost see his face grinning.

"Where did you get my number, by the way?" I asked curiously. I don't remember giving him my phone number.

"I have my ways, you know. I can easily get your number just as I can easily know about you in a single snap." he said, and I can imagine him grinning.

"Wow! Well, good for you." I lazily leaned my forehead on the table. I closed my eyes as I am starting to get bored of the conversation.

"Yes, good for me. I can do that without even shedding a sweat. Also, I can easily see you from where I am standing. You seemed sleepy. Didn't you sleep well last night?"

The drowsiness I was feeling instantly vanished when I heard what he said. I immediately sat straight. My eyes automatically roamed around the classroom. I didn't saw him inside saw I looked outside since I am sitting next to the window.

I caught a glimpse of a guy casually leaning on the wall of the engineering building, facing me. Since the engineering department stood next to the nursing department I can easily see engineering students walking by the corridor. I saw him staring at me, grinning wickedly. He's also wearing the engineering uniform.

My eyes widened. Is he studying here? We're schoolmates? But how could it be? I thought he's way older than I am.

"See you around, babe." he said. Then the line went off. Even though he ended the call I didn't let him get put of my sight. He winked at me and walked towards the stairs leading to the ground floor of the engineering building. I didn't waste time, I stood up and with a quick strides I went out of the room and headed towards the door unto the 1st floor.

When I got there I quickly scanned the place. I am looking for that man, that particular guy who called me awhile ago. That X who keeps on pestering my mind. Since it's past 8:00, the hallways are not crowded, giving me a clear view of the surroundings.

Fortunately, I saw his back walking towards the parking area of the university. I know it was him. My instinct tells me to follow him and so I did.

I walked faster, determined to reach him. I saw him looked back, he might've noticed that someone was following him. I immediately stopped walking when our eyes meet. From where I am standing, I can see the look of disapproval on his face. Maybe He didn't want me to follow him around. It was as if his eyes were the reason why I am rooted to the ground. I can't be able to move my legs to follow hin as i saw him walking away.

I inhaled sharply as I wasn't able to see him as he turned right in the corner. With a disappointed expression I turned my back and walked back to the nursing building.

********

On the following day, I was very aware that someone was always watching me. Always watching my every move. Not just that, I can feel that someone had been following me wherever I go.

That particular afternoon after my last class, I walked faster than the usual, towards the parking area. I could still feel that penetrating gaze. Geez! Doesn't he get tired on following me? When I reached my car, I quickly got in. I felt really nervous because I can still feel someone else's gaze on me. I hastily scanned my eyes outside the parking area. Some students were passing by while some were just hanging out of the benches. I am cold-sweating at the moment, so I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. When I think I am calm enough to drive I turned on the ignition and started driving home.

I was driving on the highway when suddenly I was startled by the sound of a police car. I felt even more nervous when I saw from my rearview mirror that a Police Car was behind me. My heart beats rapidly. I am sweating profusely as I looked at the rearview and sideview mirrors alternately. I can't concentrate on driving because my attention was at the police car tailing me.

Shit! Did they know already? Did X failed on faking Gwen's death? Did the police found something that point at me as the suspect. My heart was hammering inside my chest. My hands are trembling. My head was spinning with so many questions.

Suddenly, the Police Car increased its speed and eventually overtaken me. With my hands still shaking, I decided to pull over beneath the sidewalk. My palms were sweating. I can feel my insides trembling with nervousness. I closed my eyes as I tried to calm my senses. I thought I will go to prison. Damn! I am already paranoid.

"You have nothing to worry about, Venus. Nothing's gonna happen. X took care of it. Trust him, okay? Calm down." If someone would see me talking to myself, they would immediately think I am crazy. I took in a deep calming breath and rested my head on the headrest.

I can't believe I am actually experiencing this nerve-racking nervousness. Just because I killed someone, I am starting to get paranoid. Even though X told me he had already covered me up, I can't easily erase the doubts that keeps on popping up on my brain.

I know he's good at killing and hiding his identity, but I am a first timer. I can't easily erase the doubts and the possible scenarios popping out of my mind from out of nowhere. I sighed again and closed my eyes. I calmed my nerves and after I made sure that I regained my strength, I started the ignition again and drive myself home.

Dinner time came and I wasn't able to eat properly because of the things that kept on bugging me. So, I told Mr. Henry that I am not feeling well and that I needed to rest.

"Go on, Miss. I will just bring you a glass of milk." Mr. Henry said as he was helping me to get up.

"No need for you to do that, Mr. Henry. I'm fine. I just need to rest early. I will be fine tomorrow" I told him to keep him from worrying too much. He eventually nodded. I excused myself and headed upstairs.

When I reached my room, I locked the door and started to strip off my clothes as I walk towards the bathroom. Maybe a cold shower can ease my still raging nerves. I went to the bathroom naked and opened the shower. As I was beneath the shower I looked into my bath tub.

"Maybe a good 15 minutes soak on the bath tub can relax me." I said to myself. So, I quickly fill in the tub with luke warm water from the faucet and stepped in. I sighed as the ample heat of the water wrapped my body, slowly calming my tensed nerves. I closed my eyes.

I didn't know how long was I am soaking in the bathtub, I was drifting off to a slumber when I heard faint sounds coming from outside my bathroom door. I immediately opened my eyes and listened. I can hear faint footsteps outside. My heart started to beat wildly inside my chest. I carefully stepped out of the bathtub and put on my robe. I tiptoed towards the bathroom door and opened it slowly. I didn't see someone but my gaze diverted unto the open glass door that led to my terrace. I remembered that I always close it before I go to school every morning.

In the right corner of my eye, I saw a shadow on my terrace. I quickly took my .45 caliber gun on the drawer of my bedside table and pointed it at the direction of the terrace. I always have a gun with me. This Glock was given by my Popsie. He said I might need it for security purposes. He even made me attend shooting lessons for me to learn how to fire a gun. I was eager to learn everything there is to learn for in my Popsie's kind of work, he may have made some rivals. I can say that I am a crack shot when it comes to gun firing.

Aside from marksmanship, he also made me attend martial arts lessons. He said, I have to learn the basics of self defense for me to protect my self if I am on dangerous situations. Guess he's right.

I walked slowly towards the glassdoor that divided the terrace and my room. I slowly slide the glass door open. There, in front of me, stood a figure of a man. To my utter surprise, I shot him immediately. I hit him on his left arm. The sound of the gunshot echoed.

"What the f*ck?!" I heard him cussed as he was clutching his left arm. My forehead knotted as I heard that familiar voice.

When he stepped in my room and the light strucked him, I recognized the perpetrator. I quickly put my gun down and walked towards him.

"X! I'm so sorry. Holy heavens! Are you alright?" I asked him as I guided him towards the edge of my bed.

"You shot me yet you had the guts to ask me if I'm okay? Geez, woman! It f*cking hurts!" He keeps on cussing and cussing.

I raised my left eyebrow and with angst, "Well, at least I am not like you who would come into my house as if he's a thief. At least I am not some jerk who would followed someone wherever they would go." I told him as I crossed my arms on my chest. "And what the hell are you doing here?"

He sighed, still clutching his left arm. "Fine! I'm sorry, okay?! I was just checking if your okay. Now, get your first aid kit and treat this gunshot that you have made." He commanded like a king.

"Excuse you! How dare you tell me what to do on my own room? On my own house? Well, if you're not that stupid, you will not climb up here and spy on me. I was just defending myself from people like you!"

"And what exactly are people like me, huh?" He said that while clenching his teeth.

"People like you who would stalk on someone. Follow them wherever they go. People like that. And besides----" I was cut off by the sudden loud knocks on the door and frantic footsteps heading towards my door.

"Milady?! Are you okay? We heard a gunshot up here. Were you hurt? Milady, answer me! Open this door!" Mr. Henry came shouting while banging the door.

My eyes widened. Shit! I didn't think that they might hear the gunshot. I turned to face X and grabbed his uninjured arm and pulled him towards the bathroom.

"Stay here! I will treat you as soon as I finished talking to them. Don'tmake unnecessary noise." With that, I left him and closed the door. I put back the gun on my drawer and opened the door while drying my hair with a towel. I will just pretend I just got out of the shower. I opened the door. I was greeted by the worried faces of the house maids and Mr. Henry.

"What is it, Mr. Henry? What's the matter?" I asked him innocently.

"Are you okay? We heard a gunshot so we quickly checked if you're okay. Did someone break in?" He asked me as he scanned my room.

"Ohh! I didn't hear anything. I was at the bathroom. I just finished soaking in the bathtub. Well, I decided I should take a quick shower before I sleep. I didn't hear any noise, Mr. Henry." I explained calmly. I was just standing by the doorway, blocking the way. I've decided I will not let them in because there might be blood on the floor from the gunshot wound on X's left arm.

"Oh, is that so? Well, I guess nothing's wrong with you here so we should be going. I will ask the security to have a perimeter check to be sure." Mr. Henry said as he motioned the other house maids to go downstairs.

"Alright, Mr. Henry. I should get some rest." I even faked a yawn to make him know I was tired.

" Of course, Milady. Have a goodnight."

"You too, Mr. Henry." I said as I slowly closed the door and locked it. Once the door was locked, I walked towards the bathroom door and opened it. I saw X sitting on the toilet bowl, still holding his left arm. I noticed he was losing a huge amount of blood and his lips started to get pale.

I quickly walked to one of walked to the rights side of the bathroom and opened my medicine cabinet and took the first aid kit. I made him sit on the dry area of the bathroom floor. I put pressure on his gunshot wounds. "Hold this. Put pressure on it." I told him.

"F*UCK!" He yelled as I was getting the bullet out.

"Shut up!" I snapped at him as I was wrapping a bandage on his left arm. I continue to give him first aid. After that, I throw away all the bloody cottons on the trash bin. I put back my first aid kit on the medicine cabinet and I helped him stood up. He looks a little bit pale, maybe because of the blood he had loss. I made him lie down on my bed.

"I have some oversized clothes on my closet. Wait me here, I'll go get them." I said as I walked towards my walk in closet. I grabbed the clothes I thought would fit him and returned to him. "Here, go get change." I handed him the clothes.

"You're kidding right? How the hell will I change my own clothes with this bandage in my arm? It still hurts even though I am not moving it." He barked at me with sharp gaze.

"It's not my fault that you got shot." I rolled my eyes.

"Will you at least be kind to change my clothes?" He said with fake sincerity. I rolled my eyes again and walked towards him. I changed his clothes. I am keeping myself from looking at his hot bod. Damn! What I need are tons and tons of self control. I have my pride, you know! Accepting the fact that I am attracted to this... this... man was a punch to my ego.

"Done!" I said as I straightened up. I looked at him and saw him smirking. A playful glint can be shown on his eyes. I raised my eyebrows to him. "What?!" I snapped at him. He grinned even more.

"You know that I am attracted to you, right? So, you don't need to seduce me, 'coz girl I'm tempted." He said. I would really love to wipe that stupid grin off his face. It made my blood boil. And what did he say? Me? Seducing him? The hell!

And then it hit me. I looked down amd my eyes widened. "Pervert!" I yelled at him as I quickly turn around and walked towards my walk in closet. Because I am busy dressing him up I forgot that I am only wearing a silk robe. The ties of my robe loosened up, giving him clear view of my round breasts. My cheeks instantly hit up at the thought that he saw half of my body. No one ever saw what he saw. What a jerk!

I sighed as I leaned on the door of my walk in closet. "This is going to be a long night..."