Beautiful us

Aria’s POV

Today, I’m so happy.

Rafael and I were just best friends… but today, everything changed.

I was dancing in the rain, laughing like a little kid, not caring about anything—when suddenly, he confessed his feelings.

For a moment, I was completely shocked. I never imagined that he felt the same way I did…

And now—

Right now, we’re standing together in the rain, smiling, laughing… just enjoying this moment like it’s ours forever. 💫

The air was filled with laughter… with love… like the whole world had paused just for us.

“I love you, Rafael!” I screamed, my voice mixing with the sound of the rain.

“I love you too, Aria!” he shouted back.

We both burst into laughter, the kind that feels light and endless.

Then suddenly, he pulled me closer by my waist—his touch warm even in the cold rain—and kissed me.

For a second, I froze… and then I kissed him back.

It felt like everything I had ever felt for him was pouring into that one moment.

After a few minutes, we slowly pulled away, our foreheads almost touching.

“You’ll never leave me… right?” I whispered, my voice softer now.

Yes, Aria… even if death comes,” he said quietly.

I didn’t say anything after that. I just held onto him tighter.

Next Morning

I woke up to something unusual—

My dad… smiling at me.

“Good morning,” he said gently.

I smiled back, but something inside me felt off.

He acts kind sometimes… like a perfect father.

But when it comes to money—

He becomes someone else completely.

And that version of him…

is the one I’m afraid of.

I quietly ate my breakfast, pretending everything was normal…

Suddenly, my phone buzzed.

My heart skipped a beat as I checked it.

It was Rafael.

“I’m outside.”

Panic rushed through me. If Dad saw him… I don’t even want to imagine what would happen.

Quickly, I typed back,

“Park near the mini shop.”

I stood up, trying to act calm.

“Dad, I’m leaving,” I said.

He smiled at me like everything was perfect.

I forced a smile back.

I pretend to be happy around him… but only I know how toxic he really is.

Because of him… Mom is lying in a hospital bed, in a coma.

And he doesn’t even visit her. Not even once a year.

I walked quickly to the shop, my heart still racing.

And there he was—Rafael—waiting for me.

The moment I got into the car, I wrapped my arms around him tightly.

He kissed my forehead softly.

“Good morning, baby,” he said.

“Good morning,” I replied, my voice finally relaxing.

“Want to visit your mom?” he asked gently.

I looked at him, surprised.

“How do you know I missed her?”

He smiled slightly.

“I can read your face, baby.”

And just like that…

We drove to the hospital. 💔

I slowly walked into Mom’s room.

She was lying there… still, silent… just like always.

I held her hand gently.

“Mom… I know you can hear me,” I whispered. “And today… I’m not alone.”

I looked back at him.

“I came with Rafael… the boy I told you about. The one I love.”

Rafael stepped closer, his presence calm but strong.

“Hi, Auntie… I’m Rafael,” he said softly. “You might be worried if I’m good enough for her or not…”

He glanced at me for a second before continuing,

“But I promise you—I’ll love your daughter until my last breath… and even after that, I’ll protect her.”

For a moment, everything was quiet.

Then suddenly—

The monitor beside Mom beeped faster.

Her heartbeat… it was rising.

“Doctor!” I called out quickly.

The doctor rushed in, checking the machine.

“Oh my goodness… her heartbeat is increasing,” he said, surprised. “We were losing hope, but this… this means she’s fighting. She wants to live.”

Tears filled my eyes.

I smiled through them, holding Mom’s hand tighter before gently hugging her.

“See, Mom… you like him too,” I whispered softly.

At College

As soon as we entered the campus,

“Aria!”

My best friend came running toward us—Isla.

She suddenly stopped in front of us, eyes dropping to our hands.

“Umm… bestie? Holding hands like a couple?” she said with a smirk.

Before I could say anything, Rafael pulled me closer by my waist.

“Because we are a couple,” he said confidently, giving her a small wink.

Isla’s eyes widened.

“Wait—what?! You two are WHAT?”

I smiled, a little shy but happy.

“Yes… we just confessed to each other.” 💫

“Wowww… finally my manifestation worked!” Isla said excitedly.

I couldn’t help but laugh a little.

“But don’t tell anyone… you know how my dad is,” I said seriously.

“Yes, yes, I know,” she replied, rolling her eyes playfully.

With that, we headed to our classrooms.

As I entered, my eyes immediately caught someone I wished I didn’t have to see.

Damien Cross.

He leaned back in his chair and smirked at me like he always did, waving as if I belonged to him.

I ignored him completely and walked to my seat, focusing on class instead.

After Class

“Guys, go order food for me. I’ll be there,” I told them.

Rafael and Isla nodded and left.

The classroom became quiet.

I quickly finished my notes, packed my bag, and was about to leave

“Hey, princess.”

I froze.

Damien Cross.

I turned around slowly, already annoyed.

“What do you want?” I asked coldly.

He stepped closer.

“Don’t you understand? I love you, Aria,” he said, grabbing my hand.

My expression hardened instantly.

I pulled my hand away sharply.

“But I don’t feel the same. Didn’t you hear what I said before?”

Without waiting for his response, I walked past him and left the classroom.

You’ll regret this,” Damien said before I walked away.

His voice made my skin crawl… but I didn’t look back.

I went to the canteen where Isla and Rafael were already sitting. I quickly joined them, trying to act normal.

“So guys, why don’t you have a date? I know a beautiful place,” Isla said suddenly, smiling.

“Where?” I asked, curious.

“I have a resort,” she said proudly. “People used to come there—it was my dad’s gift to me, but I manage it and earn money from it too.”

“You’re such a business-minded person,” Rafael said, impressed.

“Yeah, make me your secretary in the future,” Isla joked.

“Yeah, yeah, obviously—but don’t rent my office for your personal business,” Rafael teased back.

We all laughed together.

After a while, I stood up.

“Guys, I’m going to the washroom.”

They nodded and I left.

After I finished and stepped out of the washroom,

Suddenly—someone grabbed my waist and pushed me gently against the corridor wall.

My breath caught.

It was Rafael.

"Rafael … someone will see,” I whispered nervously.

“No one will,” he said softly, leaning closer. “And I want something.”

“What?” I asked, my heart racing.

His eyes locked on mine.

“Kiss,” he said, pointing at his lips.

I hesitated for only a second… then slowly kissed him.

Damien’s POV

I stopped walking.

From the corner of the corridor… I saw them.

Aria.

And Rafael.

Kissing.

My jaw tightened. My hands curled into fists.

So it’s him…

I watched for a moment longer, my expression darkening—not with violence… but with something worse.

Possession.

She thinks she can just move on…

No.

If she can't be mine then she have to die