9 LOVE BITES

10:00 am. The same day

Click*Click*Click*Click.

Flashes of cameras directed toward a boy with a curly hair. He danced to a pop music as he gracefully
threw bottles in the air and catches them midway without lapses. He stunned the crowed as he creates
mixtures of liquor in front of the judges. The crowd was amazed not only with his looks but on his skillful
and perfect performance. His outgoing personality compliments his act very well.

Ziggy is good in bartending- that's an understatement. He is great at it! I'm here in the crowd taking
pictures of him. I looked at him and he winked at me. I smiled and give him thumbs up.

As soon as I was satisfied with the pictures I captured, I went to find coach. I realize after few minutes of
looking for him that he isn't here. Maybe he went to check on Huzey. He is in another building for the
sculpting contest. Since the boy's contests are scheduled on the same time, he checks on them
alternately.

"From what school is this one? He seems to be a professional and his pretty face is beyond words you
can describe!"

"Foolish! Can't you recognize him? He's the famous Ziggorio Montreal, the youngest of the Montreal
siblings."

" Are you saying that this one is from Rivendell Academy? He was the Montreal who was rumored to be
solving differential equations at the age of four, right? Well then, it's not a surprise that he got admitted
to Rivendell Academy!

"This competition is indeed full of famous personalities. I even heard Darryl Lagdameo is here and he
even ate in the university canteen on the first night of the competition."
" True. The news said that he even kissed his girlfriend in front of everyone"

" Girlfriend? You mean his childhood friend Miss Collet?

" No, it's another girl. News says that the girl is from a small school and that she is ill-mannered. Rumors
even revealed that the girl seduced the Mr Lagdameo in their quarters that night!"

"How dare that girl is! Social climber! Let's see how the Lagdameo elders deal with her. Also I shipped
Mr Lagdameo with Miss Collet. They are much better for each other!"

Heck! I intend to ignore their conversations yet I can't help getting mad. I raised my brows while
listening to them. Before my annoyance would explode I decided to go away. I'll just go to Huzey and
take his pictures this time. Listening to these kind of conversations is just ruining my mood.

I walked to the exit and headed out to Huzey's competition. I pass to a vast hallway covered by glass
windows. From there I could see myself. I wore a simple shirt and jeans, a camera is hanging on my
neck. Since the canteen incident, I did not wear my uniform anymore. I intentionally put on my glasses
and left out my contact lenses .I also avoided putting my hair on bun, which have always my hair style. I
just let my long hair hang around my shoulders. By changing my looks, hopefully no one will recognize
me as the girl that the beast kissed in the canteen. For the last couple of days, so far this idea has been
so effective.

I smiled to myself and continue walking till I reach Annex 2. This is the building where Huzey is
competing. I believe there are a lot of different competitions held in this building so I'm not surprised to
see a number of people at the entrance.

As I was about to enter the building I heard some commotion and a beautiful Mexican girl appeared
from the entrance. I know her. She was the girl from the canteen, the one that the beast likes. She
appears to be running away from something.

"Collet wait---!" My heart started beating rapidly when I heard his voice. It's the beast. He was chasing
her obviously!
She halted few meters in front of me. From here I saw tears falling from her eyes that she wiped out
immediately. As soon as she realized that he was chasing her, she turned back and run towards him. She
hugged him tightly and buried her face in his chest.

I frowned instantly and give them a murderous look. What are they doing?

Much to my dismay, I saw him hugging her back. His hazel eyes are full of complicated emotions I cannot
comprehend. My anger turned into something cold.

Dug.dug.dug.dug.

My heart beat faster the moment they hugged emotionally in front of me. This heartbeat is different
from its past beatings. This time, there's like little needles mercilessly pinching my heart. It ached so
much to the point that I'm losing all emotions and all the warmth in me is slowly vanishing away.

Together with the pain, I felt warm tears slowly creeping out of my eyes. Whatever is happening within
me, I don't really understand. I have never experience this for the last sixteen years of my life. Is this
what they call heartbreak?

The girl let go of his embrace and I wished fervently that everything will just stop right now! To my
frustration it didn't. The girl started caressing his face. A minute later, she cupped his face with her two
gentle hands and slowly pulled him to her. She was about to give him a kiss!

" I love you…" I heard her say those words without hesitation.

Their eyes are burning with desire. They were lost against each other's warmth they didn't even care
about the crowd of people eagerly waiting for the biggest kissing scene of their lives. Before their lips
touch each other I hurriedly walk -- passing through them.

I wanted to run but I don't want to attract their attention so I tried my best to act as normal. As if my
heart is not breaking into thousands of pieces!

I don't want to see that scene!

I don't want to see Darryl's first real kiss!

I don't want to witness how passionately they kiss.

I don't want to witness the happy ending of their love story!

My tears started falling. The feeling of pain is taking all over me and made me wish I was somewhere
else where I could cry freely. My knees are trembling that I can barely walk. I never thought even a
menial job can be this hard at this point. However, I tried my best to take every step away from the view
that broke my heart.

Good thing I didn't put my hair on bun today. I lowered my head and let my hair cover my face so people
won't see me crying. Somebody might ask me what's wrong with me and why am I crying. And to that
question, I don't have an answer. With all honestly, I don't really know from where this tears and pain
are coming from.

Isn't he just somebody I just met couple of days ago? Why would somebody so insignificant cause my
heart break down to pieces? It's like a massive tornado of cold emotions taking all my sanity away.

I heard people talking, their giggles and "ohhs" are a like a huge slap to my face. I think they are
overjoyed with the scenery they are watching. I guess this will be a huge topic in forum and chat rooms.
The debut of Collet and Darryl's romance! A better news than the one that happened in the canteen few
days ago. Sooner, everybody will forget about the girl with a strange uniform and will celebrate the best
couple – the beast and the girl she likes.

I used all my strength to drag myself away. Away from beautiful scenery that I can't dare to look at.
Today I learned heartbreak even before I learned how to love. What a fate!

Darry, why does my heart ache so much like this? With all the silly things we argued over, today I
acknowledge my defeat. Today, you won and left me nothing but the broken pieces of my heart. Happy
now?
" Hey… you…" I heard him call. His voice froze all the feelings that are gushing over me. It's like
everything is falling in slow motion now.

I snapped back from reality. Even how general the word "YOU" is, I know he is referring to me. I think
I'm the only one in this word he calls that way.

The couple is already few meters behind me when I heard his call. I didn't acknowledge his call, instead I
ran towards the entrance of the building. I'm afraid he might see my tears! He can't see my tears, he
can't see my like this!

I run as fast as I can but I was too late.

I felt his warm hands on my waist pulling me until my back landed on his chest. Did he just hug me from
behind? Even if I can't see the face of the person who hugged me, I know it's the beast. My body
reacted, giving me different familiar emotions I always feel whenever I am near him. It's definitely him!
But what is he doing?

He rested his face on one of my shoulders and whispered into my ears "You…... I'm sorry you have to see
that." He let go of a deep sigh and continued "I almost didn't recognize you".

His voice is like a powerful wind that pierced through the night skies. The warmth of his embrace is
easing all the pain that was slowly killing my heart earlier.

Dug.dug.dug.dug.dug.dug

" You look so beautiful today Xhemin Lae". That's the last word he said that made my heart skipped. My
heart is now messed up. It just died few minutes ago and now it's alive again!

He knows my name.
He knows my name.

HE KNOWS MY NAME!

I screamed in my thoughts over and over again. It was overwhelming! However, I started to feel
uncomfortable on what we are doing. Why does he do this in front of many people always? Though this
is the second time we did this in front of the crowd, this still makes me uneasy. This man is killing me
with romance! The crowd now began to whisper amongst one another under their breaths.

" Dee..!" I heard the girl calling him in anger. Dee?

I instinctively hold his hands that are embracing my waist to make sure he will not release me. I'm afraid
that he would let go the moment he realize her presence. Why is she still here by the way? I suddenly
forgot about her. She's ruining our wonderful moment!

The moment he felt my hands, he tightened his hug. I smiled knowing he doesn't want to let me go. I
made myself comfortable and felt his warm embrace. I am so greedy with the beast's embrace I don't
want to mind the other girl who's calling him.

" Dee!" That girl called again when she realized we are ignoring her. She's too noisy! Aisssssh!

I let go of his hands and turned to face him. I want to see the face that I missed these past few days. As
soon as I turned, I met his gorgeous hazel eyes. He gazed at my face before him and his eyes are filled
with gentleness and curiosity. A smile appeared in his handsome visage. I suddenly felt his hands on my
cheeks wiping my tears.

Heck! I forgot to wipe my tears! I blushed over the thought that he knew I cried over the sight of them
earlier. If he is going to ask me why I cried? I don't think I can answer. I still have my pride. I panicked
knowing he would surely ask me right at this moment. So I think of something to avoid him from
questioning me.

"Go to her. I have to go and see Huzey" I turned away and was planning to walk as fast as I can.
"Your Huzey again? Oh.. yeah how could I forget.." I heard him whisper before I moved away. Is he mad?
Why does he sound mad?

I started walking away but I felt uneasiness in my heart. It's like he's mad because he is jealous and I
can't stand it. I don't want him feeling jealous. I can't leave him that way!

My uneasiness wants me run back and to take all his jealousy away. I really can't stand this. I halted and
turned my back to look at him.

He was there standing on the same spot. As soon as I met his gaze he looked away. By that, I just
confirmed his jealousy. I walked back to him that surprised him but he didn't move.

I touch the hem of his polo and whispered in his ears. " I need to take pictures of him for my docu. Don't
think of anything else alright?"

" Alright." He responded in surprise.

From here I can see Collet watching with fury at the both of us. Her face is red in madness. Her gaze
amounts to a hell of fire, enough to burned us down to ashes.

"And by the way" I tightened my grip over his polo and intentionally choked him a little. "Don't make her
touch you that way again or I'll give you more love bites!" I threatened him.

I turned my back and walk away with smiles all over my face.

Then suddenly realization dawned on me. Heck! What are we both doing? Was it another act like the
one we made at the canteen? Questions started erupting in my head one by one.

I put my hands on my head helplessly. Sh*t! This encounter is giving me a headache!