Aki's POV
I met with Ardy because I needed to clarify something with her.
Tinnie is different from Ardy, though they sometimes resemble one another.
"So, why did you ask me to come here, Aki?" Ardy asked as she arrived.
"I can't do this anymore. Let's stop. I can't take it," I said, rubbing my temples.
"Is it because of that girl named Cristina?"
"Yes."
"Why?" I could tell Ardy was about to cry.
Ardy and I had been in a relationship for four years.
"She's different. She's got me intoxicated. Her eyes, her smile, her words—they're poisoning me. Every time I kiss her, it's like I'm inhaling something addictive."
"If letting you go will make you happy, then so be it. I'll still be here as your friend." She firm-embraced me.
Intoxicated. That's what's happening to me. Tinnie got me intoxicated.
Tinnie's POV
Apple and I paused in our tracks when we saw a line of men with bruises on their faces.
"Is it Outlaw Day today?" I asked Apple.
"What's going on? Why do they all have bruises? Sorry for them," Apple said.
Some had black eyes, others had split lips, and a few even had welts on their faces. One guy approached me.
"Cordova, I'm sorry that we all liked you. We promise not to make any moves to get close to you anymore. 'We're sorry,' he explained, and I smiled in response."
What's going on? I ignored it and kept walking with Apple.
"Tinnie, good thing I found you. Drin has a bruise on his face," Ken said, still catching his breath.
"What? What happened to Drin?" Apple asked.
"Aki's in a bad mood, so he beat up all the guys who liked you. Good thing I wasn't one of them," Ken explained, leaving me speechless. He grabbed my arm and Apple's and led us to their hangout spot.
I covered my mouth when I saw the bruised faces of Francel, Raphael, Drin, and Angelo.
"Why do you all have bruises?" I asked.
"Is it wrong to like my stepsister?" Drin muttered to himself.
"Is it my fault that I'm captivated by Tinnie's smile?" Francel and Raphael murmured.
"Oh, life. If she's yours, then she's yours," Angelo whispered before walking out.
"And Aki?" I asked again.
"On the rooftop," Ken answered.
"I'll go see him. Ken, Apple, please help clean up their bruises. Thanks." I ran to the rooftop.
Is he losing it? What if he's about to do something crazy?
"Aki!" I shouted when I reached the rooftop.
"Aki?" I saw him sitting down, his head bowed. I approached him with caution.
"Are you okay? Why did you punch your friend?" I bombarded him with questions.
"Bullshit."
"Huh?"
He wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Tinnie, you got me intoxicated. With every kiss and every hug, you make me even more intoxicated. I'll give everything to make you mine—your attention, everything. Your mind, body, heart, and soul—I want them all to be mine. I don't want any competition for you."
I sat down to level our gazes and stared at him.
"Intoxicated? No matter how hard I try, there's no escaping you." I smiled before pressing my lips to his.