Spade's POV
I stared down at the unconscious men sprawled in front of me, my bloodied fist still clenched tight. My entire body felt numb, but the pain in my chest remained sharp, lingering like a wound that refused to heal.
"Is this really all you've got, Spade?"
My head snapped in the direction of the voice. My jaw clenched at the sight of him.
"What the hell are you doing here?" I spat, my glare locking onto Louren.
"We need to talk."
"We have nothing to talk about. Not now, not ever."
"You will talk to me... if you want her back."
A surge of irritation shot through me. "Fvck! Just say what you need to say."
"I like her," he declared without hesitation, his tone firm.
My vision darkened as my rage exploded. My fist collided with his face before I even realized I had swung. "She's my girlfriend! Are you crazy?"
"Girlfriend?" Louren let out a humorless chuckle, wiping the blood from his lip. "How can you say that when you're the reason she's in pain?"
I clenched my jaw as my grip tightening on his collar. But his words hit something deep inside me, and I found myself unable to look him in the eye. "You didn't know anything."
"I'm leaving soon."
His words sent another wave of fury crashing through me. I slammed my fist into his face again.
"So? You're going to confess? Is that it?" I grabbed his collar again, yanking him closer.
"If you don't do something, it's not impossible," he said, meeting my glare without hesitation. "She's not as strong as you think, Spade."
"She's Xyrine. Of course, she is!"
"That's what you think," he scoffed, shaking his head. Then his expression turned serious, almost bitter. "Do you even know what she looked like when I found her in the maze that day?" He let out a sharp exhale, as if the memory itself pained him. "She was curled up, hugging her knees, trembling. Nothing like the fearless girl who beat you before"
My entire body stiffened.
"I got even more pissed at you when she finally looked up at me," he continued, voice tight with restrained anger. "Do you know why she did that? Just to stop herself from crying. You were right—she is brave. But you made her weak."
His words struck me harder than any punch ever could. I swallowed hard as my hands trembling.
"And do you know what she said?" He let out a dry laugh, one that held no amusement. "She couldn't let you go. She likes you that much. Even after everything, she still wanted to apologize." He shook his head in disbelief. "But after what she saw in the cafeteria... do you really think you still deserve that?"
My hands balled into fists, my knuckles turning white. With a guttural growl, I swung my fist at the wall beside me, over and over, each hit sending pain shooting through my arm. But it wasn't enough. It would never be enough.
"Fvck! Why the hell am I such an idiot?!" I roared, slamming my fist against the wall again.
"If you really want her back, then do what you know is right," Louren said, his voice calm but firm. "Because if you don't..." He held my gaze, unwavering. "I swear, you'll never get her back once I return."
"You can't," I growled. "Because I won't let that happen."
"Then don't just say it—prove it." With that, he turned to leave.
Before he could take a step, I grabbed his shoulder. My grip was firm but no longer hostile. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to meet his gaze.
"I owe you one," I muttered.
Louren smirked slightly. "You're better than this, Spade."
"Wow, what a bunch of drama kings," Ren's voice suddenly cut through the tension as he approached us.
"Exactly. Handsome guys like us shouldn't be fighting," Ten added, grinning. "We're an endangered species. It'd be a waste if we didn't get along."
For the first time in what felt like forever, I smiled. But there was still one thing left to do. One thing that mattered most.
I had to fix things with Xyrine.
Xyrine Jean's POV
"Xyrine, doesn't your breakup hurt?" Ella asked, resting her chin on her hand as she looked straight at me.
"Hurt?" Would I be lying if I said no?
"They say crying is the best way to ease the pain. So why aren't you crying?"
I met Ella's gaze. "Pain isn't always shown through tears."
"You know, cuz, if I were in your shoes and saw my ex kissing someone right in front of me—especially in front of a crowd—I would've totally lost it. I'd be freaking out, and honestly, I'd probably still be crying."
I forced out a laugh. If only you knew how much it hurts.
"Grrr! This is all that witch Althea's fault! She's a boyfriend-stealing snake! Ugh! I swear, I'd love to rip her hair out! And now, she must be on cloud nine since there's nothing left for her to steal—Spade is all hers... but," she paused, taking a deep breath before looking at me again. "Xyrine, aren't you mad at Spade?"
"Me? Not mad?" I scoffed. "If I told you I wanted to skin him alive and soak him in vinegar, would that answer your question?"
She let out a small laugh. "Okay, fair enough. But what if he asks for a second chance? I'm not siding with him, okay? But yesterday, when you broke up with him in the cafeteria, his face said it all—he looked crushed. Like he just couldn't accept it. And then there was that whole scene he caused... ugh! If you had seen how pissed he was... Even now, I still get chills remembering it," she said, shaking her head.
A second chance? He couldn't accept it?
I shut my eyes, recalling yesterday's events. He smirked at me before grabbing Althea and kissing her. Right in front of me.
My jaw clenched. "He's got some nerve asking for a second chance after that! He kissed another girl in front of me, and now he wants me to just forgive him? Does he want me to personally kick him to another planet?!" I snapped.
"Haha! Oh my god, you're so fired up, cuz!" She giggled, and that's when I realized—I was already on my feet, my fists balled at my sides. I quickly sat back down.
"But... what if he comes here and apologizes?"
"His apology can go straight to—"
"XYRINE JEAN GUEVARA! I'M SORRY!"
Ella and I both froze, exchanging wide-eyed stares as a voice boomed from outside.
"What the hell was that?" we asked in unison.
Ella rushed to the window and peeked outside. My heart pounded when her eyes suddenly widened, and she clapped a hand over her mouth.
"OMG, cuz! You won't believe this..." she whispered, still peering outside.
"Huh? Believe what?" I asked, my stomach starts twisting.
She turned to me, pointing frantically. "It's Spa—"
"XYRINE JEAN GUEVARA! PLEASE, LET'S TALK!"
Before I could even process whose voice was yelling, Ella was already shrieking. "Kyaaah! Cuz, waaah! Are we in a some kind of k-drama?!!" she squealed, practically bouncing.
"XYRINE JEAN, PLEASE! I'M BEGGING YOU! JUST TALK TO ME!"
"Eek! Cuz, stop me, or I swear I'll be the one to go out there!" she gushed, looking way too excited.
My heart was hammering in my chest, but I forced myself to stay calm. Taking a slow, deep breath, I spoke firmly.
"Nobody is going out. Yell out the window and tell him I'm not here."
Ella stopped squealing, staring at me. "Cuz?"
I shot her a sharp look, and she had no choice but to move toward the window. With clear hesitation, she called out, "Uh, Spade? She said... she's not here!"
"ELLA?!" I lunged toward her, ready to grab her hair, but she dodged at the last second. I was about to chase her when Spade shouted again.
"Xyrine Jean! I know you're in there! Please, let's talk!"
"Cuz, he's been yelling for a while now... Maybe you should—" Ella gave me puppy eyes.
"Let's just go to sleep. He'll get tired and leave." I flopped onto my bed and yanked the blanket over my head.
"Xyrine, okay, fine. You don't have to come down. I'll explain everything right here!" Spade shouted again.
I shot up so fast that Ella flinched. "Cuz, finally! That's what I've been say—"
"Excuse me, I'm just grabbing my headset." I picked up my headset, lay back down, and pulled the blanket over me again.
"What you saw... yes, it was real. I kissed Althea in front of you on purpose!"
This bastard! Does he even realize how loud he is? Does he think I'm the only one hearing this nonsense?
Music 80% High Volume
"But I only did it because I was hurt when I saw you hugging Louren in the maze!"
Oh, so he saw me hugging Louren? Psh. What an idiot. Does he even realize that Louren and I were talking about him? What now, Spade? Are you happy? Happy that I saw you kissing Althea? Happy that you got your so-called revenge? Happy that you finally managed to hurt me too?
"Xyrine, I'm sorry! I know I messed up. I just... I can't control my emotions when it comes to you!"
Music 100% Max Volume
"Xyrine, I can't lose you. Please, just talk to me."
"Argh! This damn headset! Everything's at full volume, and yet I can still hear that annoying buzzing!"
"Wahh, cuz! I know you're mad at him, but please, just talk to him already! He's been shouting nonstop, and to think he's on the second floor while calling out to you! Wahhh, Spade looks so pitiful, Xyrine!"
I remained unmoved, ignoring Ella's desperate pleas as she shook me repeatedly. Her frantic yanking only stopped when we both heard the sudden downpour outside.
"Wahhh! Xyrine Jean Guevara! It's raining! Go outside and talk to Spade, for heaven's sake!" Ella wailed, practically on the verge of tears.
"Let him be! He'll leave when he gets tired!" I stubbornly retorted.
"Argh! Why are you so stubborn?! Fine! You said it yourself!" Ella huffed, stomping toward the window. "Spade! Please, go home! It's raining so hard!" she shouted, her voice barely audible over the downpour.
"Xyrine Jean! I'm not leaving until you come out! Even if it's just for a second, please!" Spade's voice rang out through the rain, his words broken and muffled by the strong rain.
"Xyrineeee!" Ella called again, more desperately this time.
I finally stood up. Ella's face lit up with hope as if she had just witnessed a miracle.
"Finally, couz!" she whispered, relieved.
"Wait here," I instructed before heading downstairs. Without hesitation, I grabbed a small bucket and filled it to the brim with ice cubes from the fridge.
"Cuz, what are you—" Ella's eyes widened in horror as soon as she saw what I was carrying. "Wait, don't tell me..."
Sorry, but this isn't one of those cliché love stories where the guy stands in the rain, and the girl rushes out with an umbrella, crying as she forgives him. Tch. Hell no. NEVER.
"Ella, have you ever seen a guy do the ice bucket challenge in the middle of the rain?"
"Wait, don't tell me you're... you're actually going to—" She didn't get the chance to finish because I was already heading to the balcony.
The moment I stepped out, I spotted Spade standing there, drenched from head to toe. Tch. What is he doing? Filming a dramatic music video? He looks ridiculous.
His face brightened the second he saw me, an idiotic smile forming on his lips. Stupid.
Just as he was about to speak, I swiftly tipped the bucket forward, letting the ice-cold cubes rain down on him.
"There! Enjoy that? You've seen me, now GET LOST!" I yelled.
I was about to turn away when his shaky voice stopped me.
"W-wait, I... I just have one favor... can you grant me that?" he asked, his words trembling as much as his body.
Unbelievable. What does he mean by that? That he won't leave unless I listen? Is he serious? He's already shivering like crazy, and he still wants to act tough?
"What? Want another bucket of ice? If you don't leave, I swear I'll dump an entire barrel on you!" I threatened.
"I d-don't mind, j-just... please, grant me this one favor..." he pleaded, his teeth chattering.
He's insane. Completely insane. He can barely stand, yet he refuses to back down.
"JUST SPIT IT OUT AND GET LOST!" I snapped.
"C-can you... just stay w-where you are and h-hear me out for a m-minute? I know I may s-sound selfish, b-but... I'm begging you. Please grant me this wish."
I looked away when I saw how much he was struggling just to speak, his gaze still locked on me despite the relentless rain.
"Two minutes," I shouted down at him, and just like that, a faint smile formed on his lips.
"P-please, Xyrine, let's f-forget about the b-breakup. Let's... let's try again. I promise, this time, I'll do better," he pleaded, his voice raw with emotion.
"I won't make any excuses. I'll take all the blame. I'm coming to you clean... Please, I'm begging you... Give me another chance."
I took a deep breath before meeting his gaze. "I'm sorry, Spade, but..." My voice faltered, and I quickly looked away. "We are over. And it's final."
Without another word, I turned and walked back to my room.
"Xyrine! What is wrong with you?! Don't you feel even a little sorry for him?!" Ella burst out, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"When he kissed Althea in front of everyone—especially right in front of me—did he feel sorry?" I let out all of my pent-up emotions.
"I mean, I understand you, but you can talk it out properly, not like this. I'm sorry for saying this, cuz, but watching you act like this only makes me think you two really belong together. You're both too proud!" she snapped before storming out of my room.
I sighed and turned toward the window when I heard the gate creak open. Ella ran outside, desperately trying to shield Spade with an umbrella, but he stubbornly refused her help.
"X-Xyrine... I-I won't l-leave... n-not until y-you take me back..."
"Argh! Why is he so damn stubborn?! Does he really think I'll just give in out of pity? He can freeze out there for all I care! Yeah, literally!" I huffed, throwing myself onto my bed.
I squeezed my eyes shut, determined to block out his image, but his face kept flashing in my mind. I tried to sleep, but no matter how many times I drifted off, I kept waking up to the same thoughts of him.
Hours passed. I had lost count of how many times I dozed off and woke up, only to find myself still restless. Finally, I sat up.
He's definitely gone by now, right? No sane person would stand in the rain all day after getting drenched with ice water... right?
"Xyrine! Xyrine!"I nearly jumped when Ella suddenly barged into my room. "Xyrine! It's Spade—"
"W-what?" My eyes widened. "He's still there?!"
"Yes! Please, go out and talk to him! No matter what I do, he refuses to take the umbrella! Cuz, what if something happens to him?! Spade is the heir to the biggest conglomerate in the country! If anything happens to him, we'll be murderers!" she cried dramatically.
I took a deep breath. I was already on the verge of going outside, but something was still holding me back.
"Argh! You idiot, Spade! You're insane!" I muttered under my breath.
At last, I made up my mind to step outside. I grabbed a jacket, took an umbrella, and rushed out of the house.
"SPADE!" I yelled as soon as I saw him.
"I-I told you... I need Xyrine, not you," he muttered, his head lowered, his entire body trembling violently.
Idiot.
I stormed toward him and started hitting him with my umbrella.
"Ow! Ow! That hurts! Stop it! Ouch!"
"You idiot! Why are you still here? Didn't I tell you to leave? Why are you so damn stu—"
Before I could finish, my grip on the umbrella loosened as he suddenly pulled me into his arms.
"I-I'm sorry..." He hugged me even tighter. "I don't know how many times I need to say it, but I'll do anything for you to forgive me. Even if I have to stand here all night in the rain, I'll do it," he continued, his voice trembling as badly as his body.
His embrace was firm, his entire frame shivering, and I could feel every bit of it.
"I haven't forgiven you—"
"Hey! You two!"
We both turned to the voice. Our eyes widened as we saw a group of patrolling officers standing before us.
Wait... why are there officers here?
"Sir, those are the ones! Arrest them! They've been screaming nonstop like they're in some kind of soap opera!" an older woman complained, seething with irritation.
What the—?
I instantly shoved Spade away. "Us? Screaming? Maybe Spade was, but me? Excuse me?"
"You can explain yourselves at the precinct! Officers, arrest them!"
"Ha? Hey! We didn't—"
Before I could protest further, Spade grabbed my hand. "If we stay here arguing, we're definitely spending the night in a cell," he whispered.
"You're right. Fine, I'll handle the officers, you take care of the old lady," I said seriously.
But before I could move, he suddenly pinched my ear.
"Ow! What the hell?!" I snapped at him.
"T-that's not w-what I meant."
"Then what?"
Instead of answering, he tightened his grip on my hand. "Xyrine Jean Guevara." He looked at me with intense determination. "RUN!"
Before I could even process his words, we were already sprinting through the downpour, his hand gripping mine tightly as we dashed through the streets.
I stole a glance at him as we ran, his wet hair clinging to his face, his breath heavy, his determination unwavering. It was always like this with him— unpredictable, chaotic. Just moments ago, I was about to sleep, and now here I was, running in the rain with him.
After a while, we finally stopped, both of us gasping for breath. That was when I noticed he was still holding my hand— firmly, securely. I yanked it away.
"I'm going home!"
I turned to leave, but he immediately reached for my hand again, making me frown.
"What, you think just because we ran in the rain while holding hands, everything's okay now? You think this fixes everything? If you had just left earlier, we wouldn't have argued, we wouldn't have run like idiots, and we wouldn't have—"
Ba-thump.
I froze. Suddenly, our faces were mere inches apart.
"W-what are you doing?"
"Please... let's get back together. I'm going crazy."
"You think it's just you? You think it's that easy? You think I'm someone you can just—"
"Xyrine. Easy?" he murmured before leaning in until his forehead rested against mine.
"If you knew how much effort and sacrifice I've already made, and how much more I'm willing to make, you wouldn't say that about yourself. How can you call yourself easy when you're the hardest goal my heart longs to reach?" His cold fingers brushed against my cheek, making me shudder.
My lips trembled, my breath shaky. My chest felt so full, yet so fragile, as if my emotions were ready to spill over. My vision blurred as I fought to keep my voice steady.
"Then you should be standing by my side… not Althea."
The world seemed to stop. And then, his lips met mine.
My heart stopped for a second before it started racing again, erratic and deafening. His lips were soft but desperate, his touch gentle but firm.
It was our first kiss—my first kiss—and the feeling was utterly overwhelming. I felt like I was drowning in him, losing myself in a sensation so intoxicating, I knew I could get addicted, yet I couldn't bring myself to stop.
"I'm sorry. I've been such an idiot," he murmured between kisses. "From now on, I swear, I will do better."
"You should have to talk to me, so I can understand everything," I whispered against his lips, my voice trembling as tears fell from my eyes.
"I'm sorry... I was stupid... From now on, I promise, I will," he vowed, his breath mixing with mine, his lips returning to mine with even more fervor.
"You shouldn't have gone to her... you should have come to me," I confessed, my voice shaky but raw with emotion.
"I know... I'm sorry... From now on, I'll do things right," he promised again, cupping the back of my neck as he deepened the kiss, his hands trembling against my skin.
I was drowning in his touch, in the warmth of his lips, but I forced myself to break away just enough to whisper, "And more importantly... I should be the one you're kissing, not her."
His lips hesitated against mine for just a moment before he smiled— soft, almost broken.
"Baby, we're doing it now," he whispered with a breathy chuckle, his lips never leaving mine.
"You're still not forgiven, you devil."
"I know, I know. I like you. I love you. I'm going crazy," he murmured before capturing my lips once more.
The rain poured relentlessly, but somehow, my heart felt warm.
At some point, I lost track of time. The world around us disappeared, leaving just the sound of our ragged breaths, the pounding of my heart, and the rain.
Funny.
The rain was deafening, but why was my heartbeat the only thing I could hear?
I was mad at him, but...
Why are we kissing under the rain?