CHAPTER 16: HER FEELINGS

Darica could not sleep anymore and with her feelings sorted out, she felt clearer than she was before.

As someone who preferred to walk the walk and act as soon as she decided, she took her phone and unblocked Duke's number.

And as soon as she did that, several messages started pouring in.

Taking a peek at a few since she wanted to be bold for once and do something she had never done in the past year, she couldn't help but smile.

[DUKE: I know that it might look as if I just want to play with you, but babes always know that my feelings for you are real. I love you and will always do.]

[DUKE: I can't get through you. Babe, what is happening?]

[DUKE: Babe, did you block me? But I wasn't lying when I said that my parents wanted to meet you. They know about you. You are special to me and I will never hide you. I am not ashamed of you and never will.]

[DUKE: Babe, please. Can you unblock me?]

[DUKE: That's it. I will see you there. I am coming. Let's talk face to face.]

Reading all that, an unhindered smile appeared on her face and her whole being was breaking with happiness.

Every single time she received his texts, she would find it hard to enjoy them, for she was always feeling bad.

She was selfish in the past year. Although she repeatedly told the other that she wasn't interested, she kept on entertaining him and giving him hope.

And with each passing day of knowing that, the guiltier she became, but now all that guilt had melted away.

She was going to be happy. Even if it was going to be for a short moment, she was going to do her best.

She wasn't going to let that man and woman ruin her life. They were no longer in her life anymore and even if that woman were to show up one day, she would be stronger than she was back then.

She wasn't going to cower, hide, and let the strikes hit her. Although mentally she wasn't yet past that, she was going to fight these demons and set herself free from them.

And the first step in doing that was by letting herself be happy on a personal level.

And Duke made her happy, and she was going to pursue that happiness no matter what the outcome would be.

Seeing his clear intentions in the messages and the possibility that he might have already arrived; Darica was excited just thinking about it.

Without a delay, Darica dialed a familiar number she knew by heart and silently prayed that the other would answer.

A FEW HOURS LATER

DARWIN ISLAND

"Ahhh, this place looks so fine! I am no longer sleepy at all!" another young man exclaimed as he looked at the beautiful sand that was just near the sea that they had been in for the past two hours excluding the hours spent sleeping before the ship departed the port that morning.

"How can you admire that? Can't you see the beautiful sea behind you?" another retorted as he pointed at the blue sea behind them.

"Umphh, I can tell that you guys were busy sleeping instead of enjoying the scenery. How dare you sleep at times like these?"

"That can't be helped, you know."

"Stop attacking each other and let's move to the hotel. We still need to rest before looking around," another female yelled at the group.

Hearing that, everyone began to move as they excitedly made their way towards the hotel.

That was their first time being on the island, but with a guide guiding them, it was much easier.

Although everyone was tired, they couldn't help but take a look at everything that the guide showed them.

Taking two buses to go to the hotel, was faster, so they soon arrived at the hotel for the island wasn't that enormous. It was more of a town that could be properly toured within a few days.

Upon reaching the hotel, the group was separated into two, three, or four people, depending on the kind of rooms that they were assigned to.

With everyone going towards their rooms, Darica, Yuka, and Tristan also tagged along. Unlike the others who were sharing, the three of them had privileges that allowed them to have their own rooms.

"With how excited everyone is, this year's vacation is going to be lit!" Tristan smilingly said as he walked while pulling two suitcases with ease.

Darica who was only holding a satchel as her suitcase was with Tristan, smiled back and answered, "And the number is higher than last year too. So, it will be much better," very happy about how the vacation was going so far.

"Umm, then let's do an overseas trip next year. Since it will be our last, we should spend the school's money and make sure that they will never forget about us," Yuka mischievously said as she dragged her bags along.

Hearing that, the teacher who was walking in front couldn't help but twitch as she walked.

'Are they not seeing me? Have I become so invisible that they don't mind saying things like this in public?' she couldn't help but wonder without turning her head to check the three.

"That's a good idea. When we are done with this trip, start looking. We shouldn't miss this for the world!" Darica said with a smile.

Just thinking of the trip made her get so excited and scamming the administration had become her greatest joy every single day that she was at school.

And they seemed to be enjoying it as well. And since two could play the game, she wasn't the kind to get tired of playing until the opposition surrendered.

With everyone going to their rooms, Darica also reached her floor with Yuka, Tristan, the three student council members, and the four teachers who tagged along.

Darica waved farewell to them before unlocking the door and entering inside.

It was around eight in the morning, but they all needed to freshen up and meet for breakfast later, for they hadn't eaten anything hot for nearly a day.

And that needed to be rectified.

As soon as she closed the door, a smile suddenly hung up on her face as her phone rang with a familiar tone.

Taking it out of her pocket, she looked at the name on the screen despite knowing who it was and answered, her demeanor changing, "Umm, I have arrived. Where are you?"