Broken Strings

MELISSA QUIZON

"Hi." I put down the book I was reading and looked up at the owner of that voice. I was secretly shocked to see in front of me the man who caused the madness of women all over our campus. He sat in the vacant seat in front of me, then handed me a long-stemmed rose. "Uh, for you..."

The women at another table started whispering again. The air was filled with whispering noises.

"What does Wright see in that woman? I'm better than her."

"She charmed our Wright! That bitch!"

"Girl, you are disgusting. Your saliva is on my arms. Look!"

I took a deep breath. I had been receiving insults from those women for two weeks now. I was already getting used to it. I stood up and arranged my books. I also put my bag on my shoulder. "Uh, I can't accept that. I'm sorry."

I was about to leave when a warm hand grabbed my arm. The women at the other table sighed. The murmurs grew louder. I confronted him. He was still holding the rose and looking at me seriously. "Don't listen to what others are saying to you. Just believe me. I'm serious about you."

I stared at him. He was six feet tall and all muscles and had the most arresting face—thin lips, straight nose, chiseled jaw, hypnotizing eyes. Sometimes, I got caught staring into those eyes and forgot where I was. Wright was the sexiest man to have ever graced my eyes. I swallowed and averted my gaze before I melted into the intensity of his gaze.

"Why me?" I kept my voice from shaking.

"Why not you?"

What were his intentions? We had only met because of coffee. I had been passing by the shop, but a woman bumped into me. To my great annoyance, she then poured the hot coffee left in her cup on me. My skin had turned red.

Wright had gotten angry with the woman and dragged me to the clinic for treatment. He had also lent me the varsity jacket he was wearing.

Yes, Wright had been kind to me, but I hadn't liked the way he approached me every day after that. I thought that with every step I took, someone would kill me.

"I mean, there are a lot of beautiful women who like you. Why don't you just date them, so you won't have a hard time anymore?" It wasn't like I was counting, but he'd been courting me for two weeks. Others said that Wright was the only one who had ever courted me for so long.

"I'm surrounded by women who want me, but you're the only one I want." He touched my hair and pinned some loose strands behind my ear. When he smiled, my knees almost softened. "I love your simplicity, Melissa."

This wasn't good.

"Uh... th-thank you." I quickly took the rose in his hand to end our conversation. I adjusted my glasses. "I might be late for my class."

I walked over to the door. I breathed a sigh of relief when I got out and quickened my pace. My heart was still beating fast. Curse his silver tongue!

I stopped when Wright blocked my way. I walked backward. What else did he need?

"Why are you here?" I asked.

He scratched his neck like a shy teenager. "We have a gig later at Floderizo Bar. Can you come?"

Bar? Floderizo? That bar was known because that was where many well-known personalities went. The only ones who could get in there were members. Not just members—rich people.

"Uh, I don't want to. Sorry," I said quickly. Disappointment was reflected in his eyes. I averted my gaze. "And Grandma won't let me."

"I'll pick you up," he said, determined.

"You don't know my address," I said. I adjusted my glasses again and walked to his side.

I felt his warm hand on my arm again. I was starting to get pissed. "Tell me so I know."

"You're too persistent, Wright."

He stared at me. "Can you...Can you say that again?"

"What?" What did I say?

"My name."

"Uh..." What was the matter with that? That was his name, right? Jeez! "Wright."

"Music in my ears, babe." I stared as his eyes closed.

I swallowed. "Wright...P-please let go of my arm."

"Not until you give me your address." I couldn't do anything. I took a deep breath. I gave up. I said my full address. "I will pick you up at six o'clock."

Six? Wait! What would I say to Grandma?

"Huh? Wait—" I couldn't speak anymore because he already ran away from me. I even saw his hand raise as if he had won the lotto. I rubbed my forehead.

After my class at four o'clock, I went home immediately. I waved to Grandma when I saw her crocheting in her rocking chair. Grandma was still strong; I sometimes helped her sell vegetables in the market. I cooked Grandma dinner before I went into my room and got dressed.

I chose to wear a black skater skirt and a black sleeveless shirt. Because I was wearing all black, my white skin stuck out even more. I also combed my shoulder-length hair. It naturally curled up at the end. Wright might say I prepared for him, but I just didn't want to be out of place or embarrass him because I looked like a maid when he was with me. I went out of the room and walked up to Grandma, who was standing in front of my door.

Her eyes pierced through my whole being. Suddenly, her eyes twinkled, and a smile grew on her lips. "Sweetheart, where are you going, and why are you all dressed up?"

I was too embarrassed to smile. "I have...a friend who will pick me up."

She caressed my hair. Grandma rarely saw me with my hair down, so maybe she was excited to touch it. "Friend? Be careful, sweetheart."

"Yes, Grandma," I said. I no longer had a father and mother. They died in an accident, and Grandma was the only relative who took me in. I didn't know any of my other relatives besides her; she was Mama's mother. "Mom and Dad are always watching over me."

"My granddaughter is so beautiful. You got the beauty of your mother and the strong will of your father." Her hands covered my cheek, and then she lowered her head. She kissed me softly on the cheek.

Grandma and I looked at the door when there was a knock. I opened the door. Wright was wearing just a dark, collared shirt with sleeves folded up to the elbow, but his elegance was still visible. No matter what beautiful dress I put on, I would still look like a maid when I stood next to him.

"Good evening." His eyes dropped to the dress I was wearing. I bit my lower lip. "Beautiful."

"Is that your friend, Melissa?" Grandma adjusted her glasses. Her smile widened even more on her lips. She even laughed softly.

"Grandma, this is Wright. He is just a friend," I explained.

"You're so handsome, son."

"All right, Grandma. We're leaving. Don't forget to lock up," I ordered, then hurriedly pulled Wright along with me.

He opened the passenger's seat door of his car for me. Oh, so that was how he found our house. His car had GPS. I shouldn't underestimate someone like him.

I took a deep breath. He turned to me, still with a smile on his lips, and I looked straight at the side of the road. "Wright, after we finish, can you take me home as soon as possible? I still have a project to do."

His forehead wrinkled when he turned to me. "We haven't arrived yet, and already you want to go home. Don't you want to be with me? Don't you want me?"

"If I say, ‘No, I don't like you,’ would you stop?"

He no longer spoke and instead caressed his jaw. I just looked out of the car and didn't say a word. After half an hour, we arrived at Floderizo Bar. Wright helped me get out of the car.

Five bouncers were standing in front of the back door. I was still hesitant, so I stopped walking. Wright seemed to feel my hesitation. He touched my waist. I looked up at him.

"I'm here," he said softly. I nodded and walked with him. Those big guys let us in right away. The backstage was noisy and disastrous.

A woman interrupted us and wrapped her arm around Wright. "Long time no see, Wright."

She was tall with a shapely body. But I knew what a fake chest looked like, and hers was screaming fake. And I didn't know why I felt annoyed when it pressed against Wright's arm.

Wright just smiled at her and then removed his arm from the woman's hold. The woman was not amused at what Wright did. He pulled me back and continued walking. Many women greeted him, but he ignored all of them.

"Hey, Wright."

Who was she?

"You wanna get laid tonight? I'm free," the woman said seductively. He ignored her and pushed her away. I saw Wright's eyebrows meet.

He gripped both of the woman's arms tightly and pushed hard. She would have fallen if a man hadn't caught her. "I. Don't. Need. You. Bitch. Back off."

He took my hand. I saw his chest rise and fall because of the speed of his breathing. Oh my God, he was so pissed. Wright looked at me as I squeezed his hand. I bit my lower lip. He let out a deep breath and then squeezed my hand back. I smiled as he calmed down.

We went to the second floor. Wright pulled me into a room full of glass. When you looked at the floor, you could see the people dancing on the dance floor.

"We've been waiting for you for a while, Wright." Another woman approached us. I knew her. She was the vocalist of Wright's band, Raquel Aquino. Many men worshipped her. How could they not? She was so beautiful, and once she sang, you would be hypnotized by her angelic voice. She looked down at me. "Why did you bring her here?"

Wright's eyebrows met again. "What's wrong if I bring the person I'm dating, Racky?"

"Are you serious? I thought—"

"Shut up!" I winced when Wright shouted. This was the only time I had ever heard him shout like that.

"Easy, dude." I looked behind Raquel. It was also one of Wright's bandmates, Leon Salvador, Wright's most mysterious friend. He rarely smiled, and when he stared at you, it was as if you were very small to him. "You don't need to shout at her."

"Hey!" said another man. He went to Wright and put one arm on his shoulder. Only one person I know had that kind of red hair. It was Fier Joaquin. Who wouldn't know him, with his reputation as the hourly boyfriend? Different women were always with him. "You took Melissa with you. I'm Fier."

"Nice to meet you." I winced at the greeting.

He laughed and went in front of me. "Nice? Hey, sweetheart, I'm an asshole."

"Then let me rephrase my greeting. It's so nice to meet an asshole like you, Fier." The words just slipped off my tongue.

"I like you." After Fier said that, I quickly went behind Wright.

"She's not your toy, Fier," Wright said in a warning tone.

He smirked. "I know. She's yours."

"Fier, Wright, Racky. We're ready," Leon said authoritatively. The two men stopped giving each other the death glare.

Wright pulled me toward the glass. He pushed me to the place where I could see the stage.

"Watch me," he whispered from behind me. I sighed as he quickly kissed my cheek.

The band descended onto the stage. People shouted as they started playing. I watched how some people got lost in the music. I also saw some well-known personalities who almost lost their heads with all the headbanging. I couldn't help but be startled by the sound.

"Why is your grandmother the only one with you in your house?" Wright asked me once his band finished playing. We were already in the middle of the dance floor and slow dancing to the tune. It was not just pure rock that was played in bars. My hands were on his shoulders. His hands were wrapped around my waist.

"Because my parents are dead. They died when I was only seven years old."

"Oh... I'm sorry." He kissed my hair. "As for me, my parents are still alive, but I can't feel their presence."

"Business?"

"Yup."

I smiled. "You can't have it all. Something is always missing. No one has a perfect life."

"When you become mine, I'll be whole."

I raised an eyebrow at him. I was sure he wasn’t drunk yet. "How many girls have you caught using that sweet tongue of yours?"

"Damn. I've never sweet-talked any girl I've fucked. It was all just pure sex." I winced at what he said. The music was getting louder. "Wrong choice of words?"

I blushed. "I'm a virgin, but my mind is not that innocent, Wright. I'm aware of the male libido."

"But you're different, Melissa. Just give me a chance to prove it."

I just stared into his eyes. I felt his hands disappear from my waist and move to either side of my face.

"What will you do?"

He touched my glasses. "I'll just look at what you're hiding under these thick glasses."

"H-huh? No. I can't see without them."

"Just a moment." I closed my eyes when Wright took them off. Gradually, I stared at his face. Even though my vision was a bit blurry, I knew he was smiling. "You're hiding the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen."

"I-I can't see, Wright. Give them back to me." I tried to take the glasses, but he raised his hand.

"You don't need these. Just close your eyes and feel me."

I did what he ordered. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I felt something warm and soft touch my lips. Wright's eyes were closed. Because of the soft and addictive sweetness of his lips, my eyelids felt heavy and gradually closed again. Wright kissed me softly as if he were just helping me adjust to the sensation. He was making me feel. My thoughts were all tangled, and I no longer knew where we were.

I stared as he parted from me.

"So beautiful," he whispered. He pressed our foreheads together. "Did you feel it?"

I couldn't lie to myself anymore. "Y-yes..."

"Happy to hear it."

MELISSA QUIZON

"Babe, are you jealous again?" he said to me.

He sat on the table while I stood between his thighs. He hugged me from behind, and he squeezed his face between my shoulder and neck. In the back of my mind, I didn't want to respond to that question. Because—wasn't it obvious? Raquel had feelings for him. Was he naïve, or did he know but not mind?

I pinched his arm. "Why is she so close to you?"

I didn't bother to say her name because I knew that he had an idea of who I was talking about. Wright was the lead guitarist while Raquel was the band's vocalist. I couldn't stop them from seeing each other. Earlier, as they were practicing, I noticed she was looking at Wright like he was a delicious meal! And I was sick of the stares she was giving him! Damn, this was why I didn’t want to get involved with him. He was making me crazy.

"She's my bandmate. What do you want me to do?" He pulled me even closer to him. I looked up, and our eyes met. Three months into our relationship, and I was still mesmerized by his brown eyes.

"I don't want you to leave the band. I can't stop you from doing the things that make you happy, but…" My eyes narrowed. "Be aware. Do you think I don't notice that she likes you?"

"Judgmental Princess," he said, laughing and giving me a quick kiss on the side of my lip. "'Don't give some malicious meaning to our friendship.”

"And I'm still the one who’s malicious?" I pushed him away. I grabbed my bag that was on the seat and put it on my shoulder. "I'm going home."

I was about to leave when he pulled my arm. He was looking at me seriously. "Don't you trust me?"

"I do. The one I don’t trust is her. She is a flirt."

His eyes darkened when I said the last word. I know it was too harsh, but I couldn’t take back what I said. The key to a healthy relationship was communication.

"That 'flirt' is my friend, Melissa." I raised an eyebrow at him. He took a deep breath and combed his hair back with his hand. "You don't have to worry. I cannot reciprocate if she wants something from me. I'm just yours."

I smiled. Wright and I had only been together for three months. It took me two months to get used to his behavior and the behavior of the women around him. I couldn't blame them; a lot of them wanted Wright.

I thought he only wanted to play with my feelings. You know, make me fall in love, then drop me like a hot potato kind of thing. So I continued to reject him. But he kept on pestering me for a month, and his sweet side made my knees melt.

It was a crazy roller coaster of feelings. After a month of his pestering and courting, I became his girlfriend officially.

The faculty didn't use this room often, so it became our hideout. The reason why we were using hideouts was that we couldn't be alone! Anywhere we went, there would be girls clinging to him like I wasn’t there!

“Hey, I’m about to kiss you. What are you thinking?”

I blinked twice and raised my head. “H-huh?”

His face dropped to mine. I closed my eyes as our lips touched. The effect of his kiss on me still hadn't changed in these three months. It was as if I were still flying in the clouds, and my knees were softening. I hugged him and reciprocated his soft kiss. The arms around my waist tightened even more.

We stopped after a bit. We looked at the doorway and found Raquel leaning on the frame while her hands were crossed over her chest.

"Wright. Practice again," she said.

Wright nodded. "Yes. We'll be right there, Racky."

Raquel looked down at me. Her stare was heavy. Then, she looked back at Wright. She nodded as a response and left.

"What? Are you jealous again?" I sighed as his lips touched the tip of my ear. I bit my lower lip as his lips slowly dropped to my cheek. "Come on, let's go. Otherwise, I might forget we're in a public place."

When we entered the music room, Wright's bandmates turned to us: Fier, the drummer, Leon, the bass guitarist, and Raquel, the lovely vocalist. They were sitting on the sofa and holding canned drinks. Fier stood up and hugged me, and I just smiled at him while Leon stayed with Raquel. I heard Raquel click her tongue.

In seconds, Wright pulled my body away from Fier. He glared at him. “Don’t be too familiar with her.”

“Brother, you’re too possessive.” Fier jokingly tapped Wright’s shoulder. “Remember, we are your friends, not your enemies.”

"Fier, don't tease him too much, or he'll cry," Leon said coldly.

“Wright, you’ve changed.” Fier made a sad face, but it was fake. He stood in the corner, removed the flower from the vase, kneeled, and placed the flowers on the ground. “Here lies Wright’s playboy image. You will never be forgotten!”

“I’m not a playboy, for God’s sake! Fier, I will smash your head in that corner.”

“Here lies the face of the sexiest man alive.” I couldn’t help but laugh at Fier’s punchlines.

“Don’t laugh at his jokes! That is his way of making women go crazy for him!” Wright scolded me and tightened his embrace.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” I said, smiling. I tiptoed, and my lips touched his earlobes. “That made you jealous, huh? Now, you know how it feels.”

"Alright! Enough, mom and dad! We are not used to watching romantic scenes. We're minors," said Fier.

Wright looked at me and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. His comrades whistled. "Watch me."

I smiled at him. "As always."

I sat down as I watched the band put things in order. I turned to Raquel, who was looking sharply at me. I just made a face. When they finished arranging the equipment, they took their places one by one. Wright looked at me. My cheeks warmed as he winked at me before playing his guitar.

Raquel began to sing. If I didn’t know her, I would think she had a good attitude because of her angelic voice. It was very serene. She drew men in as they listened to her angelic voice. That was why Kiss n Tell fans weren't just women.

I felt the call of nature, so I entered the bathroom, which was also located inside the music room. By the time I exited the bathroom, the band was deciding on their next song. My eyes narrowed when I noticed Raquel talking to Wright. I approached him and held his arm. He kissed me on the forehead and turned back to Raquel. She was frowning.

The displeasure was noticeable in her round, expressive eyes.

"Ah. Go ahead, Wright. I'll wait for you, alright?"

"I'll think about it." Wright put his arm around me.

She nodded. “Okay.”

“Should we play some more?” Leon asked.

“I’m tired. I’m going home.” Raquel said as she walked towards her bag and put it on her shoulder.

When Raquel left the room, I turned to Wright. "What was she saying? 'I'll wait for you'? What was that for? I'll make her swallow my shoes!" I said, pissed.

Leon and Fier had also left the room. Now that we were alone, I would be honest with my feelings.

I sat down on the sofa and folded my arms over my chest. I didn't like Raquel. Ever since Wright had introduced me to her, I had hated her. Wright kneeled in front of me and rested between my thighs. He reached for my waist.

"Tsk! How many times should I say this? Don’t let the green-eyed monster get you, baby." He pinched my nose. "It's her brother's birthday tomorrow, and she invited the band."

"Oh. Are you going?"

"Yes." He smiled. I frowned. He didn’t consult me before accepting the invitation. "You're coming with me, babe."

"I wasn't invited. I have no place there. They’ll just outcast me."

"Alright. You don’t have to come. I'll drink all the liquor they have and get drunk." He laughed.

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Alright. Let's break up. Is that what you want?"

It was not that I forbade him to drink with his friends. But Wright was different when he got drunk. He lost his mind. He was a huge monster. I didn't know what he looked like when he was under liquor's magic, but that was the first thing we argued about. Fortunately, we had fixed it.

He winced. "Hmm...On second thought, I'm not going anymore."

"Good. Now we're talking." I looked at my watch. "It's six o'clock. Let's go home."

I was about to get up when Wright pulled me to sit down again. "Wait."

"Hmm? Why?" I asked.

He grinned. His eyebrows also went up and down. My cheeks turned red, and I looked around. I knew that look; I knew what he wanted. "H-here?"

"Uh-huh." Wright squeezed my waist.

"M-maybe someone will see us. I don't want to."

"Come on, baby. It's just a kiss."

"A kiss?"

"French kiss." His grin widened.

My forehead furrowed. "What's that?"

I unconsciously bit my lower lip when his eyes looked at it like it was sweet candy. "Lips and tongue, babe."

I blushed. I didn't know that. "I-I don't know how."

"I'll teach you."

He covered my mouth with his. He held me close against him. Oh, God. It was mouthwateringly good! I gasped when his tongue darted out to lick my bottom lip. His fingers threaded themselves further into my hair while his thumb traced slow circles on the sensitive skin at the back of my neck.

He lifted me onto his lap, arranging me so I was straddling him. My dress hitched up around my legs. He deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue in between my lips. He sought out my tongue and swirled over it. The taste of him assaulted my senses and made my knees wobble.

This was a French kiss!? Shit, was I doing it right?! Hot! I sighed as his hand dropped to my chest. "W-Wright..not t-there.."

"Hmm...Sorry," he said and continued kissing me. My eyes rolled as his lips pressed against mine once more. The hand on my chest dropped to my waist.

I was still a virgin. I was not ready to give my virginity to Wright yet. We were only three months into our relationship. I wanted to take it slow and savor the moments we spend with each other.

We were both catching our breath afterward.

"Awesome! Are you sure you haven't done that before?" Wright said.

I raised an eyebrow at him. "You're my first boyfriend. What do you expect?"

"Makes sense." He laughed a little and kissed the palm of my hand. "I’ll take you home. Thank you for the treat, by the way."

"You are crazy."

We got up and adjusted our clothes. We went to the parking lot where his car was and quietly drove towards my house.

When we reached the gate, we saw Grandma sitting in front of my house, sewing. We got her attention, and I kissed her forehead.

Her eyes narrowed, but it didn’t look like she was scolding us. "You're here again, handsome. Are you courting my granddaughter?"

Wright looked at me. I shook my head in response, and he sighed.

"I'm serious about her, Granny," Wright said gently.

"Hmm. I can see that." She stood up. "Let's go inside. It’s chilly in here. You can eat here, handsome."

"Okay, Granny. I missed your cooking!" Wright said, holding my granny’s arms to support her weak knees.

I prepared the food. Sometimes, I was embarrassed to let Wright into our house because it seemed to be the size of a bathroom in his condo. Grandma and I were the only ones living here. I was an orphan, and I only got a scholarship to study at the prestigious university Wright and I attended.

"Young man, you look familiar. Have I seen you before?" Grandma said while eating.

Wright laughed as I rubbed my forehead. "Well, I'm Wright. Melissa’s boy—"

“Ah, yes! You’re my granddaughter’s suitor. I’m too forgetful this past few days.” Granny laughed.

After dinner, Wright said goodbye to Granny. It was late, and he had to go home. The condo he lived in was a bit far from here.

"Good night, babe," he said, kissing me on the forehead.

"Take care?"

"Always."

After that, he got into the car and started it. I waited for his car to disappear before I entered my house again.