CHAPTER 3

My mother decided to leave Claybourne and settle down in Clayland. I protested against it but my mother was so stubborn about her plan to relocate to the countryside. So, I had no choice. As soon as we reached Clayland, there was a huge change in my life. My mother always told me that it was a wise decision to relocate to the province, but I was not convinced at all. I grew up in the modern life of Claybourne City and it was difficult to adjust to the new life in Clayland. I was a city girl, and I loved the nightlife in the city. Honestly, I never expected that for three years, I would be able to survive in the countryside. After our business went bankrupt, we all moved to Clayland. Daddy was devastated, and so was my mom. Then, my older brother decided to try his luck outside the country. Since then, several things have changed in my life. I would admit that it was hard at the beginning, and it got harder as time passed by. A city girl like me use to spend the day in the mall in the morning and at the bar at night. I loved buying things and wasting money. I was born with a silver spoon, and I didn't know the other side of the world, or should I say I didn't care about it before. I never thought that we would reach a point of hardship. It was because of a major issue involving our family business, and then there was a scam that involved my family. I remember how deeply we sank because of it. My family was buried in debt and shame. We were forced to move here to Clayland. It was an unknown place for me. Clayland was boring with its rice and corn fields. There were noisy pastures with cows and animals, uneducated people, poverty, and simplicity-all things that I was not used to. I was so angry at the world to the point that I gave up on being happy. I was even labeled as the Grumpy Queen back then. And if there's a Queen, there should also be a King, that's when I remembered him. I could still remember him snorting, and I believed that he was the most standoffish and grumpy person I have ever met. Alice and I were hanging out at the back of the house. We could see the vast field in front of us. The sun was scorching, so despite the wind, the breeze on our skin was still hot. "Hey, you're lost in your thoughts again. What's up? Are you thinking about that man again?" Alice teased me in a mocking tone. "Who told you that?" I retorted grumpily but the truth was, I'm hurt. All of this was because of Logan. "Oh, come on! You're so bitter! Stop it, Krystal." She laughed, teasing me. "It's like we're not even friends if you won't tell me what's bothering you!" "You know what, I'll just leave if you won't stop teasing me, okay? Let me tell you, Alice, if we're not meant for each other, that's fine. We are not meant for each other. Life is not always full of sunshine," I told her. And here I am being hypocritical again. It's hard to accept, but I don't have a choice. I couldn't even tell Logan that I'd fallen for him. My feelings for Logan became so deep when I met him again in Clayland. It turned out that his family owned huge plantations in Clayland. "Hmpp, I hate him!" "If only his ex-girlfriend didn't come back here, then, you will have a chance with him. What do you think?" she asked. "I don't think so," I replied because the woman that Alice mentioned had everything against me. She was beautiful, smart, lovely, and kind. It would be hard to compete with someone better than me, and it's hard to fight against old flames. Because I've already packed my things and I'm leaving Clayland later with my brother, I thought of going on a solo trip. I left Alice for her to have her moment with my brother. I decided to go to my favorite place in Clayland. I loved taking a dip in the forbidden place here. The waterfall belongs to Logan's family. I took the bicycle that Logan gave me. It was a gift on my birthday. He also taught me how to ride a bike. All those good memories... I parked the bike and proceeded to my destination. I passed by the vast cornfield, rice fields, and some pastures. The wind was starting to feel warm too. I remembered how I didn't like this kind of life. But now? It's hard to leave, but I really have to. Or maybe it's not just because of this place, but because of the person I created lovely memories with him. It's so hard to let go. But I have to, or I'll realize that I've already risked every single emotion I have. After hiding my bike so it wouldn't get stolen, I walked toward the towering wall. There's a secret passage filled with grasses, and once I get through there, I'll see the dense forest. I have a trail to follow. After stepping on dried leaves, I could hear the sound of water falling from the towering falls. I remembered that it was where I first met him again after the one-night stand where he had no recollections. I remembered how we fought like it was raining cats and dogs. I was so annoyed with him back then. For all his good looks, he was equally grumpy. In short, he was a jerk! Who would've thought that I would fall in love with him despite how annoyed we were with each other? I never imagined falling in love with the man who always gave me a headache. He's a douche, he could be so mean, and so annoying! But I really fell in love with him. Sadly, I have no place in his heart. Gosh! I'm not used to this! I never thought I would become this pathetic! "Krystal! What are you doing here?" I was startled when I heard his voice, then I wiped my face before I looked up to him. "Why don't you tell me why you're here, Logan?" I asked grumpily. For one whole week, I endured not seeing him because I wanted to forget about him but then my efforts were all wasted! I glared at Logan for sneaking into the waterfall. Oh wait, I was the one who sneaked into their property. When I glanced at him again, he cackled. "Well, obviously, this is one of my properties. I basically own that fall," he declared arrogantly. I decided to stop swimming and took my things. I couldn't spend another minute with him, or my heart would melt instantly. Anyway, why did he come to the falls? Where's Rhaena? Did they get tired of each other's faces already? Ever since Rhaena returned to Clayland, they were always together! I clenched my fist and took a deep breath. I'm so jealous that I'm being irrational in my thoughts and actions again. "Wait? Why are you leaving this early?" he tried to stop me. "And why are you so grumpy?" When I looked into his face again, I was reminded of how passionate he was that night. I would say that he was the most handsome man I have ever known in my entire life...well of course, after my brother. Okay, I need to stop praising him in my mind! I should not forget that the jerk ignored me for a damn whole week! I shrugged before considering the appropriate words to say to him. "You don't have to go back home yet. Please go on swimming," he told me. "I want to but it's embarrassing to stay here when I don't own that fall. And if you're annoyed, it's not my problem anymore," I snapped at him. Then, I was about to walk away when Logan grabbed my arms and pulled me back into the water. "Gotcha!" he grinned. "What's wrong with you, Logan?! Don't you have anything better to do?" I asked, obviously annoyed with what he did. Logan, you're so immature. I thought I was the childish one between us," I said my complaints but then he just looked at me with a smile; the smile that I fell in love with...over and over again. It hurts to think that he would never be mine. He never failed to give me a roller coaster ride of emotions. Sometimes I'm happy on top, but then he'll suddenly bring me down to the lowest point. "I've missed you, Krystal. Where have you been these past few weeks?" he asked in an emotional tone. Of course, I didn't know if those words were true or just an illusion. An illusion that what I felt for him, he felt the same for me. "Because I felt like you didn't need me anymore," I admitted. I wanted to say that to him... but I didn't want to ruin this moment between us. I tried to divert the topic to something else. Like the old times, we spent the day swimming, eating wild fruits, and having small chit-chat. I will not forget this moment that happened in my life. "Let's come back here tomorrow, I have something to tell you," he said, and then I immediately expected he would tell me how much he loved me. I couldn't respond immediately. At the moment, I couldn't tell him that I would leave Clayland anytime soon; that he was the reason why I had to go to another place in order to heal the wounds he caused me. So, I just nodded, even though it was just a fake reassurance. Even though I know it's too late. So I hugged him tightly. I didn't ask him to take me home. "Until our paths cross again, Logan Lopez," I told him before I walked away.