A Paradise Lost

Bitter Lost

Rianna, a once sweet and romantic lady became bitter in love when her childhood best friend, Adrienne snatched her boyfriend away from her. It was the most common and the most unacceptable betrayal in the world. She knew that she was not the first and the last victim of love because of a friend’s betrayal.

Rianna and Adrienne were classmates ever since they were in Kindergarten. They laughed and cried together. They knew each other’s secrets. They fought so many childish battles but they still remained as friends. They both go to the same school from kindergarten to college. Their rivalry started on their first day in high school when the dashingly handsome Jake Donovan stepped inside their classroom. His flashing beautiful smile made every girls drool and every boys insecure.

Rianna and Adrienne confessed openly to each other that they both had a crush on Jake Donovan. They came up with an agreement that nothing and no one could severe their friendship, not even the man they both adored. They swore that they would never compete with each other and that only the best woman would win.

On the 2nd year of high school, Rianna was on cloud nine when Jake Donovan asked her to be his girl friend. Most of the girls were jealous most especially Adrienne but she didn’t show it. She pretended that she was happy for her best friend even though she was aching deep down inside.

Many jealous girls would gossip Rianna that the reason why Jake chose her among the beautiful girls in their campus because most Western white men were attracted with dark-skinned Asian women.

Rianna’s attractive despite of her chocolate complexion. She looked like a dark-skinned Asian Barbie doll. On the other hand, Adrienne was also beautiful. She had beautiful Chinese eyes and fair complexion. But Rianna’s beauty stood out among them. Jake Donovan noticed her when she won in a beauty contest during their intramurals. She was crowned as Ms. Intramurals during their 2nd year in high school.

Adrienne on the other hand, served as the third wheel between Rianna and Jake. She pretended to be happy for her best friend. Like most girls, she also wondered what Jake saw on Rianna. She had dark skin while she had fair complexion. Her Chinese eyes were more tantalizing compared to her dark round eyes. She just didn’t get it why the universe was in favor with her friend.

Rianna and Jake’s relationship lasted for 3 years. They thought that they will be together forever until he lost sight of her and laid his eyes on another woman. That other woman was no other than Adrienne.

Jake never noticed Adrienne’s beauty even though he always sees her in their class. His world revolved around Rianna, his first love. But every thing changed in a snap of a finger during the Chinatown Beauty Contest.

Jake’s brother James Donovan was a councilor in Cebu City. James Donovan was invited to be the judge in the Ms. Chinatown Beauty Contest. He told the beauty contest committee that he couldn’t attend as judge of the beauty contest because his wife was going to give birth. So, he sent his brother, Jake to take over as judge in the beauty contest.

Jake was captivated with Adrienne’s beauty. He wondered why he didn’t notice her beauty before. She outshone among all the Chinese beauties during the pageant. Majority of the judges chose her as the winner for Ms. Chinatown for her captivating beauty and witty answer. It was a night to remember for Adrienne.

Adrienne and Jake’s love story started the night when Jake handed her a bouquet of flowers and kissed her cheeks. Their eyes met. He took her number, and from that time on, they constantly communicated with each other. Their communication started from hi, hello, and how are you until their very first exchange of ‘I love you’s’. They were oblivious to the people around them. They didn’t care anymore as to how Rianna would feel if she would find out about their relationship. They wanted to enjoy the present.