Love after Death (S1) [Completed]

Chapter 6: More Than a Drive Home

SEVEN YEARS AGO

"Wow, Monique! Did you watch that new drama series about reincarnation?" her best friend, Selena, asked excitedly. Monique simply shook her head.

"If you had seen it, I'm sure you'd have cried a bucket of tears," Selena continued, pouting as if she had personally filled that bucket herself. "The lead woman was so pitiful; she died of a brain tumor. When it happened, I couldn't even eat... I just cried all night," she added, covering her mouth but still speaking loudly. Monique couldn't help but laugh.

"Well, if you're wondering why I watched it, I was just curious if that stuff is real. Hah! If it is, I want it to happen to me so I can be with the person I marry forever," Selena said, taking a deep breath before continuing. "The Resurrection of the beautiful Selena... the one and only queen of all queens in the world," she added, stroking her own cheek until a classmate tapped her from behind.

"You're so noisy, Selena! No one wants to marry you. You're pretty, but there's nothing inside that brain of yours. So assuming!" the classmate teased. Selena just rolled her eyes, while Monique laughed along.

"You guys are a mess! Can't you see the real queen working?" Monique pointed to their teacher, who was busy with a projector and laptop-they called her "queen" because of the sheer volume of activities she assigned.

"So, how are you feeling? You've been fainting a lot lately... Have you seen a doctor?" Selena whispered, not wanting to disturb the class. Monique, who had been smiling, turned back to her notebook as she answered.

"I feel okay now... Maybe it's just the changing weather," she paused, glancing out the window. "If I wasn't okay, I wouldn't be here in class, Selena," she pouted and returned to her writing.

"But yesterday... do you know I felt a strange chill? It felt like someone hugged me. Then, suddenly, I felt so weak," she added. Selena stared at her, waiting for more.

"Are you going to say anything else? Your story is giving me the creeps!" Monique laughed softly. "Am I scaring you?" she teased.

Selena nodded and rolled her eyes.

A brief silence fell between them, and Monique thought the conversation was over, but Selena tapped her arm again.

"By the way! When you were in the clinic, Liam stopped by! Oh my gosh, he is seriously so handsome..." Selena gushed. She looked Monique straight in the eye. "Tell me the truth! Are you and Liam together yet?" Monique just shrugged to dodge the question.

"So, not yet? What are you waiting for, Monique! You should be the one to make the first move," Selena suggested, making Monique laugh again.

"I don't do that. Studies are my priority right now. I told you that before, didn't I?" Monique replied, focusing on her notes. "Besides, if Liam likes me, he should be the one to confess. There have been so many chances for us to be together, Selena," she added. Her best friend knew Monique had lived in Liam's house for eleven years. Selena looked at her curiously.

"Well, if he asks you to be his girlfriend, would you say yes?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Monique answered with a smile.

Selena turned red and squealed internally at the response.

"Look at you! You're getting mushy too! My vibes are rubbing off on you!" Selena joked.

It was true; every time Monique saw Liam at home, her heart would race as if it were about to jump out of her chest. She felt incredibly lucky to have found him-someone who ensured she was never hurt by anyone. She was deeply grateful for the happiness Liam and his family had given her. The only thing she could give in return was her love and care.

A few hours later, it was nearly 4:00 PM, and the teacher dismissed them. Selena left early, while Monique walked through the hallway toward the campus exit. Suddenly, Liam blocked her path. This wasn't new, yet her heart still skipped a beat.

Whenever she was startled, her chest felt tight, but when it was Liam standing before her, the rapid pulse felt "clean" and uncontrollable.

Monique smiled as Liam reached out his hand, and she took it. Her heart raced every time they walked hand-in-hand.

"How was your day? Did you eat enough lunch?" Liam asked while driving. He glanced at Monique, who didn't respond; he simply smiled when he saw she had fallen fast asleep. He pulled the car over to the side of the road and watched her.

"Why do I go crazy every time I see you, huh? Did you put a spell on me, Monique?" he laughed to himself. He adjusted his seat and gripped the steering wheel while staring at the road.

"Why did we stop, Liam?" Monique asked, having just woken up.

"Oh, nothing! I just needed to buy something, so I parked for a bit," Liam said, but the joy in his eyes was impossible to hide.

"You look happy, huh?" Monique asked, laughing but slightly confused. She felt a bit nervous about what he might say next.

"Is it a crime to smile?" Liam answered playfully, looking directly into her eyes and trying to suppress his grin.

Monique just smiled and shook her head like a child, which only made Liam's heart beat faster.

"Ugh!" Liam sighed and started the car again. "Mom cooked your favorite adobo," he added, keeping his eyes on the road.

"Thank you," Monique said sincerely.

"For what?" Liam asked grumpily, though he was clearly curious. Monique was used to his "moody" tone, so it didn't bother her.

"For protecting me, for picking me up and dropping me off at school," Monique said, looking at Liam before turning to the window. "I guess I'll miss you when you get a girlfriend, Liam," she added, pretending to laugh, though her chest suddenly felt tight.

Deep down, her heart whispered that perhaps Liam didn't feel the same way.

"I don't think you will," Liam said suddenly. Monique turned to see his serious face as he drove. He brought the car to a full stop, turned toward her, and looked her straight in the eye. "Because you're the one I want to be my girlfriend, Monique..." he said directly, without a hint of hesitation.

To be Continued...