"Maganda ka......" he breathily said, his eyes filled with admiration as he gaze at me. I smiled at him; tears are still flowing on my eyes. The pain just won't stop. "How could you say that while I am all sweaty and haggard!" I pouted trying to divert the excruciating pain. He barks the most engrossing laugh that I've ever heard in my entire existence. He kissed my knuckles tenderly and put them on his cheeks. He may be the wildest playboy in Nueva Sierra, but Salvo possesses this genuine charm that no one can resist. Even I, his own best friend who used to be disgusted with his ways in girls admits that his Godly features is surely gift to women but also capable to wreck many hearts as it is. "Be patient a little longer, she will be here any hour from now." He sweetly exclaimed then climbed up to bed and sat behind me. He guided my back to lay on his chest. He really knows how to calm me down. "Mabigat ako, Salvo!" "Magdiet ka kasi." he laughed but I knew deep inside him, he's very worried. Who would know him better than me? ------------ Louisianna Arguello is the only daughter of one of the most influential spanish decent family of Nueva Sierra. Growing-up, she has always been the subject of bullying because she's fat and a product of infidelity. She never met her true mother and was raised by her father and stepmother. She grew up feeling that void inside of her, something that cannot be filled easily. Then she met this liberated son of the Lieutenant General of Philippine Army. His lifestyle is far from the province's conservatism. He's got a reputation and Louisianna didn't like it. But eventually, they became bestfriends until one night changes their life forever. Nagbunga ang gabing iyon at nalaman ng kanilang pamilya. They were forced in a sanctified marriage to prevent unwanted gossips from the people of Nueva Sierra. Their union turned out well until Sianna suddenly disappeared after she gave birth and found gone for good a week later.

"Matapang ka..." he caressed my back softly. "Alam kong kayang-kaya mo ang sarili mo kahit wala ako." Gusto kong matawa sa sinabi niya dahil sa aming dalawa, siya ang lampa. Ngunit imbes na matawa ay mas lumakas ang iyak ko sa kaniyang sinabi. It's not true. I'm not brave, it is just a facade for survival. "Babalik ka naman diba?" I asked desperately. Tumango ito. "Oo, at sa pagbalik ko, ibibili kita ng madaming dress at make-up." He teased. Sinimangutan ko siya. "Sasabihin mo talaga 'yan habang nakasuot ako ng basketball uniform ngayon?" Garalgal pa ang aking boses. He laughed loudly, inayos niya ang nahulog niyang salamin na mas malaki pa ata sa mukha niya. Ang angas ng tingin niya sa sarili pero napaka payatot naman, pandak din. Mas malaki pa ako sakanya ng ilang pulgada. Saglit niya akong pinakatitigan. Lumamlam ang mata niya. Hinaplos niya ang aking pisngi at pinagmasdan ang aking mukha. Worry is evident in his dark-deep pools. "I will come back for you. Hintayin mo ako, okay?" masuyo niyang sabi. Napakagat ako ng labi dahil papatulo na naman ang aking mga luha. "Oo, pangako. Hihintayin kita." I promised. ---- Bernacella Jasim is at the lowest hierarchical chain of Nueva Sierra. She has a mother who works as a housekeeper and brothers who are disabled. Kaya pursigido si Bernacella na makapagtapos upang i-ahon sila sa hirap. She never met her father personally, they only talked through phone all her life ngunit okay lang sakanya, ang mahalaga ay kinilala siya nito. But poverty can make people do anything in order to survive. Iyon ang ikikatakot ni Breya kaya tinago niya ang totoo niyang katauhan. Sinigurado niyang walang mapapakinabangan sakanya ang tiyahin niyang taga bigay aliw sa mga parokyano. Ayaw niyang matulad dito. She is all boyish and cool until she became close with the mayor's bastard son.