"Do you smoke?" natatawang tanong niya sa akin kahit alam niyang hindi. Pagilid ko siyang sinulyapan nang ilabas niya ang sigarilyo at mabilis na sinindihan sa harapan ko. Sinasadya niya ito para ipakita sa akin na walang kahit sino ang magbabawal sa kanya sa school na ito. Agaw pansin ang mga biloy niya na lumabas nang hithitin niya ang dulo ng sigarilyo. Kahit nagsasalita, kumakain, o kahit kaonting kibot lang ng labi niya'y lumalabas iyon. Gamit ang mga daliri'y sinuklay niya papunta sa likod ang pawisan niyang buhok. Ang manipis na gintong kwintas niya'y kumikinang sa tirik na araw. Nagbuntong hininga ako at pilit pinapakalma ang sarili. I don't like people breaking school rules that's why I hate him. He's the best example of bad boy. A rebel. He's teaching other students to do wrong. "Breaking a few rules won't hurt your grades, Miss. If you want to taste, I can give you some," tukoy niya sa sigarilyo na wala akong balak tikman. Warning: Read At Your Own Risk! EXPLICIT AND MATURE CONTENT❗❗❗ Series 7 of 8

To earn the freedom to write her headlines in the newspaper, Fiorisce has to expose the rot buried deep beneath Dr. Xalvien's pristine reputation. *** Fiorisce Lavandula is a rising journalist with one dream: to make it to the front page. Her assignment? Uncover the truth behind Xalvien Vouganville, the beloved psychiatrist with a reputation too spotless to be true. The search for scandal becomes a journey through Xalvien's damaged mind. Xalvenge, the volatile, haunted, and mysterious attorney, is hidden behind Xalvien's calm façade--the secret locked away by years of trauma from a shadowed asylum stay. As they solve mysteries, Fiorisce's ambition is tested by forces bigger than fame. When secrets threaten Xalvien's reputation, she must decide whether to expose the story or protect the person who trusted her enough to let her in. DISCLAIMER: This story is written in Taglish.