Two weeks later
Walking through a shiny clean hallway where premed students were crowding the doors searching for their respective rooms, I started the morning great, and the sun is glowing up the day. MLS 1 is my first subject in the morning and I think I got lost on the campus looking at every room number mixed with other freshmen like me until I bumped into a tall guy wearing a lavender scrub suit. I grimaced and covered my gunshot wound when it got pressed by his stone-like back and his scrub suit got a little bloodstain.
"I'm sorry Sir." I apologized immediately and bowed my head.
"I'm sorry Miss, are you okay?" I looked up and met his gray eyes. He had this fair complexion that girls were dying to have. His hair was cleanly fixed, and I find it really attractive but instead of answering, I just nodded and smiled.
"Do you want to go to the clinic and check your wound?" he added and looked at his wristwatch with a thin textbook in his hand and I read the title "Introduction to Medical Laboratory Science"
"No Sir. I am fine." I assured him and I looked up to check the room and finally, it's the one I'm looking for and it's the second floor for Pete's sake.
"Okay then." I exhaled a large amount of air and entered the room following this handsome guy that I think is our...
"Good morning students. I am Andre Bencee Barimbao, your clinical instructor for MLS 1. I am a registered Medical Technologist, ASCP certified and I'm currently working in Cebu Doc Hospital. Welcome to Cebu Doctors' University! Thank you for choosing this school and of course since this is your first day, please introduce yourself in front. State your name, address, ‘Why did you choose the Medical Technology program?’, and ‘What are your expectations for me and this subject?’ " He has a foreign accent and I think he's half-American. He smiled as he spoke to us, and I think he's approachable. I can see how my classmates fell in love at first sight when they saw our instructor.
"Okay, let's start-"
"Excuse me Sir, do you have a girlfriend?" Mr. Barimbao was interrupted when a tall morena girl that has a beauty queen-like aura stood from behind and asked a question without even raising her hand. He was stunned at the question but managed to remain his cool and answered shortly, "None." One word but enough to make the class go wild.  
Eventually, the cliche introduction started where mostly, their reasons are; ‘This is the best premed course for medicine’ which I think 60% answered the same reason. They were determined to proceed to the deadly medicine course, and the 40% includes parents' choice, and when it was my turn, everyone turned silent maybe because I have a bandage on my left shoulder, or because I'm one of the head-turning beauty. I glanced at all the sides and tried to read the serious expressions of my classmates, some are nice but some... I don't like the aura, but I don't care.
"Good morning everyone. I am Jessica M. Fortalejo, 19 years of age. Currently living in Lapu-Lapu but my hometown is in CDO and I chose MedTech because..." I paused and looked at the faces of everyone anticipating my answer. I took a deep breath before continuing, " I want to start a new beginning, something that I want to work hard and look forward to in the future. And when I reach the finish line, I will look back and I can say that falling once into a mistake led me to a better path." I was surprised when Mr. Barimbao clapped, and the class also applauded as if I delivered a Miss U speech. I returned to my seat with a victorious smile and since all we did for the day is taking down notes for the requirements for the end of the semester, introducing ourselves, and attending the orientation program, my first day in college ended well except for the gloomy afternoon. I arrived at our old house but it was empty.
"It's a miracle that I am early." Marz and the twins have different schedules now. Actually, Dad didn't agree to this because he wants us to move into the newly constructed house in Mactan, but I still prefer it here.
I pressed the switch on and directly changed into a simple fitting night blue dress inside my room that is newly decorated with a cool turquoise theme. The dress's full sleeves are perfect for the windy weather, and I pulled back my hair into a low bun leaving curled strands enhancing my facial contours. I slipped on silver heels because I'm going out tonight with my favorite person in the world.
"Heart, you're here!" My eyes were filled with surprise when he appeared at my door with a bouquet of creamy white Goya chocolates and pink roses. His eyes were shining under the light and pursed his lips as he scanned me from head to toe.
"I know I'm gorgeous." I bragged and he chuckled. He is wearing a dark blue tuxedo that matched my dress and his hair was cleanly fixed. He's so handsome and I badly want to kiss his cheeks.
"You're perfect Heart. I love you." I bit my lower lip when I felt butterflies tumbling in my stomach. He flashed that playful smile again and angled his face closer to me. In an instant, a warm kiss landed on his lips and he gladly responded. His hands traveled to my waist and slightly pushed me against the wall then I hooked my free arm around his neck and deepened our kiss. I opened my eyes when he moaned in pleasure, and I smiled in between our kisses.
"SPG!" Our moment was ruined when Marz screamed with the twins who are bringing presents that I almost forgot. I panicked in returning to my room shortly and grabbed the paper bag on my bedside table.
I hope Dad will love this. I kissed my present and sprayed perfume all over my hair and body before going out.
"Let's go?" Jia asked and she was wearing a sexy sleeveless wine-red mermaid dress that complimented her fiery cat eye makeup.
"The chopper is waiting already. Come on." Hazel was extremely excited that she exited the house wearing her peach romantic dress. Marc held my hand and Marz rolled her eyes when she saw that then Jia pulled her out. Inside the car, we are playing our favorite travel playlist of mixed 90's songs.
Ever since they ride the chopper, they can't stop mumbling about riding it again on air. Eventually, we arrived on the vacant oval where the chopper is waiting and no doubt, my friends were exhilarated but they all stopped and stared at me and Marc meaningfully.
Suddenly, all the lights turned on and Dad came out from the chopper with Manang Belen, Jacob, Mr. Fuentes, Ivy, and Ivan. I was astonished when beautiful music from the violin played in the air and Dad approached me. Marc let go of my hand and mouthed to hold the paper bag as he gave my hand to Dad.
"Dad, I thought we are going to celebrate at CDO," I asked without a break then we danced slowly but Dad effortlessly smiled at me like bringing back his youth, and even joked.
"I want to capture how Marc is doing his job." I chuckled and punched Dad's chest lightly. He just laughed and I gave my gift to him that I asked Marc to hold.
"Happy Birthday Daddy. Thank you for loving me, for taking good care of me, for flying here." I smiled gratefully and kissed my father's forehead.
"I love you, Daddy." I almost whispered in tears then the next person I danced with is Manong Arthur while the crew is preparing the tables and the food. It's Dad's birthday but the feels seemed like my Sweet 16 when Mom was still alive. The wind is enough to make me feel the warmth of my two mothers' love. I expressed my gratitude as well to Manong, we also danced with my friends and their silly brows moved up and down again as they gave my hand to Jacob.
At first, he can't look at me directly in the eyes. He's just staring at our feet as we danced while the twins are pushing Marz and Ivy to reconcile at one table. I cleared my throat and made up my mind to start something new with him as my brother. I don’t care if biologically, we’re half-siblings. I still prefer treating him as a real full brother after everything that happened.
"Thank you for helping me... Bro." I smiled giving him a heads start and he nodded wearing a smile that signs the start of a new chapter of our lives. A new chapter being siblings and leaving the past behind.
"Anything for you sis?" He chuckled when he called me 'sis' which is a bit awkward for him, but I can see how he's trying his best in our setup.
FLASHBACK
"Heart, do you think Jacob can handle his Mom?" Marc creased his brows in between while contacting my Dad and I'm also not sure about this plan but one's thing for sure during the last minute when I was poisoned to death, she's doing all these evil things just to get all my father's inheritance to Jacob and she hated the fact of my existence as a half part of our father's attention. She's not yet contented with killing my Mommy Sabrina and she's really after my death.
"I don't know Heart, but we have to believe that this will work," I answered Marc who was leaning his back against the door of the car massaging his temples while I'm waiting for Jacob to pick up the phone. Gladly, he picked up chasing his breath at the other line and the background noises of choppy airflow and blades. Thankfully, Dad also answered Marc and reported everything that is happening here in Cebu.
"Jacob, we need your help!" I covered my other ear and spoke louder so that he can hear me clearly because all I can hear is the background noise of the chopper's rotor.
"I know and I'm on my way. I'm with our Dad and Tito. Just distract Mom while we're on the air." I didn't understand anything, and out of the indistinctive chattering, all I understood was 'change of plans.' My eyes shrunk in confusion and the last thing I need was a warm embrace from Marc to fuel me up. He hugged me from behind and kissed the top of my head.
"Okay, we'll do everything that we can." I let out a nervous sigh and Marc comforted me in silence. He's not uttering a word but it's already enough to remind me that we can do this, and everything will end tonight.
"I'm sorry Jess for everything." This is the last thing that Jacob said before hanging up.
END OF FLASHBACK
We were both lost in reminiscent with a caring smile curved on our lips. He may hurt me in the past but it paved the way for us to know that I have a brother. A brother who is willing to save me from harm. A sibling who is ready to risk his life for me. He held my hand gently after sharing a long stare of reconciliation and understanding. 
"Let's leave the past behind Jess and be happy." He looked at Marc and gave my hand to my Heart with a relieved smile of letting go.
When I placed my palm to his, his bright smile gave me that swirling effect again that makes me so afloat, but I was puzzled when he fumbled something in his dress jacket. Subsequently, he showed me a cute card. I scowled a brow when he opened it and there was nothing written on it. It's plain white then he reached something at the back of my ears. All their eyes focused on me and I was oblivious when they shared a meaningful stare at me and teased us with their silliness.
I grew more curious when Marc took back his hand with a clenched fist as if there was something inside. My friends screamed louder when Marc knelt in front of me and snapped his finger. Amazed when he opened his palm playing the same magic trick to make me laugh then a beautiful silver ring is about to change my life. I was staring at his mesmerizing eyes as he put the ring on my finger.
No cliche ideas, no romantic setup, no slow motion, no OST, no necessary explosions but just us with eyes full of emotions and sincerity in front of my family and friends as my witnesses. He took a deep breath and flashed his handsome smile and spoke with courage.
"I know that we have a lot of things to deal with, many things happened lately, and life doesn't stop here at this moment so… I gave you this ring as a sign of my love and to keep my promise to Ma'am Sabrina that I will take care of you. I will protect you until my last breath." I pursed my lips controlling the waters that were about to roll in the corner of my eyes.
"OMO SIS! I'm about to cry." In my peripheral vision, I saw how Hazel rushed to her twin and hugged her in joy as the crowd witnessed this very moment. Out of all the bad things that happened, this is one of the things to celebrate and of course with my Dad's birthday.
"I love you Jessica M. Fogarty - Fortalejo and... if you are one of the traps that have been set on me, you are the sweetest and... I would want to get trapped with you for a lifetime." His sincere watery gazes penetrated my soul, and I wouldn't ask for more but to fall into our sweetest wiles over again, to be trapped in love with each other, and keep fighting against all the odds that the world will set for us.
END