Olivia's PoV

July 9,2034

Four months before Rachel's 'decision,' as much as I hate to admit it, she will most likely choose Ian.

But that doesn't mean I've given up, I'm not one to back down from a challenge, after all.

Someone knocked on my door.

"Olivia, you there?" said a gentle voice.

"Yeah yeah, I'm still taking care of things, you can wait inside," I said while packing stuff in my bag.

And came inside was Ian. Now to clear any misunderstanding, we were just hanging out lately because we wanted to be cool with each other.

Just so no hard feelings will develop when Rachel picks the other.

I will admit tho, he's a pretty cool dude, better than what I had initially thought of him.

"You know, it's really lucky that our school has a bunch of holidays. Take this week for example, no classes 1 week straight, that's why we can go to our hometown, even if it's just for a while," I said with a glad face.

"Yeah, but I really wanted to go with Rachel, but her family probably won't allow it," he said with a sigh.

"Speaking of family, are you sure it's okay for you to go back there? And with me, of all people?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"They can't do anything about it if I don't tell them," he said with a villainous smile.

"Wow, what a rebel," I said giving off a chuckle, "Anyways, shall we go?"

After a 10-hours long ride, we've finally arrived and it's about 4 AM in the morning.

I knocked on our door while Ian carries most of our stuff. It wasn't much, it was just clothes and some books that we can read.

Someone opened the door in a lively manner, something you wouldn't expect from someone in the middle of 4 AM.

"Olivia!" said by none other than my dad.

We immediately hugged and after it, he was kinda surprised to see Ian, but pats his head.

"You've grown really well ever since the last time I saw you. Now why don't you guys come in," said my dad welcoming us heart-warmingly.

After settling our things in the room, we sat at the table to eat.

"We apologize Ian if you're not too accustomed to this kind of thing. We're not really as rich as your family," said my dad a little embarrassed.

"No, no, I don't mind this at all Sir," said Ian embarrassed.

"I'm glad, now moving on. Why did the two of you come here together? Are you in a relationship?" asked my dad as I spill my coffee.

"No way!" I said reflexively, "Ian, kindly explain the situation to dad."

"Sure," said Ian giving off a little smile.

And so, Ian explained the situation well from the class suspension this week to our competition for Rachel's heart and how we want to get along no matter who Rachel choose.

"You are an admirable man, Ian. I don't think anyone other than you could've ever done that," said my dad with a serious look on his face, "And as for you, Olivia, don't lose to this man, no matter what, okay? You're very courageous to have accepted this challenge while knowing you're at a disadvantage."

"Thanks, Mr.Oliver, I guess both of us just have to do our best so Rachel's choice would be worth the suffering," said Ian while eating.

"Yeah, I also feel bad for Rachel having to go through this again. But I didn't want to devalue Ian's decision for the sake of not just Rachel, but all of us," I said finishing off my food.

"I see. Anyways, you guys oughta get some sleep after this, and Olivia, your mom has missed you a lot, make sure to make her feel that way as well," said my dad with a bit of a chuckle.

"Like I ever failed to make my mom feel like she's the best mom ever," I said with confidence.

"That's our daughter! Anyways, I have to get going now, I still have work, after all. I just wanted to spend a bit of time with you, being late from time to time ain't so bad," said my dad with a bright smile.

After eating, me and Ian went to sleep, he slept at the guest room while I slept in the living room, like I usually do.

There was just no way we'd be sleeping next to each other.

July 10, 2034

My body felt it was morning so it woke up and as I open my eyes. I noticed my head wasn't on the floor anymore because I always fall off the sofa when sleeping.

It was on my mom's lap, and I couldn't be any happier.

"Good morning Olivia," said my mom in the sweetest tone ever.

"Morning mom," I said quite grumpily as I just woke up.

"Breakfast is ready and Ian's already finished eating," said my mon caressing my hair.

"Alright, thanks mom," I said getting up from the sofa and ate my breakfast.

"You've been through quite a lot, huh," said my mom in quite a worried tone.

"It's nothing too crazy that I can't handle," I said with smile.

"Ian told me everything while you were asleep, apparently he's used to getting only 2 hours of sleep. I insisted on making him rest for a little longer but he said he didn't mind and told me the things you've been through," said mom while looking at me.

"That bastard..." I whispered with a tiny bit of anger,"Well, I was planning on telling you anyways so it's fine."

"You haven't changed at all, Olivia," said my mom out of nowhere.

"Is that a bad thing?" I asked while eating.

"In your case, it's not so bad," said mom with a calming smile.

"Well-"

I got interrupted when someone knocked on our door.

"Come in," said mom.

"I heard Olivia's here, where is she?" asked none other than my "favorite" suitor, Gabby.

"What do you want?" I asked with my mouth full.

"Oh, you're already awake, Olivia?" asked Ian, who had just come out of the bathroom.

Gabby's jaw dropped when he saw Ian and most likely misunderstood.

"Now I see why you have been rejecting me these past few years. He's a clearly better looking man and most likely a better man than I am as well. Yes yes, I now understand, my beloved Olivia. I must accept what destiny has decided," said Gabby with tears falling from his eyes.

"He's not my boyfriend nor will he ever be. In reality, I'd rather have you as my boyfriend over Ian anytime of the day. The thing is, that's just theoretically speaking since I don't like you both," I said bluntly after drinking water.

Ian laughed it off, meanwhile Gabby's still in a state of devastation.

"Anyways, I have to go now, I just wanted to see Olivia," said Gabby, surprisingly smiling after all that commotion, and left.

"So, let's go?" asked Ian who's already fully dressed.

"I'm still eating," I said with a mouthful, again.

July 24, 2034

It was the last day of our little hometown visit and we're sitting at the playground.

"You guys used to play in this all the time back then, while I watch from the window," said Ian with a smile.

"Yeah, we were pretty inconsiderate of your feelings back then," I said almost with pity.

"I didn't really mind it, as long as everyone's happy, I don't mind being left out," said Ian in a serious tone.

"Hey now, don't go all selfless after making such a selfish decision," I said,"But seriously, thank you for everything you've done so far."

"Now that I think about it, we never really talked that much back then, you only ever talk to Rachel, huh," he said teasingly.

"I suppose nothing's wrong with that, after all, you never really talked to anyone except Rachel as well back then," I said as a rebuttal.

We looked and laughed at each other.

"Four months from now, this little rivalry comes to an end. I will certainly miss our bonding, just goes to show that a boy and a girl can be friends without developing romantic feelings," I said looking up at the sky.

"Yeah, to be honest, I'm quite hesitant at first because I didn't want to lose Rachel. But at the same time, I didn't want anyone to suffer from our fabricated relationship," said Ian while doing something with the grass,"Even if it was okay for you to suffer, it wasn't okay for me, which ultimately led me to make that decision. I understand how our family just wants the best for me and Rachel, but the process is wrong. I can never accept the fact that she was so convincingly manipulated by her own family."

"I see, I understand, so I'm curious what you will do if Rachel picks me over you," I said observing what he's doing.

"You'll just have to wait and see. For now, focus on how you're going to take care of yourself for you and Rachel's sake," he said continuing to fiddle with the grass, "I'm more than ready for anything that will come my way. My plan will surely work."

He said that with a proud yet determined look on his face as he finishes whatever he was doing.

"I really suffered when I saw you two kissed back then. I couldn't take nor accept it. Even if I say I did, you bet I was lying 'cause I still continue to write letters up to this day," I said while chuckling a little, "Really Ian, thank you for being such a good friend."

"Don't sweat it. I'm always prepared to help. Now shall we prepare to go back to Serenus University?" he said as he stood up.

"Yeah," I replied and stood up as well.

Rachel's PoV

September 19,2034

Less than 2 months before the day of the decision. I already know who I'm gonna pick but I'll use the remaining days to think everything through.

"Hey there Rachel! What're you doing all alone in that table?" asked Monika, whom I've become close with for quite a while now.

"Nothing, I'm just thinking of ideas for a one-shot. I got nothing better to do, might as well work on something and probably earn," I said while looking at the sheets of paper in my hand.

"Oh, I see, but can I join in?" asked Monika with a cute expression.

"Go ahead," I replied with a smile.

After arriving home, I immediately started working on the one-shot following some of Monika's tips.

I never felt more alive than this feeling I'm having right now.

What is it?

It's a secret for now, tee hee.

Third Person

Without any of them being so well-aware, time passed and passed on the promised day.

No one from any of them know what to anticipate but for some it's surely a life-changing turn of events.

Whatever the outcome may be, everyone is able to accept the fact that they can move forward with high spirits.

"If Rachel picks me, stay on the rooftop until we come back."

"Whatever you say Ian."

Two text messages that doesn't look it means much, but to certain people, it's something to take to heart.

November 7,2034 has come, luckily, it was in the scope of semester break.

It was 7 in the morning and two people waited at a shaded place for the arrival of a certain someone.

Rachel's PoV

I was on my way to the rooftop where Olivia and Ian awaits my decision.

I wanted to arrive as early as possible so I ran as fast as I could.

There they were, I'm quite, no, very happy to see the two of them.

Olivia doesn't look too surprised at my appearance, so she probably already saw me, maybe when me and Ian kissed on the rooftop.

Anyways, I got no time to spare and went to them and said three words.

"Ian, shall we?"

Despite that, both of them was smiling, with Olivia's expression close to a congratulations, and Ian with an expression that says "I see."

I grabbed his hand and went down and out of the mall as soon as possible.

As I thought, Olivia stayed in the rooftop.

There was kind of a suspicious man near the entrance but I didn't have time to think about it.

"Let's go to granny."

As if he understood what those words meant, he nodded and smiled.

I already had a car rented for this and we rode in it to get to granny's house as soon as possible.

I held his hand and he held mine tightly preparing ourselves for the next sequence of events.

11:23 AM

We've arrived at granny's mansion and before entering, both of us took a deep breath.

"They're here," said one of the maids to granny.

"Our marriage is off," I said without wasting anytime giving her a fierce glare.

"We don't have to marry each other just because our families arranged it. We are individual people with our own freedom, we refuse to abide by your orders any longer," said Ian with much determination.

"Fine by me, do whatever you want. I already anticipated that the two of you were up to something," said granny surprisingly calm.

We were both taken aback by her words and felt as if we were dancing in her palms.

"You better not do something that you know will destroy our decisions or you'll regret it," I said still on my stance.

As me and Ian were about to get out of the mansion, the guards blocked the door.

"Wait just a minute! I would like to discuss something with the two of you," said my granny looking down on us.

"Fine, make it quick, someone's waiting for us," I said not backing down from her.

"Oh? Is that so? Fine then, let's begin," said granny with a villainous grin.

Olivia’s Pov

3:29 PM

I stayed here as promised but I still went out of the way to at least buy something to eat for lunch and some snacks while waiting for them.

Though, they still haven’t come back, it’s already been more than 6 hours.

But I kind of understand since to get from here to Rachel’s granny’s mansion takes 3-4 hours.

*sigh

I wonder why Ian want to keep me waiting here, he told me to wait if Rachel picks him.

Conveniently enough, or maybe not, Rachel picked him and I’m gonna have to wait.

For what?

I don’t know, I guess we’re about to find out sooner or later.

Rachel’s PoV

5:16 PM

Shit, that talk was way too long, what did granny gain from such a long talk like that.

We’re already on our way to the mall and Ian had texted Olivia of the current situation already. 6:17 PM

We’ve arrived and rushed into the mall.

I hope Olivia’s still waiting there.

I hurriedly went up to the rooftop at full speed.

And as I got there gasping, and catching my breath; there she was, standing but not facing my direction just yet.

“Feels familiar, doesn’t it?” I said while my hands are on my knees while I gasp even more.

“What’s happening?” asked Olivia, obviously confused and oblivious to the situation.

“I choose you,” I said with the sincerest smile I could make.

“What? Why?” asked Olivia again, now with tears slowly building up in her eyes.

“You haven’t abandoned your promise that you will never forget me, right?” I said while slowly walking towards her.

“N… No…” she said with tears slowly but surely flowing across her cheeks.

I took her hand and gripped on them tightly and said:

“And I haven’t abandoned mine,” I said on the verge of crying.

She stood and looked at me in silence, not knowing what to say. Just letting out all her emotions flow freely.

“I understand if you’re confused right now, but we don’t have to reconcile immediately,” I said constantly smiling while crying, “We can catch up to each other’s lives and familiarize ourselves with the current version of ourselves.”

She nodded with a smile, but not quite enough to make her speak.

“It’s stupid if we get to be in a relationship the moment we reunited, and after 9 years, at that. It’s better to just start over again and reach to the deepest oceans of our hearts,” I said holding her hands tighter and tighter, “Let’s believe in each other, and trust ourselves, that our feelings are true starting right now until forever.”

That one word managed to get an expression out of her.

“So, what’d you say Olivia? Let us stay together and be with each other-” and she frees one of her hand to put her index finger in front of my lips.

It’s as if she’s saying that we say it together and…

“Forever and ever and even forever beyond forever!”

We hugged each other and cried out fountain, no, ocean of tears until we didn’t have any tears left to spare.

After all that, we both texted Ian about what happened and he was genuinely happy for the two of us.

I just hope nothing more will get in our way, anymore.

Third Person

“It looks like Ian is waiting outside, the two might still be inside the mall.”

“Okay, stay on high alert, and remember the plan.”

“Yes, try to isolate Olivia and run her over.”

“Good, but what if that plan fails.”

“Just run the two of them over but keep minimal damage to Rachel.”

“We’re all set, now just wait for the two to come out.”

“As you wish, madam.”

The stars in the night sky with the night breeze being felt by people all over the city.

Stood near Ceres Mall’s entrance was Ian. A proud, young gentleman, without any regrets about his decision, smiling like he’s the happiest man in the world.

And just 200 meters from his area was a motorcycle that they have no idea’s going to tragedize and make their blissful moment short-lived.

Ian had told both Olivia and Rachel that he’s already went home so they could spend more time inside the mall but he waited for them despite the cold night.

8:32 PM

Out came Rachel and Olivia oblivious to what’s about to hit them.

*Vroom

A subtle yet violent engine start of a motorcycle was heard by Ian and made his ultimate judgment.

Olivia and Rachel hand-in-hand crossed the street together.

“WATCH OUT!!”

“Tch,” said the rider and immediately ran away.

“IAN!!” screamed Rachel out of worry.

Olivia immediately called for an ambulance and carried Ian’s body for the time being and settled for the sidewalk.

When the ambulance arrived, Olivia reported the motorcycle’s plate number to the police while inside the ambulance.

Rachel held Ian’s hands before he finally went unconscious.

Olivia’s PoV

9:11 PM

We just arrived at the hospital and Ian hasn’t regained consciousness yet.

“I already contacted Ian’s mom about the incident and pointed out the possible suspect,” said Rachel with dead yet vengeful eyes.

“Then, it’s all fine, I already reported the plate number, they’ll be caught sooner or later,” I said holding Rachel’s hands.

“I will never forgive her,” said Rachel biting through her teeth.

I couldn’t do anything but caress her hair and comfort her by embracing her.

“What a way to start off again, huh? Thanks for being able to tolerate the situation, Olivia,” she said while holding back her tears.

“Everything’ll be fine, Rachel, everything will be fine,” I said and gathered courage to kiss her forehead.

Just as I was able to kiss her forehead she lowers her head and cries.

Darn it.

Well, I guess this is fine.

I looked through the windows of Ian’s room.

Don’t you dare die on us, Ian.