Teaser for "A Love Once Upon a 7-11 Shop"

A Love Once Upon a 7-11 Shop

(Lolita Cielita)

Credits to Google

...I smiled bitterly as I breathed the last essence of my soul, falling into the deep and lonely abyss of unconsciousness...

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...I'd do what it takes to be with you, once again...even if it meant selling my soul to hell...

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          After five scores and two decades, he finally recognized her long lost niece, whom he did not know was in love with him. What would be his reaction if one night he got drunk and did the same thing a century ago? Now that they were together, what would be Fate's move this time? A tragic love story of an uncle and a niece who seemed to have Fate as the hindrance to their love...

A Short Prologue for this Collection

 Prologue: A Century Ago

I'm Sophia. I'm a mere 16-year old college freshman, and I died of rape and murder. My uncle, the only family I've trusted, raped me, technically speaking one rainy Friday night. Personally speaking, it didn't really matter to me for I loved him. But it was an unrequited love. Blinded by guilt and fear, he attempted to kill me day-by-day. He feared that I would summon the cops and tell them about what he did. But he could not, and he had this habit of leaving the house after every attempts. I began to worry about him more and more. So one Saturday night, I followed him secretly, knowing it was dangerous for any lady to wander in the streets at night. I saw him enter a public inn, and my heart broke into pieces. I wandered aimlessly, tears blinded my eyes as I searched a place to cry out my frustrations. And then a group of five men blocked my way. I tried to fight back, but it was futile. Then I saw him, my uncle. He fought the men valiantly like any other knight. But fate had other plans for he was killed. I saw how he was mercilessly stabbed to death. I was put into a trance, not caring of the rain that soaked my already bloodied clothes. In a matter of seconds, I was being raped by one of them. And my grip on consciousness had already loosened.

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My soul, standing in the rain, was looking directly at my body stripped of its dignity. My eyes averted to the other body, my uncle, the love of my life, feeling no pain nor tears that should threaten to fall any minute from now. I'd been at the edge of the human world and the world beyond. Does this mean something more? I closed my eyes felt myself falling apart.

It All Started with an Earring Pt. 2

Chapter Two

Though there may be obstacles, love will always and forever prevail.

The woman was very beautiful. She got a golden curly hair, which was soft to the touch and it smelled like a rose. She got natural rosy cheeks and ruby red lips. She's almost as beautiful as the goddesses themselves. However…

"It's been a while, Shie! How are you? Are you fine? Is everything alright?" She batted her long and black eyelashes at him, trying to seduce him. However, Shie showed no sign of being tempted.

"May you consider not being loud, Lady Monique? Let's talk outside. You're disturbing my lady." He gestured towards the lady on the bed. She looked where Shie was gazing.

"Oh. I didn't know." She looked at Keira with an icy stare and smiled seductively at Shie's direction. "Come on, Shie! Get your business done with her and let's talk outside! Or maybe, you're planning to-" She wasn't able to finish her sentence when Keira butted in.

"Shie, go now. I can handle myself. I'll just sleep for now." Then, she turned her back on Shie and buried herself in the comforters with Shie's scent.

"Are you sure, my lady?" Shie touched her head and leaned towards her.

"Yes."

He heard a reply from Keira. "Sleep well." He kissed her forehead. This greatly surprised Monique. "Let's go." Shie led the way out of the cabin.

Once outside, Monique grabbed Shie's collar.

"Are you by any chance in love with her?" She was glaring at him as if she could melt his body with her eyes. On the other hand, he's just looking at her ever so coolly which only unnerved her so much.

"What will you do if I say yes, my lady?" He replied coldly.

"Argh!" She let him go. Shie flattened the crumpled part of his dress. "You pick such a lame girl! Why don't you hit on me? I am pretty. I am rich. And your life will be better in my arms!" She sat on the couch.

"…" He remained silent.

Monique just glared at him.

"Anyway, what brings you here?" Shie broke the awkward silence.

"Oh yes. My father allowed me to marry now. And he said I'm free to choose anyone I wish to marry. So I got here to tell you that. However, I have a feeling that it won't be that easy to persuade you. So, I might as well stay here for the time being." She grinned evilly at Shie. Shie just smiled at her in return.

While the two sat quietly in the living room of the ship, Monique tried striking a conversation.

"So what's your favorite dish?" She looked dreamily at him.

"I eat anything that is edible." He replied while reading a book, not bothering to look at her.

"What do you usually read?" She asked while eyeing the book he was holding.

"Random books I pick up in my bookshelf." He replied, still not looking at her.

A moment of silence passed again.

"Argh! I can't take it anymore! That's it! What did that ugly hag possesses which I do not?" She boomed at him.

Shie closed his book and finally looked at her. "A lot of things, my lady, a lot of things." He replied.

"What the fuck? Care to enumerate them all?" She glared at him.

"Innocence, natural beauty, light aura, pure heart-" He was cut off so rudely.

"I DO POSSES NATURAL BEAUTY!" She boomed at him once more.

"No you don't. You always wear make-up, which could cover up your natural beauty." He opened once more his book.

"AND WHAT DOES INNOCENCE HAVE TO DO WITH THAT? IT'S TOTALLY UNRELATED!" She was almost at the verge of crying.

"I meant there was the "innocence of seduction". She was innocent that she was actually seducing men. Unlike others who were so obvious in seducing men." Shie replied at her coldly. Before she could reply another sentence, they heard a loud commotion outside. Then, a wounded soldier banged inside the cabin.

"Captain! Urgh! Captain…there are enemies outside…" Then, the soldier passed out.

"Stay here." He ordered at Monique.

Monique was suddenly terrified so she can only nod in agreement. Shie went out to battle. Not so long, Keira walked up to the living room. There she saw Monique looking stiff.

"Where's Shie?" She asked sleepily.

"I don't know." She glared at her. Although, she was in fear, she managed to lie to her. Then, Keira suddenly twitched.

"Shie…" At the mutter of his name, she immediately ran to the fireplace and grabbed a display sword.

"H-hey, you hag! Where are you going?" Keira paused in front of the doorstep.

"I'm going to drown myself." She smirked at her direction before going out.

"HEY! H-how dare you?" Once again, she was left there.

After thirty minutes, Shie and Keira were still not back yet. 'What could've happened to Shie?' She wondered worriedly while she opened the door to the deck. The place was awfully quiet. 'Where are they?' Suddenly, an arm held her. Her heart suddenly thumped.

"WAAA! Help me!" She burst into tears.

"Ha! Ha! Now, Shie and your lover come out now or your friend will die! Bwahahaha!" The man was laughing maniacally while he held poor Monique.

"Help me!" Monique wailed in agony.

"Hyaaa!" Keira, who attacked him from behind, knocked off the man. The man accidentally let go of Monique. Keira lost her balance because of the impact so she fell on the deck. Monique ran away from the scene. The man got up quicker than Keira so he managed to grab Keira and made her a hostage.

"Your little friend escaped my grip and now I have you lover. If you don't give what I wanted, then she'll die in three seconds.

"Ugh." Keira wailed in agony. However, Shie showed himself.

"Oh man. Of all the people, you should not have taken her as a hostage."

"What do you-ugh!" He was knocked off from his position and fell down with a broken nose and a bleeding forehead.

"I think I might need a long and cold shower after this. Tsk. Those oily hands marring my skin with bruises." She rubbed the bruised arms delicately and smirked at the fallen pirate. "Serves you right."

But the pirate managed to stand up and took Keir's foot. Because no one anticipated this, the pirate was able to drag her with him and jump in the ocean. Shie recovered quickly and followed the pirate. But a foot came out of nowhere and he tripped on it.

"Just leave her alone!" Shie stood up with the scariest glare and threw the glare at Monique. "One thing she possesses that you do not: She's ready to die for anybody, even her mortal enemy." With that, he jumped off from the ship.

'Urgh. Why do I felt like I banged my head on a wall?' She slowly opened her eyes and stare briefly at the person in front of her.

"Shie…?" She suddenly sat up and felt a pang of pain in her head. "Oww…" She fell back to the bed.

"Don't sit up now. You're still weak. You've been asleep for two days already. I was so worried that you might not wake up." Shie showed great concern for Keira.

"And what if I didn't?" She asked with a smirk on her face.

Shie just fell silent.

"By the way, where is Monique?" She inquired while looking around.

"She went back to her home." Shie's bangs covered his face. An awkward silence fell around the two. Shie's the first one to break it though.

"You must go back to the palace. The king and queen must've been worried about you." It took a few moments before Keira could reply.

"No." Shie looked at Keira with astonishment seen in his eyes.

"But…" Before he could finish his sentence, Keira added.

"I wasn't important there. My brother was the next heir of the kingdom. They barely notice me there. Ibara and the others were the ones who entertain me most of the time. I love them all. But somehow, I just can't go back…"

Shie just looked at her worriedly.

"Oh yeah. I asked you a question if you're in love with me. Is that a yes or no?" Shie inquired, his heart was beating wildly.

"Ah…Why do you suddenly asked?" She tried escaping Shie's arms. For some reasons, she didn't feel him crawl closer to her.

"No, no, Keira. You must answer it." He smirked at her.

She just looked away and struggled free but Shie took it as a yes.

"That's good to hear." He hugged her. "You know, Ibara and the others weren't the only ones watching over you. I noticed you too." Shie added. "We were born in different worlds so I didn't hold out any hope that we'll be together."

Keira finally stopped struggling.

"And didn't I tell you to stay away from bad guys?"

Keira nodded.

"But not all bad guys are bad guys in all aspects."

Shie chuckled.

"You're a foolish princess for choosing me."

Keira replied back to him. "Whatever. I really wanted to go out of that palace anyway so I don't mind staying here."

The two promised their eternal love for each other with all of their hearts under the soft illumination of the moonlight from the cold moon.

End of Story

It All Started with an Earring Pt. 1

It All Started With an Earring

Chapter One

And think not you can direct the course of love. For love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

"The pirates have arrived here! Strike my soldiers!" General Ibara shouted as he and his soldiers attack the pirates.

"Princess Keira! General Ibara, the princess is missing!" Vladimir, one of the princess's bodyguards, came to deliver the ill news.

"How could you let something like that to happen? Argh!" He mused to himself.

"Whatever the case, I'll find her. For now, join my soldiers, Vladimir!"

Vladimir instantly obeyed then Ibara left.

Somewhere in a dark corner of a market, there stood a lady. 'That's so unfortunate of me to encounter the pirates here. But at least I enjoyed myself earlier.' Keira, the ever-so optimistic princess, thought in slight annoyance. Just then, a shadow towered over her.

"Are you lost, fair lady?"

Keira turned her head and saw a man with blonde hair and ruby red eyes. Then she smiled politely at the off-duty naval officer. "Good sir, I'm not lost. It's just I'm caught up in the middle of a battle and I can't go home. But, I don't want to go home yet anyway." The young soldier smiled back.

"I see. Well, pardon me for doing this if you really desire not to go back yet." He leaned more closely and kissed her forehead for a second.

'Where could the princess be?' Ibara thought anxiously as he ran. 'The princess is good in hiding and excellent in disguising! How am I able to find her at this situation?' Ibara suddenly stopped when he came across a corner. 'Gah! That soldier is making out in the middle of the battle.' Ibara thought in disgust as he ran off, not wanting to see what happens next.

"There, I think you're safe now." The soldier backed away to give her space.

"Uh...Thanks. But, who are you?"

The soldier chuckled. "You may call me Alex."

Keira smiled. "Thank you very much again for helping me out, Mr. Alex."

Alex waved his hand. "No worries. And stay away from bad guys, okay?"

The princess nodded obediently. "Thank you. And see you!" Keira waved at the walking figure of the soldier. Minutes later, the battle ended. Keira decided to hide in one of the barrels of potatoes. In no time, she fell asleep. As she woke up, she heard some mumbles and voices of men. 'It smells like...the ocean...' She thought as she slightly opened her right eye.

"This girl sure is a beauty." One voice spoke out loud.

"Yeah, she's one of a kind." Another one spoke.

"Shut up. We still don't know anything about her." The third guy spoke. After the heated conversation of those three, Keira woke up. The third guy with the name of Meynard saw this and turned to his two other companions.

"Hey bastards, you woke the girl up."

Keira rubbed her eyes. "Uh...good sirs, where are we? Can you drop me off at the next harbor?" She rubbed her eyes again.

"Unfortunately, this ship doesn't stop at any places. Welcome aboard, Princess Keira. I'm Captain Shierean." Keira's eyes went wide as saucers. 'Was he really Alex who saved me? But...Shierean is a notorious pirate!' She thought in fear.

"Seriously captain, is this really a princess?" The pirate named Starlk asked in disbelief.

"This is a lie!" Keira shouted at Alex."What about the navy uniform a while ago?" Just then, she realized she was tied up.

"On land, I have to wear my disguise." Shie smirked at her.

"Hey, my son was killed because of your father!" The guy called Mayuri pulled at her hair.

"And because of you royals, I lost my best friend!" Starlk pushed her until she collided with the wall. Mayuri still held her hair when Shie spoke.

"Release her." Mayuri looked at him.

"Don't make me repeat myself, idiot. We don't need you in this ship that badly." With those words, Mayuri backed away from her. Then he approached her.

"From this day, she's my woman. Everyone who wants her must go through me."

Keira laid on the bed, her hands still tied up. She heard the door open but she didn't move an inch. "I'm going to cut the rope. And don't you even dare fight with me!" When the rope was cut, Keira rubbed her sore wrist.

"Just like a princess, very gentle in manners." She felt his breath so near her ear. When she was about to move forward to stay away from him, he attached an earring to her right ear.

"This shall prove you're mine and no one would dare touch you or anything." He patted her head. "There is a couch nearby. You could use it." Without a word, Keira dashed to the couch. The couch was soft and she fell asleep already. The next morning, Keira was in a really bad mood.

"So, is the captain very gentle?" Mayuri teased her. 'What the hell? Ah, so this earring is to prove I have done perverted things with him! Well I didn't!' She thought furiously.

"Take back what you've said" She ordered them.

"What?" The two of them chorused. Amused, Starlk and Mayuri teased her again and again and again.

Thunk! "Alright you guys need to peel these potatoes in an hour before dinner time." The three of them cried waterfall tears.

"That's not very nice chef." They chorused.

"Shut up and go to work!" Then he turned to Keira.

"You, go and help clean the deck." Keira left without a word. At around six o'clock, Keira goes inside Shie's cabin.

"Uh...Captain, may I have some clothes. It got wet..." Shie approached her and dried her hair.

"What were you doing?" Shie asked, still drying her hair.

"Uh...I was moping and unfortunately, a flying bucket of water splashed to me..." Shie handed her the clothes.

"Why were you mopping?" Keira pretended not to hear it and she dashed inside the bathroom.

Six months had passed by and she enjoyed herself very much at the ship. Everyone is nice with her now. Then, everything changed one foggy morning. She was confused with the actions of Starlk, Mayuri and Meynard. When she got out of the cabin, she saw Shie standing at the deck.

"Oh, so they took their time dressing you up." Keira nodded, still sleepy.

"They dressed me up with the dress I wore when I first came here." Shie chuckled.

"Yes. It seems your country is planning on a surprise attack." With those words, she felt herself awaken.

"You're kidding... I don't want to leave you here!" She muttered. However, she stopped as she saw him wearing the uniform again.

"No I'm not. I have to wear this to confuse the enemy. And no, you are not meant to be here. You are a princess and I am a pirate. We are from different worlds. So, when the battle started, I wanted you to change ships." At that single moment, she looked with regret at the back of the captain.

'Maybe I'm a nuisance here after all. Besides, I never did anything right.' She ran to the main deck and saw that the battle had started. Raucous cries filled the air around the ship. Not so long, Shie did kill an enemy soldier. Scarlet liquid oozed out of the poor soldier's mouth as he fell on the deck. Then, another soldier charged towards Shie. The scene there was traumatic for a child. Blood could be seen everywhere. However, Keira summoned up all her courage and ran towards Shie.

"Shie, go this way!" She held his opponent but he was far stronger so she was pushed right on the wall. She realized that the earring fell into the water. 'The earring...I must get it.' She jumped into the ocean without a second thought. 'Ah, I finally got it.' However, she was not able to move her legs because of her clothes. 'Mmpf…Must….go…to…sur…face…be… fore…air…runs…out-ah…' She ran out of air and finally let herself sink into the depths of the ocean, holding the earring tightly in her left blacking out, she heard a splash.

When she woke up, she felt the warm covers of the bed.

"What were you thinking, diving in the ocean?"

Keira gripped the sheets.

"You could've died back there. And it was all for that stupid earring!"

In no time, she was crying silently. Then, she threw the earring at him.

"There, take it back! I don't even want it!" She sobbed louder. "I could have just left it there! Let it sank into the depths of the ocean. But still, what did I do? I didn't even know what the blazing inferno urged me to dive back there, retrieve that cursed thing and put myself in grave danger! You have no idea-" She hiccupped loudly and she rubbed her eyes.

"You aren't by any chance in love with me, are you?"

Before she could reply, she heard the door slam open, revealing a woman.

"Hello, Shie~"

End of Chapter

Thick Blue PLDT Books (Frustrations of a Stressed College Student)

It was such a long, long week. First term was like a breeze passing through. You could not really say it was long, rather, too short for a semester. But that is what makes La Salle a different school from the others. The lessons were very quick in terms of being discussed. It was like three topics were discussed in one sitting. You could not really understand the lesson unless you review it at home, which I failed to do. As a result, I had a hard time with Engineering Trigonometry.

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I am an over-stressed Engineering student, and I feel like posting a blog or two about my course. This is the only way to release all my frustrations, perhaps. Better yet type it down while harassing the keyboard. It will forgive me, somehow. This is one of the times I would be forever thankful to air-conditioned computer shops, understanding keyboards and my expensive best friend: Starbucks(R) Coffee Caramel Frappé... whatever it is called!

So...

I've seen these thick blue books in the glass bookshelf of ours at home for like 16 years already. For 15 years, the books remained a mystery to me. But I do peek in once in a while when pops was not looking and it read PLDT manuals and other things. I wanted to ask my dad but I learned from him that everything is not taught, so I literally racked my brains about its purpose... But sadly, I did not find out. I left it as it is, believing that the future will bring answer.

During my childhood days, I really wanted to be an astronaut. I'm like crazy for any news and discoveries about the outer space. Not to brag about it, but I excel in Science. My mom was my relatively Science teacher, although her forte is accounting. Fed up by my frequent queries, she bought me a Microsoft(R) Encarta(R) 2007 DVD and had it installed in my computer. I was truly fascinated by that awesome DVD for it contained the answers to my queries. My dream of being an astronaut continued on.

But I discovered a hidden talent of mine: Arts. And my dream of being an astronaut became mere fleeting fragments of my memory. I decided to become a creative writer someday.

However, my perspective in life greatly changed when I stepped into the ladders of Grade Six. I became more practical, for I learned that I have to go to abroad in order to study a course related to being an astronaut. (Heck, I am still having a hard time spelling the cursed word! XD) And my mother told me Editors don't earn much. Then, I found out that Computer Engineering is a good course. I asked my dad about it and he approved of it. So, all of my high school life I've dreamed of being a computer engineer. I even had the same preference as my high school crush! It was like heaven.

But, when I was applying for UP and De La Salle, my father saw a course called ECE. Then he exclaimed, "Ate, ito na lang kunin mo. Matutulungan kita diyan!" And I was like "Huh? Ok..." But my preference was still Comp Eng. I was convinced when I talked to a grade school crush that I should choose ECE over Comp Eng. So, the moment was like "kilig to the bones" and I was persuaded slightly. Then, my uncle and I had a talk over college matters. He asked me what course I chose. Then I said ECE. Then he exclaimed "Bongga ka, ate! Malaki ang sweldo at in-demand kaya yan sa states!" And I was like "whoa?! Wowowee!" And that truly persuaded me to pursue ECE.

The entrance exam was hard. First off, I did not review. I just browsed my textbooks and I even had fever on the day of the exam. I am with my classmate and we were like neophytes in the big campus. I was pressured by my seatmate. Being a competitive person that I am, I somehow managed to get myself competing silently. I made sure to finish before her. But then I realized, take your time, fool.

So, I finished the exam with a huge doubt. I was like shivering every night and not being able to sleep well. I was very anxious to the point that I check the website every three days. Then the day of the results came. I called my classmate and asked her of her status. Sadly, she did not qualify. I hurriedly searched for my test permit which was located somewhere in my room. With the Divine Mercy, I was able to find it and tell my classmate of my ID. Then, she exclaimed, "Sabi na nga ba Anne, e! Pasado ka! First choice, ECE!" OMG! I was like crying and laughing and crying again. And laughing, too. It was like my cold suddenly faded. Then, I ran to my parent's room, almost tripping over and I told them to go to the website. Then, I plugged the test permit and they were like, "WOW!!!" x10. That's the second time my mom hugged me to death and my father acknowledged that I did have the brains despite my poor study habits. They were at tears for they know that the exam was hard and De La Salle is a prestigious school. They even joked about the tuition fee and I joked of shifting to Liberal Arts.

After that, loads of PLDT manuals was given to my by pops. I was like, whoa. Halt! It will be just basics this year. Then he reasoned out, "kung sinisimulan mo na yan, e 'di advanced ka na!" I sighed and started browsing through the thick books.

One thing I did realize...

These were the same books that remained a mystery to me!

I was like gaping at the books before me. Never had I foreseen the day I will be the one who will hold these books in my hands, let alone know of their purpose. My father told me that these were the manuals he used when he was in Infanta PLDT. They were each given a copy and they were to study these in order to respond to the problems of their customers. Father's work was just to sit around, play pc games and respond to the boss if he's calling. Well, that's interesting. 8D

So, I'm reaally, reaally thankful that I got guts to actually take engineering, with the fact that I don't like Math and I SUCK at Math. But that will never stop me from achieving my dream of being an engineer. One last thing that URGED me to continue: ECE is my father's dream course and I am to fulfill it for him. I failed him lots of times before, but I will not this time. It's my chance to prove him I can be someone. So, do our best and God will do the rest!

-Ciel

Teaser for "The Necklace"

The Necklace

(Lolita Cielita and Dandan Dalandan)

 ...

...so I took a candid shot and got that result. Man, I was unable to capture her face. My body was still trembling from the electric shock...

...

...as if she was just a distant memory of the past that dissolved in a myriad of fairy dust...

...

She had a trauma, He is the cure. 

Two lovers from different worlds, unconscious of the red string tied to their pinky fingers. Unbeknownst to them, that silver chain of their fate is the only bridge for them to meet again...

World's Apart

World's Apart

Far from the clutches of the painful reality

I had tried to hold on to the best of my ability

Hold on to the thought of someday you would see

How much you were dearly loved by me.

I had dreamed about you countless times

I didn't know how to express it; should I do a pantomime?

The moment I saw your angel-carved face

I knew you had my heart tied into a silky lace.

But we were born from different worlds - so far apart

- Butler and Mistress - both of us should play our part

But love overlooked every fault, did it not?

And someday, somehow, our hearts would be tied by a knot.

As the bells of reality rang once more

It did shake me down to the core

As I opened my eyes to face reality

I saw your face [your angel-carved face] painted with a smile full of honey.

And at that moment I already knew,

The dreams I had were the most subtle clues.