Dangerously Mine (English Version)

LOURAINE felt the cool air whispering on her closed lids as Duke slowly lowered the blind fold from her eyes. "Now, open your eyes." Slowly, she opened them and blinked a few more times to clear her vision. In the vast sand was a table in the middle of a tent surrounded with white fabric that was softly dancing in the wind. But the breathtaking view was not the reason her heart skipped a beat. It was the single red rose lying on top of it.  A soft music began to play and she made a small laugh when she saw it was coming from his phone. She immediately recognized the tune and smiled as her favorite Taylor Swift’s song played. We were so young when I first saw you… Duke plucked that red rose and walked back to her. "Happy sixteenth birthday," he said and handed her her favorite flower. Without breaking eye contact, he offered her his hand. "Dance with me." Speechless and beyond stunned, she let him sweep her feet and they danced together with the rhythm of their hearts. But how long will this happiness last? The question pierced into her consciousness like a knife-cut. Because of her family’s status, people think she doesn’t suit him. He’s practically an heir to a multimillion-dollar business empire and with his incredible wealth and connections, his life was bound to be different from hers. Besides, his parents and family might not approve of her. Ever since the first day of their relationship, she had been doubting about their future and it ended up messing with her self-esteem. Her insecurities grew and sometimes, it made her ask him whatever did he saw in her. Why her? Without her brain, she’s just a nobody. She had nothing else. "Do you still think I’ll let you go so easily?" Duke asked as he swayed her to her feet. She was even surprised how easily he could read her mind. "This is not a game for me, Louraine.” His hand rose to her chin, forcing her to look at him to see the truth in his eyes. “You’re different from anyone I’ve met. I couldn't hide from you. Every time you look at me, I feel like you can see right through me, the real me. The boy without the fame, the money, and the name. With you, I don't have to pretend someone else.” Spending the whole day with him was the most unforgettable gift Duke had given her. They played and fooled around all day on that beach, building sand castles and watched the sunset like an idiot couple, making happy memories. She was happy and contented. When she got home, Louraine found Duke’s last gift—a small red velvet box inside her bag where a silver diamond ring was nestling and a note. “I love you. Never forget that no matter what happen.” She wanted to ask him about it but he never showed again. No texts, no calls. Nothing. Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. Her phone calls and message remained unanswered. Even his brothers and sister stopped coming to school. Louraine didn’t know whom she should ask. She’s getting worried sick about him, especially when he suddenly disappeared without saying goodbye. When she could no longer stand his absence, she decided to visit his University and ask his friends. But according to them, he hasn’t been coming to school for a few days.   THEIR prom passed and graduation day came, but Duke never showed. It’s as if he vanished through thin air. And it’s been brutal for Louraine. "Congratulations!" her mom said as she wrapped her warmly between her arms. Despite the loneliness she felt, Louraine still felt happy that she made her parents proud for graduating as the Class Valedictorian. "Excuse me,” a man in black suit and matching black shades interrupted while she took pictures with her parents. “Are you Miss Louraine?" he asked. From the way he was dressed, he reminded her of Duke’s bodyguard. Instead of feeling frightened, it made her feel happy thinking Duke finally came. "I’ll be back soon," she excitedly told her parents who were looking at them with curiosity. Louraine was in the middle of thinking what to say to Duke when she saw a black car parked a few meters away from her. Her heart thud loudly against her chest until it slowed when someone stranger stepped out of the luxurious car and her hope vanished when she saw his professional poker face. "Miss Allegra," the man acknowledged and put out a hand. "I’m Philip, Mr. Steele’s secretary." Louraine stared at the hand in front of her for a moment before taking it. She could already feel her stomach trembling from apprehension. Why would Duke’s father’s secretary come to see her? "Sir Duke wanted me to give you this personally,” he said as if reading the question in her eyes and handed her a letter. She didn’t take nor touched the edge of the paper. "Why? Where is he? Why can’t he give it to me himself?" "He’s sorry, Miss, he can’t make it today.” Anger made her clench her hands hard on her sides. That’s it? He was so busy he couldn’t even spare a small time to give his letter to her himself? Was she that insignificant to him? Is this how little she meant to him? He said she was not a game. He told her he was not playing any game. So why does she feel like being played? Philip reached for her stubbornly clenched hand when she didn’t make any move and gave her the letter. “Do not wait for him anymore, miss.” “What do you mean…?” “I am not supposed to tell you this… They already left the country. No one knows when they’ll come back.” Louraine staggered back on her heels as if the news has hands that pushed her back. Two months? Was that why she never saw him again? Because he’s already somewhere she could never reach him? Her chest suddenly felt tight it was getting hard to breath. What about his promise? What about her?   “WE’RE leaving now. Your dad is already waiting. Call us if you’re on your way so we can pick you up, okay?” Louraine quickly grabbed her mom’s hand and held it one last time before releasing it again. She just didn’t like the odd feeling in her chest when her mom suddenly let go of her. “You’re missing me already?” her mom teased and hugged her tightly. “Don’t take too long. We’ll be waiting.” Louraine nodded and let her go. "Go on. Call me right away when you get there, okay? I Love you!" "We love you, too!” Her mom smiled brightly as she waves at her.   Louraine still has to pack her few things and wait for her diploma before following her parents to their province. Her father was one of those unlucky employees who was laid off when the company he’s been working for 14 years faced a crisis. Her parents kept it from her for a while but she caught them when they were secretly talking about it one night. They didn’t want to tell her at first because they were worried it will affect her focus in school. Her father is 53 years old now and they’re worried if he can get a job again. So, they decided to go back to province since they have a small farm to work on. Besides, the fresh air will be good for her mother’s health. She also found out there had been a strike in front of the company and outside Stanfield’s house. There was a high number of workers that was laid off and most of them haven’t been compensated. It’s been going on for months and she no idea about it. She was too preoccupied with her own life and own problems that she hadn’t taken notice of her father. She also didn’t notice that Duke was having problems on his own. Thinking about Duke reminded her of the letter that she hasn’t read yet. She wasn’t planning to read it. Forever. But she realized her questions will forever remain unanswered, too. For her peace of mind, she went inside and looked for the letter and read it. Louraine, Congratulations! Today’s your big day and I really wish I can spare a second to see you. But I can't. Maybe, as you read this letter, I am already gone. I know you want to ask me a lot of questions and I'm sorry I'm not there to answer them. Maybe over time I’ll be able to give you the answer. But not now. Louraine, you're the happiest thing that ever happened to me. Don’t ever doubt that. But there are things that aren’t meant to stay forever. There are things that you need to sacrifice and give up for the sake of others. No matter how hard, you have to choose. And in this case, I had to sacrifice something most precious to me to save those who needed my help. I'm sorry, I had to leave you. I won't ask you to wait for me. I won't ask you to keep everything. I won’t even ask you to remember. All I want to ask you is to forget me. Reach your dreams, live your life to the fullest... even without me. You’re right. We are still young. You have a bright future ahead of you. I know that. I know that we have different paths and I couldn’t guarantee you anything. Maybe in the future... I might forget about you. And it will hurt you. I don’t want to hurt you by waiting for me. So, forget everything about me. Don't waste your time waiting for uncertainty. Find someone who could replace me. Because I don't know if I will ever come back to you again. Duke. A tear escaped, soaking the paper, smudging ink all over it. Liar. Everything that he said was a lie! Why? Was she not as worthy as those people he was choosing over her? Why did he have to leave her behind? Why did he have to choose? Why did it have to be her who needs to be given up? Did he forget about his promise, too? Was that so easy for him to forget her? Because she doesn’t know if she can do it. To forget. She has been crying and consoling her broken heart when the phone rang. She felt so weak she couldn't even move, but she still forced herself to stand up and answer the call.  "Hello?" she rasped softly as she wipes away her tears. "Is this Miss Louraine?!" It was a woman on the phone and she was almost screaming her name. "Yes. Who’s this?" "It’s about your parents…” the woman trailed. “They’ve been in a car accident!" The phone slipped from her grip and was in shock she hasn’t even realized she was still wearing her sleepers as she ran outside their house and called a cab. She offered a lot of prayers on her way to the hospital. All she could think about was her parents despite her broken heart. She only has her parents and she needed their strength and their love for her to move on and to heal her wound now that Duke let her down. Now that the man who owned her heart abandoned her. But it’s too late. She could vividly remember how the doctor tried to save her father from heart failure, the blood that covered her mother's body and how she tried to open her eyes for one last time to see her daughter. How her heart was torn to pieces, her dreams, and her life as she loses them right in front of her eyes. She could still remember how lost she felt, how helpless she was. She couldn’t even do anything as she loses her parents one by one. They all left her alone. Wounded and scared. That was the day her heart was replaced by a hard ice, freezing her whole body, numbing her and leaving her cold.   That was the day she withered and died.