Prologue

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry for saying this but this story isn't fixed yet by the technical team of my contractor. The chapters are not in order and you might find it not good to read. I am sorry in advance. IF YOU REALLY WANT TO READ MY STORY, YOU CAN ACCESS IT ON WATTPAD. JUST SEARCH 'Soulless', it has the same book cover or just click the link: https://www.wattpad.com/story/59003080

THANK YOU! Have a nice reading :)

"Sha!"

I frown and scratch my ear a bit when the one and only female best friend of mine shouted my name, Anika.

"What!" I shouted back, reason why she laughed hard and pointed at my irritated face.

"Why are you irritated again? I called your name because you are not listening again! My golden voice is just useless when I'm with you," she said and drink her ordered softdrink on her straw in a very classy yet irritating way.

It's our free time since we are just in one class of Fine Arts in this prestigious university in the City. And because we have time to spare off, we were sitting on a flat cold sement of the basketball court of our campus to watch her one and only Lonie Alcantara. We came in the court a bit early so we sat in the front part of the bench. It's a perfect place because you can see almost everything.

I gently slide back the baby hair that's been escaping and going to my face before talking to Anika again.

"Sorry?" I sarcastically asked, "And what golden voice are you talking about? I thought there's an annoying dog that's been barking at my side the whole time," I teasingly said and received a hit on my shoulder.

I glare at her but instead of getting mad at my tease, she laughed at my expression as I rubs the part where she hit me. I can't take another lose so I pull her hair a bit and she squeal because of that. Now, it's my turn to laugh at her funny face.

Someone whistle in a very catchy way on our left side. We turned our heads at the same time to look for that person. We saw a group of men not that far from our spot. They are nudging each other's elbows while smirking at each other and glancing at us. There is something they found funny. I looked at Anika in curiousity but she just shrugged her shoulders.

"Hi, Sharika," the tallest of them waved his hand shyly to my direction.

I raised an eyebrow and finally understood that he was the one who whistled, and what more, to gain my attention. Who am I to not give him a bit then?

He is handsome with his messy hair and a black earing on his left ear. He reminds me of a shy bad boy. Cute and attractive. It's obvious thet he is famous in the campus. But not totally my type. I was planning to greet back in a simple way but I heard some remarks and scowl from the girls who's watching us.

Anika looked at me and I smirked. Her red lips slowly curving upwards as she looks at my eye. She gets what I'm thinking. I feel her elbow nudging mine making me giggles before giving attention to the guy who waved at me.

"Hi," I said in a very girly way and winked at him after.

His group make a loud noise because of that. His cheeks became red at their tease and cheers for my greetings at him. I smiled widely. Satisfied at their reaction.

"You're the queen, Sharika Miraflor! No one can beat you," Anika whispered as she can't stop giggling at my actions.

I smirked and flip my hair to the right and winked at her. She squealed at my moves and hit my shoulders again. But instead of getting annoyed at her, I laughed with her.

We sat there for a couple of minutes talking and gossiping about some stuffs that happened recently. The guy who waved at me didn't take any more actions than waving at me. I was almost convinced that he will walked to me and asked for my number. Though a bit disappointed that he didn't do it but I think his friends was just teasing him earlier and forced him to say hi to me. Maybe because we went to a same pageant last month? Well, who knows and care for the reason.

After a few minutes of talking to Anika, we got bored. We don't have any topic. I was gonna invite her to go to Lonie's team locker when she started pointing someone with her lips. She starts to talked about her opinion to the people who enters the court.

"Oh my! Look at her butt, Sha. It looks like a chopping board, super flat. She got some nerves to wear high waist pants!" she said while guiding my head to look at the girl she just criticised for being a flat butted.

"You're so bad, Ani!" I hit her arm that linked to mine and smirk, "You only noticed the butt? Look at the chest, girl. An obvious pure foam bra," I said while giving the girl a look from her head to her toe.

Anika burst out on laughing and I can't help but to laugh with her too. The girl is not the only victim of our funny remarks. Whenever we saw someone with some funny traits entered the court, we always said some remarks on it then laugh at each other. Not minding the frowns and bad laments of other students sitting near us.

We busied ourself to keep criticising at someone else's fashion when my heart suddenly beat wildly. I looked at the person who I can't give funny remarks.

"Damn! Lepinius Alco Villafuente is such a waste. If he will stop wearing that big and nerdy eyeglasses that was almost covering his entire handsome face and stop carrying those thick books on his delicious and beautiful muscle? No doubt that he will be the King of the campus star, " she bluntly said it.

I frowned at her remarks. Is she complimenting him or criticising? I nudged her elbow abit hard. She said ouch before rolling her eyes at me. I made face at her reactions and looked back at Lepinius. I was about to get up from my seat when there's a loud noise coming from the speakers in the court.

Students who have been waiting started to get wildly as the team from our school walked to the center of the court. The men's basketball team are waving their hands to the students who keep on shouting their respective names and teams.

Anika joined the noise as she shouted her boyfriend's name. She was busy looking at the center court and pulling the sleeves of my blouse to encourage me to join her. I just gently pushed away her hand. She didn't react to it so I busy myself on looking at the entrance of the court.

I smiled to myself while watching Lepinius. He was wearing his laboratory gown while carrying thick books on his arms. The big black backpack was perfectly hang on his back. He's head was moving as if he was trying to look for something.

Is he looking for a seat? If yes, I shall offer him a seat then! There's a lot of students but they are afraid to sit besides me so there's a big space at my side. I'm sure he will fit in there. I was about to get up when I stopped. A girl came near him and waved her hand shyly. She was fidgeting infront of him like a worm sprinkled a salt.

Lepinius was really the popular nerd man. Not the popular target to bully but the most handsome nerd man in the campus. I don't know who the hell give him a title of that but it really suits the image of him.

He's confident in everything he do. From the way he walk to the way he talk. He is also a smart student. He won various of awards since he entered the college life. Always in the Top List of Students and always the representative of his course. Plus he is super sexy, masculine and have an overflowing perfectionist aura.

Reasons why there's a lot of girls who keeps on pestering his life despite wearing a big eyeglasses and being a nerd student.

Many friends of mine keeps saying that he is super boring to date. They said that his motto was 'School is life but books is lifer'. That he was such a rude punk who always said things straight to the point. And they said that if you talked to him, you won't understand him because he said some deep words and sentences that only medical students know.

They said that Lepinius never attended any fun party. They said that he only goes to a party if it is a formal or about the business. And if his meetings was scheduled at a bar or club, he was always at the VVIP room or floor.

Why would they said that it was his motto? He never said anything like that though. Rumors are always exaggerated.

Actually, his glasses was not that big and thick. He only wears those old fashioned eyeglasses when he was super busy. Most of the time he didn't wear eyeglasses but contact lense. Though they are right about him being a nerd student.

But I think it's normal to be a nerd especially at his type of course. He is a medical student and the ambassador of our university when it comes to medical courses. Plus, I bet he was pressured being the ambassador of a number one medical university in the city.

Reasons why I cannot understand people who keeps saying things about his attitude and being a nerd. Well, I couldn't care less about them because whatever they said about him, his looks is definitely something to die for.

When I saw Lepinius smiling at the girl, I can't help but feel a sting in my heart. Why would he smile at her like that? I am sure that he didn't know her. The girl was wearing a freaking Senior High uniform. Don't tell me he likes brat like that?

I stand up from my seat immediately. I need to go to him before they exchange any malicious touch.

"Sha? Hey! Where are you going, girl!"

I didn't stop or turn my head to Anika who shouted my name after I walked out from the seat. My eyes was fixed on Lepinius and the worm girl who is now getting near to Lepinius.

As I walked confidently and with pose, I heard some girls saying his name. They are giggling and peeking their heads to Lepinius' way. I didn't know that these girls are fantasizing about him. Well, if I hear someone giggling like that near me, I would definitely picked a fight with her.

I stopped at my track when I saw two girls who is holding their phones up and zooming in their camera. I raised an eyebrow and move closer to their side. They are taking pictures of Lepinius!

Huh! The nerves of this girls. Didn't they know that I can sue them?! Taking pictures without the model permission is punishable by law! I stomped my feet to their way and immediately grab their phone.

"What the hell?!" the girl who's holding the phone shouted at me.

They both looked at me with a very irritated face. I glance back at them.

"Taking pictures without permission can lead you to jail, girls," I select all the picture they took with Lepinius on it, "So better careful if I were you."

"Huh! Who are you to say that? I can also sue you! You grabbed my phone without my permission!" she shouted with all her might making the students near look at us.

Thankfully, lots of students are busy on cheering at the team so just a few students heard her shout. I smirked at her and pressed the delete button after selecting all the pictures I saw with Lepinius on it.

I hold her phone up and wave it infront of her.

"Sue me then. Let's see who will end up getting in jail," I smirked at her.

Her friend nudge her arm and whisper something that makes her face pale. She bit her lips hard and looks down.

"I'll take that as a no."

I smiled sweetly at her and throw her phone at her lap. I looked at the students who start to whisper while glancing at me. It will be bad if I got bad rumors again. I put my index finger on my lips.

"Shhh," I smiled and wink at them before continuing my walk to the entrance.

I heard her sobs as I turn my back on them. Now, alot of people looking at me and rumors starts the fire again. I will make sure to make her my friend to lessen the bad rumors. Hmm..

I stopped just behind the girl who is still busy being a worm infront of Lepinuis. But it's a perfect spot because Lepinius glanced at me but then, his eyes looked behind me where the girl I just consider a friend before looking straight at me.

He shakes his head in a slow motion. He looks disappointed at something. My forehead creased at his expression.

Why? Why would he be disappointed? Ah.. It must be my imagination.

I shaked my head and smile. I took a step to get near him. When he saw me move, he tried to excuse himself at the girl he was talking to and tried to escape. But his body was big and cannot passed through the crowd behind him.

"Hi Pin!" I tried to sound cheerful even though my heart was beating loud now.

He shot his brows up and looks at me intently. Even though he is wearing his eyeglasses now, his gaze still has the same effect on me. Intent, powerful and nerve wrecking. It gives me shivers but not because I'm afraid, but because of excitement.

"Where are you going? Are you looking for a seat? There's a vacant on my spot!" I pointed at the way where I came from without looking away from his eyes.

Just how many days is it the last time I saw him? I'm sure it was just three days ago but it felt weeks now. I tried going to his course building but we have different schedules. Plus, our building is far from each other so if I will not take my time to go on his building, I won't have any chances of seeing him. Sometimes when I got lucky, his professor was absent so whenever I went to his building between my breaks, I have a chance to look at him or even say hi.

Good thing I have friends and acquaintance at his building and classmates, so I received messages from them whenever their professor was out. But, I don't have the slightest chance when he was on duty on the hospital of the University. He was like an invisible when it happens.

He ignored my questions. He adjusted his eyeglasses and carry his books properly. I saw his beautiful roots to be visible as he moved his arms. I can't help but to watch his hands firmly holds the books making his nerves to be more protruded than before. It was so eye-catching and very sexy.

I heard him sigh so I tried my best to look at his eyes and not his arms. He shakes his head again at me and tried to past over me. I think because of him, my reflexes are getting better. I blocked his way and smile innocently.

"Do you want to join me on my seat? It has the best spot since you can see the game properly," I said as I glance behind him.

The girl was still standing behind Lepinius. She took a step when he move. I raises my eyebrows at her and smile. I guess my smiles looks like evil to her that she bowed her head down.

Lepinius was curiously follow my eyesight so I took another step to get near him and catch his attention. My plan was a success because he is now looking at me.

"We can watch-"

"I am not here to watch the game. And, please, don't block our way," he sternly said.

Our way? So he was going with her?

"My spot has a better view-" he tried to walked passed me as I speak, gladly I blocked him again.

"Stop blocking my way,," now, he sounds very angry.

I smiled at him and comb my hair, "And if not?"

I saw his jaw moved as he gritted his teeth and glared at me. He clenched his jaw once before turning his back to me. I moved my feet faster and went infront of him. The girl is now behind me and just staying quite as I tried to persuade Lepinius to come with me.

I saw how he holds his books tighter now as if holding the books is stopping him for hitting me. I will compliment his arms if he was not glaring at me like I am some kind of pest he needs to dispose as soon as possible. It made my heart sting but I still give him a small smile.

If I am not a brave woman, I will get scared at his intense gaze. It is like his string of patience for me are meeting its end.

But, I am Sharika Rose Miraflor. No one scares me. In fact, I really find him amusing. even though it is very obvious the way he clenched his teeth and fist like he was going to punch my face any second, the way he glares at me, in the end he still control his self not to hurt me. At least not physically.

He looked at my face as if he will say something. But his eyes then moved from my left side. His eyes became sharper. I saw his forehead creased as he was looking intently at someone or something.

His brows almost meet as his face grimace at what he is looking at. His lips turned into one line. He gulped once making his adams apple moved upside down.

He sighed heavily and looks at me again. With disappointment, annoyed, angry, and..resentment. When his eyes went back to look at mine, it became darker and sharper as if he was killing someone on his gaze.

If I would have second chance to be with him like this, I would look back and see what he is looking at and why his face was became madder. But I know this is a once in a while chance.. I'm sure after this, he will try to be on duty just to avoid meeting me in any place of this University.

He didn't answer me, instead, he just turn his back to me and start walking to the exit. My reaction was late this time. I was mesmerised at his eyes and face that I forgot he has long legs. I watched his back as it goes farther. He made one glanced at my back before disappearing I the crowd.

My foreheade creased and felt a thorn stabbed in my heart. Even though his treatment was just the same as before, my heart can't takee it whenever he turn his back on me. No one would dare to reject me. Just him.

I bet the next chance I wil get to be near him will take a week or more. I need to ask my friends now to make sure he will not avoid me the whole month.

But on the good side, I'm glad that I heard his voice now. Most of the time, he will just looked at me or passed through me even though I keep chasing after him. He rarely spoke to me more than one word like, 'Stop'. His favourite word everytime he saw me.

I guess, today was really different. He spoke to me more than five words. It is a good progress. I smiled at that thought. I bet I won't stop smiling the whole week now. I'll be in good mood, thanks to Lepinius. I was humming when I was about to walk back to Anika.

I heard my name being called somewhere. I immediately turned my head to where's that sound coming from with a sweet smile plastered on my face.

I took one step to walk when someone stopped my walk by holding on my waist. I was about to curse at tat person when I smell a familiar scent. I turn myy head to look at him, tryrinng to glare at him but the effect of talking to Lepinius was still evident to my smiling face.

"Shain! What are you doing!" I shouued at him, scowling but my smiles makes me happy than annoyed.

I wiggled my body and tried to takes his hand off my waist but instead of losing its grip, he tightly hold it. I groaned in defeat. How can I win at his bulk muscle?

"Stop messing in my game, Sha. Coach might not let me play a game," he chuckles at his sentence.

I smelled his aftershave that's mixed with his perfume on his jersey. I roll my eyes gracefully and flip my hair to his side intentionally so it will hit his face.

"Is it my fault? Your coach is just doing the right thing on not letting you play. You're just a gangster in a jersey. And mind you, please, Shain, take your big hand off me? It was so sweaty and smelly," I cover my nose as I acted like I'm going to puke.

"Huh! What did you say? You want to kiss my armpit? Your wish is my command, queen!" he lifeted his arm and moved his body so his hairy armpit will be rubbed on my face.

I squeal so loud when it almost touches my face. I kicked his feet but it was a useless one compare to his feet. Because of our little noise, people near us start to watch us. But I don't care at all, his armpit was infront of my face! This crazy monster!

I screamed in frustration as I can't take his off away from me. He laughed at my reactions and seriously, this is not funny. I am getting sweaty as the crowd getting bigger because the game was about to start. Plus, there's alot of leeches around. I'm sure useless rumors will go around again.

As much as possible, I want to stay low at this first year of my college life. It doesn't really that much quite but at least I want to avoid any rumor of me being a woman's man. Lepinius will heard about that and that is the biggest no ever.

I puffed my cheeks as a defeat earning a louder laugh from Shain. I just roll my eyes and even though I am annoyed at his pranks, smiles still on my lips. He guided me to Anika who is smirking teasingly at me.

"Stay here doggie," Shain patted my head after making me sit, "Anika, I'll leave this dog to you. Don't make her cause a problem okay?"

"Yes, sir!"

They exchanged a high five while grinning to each other like fools in the club. I rolls my eyes at them and comb my hair that Shain messed up. We turned our heads when someone from the court shouted Shain's name. He shouted back and wave his hand like a crazy dog to his teammate before putting his hands on myy hair again.

"Don't cause a problem okay?"

He ruffled my hair which akes me irritated at some reason. I glares at him and pushed his hand away fromm my hair. I tried o kick his feet but he immediately lifted his fet to avoid my kick.

"I wish for your lose, you brat!" I shouted at him.

"Hey! Don't say that! Lonie is his teammate!"

"Ugh! Just shut up, Anika. You're not hheping me at all," I rolled my eyes at them which makes them laugh.

Scenes with Anika and Shain are normlfor the three of us. Praks and jokes are nothing personal but we agree Al got along at the end of the day. I think being with them for years helps us growing our bond deeper and unbreakable.

We are all came from influential family. Attended almost the same parties. Have the same hobbies and personality. The three of us can be called birds with the same feather, flock together.

The students make a loud noise after hearing a loud noise coming fromm the speaker, signalling the watccherrs that the game is about to start.

"Go Lonie!"

Anika's voice was louder than a group of Senior High girls behind us. She eeps shouting like a crazy fangirl. But because of that, Lonie noticed her cheers and waved and wink at her. She squeal and slap my arm in excitement.

"Oh please! Anika, stop slapping my poor arm. I feel like it will be tear off! This is just a preliminary game okay?"

She looked at me as if I said a very terrible thing to her.

"Why not stop being a bitch and cheer for Shain? He's been glanncinng at our side, you unsupportive friend!" she slapped my arm again and I can't take it anymore so I slapped her arm back.

She groaned at my slapped. I rolled my eyes as I massage the arm she's been slapping since the game started.

"At least, I'm not a bias like you. You only cheered your boyfriend on, duh. Besides, Shain already has a lot of supporters, why bother shouting when he will not hear me at all?" I smirked and flipped my hair a bit.

I bit my lips and hold hands with Anika while we are all standing . Last minute and the other team has the lead. The whole court was in a quite and intense moment. Shain got the ball and he immediately passed it to Lonie who jumped off and landed a three point shot. The game ended as the MC announced our campus' advancement to the quarter competition.

Shain immediately run towards me and Anika. He welcomed me with a warm and sweat hug. He twirl me around making me to squeal and laugh with him. He was so happy that he got payed apart on their winnings and I can't just ruin his mood.

"No PDA allowed!"

"Please carry me too baby Shain!"

Shain smirked as he heard the words coming from the crowd. I giggle to ride the tease on us.

Shain put me down and we were smiling to each other when my line of sight landed onn someone's eyes.

He was looking at me intently on my way. He was leaning against the wall. He is standing firmly near the basketball ring together with some of students who also wears laboratory gown. The ring was not that far from my spot so I can really clearly saw his face and expressions. He was crowded with students at the same course as him. They are talking to him but he just remain standing against the wall while giving a breathtaking stare.

In just a split of second, I memorized his stance and physique. The light coming from the high windows of the court give him enough spotlight and effect. I can clearly see his face structures. The light was above his head as it lighten his dark hair. Beecause of the light, it became brownish right now.

His moreno skin was glowing under the light of the sun. It looks like his skin was full of vitamins.

I saw his face turn sour after a second of exchanging glances at each other. His eyes became more intense that I am afraid he might see my soul. In this distance, I saw his lips move. My heart pounded against my ribcage and I can't seem to breath properly.

I made my eyes focus on his lips movements but second after, he shakes his head at me. Why? Is he saying something? What is he saying to me?

He moved his body away from the wall. Are you escaping again? I bit my lip as I saw him move again. Without farther ado, my body automatically moe on its own to chase him. I escaped Shain's hand as I squeezed my body through the crowd.

I pushed gils who were rnninngtowards Shain. I bumped students who keeps onn insisting not to get pushed at. While struggling to passed through the crowd, my eyes were fixed on Lepinius.

His eyes was also locked on mine. But unlike my eyes that is full of admiration and love for him, his stares was full of different bad emotions that's making my heart sting.

But my body and mind was already used to it. The reason why I was still chasing him despite the people cursing at me as I pushed them away. Despite the calls from Shain and Anika. My feet was unstoppable. My body was searching for a way to go at him.

He mouthed something! I'm sure that he wants to say something to me. If I will not chase him now,, I will not get another chance. ow is the only chance I will get, I must know what he want to say.

I frowned when I saw girl went ot him, making him look away from me. The girl who wear a laboratory gown like him was offering him a waterbottle. He smile t her and gladly accepted her offer. I stomp my feet faster in that sceneand stop wen he look at me again.

He mouthed a word again. This time I understand what he said. He turned his back immediately and walked away. He went to the bench where his friends are sitting. He grabbed his bag and without answerinnghis friends question, he started walking to the exit. His friends immediately run after him.

I was stunned. I was staring blannklyy at the spot he was standing at awhile ago. Why? He smiled at a skimpy girl while looked at e with a disgusted eyes. Ignored me several times but entertain some strangers greetings. My heart stinng so much making me close my fist tightly. I looked down in defeat. Some students bumped my shoulders b ut I am feeling too weak to response.

Four years ago, I met him at a party. My heart was captured asily by his eyes. My mind was already full of him of him after he saw me with men several times. But why would you say something that I am not?

"Liar."

You are a soulless one.