Lahynna wanted to toss her head. It was not new to her to hear such viciousness. Gossipers were all over, anywhere.
But then, she felt sorry for the guy. Why did they focus their attention on him, anyway?
I just couldn’t believe whatever Jane told me. What I saw from Rubick was far from those accusations. Rubick didn’t show me any indecency. Even the way he picked me up from the muddy weir didn’t show me cockiness or anything. Jane’s words were really impossible and ridiculous.
“Whatever, Hynna. But hear me out. All the gossips have their roots. It wouldn’t spread if it was not true. At least even a little. As the old saying goes: When there’s smoke, there’s fire. Come on, Hynna. He is such a good-for-nothing troublemaker.”
“You can’t judge him as easily as that. There’s no proof for the accusation they threw at him, Jane. Everything was speculation.”
Jane leered at her. “If that’s what you think. What is important is I already warned you, Hynna.”
Lahynna turned back at the cabin where she left. And she could see him watching her moving away. He looks away from them again.
Why did she feel this way? She knew Jane was sure of what she was talking about, but she could not just believe her friend, maybe because Rubick didn’t do anything wrong towards her. In fact, she saw many good things from him even in the short period they were together. She believes that people just misinterpret him.
What’s new? This world was too judgemental.
“But anyway… Rubick is one kind of hottie. He doesn’t look like a good-for-nothing. They were even rich. His family owned this land.” She heard Jane beside her.
As they speed away, there’s this feeling in her that she wanted to walk back and asked Rubick. She wanted to hear the truth from his own mouth. But for what? They don’t even know each other personally.

MONTHS passed, and Lahynna already saw Rubick in their lawn area every week after arriving from the University. She found out that Lanryd met him in a game shop while playing DOTA. Lanryd invites him to join their group, and Rubick gladly accepts.
They were already exchanging smiles and greetings, and sometimes, she joined their DOTA tournament. It was their start. When she was about to go back to L University, Rubick would pick her up and drive her all the way. He even spends time picking her up on weekends when she is going home. She doesn’t know how Rubick managed to learn her schedules.
But that was the time she decided to forget whatever Jane told her. Maybe people just mistakenly judged him for who Rubick was. If they see something wrong in him, she doesn't mind. All she saw from him is his good side. Rubick is a good person.
And rumors were not enough to cloud her judgment. He was really such a nice guy.
She graduated from her four-year course in Biochemistry that actually took her five years because of their additional one-year program in laboratory techniques. She managed to join the graduation even though she was absent for almost two months. She got confined in a hospital. She managed to fulfill her school activities after a long absence. Rubick was there, joined the celebration of her graduation, together with her family, who wholeheartedly accepted Rubick.

“LET’S GO?” Rubick asked.
It was Lahynna’s first day at work, being one of the Laboratory Analysts of De Juego Pharma in the Bohol branch.
She applied for a job in that company because she thought she would be working with Rubick. Lanryd once told him that Rubick’s father offered him the management of DJP in the Bohol branch.
The De Juego Pharma Corporation was a family-owned business, but Rubick’s father is the company's major stockholder, President, and CEO. And she just found out this morning that she assumed it wrong. Rubick wasn’t in the DJP. He has a big gap with his father—whom.was currently living in Cebu.
Yes, his parents were separated, and Rubick was with his mother.
The truth is, she barely knows a thing about Rubick’s private life. He seldom told him stories about himself whenever they were together. She was the one who always told him everything about her life, and Rubick patiently listened. She doesn’t stay in their house in Bohol since she was studying at L University, far from Bohol. Well, probably just now that she was starting to work here.
But just this morning, her mother told her it was a big challenge for Rubick to step foot in DJP. It was then that she found out everything. Rubick was mad at his father. And it confused her to see him here, offering her a ride to DJP.
“It’s your first day. You should not be late.” Rubick smiled at her as he opened Audi's passenger door.
Lahynna secretly gasped as they walked near his car. She simply scolded her heart that was actually throbbing wild inside her chest. She was certain it was the effect of his handsome appearance.
Just recently, she noticed that feeling seems to be normal. Since when did she get affected by his smile?
She doesn’t know. He already possessed that heart-stealing smile since day one. The guy was a looker, really. He was six feet tall, and her height might reach just his broad shoulders. He had that wide chest she wanted to feel with her hands, strong long arms. Tall, lean… and…
Oh! Her assessment never changed. He was the same hot guy in that Korean drama series. And it took her a lot of self-repression not to touch his handsome face. He beats my own complexion.
Lahynna doesn’t know if she should envy him or admire him. She chooses the latter. Having that smooth skin was admirable though. She couldn’t help but stare at him. What a wonderful view? No wonder Eina tried her best to hook him.
“I have something to ask, Rubick.” She said as the car sped away.