Chapter 1 – Everything But Love

I am lying on bed and my mind running.

People always looked at me with envy.

"You're so lucky."

"I wish I had your life."

"You have everything."

Those were the words I heard almost every single day.

At first, I used to smile and thank them. Eventually, I just smiled because I didn't know what else to do.

If only they knew the truth.

Yes, I was born into one of the wealthiest families in the city. My parents owned one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the country. Their names appeared in newspapers, business magazines, and television interviews. People admired them for their success, dedication, and intelligence.

Because of them, I never had to worry about money.

If I wanted a new phone, it would be on my desk the next morning.

If I liked a dress, it was already hanging in my closet before the week ended.

Vacations? Luxury resorts.

Birthdays? Grand celebrations.

Education? The best schools money could offer.

To everyone else, my life looked like a dream.

But dreams don't always tell the whole story.

Money can buy comfort.

Money can buy luxury.

Money can even buy people's respect.

But there was one thing money could never buy.

Love.

Every morning, I woke up in a mansion so large that it echoed with silence.

The room I slept in was bigger than most apartments. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline, expensive paintings decorated the walls, and fresh flowers were replaced every morning by our housekeepers.

It was beautiful.

But it never felt like home.

I glanced at the clock beside my bed.

6:00 a.m.

Another day.

I slowly got up, changed into my university uniform, and walked downstairs.

Just as expected, our dining table was covered with food.

Fresh pancakes.

Bacon.

Eggs.

Fruit.

Coffee.

Juice.

Everything looked perfect.

Everything...

Except the empty chairs.

I sat quietly and ate my breakfast alone.

Again.

One of our maids approached me with a gentle smile.

"Good morning, Miss Chelsa."

"Good morning, Ate Mira."

"Your parents left early this morning. They have a board meeting before their flight."

I smiled politely.

"I figured."

It wasn't surprising anymore.

There was always another meeting.

Another business trip.

Another conference.

Another reason why they couldn't be there.

Sometimes I wondered...

Did they even remember what my favorite food was?

Did they know my favorite color?

Would they notice if I disappeared for a day?

Or would someone else have to tell them?

I hated thinking that way.

After all, they worked hard for me.

They gave me everything they thought I needed.

Maybe...

They simply forgot that what I needed most wasn't expensive.

It was them.

I finished breakfast and walked outside where our driver was already waiting but I insisted that I used my own car.

"Good morning, Miss."

"Morning."

The drive to the university took around twenty minutes.

As the car entered the campus, students immediately noticed it.

Some whispered.

Some waved.

Some stared.

Being the daughter of the university owners wasn't exactly something I could hide.

I stepped out of the car and adjusted my bag.

"Good luck today, Miss."

"Thanks."

The moment I entered the campus, familiar greetings surrounded me.

"Morning, Chelsa!"

"Hi!"

"You look pretty today!"

I smiled politely at everyone.

Being friendly came naturally.

Trusting people didn't.

Thankfully...

I wasn't completely alone.

"CHELSA!"

A familiar voice shouted across the hallway.

I laughed before even turning around.

Only one person could yell my name that loudly.

Kate.

She ran toward me with her usual bright smile before wrapping her arms around me.

"There you are! I've been looking everywhere."

"You've been looking for me for two minutes."

"Still counts."

I couldn't help laughing.

Kate had this incredible ability to make every day feel lighter.

"You ready for today's classes?"

"As ready as I'll ever be, by the way why are you here."

She linked her arm with mine.

" Your mom said I'll give this report to principal this is important "

"Tskk fine, I forgot you're working at my mom Pala" I rolled my eyes.

Before Kate could answer, another familiar figure appeared.

"Good morning, little sister."

"Kuya Josep!"

My older brother turned around and smiled warmly before gently patting my head.

Josep was a fourth-year college student, taking up Business Administration. He wasn't into sports or campus organizations like most students. Business had never been his dream, but he chose it anyway.

One day, he'll inherit our parents' university.

It wasn't the future he wanted...

But sometimes, life doesn't give you much of a choice.

Unlike our parents, Kuya always made time for me.

He never missed my birthdays.

He attended my school events whenever he could.

He always checked if I had eaten or if I was doing okay.

They were simple gestures.

But to me...

They meant everything.

"How's my favorite sister?" he asked with a smile.

"You only have one."

"Exactly."

Kate, who had just arrived after finishing some work for my mom at the university office, laughed.

"You two are still the same."

Kate wasn't a student anymore. She had graduated a year ago and now worked as one of my mom's trusted staff members at the university. Even though she was busy with work, she always found time to check on me.

Kuya looked at me with his usual caring expression.

"Don't skip lunch today."

"I won't."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

He smiled, satisfied with my answer.

"Good. I'll see you later."

With one last pat on my head, he headed toward his building while Kate walked beside me toward my classroom.

Watching him leave made my heart feel lighter.

If it weren't for Josep and Kate...

I honestly didn't know how I would've survived growing up.

They were my safe place.

The people who reminded me that I wasn't invisible.

As Kate and I walked toward our classroom, loud cheers suddenly echoed through the hallway.

"What now?" Kate muttered.

A huge crowd had gathered near the entrance.

Mostly girls.

Some were fixing their hair.

Others were taking selfies.

One girl was literally screaming.

Curiosity got the better of me.

I looked over.

Standing in the middle of the crowd was Jake.

Campus heartthrob.

Basketball captain.

The guy almost every girl seemed to have a crush on.

He laughed at something one of the girls said before politely excusing himself.

I had to admit...

He was ridiculously handsome.

Sharp jawline.

Perfect smile.

Neatly styled black hair.

Even from a distance, he looked like he had walked straight out of a magazine.

Face card? Never declined.

I almost laughed at my own thoughts.

Still...

Good looks alone never impressed me.

"Chelsa!"

I blinked.

Jake was jogging toward me.

Seriously?

Kate slowly stepped backward.

"Oh no... I'll leave you two, I'll go bye sissy"

"You traitor."

She grinned.

"Have fun."

Before I could stop her, she disappeared into the crowd.

Jake finally reached me, slightly out of breath.

"Morning."

"Morning."

He smiled.

"Can I walk with you?"

I shrugged.

"Sure."

His smile widened.

Together, we continued toward our classroom.

"You know," Jake started, "I've been trying to talk to you for weeks."

"Really?"

"You always seem busy."

"I am busy."

"Ouch."

I looked at him.

"Were you expecting me to apologize?"

He laughed.

"No. That's exactly why I like talking to you."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"Most people try too hard to impress me."

"And?"

"You don't."

"I don't see why I should."

He laughed even harder.

"I like your honesty."

"I've been told it's intimidating."

"I think it's refreshing."

Before long, we reached our classroom.

The moment we entered together...

Silence.

Then whispers.

"Oh my gosh..."

"Did they come together?"

"Is Jake finally dating someone?"

"Who knows?"

I ignored every single comment.

People loved making stories out of nothing.

Jake casually pulled out the chair beside mine.

"Mind if I sit here?"

"It's a free country."

"I'll take that as a yes."

He sat down with a satisfied grin.

Throughout the morning, he kept trying to start conversations.

Sometimes he teased me.

Sometimes he complimented me.

Sometimes he simply smiled whenever our eyes accidentally met.

His flirting was obvious.

Cute.

Funny, even.

But not enough to make my heart race.

Not even close.

Maybe I had built walls too high.

Or maybe...

I simply wasn't interested.

The professor entered the room, and everyone quickly settled into their seats.

After discussing the syllabus, she closed her folder and smiled.

"Oh, before we continue..."

The room became quiet.

"We have a new student joining us today."

A new student?

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