One More Chance
Chapter 3: I don't like you!

~~Why do I feel this way when I know you have someone that you're seeing each and every day? Should I play this game of just being your friend when I know that's not where I want it to end? How could this be wrong when the feeling's so strong? Tearing me apart I feel it in my heart~~~

-Nina Garrido-

Jack really did what she said. She didn't come with me to the university where my brother and my first love, Luke were studying.

Visiting my brother at the University is not my first time doing it. I've done this many times in the past eight months since I knew that his best friend had returned to San Francisco to continue his studies. But I must admit that this is the first time I come here 'ALONE', as my best friend's rope of patience towards my brother has already reached its limit. Well... I guess you already know the reason.

Wearing my new mini skirt or should I say---the shortest I've ever had---skirt, I smiled at all the girls who actually presume to be my sister-in-law in the future.

"Hi, Sam." They greet me in unison.

"Hello." I greet back smiling.

Well, Dale and Luke are both famous in this school, not only because they both have looks and appeal, but also because they were both heirs to the largest advertising and real estate company in the country. Luke Marcuz Williams is the only child of the man who owns the largest advertising company in San Francisco, while Dale Sebastian Soriano---you know, my brother...is the eldest child who will soon assume the position of CEO in our father's company.

Upon entering the huge air-conditioned basketball court, I attracted the attention of some students who are watching the practice, but as usual, I just gave them a smile. What would I say when I know that some of them replace me as a threat. A threat to them not having their happy ending with my Luke Williams. Tss! As if he would spare them his precious attention. If I, the sister of his best friend, had difficulty getting his attention, what more of them?

I kept walking until my feet reached the best spot where I could see my king playing. I'm sure they haven't noticed me yet. Well, it's a big favor on my part, since I was able to watch and stare the way Luke's muscles flex every time he moves.

So the game started. I just rolled my eyes when the annoying creatures--- I mean, girls behind me started screaming the names of their favorite players.

But my heart jumped out of my chest when our eyes met. I smiled sweetly at him, but I only got a blank stare before he ran to the other side of the court. 'Hmm... it's okay. I know you'll be mine soon.' A desperate smile formed on my lips.

I continued watching their practice---no, I continued watching him run then and there in silence wishing to be the one who wipes his face with a clean towel, and licks the drops of water that accidentally flow from his lips onto his neck.

"What the hell ---" It's too late for me to avoid the flying round object as it already hits me on the shoulder. And because of its strong impact, I fall from my seat. "Ouch!" I screamed because of the unexpected pain.

"Oh, God! Are you okay? I'm sorry, I didn't catch the ball before it went in your direction." A new face from the team asked me while helping me to stand up.

"It's okay, I'm fine." I tried to smile after seeing Luke standing behind him.

"Tss! This is a college university, but what is a spoiled brat high school student doing here?" Luke sneered and although it pinched my heart, I still managed to smile --- charmingly. "Hi, Luke."

He stared at me and I didn't miss the way he clenched his jaws after seeing my skirt. His expression became darker, but I 'misinterpret it in some naughty idea'.

I hold my breath and held my chin up. This is it, he finally noticed my outfit.

"Miss, do you want me to go with you to the clinic?" Asked the man standing next to me which I didn't notice his hand still holding my arm.

I glanced at him then to his hand---slightly annoyed. He removed it immedialy with an apologetic smile. Hmm... his looks aren't that bad. He's actually cute.

"I'm sorry, but if you want I can go with you."

I raised an eyebrow. Nice voice. But before I could even open my mouth and refuse his offer, Luke scolded us, frowning.

"No! She won't go anywhere with you Paul. She's fine. Look at her, she still can stand with her own feet, so I'm sure she's okay."

"But captain---"

"Let's go back with the practice and you too, Miss Soriano, can go home. This is a University and not not the right place for you to hang out. I'm sure you wouldn't want your parents to know you're here." "Huh?" I blinked, suddenly lost of words for a second.

"Come on, Paul."

I was just pulled back to earth when he started walking away after throwing me a hard glare.

"W-Wait!" I can still feel the pain on my butt but I have to run after him. I don't want to miss this opportunity as it only happens in a blue moon. "Luke!" I grabbed his arm which made him stop and look at me. I swear my heart stopped beating the moment he turned around. His cheeks were red and so were his lips. Oh, gosh! He looks so handsome.

"What?"

"Uhm---"

"What do you want, Ms. Soriano?"

Oh, yeah...the second time he called me Miss Soriano.

"Why are you calling me by my last name? I told you to call me Sam, besides, you're my brother's best friend, aren't you?"

He scoffed, removing his arm from my grip. "Right. Your brother and I are best friends and not us. We are not even close."

"Yeah, but we can at least be friends, you know." I shrugged awkwardly, trying to keep up his pace.

"Look, Miss Soriano, I'm busy and I don't have time for this childish conversation."

"Childish---no, it's not! I mean it. We can be friends." I know some of his teammates are looking at us right now with different expressions on their faces, but the thing is--- 'I don't care.'

He instantly stopped walking. And I take that as an opportunity to tell him what I feel, where honestly, I've already forgotten how many times I've confessed it to him.

"I like you, Luke Marcuz. No, I think I'm falling in love with you." I smiled even though I already knew what his next words will be.

We heard some cheerings from the other students and his expression darkened as he formed his fists into a hardball. It's okay--- I know he wouldn't hit me.

"You know what, why don't you just go home and do your homework instead of bothering me? You're too young for this kind of thing, don't you know that? And forgodsake, how many times do I have to tell you that I don't like you!"

"Ouch." My right hand automatically lifted into my left chest. "But I said I like you, what will you do about it?"

'Who says I can't be an actress?'

"You're just wasting your effort, Samantha. Wearing heavy makeup, fitted shirt, short skirt and 4-inch heels is only for those desperate women!"

Maybe if we're just in a different situation, I would have jumped 10 times and roll on the ground as he mentioned my name... but his words cuts not only my heart but also my ego.

"I already have a girlfriend and I love her."

"I know, but just like what you said, she's only your girlfriend and not your wife. So that means I still have a chance to prove myself to you." I shrugged.

I don't know where I got the strength to spill those words, but I have to make him understand what I feel. I noticed the fire registering in his eyes, showing a silent warning as he took a step closer to me. "Listen kid and bear this in your mind!"

'Whoa! Did he just call me a kid?'

"You're too young and naive to understand the things around you. And do you think I'm oblivious of what you're doing?" He scoffed. "No, I'm not, so better stop this childish act of yours and stop bothering me. I love my girlfriend and I would

never, never choose you over her."

"But I---" I was about to say 'I can do everything to make him love me and exceed whatever his girlfriend is giving him, but I didn't get a chance to say those words as I flinched when he grabbed my shoulders.

"I'm warning you for the last time, Samantha, stop what you are doing. I don't want this to become the cause of our fight because I swear if that happens, you will never want the consequences."

A loud gasp escaped from my lips when he squeezed my shoulders tightly before giving me a not-so-strong push.

And with one last glare, he left me speechless and open-mouthed in the middle. He was already 10 meters away from me when I finally able to get myself back.

"Tss!" I scoffed. So what, if this leads them to fight? I would definitely scream in happiness if that happens. And who says I'm afraid of his warning? I am Samantha Soriano and whatever Samantha wants, she always gets... I mean, always.

"What did you do again this time, Samantha?"

The smile on my lips vanished when I saw my brother approaching me.

"Oh, brother, I didn't notice you earlier---"

"What are you doing here and what the fuck are you wearing?" I promise, he's not mad--- he's just angry at the way he scrutinizes my clothes.

"Oops, this is what they called an 'outfit"." I shrugged.

"To hell with your outfit! Didn't I tell you to stop coming here and stop flirting with Luke? Oh, no--- the right word is seducing! When the hell are you going to stop with your craziness?" He whispered-yelled. Guess what? He never let me speak. He held my wrist tightly and pulled me towards the exit.

"Ouch! You're hurting me, let go of my wrist. I can walk, you know."

"The hell I care!" He only freed my arm when we're finally out of the court. "Who the hell let you entered the campus wearing that disgusting outfit of yours?"

I sighed harshly.

"Seriously, how many times do you have to mention the word 'hell' every time you're asking me?"

"I am not kidding, Samantha!"

I held my breath. "Argh! I was wearing jeans when I entered the gate, I just changed before going to the basketball court. Happy?"

But he didn't say anything. He remained standing while shaking his head.

"Are you really that desperate to do these things God! You're only 17, you shouldn't wear clothes like that, that leaves little to the imagination of those bastards and maniacs.out there! And about Luke, didn't tell you to stop bothering him?"

I sighed. If only the things I had in mind wouldn't add his anger, I swear, it's merely a second before I roll my eyes on him and say... *Jeez, Dale! Are you a priest or a pastor? don't need your sermons today, duh! But of course, I must be an obedient sister who only smiles and nods with his every word if I don't want this conversation to go on any longer.

"Let's go!" He said taking my wrist again.

"Wait! Where are we going?"