Sixteen years ago…
Sicily Liew Xue Ting pulled her nightdress tighter around her waist to hug herself tighter from the soft spring breeze. She was trying to enjoy the sight of the shimmering stars by the window pane of the tree house, a place where she used to play with her best friends, Ryan Tang Qiu Wen, and James Chen Xin Xin, whom she may no longer be able to get back to how they used to be.
"Ting Ting, you look pretty tonight." She could hear the voice of Qui Wen in her subconscious as she recalled watching him slowly shift closer to her just right before he claimed their first kiss together during a Thanksgiving dinner in his house recently.
She shook her head as though trying to erase the scene, but she could not resist wanting more of that burning desire they both shared.
Was it really love? Was the crush I kept to myself all these years, love? She questioned herself deep in her heart, but she got lost between unconditional and platonic love.
So, it was lust? How can you not feel slight remorse or even guilt? In her deep confusion, she decided it was lust.
Oh, Ting Ting, you're just that evil, are you? You just broke u,p and here you are waiting for his best friend. She scolded herself.
A moment of realisation hit her, thinking about Qui Wen's confession while they got lost in their school's jungle trek back then. It only made her regret not leaving James sooner, but she was also angry with Qiu Wen for not making a move when James confessed to her back then. She could clearly see him from afar, watching them with his sad yet angered eyes as she waited for him to stop James, but instead, he left them alone.
However, to Xue Ting, James was not all that bad. He was at least protective and someone she relied on whenever troubles were stirred. That was something no one could take away from their relationship. He had given her a sweet youth to remember for life, at least, although her heart still yearned more for Qui Wen, who was witty and comfortable to be with at any time. Yet mischievous and understanding…
It is too late. She thought as she knew the one she loved all this while, no matter how much she wanted to deny it, had been Qui Wen.
But what if James finds out? She shuddered at the thought of a raging James in front of them as her phone vibrated in her hand. She comforted herself by not worrying about that since they had broken up.
A text message from Qui Wen made her frown into a wide smile.
Ready? I'm on my way to the doorsteps. Qiu Wen texted as she replied to the text with a kiss emoticon, as she went to get the door and saw him at the top of the ladder.
He stepped in looking fresh and charming. She was mesmerised but tried to play expensive as she passed him his share of wine before he could catch her in his arms. He could not help but notice she was half-naked, walking around trying to tease him.
Spare the wine... He thought while getting impatient, but as he watched Xue Ting finishing a glass by herself in front of him, he could not help but finish the whole glass she gave him in one shot.
As he placed it down on the table, Xue Ting was still teasing him as she walked over to place her glass into the sink in the kitchen, but before she could do that, Qiu Wen finally grabbed her in time.
He devilishly smirked at her and took the glass to put away before pinning her to the wall. Xue Ting could feel his urgency just from his fiery eyes staring at her.
The silhouette of her naked breasts was blossoming against his chest as he pulled her in for an intense kiss. Both their hearts were stammering as the urgency was hyping while they stripped each other. He hurriedly carried her up to the couch as they both tried hard to catch their breath and continued into the night as though finally professing their undying love to each other.
A text message came to her mobile, which woke her up later in the night. It drew her wide smile into a frown again as she read from Mrs. Tang, Qiu Wen's mother.
Hi dearie, We are holding a family gathering this weekend with Wei's family. Ryan is betrothed to Wei's family's daughter. Aunty would like you and James to attend since you both have been friends for so long, and you would be able to be a good judge of their relationship. Do let Aunty know if you can make it.
Xue Ting felt a strong adrenaline rushing through her veins; a mixture of rage blended in with betrayal coated with disappointment. Qui Wen stirred in his sleep while she quickly got dressed.
Her hasty actions had woken the light sleeper instead. He found her fumbling over her belongings as panic started to spark in him.
"Ting Ting, why are you leaving so fast? It's late, stay." He pleaded groggily only to be replied brutally.
"We should end this. Goodbye, Tang Qiu Wen."
Tears threatened to drop from Xue Ting's almond-like eyes as she wiped them away and rushed off, leaving Qui Wen standing alone in the tree house without any further explanation. It was the last time the tree house was ever put to use again.