Moonlight Serenade

"Good morning," Gideon greeted when she walked in the kitchen.

It was already five days after Dalya and Pedro came back from the city. Their injuries had healed but a few scabs could be seen around Pedro's skin. It was hideous to look at when he first came back, but after a few days, it faded a lot. She let them rest a bit but both of them were restless and just earlier, she saw them busy arranging furnitures in the living room. Helpless, Jewel let them be.

The sun was shining and some rays had entered the kitchen through the wide window not far from the back door. It was a fine day so she wore a white dress, a brown summer hat, and boots with heels.

Gideon raised a brow when he saw her outfit and she smiled. "Plans for today?" he asked.

"I'm gonna go enroll!" A wide grin crept onto her lips.

That's right. She waited for this day to come where she could visit UDM again and enroll. After a few months of vacation, it was time for her to resume her school days and of course, live in her dorm where Gideon couldn't possibly reach. Gideon's lips twitched and he coughed, "Someone called the landline and introduced herself as Hazel."

Jewel blinked a few times. Hazel called? "Uh, what did she say?"

"Nothing."

Her eyes narrowed and she frowned while taking the pandesal that was served on the table. "That girl has a big mouth. She won't behave that easily," she said and took a bite.

He nodded. "I see." And lowered the cup his holding. "She said nothing except screaming at the phone."

Her lips twitched. "As expected," she whispered.

Gideon chuckled. "I'll drive you to UDM."

"Then... thanks."

"What about your friends?" he asked.

Jewel shrugged her shoulders. "We'll meet at UDM. I haven't told them this house's location."

THE University of Medellin was built horizontally on the map of Tindog. It was located in the far eastern part of Medellin and was surrounded by water because it stood on the part of the sea that's lined with land. A famous Tindog Brigde connected the land proper and artificial island of the Municipality.

The whole island was claimed by the University so there were almost all the necessary facilities for the nearly three thousand population of enrollees last year. And Jewel estimated that the number will double because the University will be opened for the entire province, not just for Medellin.

It will be more spacious and more buildings will be built for the widespread reception of freshmen and transferees. It was good development, if not for that rule --- those who come to enroll should walked into campus.

Her eyes narrowed as she watched the cars lined up in the wide space in front of the gate. It was the space that serves as the parking lot, where tall pillars were standing at either side to support the huge gateway. "Jewel," Gideon called.

She blinked as she walked beside him. The sun was hot and her skin was already red. She didn't expect she would walk around the campus, if she had known, she would wear more hidden dress to hide her skin. Last year, those cars were allowed in so she didn't have to walk under the sun.

Her eyebrows met as she stopped in front of the guard.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

"UDM graduate?" he questioned.

Jewel nodded as she showed her last year's ID card. The guard let her in and she walked straight to the covered pathwalk that stretched throughout the campus.

A man walked beside her and when she glanced at him, she stopped in her tracks. He also stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Jewel?" he said, a smile was on his lips.

"What are you doing here?" Her eyebrows met. "How did you get in?"

Gideon shrugged his shoulders and looked around the facade of the Administrative building and Dracos fountain in front. "Through the gate," he teased. When her eyes narrowed, Gideon laughed. "I have my business to do," he said. "Why did the guard let you in?"

"It's not for you to find out, Jewel. Now go. Your friends might be waiting for you."

She nodded. "I'll be there at the registrar. Let's just meet in the car later. I'll look for my friends."

"Take care."

The corner of her lips curved up. "You better be careful lest you'll lost your way. UDM is huge and not for you to wander around," she said, gloating. Then she turned and walked away.

Gideon watched the retreating figure of Jewel. A smile was in his eyes as he smirked.

Jewel arrived in the intersection of the covered pathwalk and fountain. She entered the entrance of the Administrative building, turning on the east wing.

Looking around, a lot of students were walking in the hallway. Some were familiar and some were new, while some stopped when she met them.

"Isn't that Jewel Laine?"

"The heiress of Mangubat?"

"Uh yes! She is! I thought she was going to transfer? Simeon is transferring it seems."

"No. He enrolled here."

She heard the hushed whispers of the two women before she turned at the end of the hallway. A smile made its way to her lips when her eyes caught the sight of Hazel. She's with Tiara and Gabbi. Those three were carrying milkshakes. And upon seeing it, her face crumpled.

"Laine! Oh, you look pretty!" Hazel praised when they met in the hallway.

She smiled and fanned her face with her hand. "That's usual," she said and chuckled. "It's so hot! I didn't know management's going to let us walk through the campus."

Tiara laughed. "Duh, aren't you used to it? The pathwalk between the buildings isn't covered."

"That's different. There are a lot of trees in the path of the SHS department, but you'll never see trees in the pathwalk near campus gate," Jewel exclaimed.

Before the two girls could extort her, Gabbi asked. "Who drove you here?"

Her lips twitched. It's not only Hazel who was interested meeting Gideon, but also her cold blooded friend Gabbi.

Hazel laughed. The girl even pointed at her while grinning widely. "Your husband," she stated.

Her forehead creased. "What?"

The three laughed in front of him.

"It's your husband who delivered you here. You're blooming in the wrong way!" Hazel teased.

"Omg, really Haze?" Tiara laughed and waved her hand in the air. "I'm sorry about that, Laine. We're just talking about your husband earlier." Tiara stared at her. "But, well... did your husband deliver you, Laine?" Jewel sighed. She never intended to let them know but seeing their eager gazes, she could not deny it. Her forefinger pressed against her lips. "I don't want the others know that I'm married," she warned. Tiara's eyes widened and she grinned widely. "A secret marriage, I see."

"Come on," Jewel urged. "Where's your assigned room?" she asked.

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"On E-Lib. Admin's sixth floor. The three of us are done, so we'll just accompany you," Hazel said.

"Wait. What last name will you use, Laine?" Tiara asked.

It was said that marriage would not only change a maiden's life but also her surname. In this country, every woman would take the surname of their husband. Mangubat would cease to be her last name and Hernandez would take its place. Jewel Laine Mangubat - Hernandez.

"You don't have to worry about this. I'll deal with it," she said and clenched her fist. She totally forgot about that but she hoped the process is not complicated.

"Will the Registrar be okay when you use your maiden's name?" Tiara asked.

She looked at Tiara. "If they don't want to, I'll just drag him there."

"He?" The girl's brow raised. "You mean he's here?" Tiara asked again.

Jewel pursed her lips. Hazel smirked, leaned over, folded her arms, and stared at her. "Won't you introduce us to your husband, Laine?" she asked while grinning widely at her.

She only felt her cheeks burned hot and looked away. "No. I won't let him wander around the campus."

Thinking of Gideon running around the campus made her frown. She felt bad and she just wanted him to go home and never appear in the campus, least all girls would run after him. His good looks was enough to rival Simoen, her ex- boyfriend, and currently the most followed guy in the campus.

Jewel caught a sight of the girl she dreaded to face close.

"It's Sheena," Hazel whispered and stood straight.

The four of them stood as they watch the girl walk in their direction. Sheena was looking down on her phone while walking. Jewel drew a breathe and clenched her fist. She didn't want to meet Sheena and felt relieved when the girl turned into the other hallway. That girl didn't see them.

"I thought she was going to transfer?" Hazel asked, puzzled.

Tiara snorted. "I thought so too."

"Maybe because of Simeon," Gabbi suddenly uttered.

Jewel looked at Gabbi. "Simoen?"

The girl nodded. "Saavedra." And creased her forehead. Gabbi looked at her. "You're not updated on social media?"

"I deactivated my account," she said helplessly and Gabbi shook her head.

"Laine!" Hazel stared at her. "You know what Sheena wants. That girl won't stop pestering you unless..." Hazel's eyes looked down and grabbed her hand, lifting it up. The girl pointed on the wedding ring on her finger. "You'll let Simeon know you're married."