RAIA FELT so spent after her class. It's not just the class that tire her but also the unwanted stares and attention to her. Some would compliment her about her look and some would even glare at her making her eyes roll. Plus her shoes are really hurting her feet.

"You know, you should learn how to do those girly stuff sometimes." Daniel said as he place his hand at the small of her back and walk with her out of the university.

"You mean the make-up, hair and the dress and shoes?" Raia can taste the disgust on her own voice. "No, thank you."

Daniel laughed at her disgust. Raia glared at him when some students glance at their direction.

Daniel's laughter died down, but still chuckles from time to time earning him a glare from her.

"What's so wrong with it, anyway?"

"Nothing. But still. I don't want to." And stopped at the parking area to wait. Daniel stood beside her, busying himself on his phone.

And the next thing she knew, he's taking a picture of her.

"Stop it." She attempted to cover her face.

"One photo with me, then I'll stop." Daniel bargained.

"Don't manipulate me." She deadpanned.

"Okay. Then shall I cont-"

"Fine. Just one." Raia cut him mid-sentence.

Daniel chuckled as he drape his arm over her shoulders. He held his phone in front of them.

"Smile, babe." And she smiled, just in time he pressed the shutter.

Daniel quickly look at the photo closely.

"It came out nice. Will use this as my phone's wallpaper." He smiled at him, asking for permission.

"Do what you want." She shrugged. And as the latter got busy with his phone again, she just stood there patiently waiting.

"I'll send you a copy. Make it your wallpaper too, okay?"

"I'm not fond of those stuff. And I don't even touch my phone often."

"I can see that but still." Daniel reiterated.

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes at him. And then a fussing of the crowd started.

"Oh, here comes the Quintana prince." Daniel almost squealed.

"Behave, Daniel." Raia warned.

The two watched Treyson as he search for her. And when his eyes found her, he smiled and waltz towards her.

And as usual, all eyes were on him. And he walks like he is on the runway, owning the whole place.

"He's such an eye-candy." Daniel squeaked. "Gay hormones at its peak. Getting hot in here." And he subtly fanned himself using his hand.

"I said behave. Will you?" Raia squinted her eyes, but chuckled at him later on. And when Treyson reached them, she bowed her head. Making Daniel do the same.

"Ready?" Treyson inquired.

"Sure, but before that, I want to introduce Daniel." And she gestured towards the Daniel who's hyperventilating beside her.

Treyson's eyes linger on Daniel, making the latter stiff.

"Hi, Treyson here. Nice to meet you." Treyson held out his hand for a handshake. Daniel cleared her throat as he speak.

"Daniel's the name. The pleasure is mine." And Daniel immediately reached for his hand.

Raia was silently chuckling to herself as she watch Daniel squirm. She can say that her friend was shaken at the encounter.

"Let's go?" Treyson turned to her when he withdrew his hand.

"Sure." And she turned to Daniel. "We'll go ahead. Thank you for walking me out."

"No worries, babe." Daniel's tone was a bit higher than his normal. "Take care, okay?"

"Yeah. Go. You have your next class in ten." She rolled her eyes at him.

"Oh, shoot. See you tomorrow." And he ran towards the gate.

Raia shook her head as she watch him run.

"He's your?" Treyson asked her, getting her attention.

"Best friend. Only friend, actually." She said proudly.

"Only friend?"

"Yeah. He's the only one who can handle me. And the only one who can look at me straight in the eyes. Except you, Quintanas."

"Well, your eyes are beautiful." Treyson commented, making her still. "Let's go?"

"Sure." And she walked past him when she composed herself. Treyson reduced the distance between them and place his hand on her back. He even opened the door for her and watched him stride towards the other side. And in a fluid motion, he get in the car and maneuver it on the road.

"He called you 'babe' though." Treyson said out of nowhere.

"Huh?" Raia asked puzzled.

"Your friend, Daniel. He called you 'babe'."

And when it dawned on her, Raia chuckled nonchalantly. "It's no big deal. He's always like that. Flirty."

"I don't like the ring of it. His endearment to you." Treyson said wrinkling his nose. He place his folded arm on the windshield and played on his lower lip.

"It's nothing, really." She said in a casual way. "And he's not what you think he is."

"What? What is he, anyway?" His tone is somewhat challenging her.

"I can't and don't want to say. It's not my story to tell." Raia shrugged and looked outside the window. "He's flirty and all but I can assure you that what we have is purely friendship."

"Okay." Treyson answered flatly.

Raia silently chuckled at herself. And she didn't dare speak until they reached the Quintana household. And as usual, she didn't wait for Treyson to open the door for her.

And as she stepped outside, she was welcomed with Hannah holding her daughter, Coraline.

"Hi!" Raia greeted the two.

Hannah snapped towards her. And there it is, Hannah's surprised and admiration all at once was shown on her face.

"You look... Wow!" Hannah lost her words. While Coraline was staring at her like she has seen her for the first time.

"Well, thanks to the Queen I got to look, wow." Raia said chuckling. "Hello, princesa."

Raia hold out her hand to reach for Coraline but instead of holding on to her, Coraline hold her hands out her little hands for her to carry the little princess.

"Oh, come here." She smiled and carried the little princess. And in no time, the little princess is playing with her hair. "Oh, and that's why you want me to carry you?"

Coraline giggled at her. Raia was about to catch her little hands when the little princess moved away from her, not wanting her to touch her little hands.

"You're such a cute girl, princesa." Raia said with a soft smile.

"So are you." Hannah butted in.

"I'm not cute." Raia pouted. "I'm plain. Simple."

"No you're not." Hannah disagreed.

"Yep. You're not plain." And they both snapped their attention to the owner of the baritone voice who butted in. "You look stunning."

Raia felt her face flushed. Her eyes were everywhere but Treyson. And when she didn't said anything, Hannah chuckled at her.

"Well, let me have my princess now. And you, go and change. Your feet must be hurting from those shoes." Hannah has this teasing tone but didn't heed attention to that.

"Oh, don't remind me." She sulk. "My feet feel numb."

"Get in." Hannah laughed at her.

"Yeah. Bye, princesa." And she pinched the little princess' cheeks before leaving them.

And when Raia stepped in, she immediately get rid of the shoes she's wearing. And when her bare feet touched the floor, she sighed in relief.

"I'm home!" Raia yelled as she waltz through the large room and flopped herself on the sofa.

As she looked down at her feet, Raia can see her toes red and swollen."Shit."

Raia keeps on cursing under her breath when a basin half-filled with water dropped beside her feet. Treyson squatted down and get her feet to the basin.

"It'll soothe your sore feet." Treyson said as he gently rubbed her feet that was submerged in the water.

"Fuck, it's good..." Raia cursed silently but didn't escaped Treyson's ears.

"Watch your language, please." Treyson warned.

"Or what?"

"Or Mom will scold you if she hears you cursing."

"The Queen already have heard me cursing a lot." Raia shrugged off.

"Oh, I see. You can't let my Mom hear you curse. Hmm, I wonder what she told you when she heard you saying profanities." Treyson can't help the sarcasm in his voice.

"Oh, yes, my lord. Now that we're settled with that, leave me be. I can handle myself just fine." Gone is the sweet voice and was replace with a feisty one.

Treyson looked up at her with questioning eyes.

"What happened to the sweet girl I left years ago?"

"Shit happened, my lord." Raia smirked at him making him gape.

Treyson's disbelief was on full show. Making Raia amused.

"You have a dirty mouth." Said Treyson irritated.

"Why, yes, my lord. Filthy mouth at that." Raia said in a proud tone.

Treyson didn't bother arguing with her. He just shake his head and continue rubbing her feet.

Raia dropped her head and closed her eyes as she relaxed her whole body. The warm water on her feet feels so soothing that she didn't even realize that she fell asleep.