Book of Fate

Since her first year of Senior High School, Daniella had harbored a crush on William. She always made an effort—pretending to casually walk through the hallway where he usually passed, sneaking glances into his classroom, or volunteering for events he participated in. And now, they were already in their final year… yet William had never shown even the slightest sign of feeling the same way.

The school day came and went, packed with classes, and Daniella was just about to head to home when William suddenly approached her.

“When you're done there, follow me,” he said curtly before turning around and walking away.

Though confused, Daniella followed him. She walked quietly behind him until William stopped at an empty bench near the basketball court. He turned to her, his face serious.

“About me tutoring you—there are a few rules to avoid any problems,” William began.

Daniella nodded silently.

“First, be on time. Don't be late. Second, if it’s not about tutoring, don’t talk to me. Got it?”

“Got it,” Daniella replied quickly.

“Third, I expect you to at least understand half of what I teach you. Focus on the lesson, not on me.”

Daniella winced and kicked the ground lightly with the tip of her shoe.

“Are you even listening?” William asked, brows slightly furrowed.

Daniella lifted her head and smiled. “Of course. I heard everything.”

“Then I’m leaving.” It looked like William was about to say more but decided not to. He turned and walked away.

Daniella watched him go, a smile forming on her lips.

“He hasn’t changed at all… still grumpy. But this might just be the best year for me. I’ll finally get to be with him. I won’t have to stalk him anymore just to find out where he is. And hey, he didn’t say I had to stop what I used to do, so I’m going to keep at it!”

She held both her cheeks with a dreamy smile, as if floating on air.

---

While Daniella was still in that dazed state, Bree finally found her after searching for a while.

“Dan! I’ve been looking all over for you! And what’s that look on your face? You look like you’re not even here.”

Startled, Daniella quickly turned to Bree.

“What happened to you?”

“Nothing. Come on, let’s go home,” she said, still smiling as she walked ahead.

“It’s just the first day of school and Dan’s already lost it. Unbelievable,” Bree muttered, following her out of the campus.

---

Bree’s house was closer, so she arrived home first. Daniella, on the other hand, had to cross one more street. She wasn’t used to riding a tricycle home—she thought it was a waste of money if the walk was manageable.

As she walked, that familiar feeling crept up on her again—the one she always got on the way home. Since first year, she’d often felt like someone was following her. But whenever she looked back, there was no one—no person, not even a stray animal. At first, it scared her. But over time, she got used to it. Maybe it was all in her head, she thought.

When she finally reached the front of their house, she saw her mother sitting in their little nipa hut, sipping coffee.

“Mom, I'm back!” she called out.

Maria, her mother, frowned. “You yell like you just came home from another country.”

“Didn’t you miss me?”

“No! Now go get changed before you infect me with your nonsense,” she replied before taking another sip of coffee.

Daniella just smiled and went inside.

“That’s my mom… she always goes along with my silly moods,” she said, shaking her head while looking for clothes to change into.

Ever since her father passed away, Daniella had made it her mission to keep her mom smiling. Even their daily banter helped distract her from the fact that it was just the two of them now. So even if her mother often scolded her, Daniella knew she was playing along—pretending not to, but playing along all the same.

---

After changing, Daniella sat at her mini table, opened a drawer, and pulled out a small box.

“I saved up for this for a long time…”

She opened it slowly. Inside was a necklace with a pendant shaped like the letter D, encased within a ring.

“You’re my final gift for him. Next year, we graduate. I don’t even know where he’ll go for college. So in case I can’t follow him, at least I’ll get to give this to him—and that’s enough.”

She stared at it for a while before closing the box and putting it back into the drawer.

“This is your last chance, Daniella. If nothing happens by graduation… it’s time to move on,” she whispered to herself, then smiled and left the room.

---

Meanwhile, William had just arrived home. Even though they had a car, he chose to walk. An elderly housekeeper—Lydia—greeted him at the door.

“Oh dear, why do you insist on walking when you have a car?”

William simply smiled and headed to the living room, sitting down on the sofa.

“What kind of answer is that? A smile?” Lydia grumbled as she followed him.

“Are you hungry? I made some snacks. Want to eat?”

“Just coffee, Lydia. That’s enough.”

“You sure?”

William nodded, so Lydia went off to prepare a cup.

While waiting, William leaned back into the couch. The house was quiet… but his thoughts were loud. He stared at the ceiling, and then suddenly smiled to himself.

When Lydia returned with the coffee, she noticed the smile on his face.

“William, are you okay? Why are you smiling like that? Did something good happen?”

William sat up properly. “Nothing much, Lydia. I just remembered something funny.”

“I see. Alright, I’ll leave you for now. I’ve still got things to do in the kitchen. Your mom and dad will be home in a few hours.”

Lydia walked off, while William quietly sipped his coffee.

William’s parents owned a company, so they lived comfortably. But despite their status, they weren’t arrogant. They were humble and taught William the same values.

He was naturally quiet. Most people assumed he was cold or unfriendly because of his serious expression. He didn’t talk much—and if no one asked, he rarely spoke.

Once he finished his coffee, he stood up and went to his room. It was time to change and rest. But in his mind, a new chapter of his final year in high school was beginning—and someone unexpected was about to become a part of it.

---

Daniella woke up early the next day. She didn’t want to be late again, so even before the sun had fully risen, she was already walking to school by 5:30 a.m.

As she neared the school gate, she noticed that William was arriving at the same time. Her eyes practically sparkled with excitement.

“Good morning, William!” she greeted cheerfully, her smile stretching from ear to ear.