Chapter 16

It's just two days until Richard and I need to submit our essay. After my last conversation with Juliana, things between him and I have gotten better this past week.

I'm on my way to Richard's house. Since he was grounded— which I found funny— we decided to finish writing at his house. We were to give ten references each, which was why we were given a week and three days to get it done— one essay per day.

When I got to his house address, I was shocked at the estate. I knew his parents were rich but not this rich... he stays in a mansion! Wow! Rich kids. The security demanded my name and had to call from inside to confirm if I was really invited. He must be really rich to have so many security guards around.

After some time, I was permitted in. When I got inside, I was marveled by what I saw. There was a water fountain in the middle of the courtyard and the house was covered in glass windows which makes its interior visible to the outside.

I was directed by one of the house staff to three doors before the main room. When I finally made my way to the living room my jaw dropped.

Standing on the long, curvy staircase was Richard dressed in all black. "You might wanna look where you're going to if you don't wanna fall," he warned and I jumped.

He chuckles, "Close your mouth, Angel,"

He walks downstairs. I couldn't even take a proper look at the mansion before he dragged me to God knows where.

He opens a door and I stare in awe. "Wow," I said.

"What is this place?" I asked him.

"My study room," he tells me, gesturing me inside.

He had a reading room!? It was filled with books and in the middle of the room was a table and chair. Who would have thought the bad boy was a nerd.

"I'm not a nerd, Lily," he replies.

"You heard that?" I asked.

"Yes, loud and clear. Besides, I can't remember the last time I used this place, my younger sister uses it more." He said, dragging a chair backward for me to sit.

"You have a younger sister?" I asked him.

"Sit down first, then I'll answer your questions." He tells me.

He takes a seat as soon as I do.

"Let me start by answering your first question. Yes, my parents are rich." He tells me.

"But I am not rich," he added.

"Why were you grounded?" I asked curiously.

He smirks, "My parents caught me doing drugs," he says sarcastically.

"That's bad, you know," I tell him. "Taking drugs," I finish.

"And you think I want to take them? Taking them makes my parents stick around. They've been home since last week all because of me," he says. He did it to get attention.

Too bad, but that's the reality of life. He has everything except his parents. I could see the pain in his eyes, he jokes around and stuff but he was broken like me. No one's life is perfect. You might see someone with a big smile, but it takes the grace of God not to fall into depression.

Both of my parents rarely came home. At least my dad shows up once a month. Thankfully, he'll be back tomorrow.

And then it clicked— the ups and downs of life.

"Richard! I know what to write about for our seventh through tenth essays!"

I explained to him that we would use our life stories but different names as a reference. He was against it at first, but he accepted seeing that it made sense.

We finished for the day and he was walking me out when we came across a beautiful, young, blonde-haired girl. Richard introduced her as his younger sister, she was just thirteen.

One thing was certain, do not judge a book by its cover. Ricardo and Richard were perfect examples. They were the type of boys you'd think the worst of until you got to know them. They were one of a kind.

I went back home to find a shirtless Ricardo on my bed again. Damn, his abs and fine toned skin.

My heart couldn't help but flutter. "Seriously? Since when did we start sharing my room?" I asked with a frown when deep down I was leaping for joy.

"Since you became my next-door neighbor," he replied. Sitting up, he got off the bed. He was in crazy white jeans, a white vest, and a black leather jacket. So hot!

"Come on. I'm bored and I want you to keep me company," he said. "Get changed into something good."

I shook my head, I was already dressed in black skinny jeans and a pink top.

"Fine. Come on," he demands.

He dragged me out of my room, seating me in his car and driving off.