I love you

No guy had ever told her this before. Saint told her he liked her. Not love. For her, it was an understanding that she meant something to him. And hearing it meant she was important and that was the only thing that mattered to Carol. Saint is a serious guy who relies on reasons and not emotions.

But Monsanto is no different. He was as emotionless as Saint, most of the time. Yet, he told her he loved her.

Carol was torn. She didn't want to lose Saint. He makes her happy despite being with him for barely a month. And he was her ideal guy, goal-oriented, highly ambitious yet romantic. He inspired her to achieve her dreams.

Monsanto, on the other hand, is her best friend. He knows her well. They have been through a lot together and if there was one person who had been there for her, it was him.

Hearing Monsanto's confession made her confused. Perhaps everyone was right. Perhaps she secretly had feelings for him.

She didn't want to lose her best friend and seeing him miserable, hurt her, but she didn't want to let go of Saint either.

In the end, she had to make a choice.

"I'm sorry, Santo," Carol said, "Saint was right. It's not appropriate for me to still be hanging out with you. I hope you understand."

"Carol-"

"I have to go."

Carol quickly left to be with Saint, ignoring Monsanto's pleading.

Monsanto was hurt that tears came running down his bruised cheeks. He didn't notice the car watching in a nearby distance.

The tinted window of the beige SUV slowly opened. Jewel removed her sunglasses to have a clearer view of the guy Saint had an altercation with a while ago.

The guy was hot, she must admit. But too basic for her taste. No wonder he fell for the girl Saint replaced her with. She too was plain, in her opinion. Jewel wondered what Saint had found in her.

Jewel scolded herself. She was not a bad person and she did not mean to insult her. She should blame Saint as he was the one who broke their commitment.

But she was hurting. As much as she wanted Saint to be happy, she felt like Saint treated her unfairly.

Saint was her world. She couldn't imagine life without him. She's not going to give up easily.

"A staff in your own business?" Saint heard a sarcastic voice across the hall. "Seriously, you can do better."

He just entered the lobby of his apartment and was surprised to see Jewel waiting in the lounge area.

Saint sighed deeply, trying to control his temper, "What are you doing here?"

Instead of answering his question, Jewel smiled, "I miss you."

"We're over," Saint was obviously pissed. He didn't bother to stop and went straight to the elevator.

"Mary Caroline Ramos," Jewel said as she followed him. "Do your parents know about her?"

"It's none of your business."

"I can help you," Jewel smirked. "They have the right to know."

Saint lost it. He suddenly grabbed Jewel's arm and faced her with rage, "Will you mind your own business? We're over, Jewel. Just accept that."

Jewel looked him straight in the eye as she got away from him, "No, Saint. I can't just accept that you broke up with me without explanation."

"I don't love you anymore. What else is there to explain?" Saint could not hide his frustration. "You know what's wrong with you, you think so highly of yourself that you can't accept defeat."

"It isn't a war or a competition. I don't think of you as a prize I should win," Jewel was hurt by his words. She could not understand how their relationship fizzled overnight. As much as she wanted to spare Saint's new girlfriend, she couldn't help not blaming her, "Saint, we were together for years. Shame on you for thinking I only care about my ego. I don't understand what happened to you. Now, I'm not sure if you really loved me at all."

Saint got quiet.

"What does she have that I don't possess? Does she really love you or is she only after your money?" Jewel asked, softly.

"She's not like that," Saint quickly defended Carol. "Not all poor people are bad people. You should go out of your bubble sometimes."

"I didn't say they are," Jewel said, "I'm only referring to your new girlfriend and I didn't even say she was a bad person. I was asking you. You always want to make it look that I'm a bad person just because you want to get rid of me."

Again, Saint felt guilty. It was true. He seemed to be painting her in a negative light just because he hopelessly wanted to end things between them. Jewel was not a bad person. She was far from it.

"You're right," Saint admitted. "I just want things to be over. I want you to hate me."

"Saint-"

"Our relationship is over, Jewel," Saint firmly said, cutting Jewell off. "We're over. We're not getting back together. And honestly, we feel the same. I'm not sure if I really did love you."

Jewel was deeply hurt. She had known it when Saint suddenly dropped her without thinking of her feelings. It was something sane people would not do to someone they truly love.

She wasted years with him and he still treated her like trash. She wasn't sure if she should still fight for him.

But it was easier to let go when Saint had been cruel from the beginning, but he was not. He was sweet and reliable. He was her best friend. He made her feel that she was worth loving.

Maybe he was bluffing.

Perhaps he loved her. But he loves the other girl more.

She was willing to hold on to that little love.

Perhaps there's still hope.

Saint left her without saying goodbye and entered the elevator. It was too late to follow him but Jewel had no plans on going after him to his penthouse again.

Saint might call the police and she did not want to risk going to jail.

How could she win him back if she was locked up in bars?

There's still hope. All she needed to do was to get that girl out of the picture.

She wasn't a bad person. Just a desperate one and Saint did her dirty.

It's time to bring her claws out.

Saint was excited as he entered the huge double door of their ancestral home. His mother called him in his office to inform him that Luke had already arrived.

Luke was his aunt Carmen's only son and his mom's favorite nephew. He lives in Birmingham and they seldom see each other. But growing up together, Saint considered him as his brother and best friend.

The dining table was full of cuisine that would not normally be served during dinner. Luke's visit had always been a huge deal to Saint's mother. It was not a surprise that she prepared a feast.

What surprised Saint was the unexpected visitor sitting calmly in the dining table beside his mom.

"Hi, Saint," Catherine greeted him.

His eyes went straight to Jewel, who was smiling mischievously. He tried hard not to show his annoyance.

"Hi, mom," he replied. "Where's Luke?"

"He was in the garden smoking with your dad. I already asked Elena to call them. They'll be here soon," Catherine replied.

"Can we talk?" Saint turned to Jewel. His teeth were clenching in fury. If she makes a scene, he will surely throw her out.

"About what?" Jewel asked, trying to act innocent. "Is it important? Can we do it later? I want to bond with your mom."

Saint took a deep breath. She really knew how to play. Catherine had always liked Jewel and she knew how to take advantage of that. Saint, being a good son, would not dare disobey his mom.

"Just a quick chat," Saint smiled. "Please. I miss you."

Catherine, who had no idea what was going on, looked very pleased.

"It's okay, Jewel," she said. "My son should always be your priority. I don't want to be the reason of your break up."

"Don't be silly, aunt Cathy," Jewel laughed and gave Saint a meaningful look. "You will never be the reason of our breakup. You're the only woman I'm willing to share Saint with.

Catherine laughed, "Off you go, love birds. I'll call you once dinner is ready."

Jewel followed Saint as he went to the library.

As soon as they were alone, Saint unleashed his buried anger.