Love Labyrinth
Alina and her family were living a beautiful life.
Her father, although a strict man, never failed to show his love.
Her parents often argued, but since they loved each other so much, they would reconcile quickly. And then, there was her jealous brother, David… His only job seemed to be teasing Alina, yet he was always by her side.
That's how they lived, until one day, a man moved across the street. He became Alina's first love—and the one who would destroy the balance of her entire family.
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Chapter 1 – The First Time I Saw Him
So many things piled up: moving, cleaning, unpacking… all in one day.
Since Alina's father was a police officer, moving from New York to Los Angeles for school hadn't been easy. They had gone through exhausting times.
But their mother was always there to support them. Whenever they had a problem, she would be the one to heal their wounds.
Alina and David had to share the same room because the new house was small. As usual, the sibling quarrels had already begun.
Alina: Go sleep in the living room!
David: No way, you're the one who's going! Move it!
Classic brother problem, let's say.
Their father, Tom, rarely interfered, but their mother, Wanda, never wanted them to fight.
Wanda: You're siblings. Don't do this.
David and Alina, at the same time:
— We're not doing anything!
They never wanted to upset their mother, because Wanda had once come back from the brink of death… and they feared something might happen to her again.
It was their first days in the new home.
Alina was going to buy some bread for breakfast.
She put on her shiny pink slippers, opened the map on her phone, and started walking toward the market.
When she arrived at the location, she realized she had come to a park instead. She must have made a mistake. There were some boys sitting there, and she went over to ask them where the market was.
Before Alina could even open her mouth, one of the boys sneered:
— Look at her outfit!
He laughed mockingly.
Alina wished the ground would swallow her, but there was no one else to ask. Ignoring their remarks, she asked where the market was.
— Just wait two minutes over there. We're talking about something important. We'll tell you where it is after.
Oh my God… Alina's eyes had already fallen on the boy playing with a bottle in his hand. Something about him pulled her in so strongly that she didn't even notice what the others were saying. Without a word, she began to walk away a little.
One of the boys: Hey, Adrian, stop playing with that bottle! It's your turn—truth or dare.
Adrian: Yeah? What do you want?
Boy: That girl—make her fall for you. Date her for a week.
Adrian: No. Not my type.
Boy: Idiot. You'll break up anyway. You have to do it, we all did.
Adrian: And how am I supposed to do that?
Boy: Her eyes are already on you. She's so naive—it'll be easy. We'll even watch your first date.
Adrian: Stupid Jack… How am I supposed to charm her?
Jack: She asked about the market. Go with her. We'll follow.
Adrian: Damn it. Fine. Stay hidden then.
Jack: Nope. Omar and I are coming with you. Hahaha!
Adrian: Take your stupid bottle. I'm going.
Alina kept stealing glances at Adrian, trying to hide it. She thought she might already be in love.
Adrian smirked slightly:
— Come on, I'll take you there.
It was the first time Alina would walk alone with a boy. Her heart was racing; she didn't know what to do.
— I can go by myself. she said.
Adrian sighed deeply inside:
— How will you get there when you don't even know the way? Come on. He grabbed her hand.
Alina thought to herself: I can feel his body through me… I think I've fallen in love.
In a quick motion, she pulled her hand away.
Alina: Look, I see the market. I can go.
Ah… The boy looked at her with his slanted eyes. Alina's heart felt like it might stop.
She ran to cross the street, but a car was coming. Adrian pulled her toward him, and they both fell to the ground.
Meanwhile, Jack and Omar were secretly taking pictures. That wasn't part of the game—they were cheating!
Alina didn't know what to do, so she closed her eyes tightly.
Adrian stood up, looking disgusted, and glanced at her from head to toe.
From behind, his friends called out:
— Come on, it's time to charm her!
Adrian wrapped his arm around Alina's waist, pulled her close, and kissed her.
Her eyes still closed, Alina stayed completely still, frozen.
His friends were shocked.
Apparently, Adrian's way of "winning" her was kissing her before even asking her out.