※ C L O U D ※

"Cloud you have a hundred bottles of wine at home. "

I raise my brows and look at Lauren who's currently struggling with some grocery bags.

"I want to make it two hundred. Gotta problem with that? And besides a slave is not allowed to protest so shut it ok?"

She rolled her eyes at me before pulling the bags to follow me. I can hire a robot to carry the bags for me I just want to see Lauren do it. I keep on walking while looking at some displays outside the window when I noticed Lauren is no longer following me. She's standing straight, her body facing the opposite side of the road with her eyes glued on someone.

I went near her and followed her gaze.

"Who are they?"

She said almost like a whisper. I inhaled deeply as I put my hands inside my pockets.

"They're the people from Isola."

Her brows furrowed in confusion as she look at me.

"Isola is the place for the level C community. Place for the poor in layman's term."

Her lips parted as she stared back at the people from Isola who's currently walking quietly on the opposite side of the road with their old faded clothes and sack of goods to sell.

"Are you not wondering why you haven't seen anyone begging for money? It's because the government separated the people according to their social status. After the world war three there was a discrimination for people who's earnings are not enough for a stable living."

"So, you mean most of the people in this city belongs to the first class family?"

I nod my head as I put my hands inside my pocket.

"Yep, it would take you around one hour to reach Isola also known as the place of the outcast, but it's not that easy to get out from the main land just to visit Isola."

Lauren stared at me with curiosity in her eyes asking me why.

"Every year the government only allows the class C to visit the city twice. First day is for the purpose of selling their goods, second is to sell themselves as slaves."

"What? That's horrible! "

I shrug my shoulders like it's no big deal as I run my fingers through my hair.

"It's the new norm and besides we can't do anything about it. The government already made a law about it."

Lauren stared at a young boy with a sack of goods on his back. I know that no one deserves to be treated this way no matter what social status is.

"Lauren."

I called her attention once more and I can see her trying to blink her tears away.

"If there is one thing I learn after I was brought back to life, that is no matter who we are, no matter what we have we will all end up underneath the ground. "

I let out a sigh as I pulled the grocery bags from her hand.

"You're spitting shit again, let's go eat somewhere."

I said trying to divert Lauren's attention. She blink her eyes twice and nod her head before following me. She was quiet the whole time and I know she felt sorry for those people who are in class C.

We head straight to a Japanese restaurant and after our order has been set on the table I was about to grab my phone to check out some latest news when I remembered Lauren doesn't want phones while eating so I silently slip it back inside my pocket and I clearly saw a smile at the corner of her lips as she stared at me.

"What?"

I said as I lean my back on the chair with my arms crossed. Lauren laughed softly as she tuck a stray hair beneath her right ear.

She was too quiet while we're eating and her silence is making me uncomfortable. I shove a sushi in my mouth before clearing my throat.

"So what is the world like 200 years ago?"

She smiled as she place her right hand on her cheek dreamingly.

"It was not perfect but it was not as horrible as it is today."

I raise brow as I stared at her.

"200 years ago there is no such thing as Isola, we helped one another by sharing what we have to the less fortunate. I think love is more evident in the past than today."

I snorted as I laced my fingers together placing my chin on top of my knuckles.

"So you're telling me love is not evident today?"

A smirk form at Lauren's lips as she nod her head.

"Look around you Cloud, people share one table yet they're miles away from each other. Look outside."

She look outside the glass window and I followed her gaze. I saw an old lady with loads of grocery bag, she's having difficulty in carrying those bags yet...

"No one has the heart to help."

Lauren said finishing the thought in my mind. It is my turn to be silent. I don't usually care about things like this but Lauren makes me question every single thing in my life.

"Do you want to buy something? You brought your card with you right?"

I said, trying to divert the subject. She nod her head with a smile.

"Yes, I'm thinking of buying some yarn for knitting."

I honestly don't have any idea of what she's talking about but I just nod my head at her.

"Ok, let's go."

∞ L A U R E N ∞

Cloud waited for me in his car while I choose the yarn that I will be needing. I want to stitch a sweatshirt and a scarf.

The bill appeared on screen and I swiped my card to pay it. On the screen I saw the check balance button. It's been two months I guess and I don't even know how much money do I have in this card. I shrug my shoulders before pressing the check balance button.

"Holy macaroni!"

I covered my mouth and stared at the screen with disbelief. My current balance is 589 million pesos! I can't spend all of these before I can even return to my time!

"Some of them will be back tomorrow, to sell themselves as slaves."

Cloud's voice echoed in my head. I bit my lower lip and stared at the screen as an idea flood my mind.

❄ F R O S T ❄

"My turn."

Mhyco said with excitement as he move the horse on the chessboard. I'm currently playing chess with Mhyco when I felt my phone vibrated on my pocket. Oh, it's a message from Lauren.

"Hey Frost, Cloud's not home today I was wondering if you could join me knitting? :)"

A smile form in my face as I grab my jacket and look at the clock, it's 9 am in the morning.

"Where you at?"

I didn't bother answering Mhyco's question. I grab my car key and head straight to the door, before going out I face Mhyco once more.

"There's food in the fridge and don't break anything. I'll be back at who knows when."

Mhyco showed me a frown before removing his shoe. I definitely know what he's going to do with it. I swiftly close the door just when Mhyco aimed his shoe at me.

"No fair! Just when I'm about to win you'll leave me hanging?! You slimy bastard!"

A laugh escaped my mouth as I get inside my car and head straight to Cloud's house where Lauren is.

❄∞❄∞❄∞❄∞❄∞❄∞❄

"Yes you're doing it right."

I nod my head at Lauren as I continue knitting but it seems that she's still staring at me. I stop what I'm doing and stared at her.

"Do you have something to tell me? Spill the beans."

She nod her head as she lean closer towards me.

"Promise me you won't tell anyone especially Cloud."

I nod my head at her as I put the yarn down.

"Do you know what day is today?"

I lick my lips as I tried to remember the date.

"It's the second day of the month of August. Why?"

She nod her head as she lean her back on the couch.

"Promise me you won't tell a soul about this, especially Cloud."

I nod my head again in silence as I raise my right hand to promise.

"This morning I gave 99 percent of what I have in the bank to a little girl from Isola who was supposed to be sold as a slave earlier."

I open my mouth searching for the right words to say.

"You what?"

I stared at her with disbelief as I tried to absorb the details she just told me.

"I gave the 99 percent of my money to a little girl this morning."

I nervously tap my fingers on my lap because she clearly doesn't have any idea of what she's doing.

"And how much is that 99 percent to be exact?"

Lauren lick her lips as she swallowed hard before answering.

"Around 588 million pesos."

"What the heck?!"

I rub my hands on my face after hearing her.

"W-why? What's wrong? I'll be going back to the past this December anyways so I was thinking of giving the money to the less fortunate instead."

I shake my head as I run my fingers through my hair.

"No, no you don't understand! The government keeps track of our bank accounts to know whether you are qualified to be in the main land. And right now that you gave almost everything that you have..."

The buzzer ring before I could even finish my sentence. We nervously stared at each other and I'm trying my very best to stay calm as much as possible.

"The main land army is waiting outside miss Lauren."

Drey said while pointing at a screen showing a dozen of bulky guys with big guns. I inhaled sharply as I stared at Lauren.

"Stay here, I'll talk to them."

I didn't wait for her response, I immediately rushed out of Cloud's house with a calm expression on my face. A guy with three shiny metal stars on his uniform stop in front of me with a smile, I believe he's the General.

"Good day sir, we're here for Lauren Lopez."

his voice was friendly but stern, I can feel the authority in his voice. I place my hands inside my pocket as I straighten my back.

"What's your business with her?"

A smirk form at the corner of his lips as he gave me a strong tap on my shoulder.

"Our business with her is none of your business young sir."

He push me aside making way through the elevator with his men following behind.

"Fvck!"

I can feel the rising panic inside me as I followed them up. As I entered the house two armed men are holding Lauren on both sides.

"Get your fvcking hands off her!"

I was about to pull Lauren away when they started pointing their guns towards my direction.

"Stop! I'll go with you! Put the damn guns down!"

I close my eyes at the sight of Lauren crying, seeing a girl cry is one of the things I hated the most. I heard the General laughing as he take a step closer towards me.

"Sweet but dumb. Don't worry you can follow your Juliet to Isola if you'll follow her idiotic kindness but right now we have to do our job, she needs to do the walk of shame and she'll be driven away towards the borders of the main land and exiled to Isola."

One of the men shoved me out of the way and I stared at Lauren apologetically for I can do nothing about her situation right now.

"I'll be ok."

She mouthed before they drag her away.

※ C L O U D ※

"Sir you have a board meeting later at 10 am sharp. The daughter of sir Clayton will be there too."

I nod my head at my secretary as the elevator pop open leading me to the ground floor of the company.

"Prepare my report later and---"

"I need to talk to him! Let me in!"

I turn towards the direction of a familiar voice and I saw Frost struggling to get through from my guards.

"Frost? Let him go, I know him."

As soon as my guards freed him he rushed towards me and gripped my arms tight.

"Lauren."

He said almost breathless. A lump formed in my throat as soon as I heard Lauren's name.

"What happened to Lauren?"

Frost stared at me for a second as his grip went even tighter. I close my eyes as I gritted my teeth.

"What the fvck happened to Lauren Frost, tell me!"

Frost run his fingers through his hair as he stared at me.

"The main land army got her. They're sending her to Isola."

I heard a deafening sound inside me as soon as I heard the news.

"Why the fvck would they send her to Isola?! She has enough money to---"

Something struck me really hard when a memory of Lauren staring at the people of Isola with pity. I inhaled sharply as I pinch the bridge of my nose.

"Damn it! She donated her money!"

"What should we do?"

My mind is murky and I can't think of any plan right now. I loosen my tie as I tried to think of a plan.

"Where is she?"

"She's having the walk of shame at the main road."

Fvck!

"Let's go."

"Sir what about your board meeting? It will start in about 20 minutes."

I heard my secretary screaming behind but I didn't turn back. I need to think of a plan right now before Lauren could reach the boarder, she'll be exiled for good and Casper will surely hunt me because of this shit!

Frost and I were both quiet during the ride, probably thinking of a plan. 10 meters from where we are I saw people flocking at the main road and I know Lauren started the walk of shame. I stop the car at the corner of a street and rush towards the crowd pushing them aside making my way to the main land army.

"Stop!"

I scream without thinking as I block their way. My gaze landed at Lauren and I felt my hands balled with my knuckles almost white because of Lauren's situation. She wasn't wearing any shoes and her hands are cuffed like she committed a grievous act.

"And who are you? Another Romeo of this Juliet?"

I gritted my teeth as I heard their mocking laughter.

"The name's Cloud Madrigal."

I heard the crowd gasp as they heard my name. The General take a step closer towards me with a smile on his face.

"So you are Cloud Madrigal, the youngest CEO of Cryonics Hospital. It is a great pleasure to see your face and the rumors are true. You're a fine young man."

I inhaled sharply as I place my hands inside my pocket.

"Let her go."

The General shake his head with his fake smile still plastered on his face.

"I'm afraid that's not an easy request. You see this girl is no longer qualified to be here in the mainland."

I take a shaky breath as I balance the options in my mind. I know there'll be greater issues that will arise after saying this but I really need to do something right now. Lauren's eyes met mine and I know she's scared. I close my eyes and inhaled deeply, I can feel my heart beating like a broken drum in my chest.

"I'll marry her."