Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Decision

"Auva! What was that?!"

My dad furiously ask me the moment we got inside our house. I didn't even get a chance to change my clothes.

"I don't know!" I shouted back, pissed at him for blaming me without analyzing what happened.

"You did that, right? You sabotaged your engagement!"

My eyebrows arched. "Why would I do that?"

"Why not? Just weeks ago you want to do everything just to stop it!"

I look at him in shock. How?

My father smirked. "Do you think you can hide it from me? Why don't you just admit it?!"

How does he know? I only told my friends but I give up that plan because I know I won't win.

I calmed myself before I respond to him. Being angry in this state, won't do any good for me.

"I said I don't know anything," I said in an affirmative voice.

"Liar! You just want to disobey me!"

I look at him in disbelief. He has the guts to accuse me that I ruined my engagement when I can't even do that!

I don't even meet my fiance even once and it was supposed on the engagement party but he ran away. 

"Disobey you?" I scoffed at him. "You don't know me, do you?"

I look at my father, disappointment and anger are evident on his face. Tsk, it's not new to me. I always saw that face whenever he was talking to me. For him, I'm just a failure. For him, I am just his misfortune.

"And now you dare to talk back at me. From now on, you're grounded! You can't go anywhere and you can't do anything!"

"Dad!" I exclaimed.

"You will not do anything unless I said so! All of your activities will be monitored. You will meet your fiance again next week, I will talk to his family to fix this mess.  I'll make sure that the wedding will happen as soon as possible."

My eyes widened in shock.

"No! You can't do that!"

"Yes, I can!"

"Daddy! Please don't do this. I swear I didn't plan this out. I'm also surprised why my fiance declines. It's his decision. Please, daddy!" I plead to him.

I hate doing this but I need to. Can't he let me live my life happily?

My father remains in his cold posture.

He just look at me with disappointment in his eyes. I can't let him limit my activities. W

will happen to my paintings? It's the only thing that keeps me insane while living here with dad. I know that as soon as he finds out that I'm showing interest in other things instead of the things he wants me to do he will be mad. He will do everything to stop me from doing it. No! I will not let it happen.

"Please, dad..."

Still, there was no response so I turned my gaze to my mother. The person who always watches me suffer.

She always takes my father's side and she never stands up for me. But I hope at this time she will show some care for me. Not because of my accomplishments but because she loves me as if I were her daughter.

"Mommy, please... Help me to convince daddy to lift his punishments. Please, I promise I'll be more obedient just please don't do this."

She smiled at me before pulling me closer for a hug. At last, she will take my side now. I hugged her back.

"I love you, mom!" I happily said and tighten the hug.

"I love you too sweetie. But, your father is right."

"What?!" 

I immediately pulled up from the hug. I look at her with a disappointed look. All my hope vanished.

Yeah right. I should not be surprised anymore. For her, dad is always right. For her, I'm just a failure and a burden.

"You need to learn your lessons. I've noticed that lately you have been disobeying us and I know this is the best for you. Sweetie all we do will benefit you so be a good girl okay?" She added not minding my feelings.

My tears started to fall. I can't believe that until now, she didn't change. She still let her daughter suffer because of their oh-so-perfect plans. 

I turned my bacon on them and then hurriedly go upstairs without looking at them. I locked my door as soon as I entered then faintly leaned against the door while letting my tears fall. 

I hate her! I hate them!

From all people, Mommy should know what I feel every time they reject my decisions. When I was a kid, I thought everything they do for me is the best. Especially since it is my mom's decision little did I know that it will cost my happiness.

I grew up being controlled by them. But now that I understand what is right for me this should stop now. 

I will not let them control my life anymore. I will do what I want. I will live my life based on my decisions. And I promise that from now on.

"Oh! So that's explained why you always have guards wherever you go. Because you are being monitored. Gosh! That's so suffocating. Luckily, my parents are not like that," Pearl complained.

Yeah. It is better if my parents are just like Pearl's parents. I let out a sigh for a response.

I sipped in my coffee and then taste the red velvet cake. Well, the taste is impressive. I look at the name of the coffee shop we are in. It says Vine Coffee Shop. I'll make sure I'll come back here.

There are only forty-five minutes that are given to me to bond with my friends because my father limits me. I'm glad that he still let me bond with them.

If he didn't agree, I don't think I can still manage to live without having a mental breakdown.

"But why are they so eager to marry you to your fiance? Did they not think that you're still young for that?" Maia commented.

I analyze her face, she seems so worried about me. I think it's because she's the oldest of us so she has an urge to protect us. I'm really happy that I have them. 

"Well, it's obvious. It's for the money. The engagement is done in a business manner by our parents. And both of the families will receive a good effect on each other's businesses. They know that I'm young to be married but money is more important for them than their daughter."

A moment of silence happened. I know they feel pity for me.

"Speaking of engagement, you didn't see your fiance's face?" Pearl curiously asked.

I shook my head. I look at my phone and noticed that thirty-four minutes have passed. 

"You also don't know his name or his surname."

I nodded.

"Maia, how will I know if my father hid it from me. He's too afraid that I may do things to stop the engagement if I know their names."

"Do you think the engagement will continue again?"

I nervously look at Pearl. I hope it's not.

"I don't know Pearl but based on what happens at the engagement party, my fiance is against it so... he chose to run away."

It is still a mystery to me why my fiance decides to run away instead of talking to his parents.

Maia looks at me. "So what's your plan?" 

"I don't know... I guess I need to meet my fiance first."

We're in the middle of walking to our next class when my phone beeps. I check it only to find out that I have received a message.

My heart started to beat fast the moment I read it. I stopped walking due to shock. Maia and Pearl immediately notice it. They look at me with confused expressions. I only respond with a smile and they already understand what I mean.

My fiance texted me...