CHAPTER I: Fresh Start, New Danger

“Are you sure about this, Anak?” My mom, Estella, asked, her voice tight with worry as I started getting ready for my flight to Manhattan, New York City.

After living being a dependent woman to my parents for two decades, I finally came to a piercing realization: I did not enjoy being pampered with expensive designer clothes, luxurious bags, shoes, and accessories. That life was a gilded coffin. I knew the general expectation—being born from a rich family meant you had to enjoy all the good things you received—but that expectation had died inside me three years ago. Maybe when I was younger, my sister Illyria and I loved being spoiled, having grand birthday parties, and getting all we wanted without a hassle or begging our parents with cute little puppy eyes. Just a simple, "Mommy, I want that toy," or, "Daddy, I want to eat ice cream," and then bam! We got what we wanted.

But that spoiled girl is dead.

Today, my goal was to become an independent woman, and staying here in the Philippines wouldn't help. I was certain they would find ways to spoil me, to cover me in their wealth, even though I wasn't the Audrey who loved their money three years ago. The more damning truth, the one that burned deep in my chest, was that the memories—the horrific, gruesome memories I shared with the only guy I ever truly cared for and loved aside from Dad—were still engraved in my heart. The sight of him lying there still fractured my sleep. After what had happened in the past, I couldn't seem to live here. This house, this city, they only brought back the bad memories that kept on haunting me. I knew I couldn't move on with my life if I didn't violently sever my ties to this place.

Getting a plane ticket toward Manhattan—away from the humidity, away from the watchful eyes, away from the monsters I had seen in the shadows—was the only option left. It was my only hope for a fresh start.

“Mama, I already told you I have to do this.” I replied, my voice steadier than the hand gripping my luggage. I made my way down the staircase with the heavy bags in both hands, Mom following right behind me like a worried sentinel.

“Sweetcheeks, you know you don’t have to do this. If this is about what happened years ago, you do know that we have money to hunt those bastards, right?” Dad’s voice boomed, filling the marble foyer. “And your mom and I can support both of our daughters’ needs, may it be in financial, physical, or emotional. We can hunt them down if you want. Why are the two of you so stubborn to listen to me and your mom?”

I turned my gaze to Dad, Thomas, as he walked toward me with a plate in his hand, a smear of whipped cream smudged on the corner of his lips, wearing his usual frown of disapproval. His words, though meant to comfort, cut me deeply because they reminded me that their "help" would only ever consist of throwing money at a problem, even one soaked in blood.

Shifting my face to the side, I felt my eyes prickle with a glassy layer of tears. Don't cry. Don't show weakness. Biting my lips tightly to hide any sound that wanted to escape, I blinked the tears away, turned back to face my dad, and plastered on the hardest fake smile I could muster. I strode toward his direction, dropping the luggage straps from my hands. Standing in front of him, I hugged my dear father, kissed his cheek, and wiped the smudge from his face.

“I know, Pa. I know you could buy the peace I need, but what is the purpose of growing up if I keep on depending my dear life on you both? What would other people say about me, depending on my parents at the age of twenty? I don’t want them to think that I am such a spoiled brat that gets what she wants because she is rich. No, Daddy, I don't want that. I don't want to be like what I used to be.” The words felt like a desperate plea, not just to him, but to myself. “Maybe this is my fate and a hint to go find myself and make you and Mama proud of what I will become when I have already earned what I truly deserve, Pa. I cannot continue receiving luxurious things without any of my sweat marked on it.”

“Look at you, all grown up,” he sighed, his frown softening slightly. “I am so proud of my baby, but seriously, why leave the house? Why does it have to be in Manhattan, and why don’t you just use one of our private jets so that you will have a safe and comfortable flight?”

I rolled my eyes. Here we went again. It was a well-intentioned, maddening torrent of questions designed to stop me. I understood his concern; Thomas Mcfeller worried too much about his daughters. I remembered when Illyria left to work as a model; she had had a terrible time leaving the house due to Dad’s constant begging. I swear, he treated us as if we were still babies needing instant care. That was the problem: we were not babies anymore; we were grown women dealing with adult horrors.

“Pa, I think we both know why I have to leave the country. I know you and Mama are going to have your ways to stop me living on my own, and that is the least thing I want right now,” I said, firming my gaze. “And as for me getting a normal plane ticket, it is going to be my first step to start a new life, and I do not want to use our private jet, Dad.” I delivered the statement sternly, hoping to make him drop the topic and just accept my independence.

Throwing his hands up in surrender while chuckling, he conceded. “Okay, fine. Just be careful, okay, sweetcheeks? Call me if there is a problem,” he said, leaning down to kiss my forehead.

---

The flight from the Philippines to New York was not as terrible as I had expected. Taking an Economy Class Flight didn't ruin my experience; the accommodation was great, aside from the uncomfortable seats. The moment I landed at the bottom of the steps of the airplane, the familiar humidity of Manila was replaced by a crisp, urban chill. My eyes immediately scanned the curb. And there it was.

A black Mercedes, too sleek, too polished, was parked at the VIP parking lane, with three men in black suits standing in front of it.

I rolled my eyes so hard I felt a pinch behind my optic nerve. Papa.

I swear, no matter how many times I told him that there was no need for him to hire someone to fetch me, he never listened. My relief at being in New York was instantly soured by the realization that I was still leashed. Staying close to both my parents was a bad idea, not because they were malicious, but because they were too powerful. Even three thousand miles away, Papa still found ways to spoil me and monitor me.

I just hope that this decision will not end up like before and that Zac—no! Stop thinking about that, Audrey! Living a new life, remember? Leave the past and move on. My internal fight was exhausting. Every step away from my past felt like dragging a chain.

A familiar ringtone filled my headset, interrupting the escalating panic in my thoughts. I checked my pocket to get my phone. "Hello?" I answered without checking the caller ID as I made my way toward the illegally parked luxury car.

“Audrey, anak? How are you? Have you landed safely? Please tell me you have landed safely without any problem.”

I chuckled at my mom’s voice, though it was strained and anxious. My parents could be too much when it came to their daughters and their safety, their over-the-top worry adding to the very stress I was trying to escape.

“Mama, relax,” I said, pausing to give her time to take a deep breath—she sometimes tended to forget to breathe when she was worried, anxious, or scared. “And yes, Ma, I have landed safe and sound, and no scratches. You do not have to worry about me, okay? And please tell Papa to never do what he did today again. I have already told you guys to never hire someone to fetch me. I am old enough to take care of myself without your help na po.”

As I finished my sentence, one of the men in black suits opened the backseat door of the car as I reached them. I offered a quick, genuine smile of gratitude for their hard work and loyalty to the Mcfeller Family, even if it was loyalty misguided by my father.

Sitting in the comfortable leather seat of the car, I heard Mama sighing heavily on the line. I was already imagining her forehead forming into a frown at my stubborn choice of words, and that thought, despite everything, made me smile. She really couldn't take it when someone beat her stubbornness.

“I know, I know, anak. It just feels so weird that our baby is so grown up and refusing to take any of our help anymore. You know we love you so much, and we do not want anything to happen to you. What will happen to us now that you are not here to lighten the mood? I already missed your Ate Illyria, and now I am going to miss my baby too,” she said sadly, her voice laced with genuine grief.

“Ma, do not worry. Once I am all settled here in NYC, I will come and visit you and Papa there in the Philippines. As for the meantime, I will just call you every chance I get. How does that sound?” I asked, trying to convince her so she would stop pestering me about my departure.

“That sounds a good idea, anak. Please take care, ha? Call me or your dad anytime if there is something wrong,” she said, finally giving in and not putting up a fight anymore.

“Yes, Ma, you too. Please tell Papa I love you both.” Tears started to form at the corner of my eyes as I ended the call. I quickly wiped them away. I didn't want to regret coming to Manhattan now that I was starting my journey to have a fresh start. There was no returning back. I was Audrey now, the independent woman who would earn her own way. And tomorrow, I would step into CazoS Enterprise, ready to face the world—and whatever kind of devil awaited me inside.