Lahat ng Kabanata ng Chasing Red Flags: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 6

Chapter 1: Red Flags in Plain SightI sat quietly on my father’s leather couch, listening to his endless lectures. He kept reminding me to be careful about what I show in public—how people with bad intentions might take advantage of our wealth and power, especially since I refuse to have personal bodyguards. As if I’m the president’s daughter or something, I thought.I’m just a woman trying to live freely before I end up exactly like my mother—trapped in a loveless marriage.“Would you like to know who your fiancé is?” Dad suddenly changed the subject. He must have noticed I wasn’t listening.I let out a long, heavy breath. “No,” I answered flatly.“Maybe you’ll get along,” he said, sounding almost concerned. “Maybe you’ll grow to like him in time.”That only made me wonder all the more.“I’m walking the same path as Mom,” I told him. “I don’t see any difference. I’ll play my part willingly. I’ll give him an heir, and we’ll live separate lives doing whatever pleases us—just like you a

Chapter 3: Forbidden Fruit Tastes SweetestAfter Rose graduated, Dad started demanding more of my time. He even ordered me to stay home for months—hiring people to train me on how to be the perfect hostess.And how to be the perfect wife.Pathetic, isn’t it?Actually studying how to be one?As if my future husband would want me waiting on him hand and foot. I don’t even know how to hold a knife properly!During those months, Mom started coming home more often too. Once, I even caught her and Dad kissing.Eww! Gross!Of all times, they choose now to act like lovesick teenagers.If they dare have another child, I swear I’m running away! I’ll leave this whole life behind for my new sibling to deal with.“Now, you have to wait until the oil shimmers before adding the garlic and onions,” Mrs. Garcia instructed.“How will I know it’s ready? Does it boil?” I asked innocently.She smiled gently. “You’ll see when it’s calm and still.” I raised a brow. “Look—there, it’s ready.” She pointed to t

Chapter 5Leon was there with Tori, his first girlfriend. But I didn’t care—because his eyes were only on me.Funny how he walked in with her, yet he looked like he belonged to me.“Hi,” I called out, cutting through the crowd swarming around him.He gave a faint, knowing smile, biting his lower lip just enough to show he liked me taking the lead. Tori’s hand slipped from his arm.“Hi, Ava,” Arthur greeted me.I smiled back briefly, then turned my gaze straight to Leon. “You don’t mind if we talk, do you?” I asked, bold and sure.He narrowed his eyes at me. I knew exactly what he was thinking—why is she coming to me first?“Doesn’t your cousin hate the idea of you near me?” he asked. “He told me to stay the hell away from you last time we saw each other.”I rolled my eyes. “If you don’t want to… I’m sure Arthur can keep me company tonight.” I rested my hand lightly on Arthur’s arm, brushing my fingers over it. Arthur caught my hand at once, laughing softly.“Come on, man,” Arthur grin