Chapter 3

"I'll ask you again, you're really going back?" Kath asked for the nth time.

"Yes, Kath, I am going back. Besides I still have one more year until my contract with the Star Entertainment ends. And they want me to go back to shoot this movie. Don't worry we won't stay lomg there because I still need to finish my studies here."

"But----"

"Kath, don't worry about me, okay? I am fine now." Maezhei cut her off.

"I love you, Zhei." She said then her friend gave her a hug.

"You're so clingy."

I know that she's just worried about me because of what happened years ago. That time, she was the only one who was there for me. No one knows about what really happened except her, my parents, and them, Dylan and Silica.

Yeah. My parents know about it. My biological parents. And when they learned about it, they didn't believe me and instead they scolded me for accusing, my so called sister. And their words haunt me. I can still remember what they say to me that time. And it felt like it's just yesterday.

"What are you saying? Your sister won't do that! Maybe you're just jealous because she's a famous actress while you're not! You wanted to be an actress, right? That's why you're doing this. And even if she did, I am sure she didn't mean it. You're sister is so kind to you! How can you accuse her?"

"Just give him up! He's Dylan Chen, the only son of the Chen Corporation! Do you think he will be serious about you, who grew up in some province? No. So, don't assume and just let them be!"

Hah. I was the real victim but they didn't even believe me and just blindly believe that fake daughter of theirs. I was already broken hearted because of the betrayal they did to me but hearing my parents saying that to me crushed my already broken heart. 

Maezhei felt as if she was stabbed million times! She doesn't know what to do because the only people whom she think will be her strength didn't even believe and hear her out. She can't take the pain. It's just too much for her. Especially when Silica came back with Dylan. She don't want to see them.

She can't take seeing them together like as if they didn't betray her. She felt like dying seeing them together. Dylan tried to approach and talk to her but she didn't let him. She don't want to talk to him nor be near to him!

He betrayed her. They betrayed her!

Just how can they smile after the betrayal they did to her? Are they even for real? And my parents... I am the real daughter but I feel like I am the fake one, an outsider of their family.

Dylan... they've known each other for years. They are childhood sweetheart! But he hurt her so bad!

He betrayed me... with my sister!

After a week, I cannot take seeing them so, I left the Dayone's Mansion. I wanted to go back to our province but I know I can't. I am not related to them. I have no relations to them. I have... no one. I don't know where to go but I can't go back. I don't want to go back! I don't want to see them again!

Have you ever spent so many sleepless nights crying?

Do you know how it feels to see your loved one with someone else?

Do you know how it feels that even your own parents don't want you?

Yeah. I was depressed. Who wouldn't?

Having your trust broken is typically an emotionally devastating experience.

I gave up my dream on becoming an actress just so I could learn on how to cook for Dylan because he does not eat take out foods. He prefers home dishes most.

I attended culinary school because of him. Just to make him smile... make him happy. I gave up everything... even my switched-birth-parents so that our statuses in life would match.

So, how could he betray me like this? And of all people why Silica? Why her? She's my sister! We're not related but still... I treated her like my older sister! So, how? How could he do this to me? How could they do this to me?

But the most painful part was when... my biological parents didn't believe me. They chose Silica over her. Funny right?

The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies. Betrayal always comes from the person you trust.

Or maybe the real problem was me? Because I trust them too much.

But cheating is not an accident, it is a choice. If he really do love me then he won't do that, right?

Though I don't care about that anymore because the most importan thing is atleast I have have Kath and Grandpa now.

***Flashback

"What's your order Ma'am?" I asked smiling but her eyes are glued on her phone, while frowning.

Damn. She's pretty. Even if her eye brows are furrowed, she was still so pretty! - She thought.

"Argh! Why is he not replying? It's been two minutes!" The girl said annoyed on whoever her text mate is. She's annoyed but she still looks like an angel.

"What's your order Ma'am?" I repeated. I still want to stare at her but the queue is getting longer.

After I left the Dayone's Mansion, I looked for a job. I don't have money with me when I left so, I have no choice. Thankfully, Alien Café, one of the best café here in town, was looking for a waitress that time. The café was packed when I went there to apply so, they hired me right away because they needed more people.

"One Iced Americano." The girl answered while her eyes are still glued to her phone.

I processed her order, "Is that all Ma'am?" I asked.

"Yes," she said then her gaze went to me.

I typed something on the computer about her order, "It's 120 dollars, Ma'am." I hand her the receipt and smiled at her.

"Ma'am?" I called her when she didn't took the receipt. She was just staring at me!

"Ma'am?" I called her again.

"Oh, y-yeah." she shyly answered. How cute! Damn. For Pete's sake, I like handsome people but she's just too pretty!

"Here," I handed her credit card.

"Thank you! Uhm... What's your name?" she suddenly asked. "I'm sorry for asking I just can't help it. You look like a doll!"

She finds me pretty? What a coincidence!

Maezhei's cheeks turned red because of what she just said. I am not boasting but honestly, I got that a lot ever since I was born and when I've started working here, many of our customers were saying those.

But if it is someone as pretty as her saying that I am pretty flatters me. She's prettier than me for Pete's sake!

*** End of Flashback

Since that day, she became our regular customer until I didn't notice, she became my bestfriend. I don't know how but one day I just realized myself telling my stories to her.

"Look Zhei, They're not worth it. Come with me in Canada and finish our studies together. By that time, you are strong enough to face the world. 'You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated.' Haha that quote suits you." Kath exact words when I told her what happened to me.

I felt comfortable with her. We're like lovers that cannot be separated.

Lovers, huh? - She thought.

I refused her offer that time because first of all, I don't have enough money yet though she said she'll take care of it but still. I don't want to burden her.

Then, after five months working in the Alien Café, I found out that my grandfather, in my father's side, is searching for me after he found out that I left the Mansion. Grandpa is already old and I don't want him to worry about me so I visited him in the Dayone's Ancestral House in City C to assure him that I am alright. I didn't tell him what happened to me because I don't want to stress him. It's not good for his health especially because he's already too old and he's the only relative left to me. He's old but he's as strong as a tiger. But still, I don't want to be a burden to him. I only have him and Kath. And it will really break me if somethings bad happen to them.

I'll do anything to protect the both of them. I promised to myself.

--hidayawu--