Chapter 1

I rolled my eyes when I saw Josiah smiling while waving at me outside the classroom. I wanted to go home a while ago because my friend was still teasing me from the outside. We were supposed to go home a while ago, but one of my subjects took a make-up class so we don't have to go to class with her on Saturday. My gosh! Why does it seem like we owe her that, she was the one who didn't come in with us the day before. 

"To those students who have already done with their quiz, you can go now," 

It was like I was revived when I heard my professor say that. I quickly put my things in my bag and stood up to pass my quiz to our professor. 

"Thank you, Ms. Dela Peña," my prof said and then smiled at me. 

I just smiled and nodded before I left the room. Josiah immediately greeted me so I threw my bag at him.

"Ouch! Take it easy!" he complained. 

I grinned when I saw that he was shocked that I threw my bag at him but I didn't pay attention to that. 

"Where's Clara?" I asked him and started walking.

"Haven't you read her message yet?" he asked me. 

"Shall I ask if I read it?" I asked him philosophically. 

He just shook his head and didn't answer me anymore because he had some classmates we met. A few of them greeted me but I just nodded without even looking at them. Good thing I had my cell phone in my pocket to read Clara's message in our group chat.

From Clara:I have to go home early. I need to check the dress that I will use at the party this weekend. 

I was devastated when I read Clara's message and just shook my head. I walked ahead of Josiah when I heard that he had finished talking to his classmates. 

"I still can't believe that Clara will attend that party this weekend. She used to not like a party," I complained while walking down the corridor. 

"How come she won't attend when she found out that her ultimate crush, Elijah, is coming," Josiah answered me.

"I know your family is going too, so I'll go with my Dad," he added to me.

I just sighed and rolled my eyes again because I can't still believe Clara's reason. The businessmen and businesswomen have a social gathering this coming Saturday. I know my family doesn't get caught up in things like this so I'm sure we'll all go there too. 

"Oh come on. I also know the reason why you are going with your Dad. You and Clara are the same," I replied to him and then rolled my eyes again.

Josiah laughed so I just shook my head. He likes my younger sister Stella and I just let him like her because I would rather have him for my sister than any other man. At least, I have known Josiah since my childhood. 

"That's why you should also go so that the three of us can be complete with Clara," Josiah told me convincingly. 

"I'll think about it. You know I don't like a party like that, especially when we're with Mom," I answered, then bowed slightly. 

"Don't worry. That's why Clara and I are there, right? Don't think about your Mom too much. All you need to do is to enjoy," Josiah answered me to ease my heart.

"Eli!" 

I couldn't speak anymore when I heard Sister Allison's voice calling me not far from Josiah and me.

"Allison is really beautiful but Stella is even more beautiful," Josiah whispered.

I didn't pay attention to what my friend said because I focused more on my older sister who called me. She's with her friends. Allison is in her fourth year of college and I am in my second year of college, so we are both at the same University.

Allison motioned for me to come to her so I slightly turned to Josiah for him to join me there and he immediately followed me. I almost go back when I saw Jackson appear in Allison's group but I chose to continue.

Jackson is my ex-boyfriend. We have been together for a long time and four months have passed since we broke up. After all, he wanted to focus on his studies because he was graduating. When I agreed to break up with him because I thought it would be good for him, I never thought that after two months he would be with the woman I was jealous of before. 

"Why?" I asked Allison when I finally got close to her.

"Can you please tell to Mom that I will be home late tonight? Today is Keila's birthday," Allison told me then looked at her friend Keila.

"Oh! Sure! Happy Birthday, Keila!" I greeted then looked at it. 

"Thank you, Scarlet! You are also invited to our house. You can come!" Keila said while smiling and thanked me. 

I just laughed and shook my head because I was suddenly embarrassed. My siblings and I are close, so even their friends are becoming my friends, but since I'm not in the mood for parties right now, especially since my ex and his new one seem to be there, I don't want to attend.

"Thank you, Keila, but I can't. I still have projects to finish. I'll just make up with you next time," I replied to make an excuse.

"Is that your thesis?" 

I was a little surprised when Jackson asked me. In four months, he only spoke to me like this again. I'm mad at him but I don't want to show it to him because I don't want them to see that I'm still affected even if it's true.

l"No," I answered coldly then looked at Allison.

"I'll have to go. I'll just tell Mom what you told me but call her anyway," I added and then I left there completely.

When I got home, I informed my Mom that Allison is not coming home early but she came home very late that's why she got scolded. I don't know what happened next in the past few days. I just continued to attend and participate in class.

"Girls, are you ready?" Mommy asked when she came down from upstairs.

A while ago we were hanging out here in the living room with my two sisters. Sister Allison is busy with her iPad while Stella is busy watching k-drama on our TV. I don't usually use my phone that's why I just watch with Stella so I don't get bored. Today is the weekend and I don't have any idea why my Mom didn't come to our company to work. This is new to us because we used to know that she's always a very busy person.

She just said that she wants us to bond today because we haven't been able to do that for a long time since our father died. 

"Yes, Mom. I was ready a while ago. How long will we be there?" Allison answered and then asked.

I looked at Mommy who was fully dressed and I saw her sighing and shaking because of Allison's question to her. 

"Of course, we will take a long time. Why are you going again, Allison?" Mommy asked back to Allison then raised one of her eyebrows.

Allison also sighed and slightly shook her head, and smiled before she speak again. 

"Nothing, Mom. I just want to rest the whole day. You know I'm busy with school because I'm graduating," Ate replied.

"Yeah, that's why I'm taking you guys out. I know you guys are tired because of school but I'm here right now to treat you all," Mommy answered then rolled her eyes.

"Let's go shopping today. Buy all you want!" Mommy said excitedly. 

"Oh! I'm sure there will be a replacement, Mom. Come on tell us," I said because I know her.

She just laughed and then sat next to me so I snorted. 

"You know me, Scarlet!" Mommy said laughing at me.

"Whatever that is. Can I just not come?" I asked.

I know there will be a replacement for all her treats. We will attend the social gathering that Clara and Josiah are talking about and I don't want to go there. When that happens, I know Mom will introduce us again and will set a date with her business partner's sons. I'm so sick of it! I don't want to do it again because it's just a waste of my time. 

"No. You guys should come with me there. I have an award as a good CEO of the company and I don't want to accept that without us being complete," Mommy explained to me immediately. 

"At a social gathering? Sure! I'm gonna come, Mom! I know it will be fun because some of my friends are also coming!" Allison said excitedly too,

"I have no objection to that. I can't do anything either so I'll just go along," Stella replied.

I just took a deep breath and shook my head because they are the only ones who like this kind of thing. I just don't have a choice because when Mommy says that, I can't go against that. 

"I promise. I will let you enjoy the party. I will not introduce you to the sons of my business partners," Mommy said just to convince me.

I didn't have anything else to do but say yes to Mommy. That same day we went shopping for clothes and other things. The four of us also went to a spa to relax. I just followed them and I also enjoyed our bonding anyway. I didn't even know that the party was on tomorrow, so that night I just locked myself in my room to sleep. 

The next day it was busy at home because my Mom called a make-up artist and stylist for the three of us, Allison and Stella. I also received a lot of texts and chats from Clara and Josiah last night but I didn't reply to them. We will also meet at the party. I won't even tell them about my attendance so that they can be surprised when they see me there.