Chapter 1

Obedient

Colors make things beautiful. Everything that has colors gives meaning to the one who sees it. They said that colors represent the emotion of a person. And the three primary colors have the most generalized meaning.

Blue is for sadness. Various movies and artworks had been made where blue color is associated to emphasize that the character is hurting or sad just wear blue color.

Yellow for happiness. Using the yellow color brings joy to the people because they said that it has a cheerful aura.

And Red is for anger or maybe love. You'll be confused if you don't understand the meaning of the color.

The red color can be used if you want to show other people that you are angry. But you can also use this to show the feeling of love you have in you.

Even though the other colors don't have a specific meaning for emotion.

Using these colors can make your thoughts be able to deliver well. 

That's why in painting, colors are so important. It helps the message of the painting to be highlighted.

I look at my almost done painting. Few more touches and it will be finished soon. I smiled.

"It's beautiful..." I praised when I look at the result. I didn't say it just because I am the creator but because it is really beautiful. It is important for an artist to criticize their work for their improvement. That's why I looked again at my work to judged if there is something that is needing change.

I was right. This feels like something is missing. I analyze it once more while thinking about what should I put to complete the painting.

It was broad daylight on a beautiful hill. The ground was full of grass with fallen flowers from the blossom tree. A lady with beautiful long brown wavy hair and beautiful wings is walking to the top of the hill where the blossom tree is located.

The lady looks divine because of her smile and the flower on the top of her hair made her more beautiful. She's also holding a bunch of flowers that have various colors and kinds in her right hand. And a pair of love birds is peacefully sleeping on her left hand.

I smile because of the result.

It took me almost half an hour to look at my painting. But still can't figure out what is missing. I get back to my senses when I heard our maid knocking on my door.

I immediately clean the mess and then hide my painting underneath my bed.

I moved towards my study desk and then put a book there. I also turn on the lamp to make it look like I was studying a while ago. Then fixed my poise before walking toward the door to open it.

"What is it?" I ask the new maid.

She looks terrified by my looks. I'm not surprised because most of the people who don't know me that well just immediately conclude that I am bad just because of my shrewish look.

 I rolled my eyes when I hear no response from her. 

"What! Are you going to stare at me for hours? I'm asking you what's the matter?"

I saw her hands tremble.

"Y-your father is asking you t-to go to his office..." She said while looking at her hand.

I raised my eyebrow as I look at her then I smirked.

She looks too innocent to be working here. Though I heard that she’s two years older than me. If we were be put together, she will look younger than me because of her petite physique. Another thing is she has a straight black hair with a length up until her chin.  A thin eyebrow with those beautiful lips and a pointed nose. Her eyes are big though but still balanced on her features.

To be honest, she doesn't look like a maid cause she's cute and modest. And if she does not wear that maid outfit she may be mistaken as one of my friends. But I won't give her my trust just because of her appearance.  I don't know what happen if I do trust her. 

"You may now go..."

She nodded nervously before quickly leaving. I sighed and then proceed to lock my room. 

The sound of my shoes is the only sound that can be heard in our house. It was so quiet despite having many people living here. Well, that's the result of having strict parents who always wanted formality. A family of perfectionists that requires well-trained employees to keep everyone in line.

We have seven maids, four guards, and four drivers only for this house not including our other properties. It's a lot of servers but my family managed to employ lots of people because of our business which fortunately grew throughout the years. 

Our house looks elegant because of its white and gold theme. In every corner of the house, you'll see lots of decorations that look expensive. Just looking at the chandelier placed in the middle of the house and the multiple paintings scattered on the wall will help you figure out that this is a house of a high class family.

I took a glance at our family portrait, this screams elegance and power. I wonder what other people think whenever they see it.

The wall of the corridor that I'm walking has different kinds of medals, trophies, and any proof of achievements of our family. It's a combination of academic and business awards.  I really find it ridiculous seeing this in the hallway. It make me feel that we are too boastful of our achievements. 

My mom graduated summa cum laude and my father as magna cum laude. Me and my brother are consistent honor students. Because of this my family seems perfect said many.

Having the ability to buy whatever we want and travel to any place are the things that people are envious of not knowing that being on top doesn't mean all things are easy for you.

I knocked three times at the door of my father's office. Then I waited for his response. Here in our house, rules are strictly implemented. There are a lot of do's and don'ts that we need to obey. If we broke the rule, I don't know what happens next since I always obey them. 

But I think I will have my first sooner.

"Who is it?" My father asked.

"Daddy it's me Auva" I respond then wait for further instruction.

Every time I am called by my parents, I always remember how envious I am of my friends. Even though they are not rich as I am they still managed to be happy with their family because they really treat each other as a family. I always wondered what if our family is like them. Living as happy and contented without thinking of what other people may think of us.

I sighed in my thoughts.

"You may now go in."

I carefully enter the room and then stand beside the door after closing it. I notice that my mommy and older brother are also here.

My brother caught my gaze so I smiled at him. Then look at my father who formally sitting in the chair. He signaled me to sit in the chair in front of the table. So I walk towards the chair and then sit quietly. 

"Me and your mother will leave the country next week and we'll be gone for almost a month because we're handling our business outside the country. And your brother is also leaving to manage our business in Palawan so basically you will be alone here along with our servers," he said.

My mother touches my hair gently. "So honey... We're expecting you to be a good girl okay?" I nodded at her.

They discussed lot of things with me for almost an hour and mostly it was about the rules they want me to obey. Like, don't go out without our permission. You should always ace your class. And last, make them proud.

I just agreed to what they said to me without any complaints. Despite having these talks they still let me buy things I want not minding the cost so it's no big deal for me to obey them. It's like a reward for being their good girl.

They always reminds me that they only want the best for me and I trust them for that. So whatever they ask me to do I obey them no question ask. But that phase of me is losing. Now that I starting to realize that I have to step up soon for myself. That it is time to do what I want. Because money is not enough to make me happy.

I noticed something, my brother is pretty quiet today so it felt strange. Usually, he was always the one who opposed our parent's decisions for me. Maybe he's just stressed about work.

I was about to bid goodbye when my father spoke.

"Before we forget, Auva your fiancé will come next few days so get ready yourself. You should please him the moment you first meet each other. This is a great opportunity for us and our company. Their company will bring success to us... There should be no problems, don't do any stupid things. Okay?" he said with a full authoritative voice.

I nod while having my poker face, hiding the mixed emotions I am feeling. There's a lot things I want to say but I chose not to because I'm not ready yet. 

Not long after, my father let me leave the office. My hands are trembling as I close the door until I go to my room. The unsaid thoughts builds up various emotion. How can I tell them that I don't want it? How can I convince them to let me decided for myself? That all I care right now is to pursue painting not that engagement? As soon as I get inside of my room that's when I finally calmed down. My safe space...