Chapter 3

Decision

"Auva! What was that?!"

My dad furiously ask me the moment we got inside our house. I didn't even get a chance to change my clothes.

"I don't know!" I shouted back, pissed at him for blaming me without analyzing what happened.

"You did that, right? You sabotaged your engagement!"

My eyebrows arched. "Why would I do that?"

"Why not? Just weeks ago you want to do everything just to stop it!"

I look at him in shock. How?

My father smirked. "Do you think you can hide it from me? Why don't you just admit it?!"

How does he know? I only told my friends but I give up that plan because I know I won't win. All I can think of is that one of the maids were the one who told him. 

I calmed myself before respond to him. Being angry in this state, won't do any good for me.

"I said I don't know anything," I said in an affirmative voice.

"Now you’re lying! You just want to disobey me, did you? Is this what your friends taught you"

I look at him in disbelief. He has the guts to accuse me that I ruined my engagement when I don’t have a courage to do that!

I wasn’t even get to meet my fiancé not even once and it was supposed on the engagement party but he ran away. 

"Disobey you?" I scoffed at him. "You really don't know me, do you?"

I look at my father, disappointment and anger are evident on his face. My heart hurts as this are the first time I saw him like that towards me. Ever since I was child, I always do what my parents says as I am afraid to see this look on their faces.

I can’t understand...

Is this how easy they lose their trust on me for them to easily blame me?

"And now you dare to talk back at me. From now on, you're grounded! You can't go anywhere and you can't do anything!"

"Dad!" I exclaimed.

"You will not do anything unless I said so! All of your activities will be monitored. You will meet your fiancé again next week and I will talk to his family to fix this mess. I'll make sure that the wedding will happen as soon as possible."

My eyes widened in shock.

"No! You can't do that!"

"Yes, I can!"

"Daddy! Please don't do this. I swear I didn't plan this out. I'm also surprised why my fiancé declines. It's his decision. Please, dad!" I plead to him.

I hate doing this but I need to. Can't he let me live my life happily? 

My father remains in his cold posture.

Is it that important to him the engagement that he doesn't even acknowledge that I don't want it?

He just look at me with disappointment in his eyes. I can't let him limit my activities. What will happen to my paintings? It's the only thing that keeps me sane while living here. I know that as soon as he finds out that I'm showing interest in other things instead of the things he wants me to do he will be mad. He will do everything to stop me from doing it. No! I will not let it happen.

"Please, dad..."

Still, there was no response so I turned my gaze to my mother. The person who always watches me suffer.

She always takes my father's side and she never stands up for me. But I hope at this time she will show some care for me. Not because of my accomplishments but because she loves me as if I were her daughter.

"Mommy, please... Help me to convince daddy to lift his punishments. Please, I promise I'll be more obedient just please don't do this."

She smiled at me before pulling me closer for a hug. At last, she will take my side now. I hugged her back.

"I love you, mom!" I happily said and tighten the hug.

"I love you too sweetie... But, your father was right."

"What?!" 

I immediately pulled out from the hug. I look at her with a disappointed look. All my hope vanished.

Yeah right. I should not be surprised anymore. For her, dad is always right. For her, I'm just a failure and a burden.

"You need to learn your lessons. This isn't you. This was just a small favor from us. Can't you just grant it? You know I really love it when you obey us. Please think that we did it for you. Sweetie all we do will benefit you in the future so be a good girl okay?" She added not minding my feelings.

My tears started to fall. I can't believe that until now, she didn't change. She still let her daughter suffer because of their oh-so-perfect plans. 

I turned my back on them and then hurriedly go upstairs without looking at them. I locked my door as soon as I entered then faintly leaned against the door while letting my tears fall. 

I hate her! I hate them!

From all people, Mommy should know what I feel every time they reject my decisions. When I was a kid, I thought everything they do for me is the best. Especially since it is my mom's decision little did I know that it will cost my happiness.

I grew up being controlled by them. But now that I understand what is right for me they still don't let me make my decision for my life.

"Oh! So that's explained why you always have guards wherever you go. Because you are being monitored. Gosh! That's so suffocating. Luckily, my parents are not like that," Pearl complained.

Yeah. It is better if my parents are just like Pearl's parents. I let out a sigh for a response.

I sipped in my coffee and then taste the red velvet cake. Well, the taste is impressive. I look at the name of the coffee shop we are in. It says Vine Coffee Shop. I'll make sure I'll come back here.

There are only forty-five minutes that are given to me to bond with my friends because my father limits me. I'm glad that he still let me bond with them.

If he didn't agree, I don't think I can still manage to live without having a mental breakdown.

"But why are they so eager to marry you to your fiancé? Did they not think that you're still young for that?" Maia commented.

"Well, it's obvious. It's for the money. The engagement is done in a business manner by our parents. And both of the families will receive a good effect on each other's businesses. They know that I'm young to be married but money is more important for them than their daughter."

A moment of silence happened. I know they feel pity for me. Then suddenly Maia remembers something.

"Oh wait, do you already guess who snitch to your dad about the engagement?" 

"All I can think of is Noie our new maid because she's there when we talked about it."

Pearl pout. "But she seems nice."

I remained silent. I can't think a statement to support my claim. It's really bad to jump into conclusion but I can't help it.

"Speaking of engagement, you didn't see your fiancé's face?" Pearl curiously asked.

I shook my head. I look at my phone and noticed that thirty-four minutes have passed. 

"You also don't know his name or his surname." Maia added.

I nodded.

"Maia, how will I know if my father hid it from me. He's too afraid that I may do things to stop the engagement if I know their names."

"Do you think the engagement will continue again?"

I nervously look at Pearl. I hope it's not.

"I don't know Pearl but based on what happens at the engagement party, my fiancé is also against by it so... he chose to run away. And until now, he was not yet found."

It is still a mystery to me why my fiancé decides to run away instead of talking to his parents. 

Maia looks at me. "So what's your plan?" 

"I don't know... I guess I need to meet my fiancé first."

We're in the middle of walking to our next class when my phone beeps. I check it only to find out that I have received a message. 

My heart started to beat fast the moment I read it. I stopped walking due to shock. Maia and Pearl immediately notice it. They look at me with confused expressions. I only respond with a smile and they already understand what I mean.

It’s my fiancé...