Chapter 0004

"Abigail!?"

Abby woke up with a start after the door violently burst open. Followed by a loud angry voice, thundering through the room.

Sore and disoriented, she fought her heavy lids to open her eyes. And though with blurry vision, she saw her angry father standing at the door together with the other two figures she never dreamed of seeing the first thing she woke up.

"Abigail, what the hell have you done?!"

Another ear-piercing blast of an angry voice attacked her muddled senses after not give a timely response. She woke up disoriented and she was still trying to discern what was happening.

The incessant pain between her legs is adding to her distraction. Her lids are heavy and she seems to be trapped by something heavy.

With throbbing pain in her head, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. Hoping it will ease her disorientation. And though her head is unbearably throbbing, she tries to recall what happened last night.

While contemplating, she noticed a movement beside her. By then, memories of last night came rushing like an avalanche.

The waiter she approached last night at Alice's engagement party is beside her in bed.

She almost groaned loudly but remembered they were not alone. Thankfully, she stopped herself in time. She felt miserable with the pain all over her body. But she will never let anyone see her discomfort. Especially her father's beloved wife and stepdaughter.

Last night was all in a blur but thinking about it now, she somehow understood the scenario.

She and Lam went on a ravenous rampage after they drank the pineapple juice her father had sent. But now she doubts if it's indeed her dad who sent it.

And she was not mistaken upon noticing the discreet triumphant smirk of the scheming bitches beside her father.

"Answer me, Abigail! Have you lost your tongue?!"

Her father's angry voice tears her away from her thoughts and she doesn't know how to respond to him. She was caught red-handed.

She doesn't need to peek under the sheet to ascertain that she is naked. She's in her birth suit with another warm skin touching her side. She doesn't need Einstein's brain to discern Lam is in the same predicament as her. His arm is still resting on her stomach.

"Abigail!? Don't ignore me! Explain what's this craziness you did?!" Her father's high-pitched voice is adding to her headache.

Ever so slowly, she props herself up to face them. An unbearable pain jolted her entire body even with her slightest movement, but there was no way she would let them know.

The memories of last night were a blur but she was sure it's been rough based on how sapped she felt right now.

A rustle of movement followed and she was carefully pulled to lean unto something sturdy to support her frail body. It was Lam sitting next to her with his arm supporting her back. Though she was surprised by his initiative, she remained placid facing the three people ogling at their awkward dilemma.

"Isn't it obvious, Dad? We are both naked. He and I had sex. Will I elaborate on what exactly we did last night?" casually, she replies. Unbothered by his anger.

For whatever reason her Dad knows where to find her. Surely, the two angels beside him have something to do with it.

"Abigail!" He looks ready to explode but what does he expect her to do? She can no longer turn back what happened last night.

Undoubtedly, there's no way he will believe her despite whatever efforts she will make to explain that everything was fabricated by the scheming women who are with him.

She has learned to be unaffected when it comes to their 'perfect' family. She just scoffs before turning to Lam who has been very quiet since the start.

He is calmly staring back at her father despite getting a dangerous sharp look. Just like what she observed since last night, no hint of fear or intimidation is reflected on his face.

"Are you this desperate, Abigail? What are you doing with a random man in bed?" She hears disappointment in his remark. But it's nothing new.

"When did you care about what I do with my life, Dad? Don't I deserve privacy? For goodness sake, I'm twenty-nine. Will I ask permission whenever I will have sex?" She snickers back. Pissed with their intrusion.

"Then be responsible for your actions! Choose the man you're spending your time with. Not just anyone" he angrily insisted.

"What's wrong with being a waiter? Will a company President or a businessman be better in bed? It's just the same dick. Will their performance be based on their profession?" with a mocking smile, she retorted.

Her response scandalized her father but she no longer cared.

"Is that the reason why Alice seduced my fiance? A President's dick is better than anyone's dick in this city?" She added, casting a sarcastic look at Alice who instantly avoided her.

"Abby!" Furious, her father snaps at her. But she's already too triggered to care.

"Did Alice ask permission when she had sex with my fiance? Did you approve of her getting pregnant knowing that Justin and I are planning to get married?" She sarcastically added.

With the issue veering around towards Alice, Abby cast her a scornful look. But the shameless woman tried to act coy while her mother, Karen held her husband's arm. Getting his favor.

"Abigail...I'm sorry... " Alice timidly whispers but Abby is too smart not to hint at the fakeness in her apology. But instead of indulging, she ignores her.

There's nothing to be sorry about even for a show. It's been their plan and she's not a fool for not knowing.

Turning to her father, she meets his earnest eyes. It's her father she wants to deal with, not the nitwits with him.

"I will do whatever I want. I could go out with any man I like. I'm spending my own money, not anyone else's. It's your stepdaughter you should be looking after. She can open her legs with anyone with money at stake" I sneer while raising my brows to my stepsister and her mother.

"Philip, will you allow her to insult my daughter?" Karen whines, stomping her feet.

"Abigail!" As usual, he sided with his wife.

"Am I wrong, Alice? Don't tell me you're hurt. That's been your plan, right? You seduced my fiance for the money in his name" unbothered by her dad's anger, she continued to taunt Alice.

"Congratulations, you won. Your hard work paid off. Now, leave me in peace" she sneers with an arched brow.

"Don't divert the issue. What you did is a huge scandal. Enough of your rebellion, Abby. You're no longer a child to do such a thing. This is getting out of hand" he sounded defeated while pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Well, with your little family knowing, surely this will be a scandal. I don't think your wife and her daughter would miss this chance to tell everyone I messed up, right Karen?" Amidst her dad's interference, she continues insulting Karen and Alice.

"Abby...darling, I will never do that" Karen tried to be gracious, but it only made her look more fake than her poorly made-up face.

"Cut the crap, Karen" She rolls her eyes in disgust.

"Don't disrespect your stepmother, Abigail!" he angrily warns, earning her a deathly glare. While Karen discreetly smirks.

"Leave. You're disturbing us" Gritting her teeth, she dismisses them. She's getting tired of unending arguments. Still, they are getting nowhere.

"Your grandmother will know about this" Frantic to make her concede, he threatened.

At the mention of her grandmother, she tense. If he intends to get her attention, he succeeds. Ominously narrowing her eyes, she fixed it to her father.

"You won't dare, Dad" she grimly mutters.

"It's about time she realizes you're not an innocent princess she adores" contemptuous, he asserted.

For a long moment their gazes duel in silence. There's no way she will allow them to bombard her beloved grandmother with insignificant matters.

"Why don't you bring your prince charming home to introduce to the Madame? She is already waiting for you" Alice, with a smirk, sweetly announced.

"It's only been a few months since you've returned and you've caused a lot of burden to the old woman" her dad added while looking at her with pure disappointment.

Contrary to the feistiness she is trying to project, she is dying inside. The pain and insult they are throwing her are getting unbearable.

Since her return, her days were spent with a lot of pretensions. Her chest could burst anytime. But until then, she will never grant them the chance to see her defeat.

Her quest to win back her father's affection is a dim plight.

"Leave" Clenching her jaw, she coldly mutters while her gaze intensely bore on her father.

"You are breaking your grandmother's heart. Hope you realize that Abigail" he persisted but she no longer cared. It's pointless to argue.

Fed up by unending insults and threats, she remains quiet. She refuses to respond, proving a point with her silence.

The tension between them is becoming evident that even Karen and Alice are anxiously shifting on their feet. Spectating what would happen next.

But after a while, Philip heaves a sigh. As always, he cannot make Abby bend to his will. Upon realizing she won't talk again, he turns around to leave.

The two women quietly followed but not before they gave her a triumphant sneer. Which doesn't surprise her anymore.

After they were left in silence, the throbbing pain in her head pulled her away from her introspection. Mentally groaning, she tries to ease the pounding pain by massaging her temple.

"I'm sorry for the drama since last night. We are a troublesome family" Turning to Lam, she bitterly chuckles. But got no response from him.

Earlier, despite the heated argument between her and her father, Lam remains calm and nondescript. His nonchalance is quite astonishing yet reassuring.

"Rest for a while" she heard him mumble while helping her lay down. He is surprisingly gentle for a brusque-looking man.

While he is so engrossed in tucking her back in bed, she intently stares at his handsome face. Simply by watching him, she forgot her dilemma.

Sober and clear-headed, she closely explored his features. And she had proven herself right.

Yes, he is exceptionally handsome despite the facial hair covering his face. But there is more of him. He has an inexplicable air of prominence around him. An enigma she just cannot cast out of her mind.

Quietly, she continued to watch him until she noticed he was about to get out of bed. Upon realizing what he is about to do, she suddenly panics.

However, she was too late. Gaping with wide eyes, her breath was caught in her throat when he casually stood up.

Deliciously stark naked.

****tbc****