Chapter 1 (The Attitude)

I was making my way home, rushing to make some dinner for myself. Yeah, this is just a simple routine that I do daily. I know, it's a boring, pointless life. I've been like this since I was ten. 

Don't ask me why because life is never been too good for me. I even forgot someone important to me, and the promise we made for each other.

*BEEP SHHH

Inattentive, I suddenly saw a car's light flash through my life while I was running in the crossing lane---

I couldn't respond at that time. All I do was stand and watch it reaching for me. That's what happened. I don't know, but I just feel my hands are turning gray and dull. 

"Erina?" 

I heard someone calling me, but it feels so strange. Her voice is emotional, but it feels empty--- or is it just me? 

"Erina?" 

I feel her hands shaking in my skin as mine is freezing. 

'What happened to me? Am I dreaming? All I see is darkness.'

"Erina, please open your eyes! You are safe now!" 

Beyond my comprehension, I saw a light blinding my eyes. It burns, but it is seizing me. 

I gasps, and my body suddenly sprang up in the bed. Then, my eyes surprisingly opened. My mind is whirling, and I couldn't think straight. 

"Erina?" I turn around to see the woman beside me. Her thick long blonde hair kin to gold shines brightly into my eyes. Her small pouty lips quivered as she said----

Wait, this woman called me who?

Her green, dewy eyes are looking straight at me, and I give her a confused look. 

Who the hell is Erina? 

"Erina, are you okay?" She asked me with a worried tone. She puts her hand on top of mine, and I snorted at the feeling of her touch. 

For some reason, my mouth is dry and I find it hard to say words. But, I know for sure, I am not Erina! 

"W-who?" 

Shockingly, this Lady starts to burst into tears, and a man suddenly busted his way into my room, I guess.

He looks at me with a puzzled look on his face, and I give him a confused look. 

Why is he staring at me like that?

The man rushed to the woman's side, caressing her to soothe her tears away. I am sure in everyone's eyes they look like a lover because the woman instantly clings to him. 

Then, suddenly, a middle-aged woman comes into my room, and she runs toward me to lock me into her arms.

"Erina! Thank God! I thought I wouldn't ever see my daughter again! Tell me, who did this to you?!" The middle-aged woman asks me as her voice sounds worried, angry. 

Panics slowly rises into my head as I unexpectedly spouted, "H-huh? Who did what? Who the fuck is Erina? And who are you, people?" 

I shove her hands away from me with glaring eyes. Damn, my body is aching everywhere. What the hell happened to me? I noticed the dextrose on my left hand. Now, I see where am I...

Straight on the spot, I see their faces drop as if they saw a dead person in front of them.  

"What?" I spat, perking a brow. 

The middle-aged woman turns back away from me, shaking. She hugs herself as she mumbled in disbelief, "This can't be happening!" She turns her head to the couple, giving them a signal. 

God, who knows what are they trying to do! But, what am I doing here?! 

"I need to call the doctor. Melissa, can you watch her for me?" 

"Yes, Auntie Blare. I can watch her for you. I don't know if she still knows me, but I can earn her trust again. After all, I am her friend." She said elegantly with little hiccups, which made me hiss. Bitch, I swear I hate this woman's guts. What's up with her? Why do I feel she's not being herself? I swear she could bag Nobel awards home with her displays right now. 

She turns her head back at me with those pitiful eyes, and I shoot her back with blazing glares. 

"You may also leave the room, Alfred." 

"Are you sure, my love?" Alfred asked with a little hesitation, and Melissa hold his hand firmly. She smiled at him, giving him some kind of assurance. 

"Yes, my love."

Nodding, Alfred finally submits to his lover's request, and he turns around to march out of my room together with Auntie Blare. Thankfully! The burdens on my shoulders have been lifted. Well, except for one--- This so-called best friend of mine refuses to slip away from my sight. She might be eye candy for a Lady, but I don't feel assured when I'm with her. 

I look back at Melissa's face and----

Her stunning features start to bubble pop as her face shows some wrinkles, teeth-gritting, and hands clenching. 

Her nose flared as she leans on my ear, whispering, "How the hell you're still alive, you wrench!"

'Bitch, what?!'

I deadpanned. Of course, who would expect those words to come from a friend's nasty mouth!

I gather myself to avoid causing drama, although I can see Melissa's cunning eyes straight into mine as she breaks the silence in the room with her innocent giggle. 

"Erina, I was just joking." She said, wiping a little tear in the corner of her eye. I swear to God, I want to punch this bitch's face. 

What's so funny about the words she said? 

Of course, I am mad at her because who wouldn't? I didn't even know where am I, and who this chick is? 

Who's Erina? Me? Who am I?

Thinking about all these things makes my mind foggy, and I can feel my knees wobble under this white blanket. I clenched my hand as I shake my head, trying to ease up the tension building inside of me. 

"Hey, you good?" Melissa tries to reach her hand on me, and I quickly slap it away. I don't want her skin in mine. Plus, she didn't sound concerned about me. This bitch is sending me some red flags. 

My instinct is telling me to stay away from her. 

She was caught off guard as she wasn't anticipating my upfront rejection. Her brow raises, giving me a questionable look.

Look, I am trying to be nice to her because I am controlling my temper, but her face is giving me the guts to punch her. 

Have you ever had the feeling that when you saw a person's face, your blood starts boiling? Because it is what I feel for her. 

Unable to control my emotions, I suddenly grabbed her by her wrist as I grumbled menacingly in her ears, "Don't you dare say it was a joke. I could feel the weight behind those words. Go away before I lose my patience and wound your pretty face." 

I clench my hand on her wrist to make her realize that I wasn't joking. Her pulpy pink lip turns to white as her eyes are on the verge to cry. Her body is shaking, and her mouth drops open. 

We didn't break our eye contact as I knew mine is intense to send her weak. Awww, she looks so small in my eyes right now like prey in my predatory presence. 

After a couple of moments, the door creaks as it opens. 

Melissa and I turn around our attention to the people entering my room. 

The man who's around 5 '11 ft, wearing a light blue long-sleeved dress shirt and navy-blue suit pants, with a white coat paired with black leather shoes. His dark blue tie is giving me the impression of his profession.

He is definitely the doctor here. Right beside him is 'Aunty Blare.' I'll address that for now since I am not familiar with her. Honestly, she looks too worried as her brows crease. Her watery eyes looked at me. Then, she turns her vision to the Lady in front of me. 

"What's wrong, Melissa? Why do look so terrified?" Aunty Blare surely noticed Melissa's discomfort as she tries to walk closer to her. I quickly remove my hands from her wrist, and she winced at the pain. 

"I would like to excuse myself, Auntie Blare. I have to go." Melissa said hastily as her eyes locked into mine. 

"Are you alright, Melissa?" Aunty Blare asked once more, trying to hear some assurance from Melissa. 

I heard Melissa sigh, and she frowns, "I gotta go, Aunty Blare. I cannot let my boyfriend wait." 

Huh! What a lie. I know I caused her discomfort. But, who is she to blame? She shouldn't provoke me if she couldn't take me. 

"Alright, thank you for dropping by and visiting Erina, Melissa." With such a motherly tone, I could feel Aunty Blare's gratitude. I couldn't help but feel comfortable around her. Hearing her voice sends a smile to my face. 

Without letting me say a word to Melissa, she quickly runs away from us and slams the door. 

"What a bitch!" I swear in my whisper-like tone. I wonder how did I have a friend like her? I don't feel like we mesh. 

Then, I heard the doctor's footsteps towards me. The sound was kind of distracting me, but I am glad that the grogginess inside of me subsided. 

"If you'll excuse us, Mrs. Dallas. I will have to check her vitals." The Doctor informed Aunty Blare sternly. I bet this doctor always wears his stoic face. He seems to be very threatening to me if I am to be honest. 

Suddenly, Aunty Blare pull me into a hug. My eyes widen at her action, and I could feel her body sending warmth all over me. 

"I have to leave you here with Doctor Smith." She told me with a sad voice, stirring me up. 

Crunching my nose, I asked her, "Will I be okay?" 

Her lips planted a kiss on my forehead as she smiles weakly, "Everything is going to be alright, Honey. I have to go now." Then, she lets go of me as she bows to the doctor in respect. 

"Thank you, Mrs. Dallas." 

There, Aunty Blare is nowhere in my sight. 

Dallas? I thought that sounds familiar. Have I heard it somewhere? 

The doctor snaps his finger at me as he caught me spacing out. I flinched as I cleared my throat, and I murmured underneath my breath, "My apologies, I didn't mean to be rude." 

Cocking a brow, the doctor paused in his spot as his eyes examine me. I could feel his judgemental look in me. Somehow, I feel embarrassed. My cheeks are starting to burn. 

Oh, please, help me out.

"You weren't being rude, Mrs. Arison. Hmmm, I was expecting you to be frantic-"

I quickly cut him off as I find his words odd, "Frantic?" 

"If I were to be blunt, when you arrived here, I thought you will be dead. There were signs of abuse in your body and you were...." He pauses and swears in between his breathing. It catches my interest, and I wanted to know.

"And???"

"It's better for you to lay down, Mrs. Arison." He instructed as I find it suspicious. Why is he not telling me everything? 

How did he address me?

"Wait, Mrs. Arison? Me?" I said, wondering. 

The doctor stops from inspecting me as he did not show any emotions. 

"Yes, you are. You are married to Mr. Jericho Arison for two years now. Your mother told me."

I couldn't believe what the doctor is saying, but why am I married? I couldn't comprehend a thing, and my heart drop. I am aware of my wrecked expression as his eyes wrinkle sympathetically. 

I am anxious because I do not know what is this doctor thinking about me. I bet I sound crazy to him right now. 

Oh, God! My body is trembling in this bed.

"Is Mrs. Dallas related to me?" I perked a brow because it doesn't seem right, and I suddenly get a headache. Why is this day too tiring! I rub my forehead as my vision starts to spin around. I am trying to hold my consciousness until I heard the doctor's reply. 

"She's your mother, Mrs. Arison." 

Huh? My mother? 

I was so weak that I couldn't keep my eyes open. Later on that moment, my vision blackout. 

Note: This book contains violence, sexual harassment, or mature content. You have been warned by the author. Thus, the characters in this story are all from the author's imagination. So, I welcome you all to the roller coaster ride, come and join me in uncovering what's behind! Happy reading 💫