Chapter 1

I GREW UP in a household with two younger siblings, and being the most dominant among us, including my Mommy and Daddy, I never thought this day would come. I looked at my face in the mirror, staring straight at me. I put on more powder under my eyes when I realized that concealer alone wasn't enough to hide my swollen eyes.

I cried all night, begging Mommy and Daddy last night to stop their plan, which they only informed me about yesterday."

I cannot believe them. I just can't. How can these people, my parents, who claim to love me do this to me?

"We're just saying, Isabella, that this is for your own good," Mommy said, as if I should just accept that simple explanation.

"For my own good? No! You're not protecting me!"

Daddy stood up and turned his back on me. His large desk separated us, and I was irritated that he wouldn't even look at me now after announcing my destined fate.

I just got back from Singapore, and I'll admit, there was a bit of a scandal in Cebu. My friends and my boyfriend were with me, enjoying ourselves when suddenly the police showed up in the middle of the club. We had nothing to do with it, and Luis was just framed. I know him, and he wouldn't try to use illegal drugs.

"You're selling me out!"

Dad rubbed his hand over his face, still turned away from me.

"Dad, look at me! Is this really what you want?"

"Isabella, you won't succeed in life, especially if you have friends who are... bad influences," Mommy said.

"I told you! The cocaine the police found didn't come from Luis! That's why he wasn't arrested!"

"He wasn't arrested because his dad called the authorities," Dad said calmly.

I looked back at him. "Because it's not true!"

"How sure are you that it's not true? Are you together all day? All week, Isabella?" Mommy's tone was icy, the scariest tone in my life, but I knew how to talk in the midst of fear.

"Yes, Mom! We're together, and I know him. I wouldn't consider him my boyfriend if-"

"Boyfriend, Isabella?" Finally, Daddy turned to look at me.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Oh please! What do you expect? I'm twenty-three already! I'm not a kid anymore!"

"You're not a kid anymore, so we expect you to behave. We expect you to get involved in the business now. Our company is facing a lot of crises, and sales are declining, so now we expect you to cut down on partying and do something for your future," Mommy said in succession. "We expect you, Isabella, to stop wasting money on material things that aren't important and start becoming independent."

"This is the opposite! We're trying to change your life. You're so spoiled already, and this is the only way to-"

"To fix it? Well, if I'm spoiled, whose fault is that? Yours!" I shouted.

"Isabella!" Daddy's voice echoed.

I closed my eyes and stopped shouting. He's not angry with me no matter what I do with my life. There's just one thing he can't forgive, and that's Mommy raising her voice.

"The long list of your scandals and wrong decisions in life is over. My decision for you is final."

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I was about to respond but Daddy cut me to it.

"I know what you told your siblings. You told them to work hard in the company so you can live luxuriously without a job. They agreed, but let me tell you this... if you defy this decision, it's not just you I'll disinherit. Even your siblings."

I shook my head and smiled because it's becoming ridiculous. "I don't believe you."

Daddy looked at me with a cold hardness in his eyes. My father is many things, but he is not a liar. He's always true to his words, and that scares me. Or maybe I'm scared because I know I'm also at fault.

I don't deny that ever since I was a child, I've been getting into a lot of mischief. But I always get away with it because I'm Diego Morata's eldest child... the grandchild of Diana Morata. Everything has always been set up nicely for me... I've been thoroughly spoiled and pampered. My two younger siblings aren't like that anymore. As soon as they learned to count, our parents taught them to work in our hotels. They don't get money or things they want easily. They have to earn it, unlike me.

They both don't complain, and because of their love and respect for me, when I told them I just wanted to travel and live luxuriously without working, they taught each other who would support me financially. Besides that I realized that the last thing I want for my brothers is a big bad bitch of a burden!

"Don't bother. Try to escape now and you'll see," Daddy said firmly.

I tried to call my friends but realized that my line was dead. I checked my cards and I had a feeling that they're all blocked now. If my cellphone and internet lines are dead, how about these credit and debit cards?

I want to escape but I'm in the mansion, our biggest one here in Singapore. It's filled with bodyguards, secure, and has plenty of CCTV cameras. One move and the bodyguards will put me in my room.

I didn't stop crying all night.

The next day at the table, I was shocked when Daddy said he would introduce me to a son of his business partner whom he thinks is the solution to my problem.

Daddy said his name is Damon Montero.

I just ignored what Dad said. I don't have any smart ideas right now.

Maybe he didn't really mean it when he said he'd also disinherit my siblings. I won't think about it for myself. That if their money disappears, I'll lose too. I'm only thinking about them. I can't bring this kind of trouble to them. I made sure they'd agree to suffer just to save me from this mess.

Yes, I want their help but what if Dad's really telling the truth?

What matters to me right now is that I'm glad they're not here to hear this news and see me kneeling for my freedom. It would be harder if they were with me. And to spare them from getting involved, I need to face Mommy and Daddy's madness?

I glanced up, not listening to Daddy's words. I bit my lip.

Surely there's a way to escape, right? Maybe I can just talk to the guy he's referring to and see if he really agrees to this? What are the conditions and why is he allowing it? Does he not have a girlfriend? Does he not have any other prospects? Or is he a closeted gay and he wants a cover-up? Or maybe... they want me to marry him to expand our business and his marriage to me is what they can use? Whatever my Dad's reason is, I'm sure there's a connector for this.

But as I think about this and lock myself up at home, I'm slowly losing myself in fear and the possibilities that could happen.

So here I am now at the club. I found a way to get away from the bodyguards and tight security. It's a daring attempt like the ones I used to do when I'm being punished. I came here and shamelessly tried my favorite bartender's cellphone to call my friends. It's late at night but I didn't expect them to be asleep because we're also party animals. But if they're not grounded, they're busy planning a new vacation while I'm away.

"Luis!" I said happily, almost spilling my drink.

With all the problems and chaos, there's no question why I got drunk so quickly. I don't stop drinking one shot after another.

"I'm here at the Family Dinner. Sorry, Isabella. I can't make it. My dad's idea to save me from the cocaine scandal is this... to marry me off to an ugly nerd! Don't worry-"

"What?!" I was shocked by what he said.

What's wrong with dads these days and why are they like this?

"I'll get through this. How about you? Your dad said you're getting married too. Is that true?"

I was surprised because the news spread quickly, I've only been locked up at home for a week. I downed another shot that felt like it was burning in my throat. I asked for another. Whatever!

I was lively earlier before coming here. I said it was okay. If I'm really going to marry any guy, I'll talk to him and tell him we'll just divorce after a few months. I'll tell him I have a boyfriend and I'll only agree to the marriage to solve my parents' problem. When I get half of my shares in the company, or whatever amount Daddy needs to rise in the industry.

I'm sure it'll work, but now... I'm drunk and heartbroken... and without vitality. I know I'm in big trouble. The Monteros, on the other hand, are well-known in the industry. He has an inspiring story of success from poverty. He blazed through the industry through hard work, perseverance, and intelligence. He's a principled person and seems to have promised my father many grandchildren from me.

He's as straight as an arrow and apparently, he promised my father lots of grandchildren from me. How disgusting! I haven't even seen him yet, and he's the same with me. Or maybe because my pictures are all over the place, that jerk thinks he hit the jackpot just because Daddy agreed to marry me off to him!

 I'm sure my father didn't think this through! I'm sure he's mistaken! Or he's going crazy! I'm sure of it!

How I came about this idea for myself, I don't know. I just remember that after drinking shot after shot, I went to the dance floor and watched my night pass by through the neon lights and loud music. Along with it, I found a man dancing from behind. Not bad for a drunken night. When he whispered we should go to some other place, I didn't hesitate anymore. I just asked for a time in the bathroom, and off we'll go. My decision hasn't changed. Tonight will be my bachelorette party. If I cannot give my virginity to the man I love, then I will give it to the man I will choose tonight... and I choose him.

"Let's go," In a low voice. His warm hand gently rested on my waist as he guided me out of the club. He's tall and very manly. His hair was longer than usual but it looked perfect in his manly face. His jaw was grayish from the obvious shaving of a thick stubble and his nose was narrow and perfect on his high cheekbones. I am not sure if I am just too intoxicated but I have never felt like this before. I giggled when I realized I really am drunk. If those thoughts are popping up in my mind, I'm really drunk. 

 "What's funny?" he whispered and he stopped kissing me.

I shook my head and smiled. "l just think... I can't believe I party so much but I haven't seen a man like you anywhere."

"Hmm," he slowly let his fingers glide on my thighs then up my stomach to my ribs, and then chest.

I just closed my eyes as I felt the strange warmth despite the numbness. When his finger reached the nub on my left boob, I shivered. He massaged it slowly with just one finger! 'Maybe you're looking the wrong way." I bit my lower lip. 

 "Why? Do you party a lot, too?" "Not much but I do party," his voice was thick, low, and pleasant to the ears. One smooth move and he freed my boob from my bra and dress. I opened my eyes and felt a strange warmth creeping in when I saw that I wasn't undressed yet it was already out. He was freely massaging it as his kisses dropped on my neck until it reached my nub.

I moaned. I felt his other hand behind me, stopping me from falling to bed even when I am already melting in his arms. Sa totoo lang, gusto ko si Luis. He's a big playboy and it should be a turn off but he's always fun to be with. We always connect but the only thing that's keeping me from making him my real boyfriend is his open interest with my virginity. It turns me off everytime he says he wants to be my first.

I don't know why, but I feel like that's all he wants from me.

I was panting and moaning loud when his hand freed my other boob and slowly caressed my lower abdomen. Our kisses started to get heated and hungry. 

 He groaned. "You're dripping wet."

"Uh-huh..." I whispered because he slowed down and I don't want him to stop. 

"Are you on the pill?" he asked darkly while his hand smoothly pulled my panties.

I was on the verge and he hasn't even touched me skin to skin!

So when his finger found it, I held on tight. My perfectly manicured nails buried on his back as I embraced the heavenly shaking of this foreign feeling! He cursed on my ear when he felt me shaking while his finger was barely inside me. He expects I am sexually active. Somehow, it comforted me a bit that it's not because I'm a virgin or something.

"l think I forgot t-today. Why? You have no condom?" 

He groaned and slowly put me in bed while he went to the night stand to get one. If I am going to get married soon, then tonight is the bachelorette party. The stranger, Damon Montero will get me, but not my virginity. I am in control of my life so I will get to choose who I want to give it to. Or was it my last attempt to take a hold of my slowly drifting precious freedom?