Chapter 1

It freaked me out so much. I never wanted to go out again. What is that old lady talking about?! I nearly thought she was crazy but when my mother said they are close friends for a very long time, I lost it.

"Why don't you accompany your Papa on the farm? He will take your grandpa too," my mom said while cooking our breakfast.

"I don't want to go out. It is not safe yet," I answered, making excuses again.

My mom made a face then looked at me with suspicion. I sighed and directed my eyes onto something else.

"What is it that's bothering you? Since the time you talked to your grandfather, you started acting weird. And it got worse when we went to the Dizon's. What is it, darling? I know you are now an independent person, but I am always your mother, you can tell me anything." She smiled at me.

I know, right. But I think she will never believe me. So, I decided to just keep to myself. I go with my father and grandpa to the farm to stop my mother from being suspicious. I dressed at my best and wear my mask.

On our way, I recognized some familiar faces including my childhood friend. She was so shocked when she saw me, and she almost didn't recognize me. 

"Oh my! Aliyah!" She hugged me.

My father left me. I faced my friend who was so excited to have a little chit-chat with me.

"So, how's the city? Gosh! It changed you a lot!" she said then looked down at my body.

"City life was so tiring! You are indeed lucky that you work here in the province." I gave her the drinks I bought.

"And... The love life? How is it?" 

I closely spit my juice because of her question. I coughed three times then glared at her.

"I don't have time for that. Work is eating my time too much; do you think I can still entertain boys?" I raised one of my eyebrows.

"That's what you are lacking! Your body looked pale, although you are in shape, you looked lifeless. Look at you," she comes near to me. "You need to be fucked,” she whispered.

My eyes go wide, and I pinched her arm. She laughed at my reaction. What the heck!

"I was just kidding, you know. You need boys in your life, seriously. You are getting old." She waved at a man walking toward us.

The man smiled at me. "Hello, you must be Aliyah. I'm Jeremy, Gail's husband."

I am shocked! What?! This crazy girl married a decent man?!

"I know that look, Aliyah. You are judging me!" She pouted.

"I just can't believe that you are already married to a... Nice man. I thought you want some bad boy?" I grinned.

She shrugged her shoulders. "People changed. And time flew so fast that if you won't chase it, you will leave behind. You know what, I have some plans later tonight. You want to join?" 

I narrowed my eyes. "What is it?" 

"My batchmates will organize some party." She smirked.

Oh, no! She always does this. When we are in high school, she always wanted me to have a guy to hang out with. I tried once, he courted me, but I quickly rejected the guy when my father found out. I was grounded for the whole year and never wanted me to go near Gail anymore. Luckily, my father changed his mind but still, he doesn't want to have a boyfriend until I was 24. I am now 27.

"I don't think I will like where is it going," I said then fold my hands on my chest.

"Come on, you are already an adult. You are not that high schooler that was forbidden from everything. Your father won't mind," she said then wore a wide smile.

At some point, I need to freshen up. Since I came here, things started to get weirder and weirder. I've been to bars in the city so...

"Fine, I'll go with you." 

Gail smacked his husband's arms in excitement. I wonder why her husband will let her go to a party every time she wants. 

"Okay, we will fetch you by 8. Wear something sexy like with a deep neckline, you know?" She touches her boobs.

"What? Do you I need to be so sexy to catch boys' eyes. No way, I will not wear anything like that!" I said with finality.

She rolled her eyes and waved goodbye. My father fetches me, and I sat beside my grandpa. I was thankful he was quiet the whole time until we got home. 

I QUICKLY examined my closet to see if I can get some decent sexy dress. I only have my white uniforms here and some denim pants. I just realized how terrible my closet is. I have nothing to wear. I badly need a shopping day. 

"Where are you going? It's 7 pm already," my father asked. He looked at my dress.

"What are you wearing?" He stood up.

I looked at my mother to seek some help. She nodded then calmed my father.

"Honey, let her be. She was old enough to wear whatever she wants. You are going out with Gail, right?" 

I nodded then looked at my father. "I will be back before you knew it. I just want to be with Gail, it's been a long since we got together. Please, just this time..." 

"Only if you can promise me that you will go home before 1 AM and will never get drunk." My father was serious.

"I promise," I said then raised my right arm. I heard Gail's voice outside.

It took a minute before he finally nodded his head. My nervous smile turned to excitement. I kissed them goodbye before meeting Gail. 

"Are you ready to flirt?" she asked.

"I have limitations," I said that killed her mood.

"What is it?" 

I sighed. "I need to be home before 1 am. And no hard liquor for me or else, my father will kill me!" 

Gail rolled her eyes. "Fine, come on!" 

We went to a small loud bar. I wasn't expecting this to be like this. I looked away when I saw everyone is making out with someone. It made me cringed. I was not for the bar. I was meant to be at the hospital. It is not long before I realized that Gail was not with me anymore. That girl was such, ugh!

I sat at the empty table and a waiter gave me some drink. I don't know what is but after a few sips, I started to get dizzy. Alright, I need to go home, and I need to find Gail. It is a very wrong idea to wear some heels and a very short dress here and it was a big mistake that I was here!

I got stuck in the middle of the dance floor. I held my head, I am dizzy. My body trembled when someone grabs my waist then touched my ass. What the heck!

"I bet you are alone, can you come with me?" the guy asks then looks at my exposed cleavage while licking his lips. 

"Get off me! I don't need a company." I pushed him.

He didn't listen but instead, he forced me to kiss him. I slapped him hard. The crowd stopped; the guy was about to hit me when someone grabs his shoulders then punched him in the mouth. The people gasped.

I was still in a state of shock when that unknown man dragged me out of the bar. I am still dizzy, and I don't know what to do. He suddenly stopped at the parking lot. I managed to examine his well-built body before I begin to puke on his shirt.