Underneath The Riptide

Chapter One

"Hey, Brie!" I looked at the person who called me from behind and saw Meriam holding her newly bought thick book that she ordered online. She even plastered a faint smile on her face while trying to keep up my phase.

"Oh, hi." I greeted with a smile. I look in front when a batch of students with a green ID lace formed a circle while they are checking something but I didn't mind. Those people seems to be a member of an organization because of their uniform but I bet they are in the same college.

Anyway, I turn to look at Meriam who is now staring at me seriously. I kinda move my glasses a little and awkwardly smile. "Is there a problem?" I asked seriously now worried about what's going on with my friend. We've been friends since highschool and I know how Meriam live her life with so many people to plea and she's doing it by acing all her subjects. She's been a lister for her past years in college and I envy her for that. She's undeniably smart after all.

She shake her head immediately. "No. I am all fine. I am just worried about you. I hope you'll get over soon from your Dad's lost."

I stop from my trance, unable to utter a single word. The man's face flashes consecutively inside my mind like he brings so many memories that I will hold until the rest of my life. I cleared my throat and start taking another steps, plastering a smile while walking up the stairs of our own building.

"I am okay, Meriam. Do not think too much." I convinced her.

She then paste a smile and kiss me on my cheek before whispering "take care" and ran to the left wing inside the building.

I sighed. Right. Who knows about it? Just me. Everyone thought I am yearning for his lost but deep down inside me, I am celebrating my freedom, my happiness and a life away from pains. I could never muster to live another day with that man and I couldn't blame myself for being too heartless to think this way towards that man.

Another sigh came from me before I follow the way where Meriam went. I then passes the garden inside our building and there, I saw my other friends circling while sitting on the blanket that is laid on the grass.

"Gabrielle!" Jeannette called.

A sudden memory triggered me but I shove it all away and walk towards my friends who are busy eating with a lot of books on their own laps.

I pouted. "How's the University going?" I playfully heave a sigh before looking down. "I am too behind from all the subjects this semester."

Dimple, a girl with so many clips on her head points me using a piece of Doritos. "Are you questioning your capabilities, huh, Gabrielle Rehan?"

Oh goodness. That name again...

"Just Brie, Dimps! Stop being a stubborn and call me by my nickname." I said while grabbing a piece of Piattos from Jeannette.

"What? Your name sounds so cool and unique. Why hide it away?"

I groan and threw her a piece. "I am not hiding it, okay?" I look at her under my eyelids. "It just sound so absurd. I am not used to it."

Jeannette laughed. "Yeah. Just what happened two days ago in the cemetery, she just f*****g fell down on the floor when I called her and I was like, oh my fuck." She exaggeratedly explained.

I slap her on her legs and that made her laugh in pure astonishment. Right. They made fun about it. They didn't know of course, that's why they are just making a fun about that day.

I tried laughing and show them my best smile like I am well and all fine. I look at them one by one— feeling envious on how their face glows and how their eyes shine when they are laughing.

They seems so real and carefree.

I wonder how does it feel to have the same eyes and heart as theirs.

"By the way," Jonas, the one and only gay in the group opened up. "Mr. Guerrero seems like he's into me." He said dreamily while clasping both of his palms.

The others shriek silently but I just smile at them, listening on what will Jonas say next. If his words are true, then he's lucky. Mr. Guerrero, from the College of Education is really a one hot chic. I mean, minus the fact that he's not even that tall but yeah, he's undeniably broad. A perfect man for teaching Physical Education.

"This rotten gay sounds desperate," Jeannette mum and grab a handful of Doritos. I look around to check the Piattos she was holding earlier and found it on Meriam's lap so I grab it. "do you think Profs and the kind of them will be into us? Like pigs can fly. They value their name and profession first and flirting is just next to their themes." Jeannette stated as a matter of fact.

Alright. She's mumming again based on her own experience two years ago. That's another story I couldn't tell.

Jonas threw her a pen and raise his chin on the air, looking so sure and certain. "Trust me, girl. He even checked me out while I was doing my sit ups."

Gracious!

I laughed on my friend's assumptions and now they are already looking at me. Jonas seems shock and slowly, a smile formed on his lips before crawling towards my side just to hug me.

I am shock also. What's with this gay? And so I giggled. "Everyone got to experience being checked out from their instructor, Jonas. I was even held on my waist before to assist me." I stated while laughing. My friend is still hugging me from the side and my cheek is already on his neck part. "You're just being delusional, man." I added— flashing another giggle.

I raise my head and check his face. Jonas is closing his eyes while smiling and he even pats my back. "I missed you." I heard him whisper on the top of my ears.

I move my face away from him to check him closely. I smiled while staring at him on his eyes. "What's with you?" I said, smiling at my friend. "Why are you so extra sweet today? I was just away for a week and now you're being like this."

He pulled me back on him again and hug me once more. I even heard Jeannette's laugh from our side and Meriam's giggle.

"That fake is so extra today." Dimple commented but she still flashes her smile while chewing her Doritos.

"If you want someone to speak, you know that I am always here. Okay?" Jonas whispered again but I shove it all away.

Like I can even tell them how I feel?

I couldn't. I just can't.

"Ugh. Cheezy." He realized and move away from me. Jonas look at my face and move few strands of my hair to the back of my ear. "At least I made you smile." He added and then wink at me.

We burst out laughing but I eventually stop when a woman stands in front of us with her skater's skirt and orange croptop with a black sandal on her toes.

"Hi!" She greeted us. I saw how her eyes flew to my side and her smile even raise more in the side. "Sister! You should go home early later, alright? Dad's gonna prepare a dinner for us."

I am taken aback and so does my friends. Jonas held my right hand before he show Madeline, my sister, a smile before standing up to face her.

"Madi, your father is d–"

I immediately cleared my throat and stop Jonas from what he wanted to say. I stand up and give him a faint smile before I face my sister. "I will." I said and dismissed the conversation by turning away from them.

I notice that Meriam follows me from behind and maybe, she's going to our class also. I heave a deep sigh while just looking in front, clearing the lump on my throat to calm my self down.

When I tried staring at my sister, a memory from my father pops in so I couldn't bare staying in the same space with her. She reminded me of him so much but I couldn't hurt my sister also. I only have her.

Yet, the thing is, the person I want to keep is also the key to keep me insane. I am torn.

"Brie," Meriam called and now she's on my side already. "What's with Madeline? Is she fine? I heard that she's fond of your Dad, maybe she's not trying to move on. It's been days..."

I smiled. "She was just kidding earlier." I said giving my friend a slight smile.

The classes went well and fine for the next few hours. Our English Professor is preparing her presentation in front when a knock and opening of the door shock the hell of us.

Men in black suddenly barge in, roaming their eyes around the area as if they are looking for something or... someone.

"Gabrielle Rehan Adler?"

My lips parted as they started to encircle me. I couldn't speak nor answer them because I am so shock for mentioning my name.

Who are they?

"Excuse me, but I guess that you are trespassing without even telling your concern." Prof. Samantha said in front.

I tried peeking at her but these guys are really blocking my sight. I look at them and they are all bulk and scary. The door opened again and those men slightly turn around to check the person who entered so I had the chance to take a peek also from my seat. A tall man came in a suit, clearing his throat as he take few steps close to Prof. Samantha. He handed her a piece of paper and I notice how our Professor look at me with so many to say but I couldn't understand even a slightest thing.

"Brie." Meriam called from the back of my seat but I can't give her the attention nor can answer her questions. Even I, myself is clueless on what is happening.

The man walk towards us and asked me to go out for a minute. My knees trembles, realizing that I will be facing new people. I am very anxious when I am with strangers and meeting people is not my forte.

I was raise not mingling with anybody and I only have few friends and just another acquaintances. We walk outside and I immediately cross both of my hands over my chest, pulling out some strength and courage to face these men.

"I can't remember meeting you so what's your concern?"

Trust me, I was doing my best not to stutter. Growing up, I mastered all the art of pretension and it includes faking an emotion.

The tall man handed me an envelope so my brows twisted up as I grab it using my right hand. I open it and saw few pages of papers. I read the first page and got confuse on the documents I just read.

"It's a marriage documents that you need to sign, approved by your father himself three years ago. If you sign it, all the shares given by your mother to you and your sister will be transferred to the Chen. You seem so shock but your father has so many debts to pay, from gambling down for his personal interest thirteen years ago."

I close my eyes, unable to process everything. Just what the freak is this man saying?!

"You must be mistaken, I don't have this amount of money and my father..." My heart raises upon the mention of him. "my father..." And now, my voice. trembles.

"He was the one who decided if who among your sister and you whom he wants to marry Mr. Chen's son. If you don't want to sign the contract then the family will give you a month to pay the amount." He lend me a card which I bet, his calling card. "Call me when you already decided. It's not a loss, Ms. Adler. You are in a good shot."

***

When the clock strikes at six, I immediately walk outside the room, not obviously in the mood to talk with other people. After those men left me in the middle of the corridor, my knees weakened and I couldn't bare to talk again. I am chained once more. I thought I am free, but that man really has his own way to put my life in hell.

I even think how will I manage to continue this life, now that I only have myself to continue this fight. I still have few more months to finish college and how will I going to support my sister the next months? And now, they are asking me with an amount of seven digits?! Freak, how?

I entered our black gate with so many things to carry inside my head. It's dark already but I just saw a single light inside this huge house I am staring in front.

It's from Madeline's room.

Climbing up the stairs, my mind is still flying on how will I pay such amount of money? While walking on our hallway, I turn around first and look below and then at the ceiling with few lit chandelier.

Should I just sell this house?

I shake my head. But I eventually turn to the left wing of the second floor.

Hell, I can.

"My blockmates even told me I was crazy, Dad! They must be the one who is crazy." I heard Madi from her room.

I inhaled and walk pass it, ignoring her. As I twist my room's knob, my eyes began watering again, obviously breaking down after another day of anxiousness and silent miseries.

I lock my own room and sat down on the floor behind my door, breaking again.

Why me? Of all people, why it should be me? I just want to have silence, but every second and minute, their voice is only what I hear. No matter how much I tried ignoring everything. When I am all alone, it's all coming back with the same pain, cries, and emotions.

"Madi, Mom is here." He said while showing me a sweet smile.

I take a single step and hold his hand. He nod at me slightly like I am a glass capable of breaking as we walk inside the room where my mother is painting in front of a canvas with colorful paints.

I stare at my father who move to her side but my Mom is busy doing her thing until I realize what she is painting.

I screamed when I remember it again. I hurriedly crawl to where my bed is and grab something under it.

There, I saw my art materials and with so many tears flooding on my tiny face, I grab a paint brush and draw the thing my mother used to paint that day. But this time... I painted it with pure red.