Love is a Trap

Chapter 1

The sound of ringing school bell conquered the hallways passing through the glass walls of every classroom in Stallion University. It is drizzling outside and the scenery from the 37th floor of JN Building is quite a view. The fog comes down giving us a blurry vision of the tall buildings around. As the professor stood to conclude the day, a few students started to go out and some expressed their disappointment for the result of the surprise quiz.

Another boring class has ended. I was fixing my things when Heirra, Zey, and Sceeya approached me. Choosing them as friends is the best decision I have made so far. They live the same crazy mentality, but their attitudes exceed a little awful than mine. Beauty and intelligence combined are what they possess and so I'm trying to learn from them.

These wise yet crazy girls are my bestfriends since high school until now that we are already in college. All of us are taking Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Business Management which was basically chosen by our parents for us.

"Miss Westly.." My brow raised when I heard the professor called me. That didn't surprise me at all because this is the first time I showed up after 2 weeks. I have always had the attention of these professors even before, but this time they are giving me extra affection.

"You have a lot of missed requirements in my subject. If you want to pass, consider complying to all projects that I will give later. Come to my office before 6 PM." Damn. Who the hell cares if I fail his boring class?

My shoulder shrugged as soon as he turned his back to walk away. There is no need to reply to his rubbish words because I already got tired spilling lies whole day to other professors. I continue to fix my things before I went out with my girls.

"So here's the black sheep of the family. Can I talk to this little girl for a while?" My mind was seething when I heard that voice. I slowly turned to confirm that those gibberish came from the only man in the world who can give me goosebumps.

A grin can't help but show to my annoyance towards this man. When my friends slowly cough, I faced them to ask something because I honestly don't want to talk with the man in front.

"Where are we going tonight, girls?"

He is Alfonso Keith Ferrer, the "most man" of the Stallion University. The most handsome, most outstanding, most talented, most responsible, most gentleman, and most in all things. He is the first born of the CEO of Ferrer Group of Companies including the top wine company in the country. Even he's simply standing, he's screaming dominance and authority.

His luxuriant long brown hair made him look mature when he's just 23. From his nose down to every curve in his body defines perfection. When my eyes went down to his red lips, I just can't help to think how sinful those are. I know his standard when it comes to women, and that's even more disgusting. He bedded only the best in Stallion University and the renowned models outside.

That same guy is my future stepbrother. His father and my mother are planning to get married which I think is absurd. They said it's about love, but they cannot fool everyone. I know it's about business. The rich don of Ferrer wants to use the resources of our family to expand their business which is already big. Our families have been good friends for decades and my late father was a good friend of Gabriel Ferrer. The idea of marriage between him and mom never crossed my mind before because she used to love dad more than anyone and anything in the world. Now, that made me question the love she claims to have for dad.

But what I hate more is Alfonso's attempt to control me like I am already part of their family. I will never change my surname into theirs; not over my dead body. My mom can throw herself to that gorgeous old man, but I will stay a Westly until I marry the love of my life.

"I thought you have a family dinner tonight, Yllana?" Heirra answered with her eyes going back and forth to me and Alfonso. They know well that the conflict between me and Alfonso is not ordinary. Both of us are prepared to raise hell in case one whims for it.

I stared back to the tall man whose dark eyes are luring at me. My chuckle made his jawline move to signify that he is already annoyed. He can stare for as long as he wants. I am used to attention.

"You think I am attending?" I answered sarcastically without withdrawing my eyes from our gaze. Since they delivered to me that ridiculous news about marriage, Alfonso became vigilant in everything that I do. If I didn't know that he's a predominant person, I would think that mom has tamed him to be her dog.

"You are about to fail all your courses this semester; that dinner is my least concern as of now. Try to get a hold of your..." My eyes rolled when he delivered his familiar nagging. I cut off whatever he is about to say.

"Why do you care so much about me? I never approved of you as my stepbrother. Damn. I already have 3 REAL brothers and you're out of their league. Mind your own business!" I stared blankly at his furrowed brows.

Without having to look around, I know that there's already a number of people who are watching our argument. I want to roast him more, but my coward mind asks me to leave already while I'm winning. He's a gentleman, but not to me. Those dark eyes of him are always ready to fire back all my insults to him.

"You are my business now, Yllana. Whether you like it or not. Your mom gave me all the right to discipline you using my ways. Stop flirting around and start getting your life together. Don't be a sore to Ferrer. If you want me to stop nagging and dragging you around, try to be serious in your studies." When he took several steps forward, my knees trembled with the fear that is building up within me.

I am 5'8, but he's way taller, not to mention his big frame. His adam's apple moved as his eyes went down to scan my whole. When our eyes met again, his was complaining things I don't understand. He gave me a look that says how much he detests me. Same.

"Kindly stop playing the role of a perfect brother. Mom is using you to perform obligations to me which she cannot do because she's too busy arranging for that wedding. Are they even serious?" My laughter filled the corridor. Why of all places are we here? Does he really want to show off to everyone that we are going to be in the same family tree soon?

"You are not too young anymore to be this immature. Fix your own life, Yllana. No one wants to stay with you because you are just like that. You want temporary boys who can pleasure you. And while you're on that, you neglect school like a cool kid in her adolescent stage." He blunted without pause.

"Stop." I commanded as my eyes darkened on him. No one was ever this rude to me.

"You are living by the title playful chic of this university, and for goddamn's sake, you must be thinking all this time that being called that way is attractive. That makes you look cheap and easy." My breathing went wild when he showed an insulting smile after everything that he said.

"Stop it, Alfonso." I heard his friend's voice from his back, but no one can stop him and me either.

"You talk as if you're not a society playboy ha. You are worse because you act perfect in front of the professors when in fact, you are just as tacky as every fuckboy I know. How would they know? You are so good in concealing the real you." I took that opportunity to turn my back and walk away.

When I was just about to take my first step, he gripped my arm to face him again. The sarcasm in his expression is gone. Now, it is pure rage that his eyes are showing. No, I will not go any further this time. I will reserve the rest for our dinner later if I find it in my curiosity to come.

"I talked to all your professors and asked them to give you projects to make up for all the quizzes and activities that you missed while you were gone. If you fail a single unit this semester, your mom under my influence will cut your credit cards and all bank accounts. You surely know how to turn negative events into positive thoughts, so consider this a motivation instead of a threat, stepsister." He let go of my arm as he winked. I was not able to contest what he said because he has mom under his words.

He infuriates me every chance he gets. The people around act as if they saw nothing when my eyes scanned them. I rolled my eyes when I realized how many students just heard our conversation. That incident put me in a really bad mood the whole afternoon.

While waiting for 5:30 PM, we went to a coffee shop to finish a grouop work. These girls are the only ones I rely to stay with me for the rest of their and mine's life. I am an immature b***h like what Alfonso mentioned, but they love me to every corner of me.

I went to Mr. Legazpi's faculty room before 6 PM like what he said. He gave tons of work to do, but I just accepted it all. My cards are on the line. Alfonso must have heard from mom that it's the only thing that is bridging us right now. When my cards get cut off, I will be as poor as beggar and worse, my brothers are in Europe for the expansion of our company there. They will not be able to send help anytime soon.

"Try to be serious in life, hija. I see the potential in you to succeed. Do not waste your fruitful years just because some things are not working in your life now. Try to reflect on your objectives and choose to grow in the proper light. Submit that to me any day on the week before your final exam." He surprised me with his kind words. I haven't heard of encouraging words since forever, so I thanked him for that.

For a minute, I contemplated where to go home that night. Mom will surely be busy in the wedding preparation. They already set the date and she looked so excited about it the last time I saw her. I am deeply hurt for my dad who only had mom as his girl while he was alive. I know boys a lot. It's very hard for them to stay loyal especially if they have power and money, but dad was blindly and deeply in love with mom alone. They were perfect in my eyes despite the ugly journey they had to go through to be together. But here's mom, 2 years after dad's death, looking so excited to replace him. I bet Gabriel Ferrer will not be able to make her feel a bit like what dad gave her before. I will just wait for her to regret this. I decided to go home to the condo unit that my brothers gave to me as present for my 20th birthday. This is my little sanctuary, the private world I created.

As soon as I went inside my unit, my phone keeps on ringing. I almost voiced a curse when a familiar unsaved number appeared on the screen. I guess, Alfonso is not yet over pestering me today. After putting my things in my room, I went to get a glass of water. I might need that to think clearly while on the argument with him.

"4 missed calls. What's going on, Alfonso?" My drowsy voice will be enough to annoy him. I never answered his first call.

"Where are you?" His tone does not emulate any sarcasm or force, but his husky voice is really annoying. He sounds like he just woke up, and I find that sexy.

"My place. Stop disturbing me because I have a lot of requirements to finish." I was about to end the call when he responded immediately. He always have something prepared to fire.

"Good. Keep yourself busy with academics instead of boys because my brother is back in Manila. He will be joining us in dinner later, so come." My jaw dropped with what he said. Hedrin, his younger brother, is in the country. I was lost for words for a minute, but I composed myself to keep the conversation going.

"T-thank you for the information, but I will definitely not want to see him again after a year in a family dinner. I need some private place to..." His violent words attacked me before I could finish.

"The restaurant is reserved exclusively for our dinner and very perfect for the definition of private. You can talk about the obvious resolution of your hopeless relationship in front of everyone. It's not like you're taking my brother seriously." I shook my head when his loathe is completely delivered in high quality through the call.

Alfonso knows all the flings I had while his brother who is my boyfriend for 2 years was away to study Medicine in US. Surprisingly, he never told about those to Hedrin because he remained affectionate and loyal to me despite the distance and limited time we have for each other. I did love him before he went there, but right now, I am uncertain.

It's all Alfonso's fault. He dictated their father to send Hedrin to US when Hedrin clearly said that he wanted to stay here. In the end, it's Alfonso's verdict that prevailed.

"Don't force me to be there because I won't."

"Okay. I've always thought that my brother doesn't deserve a woman like you. I was going to give this last chance for you to tell him yourself about how you cheated while he was away, but I guess you can't. I will do you a favor..."

"Are you blackmailing me?!" I completely lost myself for a while. He's being too harsh on me. I know I don't deserve his brother, but at least he should give me the chance to explain to Hedrin.

"Yes" I heard excitement in his voice.

"Fine. I'll be there but I am warning you, Alfonso. Stop prying with my personal life because I don't have a single interest in yours." I ended the call.