Trapped

Chapter 1

Alfonso Keith Ferrer did fake his marriage. Infront of a hundred eyes, he faked his wedding with his childhood friend. And afterall, he managed to live the same. His society playboy image has gone long ago and now he is known as the prodigal wealthy chairman of Ferrer Wine Company. The devil is sexier and definitely wiser than before. He gave up many things and embraced a lot more.

3 years after Alfonso's beach wedding, a lot has changed in our lives. I am about to start my life in managing our branches in the country while my brothers except Eros went back to Europe to look after our company there. Life was rougher than I expected. There were bumps in every road I have to walk and darkness was so consistent. Nothing was as nice as before, but I am learning to see life in the proper light now that I have graduated.

The answers I have been longing came to me like a thunder. Mom died a year ago from cancer, and that was the darkest time of my life. It was worse than losing my father before. That smeared a relentless doubt and trust issue in my heart for everyone. I detested my brothers, Hedrin, Alfonso and some of our relatives who knew way before that mom was diagnosed with that illness, but intentionally didn't tell me because I could not handle the truth. That was the most irrational reason I heard.

Her last words to me were to forgive everyone, and to try open myself more to love. Her limited years was the reason why they were rushing their wedding. But in the end, mom and Gabriel decided to call it off for unknown reason. It has been a year, but the vivid memory of her last months in the hospital is still hunting me. Constant regret is etched in me because I could have been a better daughter.

Love is not for me; I have accepted. In the past years when I was most down, all I found were friends. They helped me realize that the absence of romance does not make life miserable. I owe it all to them who lighted my way, so I can see the bumps and hindrances, and avoid it.

"Hedrin, I can't make it to your birthday party tonight." My arms got overstretched from swimming a while ago. Sceeya, Zey and Heirra visited me, and we eventually ended up with another escapade. It was tiring that I just want to lay in bed and watch something funny.

"Don't let me down this time. You promised you'd come. I will be waiting!" His tone already sounds a warning, and that made me pout. I didn't want to miss that too, but my body is not cooperating. Even I start preparing now, I will get there at around 10 in the evening.

"I'm still on bed though. Happy birthday. My gift is to follow."

"No need for a gift. I'm on my way to pick you up. Get dressed now, Yllana." What? I stood from bed and was about to reason out, but he already ended the call. My eyes rolled in frustration. I am not in the mood to party right now.

Feeling lazy, I looked for a dress in my walk in wardrobe. This is the first party I will attend after my graduation. In the previous months when I finally did get myself together, I focused on my priorities which are to get the best thesis award and to have background training in our own company. God is so good to give a bonus which is the athlete of the year award. After getting stressed from Alfonso and mine's break up, I was advised by my psychiatrist to try sport. My brothers supported my comeback, so I was very happy.

In the end, I chose a matte red dress and let my straight hair down. Hedrin was already ringing the doorbell while I was still putting on light make up. He just turned 22, but he looks older. His frame bulked after developing his new hobby, spending hours in the gym. He got taller too.

"You left your own party?!" I asked surprised as soon as I opened the door. He's in full black tuxedo and he's sporting undercut comb over pomp. He let me decide for his hair, and I can't help but be proud of how dashing he looks right now.

"How can you withdraw your promise in the last minute? You promised you would come." For sure, the girls have already told him that I don't have any plans to go tonight. Heirra must be drunk already for sure.

"My shoulders are not feeling alright, Hedrin." He let out a heavy sigh before coming in to my unit. I am so guilty for making him feel bad on his birthday, but I'm already dressed and ready to go.

"Need some help? You are putting on your lipstick?" He grinned, but I rolled my eyes as answer. After getting my handbag, I gestured him to go out, but he remained comfortably seated on the sofa with his hands on the bridge of his nose. What act is this now?

"I feel dizzy after some shots of Jack Daniels. Can we stay here for a little while?" I can smell that from here as soon as I opened the door, but he surely is just acting right now.

"Let's go! I already feel bad for holding you up here. Your dad will be upset again if he hears about this." He took another deep sigh as he stood. He doesn't look tipsy at all.

"Do you have a driver with you?" His brow furrowed. After getting involved in an accident that almost killed me, I became extra careful on the road. No drunk driving at all.

"Yes, of course. I won't risk your life to go to that party, Yllana. Why didn't you go with your friends? Did you really think I will let you ditch that party?" What is so wrong if I don't go there? Thinking about all the socialites I have to smile to makes me cringe. My brothers always represent our family in the events because they know how much I hate socializing with them. Although Eros has been nagging me to get used to it because that will be life, I still don't agree to them.

When we were on the way, Hedrin's head rested on my shoulder while he's busy with his phone. Sceeya texted me asking if Hedrin is with me because everyone's looking for him. What a trouble maker this guy is. Everyone greeted Hedrin as we made our way to the party. He left me with my friends after whispering something.

"You need to loosen up sometimes, Yllana. I already talked to Eros, and he agreed that you can drink as much as you want. I will take care of you." Hedrin, my 3 friends and Liam Montealto are the people I trust the most in this world. When he says he'll take care of me then I am a hundred percent sure that he will.

"What took you so long?" Sceeya asked. She is sitting beside Eros who can't stop staring at her. They made it work, and now they keep flaunting in front of this single lady's eyes that they are very happy. That is also 1 reason why Eros chose to stay in the country rather than to go back in Europe. Heirra is engaged with her long-time fiance while Zey is dating Joven Tan, the rookie that Steve introduced to them 3 years ago. Time really flies.

"My shoulder got overstretched, Scee. And my whole body aches." I reasoned out.

"Is that the Athlete of the Year of Stallion? I'm quite disappointed!" Heirra exclaimed while rolling her eyes. Even I want to answer that with sarcasm, my mind kept holding me back. In the presence of Eros, everything between me and my friends get toned down because we can't babble foul words in front of him.

I looked around the table only to realize that I am the only one who is single. Instead of feeling down, I would rather enjoy the night and get myself lost in alcohol. Something inside me is screaming fear and excitement at the same time for unknown reason. Being in a pool of the wealthiest people in the country made me feel secure somehow.

When the waiter passed by in our table, I reached for a glass of liquor.

"We will go to Batangas in weekend, Yllana. Are you coming with us?" Eros asked while watching me drink the alcohol straight. The heat gushing down to my stomach felt so good. It has been a while since my body tasted alcohol.

"I will check my schedule, Eros. Hedrin is being demanding of my time lately." His eyes grew dark for a moment, but Sceeya slightly tapped his shoulder. He always doubt that there is something more going on between me and Hedrin. I can't blame him though because Hedrin is my best accomplice as of the moment. My friends are all busy with their boyfriends.

"Go with us, Yllana. You have no plans for the week--" Sceeya stopped what she is saying when a man occupied the empty seat beside her. A grin showed in my face as I reached for another glass of alcohol from the waiter who's chatting with Heirra's fiance.

The celebrant's brother just joined us in the table causing everyone to be silent. I stared blankly at Sceeya while waiting for what she is going to say. Her eyes went back and forth from him and me. Eros acted innocent about what Alfonso and I had for the past 3 years, and they remained good friend to each other.

"I thought you already left. Do you still have head ache?" Sceeya rolled her eyes when Eros asked those sweet questions to his friend. Their bond is so strong, I guess.

The man who recently sat with us is not the same tamed man from before. He is ruthless, more vicious and selfish. He kept the hairstyle that he's sporting on his wedding until this very day. Although he looked more serious in that, I still miss his long hair.

Eros and Alfonso became closer when he started being like that. My knees are trembling from fear, but that is manageable. I crossed my legs, so the shaking won't be noticeable. Suddenly, it is cold in the hall.

"Going back to what I was saying, you should come with us, Yllana. Instead of wasting your weekend watching all day in your condo, you should just go with us." My expressionless face looked at Eros. They are planning to make me their third wheel again.

"We will stay in our villa in Taal after attending the festival. I won't force you to go this time, Yllana. Knowing how busy you are with the training in company, I will give you choices now. It's fine if you don't go." So he's saying that he didn't think I was busy in academics before? They dragged me all the time they are spending the night somewhere else.

"Let me think about that first." I answered as I sip in the alcohol. He took a deep sigh before facing Alfonso again. This is our usual set up in a few gatherings that we attended before. We would always avoid an eye contact and pretend that we are plainly strangers to each other.

With the alcohol in my right hand, I stood to look for someone I can hang out with for that night. Since Hedrin has to entertain his guests, I will spare him this time.

In the middle, I found some common friends of Hedrin and me, and they invited me to sit for a while in their table. We chatted just about everything until Hedrin went to our table. I am drunk from the Black Daniels that I have been drinking, but I am still aware of everything that is happening.

Loud alternative metal and punk rock are playing while people are having fun dancing in the middle of the hall. And because Hedrin promised to take care of me, I kept drinking until I passed out. Everything was going fine until Alfonso showed up. He ruined my mood not because there are still some lingering feelings left, but because the way he eyed me makes me uncomfortable. Those eyes are darker and more cruel.