“Laura…”Laura Ning glanced at her friend, Hillary. “Hmm?”“What if Leila wants to be engaged with that boy?” Hillary curiously asked. “There’s no way! She was crying when the kids brought her here yesterday! She hates that boy!” Margaret answered for Laura. Laura just looked at Hillary, crestfallen. The question made her think of the what-ifs. No matter how absurd the idea is, at the end of the day, Leila’s happiness is her top priority. “MOM!”Leila yelled in joy as she saw her mother waiting in the living room for her. She hurried down the stairs to hug her mother.Laura welcomed her daughter with a tight and warm hug. “My Leila, how are you?”“Mom! Dad, arranged a marriage for me!” she complained straight to the point without dilly-dallying. She did not bother hiding it from her mother. She has always been very close to her mother to the point that she shares everything with her. From the minor annoyances that she feels to the happiest moments of her life. Her mother knows it a
Later, at midnight, Leila sneaked out of their house to go to a nearby playground. Inside the pocket of her cozy jacket is a tumbler filled with red wine. She always heard that one would forget their problems with alcohol. And so she went out to try it. She cannot drink inside their house since she’s afraid that their helpers will see her. The yellow streetlights shone brightly under the moonless sky. The surroundings were dark and cold, enough to send shivers down Leila’s spine. She nervously sat on the swing seat as she looked around. There was no one around. Except for the security guards who are set to roam around the village, she practically won’t see anyone. She took out her tumbler and smelled it. “Ew! It smells strange! How can anyone drink this?”Her nose scrunched up upon smelling the intense fruity scent from the bottle. Since it was new to her, she couldn’t help but feel strange. She closed her eyes and covered her nose before taking a sip of the sweet red wine. Sur
Laura and Allen hurried to the Yu family’s mansion upon receiving the call about Leila. They were still asleep, but when they heard the news from Kimberly Yu, they immediately went out to go to their house. “Allen, hurry up…” Laura urged her husband to drive faster.Allen sneered. “Isn’t Leila just like you, Laura? Sleeping around with men at such a young age. That’s how I ended up marrying you.”Laura’s gaze darkened. “How dare you?! You don’t know what I’ve been through, Allen!”Allen laughed at his wife. “Laura, we both know what happened to you. So stop acting holy and admit that you’re a slut.”Laura clenched her fist. Of course, she knows the whole story. After all, it was she who decided to keep her dear daughter, Leila. And it was a decision to involve Allen in her troubles. ‘Just until Leila becomes an adult. I’ll divorce this piece of sh*t immediately.’She turned her head to face the road as she ignored Allen. It would be more peaceful for her if she just kept quiet and i
Leila took a week of absence from school. She still can’t mentally show herself to school, fearing that someone will bully her for not being a virgin. She was afraid that someone would find out her secret and spread it to their school. She just spent her time, cooped up in her room, painting. Except for her mother, she doesn’t want to talk to anyone. Not even their maids. She doesn’t want anyone to see her in this state. She feels hopeless. Like no one wants to pay attention to her side of the story. She felt alone.She knows that if she relies too much on her mother, she will harm her. And that’s the last thing that she wants. Her mother is the most important person in her life. She was the only one who sided with her. So she can’t make it more difficult for her. Not even her father paid attention to her cries, and only took advantage of the situation. And for this, she despises him greatly. He was never present in her life, and now he’s acting like a father by asking Julius to
Leila entered the classroom with her friends. Getting up from bed was such a chore for her, but she needed to go to school again. Rui and Phyllis both stayed to sleep over. Because of them, she was able to rest well and properly prepare for school again. Opening up her worries lifted a lot of weight from her shoulders. She told them about what led to her current situation currently. They all listened closely without judging the rebellious act that she did. They never blamed her for what happened, they only promised that they would protect her more from now on. This time, she felt heard; like all her feelings were valid.“Leila, are you feeling okay now?” a classmate asked. “Yeah, Leila… It’s good that you’re back but are you fine now?” Her classmates showing their concern made her happy. She couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, I’m alright now. Thank you,” she answered. Leila went straight to her seat with Phyllis. She then poked Phylian who was quietly reading a book behind her and
Time passed and Leila became accustomed to Julius’ gentlemanly gestures. He would always pick her up so they could go to school together, he would also prepare lunch and snacks that they could share, and he would send her home to make sure she was safe. Every thoughtful gesture that he did for Leila melted her walls down. A lot of people envy her for having such a caring boyfriend. They would always compliment her for changing the cold and strict student council president. It was as if without her, he would go back to the trash that he was before. Perhaps, because of this, her perception of him changed. She started viewing him in a good light.She finally began trusting and opening up to him. Even if he’s her abuser. His actions made Leila believe that he has changed for the better. “Leila!”Phyllis shouted as she caught up with Leila who was walking with Julius. She then clung to her like a clingy cat and said, “I missed you, Leila! I’m not seeing you around these days!”Leila a
Leila stood there frozen as she stared at the girl who claimed to be her sister.Ayla Parker. Such a beautiful and charming name. One can already infer that it was carefully chosen considering that it starts with the letter A just like her father, Allen. From the way that she smiles and the way that she presents herself, anyone can tell that she’s a confident child who was showered with love. It was something that she never received from her father. ‘Why…’‘She’s my age…’Nothing came out of her mouth. No matter how much she wonders about her father’s affair, it’s undeniable that the girl in front of her is her half-sister. “Are you not going to let us inside our mansion, sister?”Her brazen and shameless words shocked Leila. And even Julius who was just silently watching the scene unfold. He cannot fathom that there would be an illegitimate child who would be so brave to ask the legitimate daughter to let her enter the legal family’s house. Ayla’s actions greatly confused the t
Her desperate voice trembled as she clung to Julius like a second skin. She knew that this family was beyond saving. Her father will leave them. And her mother will be the only person who will brave the storms for her. Her family is broken. But aside from all these, the agreement with her father and the Yu family worried her. She knows that her father is trying to marry her into the Yu family to secure a partnership deal. However, if this went south, he might arrange another person in place of her. Worse, her half-sister might take her place. She doesn't want another person to leave her side. She cannot afford to lose Julius at all costs. Not after experiencing a loving relationship with him. “I won't leave you, baby… Even if all your friends and family leave you, I will stay with you.”His words were endearing and sweet. It was comforting yet addicting. She wanted him. He leaned closer to her face and lifted her chin. His soft lips tenderly kissed Leila’s dry lips. The crac