Untying the Rope (Mujer Fuerte Series #1)

Chapter 1 : TRASH

"Careful, baby! You might fall!" I heard my father shouted from the inside of our mansion.

I am playing alone on my huge playgroud. Designed at built just for me. I asked for this last year, before my seventh birthday. My parents gave it to me as a gift.

I am Nina Kendra Arce. I am the daughter of Mateo and Regina Arce. My great grandfather is purely Spaniard. He is like a Minister in Spain. But he met my great grandmother who is a Filipina, during the Spanish Colonial Period. He fell in love with her and my great grandmother gave birth to my grandfather.

My grandparents from both sides were all dead. My dad and my mom are both only child. That's why they are my only family.

My father and my mother both inherited all the riches of their families. That's why we are very, very, wealthy. My dad is powerful because of my grandfathers.

I'm living in a huge mansion together with my parents and a lot of helpers. Our helpers somehow fills the hollowness of our mansion.

"I told you, be careful." I startled at my dad. He's right in front of me now. I almost lost my grip onto the bars that I'm holding on.

He suddenly held my waist to put me down. He slowly traced my back with his palm. My mom made me wear a backless lacey dress today.

My father faced me. "You are so beautiful, Nina. A lot more beautiful than your mother." Then, he held my left cheek. "I can not wait for you to grow more." He smiled.

Somehow his smile made me uncomfortable. I shifted my body to avoid his hand when he was about to touch me again.

"Is mom already home?" I asked, still feeling uncomfortable for whatever reason. I don't know why I am feeling this way.

"She said she's on the way home. May kinailangan lang daw asikasuhin doon sa mga lupain natin sa Madrid."

I honestly had no idea of what he's talking about. When it comes to our properties and business, I have no idea about them because I am still a kid.

But I do know that we have properties in different parts of Spain, most especially in Madrid. We have houses and some of our hotels are based there.

My family owns a chain of hotels. It was founded by my grandfather. He wants to create a name of his own, he wanted to be well-known because of his own legacy, and not because he is an Arce.

Those are just what I know. I kept on hearing those stories about my family whenever my parents hosts a party for elite people.

"Baby!" My mom shouted as soon as she went outside her car.

I ran towards her to give her a hug.

"Hi, Mommy." I smiled. She tapped my head and leaned to kiss my forehead.

"Missed you, baby." She pinched my cheek.

"I missed you, too, Mommy. Where have you been?" I asked curiously. I could tell she's exhausted.

"Oh, I just fixed some papers regarding our properties. Anyway, you won't understand even if I tell you because you're still my baby."

"Can't you make me understand?" I asked.

"Someday, baby. You will need to understand all of these since you are to inherit all our riches. You're the only remaining Arce. At least in the bloodline of your great grandfather."

"Am I going to be a businesswoman when I grow up?" I asked.

"Yeah. You will be. You will be just like me and your Daddy. Don't you like that?" She raised her brow.

"I-I like that... Mom." I stuttered a bit.

"Good. Now, let's go. Your father is waiting in the garden." She held my hand and started walking.

"Okay," I said softly.

What I said was a lie. I didn't want to become successful just because I am their daughter. I didn't want to become successful because I am Nina Kendra Arce. I want to create my own name in the future, like what my grandfather did.

I am still not sure what career I want in the future. It's still too early to decide on that. I might change my mind from time to time.

"There you are." My father kissed my mom.

"How's the papers?" he asked.

"Great. I fixed everything, don't worry." My mom held my father's cheeks.

"Alright." He just nodded.

"Belinda," my mom called our helper.

"Ma'am?"

"Serve us some snacks, please."

"Sige po." Then, she left.

"How's Nina?" my mom asked while eating our snacks.

"She's doing good. She just played on her playground after school." my father answered. I looked away when I remember how uncomfortable I felt earlier.

My mom turned to me.

"Are you doing well in school?" she asked me.

"Yes, Mommy."

"Good. But don't pressure yourself, hija. You're still a kid. You should be having fun first, and then, when you grow up, you can focus on your studies."

"I can study and play at the same time, Mommy. I am not having a hard time. Don't worry about me."

I felt my father's gaze, so I looked at him.

"I can't wait 'til Nina grow a little bigger." My father was telling that to my Mom but his eyes were fixed at me.

"Me, too. She's gonna be a stunner, for sure. A lot of men will flocked to her," Mommy said.

"Uh-huh. No suitors are going to be allowed, though." My dad sounded mad. That's okay, right? He's just protective of his own daughter. That's normal.

"Oh, c'mon honey. You know that you're persitent back in the old days. My parents didn't allow me to have a boyfriend but you're just that persistent so I said "yes" to you." She laughed.

"Nina," my dad called.

"Yes, Daddy?"

"No boys are allowed to ask you if they are allowed to court you, alright? You'll only allow suitors if I say so. Do you understand?"

"Honey, Nina's only eight. She still doesn't know those things. Why are we talking about courtship, anyway?" My mom rolled her eyes.

"I just want to make sure. Men are trash. They will take advantage of you. If you're weak, they will take advantage of your state. So don't get fooled, alright?"

"Alright, Daddy."

He's right though. Men are trash. And for me, he's the worst trash. He belongs nowhere, not in the garbage, not even in hell.