Forcedly Yours [R-18]

Chapter 2

The last two weeks were a blur. I couldn't stand the regretful look on my parents' faces, and I couldn't look at my sister. I wanted to blame her. Wanted to blame my parents. Naisip kong hayaan silang makulong at ayusin ang gulo na ginawa nila.

But just imagining them in prison or even my sister dead makes me nauseous. So I did what I had to do, I agreed.

Napatingin ako sa isang malaking box ng dress at sapatos na nasa kama ko.

I'm supposed to wear these on my engagement tonight. Tonight, I'm signing my life away. I will be meeting Karina's savior and my custom-made devil.

The man who wanted to marry me didn't want to waste time.

When my parents offered to tell me who he was, I ignored them because I already knew.

It killed me not to know who I was signing my life away to, so I snooped and found the 'agreement' between him and my father.

It had my name and his, it said something about him marrying me when I was 'of age'. I hated that part because it was almost as if I was nothing but a business transaction. Nothing but a means to an end. It also indicated how I had to be transferred to an all-girls high school.

That explained why my parents insisted for us to transfer schools. Alam kong mahal ang tuition 'don pero hindi ako nagtanong ng marami. Ang naalala ko lang ay excitement dahil magaling na si Karina at makakabalik na siya sa pag-aaral. Sa St. Agatha Preparatory school for girls ko din nakilala si Sonia.

Leyton Andrei Rossi, the document said.

I spent the next few days tirelessly searching for him online and was mildly surprised to discover he has no social media presence. There were a few mentions of him in some articles but that's it. No pictures, no nothing.

His family is very private. I know nothing other than the fact that they are on the real estate side of the business.

Hindi rin kaya ng pride ko na magtanong sa magulang ko. Hindi ko pa din sila gaanong pinapansin.

I felt so alone and helpless and wanted to escape from reality. And that's what I did. I went on dates with Aiden and gave him my first kiss. I even thought of giving him my virginity as a final act of rebellion but I can't do that to Aiden. I was going to hurt him. It is going to hurt him when he finds out.

Wala sa sarili na binuksan ko ang kahon at sinuot ang thin-strapped pale blue long dress. Pareho 'yong may tatak ng mamahaling brand na may letrang 'C'.
I would have admired it under normal circumstances but I'm too numb to care about how luxurious and expensive the dress and the freaking sandals are.

I applied minimal make-up, not wanting my future husband to think I wanted to look beautiful for him.

Patapos na ako nang kumatok at pumasok si Karina na naka ayos na rin. Isang sage green dress naman ang suot niya. She curled her hair while mine is in a ponytail secured by a blue ribbon.

"Ate, I'm sorry," nakayukong sabi niya. "Alam kong dahil sa kin kung bakit ka nahihirapan ngayon. Sana nga ako nalang yung ipakasal eh."

Lumapit ako sa kanya. Tinaas ko ang mukha niya. My sweet sister. It hurts how I would do anything for her.

"Kar, wala kang kasalanan," niyakap ko siya. "Don't ever think this is your fault, understand?"

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I spaced out on our way to the venue. Hindi ko mapigilan ang panginginig ng katawan ko. I'm on the verge of hyperventilating. Habang papalapit ng papalapit kami ay lalo akong nasusuka. Tahimik kaming apat na nakasakay sa sasakyan.