Chapter 1

ROSEANA

One of my coworkers in a coffee shop, Macy, exclaimed, "Bye, Roseana! Are you sure you don't want to join our night out today?" with a big smile. They wanted to take me out to a club tonight, but I refused. Her lips are painted red, her cheeks have blush, and her brows are curved to perfection. She batted her lashes at me.

I jokingly said, "No, thank you, Macy. I need to wash my clothes or else I will not have anything to wear." But in reality, I was genuinely apprehensive about going with them. I need to sleep and want to sleep. Another is that I have so many bills to pay that I can't even afford to spend my money on a few beers. My response caused Macy to sigh. She put her hands on her chest and curved her lips down. She gasped for air.

The others who were with us chuckled at what she did.

"We're going to a high-class pub, and there are a lot of gorgeous men there. Who knows? You might run into the love of your life there. You don't want to?"

She persuaded me incessantly. I found her words to be funny. Macy tends to be crazy at times.

At what she stated, I shook my head. I reassure her, "No. I'm fine. I'll accompany you the next time."

Macy departed the coffee shop with the rest of our coworkers in disappointment. I chuckled when they lifted Macy so they could go. I wave at them as I watch them walk to the entrance.

I decided to close the coffee shop shortly after they left. It's past eight already. The coffee shop where I am working closes at eight in the evening. There are no more customers, either.

Since everyone else is out for the evening, I will be the only one closing this store today. In addition, I can close this store by myself; therefore, I offered to do so. It is not a burden to me anyway.

I made sure to check the lights and the windows before closing the store. I worry that a thief will break in. There was a lot of concern over the disturbing men that were roaming this neighborhood. Since there are so many commercial buildings in this neighborhood, burglars may easily target them.

I took a deep breath. The smell of the fresh coffee beans filled the air, and it soothed my thoughts. I can still hear the grounding of the beans and the delicious aroma of the pastries as the customers come and go. This place is crowded every day. It is tiring, yes, but I don’t feel "that" weary when I work here. I guess I'm just loving it here because it did not feel tiring at all. I secured the front entrance after making sure everything was in order.

"Hello, Roseana, my Roseana."

When someone spoke from behind me suddenly, I nearly fell out of shock. My mind went blank. I could not think right. I grip the sling of my bag tightly that it may rip apart any moment. My nervousness and fear thundered when I heard that familiar voice. The voice that I so long wished to forget. No matter how hard I tried to forget that voice, I couldn't. He seems like he could follow me wherever. I am still haunted by this person, even in my dreams.

I close my eyes tightly in hope of realizing it was all in my head when I open them. Nobody is following me as I stand. But perhaps I was mistaken. Not everything is as simple as I would like.

"Did you miss me?" he muttered once again. I could hear my breathing one after the other, but it didn't seem like it was enough to fill my lungs with air. I feel like I am breathing in thin air. My stomach is churning as if in panic as it senses the danger I am facing.

I turned to face him, gathering what little remaining courage I had. My knees trembled when I saw his face again. Beads of sweat are forming on the side of my face. That familiar, annoying smugness that he always has on his face whenever he is looking at me.

I secretly look around, checking if I could ask anyone for help in case Cedrick tries to do something I don't want again. A few people are walking in the street, but I don't think they notice me or this man. Sure enough, before I could even ask them for help, Cedrick had taken me already. It will be useless and may even put them in danger.

He took a step closer to me. My body subconsciously took a step back. His grin widened when he saw what I did. He puffed a cigarette as he stared at me maliciously.

"Hmm. I am delighted I still have that influence on you, my Roseana. I thought you had completely forgotten me," he said, blowing the smoke of the cigarette into my face.

I glared at him. How can I even forget him and his father? They conspired with my stepmother to force me to marry him. When I refused, this bastard tried to abduct and imprison me in his house. I was lucky enough to escape with the help of one of his maids.

"What do you want, Cedric?" I asked, my teeth are gritting, as I try to control my voice from breaking. Although nervous, I chose not to show it to him. My eyes are throwing daggers at him, and I make sure he knows how much I despise him.

He grasped his chest as he appeared hurt by what I said. "Aw, is that how you meet your fiancé? I am hurt, darling," he replied, the sneer not leaving his face.

"Leave me alone, Cedrick. I have told you and your father countless times that I don't want anything to do with you. I don't want to marry you. I do not like you. The sheer sight of you creeps me out," I told him. I made sure to emphasize every word, hoping that he would finally let me be.

The smile on his face gradually disappeared when he heard what I said. His jaw clenched. I also noticed his deep breathing, one after the other. The thought of him being mad scares me. I have seen what he can do when he’s mad. I’ve experience it myself. Despite all that, I tried to keep myself composed, not showing fear.

"You are coming with me. I'm taking you home to Bicol, Roseana," he declared with certainty. His voice is full of conviction.

Just instantly after he said that, a car parked in front of the coffee shop. The car's window went down, and in the driver's seat, I saw Kevin, his bodyguard, or more like his dog, looking at us.

I shook my head constantly. "No. I am not coming with you, Cedrick!" I shouted. Seeing his assistant was my last straw. I couldn’t contain the anger, fear, and the betrayal I am keeping inside that I erupted like a volcano.

"I am done with all of your madness. I will not let you threaten me again!"

I tried to get away, but he swiftly grabbed my wrist and took me to the car. I strained from his grip, but he was just too strong. I didn't even have a chance to escape. His nails dug on my skin. My bones felt like breaking by how tight his grip on me.

I panicked as he opened the car door. I remember the days I was held in the storage area of his house. Suddenly, I can smell the rusty iron as I cuddle my naked body, trying to get through the coldness of the night and the spider webs at the ceiling of that storage room. I can still hear the sound the rats are making. I lost track of how many days I stayed there in the dark. The injuries I got from his beatings when I refused to give myself to him and the emotional and mental suffering I have suffered until now because of them.

I don't want to be nested in that spot again. I once escaped that place and promised to myself that I will not return. Not anymore.

After he opened the car door, he was about to glance at me. Before he was facing me, my fist came out in his face. I used my free hand to hit him. My hand hurts from striking him. I guess he is that thick-faced, that's why.

"Fuck!" he exclaimed. I watched his nose bleed, but I didn't care. The gratification I had when I watched him in pain is something I know I shouldn't feel delighted about, but my heart rejoices to see him in that situation. He let go of my hand as he sought to stop his nose from bleeding so I had the chance to bring myself away from him.

He hadn't recovered from what I did, but I further added to his suffering by giving him a powerful kick between the legs. He writhed in pain. It looked like his life flashed before his eyes because of what I did. For a second, I felt guilty seeing him almost roll on the ground, crouching in his crotch, but when I remembered everything he did to me, the guilt I felt vanished. Compared to what he did to me, this was far too basic.

Feel that, Cedrick. I hope that breaks your balls.

"Fuck you, Roseana! I'll kill you!" he cried fiercely.

I heard Kevin get out of the car and I was terrified. He took a step in our direction. His dagger-wielding gaze locked on mine.

Before I knew it, I am running away from them. I ran as fast as I could without thinking twice. I didn't mind the people I bumped into; I just wanted to get away from them. When I turned around, I saw Kevin tending to his boss. Cedrick signaled with his hand for Kevin to follow me. He is still in so much pain from what I did that he can barely open his mouth to speak.

I increased my speed. The cold wind is messing with my hair, causing it to sway with each step I take.

I came to a standstill to gather my breath. When I looked around, I discovered I was in a park. I don't see anyone in the vicinity that I could ask for help from. I hid myself at the back of a huge tree.

As I watched Kevin look for me in the crowd, I gasped for more breath. I rub my hands together, trying to stop them from shaking. I can feel my knees wobbling with tiredness and nervousness. His gaze is darting around the place, looking for me.

My eyes widen with fear when Kevin looks at me. His lips curved into a devilish grin as he made his I dashed to the side of the road, hoping to hail a cab, but none came. My eyes fill up with water.

I'm at a loss as to what to do next. My body weakens as the fear of being caught by Kevin. The hope I felt earlier vanished like speck of dust into thin air. Then it occurred to me. I'll never be able to get away from them. Despite my many efforts, it only begins with one. Whatever I do, I will always fall into Cedrick's trap.

Perhaps living such a miserable life is my fate. I'm exhausted. I'm tired of fighting life and running.

I stepped out onto the street, tears flowing down my cheeks.

One step. Two steps. I slowly walked into the middle of the road, one step at a time.

The brilliant lights and loud honking of the cars do not affect my senses. My heart is pounding so loudly that I can't hear anything else.

"Miss!"

A scared man's voice continues hammering in my ears: "Miss! Look out!" I can hear his frustration and anxiety in his voice. I can hear him calling me nonstop.

“Miss!”

“Roseana!”

His voice is faint at first as if carried by the wind from afar. But his voice became increasingly louder. I turned to see where the voice came from.

A man's figure appeared in my hazy vision. He is wearing a formal suit. Even in my hazy vision, his silhouette made me forget where am I. I am correct. Someone is calling me. I keep an eye on him as he runs up to me. In my head, I'm wondering who he is and why he's shouting my name. Worry is written all over his face.

My attention was drawn away from him by a loud honk from a truck approaching from behind. A huge ball of light is fast approaching me. It's rushing straight towards me.

My breathing rate slowed. As I exhaled one last time, I filled my lungs with air. I close my eyes firmly, expecting to feel the truck's collision, but I only feel a firm grasp on my hand. I also feel like I struck something hard. We rolled like a ball, hitting the cemented road, each contact of my body on the ground earned a huge groan. Strangely, it did not feel as painful as I expected.

I lay motionless on the ground for I don't know how long. Maybe my body is in shambles right now. That truck was lightning fast. I must have thrown myself because of the force of the vehicle hitting me.

Someone groans in my ears, "Fuck."

I immediately open my eyes when I hear that deep, strong voice. I know I can be unreasonable at times, but one thing is sure: I am not yet dead. How can I be if I can sense someone moving alongside me? I can even feel a warm body next to mine.

His coal dark orbs met with mine when I open my eyes. I nearly think I am in heaven after seeing his face. His thick brows, long eyelashes, his lips and his sharp jaw made me think that I am looking at a face of an angel.

“H-Hi.” I stuttered.

“C-Can you get up. You’re heavy.” He grunted. He is scrunching his nose and his brows are knitted as he said that. It took me awhile to process what he said.

My cheeks burn in shame when I realize our position. We were lying on the street. He is tightly embracing me. That is the reason why I don’t feel any pain when I roll on the street. It is because of him. He saved me from being run over by the truck by pulling my arms.

When I finally understand what he means, I quickly get up. I put my two hands on both sides of his body and moved my body on top of him. I put force on my hand and was ready to get off him when my elbow stung. I feel that my hands have no strength. My arms are shaking.

"Oh!" he groaned. My weak arms could not support my weight, so I hit my face against his hard chest. "Hmmp!"

We stayed in that position for a few minutes. I heard his deep breathing, and my head leaning on his chest went along with the rise and fall of his chest. I slowly and carefully lifted my body again. His two hands were on my waist to help me stand.

"Are you okay?" I asked him, concerned.

I help him stand up. “Barely.” He answered.

Conscience eat me up especially when I noticed his bleeding elbow and knee. Even his back has wounds, probably because he hit the road while protecting me.

"Save your sorry for later. You are coming with me.” He said then he dragged me away.