MY KIDNAPPER'S SIN

HAIR-RAISING moans ricocheted around the well-tinted, maroon car which was parked along the high-end bar where loud and stimulating kinds of music were booming. It was mixed with unending gasps and groans making a piece of erotic music that keeps on burning the last strands of their sanities.

Matthew's restless hands sought entrance inside her dress; each caress was scorching which leaves her breathless. As he roamed every sensitive part of her body, Anna can't feel any gentleness anymore. Gone the calm and collected Matthew.

What's there were his hands that do magic in her every sense, the burning sensation is what's making her scream wildly. Anna has been wanting to do this with her dearest best friend for so long, she has no idea that it would feel this heavenly.

She jerked a little when his restless hands found their way towards her delectable valley; he kneaded them with so much ferocity as his kisses on her long neck.

"Matty~" she moaned it sexily. "Ahhh..."

Her sexual pleads heightens both of their libidos. No more friendly tones now, no more thoughts about friendship and boundaries. What matters at the moment is the heavenly sensation, the way he is starting to unclasp her vibrant red bra from her back.

"I want you tonight, baby," Matthew declared in between their kisses.

He sucked the small skin near her left valley, it sent her volts of electrifying waves which earned another loud moan as if she was being possessed. It is music to his ear and he can't stop smirking because of that.

"I wanna make love to you. . ." He once again sucked the crown of her right mountain from outside the cloth that covers it. ". . .my Cherry."

But... Wait!

Cherry? His fucking girlfriend? Did he just call her Cherry?

Out of so much frustration, Anna immediately cupped the bulging tent down on his faded jeans. The surprise made him freeze with eyes bugging like that of a cow, and they crawled down to her hand.

Slowly, Anna made a rhythm that earned howls of pleasure out of the blinding sensations.

"It is Anna, baby," she then whispered sensually while her right hand was making its way inside his pants, inch by inch. "It is Annaztaxia, baby..."

He is erotically grunting every after he sucks a breath. From his half-opened eyes; the hue of desire is quite visible in his dilating pupil.

He's enjoying it, isn't he?

"You can't be serious, right? Can we just not mention her name here, baby~ Ahh!"

Then, her hand successfully went in. She felt the warmth and throbbing sword from inside, his colossal and pulsating friend down there seems so prepared for a fight now.

"But I'm serious, Honey. It is your sexy, gorgeous, and alluring best friend. Common, Matty~"

"What?" His eyes widened, mystified as if he just woke up from some sort of sensual nightmare. Cherry never called him that way, there's only one person in the world who always calls him "Matty". . .it's Anna who gave him that nickname.

Confusion glinted from his lustful eyes; his gaze slowly crawled towards her stunning face. The smile on her ruddy lips is really alluring but he should stop right there, they should stop this shit!

"No!" he said in a scream as if it were the end of the world. "No!"

It was hard to do it for him because his burst is almost coming but this is a sin! Not just to his girlfriend but also to Anna who happens to be his best friend and has been trusting him all along. This shouldn't happen!

"You are just drunk, alright!" With a half-hearted force, he lifted her hand and pushed it away from his soaking wet shaft.

"But Matty!" she protested and tried to insert her freaking hand on his pants again.

But Matty has been alert this time- he's quick to close the gap between his thighs.

Now, Anna can't stop rolling her eyes heavenward, this damn asshole is a freaking bummer! What's the difference if she's Anna and not that bitch? It's so obvious that he's enjoying the scorching heat they were sharing.

"We are still having fun, common! Stop acting as if you hate it because I have seen and heard every bit of pleasure from your groans, Matty."

Matty's weary eyes turned slits, he can't believe what he was just hearing from Anna. She must be very drunk and wild but to cross the line this way- she must be drugged!

"Can't you hear yourself, Anna? This is very wrong! This is. . . fucking wrong!" He walloped the steering wheel, so disappointed with what just happened between them. Of all people, he really did it with his long-time best friend- with Anna!

"Fuck! I'm so sorry, I was very drunk and -"

"I love you," she cut him off just to whisper that word.

She has been hiding her feelings for Matty for almost a decade now because she was afraid that he might avoid her or worst leave her after the risk. Anna knows that it is really a mistake, a sin, indeed!

Matty has a girlfriend, he has Cherry and he adores her so much. But deferring her confession feels like death; she's dying to keep her attraction when all she wants to do is to scream it in his face.

Just how Anna assumed to see- his eyes turned as round as the full moon. His lips were shaking and they kept on opening as if they had a lot to say but got no word uttered. He's turning to be the dumb himself again, tssss!

"And I know you also do. We both want this, right? We both love all the things we just shared, I'm pretty sure!" Anna took the chance to talk more when Matty stayed muted. "I know you do..."

Despite the visible clue from his expression, he still managed to shake his darn head. Still got the fucking strength to oppose her claims and deny what was written in his eyes.

"No, nothing is right about what just happened. This is not right, Anna..."

The night had deepened, they stayed inside his car both sitting with now deafening silence and strong disappointment for each other. No one bothers to speak again, they just want their drunkenness to pass like how their lust extinguished just like that.

"I'm really sorry, Anna..."

Until Matthew broke the ice and apologized again for the record. He lifted his head from the backseat and opened his eyes, even though it's hard for him to look at her right now, he still managed to check on her.

"I do really care for you but it's not like what you think. If it's me who gave you a false sign? I'm really really sorry," the anger in his tone subsided now. He was left with only dismay and sadness. "I'm so sorry."

"Your sorry cannot mend anything, Matty. You just hurt me-"

He tightly shut his weary eyes, feeling so down about the trouble he just created. But he won't let this night pass without the two of them making things in between clear.

"I have my girlfriend and I love her, I will never do anything that may cause us to part ways. I have been telling you that a lot, right? You're one of the living witnesses of how much I love Cherry."

Well, that is the most bullshit of all the shits he told her so far. If he does love his girl, then why the heck is he treating Anna more special than Cherry? Just how he left the poor girl's photoshoot tonight just to drink with Anna in this loud and irritating bar- just how he used to describe it.

He hates this place, but he still joined Anna.

Isn't it part of the signs? Was it a false sign all along?

Because in her book, it isn't.

Oh, what about the red stain on his face and bulging eyes when Anna confessed her hidden feelings?

That must be something, right?

"You're just lying," she said in a croak. Anna freed every drop of her tears so that he would see how painful it was for her. She didn't bother wiping them away because she wanted her tears to be seen by Matthew. "You don't love her, you are just making excuses not to leave her because Cherry is a psychopath!"

"Anna, she's not... Will you please stop calling her that way?"

"Why should I? She's really a psychopath, she doesn't love you. She just wants your money, your bank account... Why can't you just leave her and have fun with me instead, huh? Surely, you will enjoy more of your friggin 'lonely life with me. It's quite obvious who's better between us? The prettier, the sexier, the hotter, and now you could tell who's really good in bed-"

"Anna!" He thundered all of a sudden. The loneliness written on his face was expunged by anger and annoyance. Now he can't dare look at her best friend anymore. "You are too drunk, surely it's just about the alcohol. I better take you home now."

He placed his hands over the steering wheel again, he was about to start the car's engine when Anna cupped his right fist all of a sudden.

Once again, her alluring warmth penetrated his hardly-saned nerves causing him another wave of hair-raising sensation.

"No, please. I don't wanna go home yet. Mom, won't let me sleep with her nags because I drank again. My head is hurting, Matty. Can you just let me stay in your room for tonight," she used the sweetest voice she's keeping to herself.

Anna was confident that he can't say no to that.

"No freaking way!" After what happened with them, that would be the last thing he will ever do in this life. "I'll take you home now. You should face the consequences of breaking your mother's rule, talk to her and apologize. That's what you should do."

"So, you really can stomach to see me suffering now, huh? You do really change, Matty. You're not the same anymore."

Slowly, his expression softens and lightens this time. No, he really can't see her suffering, he can't afford to let her down. He truly loves Anna, although sometimes, he was kind of wishing he didn't love her so much so he would have the courage to let her suffer for her to realize every lesson she has to know.

"No, Anna. You're very special to me. You are a very special woman," his voice softened and it went calmer this time. He moved closer to her with eyes filled with affection, it chases her wet eyes. "That's part of the reason why every boy around adores you, admires you. Please, stop comparing yourself with Cherry. You two are different and special in your own ways."

There's an assurance in his tone.

Although, that assurance doesn't give her any reason to feel good. Matthew refused her for Pete's sake! A woman as hot as her, adored by every boy in town got rejected by this stupid nerd? There's nothing that can make her feel good tonight!

"But she's more special to you!" She still insisted on her drama.

She's starting to hate the drama she created, but she gotta do this now to stop these crazy heartbeats she used to feel whenever Matty's around.

"She's a chocolate cake with a cherry on top while I am just a simple buttered cake for you- a plain dessert you don't wanna try, right?"

"Anna..."

"It's the truth, Matty! If you find me more special than her, it should be me you are with right now. It should be me who you choose as your girlfriend!"

Anna looked away while trying to gasp some air, this scene was making her feel suffocated now. Her face was dry now but her heart wants to continue this crazy conversation, she was enjoying being this dramatic with Matthew anyway.

Kind of finding joy in seeing the weariness in his eyes. This is her sweet revenge for making her feel like nothing tonight.

"Listen, Anna," authority is in his voice. "I love you, alright. I've been doing all the possible ways to make you feel that, but I can't cross the boundary between us. I respect you a lot, your father, and all the things we have been together. Don't make this hard for me, please."

His eyes are slowly getting bloodshot, and the exhaustion in him is getting visible with each passing minute.

If she just doesn't feel inferior to Cherry, she might give him some pity and let the poor boy go. But, No! Of all people, Matty should know better, she doesn't want the feeling of being unwanted. It's been the biggest nightmare of her life and to experience such rejection tonight makes her despise her best friend.

If Matthew can be this tired and frustrated, Anna can surely equal it with so much more.

"If she didn't come into your life, would you love me like how you loved her?"

They stared at each other's eyes for a couple of minutes. His silence gives so much away, so much to make Anna confident of her gut feeling. But Matthew cut their connection by looking away, once again he shook his head but Anna won't believe it was for her question.

Something might be bothering him.

"You're just drunk!" he said instead. "I'll take you home now."

He once again tried to start his car's freaking engine, it was roaring to life when Anna pulled her most desperate stunt.

Anna pulled herself up a little, then she gave his chin a tight grip before she dived her lips into his. Their kisses are starting to get deeper and electrifying again.

It feels funny to think of how he could easily label her as his best friend, yet he finds no strength to resist her kisses.

Almost losing themselves in the ecstasy of their fiery kisses when they got shocked due to the few blasts of horn from somewhere. Matthew spit curses after he pulled himself back into the world, his heart hammered against his ribcage when he saw his car about to collide with an only-heaven-knows car! He violently pushed Anna just to save their asses from a goddamn accident.

Still catching breaths, he can't believe what just happened. He's still taming his heartbeat when his eyes find Anna in the corner, very awake and dumbfounded. Great!

"Do you really wanna die, huh?" he screamed in her face, gone controlling now. He's been so kind to her and this is what he gets- his almost death. "Are you that desperate? If there's someone who really changed here, it's none other than you! I've been aware of all your bullshits and I dealt with all of it through the years, Anna! But to treat me this way. . ."

Instead of finishing his sentence, he bit his next words back and chose to just wipe his lips for any possible stains from Anna's lips. He did that while disgust was flaring in his eyes.

"Get out of my car..."

The struggle of shooing Anna away was written in his face, yet he still pushed it through. He needs to do it before her aggressiveness can do more damage.

"Really?" But Anna never felt any bits of fear, she even let a smirk on her lips. "You want me to go out in that dangerous-"

"Yes," his voice is full and sounds serious. "I want you out now!"

Anna gave him a look of disbelief for a few minutes. His jaw remained locked, he never bothered himself taking his decision back nor throwing him some pity.

She slowly moved to unlock her door and pushed it to open. Feeling all the disappointment in her chest, she went out with a super heavy heart.

The sound of her five-inch platform can do nothing with the loud bangs of her frustrated heart. She waved her hand as she saw an available taxi coming. Anna opened the damn door the moment it stopped, she let herself fall down on its soft seat as she closed her eyes and lifted a finger to give her temple a hard massage.

She can't believe this happened! She just can't believe she took Monet's dare just to let herself stoop this low tonight...

MONET'S ANNOYING chuckles awaken Annaztaxia the next day. The sun's rays feel like a burning ember in her eyes. She wants to close her damn curtain but her body is too heavy to stand up as well as her head is throbbing badly and the last thing she wants to hear today is her friend's fucking mirth.

She called this early just to ask Anna about the outcome of her drama.

Like, seriously?

Anna wants to spit curses at her friend but her voice just won't participate. Aside from it being still hoarse, her throat is running dry as well. She already asked for water from the intercom but for heaven's sake, she's still left waiting.

"Don't blame the liquor for what you did last night, girl. It was already your nature. You were born a bitch!"

Monet's voice held so much humor it eventually ended up with flirty waves of laughter. Well, she can't be a Killjoy here and stop Monet from being this jolly. Anna made fun of her as well, back when she dared her dear friend to make a scene in her ex-boyfriend's matrimony.

She was just rolling her eyes from time to time. Alright, it's really funny. The shittiness she just experienced last night was some sort of terrible joke. Imagine, a lady like her- who's used to adoration, of drooling boys around her, of fondness-got treated that way by her best friend?

That was so uncool!

She felt like she just lost her reputation because of what happened last night. Matthew did not just reject Anna. He also made her feel small, he pushed her away and worst of all, he wiped his lips with disgust blazing in his eyes as if her kisses were poison.

So merciless!

And that will never fade in her head no matter how painful it is right now. Matthew, that asshole will pay big time. He should!

"It may seem like an epic fail but I still did something better," her tone sounds proud though. Though her lips keep on pursing whenever waves of pain are hitting her head once in a while.

The pain is getting bearable!

Where is the server once again? Any traffic down there for Daisy to be so delayed? If Anna is just in the mood, somebody will go home crying today.

"Better?" Monet held her giggles just to give her a tone of confusion. "What do you mean better? I can't see anything good about what he did to you last night and yet, he pushed you away knowing you were wasted. He even let you go home alone. Now, tell me where in that part is a better thing?"

Finally, her server came up with her glass of water and some pain reliever in her hand. The girl bowed her head when she found the rage written on Anna's face, she didn't wait for any curse from Anna anymore. Carrying all the fear, she dashed out of the room right away.

"Well, I'm already done with my damn confession. He's aware of my feelings already, I don't have to fake my sweetness to him anymore. The ball is in his court now."

"True. You throw the ball on his court but he chose to throw it away. He rejected you, remember?"

That pisses Anna a little but Monet was just telling the truth, right? If her memory serves her right, the poor boy declined her love for the sake of his supermodel girlfriend!

He let Anna hang down because he doesn't wanna make sin behind Cherry's back.

"We both know how powerful the venom of Annaztaxia Mariah Contreras could be. No one could resist it, nobody based on the history. . .just this one nerd slash long-time best friend of yours, and I kinda like to congratulate him for that. May I know his address, please?"

Monet barked with a burst of playful laughter again like it was her mannerism, she's making Anna's head hotter to the point of exploding... but if only her body would cooperate.

"Now that you are done with your confession, what will be your next plan? I mean, he declined to choose you because his love for Cherry is as legit as your bad attitude... After what happened last night, your best friend will surely avoid you from now on. It's not like it's easy to forget that Annaztaxia Mariah Contreras kissed somebody like him."

Oh, God! Now that she has mentioned it once again, everything that happened between them last night suddenly flashed before her eyes. The hate and annoyance from his bloodshot eyes and the way he wiped his lips with disgust- can she just smash her goddamn head against the concrete wall and have permanent amnesia?

That way she will forget everything including the frustrations and embarrassment. Dammit!

"I don't really know." She shrugged from the bed.

As of now, Anna can't feel anything severe but her throbbing head. She cannot think of better things to do. Well, that used to be her mother's usual nag. It was funny to think that she's giving justice to that right now, mothers are really amazing and at the same time annoying. Ugh!

"Come what may? After all, I do not wanna see his face anymore, he humiliated me and called me desperate. Can you imagine that? He broke his vows just for his bitch."

Matty rejected her and just like what Monet said, it was the first in history. That bastard! Anna can't hide the loath growing inside her chest, her mind is kinda feeding her some bad things such as revenge but due to the hangover she was currently experiencing, it seems impossible to execute one today.

"Just like that, really?" her curious tone was mixed with surprise. "No plans of revenge? Wait. . .am I still talking to my Maleficent friend?"

Anna's eyes rolled skyward, feeling all the heaviness in her body she badly want to be with Monet today just to have the chance of pulling her hair a little. She wished a genie would pop out somewhere just to grant her wish but then if that happens, she will wish for something ill for her damn best friend instead.

Definitely, not for death because that would only shorten his suffering but how about... his balls get broken?

That would give her so much satisfaction for sure!

"I just don't feel like doing my shits today," she simply said while rolling herself over. Now she's lying on her back, the beige ceiling above looks quite boring in her eyes. She ran her fingers through her long hair slowly. "Let them savor the moment for now. Lucky them if I found no time for my vengeance, although that's impossible. Sooner, if Matty won't do anything to fix this war between us, he will end up being dumped like the past toys I had."

The gleam of deviltry flashes in her bare face.

She heard echoes of claps on the other line followed by more giggles from Monet. "Hail to the queen! I know you won't let him break you this way. Finally, my friend is back! I thought you would really let him change you and make you drop on the ground."

Her statements made Anna smile despite her current estate. Her lips pursed again after a wave of pain hits her brilliant head.

A hangover is not really a friend, never!

"That won't happen, alright. He is just some sort of goddamn weak boy who wants nothing but love, love. F*ck that thing! Aren't they tired of finding that illusion in every corner of the world? Like, nobody gets rich because of that sickening love!"

Well, that is what life made her believe for a very long time of her existence. Love is just a feeling, an idea, a dream which everybody works to have except for Annaztaxia.

Annaztaxia Mariah Contreras is really badass and she's very much aware of that. She badly believes that nobody was born like a saint; nobody can possess perfection in this quite imperfect world. Everyone has their own flaws to keep and their sins to pay.

For her, everyone is capable of making mistakes. Some might not be aware of it while some can't live without doing a bunch of it in a day. People tend to do bad things, commit sins, break rules, swore, and whatsoever just name it! It differs from the measurement and intensity, because if others can do bad things once in a blue moon. . . Anna can do it like some dose of multivitamins and she can't last a day without it.

She could be a bitch to anyone and anytime she wants. She is a spoiled brat too, the reason why her own mother can't love her fully. She hates Anna so much that she is always complaining about her actions, her decisions, and maybe her existence in this world. But on the other hand, she can't blame her mom for it because she's been aware of her behavior in the first place.

It's a long time ago when she started to change herself into the girl she became today. Out of all the good things she dreamt to be, nothing had been appreciated by her family particularly her perfectionist mother and old-hag, grandmother.

What's visible in their eyes was her mistakes, her bad attitudes, her flaws, simply because they don't love her.

Well, who would love someone like her?

A cheater, a loser, a shoplifter, and in addition to those proof of how far she has reached she also learned from her dear friend Monet her skill of toying with boys' feelings.

Anna was the type of person who's never been involved in a mature type of relationship, nor a good relationship with her past boyfriends with thousands of "s"! That's how her heart rules- if she does not want someone any longer, she would just leave the poor boy even if he is on his bent knees and crying his heart out.

She is heartless when she wants to be.

That's also part of the reason why all of her classmates during college used to call her flirt, slut, or a bitch. But she did not find it offensive because she has been used to it. People nowadays have always been like that. Do a thousand good things for them, yet they can easily judge you after a mistake.

They will always have a say whether you are in silence or trying to build fame, that is how their narrow minds work. Sometimes, it's hard to find your place in this huge world. It seems like you gotta find a map to follow to get the peace everybody dreams to have, but that's kind of fictional.

Might as well, just enjoy everything you have and don't bother yourself thinking about those who will just destroy you, because Anna knows very well that she's young, wild, and very free.

"But, how about your heart?" Monet suddenly cracked that crazy question to her. Anna was caught off guard, why the hell did she have to ask her this question? "Whether you admit it or not, I know you really have a feeling for him. You don't believe in love but your heart did, Anna. You can't fool me like what you used to do on Matthew."

Well, Monet knows her very well. It's been almost six years of friendship, what can she expect? She is not sure how Monet memorized her actions and all, but yeah!

She really likes Matty, it may seem that she doesn't really care about him at all. That's actually her talent; she can act cold as an iceberg. She can fake her actions and emotions because her current situation trained her to be.

Nobody can lend her an ear because, for them, Anna's words were all nonsense. She cries over shallow reasons, she's just a poor girl who always yearns for attention and affection. It sickened her to the point of changing herself, it turned her into the stone-hearted woman she is right now and because of that she also succeeded in keeping her feelings toward her best friend for almost ten years.

Anna is not a fan of Cupid nor his powers. For Anna, love is weakness, a liability that will pull you down to the ground and look where it brought her? Into misery, into frustration, into tears.

And what did that shameless Matthew do? It's not like she always does gamble for the sake of her crazy feeling in her hopes that he will finally reciprocate it in a way she always wants him to, but what did he do? He threw so many daggers at her chest that he caused more damage to her heart!

"Love can't break me, Monet. Matthew is not my ending but this doesn't mean I'm throwing the towel away. This is actually the start of our story, may it be romance, drama, or horror..."

COLD SHOWER AND expensive fragrant gel... Anna chose to drown her fucking hangover in the coldness of the running water. She made sure it will touch every little part of her warm skin and will mend every tiny pain that keeps on stinging her being.

Anna hopes it will erase all of the memories of what happened last night too. Goddammit! If only the soap would and even the bleach near her, she can actually gulp the whole thing just to eliminate all of the insanity, pain, and embarrassment consuming the best part of her.

Feeling refreshed after an hour or so of soaking herself in the cold water. It failed to erase all of the bad memories of last night but it at least took away some of the heat in her head. She then went out of the restroom and headed to her walk-in closet.

Just a few meters away from there is her collection of different expensive clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories. Her kind of heaven, there was plenty to check each of them and with her condition right now. . . nevermind checking which one to wear! Those are all fashionable anyway so it doesn't matter which her fingers would grab.

She just wore her ratty-fitted-looking jeans together with her red velvety spaghetti strap. As usual, it hugs her slim body perfectly. She can't stop looking at the mirror from time to time, it's perfect! If it wasn't for her throbbing head she would surely photograph herself gazillion times.

Right next to her soft bed lies her pair of black stilettos. She knew it was too dangerous to wear high heels right now with her condition- still dizzy and weak.

But with her outfit, she gotta risk it anyway. Her length increases a little more, she actually looks more like a supermodel than Cherry!

But Nah! she doesn't have to compare herself to that bitch because that viper is completely nothing when it comes to her and just please! stop thinking about her, about them!

Alright, she gotta calm herself down now. . . but how can she be if she can't even hold her make-up brushes properly?

This is frustrating her very pained self, bullshit! Her reflection from the vanity mirror shows how gross she looks right now. Her bare face is pale without anything such as blush on, contour, or lippies. She's actually starting to hyperventilate with those dark circles underneath her eyes, she badly needs some cream to conceal them.

But where the hell is her freaking concealer cream? Gosh! she really feels so lazy to put anything in her face! Her pretty eyes were swollen and she can't be seen in this way. Anna searched for anything in her room until her sunglasses caught her attention...

"Oooh! this would do."

To keep the bareness of her upturned eyes and the ugly swelling of it, she chose to bring her Gucci black sunglasses with her. She hung it on her clothes neckline in the meantime before she put a thin shade of her vibrant matte lipstick on her lips and voila!

She looks good to ramp again.

Just one more time, she examined her whole reflection through the mirror. She can't stop feeling proud of her perfectly sculpted curves, her 213-centimeter height is very perfect for her age, and her fair skin suits the jet-black hair she's sporting.

Anna is an epitome of perfection, indeed!

"Hey there, sister of Venus!" A smirk once again made its way to her lips. At last, she finally lifted her expensive dark bag from the couch as she went out for breakfast and more of her plans today not including her job because it's sickening the hell out of her.

Just at least not today!

Heading toward the dining, the delicious smell of food made Anna drool so much to walk at a faster pace. One of their maids pulled a chair for her so she could comfortably sit now, but she seemed to forget about courtesy and didn't even bother thanking the server.

It's been a long while now since she deleted it in her vocabulary.

Her eyes immediately feasted on all the mouthwatering dishes organized on the table. She didn't have her dinner last night and this is actually a late breakfast for today, therefore she can't blame her tummy for complaining a lot.

Anna started with a slice of bread and spread it with some marmalade right next to it. One of their servers placed a hot chocolate just beside her, the sweet scent of it caught her attention next. It's not bad to indulge herself today, right? Forget about diet and nutrition, it's not like she will die after taking delight.

Still savoring the last drop of her hot chocolate drink when an explosion from somewhere shocked her being, the last drop almost spilled from her favorite dress. Hell no! It's one of her favorites and this is a limited edition so she can't forgive that easily if it gets stained.

But if it's her mom sporting a dark stare with lips pursing in a thin line. . .then, she thinks it ain't bad to just let it pass.

Anna calmly placed her cup on the table just to have a full view of her mom whose balled fist remains kissing the poor table. Her eyes show no sunshine, like usual, they are dark and filled with rage. But Anna can't feel any fear anymore.

It's been what? Million times now that she's interrupting her peaceful breakfast this way like a favorite pastime.

If Anna was not just used to that, maybe she had her cup fallen against their tiled floor already and had herself running away from the table for a normal mother will never do something rude like this to their daughter neither in front of those delicious foods.

But no! She was pretty used to her mom's sudden changes of mood and usual grumpiness. Maybe it's because of her old hormones? She's slowly coming near to her menopausal stage and the signs such as this can't be prevented, right?

Well, she better think this way rather than hit the drama button on her mind thinking about how her mom hates her as her daughter over and over again.

Although, that's a little true.

"Good morning, mommy!" she greeted her with a bright and sweet smile; acting innocent in front of her. "It's been a decade or two now, haven't your fingers died yet? Why do you always have to pound the table if you could just find a hummer to do-"

"Where have you been last night, Anna?" she cut her greeting off with a hard tone, there goes her eyes flickering with annoyance again.

They reflected Matthew's eyes last night.

"Fuck..." the curse slipped out of her mouth at the sudden thought of her asshole of a best friend.

Once again, her mum hit the innocent table. "Do not ever use that curse on me, I've never taught you such curses!"

Surprised by her reaction, Anna finds her mom funny for always thinking that the world is only revolving around her. Did she mention her name after her curse? No, at least that's what she knows.

"I wasn't, Mom. It's for someone that I was annoyed with. Of course, it's not you, you are too good to be cursed."

But from the back of her mind, Anna was like puking more curses. Of course, that's sarcasm! She'd never been a good mother to her and she was kind of thinking that maybe the curse could also belong to her. Her sudden intrusion deserves the curse anyway, for interrupting her peaceful breakfast.

"Yeah, whatever..." Her intense stares remain darted on Anna.

She can't take seeing the anger in there so she chose to divert her attention over the delicious and crispy bacon.

"Divina told me that you went home very late last night, 2:30 a.m.! Really, Anna? That's not even late night, that's wee hours for goodness sake! And the worst part is you were very wasted that the taxi driver had to carry you all the way to your room. . ."

Though her world is far from reach, her mum's questions didn't get to her ear.

Once again, she sliced a piece of bacon and this time, Anna got the heart to offer some to her mom. Although, she didn't mind giving any answers even just sign language if she likes it or not. So, Anna just shrugged her shoulders away and directed the spoon towards her mouth instead.

She doesn't like to share a single spoon with her? But she brushed twice this morning, alright.

After the crispy bacon, Anna directed her attention over this toasted bread just a few inches away from her. This time she tried to make a sandwich for herself, she started with the loaf just what she usually sees in internet videos. Some leaves of fresh lettuce, she topped it with steamed ham and an ample amount of creamy mayo.

Anna has been keeping herself very busy with her mouthwatering sandwich in front of her mom who's still standing with her arms crossed in front of her tightening chest, nagging like a radio with not-so-informative dialogues.

"You are old enough, Anna. You're twenty-four for goodness sake! I don't even know why I have to scold you like this every day-"

"I don't even know why Mom. Believe me," her tone sounds flat but the sarcasm from there is audible.

Her mother smoldered with resentment now, her chest is making fast waves.

"You're not the five-year-old little girl who needs to be reminded of good manners and how to properly behave like a lady anymore... Do you know what saddens me about you growing up? You lost all that you have learned from us and your school, you lost it now that you're old enough to differentiate the bad things from good things."

The pain from her voice made Anna stop chewing her food. She knew it when her mother was about to cry out of too much disappointment, emotions, or whatsoever!

Therefore, Anna never dared to take a peek at her eyes. She really hates drama early in the morning but here is her dramatic mother giving Anna this kind of heavy scene.

"Fairness to you, Yaya Daisyree! You really cook like a pro," she complimented happily, trying to end the drama. She threw her thumb in the air to express her appreciation which she doesn't usually do. "Nice one!"

But her hand got spanked strong enough to make it fall down against the table.

"You're not listening again!" Her scream roared in every corner of their mansion, her fury getting into her voice. "What is it really that you wanna do with your life, huh? Get into harm? Die?"

Now, her breakfast is completely ruined. She lost her appetite the same as she's losing her respect for this bummer of a mother in her front.

One sharp glare at her mother and she freed both of her spoon and fork, she let herself fall down against the backrest giving all of her freaking attention to her annoying mother now.

Well, she has been like this since Anna started the rebellious life she has... Actually, she has been nagging a lot since Anna was a kid. It just multiplied and went severely when she learned to drink alcohol back in her teenage years.

That's a habit she would never learn if they would have shown her enough attention and appreciation from the very beginning. But just what she used to say, her mother is different.

She looks like a perfect mother when everyone's around them or whenever she wanna be. But most of the time, she's cold and heartless, and she acts indifferently. Sometimes, the idea of maybe Anna is not really their biological child kind of enters her mind.

You can't blame her though. The cruel treatment she was getting from her family explains it all.

Although, through the years she learned to handle her feelings. She learned to mend her wounds alone to survive and part of her ways is to imagine her mother as some sort of turbulent air which she can hear but she cannot see, or a mosquito maybe?

Sometimes, she wanna strike her in between her palms.

"Oh! Honey. What is this again? Your sharp yells reached me up there in our room."

There's amusement over his voice as he approaches both of them inside the dining room, he kisses both of them good morning. He placed his half-opened case down on the empty seat, but a paper from there kinda showed some random name: Conrad Zamora?

What a name, tsss!

"What's happening here, hmmm? I lost count already, how many world wars did the two of you have as of now, huh?" He threw both of them a curious look. "Tell me, should I apply your often wars in world records so this fighting would make some sense?"

Her dad looked so formal with his black coat with red tie clinging to his neck but with what he just asked them, Anna can't help feeling joyful right now.

Eventually, she lets her lips fall into a wide smile because her father's presence only means one thing, Anna is safe now.

He's her hero, her lawyer, her super dad. Well, kinda childish but her dad never fails to make Anna feel that she is still his baby girl and he needs to take care of her very well. Among all of their family members, it's only her father who never failed to make her feel that she's a treasure and she is precious in this world.

And to have him when things were getting heavier is her favorite part ever! This only means one thing, escape. This means she could go now and let her lawyer fix her case.

But not so fast! Because her mom is really livid today, so just be more patient and wait for the right signal maybe?

That won't cost a lot, just the right signal.

"It's because your daughter isn't listening to us anymore," her mom started with a little calmer tone now. She turned to face her husband and explained things. "Did you know that she went home very late last night and the worst part was she's too drunk again? Hon, our daughter shouldn't act like that. She should know it better, she's old enough!"

Her daddy moved more to close the gap between them, his every caress on her paper white skin was filled with gentleness and sympathy.

"Calm down, honey. You're making me worry too much, stop stressing yourself over our daughter here. She's just having fun and just like what you just said, she's old enough so let's just let her be." He then turned his head towards Anna, he gave her a serious expression this time. "In fact, you won't let anything bad happen to you, right?"

Now, both of their eyes darted toward her.

"Of course, Daddy. I'm not an Idiot to put my own life in danger. I can handle myself just fine, stop worrying like I'm still a five-year-old kid here."

But her mom twitched her lips more, she didn't look satisfied with Anna's answer.

"And now you're having a go against me? Anna, I've been with that idea as well. Of course, you'll never let something bad happen but what about when you're drunk and almost lifeless?" she clearly pointed that out, her chest is rapidly moving now. "Anna, you really don't know the danger or when will it hit you-"

"Then, I'll make sure to be attentive enough to avoid it."

Both of her parents' eyes widened. Her mom was about to explode again when Anna raised her hand and made a peace sign from her index and middle finger.

"Kidding, Mommy."

"Anna! Don't be this rude to your mother," her daddy uttered with authority. "Act your age, please."

She secretly rolled her eyes somewhere. Can this morning get more annoying?

"Fine! I'm sorry but it came from your own lips, Mom. We don't know the danger, if so then, maybe I can befriend him but then I have no power to recognize such but that doesn't mean we'll lock ourselves inside the house 24/7 just to be protected. We are not in the stone age era and hide away from the people just to be safe."

Amid her serious reasoning, her fingers were secretly crawling to get her bag. She gotta leave them now before they would punish her again with all the things they know about the word "parenting".

"If it's my time, then nobody can stop that. We can't write our fate, we can't control anything in this world. It's only G who has the power, Mom, Dad."

Then, she stood up with her bag in her hands now, great! A few steps toward her parents and she gave each of their cheeks a kiss of goodbye.

Now, it's exit time!

"Ciao, Mom and Dad!" she said in a scream while half-running towards the huge main door of their house.

She can't help feeling free now, after an hour of her mother's nags, finally! Anna wiped her face when she tasted some mayo from the skin near her lips and she was not wrong, there was really a stain of mayonnaise right there.

"Anna! We're not done yet!" Her scream once again reached every corner of their house. "Come back here!"

Anna just rolled her pretty eyes as she opened the door to finally leave. "Just reserve it for my breakfast tomorrow, mom. I'm so full today, tomorrow is another as they say..."