TRAPPED IN SHACKLES

Somewhere in I city, at 24:00...

"Baby, you gotta phone call from an unregistered number..." Mike called out holding his girlfriend's mobile phone.

He peered at her screen sneakily and ignored the urge to invade her privacy. It's been a year since they were together but he hadn't had gathered the courage to interrogate his girlfriend's origin. He was extremely puzzled by her. She looked so beautiful and according to her she was raised on by her grandparents in the countryside. She left her elders to find a job somewhere and then they meet here in I city. He couldn't help feeling suspicious about it. He assumed that his girlfriend was hiding something from him.

"Answer it, please. Tell whoever that caller that I'm taking a shower..." Athena shouted poking her head in her bathroom door. A playful wink was thrown towards her boyfriend.

"Are you sure about this? What if it's about work or perhaps one of your family members?" Mike huffed with a gentle smile on his face.

Though he was too eager to answer the call, he restrain himself hard and hide his eagerness. He put on a gentle smile on his face as he awaited her affirmation. His finger was now itching to swipe the answer mode.

Athena rolled her greenish eyes. "The same statement, babe..." She commanded and finally slammed the door shut leaving no room for an argument.

Whoever that caller was, she was sure it was less important than anything else. Her warm bath is the most important for her as she felt so sticky all over her body. She felt extremely uncomfortable and disgusted.

Athena made her way towards her half-human-sized mirror and stared at her reddish cheeks. She had just recovered from her high fever and she felt sticky all over from her sweat, thus she insisted to take a warm bath fighting hard against Mike - her boyfriend's firm avoidance as per the physician's instructions. To hell with those instructions? She is well aware of her own body and she swore that she is strong as a horse! She can even kick some hard in the gut if she needs to!

Remembering the days during her first arrival in the City, her inner muscles tightened. Memories of those lingered on her mind. Those fights... And the guy that she happen to save that day! Since then, she began to appear on some hidden gathering to accompany him.

She wasn't supposed to be far away from her family and endure some hardships in life every day but she was pissed off because of her marriage arrangement way back. Helpless, she could only endure their insistence to marry that person. It was a sudden marriage for the sake of two old people who wants to be united as a family and she became their target for that hilarious agreement. After that day, she swore that she would never go back to her homeland unless she was really needed to do so. She flew to I city, hide her real identity as an heiress, and worked her ass day and night to sustain her daily needs. Her accounts were loaded though but she didn't touch any dime of it. She wanted to be free from her families' stupid shits! She wanted to prove herself to them that she had grown to be an independent woman who could simply live her life without having much cash to spend.

Perks of a successor were to consume a lot of fortune wherever and whenever it was needed or rather it was just for a heartbeat. Unlimited shopping spree! Partying like an animal at night! Spent and spent then, in the end, she has to oblige. Follow the families' stupid arrangements. No sovereignty for its own self. This was what she hated about being cornered in such kind of situation. She didn't want it! She just craves to live a simple and joyful life without any heavy burdens being put on her shoulders.

A bitter smile formed on her lips as she remembered the words that completely broke her hopes to love someone. Those words really pierced her heart until now. Though she didn't actually expect that person to pay attention to her, nonetheless she felt a sharp pain in her heart. She wasn't that desperate to get his affection, but the elder's insistence made her have the impression of being one. The guy hated her guts because of that arrangement.

'I would never love her! I only love my girlfriend! Sooner, I would divorce her and marry Hannah! She is the one that I love!'

Those furious words hurt her deeply that day when his elders came to their home with him to discuss their sudden nuptials. She accidentally heard him say it to his parents while walking out of her room. She had turned speechless for that. She never know that starting that day, she would hate him so much. It was unintentional, but still, it left a huge scar in her heart - an irreparable one.

Though by now she had Mike as her boyfriend for almost a year, she didn't entirely feel the word 'LOVE' that could sting and make her heart race towards him. She couldn't feel any emotions aside from enjoying his company. She assumed that perhaps, that little thing called LOVE wasn't as majestic as the others actually said. It was just a pure exaggeration! A momentary complicated emotion that makes someone's life shook with a few twists and turns. Yeah right! That's just it! That's the ironic thought that she describes for that Stupid love.

Athena pushed aside her thoughts and went on ahead bathing herself and scrubbing her sweats off from her body. After a few minutes, she dried herself up and went back to Mike while drying the existing water from her long hair. She strides forward and her jaw dropped at the sight of her boyfriend staring at her in a daze. She eyed him suspiciously as she inched closer to him.

"Babe, what's the matter with you?" She asked raising her perfect brows in confusion.

"Baby, your caller..." Mike trailed off his words and gulped hard. His eyes bore bottomless sadness that he had never shown to her ever since they meet each other. But why is that?

"Oh, who called me?" She huffed, staring at him. Her heart thuds loudly beneath her chest feeling uneasy.

"T-Terrence... He said, his name is Terrence Adams..." Mike muttered intently staring at his girlfriend. His quizzical stare made her heart skip a beat.

"Hmph!" Athena gives out a cold snort hiding her anxiety. "Don't mind that person. Just ignore him." She assured and strode towards her small dresser to apply her skincare products.

"But... Baby, he told me that he will be picking you up after 12 hours at the airport." Mike stood up from Athena's bed and sauntered towards her with a few strides. He stopped behind her and snaked his arms on her waist hugging her from behind.

"Why is that?" Athena whispered askance. Her heart began to hammer furiously inside her rib cage. She felt odd to hear that Terrence Adams would call her. He hated her! Why should he waste his time and money calling her? Was there something wrong with her family? It couldn't be...

"Baby... You need to get back home..." Mike mumbled softly gluing his face on her back. His hold on her waist tightened.

"I'm not going somewhere, Babe... I'm staying here with you. I can't be absent in the office, you know that..." She declined without hesitation. She then rubbed her lotion on her arms slowly trying to conceal her racing heart. What was there waiting for her if she would go back? Hatred? Burdens? Humiliation? There's no way she would allow herself to suffer that way! She was used to living a normal life, why bother to go home?

"By the way... Who is this Terrence Adams to you, hmmm?" Mike asked, his voice turned cold at the mention of his girlfriend's caller. He seemed to be jealous at the mention of the man.

"A childhood friend," Athena muttered curtly.

"Then you must really be needed to go home, Baby... He said that the elders are now in critical condition..." Mike muttered patiently urging the woman in his arms.

Athena widely opened her eyes in astonishment. "What did you just say?" She tilted her body facing her boyfriend. Her body jerked out from his arms as she went to the window. She was feeling a sudden anxiousness. Her grandfather... The person who had the softest part of her heart was now fighting for his life.

"The elders are in critical condition. That's what he said before he dropped the call." Mike released out a long and deep sigh. "Thena, you can't just escape and run away from home like this. You have to go back and face them all..." He urged tenderly and lovingly. His heart sank at the sight of his empty arms.

"Fine... I'll go back!" Athena swallowed hard and finally groaned in defeat. She nodded her head showing her agreement with his words. This time she is indeed needed to go home.

"Then pack your things up and I'll go get the car ready. I'll send you to the airport." Mike urged again and took his heels off from her apartment leaving her with a heavy heart.

Right there and then after Mike's exit, her mobile phone rang furiously snapping her back to her senses.

Careless and shaken from the urgent news, she forgot to peer at her screen and just answered it in a hurry.

"Athena, speaking..?" She asked, striding towards her small wardrobe. Her phone glued on her ear held by her shoulder as she began to pack up her things.

"It's me..." It was a man's voice huskily answering her inquiry.

Athena froze, held her phone, and peered on her screen with inexplicable hatred. 'Unregistered!' She cleared her throat and gritted her teeth. "What's up?" She huffed impatiently.

"They're fighting for their lives now and you are needed here... It's time to come back. I'll pick you up at the airport in 12 hours." The man announced coldly.

"I'll be there. No need to pick me up!"

13 hours later...

"Welcome to NY airport..."

A woman's cold and professional voice began to rang on her ears. The crowded exits were flooded with some people of different skin types. Endless hustling and bustling were crowding in her eyes. Her heart began to beat faster and her adrenaline rush kicked in. She felt nervous in coming back to where she actually belong. Why is that? She wasn't afraid, no? She was just overwhelmed by her sudden comeback! She didn't plan any of it! It was too sudden!

Athena found herself at the NY airport heading to a certain way. She stumbled carelessly on her way to the exit while dragging her suitcase. A pair of strong arms hold her slender waist restraining her to fall heavily on the ground.

Those hands were gripping her tightly that she felt a dull pain on her waist. It's like those pair was pinching her hard. She struggled to get up and hold his shirt tightly. She was totally oblivious to whom she was holding at the moment.

"Be careful if you don't want to lay in the hospital bed and accompany our grandparents for a couple of days," A man's deep and cold voice ranged in her ears. He loosened his hold on her waist after making sure that she could fully standstill and shoved his hand back inside his pockets.

"Oh, ah, thank you... Sir." Athena murmured and finally raised her head. Her eyes immediately widened like saucers in astonishment.

'TERRENCE ADAMS!'

Her mind shouted out furiously. She wanted to curse! Out of all the persons in the airport, why did she have to stumble in front of him? It would be nicer if she stumbled on some stranger or a janitor! Why him?

Seeing the man that she had hated the most, her eyes turned immediately cold. She dragged her suitcase again and headed in another direction planning to take a cab. She didn't want to stay and ride in his damned car! She was so infuriated!

"Where the hell are you going?" Terrence asked coldly as he narrowed his eyes on her. He clenched his jaws looking extremely irritated. He was now trailing behind her looking rather impatient.

"Find a cab and go to my home," Athena muttered coldly. She took another step forward and carried her luggage in difficulty. She didn't spare a glance at him as she walked leisurely.

"Athena! Don't be childish! Get in my car!" Terrence gritted his teeth trying to suppress his annoyance. His face flushed in anger.

"I told you! Don't bother to pick me up!" Athena hissed also gritting her teeth in anger.

"Do you think I volunteer to pick you up, huh? This is our father's order!" Terrence announced while sneering at her. His eyes blaze with bottomless fury.

"Oh, you could have sent someone to pick me up! Why bother to come in person?" She grilled pursing her lips. Her voice sounds extremely pissed off.

"Huh!" Terrence sneered. "Who do you think you are? Aren't you dreaming enough? I'm just following my father's arrangement. If only I had another choice, I wouldn't even want to be around you!" He added harshly folding his arms on his chest showing his dominance.

Athena was seething in pure rage. She clenched her fists hard digging her trimmed nails on her palm. Her healing wounds seemed to open again hearing his ridicule and insults. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. 'Come on, Thena... Brace yourself. Don't let this man win against you! You're way better than him!' She thought repeatedly. "Where is your car?" She asked turning herself calmer than ever.

Terrence gazed at her intently. He looked at her suspiciously and pointed at the parking lot. "There in the corner." Was his curt reply.

"Lead the way please..." Athena commanded politely. Her insides were twisting into knots much ready to lash out her anger to him but after thinking for a short while, she realized that this wasn't the right time to fight. She still had a long way to go and torture him in the future.

"Follow me," Terrence commanded coldly. He strode forward in large strides and headed straight to his car without sparing a glance at the woman.

Athena shook her head and rolled her eyes. She turned around and followed him while dragging her suitcase again.

"Athena..? Terrence..?"

A woman's confused voice sounded from behind.

Athena froze on her current spot and so as Terrence. They gazed at each other with a meaningful gaze.

Athena's lips slowly curved into an evil smirk. She tilted her head and her eyes sparkled mischievously. She waved her hand in the woman's direction. "Hannah!" She squealed feigning a surprised expression on her face.

Terrence glared at her ferociously. He was trying to warn her to behave herself but the woman was ignoring him. His eyes darkened at the sight of her waving hand. He clenched his jaws when Athena didn't pay any heed to him completely. He also tilted his head and his expression immediately softened. "Hannah, what are you doing here, love?" He asked and strode towards his girlfriend in brusque steps. He then kissed her on the lips without hesitation under Athena's gaze.

"I'm here to pick up my friend... Why are you guys together?" Hannah asked curiously gazing back and forth at the two. She looked at them suspiciously and pursed her lips. Her eyes darkened when her eyes fell on Athena who was currently smiling at her like a fool. 'How dare you come back? If I could turn Terrence back at you before then I will do it again!' She thought gritting her teeth silently.

"Ah, it's pure a coin-..." Terrence wanted to lie but Athena beat him without further ado.

"He's actually here to pick me up..." Athena give out an evil grin as she cast a glance at the man. She stared at Hannah sinisterly having a sudden thought of her mind. 'If not for this woman's trick way back...' She thought unable to complete her words in her mind. Her eyes flickered with the bottomless coldness that she carefully hide under her smile.

"What do you mean?" Hannah asked feigning a confused look.

"He's was ordered to pick me up," Athena repeated in a casual tone. Her gaze turned frosty. 'Shouldn't she suppose to ask me something about my life after separating from them? What a shameless bitch!' Her mind growled.

"Love..." Terrence tried to interject looking anxious.

"Oh, okay..." Hannah nodded her head in understanding but deep inside she felt rather suspicious. 'Why Terrence? Why not her family?' She wondered. "Are you here for good?" She asked attentively. How she wished that Athena would say no! Her efforts on her boyfriend would go to waste if the woman stays here! She had to do something again like what she did before!

"Yeah... Perhaps... I really don't know..." Athena shrugged her shoulders seemingly uninterested in talking to the woman. She looks bored to death.

"Hannah..? Athena..?" Another voice ranged on their ears. It was a male's voice this time.

Terrence immediately stiffened. His gaze turned frosty as he darted it directly to the person a few steps away from them. 'Bastard! What was he doing here?' He thought inwardly.

Athena grinned playfully and strutted her heels towards the man. "I missed you so much, bud!" She huffed and throw a fierce slap on the man's arm. "Since you're here, can I hitch a ride?" She added jokingly while clicking her tongue.

"Sure!"

"No, you can't!"

Sam was amused at Terrence's protest. He eyed the man from head to toe and sneered. "Aren't you having enough of dominating Athena when we're still children? You had Hannah as your girlfriend, why not dominate her instead?"

He laughed sarcastically and darted his gaze to the woman. "My sweet Athena, come... I'll give you a ride towards your mansion..." He offered with an obvious tenderness in his voice.

Terrence turned speechless while staring at Sam's complacent smile. Though he wanted to retort, he swallowed his words back in his throat and pursed her lips. He darted his gaze to his wife only to find her having so much fun while watching them bantering. He couldn't help clenching his fist. 'How dare this woman feign an innocent look in her face!' He seethed with his nose flaring up.

Hannah seemed to be observing everything around the corner. Her eyes flashed a vicious light when her eyes fell on her boyfriend's face. Her eyes turned red and her face turned pale as well as her composure shattered in an instant. She stood there frozen in shock clenching her fists tightly. Her long nails sharply pierced her palms. 'How dare you, Athena! You still lingered on his mind after what I had done to ruin your friendship!' She hissed silently. She swore that she would do any thing in her power to make her look the villain of her life! She had to do it! She had to succeed in getting the man she was obsessed to have in her life!

Athena grinned playfully and sauntered towards her suitcase. She dragged it towards Sam. "That's why I love to be with you. You are really treating me well unlike the others who were so blind and muddle-headed to some certain things. They looked more pathetic than stupid!" She mumbled with sarcasm. She hold Sam's arm intimately and dragged him slowly away from them. "Let's go... I want to eat our favorite food... On our favorite restaurant..." She added with a sweet smile on her face. She ignored the couple completely and refused to cast a glance at them while turning her back away from them!

"Terrence! Hannah! We'll be leaving ahead of you guys... See you some other time..." Sam ignored Terrence's hostility and grinned playfully. He then waved his hand in the air. "Let me carry your suitcase Athena, I think that's too heavy...." He added tenderly as they nearly arrived at his parked car.

Meanwhile...

Terrence kicked his car's wheel furiously. His mind was full of Athena's and Sam's images while enjoying their food. He was so angry that his father's task assigned to him failed miserably. He felt pathetic and totally he forgot his girlfriend's presence. His mind was clouded with pure anger and jealousy.

"Terrence, what's wrong with you? Why are you so angry?" Hannah summoned her tears to fall in her cheeks and managed to look pitiful under his gaze. This has been her trick whenever the man acted like he didn't know her. This was her effective scheme to held his sympathy! As expected, Terrence was snapped back to his senses and immediately softened his expression.

"Nothing." Was his curt and distant reply. He took a sharp breath and let himself calm down. "Where is your friend? I thought you were picking her up?" He asked instead. He wanted to divert his attention from thinking of that annoying wife of his who chose to ride on somebody else's car. She succeeded to made his blood boil!

"Ah, yes..." Hannah mumbled hesitantly. "Aren't you busy? You may go on ahead, love..." She smiled and kissed him affectionately while actually, she was chasing him away.

She couldn't let him know that she was waiting for actually a man. Her stepbrother seemed to be useful in her future schemes and she thought he could help her win against Athena in the next couple of days. She was dreaming to be Terrence's wife and swim in his fortune wherever she goes. She would deal with Athena when she got married to him! She had been feeling envy towards the woman. For some reason, she was suspicious of Athena's family. She couldn't find anything about her and she was scared that someday, Athena would find a way to spill out the truth to Terrence that she only tricked him and sling mud at her! She couldn't let her do that! She had to find a way to shoo that woman again from Terrence's life! Her face burned feeling a surge of hatred and jealousy empowering her entire body.

"Are you sure?" Terrence asked tenderly. His eyes fell on her reddish cheeks and a playful smile appeared on his lips. "I want you to come to my flat later love..." He whispered huskily in her ears. Excitement filled his voice and his eyes darkened with lust.

"I'll try Terrence... You know I'll need to tour her around, right?" She lied straight away. How could she let him get into her pants when she knows that his trust would be torned down? She was taken already! Her stepbrother had taken her virginity when she was about to reach the age of 18.

"Fine... You must not be ready to do it with me..." He pouted in displeasure darting his gaze away. He was disappointed with her refusal.

"Come on, after marriage... We'll have a lot of time in the future..." Hannah blushed fiercely knowing the man's obvious craving for her body. This what she wants! Make him feel excited and crave for her body more until he couldn't take it anymore and drag her to get themselves tied into knots of marriage!

"Fine then... I'll go on ahead. Dad must be waiting for me at this very moment..." Terrence then bid goodbye to his girlfriend and hopped in his car. Without further ado, he stepped on his accelerator and drove away leaving his girlfriend behind.

Meanwhile on the other side...

"Athena, why are you back this time? Are you nuts?" Sam glanced at his friend with intense displeasure in his eyes.

"Our grandfathers are... You know what I mean, Sam..." Athena sighs softly gazing at the window in a daze.

"You're taking over your family business this time..?" Sam asked. He looked doubtful while gazing at his friend.

"Perhaps... I don't know yet..." She sighs again. She felt exhausted and slumped her back in her seat lazily. "What were you doing at the airport huh?" She asked curiously.

"I just had my girlfriend leave me... She went on a business trip with her boss..." Sam informed with honesty. He sounds aggrieved while speaking to her.

"Oh, how lucky you are to have me as your company... Can I borrow you while she's away?" Athena couldn't help snickering.

"I would love to... You've been gone for too long. We had a lot to catch up on!" Sam mumbled and his sad expressions were immediately replaced by excitement. He was now wearing a grin from ear to ear.

"Drinks on me... But that would be on the next day. I want to dive on a soft and comfortable bed at this moment and swim on my dreams." She announced tiredly.

"Where shall I send you then?" Sam asked right away. He felt sympathy for his friend and he understood how tired she was.

"The nearest hotel, please..." Athena mumbled closing her eyes.

"Why not go home? I'll send you there..." Sam insisted.

"Maybe tomorrow... I don't want to hear them cursing me for not following their stupid arrangements. I just really want a peaceful sleep right now..." Athena gruffly retorted.

"Your husband will! They would surely grill him hard!" Sam chuckled in amusement.

He was the only one who knows that Athena has gotten married to Terrence way back. Athena had trusted him so much that she chose to let him know about her problems. He also knows why he end up leaving her town and chose to stay away from her family. Sam once caught Hannah tricking Athena into doing something. But when he was about to spill the truth, Athena shook her head and told him to keep silent. She didn't want Terrence's pity for her in the end and she wasn't the type to forgive and forget! She is a chosen successor of her family legacy and he was the only one who knows about it aside from Terrence. She remained lowkey in their eyes. Hannah was oblivious to Athena's identity as a daughter of a billionaire. She just thought that Athena was trying to boast about her rich reputation and trying to establish a good connection with her.

"What can I say? He deserves it! He's such a stupid asshole!"

"I think Hannah enticed him with her body. He looked bewitched!"

"Soon, you will see some chaotic news in the billboard. An exciting one..."

"What news? Is it going to be interesting?"

"Terrence Adams, the CEO of the Adams International was... Was cuckold by his girlfriend!"