Beyond that Darkness (Broken One Series #1)

Chapter 1

Pagkatapos kong umiyak sa kotse ay nagpasya na rin akong umuwi sa amin. Wala pa rin namang kwenta kahit umiyak pa ako ng isang baldeng luha dahil hindi pa rin naman ako makakawala kay Aaron. My parents adore him so much because of his family background. Malaki ang utang ng pamilya namin kina Aaron dahil pina-utang nila kami noong nangompanya si papa bilang Mayor ng lungsod ng Davao. Tinanaw din ng parents ko na utang na loob sa mga Sanchez ang pagkapanalo ni papa dahil iniisip nila na malaking tulong ang pag promote ni Atty. Sanchez, na papa ni Aaron. After all, they are one of the richest family in this place. Mayaman din naman kami pero hindi kasing yaman nila. They are also known for their political dynasty kaya nga noong sinuportahan si papa ni Atty. Sanchez, mas nakilala ang pangalan niya ng masa. Naging kami lang naman ni Aaron dahil matalik na magkaibigan si Dad at Atty. Sanchez. They think we'll make a good pair kaya ni reto nila kami sa isa't-isa. High school palang kami ay kilala ko na si Aaron. I know that he is that typically bad boy and campus heart throb. Bago kami sapilitang ni reto sa isat-isa, alam ko na ginagamit niya ang kanyang magandang mukha para makuha ang kahit sinong babaeng magustuhan niya at para matulungan siya sa kanyang mga takdang aralin. I never liked him because of that. Cause I like people who work hard to achieve their dreams and not those who uses other people for their own benefit. In short, type ko talaga ang mga matatalino at hardworking. Kaya nga, ang mga nakarelasyon ko noon ay puro matatalino. But none of it last because they became too possessive. I like partying with friends, and I have plenty of guy friends, and at least once a week I unwind to bars and clubs. But they overthink too much and think that I am flirting with guys every time I go out kaya, they ended up belittling me by calling me names like "whore", "slut", and "flirt." Kaya hindi rin talaga nagtatagal ang mga relasyon ko noong high school hanggang first year college. But with Aaron, it's different. My dad pushed me into this. I remembered how I protest when they told me na irereto nila ako kay Aaron. I was about to sleep that night when our maid told me to go to the library because dad has something important to tell me.

"Dad, I'm here. Can I come in?" Kumatok muna ako at humingi ng permiso bago pumasok.

"Charlotte, come in." I heard my mom talking.

After hearing that I immediately went in and talked.

"Dad, mom, may sasabihin daw po kayo? Ano po ba iyon?" I asked.

"Charlotte, you don't have a boyfriend, right? I didn't allow you." Dad said.

"Wala po dad." I answered honestly kasi wala naman talaga akong boyfriend sa ngayon. Ang dami kasing requirements ng program ko kaya wala akong oras maglandi.

"Good. Do you remember that Atty. Alvarez helped me with my campaign for Mayor?" dad said.

"Yes po. Bakit po?" I replied.

"Atty. Alvarez and I decided to fix you and his son's marriage." Dad calmly said.

"Po? Ano po iyon." Tanong ko kasi baka namali lang ako nang rinig.

"Your dad and Atty. Alvarez decided to fix yours and Aaron's marriage, anak." Mom said with tense.

"But Dad! Mom! I don't like him." I said hysterically.

"Then, turuan mo ang sarili mong magustuhan siya Charlotte."