Chapter 1 Nightmare

"What is the meaning of this, Mia?!" My father's voice thundered as he burst into the room, interrupting our laughter with Yunnie. His eyes conveyed his intense anger and disapproval towards us. I was startled when I saw my mother, grandfather, and older sister enter the room, all of them wearing serious expressions on their faces.

Feeling fear and anxiety wash over me, I tightly held Yunnie's hand. I didn't know what to say or explain to them. It's so difficult to love someone in a world that's so complicated and unforgiving.

"Mia, my daughter," my mother spoke up, her voice trembling with fear and uncertainty. I held onto Yunnie's hand even tighter, refusing to let go.

They had caught us, and I didn't know what to do or say to make things right. My father's voice boomed once again, "Can't you follow our rules?!" I flinched at the sound of his voice, my fear of him intensifying.

"M-Mia," Yunnie called out to me, her voice filled with fear and concern. I didn't know how to protect her when I was so scared.

In a moment of rage, my father grabbed my hair, causing me to cry out in pain. Despite the pain, I still held onto Yunnie's hand, and she trembled with fear at the sight of my father's violence.

"O-oscar," my mother attempted to restrain him, grasping his arm tightly. Tears welled up in her eyes, as she made a valiant effort to dissuade him, despite her awareness that her actions were futile.

"Leave us be, Miranda," my father cautioned her.

My grandfather ordered my sister, “Michandria, get her out of here,” referring to Yunnie.

“Uncle, d-don't hurt Mia,” Yunnie pleaded in fear. We were both scared, but we will fight for this.

"Don't interfere with our family business!" My father was raging mad and he shouted at Yunnie. I need to be strong, we need to be strong. I will fight for her, I will fight for what's ours, for everyone, until they accept us.

"I've been holding back for a long time," my father looked at me, his voice full of disgust. He has been repulsed and hateful towards me ever since he found out that I am his bisexual daughter. But I won't let his hatred define me or invalidate my identity. I will stand up for myself and for what I believe in, no matter how hard it may be."

"I thought you would change and obey us, huh?!" He pushed me and I could see the anger in his eyes. But I won't let his physical aggression intimidate me. I will continue to stay true to myself and fight for my right to be accepted and loved for who I am.

"She's your d-daughter, don't treat her like that!" Yunnie said to my father, but he slapped her hard. My mom gasped and I was left in shock. It's one thing for him to hurt me, but it's completely unacceptable for him to hurt someone else. I clenched my fists in anger, determined to stand up for myself and for those who cannot defend themselves against his abuse.

I want to cry. Here we go again, feeling like I have no one on my side and that everyone dislikes me. I want to scream and make them understand that this is who I really am. This is the true me. I am happy here. But instead of giving up, I will continue to be true to myself and show everyone that there is nothing wrong with being different. I will find my own happiness and those who truly accept and love me for who I am.

"O-Oscar," my mother said, fear evident in her voice.

"Dad! You don't have the right to do that to Yunnie!" I shouted, standing up for my sister and expressing my anger towards our father's unacceptable behaviour. It's important to speak up and defend those who are being mistreated, even if it means going against those who are supposed to protect us. We must always stand up for what is right and just, no matter the consequences.

"Do your parents know about this, huh?!" he shouted at Yunie, his fist still tightly balled up.

"I can sue you," he added, his voice filled with hatred and disgust. It's disheartening to witness someone use their power to intimidate and scare others. But we must not let them get away with it. We must speak up and seek justice, even if it means facing those who are supposed to be in a position of authority.

My heart goes out to your sister. It's tough when you feel like you're powerless and unable to pursue your dreams. It's even harder when those around you try to control you and force you down a certain path.

"Dad," I called out, my voice shaking with emotion.

"I'm getting older. Why can't you see that we all have our own dreams and aspirations? We deserve the freedom to pursue them, even if they don't fit into your idea of success." It's important to remind those who try to control us that we all have the right to follow our hearts, chase our dreams, and live fulfilling lives.

"Don't worry, Yunnie," I whispered to her as they dragged her away.

"We'll find a way to make things right. We won't let anyone silence us or keep us from pursuing our dreams." It may be a long and difficult road, but with determination and support from those around us, we can overcome any obstacle.

"You don't have any shame." My father's said, "You step into my house without my permission!" my father said to Yunnie, while my sister and mother pushed him out of the house.

"And you, my daughter," he faced me and said to the daughter with sarcasm. His attention is on mine again. He looked at me as if I had committed an unforgivable sin.

He stepped close to me and I didn't expect the next thing he did to me.

"I don't have a daughter like you! You're disgusting to our family!" he slaps me. I can't stop myself from crying. I can't count how many times he has told me that I am a disgrace to our family.

“Why can't you accept me!? This is who I am!” I scolded him. "this is the real m-me" I had been fighting, to be accepted for who I am. He slaps me again and he looks at me as if I'm delirious.

“Accept?” he asked in disbelief "I don't have a child like you! And what will other people in our family say, huh?! People like you are not acceptable" All I want is for them to accept and love me.

I cried. It was debilitating, I felt like I lost my strength because of what he said, every word he uttered was filled with disgust. It's hard, it's hard to be different in this world. It's hard to be real.

"When are you going to come to your senses and follow me huh?!" he grabs my hair.

"When will you accept me?" I forced myself to look into his eyes and all I saw there was hatred.

He tightened his grip on my hair as if he didn't like my answer to his question.

I groaned when he suddenly pulled me and walked me to the stock room.

"You'll stay here!" and he pushes me into the dark and dirty stockroom. As soon as he pushes me, he locks the door.

"Dad!!" I knocked on the door and tried to open it but it was actually locked. "I don't want to be here!" I cried hard and begged him to get me out of here.

"Tomorrow, my Attorney is coming, you will sign a paper. You're going to marry the youngest son of Mendoza!" he said firmly and I just heard his footsteps leaving.

"Mom, get me out of here!" I shouted "I'm scared! get me out of here!” I just screamed but they ignored me. "Dad, please" I begged even though I knew he had already left.

“DAD! Please!”

"Hey, hey, baby," Ethan wakes up Mia, who's having a nightmare. She's bluffing about something he can't understand. It seems she's begging.

Ethan shakes his shoulder trying to wake her up. They're going to the mansion, he's about to wake her up but he catches her crying and shaking with fear while sleeping, she's holding tightly to the comforter as if she's scared.

"D-d-dad. I do-don’t w-w-want-t.” He couldn't understand what she was whispering.

"Mia..." Ethan uses his strength to wake her up, and he succeeds. Mia caught her breath.

"You're dreaming" he caresses his back to calm her, and his eyes are worried. Mia looked so scared, and she hugged Ethan out of a sudden.

"It's okay, I'm here," calming it down "Don't cry," his voice is so soft. "don't cry, hmm. I'm here; no one will hurt you," he assured her. She hugs him tighter. His voice is so calm and soft. She likes hearing it, like a melody in her ears, and his hug is warm and welcoming; it feels like a home.

"C-Chan," She faced him and saw how worried he was; Chan was soft on her. "I'm scared" Another set of tears rolled down her rosy cheeks, and Ethan softly removed them using his thumbs.

"As long as I am at your sides, no one can hurt you," he assures.

Mia's life has been messed up, and her family didn't treat her right; they even forced her into a marriage with them, and thank God this man is soft and kind to her.

She is not ready for him to know what she really is, she is afraid that he will hate her just like her family, and worst, what if he finds out that she's cheating behind his back? SHe has a relationship, she has a relationship with a woman, and she and Yunnie never broke up. Even now she is guilty.

~

I'm looking at Ethan packing our things.

"Seriously Ethan, where are we really going?" I asked him. I know we are leaving today, he told me yesterday but he didn't say where. "aren't you busy? This is unplanned'' I asked again. His friends are too busy with their work and look at him we will go somewhere. I know it's Sunday but he goes to work even during the week.

They rarely rest, and I do believe now that billionaires don't sleep.

He locks the zipper of our luggage.

“Tsk!” he answered and carried our things. I followed him downstairs.

I smiled crazy, he told me to pack my things but look, he's the one who did it. Well, it's his fault he doesn't have patience; he knows how slow I am. I haven't packed my things even though he told me to do it right away, but he gets irritated seeing me lying on the bed and voluntarily doing it.

"Let's go." He wore his sunglasses and it added to his appeal. No matter what he wears, it always looks good on him. His appeal was too strong. Also, because his nose is sharp and his eyes are beautiful when I look at them, they seem to be shining, glimmering, and splending.

It's just that, it's as if it's finished shining, her thick eyebrows and long eyelashes that suit him very well.

I held my nose disappointed. Yes, my nose is disappointed because it doesn't penetrate. I looked again at his pointed nose. I envy you. I hope everyone has a pointed nose.

He tried to hold my hands, but I hid them behind my back and smiled foolishly. He always holds my hands if ever he has the chance.

"Where are we going?" I followed him, and he opened the car door for me.

"Secret." he winked. I got inside, and he turned to the other side, "you love surprises, huh" I said when he got inside and started the engine.

He's busy with his work, and if he gets free time, he's treating me to a vacation. I love all the places he brought me to, and it's my first time going to those places. Like, Palawan, Singapore, Sicily, and many others. He never fails to surprise me.

"I miss you," he said while looking into my eyes; his eyes were full of mixed emotions and I rolled my eyes at him. I crossed my arms under my chest.

"Are you crazy?" I asked. we're now on the road.

He fixes his sunglasses.

"You're near yet too far," he said coldly. His attention was only on the road.

I ignored what he said.

"Where are we going?' I asked for the ninth time, and finally, he answered me.

"We're going to the mansion. It's Raffy's birthday," he said plainly.

I focus my attention on the road. The whole trip, silence eats us; no one dares to talk.

When we got to the mansion, his sister greeted us with her wide smile, and her son was beside her. She kissed my cheeks, and I greeted Raffy's happy birthday. Happy birthday yet.

"What happened to him?" Sister Ann asked curiously when Ethan passed her. Sister Ann is their step-sister.

"Does he sleep on the wrong sides of the bed?" She whispered to me with a silly smile on her lips.

I just laughed at her question.

"Why haven't I gotten used to my brother beating the girl for being moody," she giggles.

Ethan's mood is different, his mood shifts quickly and then it's hard to read what he's thinking. Like before, he was joking with me, but now he can't be serious anymore.

I followed him into our room and saw him seriously fixing our things. I was about to approach him when Brother Mark called us for lunch.

I sighed.

We got to the dining table, and everyone was present and seated in their prospective seats; they were only waiting for us. We sat in the seat reserved for me and we sang a birthday song for Raffy and he cried. I adore this little man. He appreciates everyone.

"Ethan..." his grandfather called in his serious voice but didn't dare to pay attention. I nudged him, but he just glared at me. He's cute. I want to laugh at him. I find him cute.

"How are you?" asked the old man while looking seriously at the man next to me who was busy eating.

"I'm fine." his brother Julius answered.

Brother Mark laughed.

"Yeah, yeah," he said while smirking.

"Me, I'm okay too," Uncle William said.

"Me too," Mark.

"You're not the one asking why, you're the one answering?" Sister, Ann, asked. She was putting food on Raffy's plate. I hope all will be taken care of.

I looked again at the person next to me who was eating well and seemed to have his own world.

"You won't be able to answer that, Grandpa" Uncle William said while frowning when looking at Ethan.

"Ethan..." the old man called him again sternly. I elbowed him and he glared at me. I sniffed at the old man and he just looked at it like it was nothing and went back to eating.

Mark laughs again. I hope everyone is happy.

"How is it going with you being a surgeon, Uncle" his sister, Ann, turned to him.

"I heard, you had three successful operations," The old man turned to him. that's Uncle William, the surgeon in the family.

It's out of place. Welcome to the family of the world of Doctors.

"Wow! You're really cool, Uncle." Mark.

Out of place, I'm not a Doctor, I'm just a freelance photographer.

"Why don't you just go to the surgeon, Ethan?" the old man asked him again.

"I told you before, you should be a surgeon instead of a Pathologist"

I drank water.

"I like to be a Pathologist, why do you care?" This is really cool, Ethan.

He went back to his food.

Mark laughed out loud.

"Boom! You're so hot, Lo. Oh, what, bet." Brother Mark's laugh is contagious, I laugh too even though I'm shy, because the atmosphere is serious. Just hold back the laughter.

"Don't you have any money, Mark? You're always betting." Sister Ann said laughing.

"No sister, why? Will you give it to me?" he smiled mischievously.

"Do you want water?" I whispered to, Ethan. He nodded at me, so I filled his glass with water.

"Do you want it? I've already lost our bet, even though you're going to be mean to me." Ann.

Brother Julius answered the topic "Pathologist is actually good." he fixed his glasses "Specially, Pathologist is a popular specialty and, their knowledge is essentials for all Doctors." That's brother Julius, the dentist in the family.

Kuya Mark applauded. "Wow! It's a lot of knowledge, ah! I hope everyone has the brain" because they are serious and, it's a good thing Brother Mark is here to lighten the atmosphere.

"Don't be so mean." Sister Ann disobeyed Mark.

"Do you want fried chicken?" I heard Ann ask his son.

"Are you okay?" Ethan asked me. I just nodded to him in response.

"Here try this" he gave me a dish on my plate. A dish with an orange colour, it's like a beef marinade but, as rich as it is, it's not just a simple marinade.

"Where's Nathan?" Brother Julius asked seriously.

"Yes, where is he?" sister Ann also asked.

"He said he didn't want to go because he was going to force him to use his profession," Brother Mark answered. I don't know what his speciality is, Nathan. He didn't use what he finished. If I'm not mistaken, he is in the business world.

"Jokie," Mark laughed.

"Nathan said he will come later, I think he has a meeting or is taking care of something. Something like that."

I turned to Ethan and asked what was the name when he gave me a taste, it was delicious, eh?

"Ossubuco," he answered seriously. What is that? food has the same name.

"Huh? Osso Buko?" I don't understand what he said. He chuckled.

"Ossu-buco" Ah, Ossubuco.

"What's that spelling?" I whispered to him and he laughed even more so they all looked at me. I was alone.

Suddenly, his face became serious again when they all looked at me.

"Just eat and stop asking," he ordered me so I became hungry. Just asking, eh? This boy is naughty.