"5, I met you. Understood that I was born to marry you. You were silent, you were shy. But I managed to make you be my friend.

At age 13, I fell in love with you. I loved your cheeky smile.  I loved the way I am the only person you rely on.

At age 17, I became yours and promised myself to you. I pledged to wait for you no matter how long. You were sweet, caring, and treated me like I'm the only woman in your world.

At age 18, you left. Moving to another country to meet the future that you are born to. I waited but you hardly called.

At age 25, you came back for me, but you're not the man I knew.
From the day I was born, I was meant to be his. It was okay. Everything was great. I loved him as we played on the playgrounds, as we watched grow up- and he loved me. Suddenly, he left with his father to go to Italy leaving me behind for seven years, he came back but he wasn't the same.
From the day I was born, I was meant to be his. I was happy to be his. But he was no longer the man who I was betrothed to"

His betrothed

　　I look around me, squinting my eyes as I feel my hand pounding. I try to move my arm but realized I am tied down to a chair. I struggled and tried to pull myself free but the ropes are too tight. I panted for air, finding it hard to obtain the least amount of oxygen, having flashbacks of that night from Franco’s debacle of taking down Matteo. I try my best to focus on my breathing to avoid myself get swallowed by my panic attack. I deeply breathe in and out, holding my breath for a second or two. I repeated it until I believe I am okay. Keith taught me how to be prepared for this. For some reason, he just knew, and I am thankful for it. Knowing what happened with Franco might occur again, he prepares me for it, teaching me basic self-defense and other things to protect myself.


Chapter 45