"Thank you Basty for bringing me home!" When we were inside the house already.

"I will get going too!" as he said goodbye.

"Oh! Basty, how are you?" When my Dad came out from their room and saw us together in the living room area.

"Uncle, good evening! I just brought home Maddie. We went home late because something urgent came up at the office. " Basty said as he approached my father.

"Aren't you planning to get married yet? Sebastian and I are getting excited about it. " Dad said formally.

Getting married?

Wow!

Hi! I am Maddison Evangelista. How do I introduce myself? I work at Dazzle Jewelry Connection. A jewelery business owned by Basty's family.

Basty Sandoval, my boyfriend! My boyfriend is just in the world but not in action. Because Dad and Uncle Sebastian

Basty's dad

decided that their children should marry each other when they are at the right age.

It is like an arranged marriage. So they keep on insisting that we must work on that "marriage".

They believe that we are destined to stay together.

Can I call it serendipity?

So since I was in college, Basty has fenced me off. No one else misled me to court me even though many dared to go around and chase me.

I am 29 years old now! My age does not matter when it comes to my looks. I believe that life begins at 30. I am turning 30 soon. Still pretty! Just kidding!

I am a Jewelry Designer in Basty's company. We are together in the same department.

My life is becoming boring as the years pass by.

I can not do what I want! I am always restrained because I am the girlfriend of the CEO s son.

I have to be an ideal woman for everyone. I should not make a single mistake.

This life is ruthless on me!

"Mommy, why is Dad like that? He always insists that Basty and I get married." When Mommy was in my room.

"You are at the right age. Why don't you want to marry him? He is your fiance." she asked.

"I-I do not want to get married. I do not see myself being with him for the rest of my life.

Mom, he is just my boyfriend in words but not in deeds. "I confessed to her.

"I know, I see you are not happy with him. The spark in the eyes is invisible. I cannot see love in it.

Why don't you talk to Basty? Break up with him. So that you can find the person who will make you happy! " Mom's advise while tapping my shoulder.

"I tried so many times! I just cannot get it.

He is not in love with me either but why is he still keeping me?" I was frustrated.

It is confusing. His reasons might be valid but how will I know if he is keeping it confidential with me.

He is treating me too formally. We are not even intimate as friends.

Yes, he is holding my hand.

Kissing me on the cheek.

Especially when other people are looking at us.

As far as I am concerned, I have not enjoyed my life yet. I did not enjoy our dates.

I do not laugh out loud when he is with me. I cannot show who I am because I have to be a modest girlfriend.

He does not take care of me as a special woman but just as his decoration and display.

I do not feel alive when I am with him.

I feel so lifeless.

Joaquin Evangelista is my father. He is a retired Engineer. My mom is Maricar. She is a retired Nurse. I have an older brother, Jesiah. 35 years old and married to Hera.

They already have a 5-year-old daughter, Shemyca.

"Maddie, will you come with me later? "Quinn asked.

Quinn is my best friend! We have been together since grade school. We are also neighbors.

"Where are you going?" I also asked her.

We currently meet at a mall to eat before going home. It is better to date her than a date with Basty.

"I will just do some catching up. I am with Rhian and Chay." she was referring to our classmates in college.

"They told me to take you with me," Quinn added.

"I just want to stay home. I am feeling lazy." My answer is simple.

"You know, you should live life! You are always like that! Do not let your world spin with Basty alone. Maddie, make yourself happy.

You should explore more.

You should get out of your comfort zone.

Get out of your cell while you have time left." she advised me.

"Quinn, I want to get rid of him!" I am still depressed.

"Then, do it! Even if you are versed with his presence, you are not obliged to be with him!

You can still do more without him in your life.

Learn to love yourself.

Find what makes you happy.

You resign from your job. You are great! Not just great. You are awesome and for sure you can easily find another job.

And come with me so you can meet the girls too. " she even shooked my arm.

"All right! I am coming with you.

I envy you, Quinn. You are free as a bird." I sighed.

"That sounds great!!! And please, Maddie, get ready!

You are very haggard. If only I am blessed with that pretty face, I will be proud to show it to other people. " She is trying to make me laugh.

Quinn was right. I forgot to fix myself. I just immersed myself in the work. And in obedience to Dad s wishes.

He wanted me to settle with Basty. He wanted me to work at Dazzle Jewelry Connections.

It seemed like he is holding my future.

I am such an affable daughter! Dad said he is doing this for my future but had he ever asked me if I am happy with it?

I faced my mirror and groomed myself.

I wore skinny jeans and a fitted yellow shirt. I have always been in a Dazzle Jewelry uniform. Then went straight home.

People?always?see?me?in?office?uniform. I am forbidden from a social life! Because I have to be an epitome partner for the future Chief Executive Officer and heir of Dazzle Jewelry Connections.

I should not have a bad record as a woman. I need to be respectable! I must deserve to be called "Madam" when the time comes.

So sick of that!

I looked at myself in the mirror. Now I realized that even as I get older my body is still in good shape. I am not thin and especially not fat.

I have a small waist and firm hips. I should be priggish of my physical attributes.

My satiny long hair outstretched on my shoulders that have been in a ponytail almost every day.

Two luminescent almond-shaped eyes under brown-dash eyebrows.

Nipping my hearty-soft lip under a crimson shade lipstick.

Praise yourself! No one would do that better than you!

Who else?

I somehow fail to remember how to become fleshly beautiful.

All I did was to be a paragon.

Quinn is unerring!

I need time for myself.

I need a life.

I need a soul!

We went to a bar with a chair that was torn leather seat. The music is a little bit blaring.

I did not inform Basty regarding this!

I am so pleased like a dog with two tails.

They ought not to dictate what I must do with my life!

This is life! My rules!

"It is fun!" Chay's remark.

"Fun, once in a while let us do this so we can bond!" Rhian drank more alcohol.

"Are you favoring it, Maddie?

Being free is your choice. " Quinn declared with a toast.

"It is a blast!!! I felt like finally came out in the cage!" I said out loud.

A man approached me and asked for my name.

I need to get out of the box. I need to be joyful.

I need to make mistakes!

I need to unfollow the rules.

I need to break down and cry!

I need to stand up!

I need to be ME!

This is where the new chapter of my life begins. A life that others expect to be perfect and enviable.

If they only knew that I want to puke this life. I am drowning. It is tiring.

I want to try to disobey their wishes.

I want to try to be resentful.

I want to learn to fight for the life that I deserve.

I wanted to experience nervousness!

That extreme agitation!

I want to do things covertly but satisfying.

It is not a rebellion but instead an exploration!

Just self-realizations maybe. And of course, finding my self-worth!

Hunting the supposed-to-be Maddison Evangelista !!!

Glow up, Girl !!!