Leave Me If You Dare

Ms. Arabella Jones

After the incident last night, Arabella spent her day sleeping on her bed. She didn’t mind the time. Her body was still in a deep shock. ‘That man is really a scumbag!’ she tightened her hug on her pillow while thinking of the arrogant man last night.

She tried to remember his face, but it’s like a puzzle with a missing piece. ‘Who is he?’ She was curious and at the same time anxious, but she couldn’t figure it out. She didn’t even remember how she got out of that place.

Jason Hansen, her ex-boyfriend contacted her last night to have a good closure. He dumped her like trash when his family knew the mess she went through. His ex-boyfriend is the CEO of Hansen Group next to SKY Corporation. He is famous in Capital Z with his stunning good look and powerful aura that one can be easily intimidated by.

Jason was her boyfriend for almost 5 years. They had been classmates abroad. Their families were close ever since and he was her childhood sweetheart. Too bad, she needed to live with her Aunt abroad. For half of her life, she was living abroad. She never thought that they will meet again. There, Jason seriously courted her and they became a university couple.

 Jason was her first love and her first kiss. Many times, Jason asked for her virginity, but she refused. She will only give it to him as a gift on the night of their wedding.

Jason clearly understands and respects her reason, after all, it is all for him so they ended up cuddling each other on the sofa whenever they hang out.

After their graduation, Hansen went back home to manage their company while she stayed abroad pursuing her career. Hansen never failed to visit her on every special occasion like their anniversary, Valentine’s Day even Christmas and New Year’s Holidays. 

She once thought Jason was a perfect husband for her.

 She once thought that she had a perfect life.

She once thought that she was the perfect daughter in the family.

Until she decided to come back home to surprise her parents, but to her dismay, her mom broke the news to her.

“Your father has a mistress!” her mother cried out loud while trembling with tears in her eyes.

“Your dad already confessed to me about his affair with that woman a long time ago.” She added in a sad voice while tears keep flowing from her eyes.

Arabella knew her mother very well. Her mother is the most ‘martyr’ of all living things here on earth.

“What? Why I didn’t know about this? Am I a little too late?” Arabella was shocked.

She was very disappointed with her father. She used to be her Hero.

When she was young, they used to be her inspiration. She witnessed their sweetness in front of her and to all the people surrounding them. Her mom is very caring and loving and her dad is also sincerely sweet to her mom. One can say they are the definition of a ‘perfect in–loved couple’.

She even dreamt to be just like them when she will have her own family in the future.

She even dreamt of a husband just like his father.

She idolized her family so much. ‘But what happened now?’ Arabella was lost in her thought.

This news for her was extremely horrifying. ‘What happened to their love for each other?’ She couldn’t move, she couldn’t stand the fact that her perfect family was completely ruined.

“Where is Dad now? I want to talk to him!” She was so angry. She wanted to meet her dad and throw the blame to his face.

She had so many questions in her mind that only her father could answer. She needed to get the right answer or else she would explode.

At an early age, she was trying too hard to be the perfect daughter for them. She let them decide for her life without any complaints just to make them happy. She was an obedient daughter. Whatever they want, she just gave it to them. She always challenged herself to be the best of everything so they will not get disappointed. And at present, she got used to being the best of everything she does and ended up being a perfectionist.

All her friends, colleagues, and other people around envy her so much. She has the perfect family, a perfect boyfriend, and a perfect career and beauty. What more could she ask for? One can say she got all the luck in the world.

If only they know that her life is in a big mess right now. ‘Ha! Ha! Ha!’ She feels like laughing in disgrace and she felt like wanting to punch someone to release her anger.

“He is not here. He flew to N City with her mistress for a business trip.” With annoyance, Jaime cut her thoughts.

“What? Are you okay with that mom? This set-up is so bizarre!” Feeling perturbed, she retorted angrily.

“Listen up, I love your dad so much. I accepted already the fact that he has a mistress and I agreed not to interfere with his relationship with that woman as long as he lives here with me.” Jaime explained with sincerity in her eyes.

“What?” That’s the only word she can say. She was dumbfounded upon hearing these words from her mother.

“I’d rather die without your father. We can still be happy, right? Come on Arabella! You just need to accept it.” Facing her with sincerity, convincing her to accept the situation easily.

“Unbelievable! Well, sorry I am not like you, mom. If Dad will stay in this house with all his dirty affairs consider me gone here” Arabella couldn’t contain it anymore. She stood up and swiftly ran directly to her room slamming the door. She was heartbroken. How come her ideal family became a mess like this?

She was so angry with her mom and dad for not considering her feelings towards their actions. ‘Am I a f*****g stranger in this house?’ ‘They don’t care about me!’

 She must not live in this house or else she will be tortured by her mom’s misery and her dad’s shameless face every day. ‘The heck!’ She packed her stuff in her luggage and called Jason to pick her up, but the call cannot get through so she dialed her best- friend, Farrah Fin, and asked her for help.

“Farrah, please pick me up tonight, I’m here now at my parent’s villa. I need to get out of here soon. Can you come?” Arabella asked her straight away. She doesn’t want to give her a chance to say ‘no’. Her voice was shaking resulted in crying.

“Hey. What’s up? Are you crying? Are you okay? “Farrah is her only best friend. They know each other since they were in high school. Farrah Fin is an IT genius and specialized in hacking. She won many awards in the Cyber Security competition. Her family owns the biggest Cyber Security company in Capital Z.

“Yeah, I’m alright. Please Hurry up! I will tell you everything.” Arabella wiped her tears from her swollen eyes.

“I’m on my way. Cool down. Inhale. Exhale. Repeat it! Okay? I’ll be there.” Trying to calm her down Farrah got up from her seat and walked out of her office.

“I’ll be okay. Drive safely!” She feels her lungs lacking oxygen as she was already prepared to leave.

Farrah Fin arrived and brought her to her family’s villa. She is the only daughter of the Fin family so she chose to live with her parents rather than having her own place. By this, she can look after them.

The two stayed together in Farrah’s room. Arabella didn’t want to be alone in the guest room. She wanted to cuddle someone. She wanted to feel the warmth of a human to ease her sadness. Too bad, her boyfriend was not her.

She tried calling Jason again while hugging Farrah in the bed. This time the line was picked up by the other side.

“Hello, Babe! I’m sorry I was stuck in my meetings today. I’m about to call you to return your call. Just got out of work now. I’m heading to my parents’ house for dinner tonight. How are you?” Jason excitedly reported to her without any sign of stopping.

“I’m okay.” But she sounded like she was in a deep s**t that one can easily identify what she’s been going through.

“What happened? Are you okay Babe? Speak up.” With great sincerity, Jason asked.

After a moment of contemplating, Arabella shared the news with her boyfriend. Of course, he is her boyfriend. He needs to know everything around her. Whether it’s good or bad. That's what makes a perfect couple right? Honesty and Trust.

“Okay. Calm down, Babe. I will pick you up tomorrow. I will be there in the morning.” Jason promised her to live with him in his own place.

“Since you don’t want to go home. Maybe this is the right time that will arrange our engagement. How’s that Babe? You start a family with me. Is it that we both wanted?” Jason took the opportunity to propose after all they have been together for so many years. Sure enough, his parents will stop urging him to get married. For once, this might be the right time to put a period on it.

Upon hearing Jason’s words, she was flabbergasted. Her heart was jumping for joy. She never expected that Jason will propose to her right at this very moment. He was a savior. He was the best boyfriend ever.

Now that she wants to escape from her own parents, might as well make a family of their own with Jason.

“Yes! I love you, Babe!” Her only reply to him from the bottom of her heart while crying for joy.

“Then see you tomorrow then. I will announce our plan to my parents tonight. I miss you, Babe! Please do not worry, I will take care of you. I cannot wait to see you. I love you, Babe. Now, please rest your mind and have a good sleep. Good night Babe!” Jason uttered with sweet sincerity.

Jason never failed her before, and until now she doesn’t have any regrets about choosing him. He will be a perfect husband for her.

I will show everyone that even my family was a mess, I still have my perfect man and that is Jason. Her heart belongs to Jason and no one else.

After the call, she started imagining her new life with Jason. She excitedly started from ‘how many kids, will they have? ’What they will look like?’ Sure enough, they will be very handsome and pretty as they are. ‘Wait, what’s going to be the decoration of our house?’ Even the smallest details she thought with a smile.

She even pictured herself, Jason with their three kids happily smiling with each other like a ‘perfect family’.

All her problems, annoyance, and grievances just now instantly vanished into thin air because of Jason. It’s like a tornado had passed and cleared everything on its way.

That day, she slept with a smile and woke up with a smile. He expected Jason that day so she quickly ran for a shower and excitedly tidied up herself. Farrah was still sleeping so she just moved smoothly afraid to disturb the latter.

When her phone chimed. She is expecting the text to be from Jason. ‘Maybe he is already outside.’ She thought with a smile.

She quickly grabbed a sticky note and a pen to make a note for Farrah. ‘I’m going now with Jason! Please give me a call when you read this. Let’s go shopping for my wedding gown. Bye and Thank you! Arabella’

After writing her thank you message, she read the text, holding her luggage, ready to go out of the room, suddenly, she stopped.

‘