Trapped

Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen:

“The cake is delicious, Mrs. Quinn.” Warren muttered as he got a good taste of what my mom baked.

My eyes shifted to my mom at his words. She smiled at him, “You can just call me mom.”

Her very words had earned a rough cough from my grandfather. My mom managed to laugh despite his situation then offered a glass of water to him. I hid my laugh knowing that my granddad would shoot daggers at my direction.

After dinner, I had excused myself. Eight hours had already passed and I’m really getting uncomfortable in my dress so I decided to change into a more comfortable dress. As I was staring at my closet, one particular dress had caught my eye. It was maroon with some lace patterns and some flowery designs. I had a sudden feeling that I needed to wear it.

Without further ado, I changed to that dress and it had casually flowed just above my knee. I pondered if this was the first time that I had worn this dress. I don’t recall any events that I had worn the dress. I instantly smiled as I looked at my reflection, I looked happy.

I am happy.

I was beaming ang glowing. I don’t remember the time that I was beyond this happy. My eyes fluttered close as I wished on the heavens that I didn’t want this moment to end.

The moment I was done with retouching my face, I walked downstairs but stilled in my place when all the lights suddenly turned off.

Panic settled inside of me as I seemed to lose the ability to speak. With much courage, I spoke. "Athena, turn on the lights." When nothing happened, I lifted my phone in my hands then turned on the flashlight.

"Mom? Maxy? Granddad?" I called in the darkness, waiting for a reply but not even a breath could be heard instead of my own. "What happened? This isn't funny!" I screamed, not moving even an inch.

"Warren?" The tears were starting to form in my eyes. As I remembered my thought earlier that a thief might have barged in our house and was now holding my family hostage as they plan to rob our mansion.

With trembling hands and wobbly feet, I descend from the stairs slowly. When I reached the living room and could still not see anything despite the light that was coming from my phone, I couldn't find traces of my family. The watch on my wrist began to omit a beeping sound. I looked at it, it had a warning showing that my heartbeat was beating faster than usual. Then a notification appeared on top, asking if I needed to call for help. I was about to press yes when suddenly the lights turned on.

Blinking the darkness away, I saw Warren in the middle of the living room with balloons and petals scattered on the floor. He was now wearing a tuxedo and I don't know if he had brought it with him or my father let him borrow a spare.

From my peripheral vision, I could see my family and they all had a sunflower in their hands as they formed into some kind of line. My heart was still pounding hard inside my chest from what had happened earlier. Knowing Warren this must be his plan and I don't know how he managed to convince my family to do this but I could say that he did a great job.

"I'm sorry for scaring you, Chandria." He muttered as he motioned for me to come closer to him. Before I could manage a step, I looked over to my grandfather. When he gave a nod and smile, I already knew how he thought of Warren.

He wouldn't have agreed to his schemes if he didn't like him. I couldn't picture my granddad holding a sunflower just because a man younger than him told him so. They might have talked earlier when I noticed that both of them disappeared from our sight. And he must've impressed him in order for him to agree to this.

I smiled at my granddad and began to walk over towards Warren. He carefully assisted me in front of him without tumbling over the balloons and petals on the floor. When I was now in front of him, a mellow song blasted from the speakers and for a millisecond I was startled.

Warren laughed at my reaction as he reached for both my hands. "Chandria, meeting your family had been an honor and a privilege." He began as he gently caressed the top of both my hands. "And now that I have all of their approval, Ms. Chandria Quinn, will you be my girlfriend—officially."

Tears fell from my eyes as I gazed at my family, they were all smiling at me. My sister was holding up two thumbs up in the air and my mother was nodding.

"Yes, Mr. Warren Callahan. I would gladly be your girlfriend—officially."