Trapped

Chapter 33: BEFORE

Chapter Thirty Three:

The chaos that Chandria expected.

—

NERVOUS WAS AN understatement.

I was beyond terrified of what will unravel the moment that the event takes place. Everything was already set up and we have at least thirty more minutes before the actual party starts. Tons of decoration were beautifully scattered all over the mansion. It was a mixture of mostly red and green colors. Bright lights that seemed like a vine hanging at every corner of the ceiling. And the highlight? There’s a big tree at the center of the living room with a bunch of gifts neatly placed at the bottom.

Oddly enough, it wasn’t even as horrifying as it sounds. I mean, what’s horrifying about Christmas Eve? Well, it wasn’t the occasion itself that haunts me, it’s the mixture of people that were going to celebrate it with.

For the past years, we celebrated Christmas Eve with our extended family at the Luciano Mansion. It had been like that for ages and no one really complained about the set up. Mostly because it was fun, and the idea of celebrating a special occasion with our family is something that has always uplifted our spirit.

Although, I’m beginning to question if that’s really the truth.

“Loosen up a little bit, Chandy.” Maxwell’s voice ripped me out of my reverie. Averting my eyes to her direction I saw that she was already pampered up. “I can hear you sighing every minute. You’re beginning to worry me.”

“I have a feeling that something’s going to go wrong later.” I responded, clasping my sweaty palms together.

A small smile formed on her lips despite my words. “You worry too much, Chandy.” She sat beside me on the sofa then held my shaking hands on her grasp. “Everything’s going to be fine.”

It was easy for her to say that.

“What if they end up not liking each other?” I inquired, tightening the hold on her hands. “I want this to be perfect.”

“Hey, that’s my line!” Maxwell teased. Being a perfectionist herself, I could definitely agree. But I didn’t have the time to argue with her. She noticed my seriousness, so she released a deep breath. “You just have to enjoy it. Whether they end up loving or hating each other, that doesn’t matter. They aren’t the ones in the relationship. It’s you and Warren. You have to remember that.”

“But what if they’re opposed to the idea of us dating after what’s about to happen later.” I voiced out. Finally letting my thoughts out in the open.

Warren and I have been dating for almost a year—literally 3 days before the big day. He and his family were invited to the celebration later and I’m so nervous that it might end up a hot mess later on. Not because Warren's family would cause a scene, but maybe my family would—most especially my dad. And I didn’t want to give that kind of impression to the Callahan’s. I know that his family adores me and has been very vocal about it whenever I’m invited over on several occasions. I was terrified that my father would be tactless about the things that he didn’t like as soon as he met them.

“Nothing’s going to happen, Chandy. Atleast, nothing wrong though,” she reassured me, then pulled me into a hug. “Just calm down. Everything’s fine.”