Trapped

Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen:

This must be how love feels like, part three.

»»—♡—««

you’re all i need 

when the sun fades away 

and the nights gone cold 

the warmth of your skin 

makes me feel

a little more whole.

― e.g

»»—♡—««

I had never searched for love.

For I had believed that the familial love that I receive from my family is enough to make me feel loved and cared for. It did not even occur to me that I am capable of love with the opposite gender. Not because I am not attracted to them, but due to the fact that it just never crossed my mind. Yes, I do find men attractive and that will just result in adoration. Nothing more.

I had only considered love when I deemed that person worthy of my attention and my love. I did have past lovers before. Although at first, I deemed them worthy, as days progressed into months; we had eventually realized that the relationship was not meant to happen. And we can not simply force love if both parties are not willing to commit anymore.

In my whole life, I had believed that it is love that finds you.

I just had to wait and let cupid do his own thing. Waiting for that moment when love struck you with or without knowing the very reason why. I didn't need the rush anyway. There did not come a day wherein I would wake up and felt the urge to have the love of my life at a particular age or particular moment in life. It does not happen like that. 

After all, I am doing fine by myself and with my family. Their presence and comfort were all that I needed in order to make me feel complete. My family's love and care never ceased the thought of not rushing love as other people would normally do.

However, even after all of those thoughts that were running in my mind; it had never crossed my mind that a man named Warren Callahan would make me think twice of all those thoughts in my head.

Everything that I had believed in when it comes to love had immediately vanished upon getting to know the man. He is the most caring, sweetest and understanding man I had ever been with. Not that I am even comparing him to my past lovers, but he was indeed at the top.

Even just spending my time with the man, it was indeed worthwhile.

Just what the hell did you do to me, Mr. Callahan?

»»—♡—««

[Three years earlier]

Today is the big day.

My feelings and emotions settling inside me were overpowering. Something that I could not control over. I literally could not contain my feelings as of the moment.

I did not even manage to have a good amount of sleep due to the excitement and nervousness that were swirling inside me. I used to be a heavy sleeper but this particular event made it hard for me to even be caught in a deep sleep. I also tend to oversleep most times, one that my family would always tease me over and Maxwell would be annoyed of. However, I barely even slept for an hour.

There is no doubt that I am going to be antsy about this whole introducing my boyfriend to my family agenda. I could already envision myself looking like a complete fool in front of Warren and my family as anxiety took control over me.

However, I am at home and will soon be with my home. So I guess there should be nothing to be worried about? Hence, I am also very excited about how it’s going to turn out. Actually, excited should be an understatement to what I currently feel since I am over the moon with the forthcoming event later. This might be a new thing for my family but I am just ecstatic to let them finally know after half a year.

Warren and I did not even want to prolong the getting to know stage anymore. Even though half a year is such a short time to get to know other people, it already felt like a long time for us. It was as though we had known each other for a lengthy time and we have basically grown to fall for each other more and more. I had spent six months with Warren and he had been the most caring and loving person that I know. Something that I had never felt from my past lovers. Well, I guess they did care for me. However, not to the extent that Warren ever did for me.

He had been so patient with me and knew about my past. Warren had accepted me despite what I have gone through and despite the condition that I had to suffer. There had never been a day wherein he had put me in a very uncomfortable decision. He made sure that my safety was his utmost responsibility. Warren had supported me in many ways I have not even imagined and I could never be more grateful for meeting someone like him in my life.

It was like a dream come true. Except, I did not even dreamt for this to happen. But look at what cupid had offered for me.

It was beyond my expectations.

As I felt a hand on my back, the very action had caused me to raise my head and turn around and face the person who had brought me out of my trance.

I was greeted by my mother with a soft kiss on my cheeks, a way of her to show affection in the early morning. It had become her routine to plant a soft kiss on her daughter's cheek. “You are up early, cupcake.” My mother breathed out after recoiling from the kiss on the cheek. The moment my eyes landed on her apron, I knew what she was up to.

I nodded at her then flashed an embarrassed smile. “I could not sleep, mom.” The words came out in a blurt, admitting my nervousness to my mother.

"Ah, teens." She chuckled at me in response then led me to the kitchen. When we reached the kitchen, I instantly reached for the spare apron on one of the racks and then immediately put it on as my mother tied it for me, as gentle as she could be. As if I was a fragile and delicate little girl that needed to be taken care of with much care.

Negative thoughts swarm in my mind. The very reason why my mother had become like this. I could feel my shoulders slumped by the thought so I abruptly shrugged it off. Afraid that my mother would notice and it might affect her emotions too.

I did not want that.

This is a sort of bonding for us. And thus, I had never complained. After all, I liked baking too. My mother had always liked baking. No matter what delicacy, she’ll try and practice for hours in order to perfect the recipes. There are many varieties of recipes that she had perfected and she had also created her versions with secret recipes.

Her love for her hobby and her passion for baking had earned her a certificate in patisserie. She has been a pastry chef for years and she also has a café bakery and sells variations of desserts and drinks. During summer breaks, me and Maxwell always helped her out by serving in her café and we loved the experience.

“I remember when I was your age,” My mom began as she began cracking eggs onto the stainless steel bowl and she motioned for me to take over and I gladly reached for the eggs and the stainless steel bowl. “I had dated a guy and your granddad was so livid about it. I thought he’s going to beat him up.” My mother continued, shivering as she retell the stories in her mind.

My eyes widened at her story, “What did granddad do? Did he beat him?” I asked, eager to know the whole story. However my mom took her time as she reached for the flour then began sifting them into the stainless steel bowl in front of me. 

I focused my eyes on her, waiting for her next words as she gracefully and carefully poured all the flour. “Stir them slowly.” She instructed.

I know what I was about to do but my mother has a habit of always instructing us whenever we help her while she’s baking. We all now got used to it since we grew aware of how small mistakes could entirely change the outcome of what we’re baking.

One time, I mistakenly poured too much salt without my mother knowing since she was busy doing other tasks and when we ate the brownies, it was too salty and we just ended up throwing all of it in the trash. My mother confronted me about it, but Maxwell was the one who confessed to it. Up until now, everyone thought it was Maxwell’s doing.

After I was done with what my mom instructed for me to do, I spoke. “So mom, what did granddad do?”

She laughed, “Well, I really thought that he invited him over to our house just so he could beat him up but it turned out that your granddad was still a civil person. They talked.” My mom replied, eyes beaming with amusement.

“What?” I asked, shocked.

“They just talked. I invited him over for lunch and he spent the night there. When he left, my dad just smiled at me then hugged me.”

A smile had smeared on my curious face, “Is the man, dad?” I asked, curiosity lingering in me.

Instead of answering she just reached for the stainless steel bowl then began adding the melted butter and a small cup of sugar. I watched her as she did her job and when I didn’t get any reply, I just decided to shrug the thought away.