Fate in Captivity

Chapter 1- The Debutant

(Aubrey)

I walked through the dark and huge uphill alley where Zyrie's 18th birthday would take place. She will celebrate her debut at the huge garden of their mansion, famous people known in medical industry would attend her party, but for usual rich gatherings, this birthday party of hers is just a cover-up for some business gatherings, meetings about shares and stockholders, as well as talking on how would they manipulate her future. Their family owns the biggest medical facility and hospitals named as the La Serene Hospital at the Main City, this place is not common to everyone as only rich people can acquire goods and services in this area's vicinity. 

"Aubrey!" I looked to the person who called me and it's Camilla, one of our friends. We are four in the group and one is Zyrie the other one is Cheenna. 

Camilla Consunji, her family owns the biggest broadcasting building in the Main City, it's called the CCN Channel and it gears a total national rating of 20%, can be considered being the famous broadcasting channels than their competitors. 

"Camilla, what are you doing here?" I asked her, she immediately run towards me and clings her arms on mine. 

"Waiting to one of you to arrive. I feel awkward there." she answered me and I just chuckles by what her reason is. 

"Cheenna haven't arrived yet?" I asked and she just shook her head. No one would notice but compared to the three of us, she's the person who wanted her entrance to be grand than the birthday celebrant.

We entered the estate and dozens of people were talking to each other, laughing at everyone's words, even though it doesn't make sense and just their way for socializations. We walked towards Zyrie who's greeting each visitor would come near her, would say thanks as they greet them 'happy birthday', but would leave her and go towards her parents. I know, it sucks. 

"Zyrie!" Camilla exclaimed. I did not notice that she's already there and hugged her already. 

"Zy, happy birthday! Are you still breathing fine?" Camilla said and we laughed with her joke. 

"Thanks, but I think I cannot eat tonight because of this corset." Zy answered and accepts Camilla's joke. 

"Happy birthday, brought you a present." I said and handed her a small paper bag. 

"Omg! Is this the diamond ring I was eyeing few days ago?" she asked and looks at me very excited.

"Do you have some x-ray vision in your eyes? How could you guess it right?" I answered and she just laughs.

I bought her the diamond ring she wanted at the jewelry place we've been few days ago. She did not buy it for herself as she already bought the sapphire one. I know, many people would think why did she not buy it both if she's that rich, well, the answer is even though we're rich, we don't spend our money rashly. 

"I just felt it, as soon as I grabbed the paper bag." she said and we walked towards the buffet table. 

"Whoa, the food is already here but the owner hasn't arrived yet." Camilla said and grabbed a plate to start filling herself up. 

"You're looking for me?" We all looked back and we saw Cheenna wearing the same color as the birthday celebrant but much daring and revealing style. 

"Cheen! We already agreed that no one would wear the same color as hers!" Camilla said. 

"Oh, I did not know it's the same color tone." she just answered and Zy suddenly vanished. 

"Where did she go?" I asked and they all shrugged their shoulders. 

We got our food and we walked towards the table allotted for us, well, we have a separate one and other people cannot sit on ours, special commands by the celebrant really matters. I sat down and start eating, I looked around and I saw our parents started to gather together and start drinking. 

"Did you know that Mark, that one boy group idol is dating?" Camilla start the conversation. 

"What? Are you sure? I was about to meet him next week." Cheenna answered. 

"Really? For what?"

"Haven't you heard? he's going to shoot a variety show and they wanted to feature our hotel and restaurant. I kept saying no, but they said it'll be a great promotion." Cheenna explained. 

"But you don't need to promote, right?" I said and she just nods. 

"Mom and dad loves money so I have no choice." she said and we just laughs. 

Cheenna Domingo, the daughter of famous owners of six to ten Michelin stars all over the Asia. Their hotel and restaurant was called Hera Hotels and Zeus Restaurants, it's her idea to named it after the famous couple of the Greek myth. 

"Right, I will go to your store on the weekend, I need new clothes for that shoot." Cheen said to me and I just nods. 

"Alright, I'll notify them. Who do you want to be your personal shopper?" I asked her. 

"Hmm, let's go with Chea again." she answered. Chea is the new personal shopper in our department store and Cheenna always tease her for being clumsy and innocent. I think that girl would have a long day ahead. 

"Okay, please don't have another shopper resign like the last time." I said her and she just rolled her eyes. 

"Come on, it's not my fault for not having strong stamina. I just shop for the whole day, though." she complains but it looks like she's having her childish tantrums. 

"That's the problem, you do shop for let say ten hours? from the opening until the closing? I can't understand you." I said to her. 

"Of course you wouldn't, Miss limited edition." She answered and I just scoff. 

"What are you saying?" I said and sipped my drink. 

"You don't have to shop, all limited edition and designer items would go to you first." she explained. 

"Oh, don't worry, I'm just the trial phase. If I don't want they won't display it." I answered and continue eating. 

"That's it! Should I build my own department store too? Should I compete with you?" Cheenna said and acting like she's threatening me. 

"I'm not scared." I plainly said and shrugged my shoulders. 

"What a witch." she just mumbled. 

"If you're going to open an new business, let us have that article for you." Camilla suddenly intervenes and we all just laughs. 

"How did our conversation started to become business proposals?" I just said and we're still laughing it out. 

"You're really having a good time." we stopped for a while and we saw Zyrie standing in front of us, wearing a new set of gown. 

"Whoa, you changed our gown!" Camilla exclaimed. 

"Yeah, someone broke the promise." Zyrie said and we all looked to Cheenna who's just pretending not to hear anything. 

The party continues as the night becomes deep and serene. Loud music and bright lights filled the whole venue like we're the only people here in this subdivision we're living. But, people don't care as they also do this when it's their time to show their richness, their wealth. The more people came, the more evidence that you're a tycoon or wealthy individual. But these things are just masks, a colorful covers that hinder people to see what's inside of them, to hinder people from seeing their weaknesses. A heavy mask that signifies the dignity of the person has, the pride they're having and even the ego they're protecting. In the midst of these kinds of people, I saw these friends of mine, the only escape we had in this prisoned world we have. 

I am Aubrey Santiago, the daughter of the well-known couple who started their wealth from nothing into everything. We've just came from being poor, mom and dad pushes through their limits and we became rich at the end. We now owned dozens of departments stores at each area domestically and internationally- where the clothes, bags and shoes we're offering would be trend at the society of other races. We moved here at the Sky Estate and Residences when I was 10 years old, and we're just living here for 8 years. I met these beautiful women and I became their friend, they don't ask for anything, we've just clicked to one another and now we're doing everything together. 

I am different to them, these three are already rich coming from their grandparents' parents. They are now in line to inherit the companies they are having, but they are not happy with it. Cheenna wanted to pursue fashion designing, Zyrie wanted to pursue ballet and Camilla wanted to be a psychologist. Meanwhile me, I'm just contented with my life, but if I want to change something, I want them to remove the arranged marriage I have right now. We are free to use our wealth and resources but we are not free to have our own emotions and dreams. The expectations they have and even the future that they wanted for us. 

"Are you going to sleepover here?" Zyrie asked. The three of us looked each other and smiled. 

"Of course we are!" Camilla exclaimed. 

But times like this, we're still genuinely happy. 

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