Chapter 5

Via looked around as soon as she arrived at the coffee shop. Her eyes immediately landed on Cassie, who was casually seated in the corner. Her feet trod towards her friend while her heart beat faster as if it was about to jump out of her body.

She sat settled on the edge of the chair, her fingers trembling as she put her phone down on the table. She took a deep breath as she felt Cassie's curious gaze upon her.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Cassie asked with worry in her eyes.

Via forced a smile and nodded. "I was just a little nervous, I guess."

She wanted to laugh at her remark. A little nervous? How could she be a little nervous when she knew she messed up big time?

"So, what are you going to tell me to make you this nervous?" Cassie leaned in closer before she continued, "This is so not you, Vi."

Via covered her face with her hands. "I think I messed up."

Cassie chuckled. "Well, you really did last night. I've never seen you that wasted for the past 15 years that I have known you."

Via let out a heavy sigh as she shook her head.

"No." She could feel the tears welling up from her eyes. "I think I just did something unforgivable."

"Hey," Cassie's voice became softer when she noticed that her best friend was about to cry. "I know you really hold a high standard, but drinking and sleeping away at home is not that big of a crime. You can consider it as a part of growing up."

"This is not just about getting drunk, Cass." Tears started to stream down her face as she finally realized the weight of her misdeed. She wanted to tell her what she did, but she did not know how to do it. Only the sound of her sobbing came out, and her worried best friend moved closer to hug her.

"It's okay, Vi. You can tell me when you're ready." Cassie caressed Via's hair as the latter continued crying on her shoulder. "You don't need to force yourself to tell me anything."

"I made a really big mistake last night." Slowly, with her friend's empathy, she mustered the courage to confess what she did. It was indeed a mistake, but she could not deny the fact that it was her decision that caused it to happen. If she had not been impulsive last night, she would not have been in such a dilemma.

"We all make mistakes, Vi. No matter what happens, I'll be here for you."

Via hugged Cassie tighter, afraid that her friend would change once she heard what happened. "I slept with a stranger last night."

She recounted the things she remembered with a trembling voice. Her tone was filled with regret, and even when she wanted to blame it all on the alcohol, she knew better. In the end, the blame was on her. It was all due to her wrong decisions that stemmed from her following her emotions.

"Vi..." Cassie was at a loss for words. She had known Via for more than half of their lives, and she knew how careful she was. Somehow, Cassie wanted to blame herself for what happened. She should have insisted that Via stay in her place. She should have gone with her to the hotel. She should not have left her to check in on her own when she knew that she was too drunk to take care of herself.

"I'm sorry..." That was all she could tell her. Via's head was already filled with guilt and regret. She would not want her guilt to add to whatever stack of worries her best friend was already having.

"I'm scared that my Dad will find out about what happened," Via said in between her sobs. "He might really kill me this time."

"No, don't think that way," Cassie interjected. "Should we make this our little secret? I'm the first one to know about this, right? I'll keep it a secret, so you better forget that it happened."

"Can I really?" Via asked. She seemed like a lost child asking for reassurance.

"You should." Cassie's voice was firm. "You still have a problem that you need to solve. The reason why you drank last night."

Via let out an exasperated sigh. Her problems stack one after another. Cassie was right; though her misdeed last night was a big mistake that might anger her father, nothing would happen if he did not know. Unless someone would tell him, she should not worry about it.

"Now, will you tell me what happened during that meeting?"

Via told her best friend everything. As she recalled what happened that day, she could not help but feel the anger swell within her once more. If her dad had been disappointed, so she was. How could he manage to sell her daughter just for the sake of the family's reputation and wealth?

"I think you should talk this out with Collin," Cassie suggested. "He's the only one who could help you convince your father."

But Collin didn't seem to want to help her.

Though she wanted to tell Cassie that, she couldn't. She knew how close Cassie was to her brother. Though they were closer, Collin was also Cassie's friend. She did not want Cassie to change her mind about her brother just because of her problems.

"I'll try." That was all she could say. Since Collin wanted to talk it out with her, she should try without expecting anything.

After a few more words with Cassie, Via finally went home. Though her heart was heavy as she stepped, she found her way, walking towards the door of her home. She did not know what to expect.

What could be waiting on the other side of the door? Was it the worried Collin? Would it be her angry father? Or maybe she would see all her things being packed in a piece of luggage because her dad would be kicking her out?

She shook her head at the final thought. Collin assured her that he did not tell their dad about what happened last night, but that did not mean that their dad did not know. There were other means to know if he really wanted to.

She knew she should be wishing that her dad did not notice her disappearance, but why was her heart aching with the thought that her dad did not even look for her?

She opened the door, and Collin's smiling face welcomed her. "I've been waiting for you, Vi. Have you eaten yet?"

"Did Dad look for me?" Via asked, ignoring her brother's words. She looked down and bit her lips when she realized the words she uttered.

"Don't worry, he did not. "Collin patted her head and messed her hair. "You should rest first. I'll go to your room later so that we can talk."

She felt her exhaustion when Collin mentioned the word rest. She nodded her head and went to her room without a sound.

She was back at home, and the feelings she tried to forget were all back at once. She wanted to believe that her brother would somehow help her, but she also knew that it was a vain hope. Her brother could never influence their father's decision, no matter how he favored him.

With a heavy heart, she proceeded to clean herself up. It was right before she went to sleep when her brother finally knocked on their door.

"How are you feeling right now?" Collin asked as he sat down on the couch.

"Feeling about?" With all the things running through her mind, Via could not tell what her brother was referring to. Was it about the cheating scandal or the marriage? Did he have an idea about last night?

"About everything, I guess?" Collin chuckled as he clasped his hands. "I know it was surprising, but this is our fate. We were given almost everything since birth so we must contribute through this."

"Is marriage supposed to be my only worth?" Via could not help but express her anger. "Was I raised to be someone's bride?"

The thought was so old-fashioned, but that was how she perceived the situation. She wanted to let it all out, or else she might end up doing something she might regret again. She could at least tell her brother how devastated she was by the sudden arrangement. It never even crossed her mind that she would be subject to such an arrangement. She believed she had so much worth than that.

"Vi, you know it's not like that. Dad just believed that it was the best choice."

"So that he could save face before the cheating scandal breaks out? Am I supposed to be saved by a prince charming in these kinds of situations?" Via bit her lips. "I could prove my innocence, but you don't even believe that I am!"

"No, Vi." Collin held her hand. "Even if the scandal did not happen, your engagement will still push through. Father had been eyeing Troye for a while now, and he believed that he would be the best man for you. You deserve only the best, Vi."

"I think I could decide who would be the best myself. After all, it would be me who would be living in the same house as him for the rest of my life." Via glared at her brother. Their conversation was not making her feel any better. "You should leave, Collin. I don't think it's good to continue talking to me at this moment."

Collin sighed. "You should start sorting out your feelings and start to look at the situation objectively, Vi. You know I wouldn't approve of something that would harm you in the end. I just went along with Dad's plans because I know it's for the best."

"Goodnight, Collin." That was all she could say. She was so tired of the recent events in her life that she no longer wanted to argue with him. She locked her door as soon as her brother was out then she dropped herself on the bed.

So, what now?