1 BROKEN HEART

With a glint of tiredness in my eyes, I lazily looked at my best friend, Danica who was muttering random things in her mouth for about 30 minutes already.

"Hey! Celestina, let's go to Korea or Japan next month. We've been in the office for about 6 months now without any vacation."

With my eyes set around her, I sighed. She's been telling me this plan of her for about a week now. Sitting in her chair, she looks at me with such tiredness in her eyes.

"You know that I can't, right?" She sighs heavily at my said answer.

Knowing exactly that my parents will not let me. Even in the past, they were against my friendship with her, but luckily, they're civil with each other now.

Hearing a loud sound ringing on my phone, I look at it and saw my Mom's name flashing on the screen. Without any doubt, I swipe it off, to the right, so then I can accept it.

"Hello, Mom, " I answered cheerfully, expecting that my mom to say hello at me as well.

"Celestina, go home at 6. Your Grandma and your Grandpa are coming tonight. Don't make us wait." She welcomed me with those words, the 'hello' that I was expecting can't be heard.

"B-But Mom…" I answered unsurely, looking at the calendar standing on my side that shows my schedule for the whole month

"No buts, Celestina." She said with finality, and then the call died.

I have a meeting later in 5 with the design team. I didn't even know what to do right now. I look at Danica worriedly, clearly knowing that she heard my conversation with my Mom. Her eyes reflecting pity towards me since she clearly knows that I can't do anything with it.

She walks steadily towards my direction and pats my shoulder.

"I got it" She whispered in my ear. I quickly looked at her and hug her excitedly.

"THAT'S WHY I LOVE YOU!" I shouted in joy as I kissed her cheeks like I do every time I'm thankful to her.

"I promise, I'm going to treat you to dinner next time" I raised my right hand as a way of making a promise to her.

She smiled and hugged me back, tightly.

"Anything for you, Celestina." Her words struck my heart. I know that I became a burden to her from the beginning. She's always there, saving me from my worries and problems in life, and that's why I'm very grateful to her.

'I will get back to her,' I murmured those words, promising silently.

"We should stop this drama" We both laugh in unison at what I said, going back to our respective seats to continue our unfinished business.

Currently fixing my desk, I roamed my eyes around the office. I would always do this every day so then it will be quite easy for me to finish my unfinished task tomorrow morning. It's already 5:30 in the afternoon when I finished what I'm doing. Going out in the office, I drove my black BMW on my way home.

I'm singing along with the song, currently playing in the car. Seeing a pastry shop, standing at the side of the street, I smiled. Since Grandma is coming I decided to buy an egg tart for her considering that it is her favorite thing to eat.

"Miss, an order of an egg tart, please" I smiled.

Roaming my eyes around the shop, I noticed a lot of people sitting and eating in here. Their pastry must be that good to gather a huge amount of people.

I gave my card when they ask for the payment. I'm clearly not fond of bringing cash as I think it's just a hassle for me to bring one.

It's around 6 pm when I got home. I'm thankful that my Grandparents are not yet here or I'll be doomed.

Wearing a red off-shoulder bodycon dress for dinner, I braided my sparkling amber colored hair into one side, putting a little bit of makeup on my face.

"Celestina! Get down now, your grandparents will be arriving soon!" I heard my Mom shouting in front of my room.

I quickly ran to the mirror to see if my outfit is alright. Though I know that they possibly wouldn't care about my clothes, I still want to look presentable in front of them. Going downstairs, I waited patiently in the living room. When I heard some footsteps coming towards the door, I quickly got up from where I'm seated and rush towards it.

"Hi, Grandma. Hi! Grandpa!" I cheerfully walk towards them, kissing both of their cheeks.

"Oh my gosh! Celestina! Look at you, you look like a fine lady now. The last time I went here you were just young and carefree" Grandma said hysterically, her palms are covering her mouth dramatically.

I shyly smiled at them and lead them to our dining room where my parents are already seated. They said their greetings to each other as I sit on my designated chair. Eating silently afterward.

Mom was the first one to break the silence lingering around us.

"Celestina, how is your little company going?" My mom suddenly asked.

I smiled, trying my best not to get offended by the word 'little'. I work hard for that business together with Danica so I consider it as a big company in my heart.

"It's doing fine, Mom," I answered without looking at her. I may sound pitiful, but sometimes her words are somehow discouraging me.

"Celestina, we have something to tell you that's why your Grandparents are in here," My mom said, looking at my eyes confidently. I got nervous about her words because I know that this will not turn good.

"What is it, Mom?" I smiled, trying my best to calm myself down, but both of my hands are already trembling under the table.

"Don't be shocked dear, but your daddy and I have decided to set you up in marriage with the youngest son of our friend who is also our business partner. With this opportunity, we saw that it can greatly affect the expansion of our business international"

I become dumbfounded as my Mom says those words, one by one.

"M-Mom, H-How can you do this to me?" My voice is filled with questioning as I look at her straight in the eyes.

My emotions were slowly eating me. Tears start to pool in my eyes as I look at them with such disappointment. All my life I've been a very good daughter to them, but marriage? I can't do that. I always do obey their commands even if it's against my will, but not this one. All I ever wanted in my life is for them to be proud of me.

What hurts me the most is the look that my mom gave me when I questioned her decision. Her eyes are filled with disappointment that somehow tells me... I'm not in the right place to question them.

"N-No, M-Mom, sorry I can't"

"What the hell are you saying, Celestina?! Your uncle Julius and I have already settled this topic!" My Mom's words slowly ripped up my already broken heart.

I look at my Dad asking for help but he straightly looks away, like what Grandpa and Grandma did when I glanced over their direction and was asking for help as well.

"G-Grandma? G-Grandpa?" My voice quiver, tears are now slowly rolling in my cheeks

"I'm sorry, Dear. But we can't do anything with it. And you should get married now. You're already 25." Grandma's words echoed in my head.

It felt like they're teaming up against me. I stood up from where I was seated and walk away from them, not even having the to look back.

"CELESTINA!" I heard my Mom shouting loudly and yet I just walk straight ahead, not daring to look back at them.

They just broke my heart into million pieces. Pain and hatred covered my emotions.

I felt betrayed, I feel like everyone doesn't care about me or my feelings anymore. I feel like I don't have an ally in this family.

I was hurt, my mom's words... The way my dad avoided my glance, and my grandparents whom I think will be on my side.

Letting the tears dropped night long. I cried my heart out, letting go of the emotions I was trying to surpass. Praying that tomorrow will be a better day. Until I finally made a decision...