Ring

"Your mother called," Miya showed me her phone. I raised my brow at her. "You're coming to the dinner later? With your family and the Monteserios?"

Montessori.

I shook my head. There's no way in hell that I will dine with that family.

"Tell her I'm busy." I coldly said. Miya doubtfully looked at me. I know she is confused as to why I declined the invitation.

"Are you sure?" She taunted with a grimace on her face. Clearly not sure of what I said. She knows that I am a slave to my own parents.

I sighed and nodded before lying on my bed. I took a break from work. I don't know how long it should be, but I know that this would really take longer. Or I can't even call this a break. I just want to rest.

"It's your Mom, Trin," Miya said while looking at me. I just raised my brow again. And if it's Mom? What should I do? Nothing. I don't want to face any of them because I don't want to be more stressed.

They will invite me for dinner and what? Embarrass me in front of everyone. They will roast me to death. They will definitely talk about how I am so different from my twin, how I am a huge disappointment to everyone, and such. I'm sick of listening to the same old song if they try to play it again, better not when I'm around.

If I was the old me, I would have wanted to have dinner with them because I wanted to make them 'proud.' Well, that was it. Apparently, it's different now because I'm tired. I'm tired of pleasing other people. I'm tired of trying so hard to be noticed by them and hoping that they'll be able to see my achievements and all. I'm tired. This time, this is for real. I don't want to be involved with them. I am completely shutting them down. I won't recognize any family, especially since, from the very beginning, they didn't consider me as a part of them their family. I was unwanted, and now I refuse to be wanted. Let them take care of their own lives and talk shit about it. For all I care.

"Why are you crying?!" Miya rushed to my side. She quickly inspected my whole body as if she was looking for something that hurt me to be crying like this.

Stupid.

My heart hurts. No one can see how shattered my heart is right now because I am too good at playing to pretend.

"Beautrin, what the f-ck?!" Miya shouted loudly as I began to sob while holding the hemn of her shirt tightly like my life depended on it.

"It hurts. It hurts so much, Miya..." I cried.

Miya softened her gaze and hugged me. She gently caressed my back. "Shush, where does it hurt? Who hurt our Trin, hmm?" She said softly as she continued stroking my hair.

"I-I want to go there..." I whispered painfully. I want to be with my family. I want to feel them, and I want to feel that they're on my side. It's just... It's just that I'm sick too. So sick of being with them... But I am sicker to assume that they'll be able to accept me as part of them.

"Then, why don't you go, hm?" Miya asked gently.

"B-because it hurts... M-my heart hurts. T-they hurt me... M-my heart hurts whenever I see them, but I still want to be with them even though I'm hurting and breaking..." I sobbed. I heard Miya sigh while hugging me.

She knows how bad my relationship is with my family. She knows that for years, I was living not for myself but to make them proud. I pursued modeling because that is what my heart wants. My parents told Beatriz that she should follow and pursue what her heart desires. Beatriz became an engineer, and I became a model. The most paid and famous one in the country. But they...

They don't like my career...at all.

They weren't very supportive of me since then. But I never planted any jealousy and anger towards my twin. I was never angry at her. I love her even though...she doesn't love me as much as I do her.

My family wanted me to quit and pursue medicine. But I don't want that! That is not what my heart desires, so why...why will I follow that?

My whole life, I devoted it to nothing but making them proud. Make them feel that I choose the right one, the right path for myself. But every time we meet with the whole family, they never fail to make me feel like I don't belong at all. They always talk about how disappointed they were at what I've chosen myself to be into, but we never talked about how bad and biased they are when it comes to me.

Sometimes, I do think that maybe... Might I be adopted? Because why would they destroy me? Their own blood, right?

"Hush now, Trin. They don't deserve your tears, please... Hold on..." I heard the tremor in her voice as she spoke, so I cried even more.

"Beautrin...shall I bring Tammy here?" she asked gently, but I shook my head.

I have other plans for tonight. I want to forget everything for a while.

***

"Put your hands up in the air, everybody!!!"

I smirked when I saw Tamia dancing crazily on the dance floor. Along with her was Miya, who was constantly pulling Tamia towards our table, but the woman didn't want to.

I drank the glass of pineapple juice straight away.

All I want right now is to get drunk and completely forget everything for a while. I want to feel like I am living for myself and not for everyone else.

But how am I going to do that when I don't even feel like drinking something alcoholic? This is so frustrating! I want to get drunk, but I am stuck with this stupid pineapple juice!

I snorted bitterly.

I looked at the bottle of three vodkas. Two are lying down while the other is still standing and only half full.

I took my glass before pouring some with it. I took a picture of the bottle while my glass was in my hand.

Drunk in Love. I captioned it on my Instagram story. I browsed my feeds, and I stumbled upon my twin sister's social media post. It was posted an hour ago.

The first photo was of her hands...

My lips parted and swiped some more. My tears started to blur my sight but I still continued to look for the other photos she posted.

The second one shattered my heart.

It was a photo of her hands again, but with a ring on her ring finger.

Bind by God and destiny. Will stay forever 'til eternity. I'm engaged!

The caption on her post made me sob.

And the last one was a photo of her and...Claus. He was hugging her from the back, face buried in her neck while she was proudly showing her hand with a ring.

And before I know it...

I broke down again. God! How long will I have to endure? I am so tired. Please, let me rest.

Truth

Before the two, Tammy and Miya, could return to our table, I immediately fixed myself. I plastered my smile while they were approaching. The two were still glaring at each other, which made me laugh a little bit.

"My God, Tamia! She looks like a fool while dancing in front! Not even on the beat. It's embarrassing." Miya said with a frown on her face before sitting next to me.

"Shut up. You're trying your hard to pretend that you're demure, but it's obvious from your face that you're not. It's a bar, so I'm probably going to dance. And no one should care whether I'm on the beat or not." Tamia took a sip of the vodka she was holding. I just shook my head. A small smile on my lips is clear.

Seeing both of them makes me happy. They are one of my allies who truly love and care for me. They were there when I needed them the most. They are here, by my side, when the world's turning its back on me. They are the ones who stayed. And seeing them with me makes my heart warm.

I wasn't enough for my own family. They were never proud of me from the start. But these two, these two made me feel like I am enough. They made me feel like my existence was enough for someone to be proud of.

These two never doubted me. They never left me, even on my worst days. They supported me in everything. They both understand me in any way.

I'm still lucky, aren't I? So so lucky to have genuine friends like them.

The two were so drunk when we came home. I was the one who was driving while the two were bickering in the backseat. I just shook my head every time Tamia's voice rose in annoyance. The two really like cats and dogs whenever they fight. The reason why I don't really like to put them together is that they're so noisy.

I was thankful that I didn't have to call a guard to lift the two up. They are indeed drunk, but they know I can't carry them both, so they are trying their hardest to stay awake. I was just guiding them.

"What the hell! Step aside, Tammy! Your face makes me sick!"

"It makes you sick! Your face is just two, and mine's a 10!"

I smiled apologetically at the couple who were with us inside the elevator. They just nodded in understanding. They were watching the two, too, with nothing but amusement in their eyes.

When they got inside my condo, the two immediately stretched out on the sofa. Half of Miya's body was on the carpet, while her feet were placed on the sofa. I shook my head. I guess it was kinda a bad idea to bring them to a bar. If I had known, we could've just gotten drunk inside my unit, right?

I just entered the room and left the two in the living room. I took a bath before changing into my sleepwear. I was able to get an extra comforter and a thick blanket for the two before I got back inside my room.

I lay on the bed and stared at the blank ceiling above.

I thought I was fine. No. I can't be. I don't know how long I'll be able to handle it, especially with the news I just found out.

Claus really loves my twin to the point that he's ready to give her his surname to her. Claus and I were together for four years, but he never asked for my hand. He wanted us to have a baby, but he never proposed to me in those four years of being together. While he and Beatriz had only been together for a year, he was able to immediately ask for her hand in marriage. I can't help but compare. I guess comparing things will become a part of my life forever because my whole life, I was compared too. I was compared to my twin. Saying she was far better and such. I accept that all. But I have never been angry with my twin because it is not her fault that other people viewed me in a bad way.

When I had Claus, I considered myself lucky. Why not? He is Saint Claus Monteserio. One of the youngest successful businessmen in the country. He is someone that every woman wants. He is an answered prayer for most, but I was too lucky to have him, huh?

We were fine. We were so fine together. B-but...

I closed my eyes tightly. Tears streamed down my face like a waterfall.

I-I was pregnant...in the middle of me rising to the top of modeling. I was on the perk of my modeling job. I can reach it, but I got pregnant. I was pregnant with our first child. But even so, I was so ready to give up everything just for the child inside my womb.

I was so ready to give up everything, including my career. B-but my child gives up too.

I sobbed hard before caressing my tummy as if that would bring my child back.

I don't... I don't know how our child was lost! Or, I know it to myself, but I just refused to accept it.

It hurts...

I closed my eyes tightly before heaving a deep sigh. Memories of what happened the night when I knew I had lost my baby came rushing inside my head.

The only thing that I can remember is that... It is complete darkness. I was surrounded by darkness. I'm being forced to drink something I didn't know what kind of drink. It was liquid. It was water, but I tasted something was off in it. I don't want to drink...but they were... They were touching me!

They were touching me! They were laughing!

I clasped my mouth with both of my hands. I looked around my room. I wanted so badly to scream for help, but something was stopping me.

I-I didn't mean to swallow that. While I was struggling to escape from their hands, I was screaming, so they successfully put the water inside my mouth. I only drank a few...

And that's why I lost my...my baby.

I didn't mean to drink that! I know that it wasn't just normal water!

I never wanted to lose my child! I was mourning too! The next day, I woke up with a massive headache...inside a hospital. I was on her bed. The doctor told me that she had successfully removed the baby from my womb!

I was hysterical! I was angry! I didn't wish to abort my child! The doctor lied! The doctor was paid by someone! The doctor showed Claus the contract that I signed so I could abort the child when the truth is, I didn't sign anything! Everything was a fraud! But Claus believed it!

And that is when everything crumbles down.

I sobbed loudly while hugging myself. After a while, I heard the door to my room open carelessly before I felt the warm embrace of the two around me.

"Shush, everything will be fine... Hold on, Beautrin, please..."

Shoot

"I don't know what's happening to you anymore, Beautrin! Your twin wanted you to join us for dinner, but you keep on declining! Don't embarrass us with the Monteserios, Beautrin!"

Early in the morning and Mom's call immediately ruined my day.

"Get it right, Beautrin! We didn't raise you to be rude!" I bit my lower lip, slightly rolling my eyes heavenwards. Mom is really confident in saying that they didn't raise me to be rude when they weren't there when I was growing up in the first place. I raised myself! That's the right thing to say because, from the very beginning, they didn't give me any attention unless it was Beatriz.

"I'm busy." I coldly promise. I yawned before getting out of bed.

"Busy!" she scoffed on the other line. I can almost see how disgusted her looks are right now. "Busy with what?! With your stupid work?!"

Stupid. Wow. Easy for her to say that I've chosen something stupid. Am I really their child?

When I couldn't stand her scolding voice, I immediately hung up. I turned my phone off before walking inside the bathroom.

I don't care anymore if she says I'm rude. Oh well. I will just live up to that. That's what they think of me. Why not just go with the flow, right?

After I showered and got dressed, I called Miya and said that there was no need to pick me up there now. I'll drive myself to the building.

When I arrived, Miya immediately greeted me. I frowned when I saw the stress on her face as she approached me.

"You're late, Trin. It took you a long time to come. The other models are already here, and you're the only one who's being waited..."

I just winced and didn't speak.

All the staffs were in chaos after we reached the third floor where the shoot would take place. I couldn't escape the sight of the two men in black suits who had their backs turned to us.

Who are they?

Before I could even ask Miya, two gays immediately pulled me inside the dressing room.

"Double time!" I winced at Miya's cry. I don't know why she's too stressed out with this. I'm not really late. I arrived on time, and I didn't know that it was forbidden. And that I have to be ahead of schedule.

"Get ready, Trin. The two owners of the products that you will model with the others are here. I hope that you won't space out in the middle of posing because we are going to surely upset Jade."

Oh. That's why.

"The owner of the products is so handsome, Miss! Muscled, but they also look like they're looking for a muscled man!" the two gays giggled. I just shook my head and smiled.

When everything was done, we immediately went out and went to the platform. Jade was shouting. She was not really embarrassed by the two men behind her.

"You must be close to each other!" She shouted again. When her eyes caught me, she immediately widened her eyes at me.

"Get on the platform, Beautrin! What are you still waiting for?! A Christmas?!"

And since I feel like being a b-tch today, I talked back. "What if you try to wait for it instead? Let's see if you can."

"Beautrin..." Miya pinched my groin as she pushed me onto the platform.

"Miya! Take care of your rude friend!"

"I'm not a five-year-old kid to be taken care of, Jade!"

"Oleya Beautrin!" Miya shouted with emphasis.

When I finally got on the platform, the eyebrows of the two women who were there immediately raised. They wear the same clothes as mine, but too bad, I look even better in these ones. The three men kept on looking at me.

"Gia and Homa! Get off the platform!" Jade shouted. The two girls stared at me in anger before following Jade's order. I whistled a little.

"Okay, boys, shoot with Beautrin!"

My jaw almost dropped at what the irritating girl named Jade said. What?! Am I going to be posing alone with these three men?

I frowned when I looked at Jade, but her attention was not on me but on the two men who were now smiling while looking at me.

What the heck is happening?!

"Lean your body to Fabio, Beautrin! Yes! That's it! Yes!"

"Now, pretend like you are hovering the three, Beautrin! Yes! Perfecto!"

I couldn't help but close my eyes tightly as I touched Fabio's hard stomach. Brandon, Xander, and Fabio are currently lying on the bed. Both were side by side while I sat on the three of them. I was holding a bottle of the drink that we were modeling today.

"Brandon! Hold Trin's leg! Xander, you touch the waist! And Fabio, bring your face close to Trin's! Hold the left side of her face! Do it in a sensual way!"

Sensual!

I almost hit Fabio in the face with a bottle when he leaned his face on me without saying anything. He laughed weakly because of that.

"Relax, babe, this is a photoshoot..." he whispered before placing the strand of my hair on the other side of my ear.

"Perfect!"

We did many shots that completely exhausted me. Jade was smiling from ear to ear. She looks satisfied with what she did and looking at the two owners of the brand of liquor we are modeling, I guess they love the result as well.

"You look hot, Trin!" Miya greeted me with a smile on her way down from the platform. She was smiling from ear to ear too.

I was exhausted. "I'm always hot, Miya."

She frowned before slapping my butt.

We entered the dressing room and immediately got dressed. I wore a simple crop top and paired it with denim shorts.

"Are you going straight to your condo now?" Miya asked.

I just shrugged. I actually don't have any plans for today. Maybe I will rest because tomorrow, my schedule will be hectic again. I am going to attend a runway show tomorrow night, and in the morning, I have two shoots and then the signing of the contract.

"You did a good job right there, Beautrin." Fabio immediately approached me when I was out of the dressing room.

I smiled sparingly. "You too, and of course, Xander and Brandon did a good job too."

"Miss Trin. The owners wanted to have a cup of coffee with you and the three male models too." One of the staff approached us.

I pouted a little. Well, I guess I'm not going home today as early as I thought I would be.