Enticed By His Trap

I took a deep breath before turning the page of the book I was currently reading. I'm reading a law book while I'm inside my office. 7 years had passed, and I already fulfilled my dream of becoming a licensed lawyer. But why? Why does something seem to be missing? I should be happy now, but it feels like I'm a puzzle with one piece missing from it. I felt incomplete for the past 7 years.

I don't understand the destiny either. When you're almost at the peak of happiness, it will suddenly pull you down. In just one incident, everything will be gone. It was like you were building a castle on a beach using the sand, and when the waves came, suddenly everything you worked for would disappear in an instant.

I shook my head because of those thoughts. It's funny because I was the one who pushed him away, but now, I'm longing for him. His care, his touch, his kisses, and the way we are both busy but still manage to make time for each other. I miss his love... I miss him so much.

But I know, it's impossible to happen again. It was way too complicated.

I glanced on my phone that was placed on my table when it rang. Someone is calling. I answered it before checking who the caller was. When I looked at the screen, my Mom's name was registered in the contact. I calmed myself before answering the call.

"Yes, Mom?"

"Are you going home early later? We need to talk," her voice was serious when she said it.

I closed the book in front of me before leaning back on the swivel chair I was sitting on.

"Uhm, yeah. I don't have much to do later. Why?"

"I'll discuss it with you later at home. Come home immediately before seven at night." Words she said before ending the call. My shoulders immediately dropped when I couldn't even hear the words she always used to say to me before hanging up the phone call.

The sin I committed years ago has really changed the way my loved ones treat me.

I finished my work immediately before six in the evening. I intend to go to a flower shop, I want to give Mom some flowers. It's been a long time since I last gave her one.

"Attorney Lopez, are you going home?" One of my fellow attorneys said when I entered the elevator. He's one of the longest-serving lawyers here while I'm just starting.

"Yeah," I nodded.

"Oh, I'm already here. I'll go first, be careful, Attorney!" He waved his right hand as a sign of good bye as the elevator opened in the third floor.

"You too, Attorney Welner!"

When I got to the parking lot, I opened my bag to find my car key. When I got it, I opened my car. It was the same car I was using 7 years ago. It still works so I don't need to buy a new one.

I chuckled. Before, I didn't care if my things were new or old, as long as I could find something, I would buy it without hesitation.

Well, maybe that's part of growing up.

I stopped my car in front of a flower shop. I got out of my car before going inside the shop.

"Hi, miss! Do you have a bouquet of peace lilies?" I asked the woman at the cashier.

"Yes, we do, ma'am. What kind of peace lily do you want?" She asked with a smile plastered on her face.

"I want white peace lily,"

"Okay, ma'am. Just wait here, I'll take it first," she left then came back carrying a bouquet of flowers on her hands.

"Here it is, ma'am. I'm sure the person you give it to will surely like it."

"I hope so," I whispered.

"And oh, do you know that the peace lily symbolizes peace? That's why if you have an enemy or someone you have done wrong. You can give that person this peace lily, so you can fix your relationship with each other. But of course, you also have to go through it with a little patience. Some things take time to heal."

Is there any hope that they will forgive me after what I did? This lady in front of me said it takes time to heal. But until when? How long is that time? Seven years had already passed, but it was like nothing.

"But of course, you should buy it here in our shop, ma'am. Just kidding, but if you want to," she even giggled.

"How much is this?" I asked.

"The original price is 2500 pesos, ma'am. But since we have a 20% sale discount today, I'll just give it to you for 2000 pesos only. You also look kind."

I'm not kind. If you only knew what I did before. You'll see me as a demon.

I took a thousand from my wallet before giving it to her.

"Here's your change, ma'am. Have a nice day! I hope you'll come back here." She said energetically. I just smiled at her before accepting the money that was placed in her palm.

While I was walking back to where my car was parked, I felt something strange. I felt like someone was looking at me not far away. I ignored it until I reached my car. I opened the backseat door before carefully placing the bouquet of flowers there.

When I felt that someone was still staring at me out of nowhere, I looked around. But I didn't notice anything unusual. I shook my head before closing the door and just entered the car. In the past 2 years, it's always been like this. I feel like someone is always following and watching me. And I found it creepy.

Especially when I was in law school. Not a day goes by that I don't feel like someone is following me on my way home. And sometimes a love letter with my favorite chocolates will suddenly arrive in front of our house. At first, it was a big deal to me, but when I got used to it, I just ignored it. Because I know, whoever that person is will eventually stop too. That person will also get bored with what he or she is doing.

"Are my parents inside already?" I asked our guard when I was in front of the house. I lowered my car window so he could hear what I was saying.

"Yes, ma'am. They have been waiting for you for a while," he said. I nodded at him. He opened the gate fully for me to enter. I parked my car in the garage before taking the flower I bought.

A quiet living room greeted me when I entered the house. Mom was sitting on the single couch while Dad was across from it.

"Good evening, Mom and Dad!" I greeted them. I sat next to Dad.

I handed the bouquet to Mom. She just stared at it. When she didn't seem to have any intention of taking it, I put it on the small round table in front of us.

"What shall we talk about?" I asked.

I heard my Dad take a deep sigh. "Me and your Mom are going to live in America."

"That's really where you live temporarily, Dad. Stop kidding me," I forced a laugh.

"No, it's not like that…" he seemed to be struggling to continue what he had to say.

I was about to speak when Mom suddenly spoke.

"Not only are we living there for our business temporarily, but permanently."

"What?!" I hissed. I couldn't process what they were saying. Why do they have to leave the Philippines to live in America? I couldn't see any reason for them to leave this country.

"Veronica, we'll visit you here, or you can also visit me and your Mom." Dad interrupted.

"But—" I didn't finish my word when mom cut me off again.

"No buts. Our decision is final. You can come if you want. But if you don't, we won't force you either."

"Solace!" Dad called my mom's name emphatically.

"But my work is here. If I go with you, I won't be able to do my job. Also, I just started my job as a lawyer. You might change your mind, Mom, Dad." My voice almost sounds begging. I can't leave my job here just like that.

"Sweetie, it can't be canceled. We already settled everything. The only thing we are waiting for is our flight. I'm sorry," Dad said.

I stood up before looking them directly in their eyes. "Tell me the truth, are you really going to live in America because of our business or because of some other reason?" I said with no emotion that can be seen on my face.

Dad bowed his head while Mommy stared blankly at me.

"We didn't say anything," said mom.

"Yeah, you didn't! But that's what you're conveying. I thought we already settled everything? I thought you had forgiven me already? But why are you still acting like this, Mom? You're not like this before. Where is my mom who loves me so much? The sweet, caring, and... the one who doesn't want me to get hurt. Where is she?" My voice weakened.

She also stood up from her seat. "Do you really want to know? Why don't you ask yourself instead? You are the one doing things that is why you are suffering now. So you should only blame yourself. Not me or your daddy!" She bitterly shouted then left. Dad stood up.

"Veronica, I'll follow your mom." Before he had gone far, he stopped immediately. "And also, I don't want to tell you this but maybe we made the right decision to live there in America. It's for the better also. If you think that you're nagging her, she'll forgive you right away. I'm sorry sweetie, but that doesn't seem to be helping. You are only driving your mom's heart away from you."

"But don't worry, I'm sure she will forgive you with all her heart. It may not right now, but soon. Just give her time now." I was left stunned. I felt my heart crash into tiny pieces because of what I heard. To this day, I still get really soft when Mom yells at me. This is the third time she shouted at me in my whole life, and it hurts like hell. Seeing your mother telling you all the mistakes you've made.

Tired, heavy, and thinking a lot of things, I entered my room. I lay my back on the soft mattress. My room was still the same, but the feels were different from before. The fun is gone whenever I enter this room. I closed my eyes while reliving the happy memories of the past. Everything was perfect at that time. I couldn't ask for anything more in my life. But now, I feel like I've lost everything. Especially my mom's trust. She is different from before. A single tear escaped my eyes before sleep completely consumed my entire system.

The next day I woke up early because today is the schedule of the first case that I will handle as a licensed lawyer. I'm excited and a little nervous at the same time.

I gathered the files and documents I needed and put them in the briefcase. I can't even eat anymore because I've lost my appetite. I'm still thinking about what my parents and I talked about yesterday. And I'm hoping that it won't affect my work later.

My client is a woman who wants to divorce her husband, but it seems that I will have a hard time because her husband does not agree. But I'm still wishing the best of luck to me. This is my first case so I should be able to win.

I was wearing a white long-sleeved shirt with a collar that I layered with a black blazer. As for my skirt, I was wearing a knee-length black skirt paired with 1-inch black heels. I took the briefcase that was on top of my small couch here in my room before going downstairs. I didn't see Mom and Dad in the living room so I went straight to the garage.

I drove my car until I arrived at the court. I got out of the car and walked inside until I stopped at a large door.

"Are you Attorney Lopez?" A man asked me while still outside the courtroom. I nodded in answer.

"The court hearing is about to start, come in now,"

Two guards opened the huge door. I simply looked around the court as soon as I entered. I can't stop being amazed. I've been dreaming of this for a long time, and I can't believe it's already a dream come true.

I was exploring my eyes in the whole court until I felt a strange feeling again when someone was looking at me from a distance. I looked around to find out who that person was until I stopped looking at the man who was staring at me darkly. I almost lost my breath because of his dark gaze. I feel like I saw a ghost today, I'm sure my face went pale.

His captivating green eyes were still staring at me as if they were attracting me. I simply pinched myself to find out if what I was seeing was real or just my imagination.

"Ouch," I said weakly when I felt pain because of that. But if I'm hurt, does that mean what I'm seeing now is real? I'm not dreaming? I don't know how I should feel now that he is here in front of me now. Should I be happy? Nervous? Or shocked? It seems like yesterday I was praying, hoping that I would see him again. But now, I just want to hide in my mother's skirt.

I felt my heart beating so fast. After seven years, I just now experienced this feeling again.

But why is he here? Is he mad at me also like what my parents are?

He changed a lot. If he was handsome before, he is even more handsome now. He became more muscular. Even the way he looked at me was strange. I didn't read any emotion on his face. I smiled bitterly when I remembered everything in the past again.

I once again looked into his eyes. No matter how captivating your green eyes are, I'm gonna make sure I won't be enticed by your trap again. Because it will surely only cause pain to both of us.