13 Trapped

"H-help me.... help- me..."

Luna's husky scream returned to her ears; there was not a single sound outside that indicated the presence of people. She couldn't contact anyone because she didn't have a phone. She decided to keep yelling for help. Unfortunately, until she lost her voice, all she could hear was silence.

The door screeched open in her despair. A janitor stood in the doorway, stunned, looking at Luna. He approached the girl who was squatting in the corner, and she swiftly stood at her feet. Luna bolted from the restroom before the janitor could ask her a question. She ignored the lanky man's call.

Only Grandma Li came to her mind. Luna's heart struggled with fear that she would disappoint Grandma Li due to her carelessness. Grandma might have mentioned her name several times to summon her to the stage, but she did not appear. No one realized she was trapped in the restroom.

Luna cautiously entered the venue and made her way to the stage where Grandma remained; Grandma's eyes scanned around for her. When her gaze was drawn to Luna, her face flushed.

"On this occasion, I'd like to introduce you to my grandson's future wife, Luna Yang." Grandma Li addressed the audience. Every eye in the room moved to her, who was stunned and unsure what to do or how to respond to that unexpected statement. Luna only climbed the stage mindfully when Grandma asked her to join her.

Luna stood awkwardly beside Grandma Li, her gaze sinking into the floor beneath her shoes. She slowly lifted her chin up, as if someone had whispered to her ears to keep her head up. Her lips were spread wide to hide a tactless smile.

Grandma Li led Luna down the stairs after that brief public introduction and proudly told her colleagues about her. Luna never imagined she'd reach the point in her life where people treated her with respect. They chatted cheerfully with her.

Sandra Li and Ana Wang stood on the other side of her, enviously watching her. Luna could see their evil gazes on her as she cheerfully went along with Grandma and her realizations. Luna chose to ignore their disapproval of what she was going through and continued the conversation.

"She is an excellent cook. You should try her cuisine when you have time," Grandma said with too much pride, making it difficult for her to accept the compliment. She simply smiled at those who seemed interested in visiting Grandma and trying Luna's food. Some of them openly lauded her as the ideal daughter-in-law. Her shy smile was all she had to hide her embarrassment.

"If I had a son, I'd marry him to you." A middle-aged woman with shoulder-length hair said, compassionately tapping Luna's shouder.

They were so sweet to her in front of Grandma Li. Did they really show their true colors, or was it just to get Grandma Li's attention? With her wealth and money, Grandma wielded power over all of them.

It was even more difficult to believe when one of them complimented Luna on her beauty. She was the most awkward person in the room. That was visible to everyone. No amount of make-up applied to her face could alter her appearance. That woman just flattered this time.

"I really mean it when I say you're beautiful." The woman with the thick red lips continued to compliment. Her eyes were telling the truth. However, Luna was not the one who could read people's minds through their eyes.

"T-thanks." She muttered her appreciation for the unexpected compliment.

Grandma Li took her hand in hers and led her to the buffet to eat. It was, indeed, lunchtime. They parted ways, however, as a tall man approached Grandma to have a serious conversation with her. Luna walked alone to the buffet. Luna was picking the food when she noticed Sandra and Ana approaching her from the other line.

When the soup splashed on her cloth, she quickly covered her yell. Sandra nudged her elbow, causing the soup in the bowl to spill. The broth stain had spread all over her sleeve. Even if she tried to clean it, it was pointless. It was not something that could be easily removed. Grandma arrived with a frown on her face in her panic. She appeared to be suppressing her rage.

People near the buffet turned their attention to Luna, who looked pitiful with her sleeved that was no longer white; the light brown broth had colored her blezer's plain white sleeve. Her peach knee-length dress was also stained by the soup.

Sandra yelled at Luna, "You should be more careful. Your carelessness can smear other people's gowns." Sandra chastised her instead of apologizing.

"I didn't see what happened, but I'm sure it was someone's fault that she smudged her own cloth." Grandma was always there to protect Luna. "Let's take it from here. You should clean the stain on your sleeve."

Sandra murmured, as if she was protesting her mother's igoring of her. Ana, the girl next to her, simply soothed her. They went back to picking the food. Luna and Grandma went to the restroom.

"How come you took so long in the bathroom when the event had just begun?" Luna had no idea grandma had discovered her prolonged stay in the bathroom. But she couldn't tell her what happened this morning when she was detained in the restroom.

"It was just... it took me a little longer to find the bathroom. This building was far too large," she reasoned.

"Are you certain you're not deceiving me?"

"How dare I deceive you?" Her face lit up with a smile.

"Just let me know if there's anything bothering you or if Sandra ever hurt you."

"She is always gracious to me." Grandma Li's eyes were dazed as she responded to her words. She would not take Sandra's words seriously after what she had done to Luna. Their daughter would not easily accept responsibility for her actions.

Inviting Ana to the event simply stated that she was openly opposed to Grandma Li's plan to arrange the marriage of her son and Luna.

One hour later, the event concluded. Luna was supposed to be taken to the mall by Grandma Li. However, Luna's excuse of exhaustion forced her to abandon her plan. She directed her driver to drive straight home.

***

The gossip from the maids stung the air like bees. Luna simply moved past them, having no desire to steal the rumor they were seriously discussing. Nonetheless, the name they mentioned prompted her to return their gaze.

"What exactly did you say?" Their worried expression drew closer to their chest. "Can you say it again?"

"Grandma Li and Madam.... they're arguing." Luna got away from where she was. "They're sitting in the living room." Fortunately, she was close enough to hear the maid's voice.

"How come you locked her in the restroom?"

"What are you on about, Mom?" "I didn't do anything."

"I simply want to hear your reasoning."

"However, I did not do it. Why is it so difficult for you to trust me?"

"Grandma, Mom, I'm fine." It was not my fault that I was trapped in that room."

"Have I told you how many times that I am not your mother?" He snarled so hard at Luna that she almost flinched backward.

"See! Luna, the one you always stand for, instead bites you." Grandma could no longer contain her rage. Her brow furrowed.

"Please, Grandma....can we just stop?" Luna's hopeful expression begged her not to continue the arguments. Grandma Li sat down next to her on the couch. Meanwhile, Sandra Li stomped her feet as she ascended the stairs.

"I'm sorry for what she did to you," Grandma admitted quietly.

"That's something you should not say, Grandma. There is no one to blame in this situation."

"You are such a sweetheart."

***

Grandma LI and Sandra's conflict lasted until dinner time. Sandra did not go down to eat her meal. Grandma LI didn't screw that up. The situation, on the other hand, imprisoned Luna in guilt. She felt she was the cause of their cold war. If only she hadn't entered their lives. It was destiny that had dragged her this far. She had no choice but to accept whatever fate had in store for her.

Returning to her bedroom, someone pulled her hand so hard that her strength could not help her defend herself. Danish had cornered her body against the wall. Her mind flashed back to that night when he got drunk. What was he going to do to her this time?

His glare confirmed his fury. In an instant, his hand strangled her neck, preventing oxygen from entering her lungs. Luna's mouth gaped open, desperate for air.

"What have you done to my mother? Why can't you just vanish from our lives? How much money do you need to leave my life?"