Let's Play Truce or Dare (Preview)

Preface

I debated where I should begin this story. A lot of things have happened that my memory is just a massive ball of regret, confusion, shock, brawls, and lies. As I look back I only remember one face. It was his face – Adrian Abel. I was fifteen when we met, and he was eighteen. He was majoring Political Science then at my country’s top University, while I was just about to head on to my own choice of college.  I took Accountancy because my parents influenced me. They were both connected in the field so my future was guaranteed for good. Adrian, on the other hand, was born from the same background as me. Both his parents were lawyers and excelled in the field. They own a law firm in the capital and his Father was one of the most elite lawyers in the heart of Zirle.

Adrian and I met because my Father knew his Father. I was in High School then, and later on Adrian and I started dating. In the beginning, our relationship was as fruitful as any others. We couldn’t get enough of each other. We’d text everyday, call every night, and think about each other every second of the day. We were madly in love. I admired him for his determination and even his ego. He held a certain pride like he was born to rule. Watching him was like watching a lion protecting his cubs. He was protective like that. Of course, later on, I saw him change. It started off when he entered Zirle’s Law – the No. 1 Law School at Zirle. His temper deteriorated and he began to see my mistakes as weaknesses. He judged me whenever I make the wrong decision, and treated my achievements as pure luck. He was no longer protecting his cubs, but his territory, assuming that doing so was the same thing.

As for me? My name is Iza Remulla, and this is the story of my revenge. And this is the beginning.

Chapter 1

Clamp Clamp Clamp

I focused on the sound of my frustration as I try to open the car’s door. I shook the handle so badly I swore I could break it.

“Let’s talk.”

Adrian’s voice was calm as usual as he turned off the headlights. The last few months we’ve been fighting a lot, and every time always results to the same scenario. I ignore his phone calls. He fetches me from school. We have dinner awkwardly without talking. He drives me home. But just before I step out of his car, he’d lock the door. And now I have no choice but to actually… talk.

“Like I have a choice…” I murmured under my breath.

He rolled his eyes and began the long anticipated conversation.

As usual he’d ask the same question.

“What’s wrong?”

And as usual I’d say the same answer.

“Nothing.”

He’d sigh and ask again.

Then I’d sigh and answer again.

And then this is where it differs. Depending on his mood, he would either choose offensive or defensive. I glanced at his face and tried to get a hint of his expression. Illuminated by the street lamp nearby, I saw his forehead wrinkle.

Neither.

He’s undecided.

And right now, he’s trying to see through me. He’s trying to read me. And he’s great at it too. I flinched on my seat and tried to glance away. But it was too late. He already saw my reaction.

And from my reaction he’s going to formulate a strategy. His mind works like that it’s insane. But it’s so complicated I find it really cool.

He sighed again, and after a momentarily silence, he finally broke the ice.

“Iz…” It starts with my name. It always does.

He’s taken defensive.

 “Why are you acting like this?”

I scoffed and managed to give him a scowl.

“Open the door, now!” My voice raised, knowing deep down inside he won’t oblige.

“Just tell me what I did that’s so wrong.” He held on to my wrist like I’m hanging from a cliff and he’s the only person who can save me. On second thought, our relationship really is hanging from a cliff. And I needed saving. Badly.

“Let’s fix this, please.” He pleaded. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

I locked eyes with him once more before I finally gave in. I was hoping looking him in the eye would remind me why I fell in love with this cold man in the first place. Unfortunately, I didn’t see him. That, or he’s just locked up somewhere between his law textbooks and his overwhelmingly huge pride.

“I just…” I started, almost regretting the first two words the came out of my mouth. “I’m not perfect, Ian. I’m not you.”

I saw his expression change. Despite the dimness, I can still imagine his pupils expanding, settling in on a cold stare.

He’s playing offensive now.

“Perfect? Who put up that idea in your head?” His voice raised in a falsetto.

And now he’s grilling me with his stare. I suddenly felt small. Again. Adrian’s like a hammer and he’s determined to stick up that poor defenseless nail to the wall. And he won’t stop until it’s displayed there, like a trophy he won at some contest.

Right now, I’m that nail being hammered in. I buried myself on his car seat, scared to even look him in the eye.

“I’m just… saying. I’m not perfect like you. I can’t be you.” I managed to spit out the words while I sink lower and lower on the seat’s cushion.

“Who says I’m perfect, Iz?” His falsetto dropped, and this time, his voice was deep. His inquisitive tone turned into an assumptive voice. His body even turned from the stirring wheel to my seat.

I knew bad news when I see it. Before he was able to say anything, I seized the moment.

“Well, I’m not! You expect me to be this girl that I’m not. You want me to be this girl that I’m not. I’m not smart as you, Ian! I’m not as rich and popular. I’m not like you! I hate being compared to you! I hate looking up to you! I hate that you see me weak and small and defenseless! I hate that I can’t be you!”

Whatever those words meant, it didn’t matter. Whether it made sense at the moment, or not, I didn’t care. I finally said what I wanted to say. All that’s left is one sentence, and it’s over.

Let’s break up!

He blinked. And I saw because everything was in slow motion then. My breaths, the car engine, the click of the car lock, and his cold voice when he said, “Get out from my car.”

Everything felt wrong. First – I should be doing the dramatic exit. Second – I should have said it out loud.

Let’s break up!

Darn it.

-end-

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