Chapter 1 My Life, My Rules

• Come on, Cara. The rest is looking forward to relaxing tonight.
• Cara sighed and rubbed her temples. Rose had been pestering her all day about going out later.
• "I can't. I have work to finish," Cara responded.
• Rose raised an eyebrow. "Work? You just successfully completed a million-dollar operation. Don't you think you deserve a break?"
• Cara rolled her eyes and got up from her seat. She took off her white coat and hung it on the rack. "I'm swamped. My family is having dinner with the Carters," she explained, which was true. The Carters had specifically requested her presence, and she couldn't say no.
• Rose let out a heavy sigh. "Yeah, sure. You have a fiancé. But—"
• "I can't go against my father's wishes," Cara interrupted.
• Rose raised an eyebrow and crossed her legs as she stared at Cara. "You're not a kid anymore, Cara. You can make your own decisions. You're against this engagement, yet you agreed just because of your manipulative father—I'm sorry for the language, but I really can't stand him."
• She was right.
• Cara was already twenty-eight. She had a degree and a successful career. She had earned millions, yet she allowed her family to dictate her life choices.
• "If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't let someone else decide for me. Come out with us tonight and, please, it's not that difficult to break the rules just this once," Rose insisted, a sly smirk forming on her lips.
• Cara raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, and you're an expert at breaking rules."
• Rose laughed and stood up. "My life, my rules," she said, winking at Cara.
• Cara shook her head as a smile escaped from her lips. "Yeah. Whatever."
• "So, eight o'clock tonight. Okay?"
• "I'll think about it."
• Rose arched her brow but eventually clapped her hands as if she were sure to win in a game—a convincing game. "Sure. And if you need an excuse for your father, you can easily tell him that you're on duty tonight and can't make it. Let your father have dinner with your fiancé. Besides, it was him who liked that jerk," she said and laughed. "So, see you later, babe," she added as she walked towards the door of Cara's office.
• Cara nodded in response. She fixed her table and had some tea before going out. Every day is a hectic day inside the hospital. It's been three years since she resided in one of the famous hospitals in town.
• Driving to her condo, her phone rang. She looked at the caller, and it was her father. She heaved a deep sigh. Maybe Rose was right. She also needs to break the rules. Since she was a kid, her father has already controlled everything for her. He's the family she had since she lost her mother when she was born. Although her father got married for the second time, she doesn't feel comfortable with his second family.
• She chose to distance herself. Nevertheless, she still obeys him… for all these years. Even if it's hard for her sometimes. He wanted her to be a doctor, so she became a doctor. When in fact, she wanted to be a flight attendant.
• He was also her great critic. He asked her how could she be a flight attendant when she was fat and ugly.
• She just tries to laugh about it. Every time he slapped her with those words, she always tried to hide them with a smile.
• 'I am fat, but am I that ugly?'
• Another ring interrupted her thoughts. It's him again. She grabbed her phone and answered it.
• "Where are you?"
• As usual, she heard his cold and devilish voice again.
• "I'm—"
• "Move your ass here, and we will be having dinner with the Carters tonight. Don't make any excuses again, Cara."
• 'How could I ever explain when he's giving a threat beforehand?'
• Suddenly, Rose's voice echoed inside her head. 'Break rules.'
• "I'm sorry, Dad. But a patient needs me tonight." Before he could react, she ended the call. She knows what she did is wrong, but she wants to have time for herself, too.
• Being in this situation, she always wished to have freedom but ended up obeying him.
• While focusing her sight on the road, she tried to dial Rose's number, and in just three rings, she answered.
• "Yes. What can I do for you?"
• She bit her lower lip and heaved a sigh. "I am coming tonight."
• "Great!" Rose blurted, making her pull her phone away from her ear and leaving a grimace on her face.
• "Your voice."
• Rose laughed on the other line. "I am sorry. You know, I am just happy. Finally, our Cara is coming tonight. With that, drinks are on me."
• Cara slightly shook her head as she entered the subdivision. She stopped the car, lowered the window on her side, and tapped her white card. "See you," she said and ended the call.
• The gate opened, and she saw the guard, who was the same age as hers, smiling. She nodded her head.
• CARA pulled her hair as she stared at her closet, wondering what to wear. Seriously, she doesn't mind wearing anything when she goes to work, but for tonight… she sighed. She dialed Rose's number once again.
• "Ready?"
• "I don't know what to wear," she said, straight to the point, making her happy friend laugh her ass out.
• "Seriously, Cara?"
• She rolled her eyes and sat on the edge of her bed. "I never joked, Rose."
• "Yeah, right. Just wear anything that will be appropriate to a high-end bar."
• She pushed down herself on her comfy bed and stared at the ceiling. "I don't usually—"
• "Wait for me. I'm coming. You're hopeless, Cara. Gosh!" Rose asserted and ended the call.
• Cara put down her phone and stretched her arms. Well, this is her. She was not a party girl like them.
• After a couple of minutes, since Rose's subdivision is just a few meters away from hers, she heard her doorbell ring.
• As soon as she opened the door, her pouty lips welcomed her sight.
• "He—" She didn't finish it when she just entered.
• Rose is not new to her house, so she knows every part of it. She walked towards her room and strode straight in front of her closet.
• "You almost got everything. You're a rich bitch. But doesn't know what to wear?" she started as she flipped every dress she had.
• Cara crossed her arms as she leaned on the door jamb.
• "Hmm… you have to wear something that will show your perfect curves—"
• "You mean, my fats?"
• Rose stopped, turned her head in her direction, and glared at her. "How many times do I have to tell you that you have a perfect body?"
• Cara laughed and walked closer to her. "I am FAT and UGLY, period." She grabbed the dress that she just lifted. "For you, I'm gonna wear this revealing dress, mother," she teased.
• "You're beautiful. And that's not too revealing," Rose said.
• Cara just smiled and walked toward the bathroom. Well, it's revealing for her as she used to wear conservative dresses. While this one is plain and simple, it doesn't change the fact that it shows her bare shoulder and her cleavage.
• When she got out, Rose clapped her hands and showered her with compliments repeatedly. She knows she's not lying, but it was just her who couldn't accept that fact.
• She grew up in the surroundings, where people criticized her not until she decided to leave the Meyers' manor.
• "I hope you will enjoy the night, Caramel Meyer," Rose whispered as she strode toward Cara and started to walk away.
• Cara shook her head and smiled.