Trapped by Four Alphas

Jonea has just finished brushing the last brush across a piece of canvas. Her cell phone rang as she smiled contentedly at Marlyn, her best friend who was the model of her painting.

"Our last task has been completed," said Jonea. "Thank you for your help, Marlyn."

"Yep, see ya after the summer break!" replied Marlyn while packing her things into a bag. "Your phone keeps ringing, Jonea. Maybe something important?" Marlyn was already standing beside Jonea, looking at her self-portrait before leaving.

"At least it's just Miller," said Jonea, tidying up her brushes. "We promised to meet at the front stop of his dorm."

"It must be nice to have such a handsome brother. Next time, introduce me to him!" Marlyn glanced at Jonea before leaving while waving. "Happy summer holidays!"

After wiping her hands with a wet towel, Jonea picked up her cell phone.

"Dad?" There was a surprise in Jonea's tone. She thought Miller had called. "What happen? You don't usually call me at this hour. I'm getting ready—"

"Jonea… please listen to me!" said her dad firmly.

Jonea tucked the phone between her shoulder and ear. Her hands were busy cleaning up the rest of the paint and brushes. When she heard her dad's grave voice, Jonea immediately straightened up.

"What's the matter, Dad? Why are you so serious?"

"Miller..." her dad's voice was cut off and turned into muffled sobs.

"Miller? What's wrong with him? Soon I will be home. We had promised to meet at the bus stop near his school. You don't need to worry—"

"You have to go to the hospital. Miller's accident."

Jonea's cheerful face suddenly disappeared and turned pale. There were lines of confusion and denial all over her body.

"What? Miller is fine!" shouted Jonea.

"Come to the hospital right now. Miller had an accident while leaving school." The father's voice sounded full of regret and sadness. The man turned off the phone without waiting for Jonea's answer.

"Impossible!" shouted Jonea, panicked. "This morning, he is still fine. He told me we would go home together this afternoon and promised to meet at the bus stop in front of his school."

Jonea left her painting equipment and grabbed the backpack on the chair. She rushed out of the art institute, running as fast as possible.

***

Jonea ran along the sidewalk until she arrived at the hospital. She walked down the pale, cold halls searching for the operating room. Jonea stopped at the turn of the aisle when she accidentally heard her parents scream.

Jonea's parents stood in front of the operating room, facing two men in black suits.

Jonea took a step back and hid. She could hear clearly what her parents and the two men were saying, even though they were unaware of Jonea's presence.

"Mr and Mrs Fallon, we will cover your son's medical expenses. We will also provide additional scholarships for your other daughters until they graduate and are accepted at top universities without the need to go through the selection. We also provide enough pocket money for them to graduate. And... we will also waive the building rental fee for the chicken restaurant you are managing forever. You can get all those offers if you're willing to close this case and accept it as a single accident."

Jonea clenched her jaw and clenched her hands by her sides. She did not know what was happening and befall her brother. However, the offer she had just heard made Jonea very angry.

"Something's wrong!"

When Jonea was about to come to them, her mother screamed.

"How could... are you guys this mean and cruel to our son? We want justice!"