CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3

YANA

I don't think a proposal should be that way. Even though I've never been proposed to, since there was no proposal between Spencer and I. We just decided we'd get married after eloping, not knowing he intentionally brought me here just so he can be closer to his mistress. 

'You're not easy to love, Yana' 

Those words echo in my head again. I'm never easy to love, but I'm easy to propose to, right? If not, why would someone I haven't even known for two hours propose to me out of the blue? Just like that? Shouldn't that be considered creepy? 

So, I do the best thing. I step out of his car quickly and hurry to my house. Once I'm in, I lock my door, ensuring there's no way he can creep into my house. I take a look at him through the window and watch him drive into his house. I didn't leave the window until I'm sure he's inside his house and not lurking around.

Where did Valeria meet someone as random as him? 

My phone rings at that moment and I pull it out of my shorts pocket. Mom's name flashes across the screen and I draw a deep breath before settling on the sofa. I consider not picking it up and let it ring off. I'm not in the mood for her nags that night, especially when I know she's only calling to tell me my father is really serious about disowning me if I don't return home. 

But I'm not a kid anymore. I can make decisions by myself. I can decide on who to marry even though it turns out wrong, but at least... 

My phone rings out again, and knowing my mother, she never stops until she gets what she wants so I decide to pick up. 

"Yana!" She yells into the phone. I pull it away from my ears for a second and then decide to put it on speakerphone. 

"How dare you disgrace our family?" She screams. My brows furrows, wondering what I'd done again. We've gone past disgracing our reputation when I ran away from home. 

"Do you know your pathetic self would have been plastered on all blogs if we didn't stop the news? Why would you allow that lowlife to stand you up?"

Of course, they know about it. They know everything about me. Even after running away from home, they still got someone to tail me.

"I can't believe you stayed there like a fool waiting for one boy to come back for you. If you had listened to us and married Mason, this wouldn't have happened."

She'll definitely blame me. She never asks if I'm fine. She cares more about the family's reputation than her only daughter.

"Mom, can we not do this tonight?"

She lets out a scoff. "Of course you're too ashamed to talk about it. But you know what, we'll forgive you. Come back home and do the right thing. Mason is still willing to marry you even after everything. You chased all the other guys way with your stubbornness, even the one you claim loves you. Mason is the only one that'll ever agree to that."

My head sparks. Chased others away with my stubbornness? I can't count the number of rich spoilt brat they've introduced me to and when I don't bend to their bidding, I become the difficult one.

And Mason?The only one? After I told them he tried to assault me the last time? They still think I should be with him? Like my worth can be measured through that? Like I can never meet someone that'll be willing to marry me because I got stood up?

"He's not the only one willing to marry me," I spat, remembering the fine man that proposed to me earlier even though I found it creepy. 

She lets out a scoff. "Are you still thinking about that lowlife? You want to beg him to marry you?" She asks in a tone of disbelief and I glower at my phone even though I can't see her face. "And marriage is not the only thing. I can decide not to get married, it doesn't change me from who I am or quantify how worthy I am."

Her voice rises. "Yana, what the hell are you saying? Why can't you just be considerate of this family for once?"

A surge of fury course through me and before I explode, I end the call on her and throw my phone to the other chair. What the heck! I'm not considerate of the family? After everything I went through? 

A knock from the door breaks into my thoughts and I jump out of my seat startled. I glance at the door wondering who could be knocking. Did Spencer come back? It had better not be.

I open the door and the face of my neighbour comes into view. He's now changed into a casual short and T-shirt that makes him look entirely different from the image earlier. This time, he looks like a pure and innocent neighbour offering cookies to a new neighbour. No doubt, he's a good looking man, easily the most handsome man I've ever met, but I just can't...I don't even know what to think.

"I'm sorry about earlier," he starts, offering me the cookies.

I eye it before looking back at him. "Is it poisoned?"

He chuckles. "I can't tell you that, but I made it myself."

I pucker my brows.

"That's reassuring."

"Can I come in?"

I arch an eyebrow. "I promise, I'm not a creep or a serial killer."

I consider it for a moment before stepping away from the door. He walks into the house and drops the cookies on my dining table.

"You've got a nice place."

"What do you want?" I snap. I didn't intend to sound that way, but my emotions have been going on a rollercoaster since the start of the day.

"I didn't introduce myself earlier. I'm Luis Bishop." He extends a hand and my brows crease. Luis Bishop? That name isn't unfamiliar. Everyone knows the Bishop family and just last month, Luis Bishop ranked 30 under 30 hottest and wealthiest man. I must have been so disoriented not to recognise him.

And worst of all, he's Valeria's step son. She married his aged father last year. No wonder he barked at them earlier and mentioned revenge. I can't believe I thought he's a creep.

"I...I'm..."

He smiles. "It's fine. You must be Valeria's friend and that guy you caught her with should be your boyfriend, right?"

"My almost husband."

His brows raise. "We were supposed to get married today but he stood me up to sleep with my best friend."

"Wow, that must have been terrible. Are you okay?"

I have a tight-lipped smile. "I'll be."

"I'm sorry."

I walk over to the sofa. "What were you saying about getting a revenge earlier?"

"You're interested now?" He asks as he walks up to the couch. 

I shrug. "Spencer and Valeria are getting married next week and they invited me."

He settles on the couch. "So, you want to go?"

I chew on my bottom lip.

"We can always go together as a couple. I'm sure that'll be more shocking than you actually showing up."

I raise my brows. "You think so?"

His lips spread into a mischievous smile. "I know so."