Chapter 11

After we all sat together, my parents were having a chitchat with Wang while I was playing with my phone under the table. I know it’s rude but I am uncomfortable, especially when Yael and Henry are staring at me. 

"Good evening. Sorry, I'm late." I immediately raised my head when I heard that familiar voice coming from our back. 

He’s here. Looking at the time, I guess he just came from his work. 

I noticed that Mr. and Mrs. Wang didn’t even glance at him while Yael and Henry only glanced at him. 

"And who is this handsome man?" Mom asked after Mark sat in front of me. Just by looking at his face, he didn’t notice that I was there. He might be thinking that this was a coincidence but it was not. He didn’t know me- the real me so I will assume for now that he also didn’t know my family… personally. 

"Oh! He's Mark. The boy we adopted at that orphanage." Mrs. Wang said like he was nothing. I didn’t feel that they cared for him but why? Why adopt him if they are going to treat him like this? Or are there more reasons behind why they are acting cold to him?

This family is more interesting than us, huh? 

"Nice to meet you, Mark. I am Gabriella Andres, this is my husband Alex Andres, and our daughter Catherine Andres." Mom introduced us to him. He nodded and smiled at my Dad and when he looked at me, I stared back at him as I sipped on my wine. He looked away when I raised my eyebrow at him. 

"Thank you for inviting us to eat dinner, Yeri. But I guess you have another reason behind this." Mom told to Mrs. Wang. My heart began to pound loudly again. My nervousness earlier was gone when Mark appeared but now, I became nervous again that I suddenly lost my appetite. 

When Mrs. Wang asked my age and suddenly compared it to her son, that’s when I confirmed my thoughts. The situation that I was in.

This is not a casual dinner, this is the planning to put us in an arranged marriage for their damn business. 

I knew my Mom was flustered when she suddenly looked at Dad who remained silent. I didn’t even dare to look at them. My eyes remained on my plate while I was holding the utensils tightly. 

This is bullshit. 

They would not agree to this, right? They should not be or else… I swear, they will lose me. 

I suddenly wanted to run away. I know Nikki is watching us outside waiting for me to stand up. Should I stand up now? Or should I cause a scene for this damn ‘dinner’ to end? Not Yael or Henry. Not the Wang Family. I don’t want my family to be linked by them because I know, for sure, if they get into our family, there are chances that they will control us, especially my Dad because of the help that they will give to us for my Dad’s project. 

"What can you say, Alex? Merging of the Wang and Andres?" I heard Mr. Wang ask my Dad. I looked at my thigh when I felt Mom’s hand on it. She was worried. She didn’t expect this. 

What’s the use of hiding me from the world for my safety when they will just marry off to that family? 

"Your offer was tempting." I blinked at what my Dad said. I felt like my heart was going to explode. No. He won’t do that. 

"It's a deal,” I was going to protest after Mr. Wang said that. I am on the verge of crying right now. When I was ready to stand up, Dad suddenly spoke. 

"It's a deal if my daughter wants to." Dad held my hand tightly. He knew. He knew that I would protest. He knew that I didn't want this. I felt relieved. 

"We really valued marriage and of course, we respect our daughter. We want her to choose the man she will love and she will marry. We are open to merging of the company but leaving my daughter out of it. We can merge our company without this arranged marriage." Dad explained to them. Based on the expressions of the Wang, they are disappointed with what my Dad’s thinking. Of course, they will be disappointed because they didn’t get the answer that they wanted.

"They will soon learn to love each other, Alex." Mrs. Wang said seriously. I almost rolled my eyes and scoffed at what she said. Learn to love each other? Never. I will not fall in love with any of her sons. 

"Your company lost almost 10 billion because of your new project, right? We can save that project of yours." I looked at Mr. Wang because of what he said. What the heck is he saying? Mom and Dad didn’t speak. Damn. Was that true? What kind of project is that? And how dare he hold that against my parents?! Is my Dad’s project going to fail when he doesn't get support? And why Kieffer didn’t inform me about this shits?!

Mr. Wang looked at me with a smirk on his face. I don’t like that stare. Those stares told me that he succeeded in convincing my parents. When I looked at my parents, they couldn’t look at me like they were ashamed and felt sorry at the same time. Damn. I wanted to laugh and assumed that this was only a joke but I couldn’t. My mind was not functioning well. 

"Have you decided, Kathy?” I once looked at my parents. Still no response from them. I breathe deeply. Then, I have no choice but to cause a scene. They made me do this. 

"Do you like someone?" Mrs. Wang asked me. I shook my head in answer. It’s true. I don’t like someone but I am interested in someone and I think I will use that to cause a scene just to escape this damn unpleasant dinner.