Chapter 2

Akasia’s Point Of View

“What?!”

Caleb and I both shouted. He started uttering profanities while I was questioning my Dad.

“Why? What the fuck? Papa, what is this?” He asked with his accent. He sounds so Italian while calling his father.

Ngayon ko lang napansin na may babaeng katabi si Tito Carlo. Parang galit din siyang nakikipag-usap kay Tito Carlo nang marinig yung sinabi nila ni Dad.

“Dad, what is this? Prank ba ‘to? I am not loving this.” I said to my Dad.

“I’m sorry, hija. But you know that our company’s falling down, and we need your Tito Carlo’s help.” He said.

“By what? By getting married to his arrogant son? Oh my gosh, Dad, you're stressing me out. Wala ka man lang planong sabihin sa akin na may plano ka palang ganito?” Galit na saad ko sa kaniya.

“We don’t have a choice, Aki.” He called me by my nickname.

Kanina lang nagsasaya ako sa party tapos malalaman ko na ikakasal na pala ako?!

Handa na akong tumanggi sa sinabi nila. Ngayon lang ako tatanggi sa inuutos ni Dad dahil ni minsan ay hindi ko siya sinuway.

“When’s the wedding?” I heard Caleb’s voice, talking to his father and my father.

“In two weeks,” I heard Tito Carlos.

In two weeks?! I can’t deal with this!

It looks like they’ve convinced Caleb because right now he doesn’t look like he cares anymore.

I was about to fly into a rage when Dad stopped me. He said we will talk when we get home.

I walked away to the front yard to breathe. I need to calm my ass down, or else I might cause a scene inside.

I felt someone following me, so I faced it. It was Caleb, emotionlessly following me while both of his hands were in his pockets.

“Stop following me!” Naiirita kong saad.

“I don’t have a choice. Your bankrupt father told me to follow you.” He said as he insulted my Dad.

What the fuck did he just say?

“You—” I was about to say something when he stopped me.

“We better get along, for Pete’s sake. Why don’t you tell your father that you want to cancel this shit?” He said in a cold tone of voice.

“Who are you to order me around? Bakit hindi ikaw?” My brows furrowed.

He licked his lower lip before scratching his neck in annoyance.

“Look, I don’t want to get married to someone like you. I don’t even know you.” He said as he looked straight in my eyes.

“Then the feeling is mutual,” I said as I walked away from him.

Hindi ko na naramdaman na sinusundan niya ako kaya tumawag na lang ako ng Uber para makauwi na ako. Wala akong ganang sumabay sa kanila dahil naiirita ang buong katawan ko.

When I got home, I went straight to my room to take a deep sleep. Hoping that I will wake up from this nightmare.

I was awakened by the rays of the sunlight beaming through my windows, and I grabbed my phone right away.

I received a lot of texts from Dad last night, and I received one early this morning.

He told me to meet Caleb and come with him to buy a wedding dress.

So, he is serious?!

Ang aga-aga umiinit ulo ko. Gusto kong magwala at maghampas ng kung anong mga bagay.

After last night, are they expecting us to be that close? Neither of us expects any of it. In fact, they hid it from us! We didn’t even get a word from it.

Ako ang kawawa rito! Mawawalan ako ng kalayaan!

I tried to call Lucila, but it looks like she got tired from partying out last night.

See? That’s what real life is! Partying freely and enjoying life. Marriage will take away your freedom and everything.

I got a call from an unknown number, and I answered it.

[You’re slow as a turtle. I don’t have all day.]

‘Yan lang ‘yung sinabi ng kabilang linya bago mamatay.

How disrespectful!

Siya ‘tong tumawag tapos bigla na lang akong bababaan?!

He texted me the location, and I decided to take my time freely. I wanted to piss him off as he pisses me off. I even enjoyed the music inside my car and drove slowly.

And he was there, I saw him looking in my direction coldly. He looks like he waited for an hour.

If that’s the case, I am glad then.

“How—”

He was about to say something, but I hushed him.

“Shush! Nakakairita boses mo.” The first thing I’ve said before entering the shop.

Ganti lang from last night. Akala niya hindi ko natatandaan ‘yon?

The tension was thick, and both of us were hot-headed. We did not utter a word and just let the tailor do the measurements.

“Ang sweet naman! Kailan ang kasal niyo?” The tailor asked.

I winced and closed my eyes to hide my frustration. Caleb did not utter a word as well.

Sana naman mahalata niya na hindi namin ginugusto ‘to.

After taking our measurements and choosing our fits. I walked away out of the shop and was about to get in my car, but Caleb called me.

“Hey, you!” I heard his voice. Such a jerk, right? I do have a name.

I faced him and raised my eyebrows, waiting for him to talk.

“We have to buy a ring, your Dad ordered.” He said. And now he’s talking casually as if he didn’t insult my Dad last night?

“Bumili ka mag-isa mo. Proproblemahin ko pa ba ‘yan?” Huli kong saad bago sumakay sa kotse at pinaandar ko na bago pa siya may gawin.

He looks irritated, so I smirked and proudly drove my car away.

I then called Lucila to have lunch with her and to vent about what happened last night.

We met at the restaurant, and we both ordered what we wanted.

“Bakit nawala ka kagabi?” Tanong niya.

“Some shit happened.” I shrugged my shoulder and drank water to keep my cool.

“And that shit is?” She asked.

I started venting at her, and all the time she was just shocked, and then she’ll end up laughing.

“Awe, no more party nights for you.” She teased me. I showed her the fork that I was holding, which made her laugh even more.

“Imagine how awful my life would be! He’s so arrogant! He is ruthless and selfish like I want to strangle him!” I said in pure annoyance.

“Wala kang choice, you can’t defy your father, and as you’ve said, nakasalalay ‘yung company niyo rito.” Lucila said.

I don’t know what to do! Can I just fly somewhere and live peacefully?

I don’t want my life to end like this! I don’t want to get married yet, especially to this kind of man!