Emotional

--Maeve--

My birthday pass and Valentine. I am still single. I never told him that we are together, but I agreed on marrying him and asked for a prenup. He laughed at me telling me that he won't snoop on my account. He didn't provide one. I am still thinking of what he is planning.

I thought a lot of negatives and I am sure that in the end I will be left wounded and defeated from the battlefield. I never received a gift or even chocolates from him, he was back in the city and he will be back where I don't know when. But I hope that he will come back to me.

After days of dating, I was always laughing with him and I always bully him. I had fun on our hiking and other dates. He said that he wanted to go to the beautiful places on the island and so I accompanied him.

I always feel gloomy and I am always thinking if he would ever love me. Would he? I even work out a lot and make my skin fair and so on and forth just to be beautiful for him. Why am I still hurting on what I am doing?

A month ago, he and I talked to my parents about the wedding. My dad was only quiet, and I know that he doesn't like the idea of it. My mom also doesn't like the idea. However, it ended up that they just said that I can do whatever I wanted after my graduation. But I hate it that I must get married soon without getting a job.

He explained that he's the CEO of one of the Global Companies in Taguig and he could give me one if I wanted to. Still, I plan to go on with my studies, I must get a two-year course and civil service exam.

He will help me with everything and whatever I want. Well, I only thought that I would be less of a burden to my family that's why I agreed with the wedding and because his grandmother was dying or something. But I hate the idea of conning his grandmother.

He said that he will make this marriage work and I am hoping that it will and if not, I could leave him, still, he will support me. I don't know how rich he is, but I don't like to be hurt or something. I still could enjoy my life yet we agreed not to flirt or play with males if I am married. And it’s not like I would do such a thing.

Since it is March and we are done with the finals, finally and getting ready for graduation, I am wearing a shirt and one of my skinny jeans. I couldn't go on shopping with the money I saved by working as a student assistant, I'm going to buy a smartphone so I could study well with the internet on the phone since we don't have an unlimited WIFI in the house because it's a bit far away from the main town.

And, buying my phone is something independent. I never bought any gadget that came from my parent’s money. I work hard for it.

"Let's go to a pizza parlor today!" one of my friends slash classmates, Uri, held my arm. "You know the best pizza—"

"I know, I had eaten there many times before. But I don't want to spend—"

"Just fifty is fine—" I exhaled and shook my head.

"I'm out," I said, finally. They complained. I rolled my eyes and looked in the direction of the parking area. My eyes widen to find an unexpected someone. He's there leaning on the Ford Everest and grinning. "What the fuck!"

"Your mouth!" Therese smacked my back. I grimaced. "Why is he looking in this way?" I didn't tell them what's in the fucking hell is going on with me.

"Oh, I don't know. Let's go!" I said quickly as I started pulling them.

"Maeve!" he called, and he cocked his head. I exhaled.

"He knows you!" Therese exclaimed.

He walked toward us and smiled coyly at my friends.

"Hi, I'm Zac."

"I'm Uri, this is Therese and Sandra." Uri, the good girl among us, introduced them.

"Nice to meet you all. So, are you planning to go somewhere?"

"We are inviting her for pizza today but she's too—" I cover Uri's mouth and glare at him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked fiercely. He smiled.

"I'm picking up my fiancée." Every one of them gasped, jaw drops, and I don't want to determine each of their expressions. He bent down and kissed my forehead. "Let's go for pizza, my treat."

"It's alright, they can go on their own," I told him.

"You guys are invited to our wedding." He pulled me and put his arms around my shoulder. I hate it when I feel so small around him. I am just at his underarm level, more like near his waist.

"Why don't we know this?" They asked almost at the same time. I mutter a few curses as they are interrogating me and him.

"She didn't tell you?" he frowned and messed my hair. I nudge him on his abdominal hard making him groan. "Babe, that's not very nice. It's alright girls, I will tell you more when we go inside my car and on our way to pizza."

It did happen and he held my hand. I let him order whatever. I said I'm fine with any pizza. He rested his arm on the sofa that we are sitting and playing with my hair. I even push it and smack it. He just smiled while my friends seemed out of place every time he did PDA. Half of me likes it, half of me feels embarrassed.

He and the girls do most of the talking about me and him and whatnot. I didn't say anything, and he goes on with his lies. I let him go on with his lies still it makes me anxious about it.

We eat and he did eat a lot as well saying that he never had a pizza for months. What? Is he serious or lying? I can't even determine what part he lies about.

We went our separate ways and he bought boxes of pizza for my family. I started chewing Mentos and listening to my music. He pulled my earpiece and held my hand. I don't know what this is all about now.

"You seemed to be unhappy."

"Why would I be happy?" Yes, seriously. Maybe he got a small dick, right? "You keep lying. I don't like it."

"Didn't you lie in your whole life?"

"I know lies and I know how to do one. But it's too much."

"I will be the one to be responsible for everything." I hope that he will. "So, how about after your graduation, let's go hiking or whatever you wanted to go, and we will have to meet my grandma. I told her that I couldn't find the right ring for you." He intertwined his hand with mine. It felt so sweet and this is my first time that someone would hold mine like that. "She gave me one and I have to resize it for you."

"What can I say?" I shrugged. He smiled.

"Why are you always so cold? You are sounding like a monster."

"Don't call me one." I snorted.

"Maeve, don't be upset. You can still live like you are living before, though it will be a little more."

"I don't want to cook early in the morning," I told him.

"I have a cook and a maid. Don't worry." He winked.

"Just how rich are you? You sound like a spoiled brat." I chuckled.

"Hey, don't call me that." He let go of my hand as he adjusted something and held on to the gear.

I suddenly felt cold. He got a warm touch and I wanted to feel more than that. Nobody has ever made me feel like that. However, I knew well that it’s just for a show.

I always feel cold, alone, and hurt. Nobody likes me. Some do but they aren't for me. I just know myself. I don't want him to ask about more. A wedding is more. But love is most. Could I ever have that one?

No, he's just acting for all these things.

And here I am again, arguing to myself inside my head.

We stop just on the national road toward our barangay. He pulled out something in the drawers and gave the box to me. I look at him. Still, it pains me that this wasn't any romantic proposal. Should I just put the ring on without any ritual or sweet words or something?

I open the box. It's a beautiful ring and a very expensive one, but I don't feel surprised. Maybe because it was a job more than a proposal. I took it and was about to put it on, but he took it instead and put it on my left ring finger.

"It looks beautiful on you."

"This was your grandma's?"

"Yup." He smiled.

"How could you fool your grandma like that?" I ask him.

"Fuck." He muttered and leaned his head on his seat. "Don't do that. Why do you keep making me guilty?"

"You can just turn around and bring this ring of yours and never see me again. It's simple. I and you will be back on our normal living. I still don't understand why you are doing this."

"I thought we agreed to it." He creased his brows, looking annoyed.

"We did."

"Stop thinking a lot. That's the problem with you."

"I know."

"Just fuck." He muttered. I sigh. "Let's just do this. Okay? I won't make anything that is against you."

"Yeah, let's just do it," I said nonchalantly.

"Great." He turned on the engine and I stared down at the ring.

This is where lies will keep going on. My life will depend on it. My heart will depend on it. My soul as well will depend on it. If I break, that might be the end of me.