As if there's going to be a chance for me to feel comfortable? Are my parents this serious? Of all places and chances for me to get away from the sources of my problems, why did it still follow me? Look, even if minutes alreast passed by, I was still getting suffocated by the intense ambience of the dining place. Despite the jolly presence reining because of the lively talk of our parents, I still could not make myself calm. I tried to swallow my food again and it's very, very hard to do it. Not because it's Kiana's not-so-pleasant cook but because of him. I dropped my fork and spoon before attempting to glance at him. He remained fixated on his food. Never have I ever caught him looking at me. And that's really suffocating me. I sighed again, I think I've been sighing for so many times since the dinner started. I caught Kiana who's already glancing at me and it's so clear that she could understand what's between me and the guy in front of me."Something wrong? Kiana?" Wren interrupt

"What? He's merciless!" I complained, Mezakiel and I met once again and went out to talk about how Wren's going to handle the punishment. Mezakiel finished his glass of soda first. "Yes, he's not going to change his mind, the punishment is still running." I sighed. "Why is he so rough? What's the sense of the gamble if he's taking our suspension this long?" I asked, annoyed. He shrugged, it irritated me to see his calm situation. "I don't know, I think he's obviously showing that he doesn't want you to end up with his brother. That dude you like? I mean?""Gosh, I'm aware of that. It's because Wren's going to marry my cousin sooner, for sure." He didn't answer me, he remained silent and enjoyed his meal. Mezakiel's already updated thay my cousin and Aspen's brother who leads this gamble would become engaged soon. And it's hard to stop that. It's not like Mezakiel and I would stop the wedding so I could freely have Aspen and win the gamble. That's funny.Funy enough to annoy me.

He told me that there's no time to waste, so I dated him. I was affected by the pressure and fear he showed. Because I didn't want to regret that we didn't even have to go out properly before he'd transfer and live across a distance. Because I thought it's also the best way for us, to go out despite being in a relationship. But I was so lost, I was so confused and reckless that I accepted it knowing I've been yearning for a moment where there were no problems. Like, I just wanted to be with him where no one's stopping us. And the date was the only chance we had. But I thought it's too simple to let ourselves go with the flow before we're too late. I didn't even mind too much that we're just dating to not regret things even though we sincerely have feelings toward each other. That was so immature of me. And this time, I was kept on being bugged by his words that we need to stay like that. To keep what we're doing as secrets. And it stings me especially when I saw him with Maddison

After we enjoyed the speedboat ride, it was unexpected for the rest to try the speedboat and there, the awkwardness began. I introduced Mezakiel to them and Coraline was dead curious why I told everyone that he's a friend and not a frigging cousin. Great, because she knew Mezakiel as my cousin. "What on Earth? Liar!" Coraline pouted and darted me the darkest stare ever. "You lied, you said he's a cousin. Why?" "You know, why? Because it would be very hard for you to believe that he's just a friend to me that time. Who would believe that a random, stranger guy would be the one you'd see in my apartment?" And her lips twitched in annoyance. But I had a point, that time when Coraline caught Mezakiel in my apartment was very thrilling to the point that I just made up my mind, blurting out that he's a relative to me. So we would be far away from issues and suspicions."That still didn't sound good to me. That was a long-term lie," she added which made me very guilty. I held her hand. "I

Tomorrow morning, after we went back home with our farewells, I prepared myself to face Wren and tell him that I'd be quitting the gamble. Mezakiel and I had dealt about my decision and he said it's not on his part to decide because what he wanted was for my sake as well. And it made me appreciate his concern and understanding to my side. Even if I couldn't grant his goal to pay back Sadie using the prize, he still didn't mind his failure. He focused thinking about what's best for me. Since he's the one who involved me. Yesterday, I used all my time explaining the complete story to Coraline to fix my problem with her. Or if we ever called that as a problem since on my part, we didn't fight. There was just a mistake I didn't try fixing with her immediately.So I mended what was needed to be mended between us yesterday. And it also felt so light to share her all the things I've been through. This day arrived, and my plan to meet Wren wouldn't change. There're lots of things I need