Arranged marriage

Chapter 5

"Why would I do that, Grandpa?" he asked calmly. His coldness is really in his voice.

"Come on, grandson. Get up there and join her," he said. He even forced the person who did not want to come.

"I agree with that Don Brill. They should get to know each other so they won't be awkward when it's just the two of them together," said Aunt Mommy.

"Aunt Mommy. What do you mean by that?" I asked curiously and looked at my cousin who was busy eating. I thought he would go with me? But why did he continue eating?

"Novy, remember what I told you earlier? There's a guy I'd like to introduce you to," she said. And I remembered what he was referring to.

Ah, I don't forget that because he always reminds me everyday, eh

"And who is that and why?" I asked her.

"We've been talking about this. This is Engineer Michael, he is the fourth son of his parents and he has two younger brothers.” Michael. His name is Michael. So simple and his engineer?

"Michael, please introduce yourself," said—Don Brill is his name. Yeah, Don Brill.

"I'm Engineer Michael S. Brilliantes, 25 years old," he uttered his name with his age. My gaze shifted to my aunt.

“25 years old?” I am surprised to ask because I am 27 years old. Then he chose someone younger than me? "Mommy, he's too young for me," I ignored my promise and saw the tension in Engineer Michael's jaw.

I've met many people with that name but it suits him because he's a pogi. It's just that his facial expression is too hard. It's like I only see myself in him. He's just quiet.

"Ah, it's okay, daughter. By the way, I'm Denbrill Arkun Brilliantes, but I'm known as Don Brill. You can call me Grandpa, Novy.” Don Brill was really smiling. But why does he want to take his grandson with me? I can handle myself, eh.

And back to the topic. So he's the guy I want to date? That's what Tita Mommy said.

"No need, Grandpa. I'll just take it. I won't get lost in Dad's mansion," I said and I made a face to call him Grandpa because that's what he really wanted me to call him. Will I still be artistic?

"It's okay, I'll come with you," he said without emotion and I hurried to walk because I didn't want him to catch up with me but his legs are long, eh. He also noticed my avoidance. That's why he goes with me.

When I saw the kitchen door, I quickly went there. I don't know why my heartbeat is like this. I can't face him because my heart is beating fast, eh.

"Just stay there at the door. I'll just get it," I told him and looked for the tomato sauce. I didn't have a hard time looking for it because I saw it right away. I approached there and was about to take one when someone took it. He moved it upstairs.

My eyebrows crossed when I felt his presence behind me. I was just annoyed by what he did, but there were five of them, so even if he moved the others upstairs, I didn't care anymore, but I would have taken them when he moved them up one floor.

"What the hell?!" I was very weak and managed to punch him but he didn't react again. I tiptoed to pick it up again but it was getting higher. I can see his white and long fingers. “Brilliant!” I called out his name. He moved it down and when I was about to pick it up again, he just put it back up. "You're so immature!"

Instead of helping me, he only made me suffer more. What did he think I was joking with him?

"Try hard, Miss," he just said. I did that, I tried my best just to reach it, but he was already at the top. I firmly held the sleeves of his coat and pulled it down so he couldn't move anymore but he used his other hand.

"Engineer Michael! You're not happy!” I shouted almost crying.

In my entire life no one has done this to me. They tease me too much 'cause I'm the one doing it but there's only one guy that's really going to piss me off. My head immediately felt as if the vein in my forehead was about to burst. He's just behaving but he's already a strong tease!

"I'm younger than you. But I'm tall. I can reach high things. How about you, miss?” he even brags. Was his ego hurt because I said earlier that he was too young for me? Thank you

"You are really childish! You're probably a guy so naturally you're still taller than me! Put that down, Engineer! Come on!” I still shouted but I stopped complaining when I saw the salt. I slipped into his arm and took it.

I quickly hugged the small jar and then faced the engineer. His face still has no emotion and it's like he just wasn't pissing me off earlier. I just got tired of him and turned him away.

He behaved again when we got back to the party and I still haven't lost my temper with what he did earlier. He also has a day with me. He will see and wait for me to retaliate against him.

"Aren't you going to get tomato sauce? Why is it salty?" Don Brill asked confused and Aunt Mommy and Devi looked at the jar I was holding. I smirked, suddenly I thought of something.

"Because your grandson volunteered, Grandpa. To look for tomato sauce but all he saw was the salt and gave it to me. I didn't complain anymore because he made an effort to find it, it's just that he gave me something different. He is really sweet," I promised teasingly but I didn't realize that what I said was sarcastic.

I could clearly see him touching his senses and his jaw just tightened. He's cute. He's so cute, isn't he? I can only touch his neck. He will see.

I really won't stop him. Oh, please, just hold her neck so I can do what I want to do to her. Let's just see if he doesn't scream loudly and beg me to let him go. Because he can't breathe anymore.

Aunt Mommy Novyann chuckled softly and Don Brill was laughing too. I just don't know what their reason is why they were still happy with what I said. Does anyone find it funny that instead of tomato sauce we ended up with salt?

"By the way, do you know why we share a table with them, sweetheart?" Aunt Mommy asked me. I was trying to open the lid of the jar but I still had a hard time. I can't handle its super tightness.

I cleared my throat and looked at Engineer Michael. I guess this one is naturally quiet, eh. Maybe he was Most Behave when he was in grade school, right? That's probably every year. Psh. His parents must also be very happy when they go up on stage to hang a ribbon on him. If only I had been there, I might have applauded him.

"Or maybe they are sharing with us?" I asked again and Don Brill didn't stop laughing loudly. He's also getting other guests' attention but that's just not his thing. I just shook my head and smiled. It turned out that his grandfather was happy. Even though you can see the strict look on his face and always seem to have authority when he speaks.

I was even more surprised when Engineer Michael quickly grabbed the jar I was holding and opened it himself. I bit my lip and saw that he also added salt to his rice after he opened it.

He was still serious when he gave it to me again. "Thanks—" The bridge of my nose crinkled because it only got tighter.

When I turned to him, he was already chewing rice while staring at me. His gaze had other clues. His childlike mind returned. I still thought he was going to open it for me. What a jerk. He retaliates face to face. Does he really want a war between us? Mr.

I just ate even though the rice was tasteless. I only drink drinks. Every time this engineer looks at me, I roll my eyes. He has been there for a while but he still has no reaction. Can it be boring? Because it doesn't seem like it, eh. It's only smart to tease and get back at me.

"Anyway, before I forget what we wanted to tell you, Novy son. Our purpose is...” Aunt intended to hang up what she was going to say. To make me more curious.

"What is it, Aunt?" I asked her and she took a sip before looking at Don Brill. It turned me around.

"How old are you, hija?" Don Brill asked me. Before I answered, I glanced at his grandson. When he felt that I was staring at him, he boldly met my eyes.

"I was born on April 30, so... I'm 27 years old," I answered and the corners of his lips rose a little.

"Hmm, not bad. I think you and my grandson will get along well. Novy Marie, meet my grandson. He's going to marry you soon," he said and I was even more surprised. I almost choked with my saliva.

"We already settled your engagement party in the Philippines, sweetheart." I dropped the spoon I was holding when Aunt Mommy also spoke.

"What?! Are you serious, Mommy?!” I suddenly exclaimed and my eyes were still rolling. It turns out that he didn't plan to introduce me here because he also wanted to— I shook my head.

It seems like we can't get along because of his skin tone earlier! He likes to tease me even when I'm not doing anything! So how do we get along with this engineer? And why didn't he even complain that he seems to agree right away?!

"Calm down, honey," aunt comforted me.

"But Mom? Didn't you ask us if you want—”

"I will not refuse to marry your niece, Tita Novyann," he said and was very direct. The final decision is in the tone of his voice.

"Will you marry me even if you don't know me yet?!" I yelled hysterically at him.

"Yes," he answered quickly and I could see his grin. My lips parted in shock. "I know you already. I saw you at the hotel before this day. We got stuck in the elevator together. You're afraid of the dark then I'm there to comfort you. I lent you my pet cat. I hold your finger and play with it just to distract you with fear. Then... I borrowed you my coat because you wear it too revealing, and you are Novy Marie V. Bongon, born on April 30, 27 years old. An international tennis player and always an Olympic games champion. You are the girl Grandpa chose to be my better half for life," he said sincerely.

I was at a loss for words because he said it so directly. He hardly even blinked. But what again? My better half for life? What does he mean by that?

“But—”

"Don't you like him, Novy? I know Engineer Michael, coz. He's kind," replied Devi.

"You still have a lot of time to get to know each other, Novy. My grandson met you earlier. Wow, that's coincidence—I mean destiny," said Don Brill and I shook my head.

"I don't believe in destiny, Grandpa," I told him and he smiled at me.

"Let's see then," he said.

"Uhm, maybe... Engineer Michael already has a girlfriend, Tita Mommy," I excused myself so that they wouldn't go ahead with what they were planning. Aunt just shook her head as if she was saying nothing. "How sure are you, Mommy? Maybe there is a woman—”

"Aunt Novyann. I'm interested in Novy Marie. I don't have a girlfriend but if I ever have a girl it's your niece," he said again. Good God. Why is there a butterfly inside my tummy? What was that?!

"Are you insane, Engineer?" I asked with raised eyebrows.

"Let's talk for a moment? Excuse us," he said goodbye and I had no intention of going with him but he grabbed my elbow and pulled me upright. There was caution in the way he handled me. The only thing is that I can feel some kind of sparks coming from his palm.

"What? I don't want to," I refused but he encircled his arm around my waist.

"Mommy..."

"Go ahead, son. Talk first," he said and Don Brill just gave me a thumbs up. I turned to Devi. She just shook her head.

I was still about to protest but I saw my mother. She raised her eyebrows at me. Their table was passable so when we got close to them, he immediately stood up just to block us.

"Who's this man, Novy?" she asked me coldly. His eyebrows were still raised when he looked her over from head to toe. The engineer looked at me but he didn't wonder who the woman was asking me.

I hate my Mom so much, but I can't insult her in front of many people even though she still did that to me at the hotel. Because he really doesn't care about me anymore.

I looked at Engineer Michael. With just one look at him, it seemed like he immediately got what I wanted to convey.

"I'm Engineer Michael S. Brilliantes, Madam. Novy's fiancé," he said directly. My lips rose up because the shock passed over Mommy's face.

Our engagement is not official yet but that's when he introduced himself.

"What?! Who told you to get married—”

"Hon, calm down." His wife sat him down and he struggled. His face is red from the super frustrated feeling he is feeling.

"Where's your aunt? Who told her that you can just marry another man?! I already told her that I will choose the man you will marry, Novy!” it's interesting to me. Even though people are looking at us, I know that they still don't understand anything. They will think that everything is just a misunderstanding.

I shrugged my shoulders. "My Aunt Mommy has a right to me, Mom. There is nothing you can do about it if you choose the man I will marry. I'd rather die," I said. His wife let him go and he was about to come to slap me but Michael got in between us. He even took me behind him.

My eyes widened when I heard the loud sound of him slapping the engineer's cheek. I pulled his arm to make him face me and I could clearly see the blush on his left cheek. But he remained composed. It turns out that he just doesn't have anything to slap!

To Be Continued...