engagement

CHAPTER 5

"Why did you sleep so late in the night? Or rather, did you even sleep?" Kali asked. I clutched my head as I felt dizzy.

"Kali, what will I do now?" Frustrated I said. Yesterday's agenda really keep me up all night. My headache and I want to sleep. Kali's expression was serious.

"Why, what happened?" He asked then sat down next to me. I leaned my head on his shoulder.

"Tita Monique just visited yesterday." I said sparingly while closing my eyes. I could feel him looking at me.

"Aunt Monique --- Lucas' mother, is that right? Looks like my hunch is correct. So when are you getting married?" He casually asked. I just kissed him.

"Getting married, my ass! I don't want to get married. I don't even know that Lucas guy." I said while squeezing my senses.

"Well, Lucas grew up in States so he's kinda liberated but he's not a relationship type of person so I bet you'll have a hard time with him. He's a cold hearted jackass most of the time so I don't know what's goin with his mind. " He says. I glared at him.

"Why are you telling this to me, jerk?" I will ask. He shrugged.

"So that you can get to his good side, maybe? You're going to their villa this vacation, right?" He says. My eyebrows met.

"How on earth do you know that?"

"Lucas mentioned something like that when we bumped into each other last week. And .. well, whatever." He says. I removed my head from his shoulder and then stared at him.

"Lucas told you? Why didn't you tell me?" Annoyed I said.

"Calm down, witch. I told you, you're just not listening." He said then pin-and my head. Ugh! It's so frustrating!

I decided to spend the afternoon sleeping in the school's clinic. My head hurts so much and I'm dizzy too. I can't even focus on the lessons anymore now that the idea of ​​marriage and Lucas are still haunting me.

"Sister," Carter called as we got out of the car. Olivia and Harper have already gone inside and we are the only two outside.

"What do you need?" I will ask.

"I heard everything yesterday." He said briefly. I just sighed.

"Of course you know. Eavesdropping was your hobby ever since you're a kid." I comment. He just stared at me.

"Are you really okay with that?" He asked seriously. I smiled and patted him on the head.

"Don't worry. I won't let anyone force me to something that I don't want to do. And one more thing, two months are only short. Will you miss me?" My office. He just ignored me and then entered the mansion first.

"Jeez, that brat really .. tsk .." I just shook my head and followed him.

More than a month passed quickly. Our finals are over and as usual, Kali is in the lead again. My name is always behind his, that guy!

I also couldn't attend Aunt Loraine's birthday a week after her last visit because Khalil kidnapped me to have fun with the newly released movie that we are both looking forward to. Of course we were with the twins as well. Olivia, on the other hand, is busy studying because she is late in other subjects. Khalil also lost his mood that day. Because I was always his alibi and bridge to get close to my brother.

But more importantly, my vacation will surely become hell starting tomorrow. Sometimes it enters my mind that I hope I don't wake up tomorrow. I'm goddamn nervous!

"So you're off to Aunt Monique's villa tomorrow, Sister? I will miss you." Harper said then hugged me. I smiled at his attitude. I hugged her back.

"I'll miss you too. Don't entertain boys that I don't approve of. Are we clear?" I remind you. He just smiled in response.

Sister, will you be okay there? "Olivia asked worriedly. Although nervous, I just smiled at her.

"Don't worry about me. Aunt Monique's going to be there so I'll be fine." I smile.

Aunt Monique contacted me yesterday. She said the van that'll take me to the villa will be here at 4 a.m tomorrow morning. To be honest, I just want to back out. I'm nervous that I haven't even gotten there yet. It is also not clear to me who we will be with in that villa. I asked Mom if Aunt Monique will stay in the villa as well, but she wasn't sure. I feel the worst.

While Kali, his family is staying in Japan for a week so I can only communicate with him through phone. I hastily called him after what I learned from Tita Monique and guess what he said?

"Good luck, witch. I'll send you a reliable article on how to seduce guys ---"

"FUCK OFF!"

I just landed on my forehead. Kali's an ass and I'm hopeless. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I'm wearing a simple black off shoulder top, white skinny jeans and a yellow pouch. Mom prepared it for me since she said I have zero fashion sense. Harsh enough, okay?

Matilda helped me lower my suitcases to the van. She bid me goodbye.

"Say hi to those sleepyheads for me." I told Matilda to just nod at me.

I texted Kali as simple message, 'I'm off.' and he replied with a simple 'Safe trip.' After that, I put my phone off and focused on the road.

We arrived at the villa around 9 a.m. Manong helped me down because I was a little tired from the trip. I came across Tita Monique's beautiful villa just after I came down.

"Whoa, is this paradise?" I whispered in extreme admiration.

"Laine, dear!"

I turned to the one who called my name. It's Aunt Monique with a handsome man that's probably in mid 40's. That must be her husband. I waved back as soon as I noticed. I approached them and Aunt Monique greeted me immediately.

"Mr. Gilbert, please bring up his belongings." Said the man. While Tita Monique clinged her arms with mine.

"Loraine, I'm so grateful that you're here. You're so beautiful!" He complimented me that I just returned the smile.

"You look pretty as well, Aunt" I greet back.

"Oh really. By the way this is my husband, Lucardo. Let's head inside for a bit, what do you say? Have you eaten breakfast?" He asked eagerly.

"I'm fine, Tita. I already ate breakfast before the trip." I refuse.

"Oh, is that right? Then come with me, I want to show you to our villa. Lucas is still asleep so .." he said and pulled me inside. When I heard Luke's name, my nervousness suddenly returned. Damn!

Aunt Monique went inside first. As I watch her back, tons of questions starts swirling over my head.

What could possibly happen in these two months? Did I make the right decision to come here?

It's simple. The answers lies ahead ... inside their house.

Aunt Monique walked me around the whole house. I also didn't get bored because Tita was able to talk to me. We stopped in the living room to rest for a while. I didn't show my disdain especially when she started talking about her son.

"To be honest, Loraine. Lucas also hates the idea of ​​this engagement. But I tried hard to convince him to just spend these two months with you. Loraine I know you don't want this engagement either so if the two months end and don't want you still do. I can't do anything if I don't respect your decision. " Aunt Monique said sadly. Damn! Is she guilt tripping me?

Silence remained. What should I say in this situation? I'm about to speak when ...

"Mom," a baritone voice. I was devastated to hear that.

"Oh, Lucas. You're awake?" Aunt said cheerfully and stood up. I bit my lips and didn't take a look at him. I know that he's just in my back.

"Obviously. Is that the girl?" He asked.

"Oh right." Aunt Monique held my hands. "She's Claudia Loraine Cruz. She's your future fiancee." She gave me an encouraging look. And because of that I knew I had to meet him now. I sighed and mustered enough courage.

I stood up and turned to his direction.

Hawk like brown eyes. Messy jet black hair. Perfect face structures and lean body figure. He's tall ... I'm also taller than other girls my age but I feel like I'm only up to his neck. He's a bit taller than Kali and quite manlier too.

Damn! I think I just almost bit my lips in front of him. Why is this man so hot? No wonder Olivia has fallen in this man in the book. His looks are just too good to be true.

We stared at each other. I am always confident on my staring skills but this guy. Of all the people I had stared intently, he's the only one who can counter it with the same intensity. Is this really the man I need to be with for two months? He’s more handsome than Brandon Collins I crushed last school year. But I'm not too sure if I will get along with this man in front of me.

He's giving off this cold and intense aura. I also feel like he doesn’t like me, well, that’s how I interpreted it but I’m not sure.

We just broke our gaze when Aunt Monique's cellphone rang. She picked it up.

"Jason, what happened?" Tita asked seriously. She looked like there's something serious happened. "Okay, okay. I'll be there in 20." He grabbed his bag and faced us.

"Something urgent?" Luke asked.

"Yes, son. Laine dear, feel free and comfortable here. If you need anything just ask the maids. And son," he told me before facing Lucas. "Keep her company. You'll be staying here for the next two months after all." Aunt Monique winked at me before going out. What the hell? Why is she making it so difficult for me?

After a few seconds, I'm already alone with Lucas. I just sat down and swallowed. I hope he'll just leave me here. He don't like me anyway.

He sat in the chair in front of me and stared at me. Another minute have past and what the heck is this situation?

I sighed and drank my tea. I stared at him and he's also staring at me. A few minutes had passed and I was still staring. He was the same to me. What? Will we just feel it until later?

I ran out of the chips and the tea that Aunt Loraine would have prepared for the two of us. Can I walk out now? But does that sound rude? C'mon. What should I do?

I'm not good at opening up a topic and I'm not interested in talking to him. Whatever. I'll just appreciate his heavenly gorgeous face. After all, he's the male lead of this story. Not every reader are given a chance to actually meet the fictional character that this good looking.

"What are you doing?" He asked coldly. I tilted my head out of confusion.

"What do you mean?" Astonished I asked back. Is he referring to my stare? But he's also staring at me ah? Is he the only one who can do that?

He leaned forward on the chair and then folded his arms. What a gesture.

"Aren't you going to seduce me or anything? Or do you want me to seduce you to bed instead?" Straightforward he said. It was a while before I realized what he meant.

Seduce him to --- what the fuck?

"Are you stupid?" I couldn’t resist asking. He just kept staring at me. His eyes examined my face and I felt a bit uncomfortable as his eyes lingered on my lips.

Ah. This guy! How can I forget that this is what his true personality's like? I was so absorbed in her looks. This is not good.

"What do you think?" He asked coldly back. Suddenly all the adoration I had felt before disappeared and was replaced by annoyance.

If this attitude used to be strong while you were reading him in the book, it is really irritating when you experience it firsthand. If the original Loraine was here, for sure she would hit Lucas right away. However, I'm different from her.

I sighed. "Your mom said you don't want this marriage and I don't want it too. So please stop bringing up those unholy questions of yours before I sleepwalk at night and kill you on your bed. And stop staring at me." Annoyed I said. His expression didn't change. He didn't look like he was listening. He's still looking at my lips. It's becoming really uncomfortable. Why can't he just stop that?

What's with him?

"So what do you want me to do?" He asked coldly and averted his eyes from me. I even secretly smiled because of that.

"We need to talk about this," was my short reply. He stared at me for another minute before standing up. He touched my hand without hesitation. I tried to take it away but he won't let it go. Damn you brute! How can he casually hold my arm like that? This is giving me chills. It's the same with those scenes that I've read in romance novels. It's really more exciting if I'm just a reader, my hair stands on end with this gesture.

And besides, his grip is way too tight! It hurts! What is his problem with me? Argh!

The pain in my arms is not getting any tolerable as Lucas is literally dragging me off to wherever.

"Hey, let me go! It's painful!" I cried. He looked at me for a moment and loosened his grip.

Damn! I just said that we need to talk. Why does it need to be somewhere else?

We exited the villa and headed straight to the beach. I was mesmerized by the glittering sea that I just had to stop and appreciate the beauty of nature. I felt Lucas hand finally letting go of my arms. Great!

"So what is it?" He asked. I turned to her. So what it is? He dragged me all the way here and that's the first thing he's gonna say? Does he even know how to apologize first?

I caressed my reddened arm and stared at him. I sighed and clutched my head out of habit. Well, whatever.

"First thing first, why do we have to go all the way here?" I asked back. Like, we can just talk inside their house, you know? What's with the effort of going out?

"It's possible that Mom have planted some random maid to spy on us." His response was simple. I thought about what he said. It's possible that ...

"Whatever. I know that you don't like me and I don't like you too so I will make this quick." I stared at his eyes. "We can't be together. I want this engagement over after this two months." I promise straight away. I noticed how his lips formed a small smirk. My forehead wrinkled. I don't like whatever he's trying to pull.

"You're wrong." Sparingly he says. My forehead wrinkled. What is he saying?

"What are you trying to say?" I will ask.

"I'm talking about the first thing you said." He says. "While you might be right to say that I don't like you, there's no way I can be sure that you don't like me." He said sarcastically. I felt very annoyed. Seriously. Just who does he think he is?

Not porket he is the male lead of the story I will like him that way. I'm rooting for him and Olivia even though his behavior is stupid because he will change when they become my sister.

But for now, can I support him? He's too full of himself! Did he really think I liked him just because he was handsome? Fine! He's so handsome!

"For a cold hearted jackass, you sure know how to joke." Stop being annoyed I said. I faked a smile. I still want to punch him on the face.

"Why ..." he said and brought his face closer to mine. "don't you prove it whether I'm joking or not?" I could smell the apple mint smell on his breath. It surprisingly smells good. Smells good? What the fuck is wrong with me?

"You're invading my personal space." High eyebrows I say. He smiled wickedly. I'm totally confused now. What is he playing? Is that really how high he thinks of himself?

"I'm your fiance." He said emphatically. He's a goddamn jerk for saying that!

"Future fiance." I say emphatically. I stared at him. "And besides, we are only introduced barely an hour ago." Fake smile I say. His eyes stared at me out of amusement. Damn! He's really playing with me!

His arms sneaked in my waist and pulled me closer to him. I stared at his face blankly. I can't read his mind! I've got no idea on what he's thinking!

TO BE CONTINUED.....