going to marry him

CHAPTER 2

"Just what are you doing here again?" I asked annoyed as I watched Khalil now playing with my siblings. Harper immediately came over to me to hug me.

"Ate, please stop arguing with Kuya Kari (Kali) everytime he comes here. He's nice to me as well as to kambar (kambal)." It's cute he says. I smiled and stroked her hair. My sister is really cute. He still can't pronounce the letter 'L' properly and his pronunciation always ends up in 'R'.

Kali is Khalil's nickname but I don't like calling him like that because I know he'll tease me.

"That's why, you're always ugly to me, witch. That's the reason why you become uglier --- ouch!"

Harper threw a cushion at Khalil in the face.

"You're a riar (liar), Kuya Kari (Kali)! Ate is the most beautifur (beautiful) next to Mommy!" Harper said as he hugged me. I smiled proudly and then glared at Khalil.

There's no way that I'll let anyone call me ugly. I'm not ugly! Loraine is very beautiful. This body is also amazing. Unlike my past self as Helena, it seems like even if I ate all the foods in the world, I wouldn't gain weight.

"Your sister is not beautiful, Harper. She's just using black magic to deceive your eyes. I told you she's a witch! --- ouch! That hurts!"

This time, I threw Carter's toy car on his shoulder.

"Shut up, brat." I disobeyed. I stared at him.

"Yah! I'm not a brat! I'm older than you, witch! Don't treat me like a kid!" He shouted. At least these days, he's not crying anymore.

"I may be younger than you, but you're louder and more childish than me. How can I not treat you like a child?" I can say. He pouted and threw a glare at me. I also looked at him. Actually I half meant it. Sometimes, Khalil speaks and acts maturely. It's really surprising.

We heard slow applause. I looked around and saw Mommy leaning on the door. We're currently in the garden, by the way.

"Now, that's my girl. Mommy's so proud of you. Kali, don't cry alright?" She teased. Khalil's appearance got even worse. Mommy just laugh. Being Loraine, Mommy sure is an amazing woman.

"Laine, can you come with me for a minute?" She gently asked. I looked at him curiously. "Let Kali play with the twins for a while. There's someone who wants to meet you." Smiling he said to me.

For some inexplicable reason I was nervous. Could this someone be? Of course she is that person. She'll be here to meet me!

Mommy take hold my hand and guided me to the living room. I saw a pretty woman sitting on the single couch. She is around the same age as Mommy. I was forced to smile back when he smiled at me.

"You're Loraine, right?" She gently asked. I timidly nodded. I couldn’t hide the twitter, because the beautiful woman was in front of me now and because I knew why she wanted to meet me. She's Monique, the mother of the main lead!

Based on what I remember from the book, Monique and Andrea, my mother, were best friends. Back when they were still unmarried, they promised that they would reconcile their children, if there was a match between a girl and a boy. The reason why? It's to merge both families.

My family's company and Lucas' were competing against each other in the past, but when Andrea and Monique became close friends, the two companies finally came to an agreement.

It is also mentioned in the book that there is a deeper story about that and as far as I remember, Andrea and Monique became close due to an incident. But not much detail is said about that. But because of that, the weight of the situation falls on us. To formally present the mutual relationship of the two families and the merging of two big companies. two heirs who bring each blood must be bound by marriage. Unfortunately, it was me and the male protagonist.

"How are you sweety? You're so pretty!" Monique said sweetly to me.

"T-Thank you," I said awkwardly. He and Mommy laughed.

C'mon, girls this age tends to be really shy in front of strangers!

Well, As I have a mental age of eighteen years old, I'm not to talk! But Loraine is supposed to be five so it should be normal! In the first place, I should just act kid! Why have I relied so much on my past eighteen years of experience? Alright, I've decided. Starting to this point, I'll act as my age as Loraine!

I smiled at them cutely. Monique giggled and pinched my cheeks. Ugh! Just the thought of acting like a child makes me cry .. I just wanna sleep ..

"Oh my, you're so cute Laine!" Will I thank you again? And Laine already? Are we even close enough for her to call me by my nickname? "By the way, I'm your mom's best friend, Monique. You can call me Mommy Monique, you adorable girl!"

I secretly winced. What the hell am I going to do in this situation?

"T-Aunt Monique," I said reluctantly. He frowned as I heard Mommy's laughter behind me.

"Monique, my daughter is mine. She probably won't call you 'Mommy' just because you said. 'Isn't it, Laine?" Mommy replied smiling.

"Mmm .." I replied.

"All right, my Aunt is ready." Smiling Aunt Monique said. She stared at me. "You know Laine, I have a son. He's turning nine this year. I hope you can come to his birthday party." He warmly invited. There it is.

Mommy held me on both shoulders then Aunt Monique answered.

"Of course, we'll be there. For sure, little Lucas will be delighted to meet my girl." Meaningful says Mommy. I was stunned for a while when I heard that name. Lucas ..

That was the name of the man who drove Loraine crazy in the book. But the situation is different now. I possessed Loraine's body and I know how the story will unfold. All I had to do was not like him. To avoid hurting Olivia and Lucas, I must not fall for him and let their love story bloom without my interference. But ..

Lucas ninth birthday .....

In the original story, Loraine is went sick in that exact day. Because of that he did not get there and he did not know Luke. He was meant to meet Olivia first and fall for her before he meets Loraine. And given that Loraine is always harassing Olivia, he naturally hated her.

Aunt Monique said goodbye to us and I went back to the garden. Khalil sat beside me with a stupid curious expression

"What happened? Who talked to you?" He asked.

"Monique Sierra Devan." I sparingly answer. His eyes widened for a moment when he heard that name.

"You're mother's best friend, huh. Look," she began. He trailed as if thinking deeply about what to say. "My mom, you know. When she's chatting with her friends, they talked about your mom and that Monique. I think she's going to marry Lucas." He said seriously. I just closed my eyes and gasped.

The truth is I'm shock. Not because of what he said but because of him saying it. Sometimes there really is a chance of becoming mature if Khalil thinks so. Often just really childish. Well, he's still a child though.

"That's likely. But I don't want to marry someone I barely know. And I didn't know, you know that Lucas?" I asked in shock. He smirked.

"Of course, I've been visiting him in their house a couple of times already. His room is full of badass and cool things and latest releases of video games too. Do you want to come? After all, you can marry him." Teasingly he said. I winced.

Are you sure this kid is just seven years old?

"I'm not the type to enjoy those kind of things. I'm a girl and please, don't speak like I'm really going to marry him because I'm not." I said calmly. There was a look of surprise in his eyes.

"Why?"

"Look, I want to marry out of pure love like Mommy and Daddy. I don't love Lucas. Tsh, the only thing I know about him is his name." I speak.

Great job, me! But do I really have to let it out like that? I feel like Kali will misunderstand what I said. He just shrugged.

"That's why I'm inviting you over one of my visits. You know you'll like him when you meet him?" He says. I rolled my eyes and made a face.

Again, is this kid really seven years old? It's hard for him to swallow! And we're supposed to be talking as kids and this topic is not suited at all! Why is this child so naughty?

"Kali, even if I come with you, I don't really trip what you're doing. Those are not my thing. And besides, why come with you if I can meet him at his birthday party? So, no thanks." I said. He just smiled and patted me on the forehead.

Ouch.that it is young I rubbed it because I felt blushed. Damn this body! Too fragile! I would have been ready to reciprocate him when he spoke.

"You're not crying." He said softly. I was stunned. "My cousin is also five years old and if I flicked her forehead like this she'll cry out loud. I also tend to cry a lot in that age as you already know, Meanwhile, ever since you are three, I never see you cry. " He said seriously. I blinked and my brain processed what he said.

I repeat, is this child really just seven years old? He's starting to suspect me!

Well, of course I am more mature to think of him because I have a mental age of eighteen years old. I was only transmigrated on this novel in the first place. And I just happen to possessed this body and was forced to live my new life as Loraine. Come to think of it, in the story, is this really how mature you think

Khalil even now that he is a child?

How could I forgot? This kid is a genius! He really is! He wouldn't be first of all if he wasn't so smart.

"I just don't cry because I'm a strong girl unlike you. I don't like to be a cry baby like you Khalil." I can say. Actually, I'm just trying to throw the tension away. His eyes turned suspicious.

I immediately felt like I had an idea when Khalil was forming in his brain. Especially since we are always together. I really need to be careful from now on. Maybe I should really play this life like a child.

Khalil just smiled and put his arm around me. "Well, whatever you say, witch. I'll still be your greatest and coolest friend no matter what I will learn from you." He said playfully. I just smiled and hugged him back.

This guy, is the only irreplaceable friend that I ever have. I'm so lucky!

I am here, standing a few feet from my mother. She's sitting on the floor. He reached for another bottle of wine and drank. She gulped like she was just drinking water. After running out of a bottle he would cry again. My heart is tearing into pieces as I watch her.

"Damn that stupid Lorenzo! How can he do this to me? How can he do this to us, Laine? What's gotten in your father?" He cried then drank again. I bit my lips. I have never seen Mommy get this miserable before.

Today, my seventh birthday. Daddy went home with a girl on his hands. Olivia Perez, no she will soon change her surname into Cruz. Mommy was very hurt when Daddy announced that at my party. Because of that, the people attended my party were dismissed early. Mommy can no longer take care of them properly and they also know how Mommy feels.

I was hurt too. Even though I have braced myself for this, it hurts so much. It hurts so much but I can't blame Olivia. It is not his fault. She wasn't at fault for being born. I knew it when she looked at me with apologetic eyes earlier. After we got rid of the guests, Daddy explained everything. I was holding back the whole time I was listening while Mommy was throwing a lot of curses and painful words towards him.

I can't believe how stupid my father is that he just blurted the most cliche explanation in world of romance novels that I can't help but to curse him in my mind.

I was drunk? I don't know what I was doing? I just wake up with a naked woman beside me?

Horrible excuses.

To think that my dad would betray my mother in this unthinkably stupid way.

They are my family. They are my parents and I love them. I am Loraine their daughter. They raised me as their own and me too have loved both of them as my dearest parents. Loraine from the story wouldn’t be here if I weren’t. And because I liked and loved that second life I was hurting.

It was as if I were being stung by the thought that my parents would treat each other differently. Maybe this is how the Loraine from the story feels about the situation too. Maybe these are the feelings that lead her to do horrible things against Olivia.

If I don't have any recognition of my past life and if I don't understand Olivia's situation, maybe I'll end up doing the same thing as the original Loraine. But I know everything. I also know that Olivia didn’t like what happened. It was not his fault that he was born as an illegitimate child.

"Mom, aren't you going to stop drinking now?" I said while looking at the bottles next to him. Sad eyes he looked at me.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. This is my only way to stop hurting. Sorry. To think all of these things happened in your birthday party. Son, sorry." She said while crying.

My heart throbbed painfully once again. I quickly shut my eyes before the tears welled up in my eyes.

"It's okay, Mommy. It's not your fault that Daddy is a complete ass." Stop stammering. He laughed a little.

"You're really my daughter. Yes, your Dad's an ass. Sorry again, Laine. It's already late, you should get back to your room. Leave me alone for now." She looks tired. I nodded and took my leave.

I didn’t go back to my room, I went to the garden. Tears are already pouring from my eyes before I even reach the place. At that time, I felt someone hugged me. He's a boy. I cried on his chest like a child. I'm not sure who is this guy is but the only person I could think of is Khalil.

"Only now have you seen me cry after all these years." I said while referring to Khalil. "You better forget about this and not tease me tomorrow. If you do that, I'll kill you, stupid Kali!" I spoke in between cries. I clutched his shirt tight and cried harder.

After several minutes that I was still crying, I felt a hand that rubs my back gently and the voice saying. "You'll be fine."

And just after hearing the voice that I cannot recognize, I fell asleep.

After a few hours, I woke up .. in the floor near the garden. So this is why I feel so uncomfortable. I can't believe it. Did I sleep on the floor? Damn that Khalil! Didn't he really wake me up so I could even go up to my room? Ugh.

I can feel the numbness in my shoulders and neck. The floor is so cold. I won't sleep in the floor ever again! That stupid Kali didn't even fetch me a single cushion or even blanket. I'll fuck that guy later!

Things aside though, the sky is still pretty dark. It's still early. Maybe I'll sleep a little bit more? Damn! I still can't forget what happened before I fell asleep. That stinking Kali saw me crying for the first time. I'm sure that man will just tempt me later.

I went back to my room and lied down in my cozy bed. Ah, this is what life feels like. Another couple of seconds and I was snoring lightly already.

"Are you okay now?" Khalil asked seriously. So he's not going to tease me about last night? Good.

"How can I be okay?" I asked sarcastically. He frowned. Tch. His question is just stupid.

"Ate .." Harper said worriedly. I took a deep breath and hugged her.

"I'm sorry, sis. Ate just isn't feeling well." I tried to smile.

"It's about what happened yesterday, right?" Carter blankly said while skimming through the pages of the book that I lend him. Those books are what I used to read when I was young. My little brother is a genius, he knows how to handle every situation even though he's still a kid. He is also smart and leads the class. Maybe that was the effect of Kali's influence on him. I just smiled and stroked his head.

"Don't worry too much about it. We're still kids, we shouldn't let those things concern us. I'm sure Mom and Dad can work with that." I said while looking at the twins. Khalil lay down and looked at the second floor of our house. Olivia's room.

Yes, starting this day, she'll live with us. We can't go against Dad's decision. After all, he's the master of the house. And it's not like we have a choice since Olivia doesn't have anyone to support her right now.

"But, you know. Even though you said it like that. Are you sure you just want to let it go?" He asked. I just sighed. What can I do? I can't do anything to fix the situation. It's up to our parents. Me, the twins and even Olivia have nothing to do with their problems. We’re all just stuck in the situation.

TO BE CONTINUED.....