I'm confused to why Denver's been acting like that. What happened to our house didn't leave my mind. It was like a broken stereo played in my system.
He doesn't like the marriage, that's for sure. He thought I wouldn't agreed to it. In the first place, I wouldn't agree... But our situation tells me to do it. I was bound to marry him.
He's just years older than me and I'm already on my legal age. I knew my father and sister are against it, even my mother. But they know it's already an opportunity for us. And we want to take it.
I am a bait. Then if Denver sees me like that and I will accept that. It was true that's why I'm accepting it, eventhough it hurts to be called that way. And I was desperate.
“Golieza? Do you know the answer?”
I was interrupted from my thoughts when I heard our adviser calling my name. My eyes instantly looked at her.
“M-ma'am?”
“You're not listening, Golieza.” She shook her as she called another one. I just looked down and didn't bother looking back at the window with my mind clouded.
As soon as the bell rang, my classmates stood up. I checked my wrist watch and it's exactly twelve noon. I sighed and gathered my things before I went to the library where my guy friend was.
He's a college student and is working as a student aide in the morning. He's classes are all in the afternoon and sometimes it ended around nine in the evening.
He texted me earlier that I'll wait for him at the library. We've known each other for a year now and it's because of my sister. They are acquaintances in their previous school and he moved here for a new living.
I was waiting for minutes outside the library near the railings until I saw whom I've been waiting for. He's wearing an eyeglasses with a book on his hand and with his backpack. He simply smile upon seeing me.
“Kian,” I called him.
“Sorry, did I make you wait that long?”
“Nope.”
He come closer messed my hair which he always do. “Come, I've made you a pasta.”
“Hmm? For what?”
“It is Kia's birthday today,” he said as we're taking our way to the canteen. Kia is his sister who's just the same age as me.
We took a sit near the exit. He put a medium-sized container on the table that he got from his backpack. I was amazed at how organized he is. He also put two plastic cups, disposable spoons and forks, and paper plates.
“I hope I can meet her,” I said as I look at the food he prepared. He smiled at me.
“She'll be happy to see you, Sha,” he uttered.
“You sure?” I softly chuckled.
“Why not? I think she will like you.”
“You know you're my only friend, right?” I took a fork and put spaghetti on my plate as I said that. “I'm aloof and unlikable. I doubt she would like me.”
“You know I have high standards when it comes to people. So... befriending you means you're worth it to be a friend.”
A smile suddenly crept on my lips. He always lift up my mood.
“Did something happened?” he asked that I looked at him.
“Huh?”
“Tell me. I'm all ears.” He smirk, that it almost remind of someone.
I pursed my lips before shaking my head. “No, nothing happened.”
“I know that look, Sha.” He stared at me as he put a spoonful in his mouth, waiting for me to open-up.
“Well, aside from my low grade... I'm getting married.”
I looked down. But before I could hear an answer, I heard him coughing hard as if he was choking. My eyes widened that I panicked as I looked at him. I immediately put water in his cup before I offered it to him.
“W-water, Kian.” He got it from me and drink it in one gulp. I gasped when his cheeks were already as red as tomatoes. He didn't look at me. “A-are you okay?”
“Sh*t! Are you joking?” He muttered curses before I heard him burst a laugh after. My brows furrowed as I just look at him, still confused to why he's acting like this.
“You're done?” I innocently asked.
“You're not joking?” He asked again, still hand on his
chest. His laugh subsided before he heaved a sigh.
“I'm not.” I continued eating and still waiting for him to ask more.
“To whom?” he asked, still shocked and confused.
“He's a Velasquez,” I uttered. “They visited us two days ago and offered a proposal.”
“And that is to marry you to their son?” he asked and I nodded. “Hmm, cliche.”
“My parents agreed, Kian.”
“You want the marriage?” he asked. His voice become serious.
“I don't know but I also agreed.” I sighed as I circled my fork on my food. I heard Kian sighed too as if he knew what I've been into.
“Why so?”
“It's for our company and for Carmienne.”
“Carmienne?” I nodded and glanced at him. His thick eyebrows were furrowed as he eyed me.
“My mom insisted that Denver Velasquez should be marry to my sister, but Mrs. Velasquez doesn't want that. She wants me to marry her son.”
“What the f*ck.” He tsked as he leaned his back on the chair. “Carmienne did not agree as she likes Jake Hart. That's why she doesn't like the marriage. But your parents just agreed... to let you marry “that” Velasquez. Does it mean your parents want something from the Velasquez? Or does it the other way around?”
“What do you mean?” I furrowed. He shook his head and leaned forward.
“I'm not yet sure, but I think the Velasquez wants something from you.”
MY MIND WAS in chaos at what Kian said earlier. It does bugged me the whole afternoon that I didn't focus on my class. All I can remember was that our class ended and my classmates were already leaving our classroom.
I sighed. I got my backpack and sketchpad with me. Some of my classmates bid their goodbye which I just smiled back. I went to the stairs and trail my way down the aisle.
What does the Velasquez want from me? I don't have anything. I'm just a normal person and doesn't even want luxurious that my mother always want.
All my intention was to favor my mother, and for my parents' company. I want to help them get the ownership back. Just that. But I didn't think that the Velasquez will have something I do not know.
And for Carmienne's freedom. I know she likes someone else, and I don't want her to be tied up to this marriage for convenience. Yes, convenience.
Maybe this is how business world works. They used everything they know that will help them, for their own gain. And I am not an exception to that. Is that why my father looked at me like he doesn't want me to be in this situation? Because he knows how this marriage will go.
And Denver acting like he doesn't want the marriage? He knew that I will be used for “something”, that I don't know... for now. And he was right. I am just a “bait” for this. A bait that they will let go once they are done using me.
Is that what my purpose is?
I sighed. If it is what I am, I should accept it. I may not be that useful for my family, but I will use it to favor us. Our family needs to get the ownership of the company. I should stick to that. I will not care if what they want from me. I will find it soon.
My phone rang from my pocket. It was a call from an unregistered number. I furrowed as I tapped the answer button. Who's this? I put it on my ear and I heard a car moving from the other line before I heard a voice. A familiar voice.
“Why aren't you talking, young lady?”
My heart hammered when I heard his raspy voice. I gulped to calm myself down as I heave a sigh.
“Mr. Velasquez.”
“Tsk.” He muttered. “Where are you?” I can hear his background as if he's driving.
“U-uh... at school.” I bit my lips as I walked down the aisle of the College Department.
“Bye, Sharmienne!”
Someone shouted and my eyes widened that immediately looked around. I was at the last building near the gate when I saw Kian waved back at me from the second floor. I smiled at him and waved back before I got to the gate of our school.
“Who's that guy?”
“H-huh?” I stammered. I heard his car sped up and before I could answer again, he spoke up.
“I'm on my way.”