Chapter Two - Laura

Her voice yanks me out of my trance and a slight pain tugs in my chest as tears well up in my eyes

Yeah right, how could I not know that

I'm a dropout. I didn't complete my degree. I needed to take care of my mom after the accident and my father's death. It was a tough year for me so how could I forget. I had to drop my youth year and become an adult so sudden

As if she read my mind, she quickly squeezed my hand, a worried look etched on her face. In a soft voice, she said. "No dear, you know I do not mean it like that" she sighs. "To be honest, I wanted you for Zion the moment I met you, you're a fierce and strong lady at such a young age, and I was intrigued. You carried so much weight all by yourself and you still keep that beautiful smile on your face. You're always happy despite your hardships"

She moves closer to me, her hands still holding mine as tears well up in my eyes "You're what Zion needs Laura, you're the light that can engulf the darkness he built around himself. Working with him wasn't a coincidence, I wanted you both to get closer but it didn't work as planned that's why I'm doing this instead. Please give it a try, get to know him and you'll find out he isn't has he put himself out to the world" she concludes, her eyes begging me to say yes.

Silence descends as I let her words whirl around in my head, trying to make sense out of it but the more I think about it, the scarier it gets.

I slowly snatch my hands from her and move a little bit away from her.

Yeah I know I'm indebted to her but isn't this too unfair and unexpected

Nana stares at me for a moment and sighs. "You don't have to do it if you don't want to, but I just really wish it was you, Laura. I would be at peace after death to know my grandson is in safe hands"

I whip my head up to meet her eyes, my heart wrenches at the look on her face. She has this sad look on her face, one that wants me to hug her and say yes to her request.

My lower lips tremble as I whisper "Can...can I think about this please?"

Her face beams up at that as she pulls me towards her. She engulfs me in a hug and pushes back a little to give me a toothy smile, her hands still on my shoulder. "Yes, yes, why not, take your time dear"

I nods

What is there to think about? I know what my reply would be.

After all, I'm indebted to this old woman

****

I got home thanks to Nana personal chauffeur. She always lend me her chauffeur, Sir Bernard as I fondly call him whenever I visit her. Sir Bernard kept giving me worried glances through the rear mirror all through the ride. I guess he noticed I wasn't in a good mood as I was always chatty whenever he drives me home. I'm grateful he didn't ask questions. I'll remember to apologise next time

My eyes hones on my mom dancing figure when I entered the house. She was mixing something in her mixer. I'm sure she's trying a new recipe again

"Hey Mom" I greeted with a smile. I don't want her to notice my sour mood. I don't want to worry her

My mom (Selene Rose) looked up from what she's doing and a smile appear on her lips "You're back. How is Nana"

"She's fine. She said Hi"

After we exchanged greetings, I raced up the stairs to my room, sending a quick text to Anne, using the word "Emergency". It's our code word when we need to discuss something serious. And this is a serious talk

Anne got here in no time and I fill her up with the gist

"OMG!.."

"Yeah right. I know, it's insane! She just dropped it like it was the most normal thing in the world" I said cutting her off

"God bless Nana. Somebody finally Cupid you too. Finally" she screamed, her hands flung into the air

I furrowed my brow at her, confused "What? Do you heard what I said? Nana wants me to marry Zion. This is serious Anne"

She shrugs nonchalantly "It's not"

"Huh"

"Yeah. I've been shipping you too. I mean it's time for you to date. Get out of your shell and have fun and guess what, Zion is just the perfect one for that. I saw that coming"

I stare agape at my best friend who is spitting out incorrigible words out of her mouth. More like pot calling kettle black. This was far from what I expected from her. I was hoping for an advice "Seriously Anne. This is serious. I can't marry my boss"

"Why? What is wrong with that. I won't mind dating my boss if he is as sexy and handsome as Zion" she said dreamly, licking her lips and I groan.

"Anne because he is my boss. My frigging boss. I can't go on dating my boss. People would talk. My face would be flying everywhere in the headlines the next day. I don't want that"

"Well I won't mind that too. I love attention"

I groan, this conversation isn't going anywhere. It's like my words are entering Anne's right ear and passing out through the left ear into the air. I shouldn't be surprised, this is who Anne is

"So what was your reply"

I rolled my eyes. Now she's finally interested in what I'm saying. "Apparently, she thinks I'm the perfect match for him and that I'll bring some warmth into his life. And no, I haven't gave her one yet. It was so unexpected; I didn't know how to react so I told her to give me sometime to think. This wasn't what I envisioned for myself"

"Hmm! Okay!. Well, life is always full of surprises. Imagine telling our grandkids, "Well, it all started with a matchmaking grandma and a boss who never smiled." She burst into laughter while I just glare at her

Yeah whatever

I hope today was a dream and that I'll wake up soon

I hope