The Deal

POL ANDREW POV

"POL ANDREW, eat your breakfast first. Your dad has something to tell you."

"Thanks mom. Hey, twins how's school?"

"We're good hyung. But, Pol Jan hyung I guess like someone. A transferee to our school." said Pol James, our youngest.

"Really? Are you a grown up now Pol Jan? Study first, dude. Okay?" I said as I ruffled his hair which he hates the most.

"Argh! Hyung! Stop it! Did you know how much I spent just to have this hair style? Psh." he said as he tried to fix his hair irritatingly.

"Dad." the three of us bowed as dad approached the dining table.

"You have school today?" he asked, and I can only nod in response.

I fear him. Even with a single look from him, can make me pee in my pants. I grew up following everything that he wants, even being the COO of his company was not in my plan. I really wanted to be an I.T Professional but he doesn't want so I can't do anything.

"Good. You are already twenty two yet you are still single. Are you really a man or are you going in a different path?" he asked and I almost die of choking.

"Eheeerm. Dad? What the... I am not. I am straight! Being single doesn't mean I am not a man."

"Okay. Come home tonight, I will let you meet someone who I am sure you will like. She is pretty and has good manners." and I don't want where what he is saying is going to.

"Dad, are you going to arranged Pol Andrew hyung for a marriage?" asked Pol Jan.

"Yes, because that is the only way I know to get him married before I hand over the company to him."

"What? Dad, can't I make my decision this time? Can't I find the girl who I want to marry?" and he just look at me checking if I am serious or just making some jokes.

"No. What? You are still waiting for that girl who caused you to almost kill your life? Come on son, wake up, you don't deserve someone like her."

And it feels like it was just yesterday when it happened, but in reality it has been two years already.

It's not true that time heals all wounds, because look at me, it has been two years but hell, I am still a mess.

"Okay dad. I will be here early for dinner. But don't expect me to agree to that arranged marriage. Twins, you coming with me?"

"Yes hyung. Bye mom. Bye dad." they both bid their goodbyes to our parents.

**************************************

"Hyung, are you okay with the arranged marriage dad is setting you up with?" Pol James asked when we are all settled in my car.

"Honestly? I am not of course. I don't want to get married just because they want me to get married because I am getting old. I want to marry the girl that I love. I want to marry someone who can complete me. Someone who can fill the hole in my heart. Someone who will love me because I am me, not because of what I am." and they fell quiet after I said that.

"Hyung, isn't it just the same? When you said, "Someone who will love me because I am me, not because of what I am.". Pol Jan asking innocently at me.

I know they are too young for this kind of conversation but, they need to know this so they will not get hurt in the future.

"Well, yes, they have different meaning. When I say, I want someone who will love me for I am, that means that the girl will accept everything about me. My past, my present, and the future that she will have with me. But when I say whhat I am, that means that they only like me for my name, my status, my money. They only love the Pol Andrew that they can see, but not the Pol Andrew that they can understand. You are still yoo young to understand that. Take care and behave in school. Okay?"

They both nod in agreement before jumping out of my car and run towards Haruto and Doyoung who are patiently waiting for them. 

i drove to 'Just Cafe'. A coffeeshop owned by Justin. Andrei texted me and said that they are already there waiting for me to have breakfast.

**************************************

SUNNY POV

"BEST! What's with the long face? You look uglier than me. Hahaha." my bff shouted at me as I am spacing out AGAIN.

Meet my bestfriend, Bridgette Gomez or B as what she prefers for me to call her. ONLY ME.

She is nice, to me.

She is kind, to me.

She can be a monster, to everyone she dislikes.

That is her, my bestfriend, my bodyguard, my mentor, my other half as what we call each other.

"I am just thinking about what mom and dad told me during breakfast."

"What is it? Is there anything that I can help? Anything that my family can help you with?" she sincerely asked me.

"Actually, dad said that there is only one person who can help me, and it's their friend who is also a businessman.. I don't know wha they mean by that." I really don't have any idea of what they mean.

"Are they setting you up for an arranged marriage just to save your family's business? Are you okay with that?"

"Best, stop over-reacting. Marriage? Hello, I am just twenty years old and my parents are so against me getting married at a young age. So, that is not what it is that you are thinking. And I am not agreeing to that kind of set up. There is only one person that I want to marry at the right time."

"You're bestfriend. What is his name again?" I can still hear B saying something but I can't understand it anymore. Someone caught my attention. Someone that I have been wanting to see for years now. Someone I miss so much.

"Chubz?"

“Is that his name?”

“Yah! Sunny!” she said as she hit my arm.

“No. But I am sure it was him that I see. His name is Christian. But I call him Chubz for he was fatty back then. But…”

“Maybe you are just hungry. Come on. I will treat you to Just Cafe. They serve the best coffee and frappe. Maybe we can see the owner there.”

“Tsk. Stalking again huh. Fine it’s your treat.”

****************************************************************************

"He's the owner. A young and very successful bachelor. And I like him. Hihihi." She said while giggling.

“And you like him? Does he like you? Does he know you?” and I regret it for a minute as I see her sad face looking at me. Now I know how much she likes this guy that it makes her happy just by seeing him from afar.

“Yes, I like him. I like him that I am willing to come to him and introduce myself. One day best, I am sure you will experience this. And if you do, promise I will never laugh at you. I will kick the ass of the guy who will make you cry.”

“Hahaha. Fine. I believe you. But, you know he somehow looks familiar.” I said as I try to remember where I saw him.

“Ofcourse he is. He is studying at our university. He is having his masteral there as well as with his friends.”

“What is his major?”

“Financial Management. It is his Masteral already. He already graduated a year ago. His friends are here for Masteral too but I’m not sure about the others. I only care about him. Hihi.”

“But does he care about you?” 

“Psh. One day he will know about me and he wil never forget about me.” she said and leave me. Okay, I got her irritated. Hahaha

“Yah, Sunny, they said we have a new classmate. Actually, classmates. They are exchange students from Australia. I hope they don’t look like kangaroos. Hahaha.”

“Shut up, B. Who knows they might be good looking guys.” I was about to say something when the professor came in. And next to him were three guys, that I am not expecting to see.

“We have three exchange students, please introduce yourself.”

“Matthew Ortega. Let’s be friends.”

“Bryant Lopez. Let’s get along together.”

“Christian Lee. Let’s work together and graduate.”

“Sunny, have these three added in your group since you are still lacking three members. Boys, Sunny will explain to you about the project that needs to be submitted by the end of the semester.”

“Chubz?”

“Sunny? I didn’t expect to see you here. How have you been?”

“I’m good. But, wait, are you still the chubz that I know?”

“Ofcourse. I just lose some weight, but still your cutest bestfriend.” he said while posing.

“Alright. I beleive now. You are the same Christian Lee that I grew up here. Oh, this is Bridgette, my bestfriend. Let’s go to the cafeteria and have some lunch.” I said as I excitedly drag them to the canteen.

“Yeah, hyung, is she the same girl you keep on talking about?” Matthew asked.

“Hmm. I tell them how naughty you are back in our elementary days. When you tell our teacher that it is my birthday just to save me from humiliation as I cry because I lost in that drawing contest. Hahaha.” he said while laughing as he tells that story.

“Psh. Because you look like a fool crying over a drawing contest. Yeah, I know how thankful you are that time. Tch.” I keep on teasing him.

“Tss. You are still the same, but I must say that you’re cuter now than the last time I saw you.” and that made me blush.

I have a secret. I like my bestfriend. I like Christian. But I can’t let him know it. I would rather have our friendship kept than to take it to another level which may lead to me losing him.

“And, you look really good when you lose your weight, but I prefer you have those chubby cheeks.”

“Which you love to pinch. Tss. And, since we will be part of your team, just let us know how we can help. These two guys were great too. They know a lot when it comes to computer and programming and codes.”

“Whoah! That’s great. It will be a great helo to us. Though I know that Sunny is the great for she scored the highest in the last exam.” Bridgette said cheerfully and the rest just laugh as her.

************************************************************************************************************

The day went too fast that I didn’t realize it is time now for me to go home, and I need to face the reality of what my parent’s would want me to do. Actually I’m already thinking of what Bridgette told me this morning. Could it be that or something else?

If it is what it is, then I need t think of how to escape that. I need to have an escape plan of A to Z because I know mom has l a lot under her sleeves.

“Yah, Sunny, do you want me to go with you at the dinner? Aunt knows me so for sure it will be fine with her.” I know she is just concern about me, but this time I have to face it alone.

“Don;t worry B I will be alright. I will win this fight whatever happen. You can go home now. Be safe. My driver will be here in a minute. Bye.” and she kissed me before riding her own car.

“Mom. Dad. Can you please atleast give me an idea why we’re having this dinner?”

My mom just look at me like telling me not to ask any questions, while my dad looks at me apologetically. My dad is strict, but my mom is very dominant and wants us to follow whatever decision she will have.

“I am telling you, Sunny. If you will not behave, I’m gonna cut all your cards and I will make sure that you will only receive the allowance that you should have and no more extra. Even your dad can’t help you.” i told you, everything she said is a command.

“Okay fine. I am happy right now, so playing naughty isn’t in my mind right now. Oh, daddy do you remember Christian? He’s back as an exchange student in our university and he is taking the same course as mine. We are even in the same group.” I tell my dad with excitement but my mom is really killjoy.

“Just shut up. They are already here. Stop talking nonsense about you and your weird computer programming thingy. They will never appreciate that.” mom said and five people are approaching out table.

“As if I care about them. I would rather bury myself in my room and talk to my computer and my codes.” I whispered.

“Just shut up, baby girl. We’ll talk later about your latest programming project.” dad said and smiled at me. I always have his back. And I am so lucky about that.

“Hi, Carina. It has been a long time since the last time we saw each other in Hong Kong.” the lady from another family.

“Yes. I was in Hong Kong last week, and that was the last time we saw each other.” mom said.

“Justa week? Two years is longer than a week.” I whispered but made sure that they can hear it.

“Is she Sunny? Oh my gosh she is so pretty.”

“I know. No need to mention.”

“My mom is the joker of the year.” the guy answered. And I guess he almost the same age as me or older.

“Really? Well, I am the joker of the decade. So, yeah.” as expected, I can see my mom already kiling me using her eyes. Hahaha.

“Have a seat. My daughter is really a funny girl. Waiter, please bring our food.” daddy.

“Anyway, these are our kids. Pol Andrew, our eldest. Pol Janes and Pol Jan, our twins.” Aunt Carina introducing her family.

“So, we are here to let you know that Pol Anrew and Sunny will get married this coming weekend. And from then, our companies will merge.” Mr. Sanchez said.

“Ehhh? Married? Wedding? Union? Are you sure?” I asked after saving myself from almost dyig because of the meat that I suddenly swallow after hearing the word, married and wedding.

“Yes. And, you two will live under the same roof.” my mom said.

“Mom, you don’t love me anymore? Are you already selling me off? Dad? Come on!”

“Stop the drama, Sunny. It will not make me change my mind. My decision will still be the same.”

“Ahm, can I talk to Pol Andrew? I just want to know him more.” and they all agreed so I let him follow me until we reach the garden area.

“Tell me, you don’t want this too right? We can form an alliance and stp this freaking arrangement.”

“I am against this too, but what can I do? And, didn’t you know that this is the only way to save your family? And this is the only way for me to continue to do whatever I want. This is just an arrange marriage, and we all know that not all arrange marriage can end up with a happy ending. Let have a deal then, since we will oth benefit in this agreement.”

“And that is?”

“Six months. Just six months then we will tell them that we want a divorce since we can’t get along and we can’t love each other. You can do whatever you do, and I can do whatever I want to do. We will live under the same roof but not under the same room. You will never get into my business as I am to you. And don;t dare to fall in love with me, because I will never fall for someone like you. Clear? Deal?” he said and extend his hand to close the deal.

“Deal.” and I tap his hand instead of giving him a hand shake, then leave him there.

I will never fall for you, but you should never fall for me.