Chapter 3

MATTHEW

Hearing the news from David made me uneasy the whole day.  After the last business meeting that I attended, I rushed home immediately to confront my father about it. 

But when I reached home, I was surprised to see a car parked in our garage that was not ours. My heart began to pound heavily, and my instinct told me that something was going on inside our house. Something fishy.

I even thought of running away but not this time, and I think facing this could end my misery, so with my head held high, I went to the living room.

"Matt?" What the heck! I saw the smiling face of Nathalie coming on my way. "Hi! Good evening." Acting calm and modest as if I do not know her true colors. A certified spoiled brat. 

"Good evening!" I replied and walked to the kitchen, and there, I saw my father and Nathalie's parents on the dining table. Maybe discussing something. Probably, our engagement.

"Oh! My son is here already. Come on, son, join us." I sat in the chair beside my father, ready to listen to what they were about to say.  I've already mastered my line because I have foreseen that this time will come.

"Of course, I really should because you have something to explain to me. Dad, who scattered that engagement news?"I asked.

Dad stood up." Excuse us, everyone. I need to talk to him in private." He walked past me. "Matthew, come with me for a moment." I followed him until we reached his study area.

Feeling tired of the whole day from work, I immediately sat on the sofa and waited for him to talk.

"What was that?" he asked with his furrowed eyebrows. 

"Why? What's wrong? I just asked you if who made it published? Anyway, why are they here?"

"It's me who made it published, and they are here to talk about it, "he answered firmly. 

I chuckled." So it was really true? Who told you that I'm going to do what you want this time, dad? Nathalie is not my girlfriend, and there is no reason for me to tie the knot with her."

"No worries! It's her request to be engaged and to settle down with you, "dad said, smiling.

What's funny? Is marriage just a joke to him?

"She is desperate," I said, referring to Nathalie. For a woman who would do that, she must have lost her mind. 

Dad stayed silent for a minute. "Look, son. Marrying Nathalie would open many opportunities for KTI to enter the European market. Her dad promised to do everything we want in exchange for you marrying his daughter."

I  stood up. "Nonsense! And you did agree without even consulting me? I looked like a fool. Dad, I'm your son, why are you selling me off?"I felt so down after knowing my worth.

My happiness and my freedom are at risk. I can't imagine living life with someone I am not emotionally attached to. "Dad, all this time I did nothing but do what you want. Can you spare me this one? Just this one, dad. Please!" If I need to kneel and beg to get rid of this freaking engagement, then I will be glad to do it.

"Sorry, Matt, but we have set the schedule already. We have already talked about every detail while waiting for you. Son, you'll eventually learn to love her."

I clenched my fist in extreme frustration. My breathing is getting heavier as if I want to cry. I haven't asked for anything else, since I was a child. Only now would I ask something for myself. Unfortunately, my dad couldn't give it to me because the only thing on his mind was to get rich. The person I have devoted my whole life to cannot afford to grant his son's only request. It was all for money, fame, and power. 

It would have been better if my mother had been here. I know she will defend me and fight for my rights. But all I had was a stepmother younger than my father, who knew nothing but to extort money from our family. I will be the one to sacrifice while other people will rely on what I have worked for. They are fortunate, then. I will never allow it to happen.  

Dad walked away from me, but he stopped while he was about to open the door. "Come, join us for dinner. Our visitors are already waiting for us. It is rude to make them wait." 

"Dad, please cancel the engagement or else," I said with my eyes on the floor.

"Or else what?" he asked, not even turning his back on me. I guess you have finally decided, dad. I'm sorry for not doing it. Not ever!

I stood and walked near him. I faked a smile. "Common, let's eat. I'm hungry." I walked ahead of him to where our visitors were waiting.

"Sorry for making you wait. Matt and I have discussed something. But it's all settled now, I think." Dad was looking at me while saying those as if he was asking for confirmation. But I did not say anything. I'll make them guess my next move. Good for them if they can guess what I am thinking right now. 

We started eating, and I noticed Nathalie's secret glances at me. I could see how happy she was while I was forcing myself to blend with them for the sake of business. She was sitting beside me and its obvious that she is enjoying the moment. 

"You feel like winning the lottery, aren't you?" I said in a whisper. She smiled cunningly and played the fork with her mouth. 

"You still don't know me, Matt. What I want is what I get. I know that your father can't say no to my family if we offer bundles of money. Besides, I've been fantasizing about you for so long. It's not new to you." 

"Tss! You are a pitiful bitch. Desperate!"I stood up and walked away from them.

"Matthew!" dad shouted." Where are you going?" 

I turned my back at them. "Somewhere far away."

I left and went to my room. I slumped down my body on the soft bed and let my imagination travel. In a distant place where no one knew me, and I could start a new life. In a place where I can find true love and find someone who will accept me even if I have nothing to give but myself. Is there such a place like that? 

I got up and tried to find that kind of place on the internet. A beautiful picture of an island opened up to me. The island is already recognized as a tourist destination, but it is not yet entirely civilized. I don't know, but it's like someone tells me to go there as if someone is waiting for me. Until I dozed off to sleep thinking about that beautiful island.

It was four in the morning when I woke up and started to pack my things. I only brought what I needed, a cellphone, some essential cards, and a laptop to connect with Yana and David. I was reluctant to leave because I didn't want to leave KTI. But sometimes we need to choose ourselves in order not to have regrets in the future. 

I decided to call Yana before I headed off to where I was going. It took a few rings before she answered it. 

"Hello!" I said, feeling sad.

"Sir Matt? Why are you calling this early? Did something urgent come up?" she replied in her bedroom voice.

"Yana, I'm leaving for the meantime, and nobody knows it except you for now. I'll call you when I get there. Just tell them that I'm on a business trip for the time being."

She was silent for a few seconds. "Sir, is it about your engagement with Nathalie?" She did know me like a family. 

"Mmm. Yana, please take care of our business. If anything happens, call me immediately. We can't afford to lose it." 

"Okay, sir. No problem. Please take care of yourself. We will wait for you." 

"Bye." After I ended the call, I also sent a message to David telling him that I'd be leaving somewhere far away from the city, so he must seduce Nathalie while I'm out. I grabbed my bag and headed off to somewhere that I'd never been before.

This is the first time I'm going to an island alone, to Isla del Fuego as the runaway CE0.