Unexpected 2: Man

"HUH! Uncle and Aunt are going to MARRY you to his friend's son? OMG! Seriously, Miles?" Andrea's violent reaction when I told her what my parents and I had talked about last night kept me awake. Who can sleep if you know that you are going to get married without your consent?

We were outside the company while eating lunch.

I nodded sadly to confirm what I said. "They're crazy enough to do that, Andrea. Just because of that damn f*cking curse that's still in the era of people who believe in it. Hello! We're in the year 2022 and we're not living in the '90s. The curse is no longer fashionable," I ranted.

Andrea looked at me seriously and then laughed. I raised an eyebrow at her. "I'm sorry, Miles. I can't help but laugh every time I hear that curse. It seems that your family has been left behind for believing in that old ritual. But in reality, they also have a point in another part." She got serious. "You're going thirty, a few months from now. Your parents are old enough so maybe they're forcing you to get married. Even me, I'm just turning twenty-nine but my parents are forcing me too to get married so they can see my grandson because they are of age," she said, then took a bite of food.

"I understand them in that part, Andrea but right now I'm not ready to settle down. I'm in the process of fixing myself to prepare for the man who will come into my life. A woman only gets married once and I want to do that to the man I love. And besides, marriage isn't just a matter of ceremony, it's a ritual of love, giving your whole self, whole life, to the man you choose to be with all your life."I can barely move my food because of the pressure and stress I feel.

"You're right, Miles, but the question is can you disobey your parents?"

I didn't answer right away. Can I not grant them their request for me? I understand what they want but it's hard for me.

—

I WAS JUST SURPRISED when I got home from work when I saw an unfamiliar car in front of the house. It was black and still shining. I frowned in surprise. Whose car is that and why is it here? Do they still have visitors at this time?

I just shrugged it off and continued walking into the house. The house we have is not that big but it can be said that it also costs a lot because of its good design. Its color is white. Papa used to be a seaman so we were able to build such a house.

I entered the house while taking my cell phone from the shoulder bag I was carrying.

"Miles, come here."

I stopped and looked up at Mom. I frowned when I saw two people who were unfamiliar to me. I just saw them today. Judging by their looks, they are not far from Mom and Dad's age. They also look like a couple. They smiled at me.

"So, you're the daughter of Wesley and Emma, ​​hija," said the woman who was probably in her fifties, but it wouldn't be noticeable because of her beauty.

I didn't immediately answer and react, my face remained serious. Who are they? When I recovered from the shock, I awkwardly smiled at them. I turned to Mom and she motioned for me to come and I did.

"Hello! Good evening," I politely greeted them.

"How are you, hija? You're more beautiful. You're not just beautiful but you look so smart and mature," commented the man next to the woman.

I simply smiled. "Thank you," I returned.

"Andrew is your Dad's friend for a long time and they only separated after college because of their different professions. And the beautiful woman next to him is his wife Mandy," Mom introduced the two.

I felt like I was deaf when I remembered who Andrew was. My chest heaved as I finally realized who they were. It is not obvious that they are in a hurry to marry me so they can immediately invite the parents of the man they are going to marry me to the house.

"I'm so happy to see you, Miles, right? You're so beautiful like your mother that's why it's surprising when Emma told me that you don't have a boyfriend yet," said the woman whose name was Mandy.

I tried to smile. "Because I don't plan to get married yet," I said to give them an idea of ​​what my answer would be to them.

The four of them looked at my answer. "You're going thirty this year, right? I heard some quotes somewhere that the right age to get married is twenty-five. After you graduate, you get a stable income. It's time for yourself, hija," he said, a man named Andrew.

I smiled even though it wasn't genuine. "For me, the right time to get married is when you're ready, when you're heart ready to give it all to the man you choose. When you're ready to give yourself up for a lifetime commitment," I answered.

Mom and Dad were quiet but I knew they were looking at me. It's hard for them to smile because of what I said.

"Well, you're right, hija. But to be honest, Andrew and I didn't love each other when we got married. We are a product of arranged marriage because of our family businesses. Who would have thought that work would lead to true love? You know, hija getting married in your thirties will give you some stress. It will be difficult for you to handle yourself to get pregnant," Mandy said.

"Mandy's right, Miles," Mom agreed. "Look at your Aunt Mandy and Uncle Andrew, they didn't love each other when they got married but look how strong the bond between them is."

"I'm sorry, hija if you feel pressured by our family's agreement," Andrew said. "You have time to think, hija. I know how stressful it is for you. I felt that before but if you really don't want to marry our son, no problem. You still have the freedom to choose," he added.

"Andrew is right, hija, but also try to get to know our son Zandy. He will be going back here to Manila and by tomorrow maybe he will be here. We will introduce you to our son and then you decide," the wife seconded.

I didn't expect the couple to say that. I thought they would force me to marry their son, but they seem to be concerned about my feelings because they also experienced this. I have already made up my mind that I don't want to marry their son. But I couldn't help but be curious about that man's appearance. Is he handsome or ugly? Sweet or fragrant?

—

"Wake up! wake up!"

I quickly got up from my bed when I heard my alarm clock speak loudly. I frowned and scratched my head. I still want to sleep. I woke up again thinking about that wedding that my parents are preparing for me. And the funny thing is that I was immediately introduced to the parents of that man.

I lay down on the bed again and rolled around while I messed my hair. I'm disgusted! Why are they excited to marry me? I didn't even think of getting married even when I was thirty. Can't they wait for me to say that I'm going to get married?

"Haist!" I was annoyed by them. I sat on the bed again. If only I could see my face, I might look like a witch.

I decided to get out of bed. I left my room and went to the kitchen. Mom and Dad weren't there but breakfast was already served on the table. Where did they go?

I just looked at that food and ignored it. I just decided to take a bath because I feel like I need it to at least somehow reduce my stress and make me feel calmer.

After I showered, I immediately got dressed because it was only a few minutes and I was going to be late for work. I quickly took my laptop and the shoulder bag I was carrying. I hurried out of the house but I was stopped when I opened the door when I saw a car parked opposite the gate of the house. I frowned. Whose could it be?

Although surprised, I continued walking. I opened the gate and stopped in front of that car. I held my breath when the door slowly opened on the driver's seat. A man's feet came out first. He was wearing white sneakers and khaki pants. Until its body finally came out.

I can't even admit it but I'm stunned by the man in front of me now. Is it an artist? Because otherwise, I might offer her to be an actress because of her looks. I was even in awe of him because he was taller than me. The point of his nose, the length of his eyelashes, and the beauty of his white and even teeth. I also smelled the fragrant perfume he used that was strong enough to smell like a man.

"Hey! Will you just look at me?"

I blinked and went back to my senses. I swallowed and immediately looked away from him. He was just looking at me seriously while smiling. Who is this man? Does he know me?

"Who are you? Why are you here? Do I know you, Sir?" I asked him not to be able to look directly into his face.

"Even me, I don't know who you are. I don't even know why I'm here," he said softly.

I frowned at what he said. I tried to look at his face again. Damn! His beauty is dazzling. I carefully observed every part of his face and slowly frowned because the face of the man in front of me was slowly becoming familiar to me. "W-wait! have we met?" I asked in surprise.

That man also looked at me with an emotionless face. "I don't know. The only thing I know is that I don't know you," he said gruffly.

So much shock is written on my face when I remember who he is. "I-I'm right! It's you! Wait! What are you doing here, huh? How dare you come to my house after you stole my boyfriend!" I can see the look of shock on his face. "What do you want to tell me? That you're happy to be with my boyfriend while I'm still moving on? Your face is thick, isn't it? You really showed up in front of me," I said angrily as I continued to poke him.

The man in front of me frowned as he looked at me seriously. He still grinned. "That's right. So, you are the woman who was left by her boyfriend because her boyfriend has a boyfriend. Well, it's not my fault because maybe you lacked something that I could give him," he said meaningfully.

"What—your face is thick to make me look like I failed and you gave it to him? You! You're gay! Get out of my face before the blood rises to my head completely and I do badly to you. You're the one who snatched him and now you're still confident with your action! How dare you!" I teased back in a shouting way.

The man in front of me scratched his forehead because of what I said and he didn't seem to be affected by what he heard from me.

"Do you still love him? You are poor because while that man is happy with someone else, here you are still bitter about your past," he said, making my head even hotter.

"You—you're b*tch!" I don't care anymore if I'm making a scene in front of our house. I'm just really disgusted and angry with this man—he's gay and stole my boyfriend.

"Don't call me gay or I will kiss you!"

"Would—"

I couldn't finish what I was going to say when I felt his palm touch the back of my neck and gently caress it. I swallowed when I saw his face close to mine. My leg felt weak as his face was so close to mine. "Affected, huh!" I saw her grin and let me go.

"A-affected! You're such a damn pervert!"

"There's no point in your anger, don't be immature. Don't make a scene here. By the way, I'm not here to provoke you. I don't even know why I'm here. I was just doing what my mom told me to do, to pick you up to take you to your work. Miles Virgilio, right?" he suddenly said softly.

I was stunned by what he said. I stared at his appearance again. My eyes widen as I remember what the woman named Mandy who was at home the other night said. Can't, no! "Y-you?" I asked in disbelief and pointed at him. Is he the Zandy they say, the son of that couple? I shook my head violently. "No! This can't be! You can't be the man they want to marry me. No!" I screamed like I was going crazy.

The man in front of me took a breath and scratched his forehead as he seemed annoyed with me. "Can you stop doing that? Are you crazy? Do you think I want it too? We're both stuck in this situation," he said.

I got serious and calmed myself down. I can't accept if he is the man they want me to marry. He is the one who ruined my relationship with Roven and above all he is gay so how can I agree to marry him? "I'm not crazy, ok? But now, I'd rather be crazy than marry someone like you." I sighed. "You're gay, anyway, so don't agree to marry me. You'll just hate it," I discouraged him.

He shook his head. "What if I agree? Do you think gays won't get married?" he asked.

My jaw dropped at what he said. "What?" I asked in surprise. "Are you crazy?" I closed my eyes for a moment. "I can't take it anymore. Just go home and tell your mommy and daddy that you won't marry me because you're gay, ok?" I quickly turned my back on him and went back inside to get into my car. It's not an expensive car because it was only bought second-hand.

"What if I agree to marry you, Miles?"

I stopped just as I was about to grab the gate to open it. I closed my eyes for a moment before finally opening it and ignoring him. I went inside and immediately got into my car. I don't want to get close to that man. I don't want to marry him because he is the one who ruined my relationship.

But what if he didn't object to that marriage? What if he agrees? No! That cannot happen. I will talk to him and if I have to beg, I will do it just so he won't marry me.