CHAPTER 02: Welcome Party

DARREN’s P.O.V.

        I dialed Elijah’s cellphone number before fixing my hair. Again, he didn’t answer my call. I sighed as I repeatedly type his fucking number.

        I left my phone on the counter near the bathroom sink as I continue putting a wax on my hair. I wonder why he isn’t answering my calls. I looked closely to the mirror, seeing a man that resembles my mother. The only woman I love in my whole life. Blue eyes. Brown hair. If only she’s still here. Maybe she would be proud of me.

“Bro? Your name was all over my inbox!”

        I immediately picked up the phone when I heard my bestfriend’s voice, Elijah Ramirez.

“Hey, asshole. Why aren’t you answering my calls, huh?”

“You sound like a jealous girlfriend.”

“Tsssk.”

“Okay, okay. I’m sorry, bro. You know I’m always busy, right? Being a teacher is a very tiring job. And of course you don’t know that. You don’t do anything except sitting on your swivel chair all day long waiting for a cup of coffee from your sexytary.”

“Then why don’t you just worked in our company, Elij?”

“No, thanks. I love my profession, bro. I love teaching kids.”

“I hate kids.”

“Stop being an asshole, Darren. Someday you’ll realize that having a wife and children is very important in our lives.”

“Important your face. Anyways, are you coming later tonight?”

 “Where?”

“You don’t remember, do you?”

“Remember what, Darren?”

“Tsssk.”

“Oh please cut the suspense, bro.” I can heard the annoyance on his voice.

“Tonight is the welcome party for the whole family of Armando Frias, my Dad’s bestfriend.”

“Ah. So now I remember. Sorry, bro. I don’t do that kind of thing.”

“And what exactly do you mean by that?” I asked, confused about what he was talking about.

“Parties. You know I’m not that kind of person who enjoys connecting socially to the upperclassmen and crazy rich people.”

“Come on, Lij. You could have met a nice girl in there. I heard that Mr. Armando Frias’ daughter is coming there.”

“Still not interested, bro.”

“Fine. I have to enjoy myself then.”

        He chuckled before putting down the phone. Great, now I have to fake my smile on that welcome party alone. I hope my Dad wouldn’t obligate me to face those random guests.

        After putting on my coat and my favorite perfume, I rushed to the door and made my way into the parking lot. I decided to bring my black car since I knew that everyone else will use this kind of color on such occasions. I don’t want to standout among all of those people.

        How I wish it was that easy to fit in. ’Cause after I came to the entrance of the hotel, people are staring at me like I was a gold statue or anything unusual. Come on, people. I’m only human.

“Hey, son!” And here comes the disaster.

“Dad.”

        He smiled at me before motioning to the man he’s with earlier. That man’s face is very familiar to me. But I couldn’t remember when and where did I met him.

“I want you to meet Mr. Armando Frias, my bestfriend and your soon to be father-in-law.”

“Hi.” I waved at him, still tight-lipped.

       It took me a moment or so before realizing what did I just heard. As my father’s words slowly sinked in to my brain, I started to panic and became anxious.

“Father-in what?!”

“I’m glad that I finally have the chance meet you, son.”

        And now he’s calling me like I knew him for the past few years of my life.

“Dad, I want to talked to you alone.”

“Why, Darren? If you have something to say, say it in front of Armando. His daughter will be here soon. And I highly doubt that you can resist her beauty.”

        He doesn’t even know the true meaning of beauty. The epitome of that word was my mother. And how dare they compare Mr. Frias’ daughter to my mom.

“Is there something wrong here, Darrel?” Mr. Armando asked my Dad.

“Nothing. Maybe Darren was still shocked by the news.”

        Hell yeah! How can he arranged my marriage just like that? And I don’t even know the woman who will be my wife.

“Dad, please don’t do this.”

“You want to be the CEO of our company, right? Then I’m helping you out. I’m finding the best woman that suites your type.”

“And how exactly do you know what type of woman I like? You don’t even know me, Dad,” I questioned him, brows furrowed.

“Let’s not waste our time arguing about this, Darren. All you need to do is to get married. How hard could that be?”

“Dad, I’m serious. I don’t want to get married!” I closed my fist, starting to feel irritated.

“Are you afraid of commitment?”

“I’m not–”

        My sentence was cut short when somebody entered in the reception. Her hair is blond and short. It was shoulder-length, I think. She was wearing a dark red lipstick that gives us the impression of her as a sexy yet sophisticated woman at the same time. But still, I wasn’t attracted to her. Not even a bit. The only beautiful woman in my eyes was my mother.

“Kate, you’re finally here.”

        Mr. Armando greeted her with a hug and smile. She even did that same thing to my father.

“Good evening, Mr. Herrera.”

        God. Her voice was so irritating. I don’t know why but maybe because of the fact that my father was pushing me to marry this unknown woman.

“Good evening, Kate. I will be please if you meet my son, Darren Herrera. The future of Herrera Corp.,” my father proudly stated.

“Hi, Darren. You looked ravishing tonight,” she smiled at me, looking delighted to see her future husband.

        As if I will let that happen.

“Thank you,” I coldly answered.

        My father got closer to me and whispered something into my left ear.

“Compliment her back, son.”

“Fine, fine,” I muttered under my breath, annoyed. “You look good as well, Ms. Frias.”

“Thank you. And there’s no need for you to be so formal. You can just call me Kate.”

“Yeah, since my daughter and you will be living at the same house soon enough,” Mr. Frias added, making her daughter blush.

        So, she already knew about this. Life could really be unfair sometimes. They left me out by talking all to themselves not bothering to ask me about a single thing.

“Let’s enjoy the night, Armando. And let us leave our children for them to talk.”

        And without any more words or even a bit hesitation, they left us there, alone. Kate was still blushing from her father’s words minutes ago.

“So... Did they tell you about it?” she asked, flashing a bashful grin.

“Y-yeah.”

“What do you think?”

        I wanted to tell her how I really felt when my father announced to me about our marriage earlier. I badly wanted to say that I don’t want to be tied to anyone. I don’t want to give my love and trust to someone I barely know. But of course, I can’t say that in front of her. I may be the most cold-hearted guy on Earth but still, I can’t hurt a girl on purpose.

“Well, I honestly don’t know what to say. No offense,” I whispered, half lie and half truth.

“Oh.”

“How about you? What do you think about it? Do you really want our parents to decide about our marriage?”

“Of course it’s fine for me. Who wouldn’t want to marry a man like you?” 

        Again, she smiled at me sweetly. Really? What’s the deal with this girl? A man like me? She barely even know me. We just met and yet she’s acting as if we were once friends.

        A few moments later, I started to feel uneasy with this girl. She often clung to my arms and simply touch my hands. I’m getting tired at pretending to be a nice guy, that’s why I decided to excuse myself to her. After talking to this women, my decision on not getting married to her only intensified.

“Excuse me, Kate. I need to go home right now. I have a lot of works to do.”

“Oh. I’m sorry, Darren. Maybe we can see each other again sometime?” she asked, making a puppy look out of her little eyes.

“S-sure, I g-guess.”

“Then let me have your cellphone number.” 

        Tsssk. And now she’s even asking for my contact number. This girl doesn’t have any respect to herself. 

        To make the long story short, we exchanged our cellphone number and I dashed outside of the venue to the parking lot. I can’t wait to go home and call my bestfriend. I need Elijah’s help about this. I’ll do anything to stop this stupid marriage.