Chapter 2

“How are you, my dear?”

“I am fine, dad.”

He’s here along with my mom. They bought something for me and my mom was the one organizing it on my fridge. I am here seated on the sofa with my dad. It became a little bit awkward because I don’t know how to make conversation with him without having the need to lead it into something I don’t want to hear.

“I am so---”

“I’ll just help mom, dad.” And I just left him.

My mom was already done when I went to her. She was just having her water while looking at the fridge that she organized. “You should do groceries sometime, my dear. Buy some vegetables and fruits.”

Years of living alone, I got used to buy outside every meal. I don’t want to do the cooking because clearly, I don’t know how. Mom suggested to have a helper but I don’t want it. I just want to live all by myself.

I just hire someone to do cleaning every now and then, including the laundry.

“Do you mind if I stay here for the night?”

There’s a hesitation on me when she asked that. What does she want to do here? But her soft voice unconsciously made me nod. It was too late for me to say something when I saw how huge her smile was when she saw my response.

“Don’t worry. It’s just me, my dear. Your father will be flying tonight as well.” Her voice sounded sad for a second but she smiled afterwards.

“Okay, mom.”

I stared at her as she turned her back on me. Washing the glass, she just used for drinking water.

Mom is undeniably gorgeous. Years after leaving the modeling industry, she still rocks. She still has that body everyone would die for. She really knows how to maintain her weight after all these years and that’s incredibly incredible.

Mom was right. Dad left after to catch his flight and right now, mom and I were the only one left in my condo. Standing in front of the mirror, I found my mom’s eyes looking at me. “You are too beautiful, my dear. You are even more beautiful than me around your age.”

We are planning to eat outside. She totally forgot about her image. We can’t go out without the entailing team of bodyguards. That’s why she suggested to just stay here. Clearly, I don’t know how to cook and my mom don’t know how to cook as well.

My mom lives a comfortable life even before she met my dad. She didn’t experience anything about having difficulties in life and from a princess that she has been, she upgraded as a queen when she married my dad.

“Do you want to change into something formal? You know, we have a chef coming to cook dinner for us.”

That’s what she said before I hear a doorbell ringing. I think that’s the chef that she’s been talking to earlier. Glancing at myself in front of the mirror once more, I found nothing wrong with my outfit. I’m wearing a tube top and a skirt.

“We are the only people here, mom.”

I am a bit lazy to go to my room and change my outfit. I am comfortable with my outfit. When I am with my mom, she really likes to see me wearing tight dresses. Tight dresses are too seductive for me. I don’t like it but sometimes, I am forced to wear it especially when she is around but right now, I can’t.

“Okay. Let me just open the door.”

When she left to open the door, I sat down on the sofa to scroll on my phone. I have been on this really cute and comfortable bag for weeks and I still don’t know when are they going to restock.

“Welcome to my daughter’s home.”

My forehead creased when I heard what my mom said. Who is she talking to? I waited for them to finally show up in front of me. What the heck! Standing beside my mother is no other than the man who almost become my fiancé.

“What is he doing here?”

Mother pretended to be looking for her phone. “Your father must be calling right now. You two can go ahead and talk.” I saw her pushing Mr. Alexander before she left me hanging.

“What are YOU doing here, Mr. Alexander?”

Instead of answering my question, he scanned my body from toe up to my head, meeting my eyes. His seductive ocean blue eyes met mine. “Just an average, I see. Good to know you rejected my offer.”

What? “Are you saying that you will be disappointed if I agreed on the stupid marriage?”

“I didn’t say that but not denying the fact that you have cute boobs. Not used seeing women who has small boobs.”

What the heck! This man must be testing my patience. “I am glad I rejected your offer as well or else I will be much more disappointed than you.”

“Oh really? Which part of me you think would pass in the disappointment area?”

Looking at him, from his head down to his toe then back to his head again, I could say nothing. I looked the other way when his eyes were trying to find my gaze. There’s no such thing as perfect man but this guy right here is too sinful to look at.

I heard him laughing that made me looked at him. I am so annoyed right now like how can someone be so adorable when laughing? He winked when he finally found my gaze.

“Don’t worry. I already found someone. We will be getting married anytime soon. I am just doing your mom a favor.”

I raised my brows at them. “And what does it have to do with me?”

“I am just saying that you are not my type.”

What the fuck? That last statement of him made me lost my mind. That was a big blow to me. He just hurt my feelings. What the fuck is wrong with him? Saying it for the second time is already an insult. I don’t fucking need to hear it anymore.

“Where are you going?” my mother asked. She came back after making an excuse of calling my dad. Mr. Alexander left and went to my kitchen.

“My head hurts. I will eat later, mom.”

I stayed in my bed for almost three hours. I am used in eating late. I stayed one more hour before I finally decided to go down and eat. The living room sounds too melancholic. I was about to take my step on the staircase when I suddenly heard my father talking.

“Then what are we going to do?” his voice sounds so worried about something. I can hear the sadness and disappointment in his voice. “If only I didn’t make that stupid---”

“No… it’s entirely not your fault. Don’t feel bad about the situation. Maybe we can think of any other solution. We can’t force our daughter to do something against her will. We can’t force her to be in a situation where she will be unhappy.”

What is happening? What is going on? It feels so wrong to be hearing their conversation. I feel like it’s a crime to be here.

“I know that, my love. That’s why we are not going to force her.”

Then suddenly it became so silent that I could hear my heavy breathing. One, two, three, four… I lost count and I just suddenly hear my mother, softly crying. “I am so sorry, my love, but we will eventually get through this.”

“Darling, please don’t feel sorry about anything. It’s not your fault.” I can hear the annoyance in my mother’s voice but she remains composed. You can still hear the pureness of her voice each time she speaks. “Our businesses may be in bad shape right now but you don’t have to feel sorry all the time. It was never your fault.”

I felt a sharp needle went inside my chest. The pain was too much to handle. I tightened my grip on the staircase, finding support as I felt my knees getting weak.

“I’m hanging up now. Maya might be here anytime soon.”

I didn’t hear what my father said. I silently walked towards my room. I think I just lost my appetite after hearing those exchange conversation from my parents.

Is that the reason why they want me to marry Mr. Alexander? I don’t think there’s any other reason. My suddenly became numb. Should I be thankful that they are not forcing me to marry Mr. Alexander or should I be worried about the company?

“I already found someone.”

“You are not my type.”

Fuck! Those words from him echoed inside my mind. What am I going to do?