Chapter 4: Marriage

“Leila! Hurry up!” 

A petite high school girl ran towards Leila who was tying her hair with a silky red ribbon. The red color emphasized her beautiful ebony hair. Her fair skin was glowing under the sunlight. 

Leila Parker and Rui Yoon hurried after their friend Phyllis Lu. They were all dressed in blue checkered skirts and navy blue blazers. The only difference is the color of their ties. Rui Yoon was wearing a navy blue tie for senior students while the other two ladies were wearing muted blue ties for middle school students. One can know the level of students of Centriona School of Gifted by looking at their neckties. In this case, Rui Yoon is already a graduating student, while Leila and Phyllis are middle schoolers. 

After a long and tiring school day, Leila and Rui were dragged by Phyllis to a nearby mall to see a mall show. 

Phyllis stood behind a pillar, far away from the stage. 

Leila confusedly looked at her friend, who was trying to hide herself from the artists on the stage. “Why are we here? Can we sit in front?” 

Phyllis shook her head. “No…” 

“Why? Rui’s cousin is literally on the stage! Why can’t we go?” Leila continued to ask. 

“I–I’m shy… Aias will know that we’re here…” Phyllis meekly said. 

Rui’s brows raised. “Huh? He’s our childhood friend, Lis. Why are you feeling shy?”

“I–I… I don’t know!” 

Leila took a peek at the people who were preparing on the side of the small stage. There she saw a handsome tall man with a smooth and clear face. His playful smile captured Leila’s heart in a heartbeat. 

‘Cute…’

Her young and innocent heart fluttered at the sight of a mature and hardworking man. She watched him carry all the boxed equipment before distributing it to the members of the group. 

“Who… Who is he?”

Phyllis heard her question and answered, “Ah… That’s Taylor Lown. Son of the mayor of Dixon City. He’s also the CEO of Aias’ entertainment agency.”

Leila slowly nodded as she watched him bicker with the members of the group Luna. She just couldn’t take her eyes off of him. 

“Is he your crush?” asked Rui. 

Leila smiled. “I think he is… He’s my first-ever crush!”

“Wow! So you like mature guys, Leila. We’re the same!” Phyllis excitedly shared. 

“Well, we all know you like Zacharias and he’s older than us. And Rui’s in a relationship with Shane who is also older than her. So that makes the three of us, huh?”

The three girls giggled as they talked about the boys who filled their young hearts. They all had fun as they watched different groups perform from afar. 

Leila couldn’t stop thinking about the young and handsome CEO of GEM Entertainment. He’s still on her mind even when she’s on her way home. His cheeky and seemingly mischievous smile was etched on her mind. She came to like him even more because of what she heard from Phyllis. Despite coming from an affluent family, he could have a carefree and easy life. It seems that most of his family members are lawyers. He studied political science as his undergraduate course. He was expected to take after his father, who is also a lawyer. However, he chose to start a business with his friends. 

‘How’s he cute and hardworking?’

She giggled at this thought. Her head was in the clouds and she did not notice that she was already home. 

“Miss, we’re here,” said the driver who stopped in front of the mansion’s front door. 

“Ah! Okay, thanks!”

She alighted from the vehicle and enthusiastically entered the house. 

“Oh… Dad, you’re here?” she asked in dismay. Her good mood dissipated at the sight of her father, reading a book in the living room. 

Allen Parker gave his daughter a quick glance before turning back to his book. “Leila, take a seat.”

Confused with his sudden request, she lightly frowned. He would usually talk to her if her mother was around. But if she’s not, he treats her like she doesn’t exist. 

Still, he’s her father so she sat on the other side of the L couch. She awkwardly sat there with her school bag on her side. She took a glance at her father, who was still not speaking.

‘Why did he ask me to sit if he’s not gonna say anything?’

Later on, she notices a teenage boy entering the door with his parents. 

His father’s serious face instantly changed as he stood up to greet the family of three. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Yu, I’m glad you made it!”

“Julius, you’re a grown-up now!” He greeted the boy who was wearing a uniform from Leila’s school. 

‘He’s a senior…’ she inferred by looking at his tie. 

“Leila! Come and greet them!” 

Her father’s sudden call startled Leila. She walked up to the family and bowed at them. 

“Hello,” she shyly said. 

‘His glasses make him look smart. Is he smart?’

Leila scrutinized the serious-looking teenager who was wearing eyeglasses. He was tall and slim. He towered over the adults around. Judging from her father’s polite reaction, she understood that they were more powerful than his father. 

Allen led them all into the living room and asked the maid to serve some refreshments. 

“Seat there,” said Allen as he pointed to an empty space next to Julius. 

Leila pursed her lips and awkwardly sat next to Julius. 

“Oh~ you two look good together!” Julius’ mother, Kimberly, commented. 

Jackson Yu, Julius’ father nodded in agreement. “Well, I didn’t think that it would be a good idea. But now that I’m looking at them now, they’re definitely a good match!”

Allen laughed heartily. “Leila is such a reserved girl. She’s maintained excellent grades. Settling her marriage prospects early would give her a clear goal for her future.”

“I agree with that! I don’t want my son to meet random girls and waste his time on the wrong girl.”

Leila’s frown deepened as she listened to the adults' words. She couldn’t help but question their words. 

“I’m sorry but what agreement?” she asked. 

Kimberly smiled widely. “Of course, it’s about your and Julius' marriage!”

Leila froze. Her heart dropped upon hearing her words. 

“Marriage?”

She turned to Jullius at her side, who was indifferent to what his mother said. 

“Just go along with it for now. We’ll figure things out later,” he whispered to her. 

For some reason, his words gave her the comfort that she needed at this moment. 

“Okay,” she softly agreed, unconsciously trusting his advice.