𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟐

As soon as he parked his motorcycle in front of our house, I immediately got off without saying thank you. I know it's rude since he drove me safely back home, but I'm still pissed at him. Wala ako sa sarili nang buksan ko ang pinto, I'm expecting that no one was awake since it's already passed ten in the evening, but I was stunned when I saw my parents in the living room. Bumungad sa akin ang umiiyak at nag-aalalang mukha ng mga magulang ko.

"Eomma, Appa," I mumbled.

"Mardux!" They said in unison.

I felt my eyes get wet when they embraced me.

"Goodness! You don't know how many times I tried calling you! You made us worry sick!"

I didn't answered.

"Princess, gwaenchanna?"

I remained silent.

"Anak? Are you still mad at us?"

May karapatan naman siguro akong magalit, diba? They lied to me. They did something that can hurt me big time. Then, I remembered what Blood said, I should ask my parents about it because I deserve an explanation. I deserve to know their reasons.

I took a deep breath, trying not to be emotional, but I failed. "Eomma, Appa, N-Naging masama ba akong anak? I just turned eighteen today... Don't I deserve a freedom? Bakit kailangan kong magpakasal sa taong hindi ko mahal? Naghihirap na ba tayo?" Mabilis tumulo ang luha sa mga mata ko.

Eomma gasped and embraced me. "No, no! Don't say that! We're sorry, anak! Dapat sinabi namin noon pa ang tungkol dito pero hindi namin alam kung paano sasabihin. Anak, we know you're happy here, and we don't want to take that back from you. That's why we chose not to tell you until you reached legality because we know that you'll understand us."

Umalis ako sa pagkakayakap at lumuluhang palipat-lipat ako ng tingin sa kanila. "That's why you chose to lie to me? And you think setting me up with someone can resolve our problems? Is that it, Eomma? Appa?"

Eomma reached for my hands and held them. "Anak, Our business is dying... Damon, offered us help pero nahihiya kaming tanggapin na walang kapalit kaya naisip namin-" 

My jaw clenched. "Ibig sabihin, kayo ang nag-offer sa kanila na ipakasal ako kay Blood?!" bahagyang tumaas ang boses ko.

I took a deep breath to calm down, but my tears kept on falling from my eyes. I can't believe it! Ang kapal ng mukha kong sabihin kay Blood na kasalanan niya ang mga nangyari without knowing that my parents came up with this nonsense. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko siya haharapin pagkatapos ng mga sinabi ko kanina.

Napayuko si Eomma at mas lalo siyang napaiyak. 

"Pwede niyo naman sabihin sa akin kung may problema tayo sa business! You don't know how much it hurts to learn that you both lied to me. I feel like you both don't trust me. I'm disappointed, Eomma." I cried while looking at her. "You too, Appa."

"Mianhe," His voice cracked.

I stepped back and looked at them. "I can't get mad at you both forever, but I can't forgive you both right now because I'm still hurting..." I took a deep breath. "And If our business in Korea depends with this engagement. Then, I can't decline the marriage, right?"

Eomma averted her gaze.

"I will call Damon to decline the engagement," Appa said with conviction.

I glance at him. "Then, what will happen to our business? Bankrupt?" They became silent. "Blood and I had a serious talked earlier. We decided to date for a month,"

They both gasped.

"What? You don't have to this anymore,"

"Di bale ng mawala ang suporta ng malaking company nila huwag lang ikaw,"

"Kaya niyo ba talaga na walang suporta nila? Anong magyayari sa atin? Sa inyo? Magagalit si harabeoji kapag nalaman niyang nawala ang pinaghirapan niya..."

They both look away.

I sighed and look at them with disappointment. I knew it. "B-Blood was also against this marriage, but we decided to date for a month. While we're dating, he will convince his parents to help our business. And if we didn't work out, no wedding will be held."

Hindi na sila nakasagot kaya bumuntong hininga na lang ako. "I'm going to my room now. You two, get some rest. Tomorrow is your flight back to Korea." I walked away without waiting for their response.

          THE NEXT DAY, I woke up just to find out that Eomma and Appa already depart for their flight. Suddenly, my tears fell, and I started sobbing while hugging my pillow. I felt sad and guilty because I got mad at them last night. I blinked when I noticed a folded paper on the side of my bed. I reached for it and opened it.

"Appa,"  I sob when I read the first sentence.

I'm sure Appa wrote this for me because it is written in Hangul. Nanatili lang ako sa loob ng kwarto habang umiiyak at habang paulit-ulit na binabasa ang sulat na iniwan ni Appa. I shut my eyes when I felt a headache. Huminga ako ng malalim at inabot ang cellphone kong nasa gilid ng kama. Nakita kong may text sa'kin ang mga kaibigan ko sa pangunguna ni Shirley na nagsasabing siya na ang bahala na magsabi sa mga teachers namin na hindi ako makakapasok ngayon.

I got out of bed and roamed my eyes. My eyes stopped at the corner of my room when I saw the numerous gifts I received last night. I smiled bitterly. Nakalimutan kong birthday ko pala kahapon dahil sa mga nangyari.  I suddenly felt dizzy, maybe because I kept on crying.

Sinikap kong maligo kahit ramdam kong hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko. I'm just wearing jogging pants and a t-shirt while my hair was in a messy bun because I was too lazy to fix it. Bumaba ako pagkatapos maligo dahil nakaramdam ako ng gutom. I straightly went to the kitchen to prepare myself some food.

As I opened the fridge I saw a lot of small containers containing side dishes made by Eomma.  Saglit akong natigilan bago malungkot na ngumiti. "Bogoshipda, Eomma..." I mumbled.

I chose to eat the leftover pasta, chicken, and pizza from our lunch yesterday. I just heated it in the microwave to make it faster. May tatlong cake na iba't-iba ang flavor na galing sa party kagabi kaya nilabas ko yung isa para kainin. I felt like eating a lot to remove my stress.

"I hope this cake will remove my problems," bulong ko sa hangin.

Halos kalahating oras ata akong nagstay sa kitchen para makapag-isip ng maayos. I decided to bring down my gifts and open them in the living room. When I sat down on the sofa, I reached for my phone to play some music.

Now playing: Black Magic by Little Mix

My forehead creased when I heard the doorbell ring continuously.

"Sino ba 'yan? As far as I remember, wala naman akong inaasahan na bisita," I murmured before hurriedly going out because the doorbell was getting murdered by someone. "Jamkkanman!"I shouted in annoyance.

Mabilis kong binuksan ang gate at hindi ko maiwasan ang hindi mabigla nang makita ko si Blood. He was leaning against the side of the gate while playing with the motor key in his finger. My forehead wrinkled while scanning him from head to toe because he was still wearing his uniform. Hindi ba siya pumasok sa Blue Academy?

"Hey," he waved his hands.

I blinked twice before I averted my gaze. "W-What are you doing here?" I can't help but to stuttered when our eyes met. 

"I want to see you,"

Natigilan ako.

"B-Bakit gusto mo akong makita?" Once again, I stuttered.

"Today is our first day of dating,"

My lips parted. Hindi ko inaasahan na ngayon pala magsisimula ang deal namin. My mind was still busy processing everything about what happen yesterday. All the revelation on my birthday was still fresh.

I took a deep breath. "Jinjja? Hindi ko expect na ngayon pala 'yon."

He cock his head on the other side kaya may pagkakataon akong pagmasdan siya. He looks like he ditched his class just to come here. Why?  I sighed and mentally shake my head. I must apologize to him for being mean yesterday. But how? Hindi ko alam kung paano sisimulan.

"You okay?" He stepped forward kaya napaurong ako. His forehead wrinkled.

''I'm okay,'' I nervously answered.

''But you look pale,''

''Huh?''

Hindi agad ako nakakilos noong humakbang ulit siya palapit sa akin at  kapain ang noo ko. I blinked twice while my heart pounded.

"You're not okay. Let's just stay here,"

''Dito?! Dito sa bahay?''

Napataas ang kilay niya. ''Why? Is there something wrong?''

I bite my lips. ''A-ano kasi, eh...''

How can I tell him that I'm the only person at home! Shit!

''I'm thirsty. Can I have a glass of water?''

I couldn't answer right away because the angels inside my head were still arguing whether I should let him inside or not. Bahala na nga! ''O-Okay,''

Pagkarating sa loob ng bahay ay pinaupo ko muna siya sa sofa para ipagkuha siya ng tubig sa kusina. I opened the fridge and took out some cold water. 

"Oh, inom ka muna."

"Thanks,"

Pinanood ko siyang ubusin ang isang basong tubig na inabot ko sa kanya. I smiled a little when he finished it. Huli na para maiwasan ko ang titig niya dahil nagtama na ang mga mata namin. I gulped.

Nilapag niya ang baso sa maliit na lamesa bago siyang tumingin sa akin. ''Have you eaten?"

"O-Oo, kanina..."

Why is he asking me... This is awkward!

"What did you eat?" His eyes roamed around. "You have a nice house,"

Tipid akong ngumiti. "Thanks. Pizza saka pasta, Ikaw?"

He tilted his head, and a small smirk showed.  "Good for you. I haven't eaten yet. Dumiretso na agad ako dito after the second subject,"

My eyebrows furrowed. "What?! So, nagcutting ka? Gago ka ba?"

Hindi siya sumagot kaya sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. This guy!  ''May pagkain sa ref. Do you want to eat? Init ko na lang?''

I blinked when he grinned. "Wow, that's new! I feel we're a couple right now. But thanks for the offer, but I'll do it myself. Just stay here, and rest.''

''Pero—''

Hindi niya na ako pinatapos magsalita dahil dumiretso na siya papunta sa kitchen. Ilang minuto lang ay bumalik na siya at umupo sa tabi ko. He was carrying a plate full of pizza, pasta, Cordon bleu and, cake. He's really hungry?

"Let's share if you are still hungry,"

I shook my head. "Busog na ako. Ikaw na lang ang kumain,"

"Okay,"

Hindi na ako kumibo at pinanuod ko na lang siya ubusin ang mga kinuha niyang pagkain. Napapalunok ako habang pinapanuod siyang kumain. Every time the spoon entered his mouth, natutulala ako. My lips parted when he licked his lips which made his lips reddish. I swallowed hard when I saw his Adam's apple move. Ganito ba talaga siya kumain? Bakit sobrang gwapo naman ata niyang kumain?

Mabilis akong napatayo nang mapalingon siya sa'kin. "K-Kukuha lang a-ako ng tubig mo," I shut my eyes when I stuttered.

Mardux come back to your senses!

Bahagya pang nanginginig ang mga kamay ko habang pinagsasalin siya ng tubig sa baso. Ilang beses akong huminga ng malalim bago lumapit sa kanya.

"Water ka muna,"

"Thank you,"

While his drinking I get the chance to apologize.

"Sorry,"

His eyebrows creased. "Why are you saying sorry?"

I took a deep breath. "I already talked to my parents, and they explained everything to me... I'm really sorry for accussing you and for being mean yesterday. Hindi ko alam na parents ko pala ang mismong nag offer sa kasal."

Mabilis akong napanganga nang mabuga niya ang tubig na iniinom niya.

"Oh my! Ano ka ba naman!"

He wiped his lips before looking at me. "Tss, I was shocked."

"Grabe ka naman mabigla! Basta sorry sa mga sinabi ko at yung tungkol sa gusto mong mangyari... Pumapayag na ako. I'm going to date you,"

I quickly covered his mouth when he almost spewed out again the water he was drinking. "Lunukin mo 'yan!" He swallowed the water, so I removed my hands.

"So, you mean to say we're now officially dating?"

I was hesitant to nod, but I still did. "Yup, pero may expiration date-"

I was stunned when hugged me. Then, my eyes widen when I felt him give me a soft kiss on the top of my head. "Thirty-one days, Mardux. Just give me thirty-one days, and I'll make you the happiest girl in the world,"

"Just thirty-one days, Blood Jared."

Mas humigpit ang yakap niya. "I can make that 31 days into a lifetime..." he whispered, and I instantly get goosebumps.

Mahina ko siyang tinulak. "T-Tulungan mo na lang nga akong m-magbukas ng mga regalo," I said trying to remove the awkward athmosphere.

"Sure, sweetie."

I stared at him. "Sweetie?"

"What? It's a call sign for couples who date,"

My lips parted. "But we aren't a couple? We're just dating for a month,"

"Yeah, but at the same time we're still engaged. You're still my fiancée, and I'm still your future husband." 

Mabilis akong napailing. "We're just dating for a month, and while we're dating you'll convince your parents to help our company in Korea."

"Okay, I get it. However, what if my parents still want to continue the engagement? Since your parents offered it in the first place. Your family needs my family, not the other way around."  The last sentence hits me.

His voice was too serious that made my brain numb for a second. Natigilan ako at napatulala dahil sa sinabi niya. He's right! What if his parents still want to continue the engagement? My parents will be fine since they're the ones who offered it, but what about me?

"Anyway, we will go to a private beach resort owned by my family on Saturday..."

My senses came back because of what he said. "What?!"

"We will go to a private beach resort owned by my family on Saturday..." he repeated.

"Anong meron?"

He shrugged. "Date,"

"Date? Sa beach resort pa?"

His eyes squinted. "Ayaw mo?"

"Malayo!"

"We have a service van," tumaas ang isang kilay niya. "The Blue Dragons and your friends will come..."

My lips parted. "What the- Alam ba nilang ikakasal tayo?"

He shook his head. "No,"

"Mabuti naman,"

He crossed his arms while staring at me. "But they know I'm dating you,"

I stood up because of what he said.

"What?! Sinabi mo?!"

"No,"

"Paano nila nalaman?"

"Gossip." He shrugged. "A schoolmate saw us in the parking lot yesterday."

I gasped. "Aish! Mga chismosa!"

He chuckled. "Stop stressing yourself, sweetie." Tumingin siya sa suot na relo, I heard him cuss. "Fuck! I forgot I need to visit my parents' house. Go rest up, okay? Starting tomorrow, you'll see my face often." He tapped my head, and I was stunned when he gave me a peck on my lips.

He kissed me again! That Kiss Stealer!

*****