Reaping Me Softly

Chapter 14 - The Message

When morning came, Lia was forced to join breakfast with her parents where things were quiet. It was not strange, though. Their long table, with her father sitting as the head, her mother's on his side with their food good for six pax.

They were just three by the way.

Meanwhile, she was four chairs away from them.

She doesn't usually join them. They just required her to for this day.

Inviting her means they have something to say. It's either about the man she would marry or reminds her again to behave.

They meant staying away from men. She was not even interacting with them. Well, not when Simeon came into the picture.

If they would tell her the latter, she was quite sure that her driver reported her.

She mentally rolled her eyes.

"I want you to get ready for tonight," said her father. "The Huang family arranged a meeting for us to meet. He'll bring his son so, I'm bringing you there tonight."

Lia stopped torturing her food for a while.

"He's Chinese?" she asked.

"Obviously," it was her mother. "It took us a lot of time and effort to convince his family to marry you. They're rich, Lia. Engaging our family with them would add up to our connection."

She gripped the cutlery tight. Lia is still eighteen, and since she was born, her parents were busy finding someone who can match their status in life, or more than theirs, to marry her.

They were actually expecting a baby boy. But what else can she do? She came. A girl and her parents were not honestly pleased.

Nonetheless, she was glad that they didn't get rid of her.

Although she really didn't have to pay them for that, knowing that they weren't happy having her yet they kept her, she had the urge to pay them by following their orders.

Even if she's not happy, she would do as they say.

"We had bought a new dress for you. Wear it tonight."

She nodded slowly. After breakfast, she went back to her room, showered, and fixed herself.

Today's Friday and she chose to make an excuse to not attend class. She was contemplating with herself as she lay on her bed, hands in the air, holding her phone showing Simeon's contact number.

It's not right to call him, she thought. She ought to stay away from men, nor even think of anywho. But for some reason, she just wanted to text him and ask about his day.

Like just a normal text mate... She doesn't have someone to talk to. She wanted someone to vent her feelings, frustrations, and how she wanted to vanish for a while because of her stressful surroundings.

Her family... They're toxic.

Lia wanted to disobey them for once but she was scared. They might do something bad and that was what she was trying to avoid.

She hasn't seen her parents get angry. However, she was certain how scary they get once anguish.

Sighing deeply, she clicked the power button once, then stared at her false ceiling.

For her, she really doesn't care who her parents choose to be her husband. Lia would just try to go-with-the-flow and thought of it as something she could get away with.

Divorce is legal.

It may take time but with money, it would get easier. Sadly, she's still young and still dependent on her parents. Although she has saved enough, that was her fund for college.

In case her parents abandoned her because of her future mistakes, at least she saved enough to pursue her dreams.

She lied on her side. It's almost afternoon yet she's still in bed, unproductive.

For the nth time, she opened her phone and stared at his number again.

"Shall I call him?" she hesitated. "But it's Friday... He might be in class or busy, or whatever."

She hoped that his name would pop out on her notification.

Staring at her phone, she pursed her lips.

He must text or call him. He was the one who asked her to go out yet she hasn't received any text. Could it be that he was just lying to her? Playing with her?

The idea made her lose hope. Guess she will not really pursue texting him.

Getting up, she turned off her phone and put it back in the small box underneath her bed.

She must just try the dress her parents bought and look good for tonight.

"Lia! Get down in here! You're taking a lot of time!"

Rolling her eyes, she checked herself in a whole body-length mirror.

She was wearing a skater dress in wine. It makes her fair skin stand out. She also applied light make-up because the last time she never wore one, her parents scolded her for looking so natural.

Alright. It was her second time to go and meet with someone but she never considered it as a real date. Their parents were around, too.

Lia promised to herself to date someone who caught her interest and for now, it was Simeon whom she wants to date.

Sadly, it won't happen. As she's not allowed to.

"Be nice, Lia. Greet them in a very polite way and your smile, please keep smiling. Give them a nice impression, so they won't back out of our agreement," said her father when they were in a car.

"Alright, Papa..."

"Also, apply some red colors on your lips, Lia. Put some. Here..."

She has no choice but to obey her mother. She handed her the red lipstick and tried to apply it as carefully as possible.

She sighed silently.

When they arrived, they were assisted to the VIP room where the Huang family was waiting. Somehow, she wanted to run away and hide from everyone.

She suddenly felt sick.

"Beautiful lady," the mother of the guy approached her.

Lia smiled. "Thank you. You are beautiful, too."

"Thanks, darling."

The talk went on. Their son arrived ten minutes late but it was just his father who kinda looked angry. While her parents were just okay with it.

"He's here... C'mon, son. Greet Lia, the Possenti's family's only child. Isn't she beautiful?"

And again, she smiled but this time, it was for disgust.

The guy was in his twenties but Lia doesn't like how he looks. Unlike Simeon who came out as good looking, added his fragrance, this guy was not just her type.

Based on his reaction, she could tell that he felt the same.

"I don't like her," the guy straightly told everyone.

For drama, Lia hangs her head down. Yet deep down, she was happy. Hoping that the other family would break the arrangement off.

"Sean!"

"I came here to say that I won't marry that thin and shy girl. I want someone wild and she's not clearly my type."

"Sean!"

Lia slightly raised her head.

They spoke a language she can't understand and based on how their voices raise, and the expression of each of them, she can tell that they're arguing.

In front of them... The disrespect in these delicacies.

Meanwhile, they fell into silence. For the love of god, she wanted the ground to swallow her right now.

Eventually, the guy left with an angry expression. He didn't even glance at her and it doesn't really matter.

"I'm sorry about that, Leann. My son was not just in the mood."

"It was fine," said her mother.

"I guess we will have to arrange another meeting. I'm sorry for the trouble."

Eventually, they all left. She was silent the whole ride on the way to their house, as well as her parents. When they arrived, she quickly showered and blew dry her hair. Then took her phone again.

When she opened it, she almost lost her balance when messages bombed her notification.

Her lips parted slightly. "Simeon..." she uttered. "Omg. He messaged me... He f ucking message me!"

She was jumping on her bed because of excitement! She was happy, yes. And kind of nervous!

Once she calmed down, she faked a cough. Tuck her hair behind her ear, then think of what to reply to his messages.

It was just a simple hi. Followed by how are you? Then a message asking her schedule. Indirectly asking her when she's going to have free time to say yes to his invitation.

Biting her lip, she stopped a smile that was slowly forming to her lips.

"I'm free tomorrow..." She hit send.

Her heart was beating erratically like it was going to pop out of her ribcage. She was biting her lower lip hard to stop the smile from creeping... Even her hands started to sweat due to nervousness.

It was just seconds when he replied back.

"Hey, I saw you getting out of the restaurant an hour ago. Wearing a maroon dress, right?" she read aloud.

She stopped. He saw her?

Lia type a reply: Yup. That was me. We were having dinner. How about you?

"I was having steak with siblings and cousins," he replied, which she read with a low voice.

"Oh, okay..." she whispered.

She started to type again. This time, to divert the conversation that would lead them to talk about their first date.

But then...

Simeon:

Can I call?

Glancing at her door, she jumped out of her bed to lock the door before leaning against it, typing a reply.

Me:

Nope. But I'm free tomorrow. All day.

Before she could even think, she hit send.

She gasps. "What the hell did I just say?!"

Lia's reply was not even connected to his query!

A message popped out and she just wanted to die in peace because of embarrassment.

Simeon:

Indirectly telling me to come and take you out tomorrow?

She died. His mind... His mind just can't keep the thoughts to itself.

Me:

No, I'm not asking you to date me.

Simeon:

Alright. Let's date tomorrow, then. Send me the details, Lia. I'll pick you up tomorrow, okay?

She slowly subsided to the ground, feeling hopeless.

"Why did I say that?" She pulled her hair gently. "That was not what I meant..." said Lia, convincing herself.

Tomorrow... She will have a Saturday date with Simeon as she thought yesterday. But no... He is not allowed to pick her up in their house!

That would be big trouble!