Reaping Me Softly

Chapter 19 - The Question

Lia kept on swallowing the lump on her throat for the whole ride. She kept on moving to her seat and Simeon, on the other hand, did nothing but fed her with assurance.

She knows that his family is nice based on his stories. But once they saw her, what would be their reaction?

There’s actually nothing wrong with her appearance. Lia was obviously beautiful with her natural long and black hair. Her deep brown eyes were captivating, small nose yet a pointed one and her thin lips that she hates for some reason.

When it comes to status in life, she has that. The name and money... Even her status as a student.

She always made it on top. However, not everyone has the same preference.

What if his family don’t allow her to be with Simeon? Or hate her? She can’t seem to take it. It is impossible for her parents to like Simeon but for the love of God... Can they like her?

The car stopped and her heart automatically beat fast.

“We’re here, babe...” he announced.

“I’m nervous...” Her lips shivered.

He unlocked the door. “It’s fine... Let’s go out and breath some fresh air.”

She nodded and unfastened her seat belt then, went out of the car. Lia hugged herself as the cold wind slap through her skin. Her black uniform skirt was swaying with the air, and the white collar long sleeves helped her to get warm.

Simeon told her that they lived far away from the city. It took them an hour to arrived and it was worth it. The whole place was green, tall tress everywhere and the air...

It was refreshing and calming.

Her eyes landed on the three story house across her position. It was made on woods, silence and a bit creepy.

She glanced at him who was getting something out of his compartment.

“That house...” She gulped. “It’s your house, I guess? It’s the only house here.”

“Yup,” he answered popping the p. “That’s where we lived. A bit creepy, ‘no?”

“Hmm... Yeah, a bit. Scary, perhaps. I never know someone could manage to live in this place. I mean, this place is absolutely beautiful! The surrounding and all but to live here alone?”

He chuckled and walked towards her, holding a paper bag on his right hand.

“Don’t talk about it in front of my family, especially to our great grandpa.”

“But I thought...”

“Yup, he’s deaf, baby. But he built this house together with his wife and has been passed to three generations. Our entire family lived there and not planning to move in to the city. Well, who knows?”

She pursed her lips.

Simeon has been telling her a lot about his family tree. She enjoyed listening to him and even listed some information like their birthdays and other important occasion. But for at least once, she didn’t tell him a littls background about hers.

He never asked or demand about it. She just felt guilty but she was not comfortable on telling him something she doesn’t even want others to know.

Lia’s family is not an ideal one. Or even near that. It’s completely a chaos and complicated. It was better if she was the only one who knows about it, she thought.

He slid his hand in between them, then intertwined their fingers together.

“They will love you, Lia.”

His words sent her heart at peace. She believed in him... And even if they don’t, Lia will do her best for them to accept her as Simeon’s girl.

Right... Honestly, they still haven’t talk about their relationship. They just assumed that they’re on. Although Lia wanted to open a conversation regarding it but she was scared.

She doesn’t know how to start but maybe, at this time, she needs to initiate.

“Am I your girlfriend, Simeon?” she asked directly. “We hug and kiss... We spent time together almost everyday, and now you’re about to introduce me to your family. But as what? A friend or a girlfriend?”

Her question has made him stopped walking, so does she. They faced each other and Lia has to raised her head a bit to meet his captivating eyes.

It took her a lot of courage to asked him. As every day he left her unit, the thought sipped through her mind.

She wanted to know. To clarify the thing between them so both of them would have an idea. Lia does not want to be left clueless or even overthink about their relationship.

“I just wanted to clear my mind...” She let out a small laugh. “We have been going out for almost a month now. You’re not telling me anything yet you’re acting so sweet and almost like a boyfriend to me. Now that you’re going to introduce me to your family, at least... Tell me what my position is in your life.”

“Oh, god... Baby,” worry crossed his face. Simeon held her hands and squeeze it gently. “I thought you’re already my...” He bit his lower lip.

She could see how his ears turned red. His eyes kept on moving and she was confused why! He looked worried and shy for unknown reason. Simeon can’t even look at her!

Lia took a deep breath. Now she regret telling him her thoughts! Instead of giving her mind the peace she wanted, his reaction just made her more confused.

“Why are you giving me that look?” he almost stuttered.

“Because you are confusing me!” she shouted, glaring at him.

She harshly took her hands away from him and turned her back. Lia wanted to run away and hide in corners in embarrassment. She should have not asked him that. She should have just kept her mouth shut. His reaction tells her that it is impossible for them to become one!

Or at least, she assumed. Now the confusion in her heart will never be put at ease. All she desired was answers but then, Simeon just added to her confusion.

“I can’t remember a day when you were not being sweet to me, Simeon. I admit, I like you. A lot that it hurts. I just kind of assumed that maybe we could get this into a new level of relationship since we’re near to couple, but without a label. And now... I think I imagined it too far.”

She thought of it last night. Lia clearly remember what her parents always told her. Avoid men, do not entertain one, or be friend with one as it will bring nothing but problem to their plans on marrying her off.

She thought it was easy. Well, it was...

But her heart’s desire was overpowering her needs to be with him. She wanted to call him hers, and have her ways to Simeon.

“I guess I assumed too much...” She sighed deeply.

Lia closed her eyes shortly before deciding to face him only to make her lost her balance. Good thing he was fast enough to catch her by holding her back, and her arms automatically sneaked to his nape.

Her eyes widened when he moved his face closer.

“I really thought that you’re already my girlfriend when we first dated.”

She blinked twice. “What?”

He helped her stood straight. Her lips parted a bit, still processing his words.

“Well, sorry... In between us two, I’m the one who assumed.” He scratch the back of his head. “I honestly don’t know anything about courtship. So, I guessed that if a woman agreed to date me, that means we’re already in a relationship but clearly, I was wrong. It needs to be voice out...”

She nodded. “Yes... I need to hear it, Simeon.”

He wet his lower lip and her eyes were observant enough to follow his tongue. Simeon noticed it but didn’t say a thing about it anyway.

Simeon took a step backward and she was just there, watching him.

She is nervous than ever. And she was dumb for asking him at this time when she’s already in their place and expecting to meet his family.

Nonetheless, she actually doesn’t care what time or where to spit her confusion.

Lia is not a fan of surprises. She doesn’t want to be surprise later when he introduce her to his family. She will probably look dumb waiting for his answer if ever they ask what his relationship with her, she thought.

“Now that we opened this up, let me ask you one question...”

She hid her lips shortly. “I will be your girlfriend if that’s your question, Simeon.”

He shook his head, chuckling. “I date to marry, Lia. I’m not someone who sees women as trophies. I never dated anyone before and it was always you, the woman who caught my attention since I was sixteen.”

Her eyes fell into more confusion. “What do you mean?”

“I saw you one time before, in a school magazine. We both studied in the same high school, too. You were in eight grade, while I was on my last year of junior high when I started to developed a crush on you.”

“I didn’t know you...”

He nodded. “Yup, because I never introduce myself to you. Although we talked once but it was just for a second.”

She can’t remember a thing. Lia only remember things that matters to her and that time, he was not part of it.

“I’m sorry...” Her eyes moistened a bit. “I can’t recall anything about you. I honestly thought that...”

That rainy day was their first meeting, or so she thought. It turned out that Simeon has been crushing on her years ago yet she didn’t know.

“You should have come to me before.”

He smiled and pulled her closer to her, hugging her tight.

“I was shy and fear consumed me. You didn’t like to talk to anyone and I was too scared to shoot my shot but here you are now, Lia...”

She leaned on to his chest. “What is your question?”

“Oh...” Simeon faked a cough. “Well, will you be my girlfriend?”

She frowned. “I thought—“

He hushed. “Just say yes, baby. So we could go now and meet my family.”

She chuckled and slowly, she nodded. Raising her head, she looked at Simeon who stared back at her with an awkward smile.

“Yup. From now on, I’ll be your girlfriend and you’ll be mine, too.”