HYPER

003

In the morning, since there was nowhere else to go, Lona wanted to wake up later—but it seemed like that was just a dream, because early this morning her mother had already knocked loudly on her door.

“Lona, wake up!” shouted Mama Bella.

“Okay, Mom, one moment,” replied Lona, her voice barely audible because her room was soundproof. Still feeling lazy, she walked toward the door.

“What’s going on? You don’t have classes,” said Lona in front of her mother.

“Ugh, you should’ve woken up already. You’re almost getting married—waking up this late will ruin everything for your future husband,” scolded Mama Bella.

“If I sleep until noon, does that mean other things happen at noon too?” Lona replied casually.

“Ugh, my child finally gets up early and goes down for breakfast—Papa’s been waiting,” said Mama Bella, pinching her beloved daughter’s ear.

“Ugh, yes Mom, I’m getting up. My ear can grow long if you keep pinching like this,” replied Lona.

“Alright, wash your face then come down,” said Mama Bella as she headed downstairs.

“Good morning, Dad, Mom,” greeted Lona.

“You should have said ‘good morning’ to Mom when she came into your room,” Papa Carlos intervened.

“Well, how am I supposed to when she was pinching me?” replied Lona.

“Come on, breakfast is ready. Your dad’s getting late,” said Papa Carlos.

“Did you meet Ares, Dad?” asked Mama Bella.

“Yes, this morning,” Papa Carlos replied.

“Are you meeting Ares?” asked Lona, and her father nodded.

“To discuss your business? Do you want to join?” Papa Carlos asked.

“No thanks, Dad, I’m lazy,” replied Lona.

“Don’t be like that. If no one takes over Dad’s company, then you’ll just be a puppet,” said Papa Carlos.

“Then I’ll give it to whoever my husband is when the time comes. I don't want the hassle. Occasionally is fine, but not every day. I’d rather stay single, Dad,” Lona declared.

“Heh, you’re something else. It'd be a pity if Ares had to take on all your responsibilities. Don't forget, Ares is also an only child,” said Papa Carlos.

“Then what now, Dad?” Lona asked.

“You guys will manage it together—you help Ares,” Papa Carlos replied.

“Yes… Dad, how long are you and Ares meeting today?” Lona asked.

“Why?” he asked.

“I want to go out,” she said.

“I think Ares is busy, dear,” said Papa Carlos.

“I thought he wasn’t a busy person,” Lona said.

“Don’t be wrong. He’s very busy. I wouldn’t choose just anyone as your fiancé,” said Papa Carlos. “He’s a rare match out of a million for a girl like you.”

“Rare? In what way?” asked Lona.

“He’s as good as your mischievous self,” said Mama Bella, interrupting.

“Huh, when did I ever act mischievous?” Lona replied.

“Lona, don’t go racing again, okay? Mom’s worried something might happen to you. If Ares finds out you like racing, what if he dislikes that? He needs to see you as a graceful, gentle girl,” said Mama Bella.

“Mom, relax. Even if he finds out and dislikes it, that just means he doesn’t accept me seriously,” Lona replied.

“Yes, but you shouldn’t be a girl who likes racing,”

“Ma, I’m the queen of the streets, how could I not race? Luckily I only race, ma, I’m not in a gang.”

“If you ever join a gang, I’ll lock you in your room forever.”

“Ugh, that’s so cruel.”

“If you were a boy, maybe I could tolerate it, but you’re a girl and you want to be the queen of the streets? NO, that’s not happening. Just stop racing. I don’t want Ares’ future wife to be someone like that. He might get turned off, and I won’t let him have a wife like that,” said Mama Bella firmly.

“Okay, ma, I won’t. Promise,” Lona replied with a grin.

“Hmph.”

“Okay, dad’s about to leave. Ma, Lona, don’t fight.”

“Yes, Mbok, what is it?” Lona asked after opening the door.

“There’s a guest outside for you, miss.”

“Who’s my friend?”

“Not your usual friends, miss. I’ve never seen this one before. He’s really handsome!” said Mbok Jarmi with sparkling eyes.

Lona went downstairs to see who had come.

“What are you doing here?” Lona asked when she saw Ares sitting in front of the house. So the handsome guy Mbok Jarmi was talking about was Ares.

“You said you wanted to see me,” Ares said.

“No, no way! I never said I wanted to see you!” Lona denied. Ugh, this must be Dad’s doing, so annoying!

“Hey Dad, can I get Ares’ contact? Maybe I can take him out sometime. I’m bored just staying at home.”

“Alright, later. Want to go shopping with me and Ares’ mom?”

“No way, Mom. That’s even more boring.”

“Okay, I’ll give it to you later. I have to go now,” said Papa Carlos, kissing his wife and daughter on the forehead. They kissed the back of his hand in return.

After breakfast, Lona cleaned up and got ready, not sure where she was going, just wanting to be prepared.

“Ugh, why hasn’t Dad sent that guy’s number yet? Is he clueless or what? How can he forget?” Lona grumbled.

KNOCK KNOCK…

So annoying! Lona thought angrily.

“Stop pretending you don’t want to go out. Are we going or not?” asked Ares.

“Huh? Going out? Of course! Let’s go, I’m ready,” said Lona excitedly.

“You’re so hyped. Do you like me or something?” Ares smirked, seeing Lona's overly enthusiastic reaction. She even stood up from her seat.

“Ugh, are we going or not, Res? Come on, if yes, let’s go!” Lona whined like a child.

“Yes, let’s go,” Ares said, getting up.

“Aren’t you bringing a bag?” he asked, surprised that Lona followed him out without a bag, only carrying her phone.

“No need. My phone is enough. If it’s about money, don’t worry. I’m rich.”

"My future bank, so he has to practice being someone I can squeeze money out of," said Lona. Ares could only smile.

"Wow, you smiled. You can smile? I thought your smile nerve was broken," said Lona.

"I can only smile at certain people."

"You mean people who are special or something?"

"Yes, Lona. Come on, get in," said Ares, opening the car door. Lona immediately got in.

"Where are we going?" asked Lona, because Ares hadn’t told her or even mentioned where he wanted to go today.

"Meeting my friends. You said you wanted to know everything about my life, right?"

"Oh, right, you have a lot of friends?" asked Lona.

"A lot."

"All guys?"

"Yeah, so don’t flirt or I’ll smack your head if you act flirty."

"Whatever," said Lona casually, but Ares wasn’t as calm — he suddenly pulled the car over to the side.

"Huh? Why?"

"Remember what I said, Lona. What I’ve claimed as mine, I’ll never let go. So you’re mine — remember that well. Don’t forget. If you get close to other guys without me knowing, you have no idea what I’m capable of doing. Got it?" said Ares firmly. Lona felt a little scared.