Rebellious Love

Rebellious 06

The day has come. I don't have the energy to even wake up the next day knowing that it would be worst, next would be the wedding. If my mother didn't knock in my room, I will surely stay in there for the whole day. I still consider the idea of talking to him, to try my luck. Maybe I could convince him. My father surely didn't ask him about his relationship, right?

Or maybe he did and that guy lied. Maybe he's in a relationship he tends to hide because luck already has found its way to him. It's money! Anyone would do anything to be in this situation and to be asked by my father to marry his only daughter, it is a great concession.

Being part of the Madrigal clan would make his life way easier considering the power we hold. For some reason, I still have a little hope.

"The dress is already in your room, Lili. Do you want me to call my stylist to help you out?"

I shook my head. "No. Thanks, Ma. I'll go and prepare myself."

"You still have three hours. Stay here for a moment. You haven't finished your tea yet."

Sighing, I stayed as we both feel the morning breeze in the garden. Papa left so early but he'll be home before lunch. While my brothers, I'm sure they're still asleep in their room. It's almost nine in the morning and I should be sleeping right now but mom woke me up so early. I sipped on my cup and waited for her to say something. Honestly, I'm not in the mood but I also don't want to sulk in my room.

I still have three hours. It would only take me an hour and a half to prepare and the rest, I'd probably use to sulk or think of my escape plan.

"Lili, I hope you understand us for doing this to you. I know it isn't what you wanted and we don't even want to do this but we have no choice. Your father is running for the upcoming election and the scandal with your name on it is still circulating all over the media. We want to divert the attention of others to your wedding. I swear to God, Rayver is a good guy. He won't let you down."

Why does everyone keep on saying that he's a good man? If he is, then he should have not agreed to this.

The fact that he's just after my father's money still remains. My opinion about him won't change.

I looked at my tea and then again, took a deep sigh. I don't know anymore. The thing is, why they didn't trust me about this? They didn't even ask me what could I have done clean my name. They just jump to what they wanted; marriage. Although I admit that I honestly don't know what to do but, with more time given to me, I will eventually come up with a solution and it is definitely not a marriage.

"As if I have a choice, Mama. You guys already decided without even asking for my opinion. You just boom! Puff~ You are getting married! To clean my already tainted name and for my father's sake, you guys decided to sell me off, and no matter what I'd do and say, it won't be subject to change. Marriage? Sure, we will get a divorce but truthfully, I'm terrified of what people may say about me."

I let out a chuckle. "Maybe the next headline would be about me— being a problematic wife that my husband files a divorce."

"That won't be the case. We'll make sure it would fall on him," said my mother which made me look at her with disbelief.

I'm not concerned about that guy's well-being and even his reputation. I don't care but then, I realized that if my parents plan on something— he will be the one to suffer.

"We won't let others look down on you, Lili. You are a Madrigal and our only daughter. We will protect you and our name no matter what it takes so, don't think about it too much."

We went silent. She would never understand my side because she and Papa married each other out of love and they are too old for divorce. Besides, even now that they're older, their love remains strong so, I don't understand why they have to let me go through this sick plan of theirs. Marriage isn't something we can easily pull off. It's not just sacred but it is very a crucial one.

How am I even supposed to act in public as if I'm a good wife? When right now— even if I haven't seen him, my hatred for him just won't budge.

God, I'm still amazed at how people easily get blinded by money that they'd rather throw their principles for it. I bet my father didn't have a hard time convincing Rayver Clemente, huh?

As long as it involves money then, everything should be easy.

"It's okay if you are mad at us but please, let's stick to this plan for a moment, hmm? Until the scandal news died down then, you can be free again."

I refrained from talking instead of assuring my mother that I'm not mad. I'm not, really. Even if it took me a lot of convincing, I am aware that they are doing this for my sake, too. Even if it's too hard to grasp, I still chose to understand.

I just smiled at her and never bother to talk. After our tea time, I decided to rest for a while in my room before I started getting ready. I was nervous and miserable at the same time, slowly losing hope.

I just hate that I have to follow my father because everyone thinks it's for the better. After all, I'm the one who needs Rayver. He was just paid in return.

But even if that was the truth, I still couldn't accept it. Why would I need help, anyway? Besides, I didn't ask for a favor, Papa did. It took me a few days to realize that but I feel sick every time I think that Rayver is actually giving me a favor in exchange for something my father promised to him— whatever that is, I'm certain that it must be big for Rayver Clemente to give up his bachelor life.

God, forgive me but f**k him. And my brother, Liam for not giving me any information about him when he promised to. So, using the remaining time I have before the lunch meeting with him, I looked for him on the internet but to no avail, his name didn't show up. I took a deep breath and bit the tip of my finger. I tried again but I couldn't even think of a keyword that would lead me to him.

Eventually, I gave up and called Liam.

Three rings and he answered the phone.

"Hey, Lili. Why are you calling? You should be preparing right now."

"I need the information about Rayver Clemente," I glanced at my wristwatch and saw that there is still almost an hour left before the lunch meeting. "Did you even look for him? I told you to send me something— his background before lunch, Liam."

"Oh," he reacted from the other line. "I apologized, my big sister but I wasn't able to background check him because I was tired and, well, I personally don't have any grudge towards him, Lili. Everyone says he's good."

I shook my head in disappointment. "Was you— defending me last night, trying to convince our father to put an end to this nonsense was just a show? Why do I feel like you are siding him now, Liam? You guys really want me to get married to someone I barely know!"

I heard his deep breaths. "Lili, we had no choice, alright? Besides, if you want to get to know him then, meet him at lunch. We will be there in a few, too. You can ask him a question you've been dying to ask, Lili."

In irritation and bitterness, I dropped the call. I didn't bother to answer it when he called. I guess he was right, huh?

And I hate that everyone is right. Hell, I hate that they didn't even tell me about him! So, how am I supposed to act around him later?! Does he have anyone to accompany him? His parents, maybe? Anyone? It would be actually better if he's alone so, I don't have to pretend about being a good wife because I am not. Hell shall freezer first before that happens. The only thing I can offer to him is to be casual around him.

And to remind him to stay where he belongs because he may be helping me, still... it's not for free. We are paying for his service. We shouldn't even owe each other, right?

"Rayver will be here by himself..."

As if my mother heard me, she came into my room to check up on me and to tell me a bit of detail about the stranger.

"He came from a low middle-class family and climb his way up to the top. He's an only child and unfortunately, he lost his parents at a young age. He only has his Auntie to support him ever since."

"Does his family know about the agenda of this marriage?"

She shook her head. She continued to fix my dress while we were both standing. I don't even know if there's to fix but still, I let her.

"No. They don't need to know about it, hmm? It's only us who know the reason behind it. Rayver's aunt won't be too pleased if ever so, try your best to make everything real, alright? Make them believe that you two are happily in love with each other. After that, leave everything to us."

I remember her words from earlier. "What would you do to him after using him?"

"He will get what he's promised to," she answered simply. "I trust Rayver, Lili. I really do. That's why I can't argue with your father about choosing him instead of others because I've known Rayver for years. He is a man of a principle—"

I couldn't help but chuckle without humor at the last sentence, "A man with principle? Ma, Rayver clearly has a price. His principle isn't too strong enough that he lets us buy it for this absurd operation to clear my name."

My mother stopped and made me look at her. "Lili, everyone has a price. It just depends on their principle whether they take the bait or not."

I let out a sly smile. Rayver surely doesn't stick with his principle. Because if I were in his shoe, I wouldn't say yes.

"Although, I can tell that Rayver only agreed to this not just because of the money but also, he felt like he owes us something when there is not. He has repaid all the things we have done for him by working so hard for us."

Loyalty, huh? And how come my parents seem to be fond of him but I have never ever heard them talk about him before? Even my brothers know him and perceived him as a good guy after a few meetings. Or maybe, they did but I wasn't really paying that much attention because no irrelevant people can pique my interest or even a second of my attention.

Gosh, I just can't believe them. They talked like Rayver isn't capable of doing such mistakes. That between us, it would be more believable if he says that I'm the rebellious one between us two.

"I've never heard of him, Ma. You and Papa seem so fond of him."

The smile on my mother's lips just confirmed my hunch. Should there be any favorite employee, it would be him.

Rayver Clemente, just you wait. You should wait, huh?