Rebellious Love

Rebellious 08

Just imagine my irritation when Rayver Clemente just offered me a side smile as if my rumblings were nothing. I glared at him, still trying to think of how to start telling him to just fück off. He already agreed? He can always take back his word!

The wedding isn't finalized yet and it won't be easy for everyone because I will really insist that it doesn't go through. If this guy doesn't value his freedom, then it's on him! I can't marry anyone! I love my freedom so much that marriage has never crossed my mind. Especially not in a situation like this.

My God, why is my father... Why does he have to do this?

Honestly, I have considered just giving up and letting Papa do what he wants, but when I learned that it was Rayver— the guy whom I spent the night with at my bachelorette party, I felt like all the considerations and deliberation had crumbled.

I looked at Rayver.

"That night... at the bar and the hotel, do you already know me at that time? Was it known to you that I was the one who was going to marry you?"

I looked at him intently, gauging his reaction. It's possible, right? Maybe he also meant to seduce me. And I felt like a fool! I was stupid because I gave into temptation that night!

"I didn't know you at that time," he replied.

I smirked at him. "I don't believe you," I said with a hint of insult. "You probably knew me at that time. You stalked me, or maybe you even like me that you agreed to my father's ridiculous idea of tying the knot with you. I don't care if I'm the one who needs something between the two of us, but the fact that you said yes, would only mean that you not only like the benefits of being part of our family, but also the idea of ​​marrying me."

"Why would I like the idea of ​​marrying you?" he said sarcastically and the idea seemed unpleasant to him. "If I were left a choice then, I would have said no. I'd not be willing to help you if it wasn't for your father, Liliene. If I only had the heart to refuse him, then I would. No one— and apparently, I am not really fond of girls like you. I don't like you, Liliene. Don't act as if you're the only one who is sick of us. I am, too."

My lips formed into a thin line. I still didn't believe it. After all, he had a choice. He just chose to think that there was none. He can always say no.

Just no. Yet he said yes. Who's at fault?

He is the one to blame.

"Between us, I am the one who is left with no choice," I told him. "The fact that Papa asked you to marry me... you've had your chance to say o but instead, you were maybe blinded by whatever he promised to you that you ended up agreeing to this plan. While me..." I laughed without humor. "I had no choice. He didn't even ask me. For me, it's a must. An obligation but you... you could have said no."

My life since that scandal has never been so good. I haven't appreciated the things happening around me these past few days. There's nothing to be happy about, though. My life has been turned upside down since then.

I blamed my friends for it. And the media for assuming things without even fact-checking the event.

"It's not easy," he put his hand inside his slack's pocket.

Rayver Clemente looked too formal for this unnecessary lunch meeting. Well, me too, but even though the dress I'm wearing is beautiful, I can't appreciate it. I don't even know how I look. Is my make-up too light or heavy? Is my hair tied in a very nice way?

I don't know. I just left everything with my mother's stylist that I didn't care about my get-up today.

Hell. Why should I prepare? Perfection is not important today.

"It should be easy," I fired back. "Did you plan this? Did you purposely accept my father's offer because of your greediness to be part of the Madrigal? After all, with rating two, you will benefit more from this marriage. So, I would be not really surprised if, even at the bar, you followed me, making sure that your asset wouldn't run away, huh? You're afraid that I might run away because, truthfully, I'm the ladder for you to climb on top."

I know it's a bit harsh and I'm aware that I am becoming judgmental, but that can be the case, too. All I can get from this marriage is a clear name of the chaos and scandal.

Nothing more, nothing less.

But him? Money, connections, even a position... Whatever my father offered him, it must be one of those or maybe, above all.

Things were too easy for him, then.

"I don't care what you say about this, Liliene. If you want to put an end to this, then, go ahead. Pursue your father, not me."

I gave him a dark look. The afternoon wind blows and my hair dances with it. He fixed his necktie there and stood up straight. He looked at me deeply. I didn't avoid his gaze, I even fought it.

I don't care what he says, but I would rather believe that he agreed for the money, or that he likes me, than hear him say that he had no choice.

Only which of those two is the reason?

He was left with no choice. That's a lie.

Of course, he had the chance to say no, and yet, he blew it up by saying yes.

"I don't like you," I said directly. "What happened the other night was not supposed to happen. It should be forgotten."

"Yeah," he said in a low voice. "But I can't assure you that."

Confused, I gawked at him.

"You don't have to assure me. You should forget it. A must-do, Clemente."

I looked over his shoulder when I got a glimpse of my mother, who seemed to be heading in our direction. I looked at Rayver again, who was just standing there, as if what I said really didn't matter to him. It was as if nothing really mattered to him. As long as he gets whatever he wants, then he is good.

Selfish bastard.

And what would be his relative's reaction once they find out the reason behind this plan?

Would they try to convince him to stop? And what is my assurance that they would?

But like I said, he was blinded by the benefits of marrying me. What if, like him, his relatives want the same for him, too? To let go of such an opportunity is a waste for him, so he wouldn't let this slide that easily.

After all, money is everything, especially for people who have been deprived of a lavish lifestyle for the longest time.

"Don't you dare open your mouth," I warned him before I passed him there. I even purposely hit his shoulder before walking toward my mother.

I greeted Mama with a small smile.

"Let's go, Ma. Rayver said he still has something to do at the office, so, he won't be here for long. He will be leaving soon," I said and looked at Rayver who was now looking at us.

I raised an eyebrow at him. He didn't even react to me, but when he looked at Mama, a small smile quickly formed on his lips.

I asked.

"I actually have a meeting in thirty minutes, Ms. Lilith. I'm afraid to say that I wouldn't be able to enjoy the rest of the day with you and Lili as I have to attend the meeting."

I rolled my eyes. There's no need to pretend that we're both okay with this whole thing. My mother— probably my whole family knows that I have an ill feeling about this. I don't want him to pretend to be all nice and gentlemanly and the likes even though it's not necessary.

Unless we are in public. Just thinking of him doing all those makes me cringe.

Okay, Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes. Trying to be perfect, huh?

"Is that so? Then, I'll just tell Jordan," Mama pointed out to Papa. "He's still calling you because you two have something to talk about, but I'll just say that you have an important thing to do."

I frowned. What would they talk about? If it's about this wedding, then I should be involved, right?

Are they going to decide again without me? Isn't that too unfair to me?

My father is being so unreasonable.

"Thank you, Ms. Lilith—"

My mother cut him off.

"Stop being so formal, Rayver. You will be part of our family soon, so start calling me Tita. When others hear you, they will be surprised."

I have been tormented there again. I don't know why Mama seems to like Rayver so much. I've noticed that lately. Should I remind her how I hate that guy's gut? I don't like him and my view will not change.

God... If only I could bring back the time, I would have avoided him that night. I wouldn't have had a one-night stand with him.

Just thinking about it makes my hair stand on end.

Sure, it was fun, wild, and wet, but if I had known that he was Rayver Clemente, I wouldn't have gotten myself in the same bed, the same undercover as him.

I regret sharing the same bed with him.

I deeply regret letting him have me that night when it wasn't supposed to be like that.

He also left and it seemed that only then did I feel better. Having him around suffocates me. If it's possible, I don't want to see him anymore.

"Mom, what are they going to talk about, Papa? If it's about the wedding, then, wouldn't it be more appropriate for me to be there too? They're taking away my rights. Papa didn't even give me a chance to say no to his plan, as well as in other things where I'm involved. That's so unfair, Ma. Do I know what they want to happen to me?"

I felt bad when we entered the house. Dad wasn't there.

And I wouldn't even care if he hears me. He must have heard me! It seems that I have lost the right to choose in this household! Just because I've made a mistake— well, I didn't! Again, my name was just hurled.

But not because of it. That doesn't mean that my father can control me.

I won't let that happen. I'm sick of his plans!

"Lili, you know him... And we know you, too. You won't let your father do whatever he knows is good for you. Also, whatever they talk about, I'm sure there's no harm. I'm sure it's for your own good."

Should I just ask Rayver about it? They won't talk today, but tomorrow, I know he will come back to the house for that.

I'd make sure not to be there, but that's impossible.

I am still grounded until further notice. I'll probably just sleep all day, and lock myself in the room so I don't feel them.

But then, I'd also like to know what they'd talk about.

Sighing, I threw myself on my bed. It's getting dark and everything is still chaotic inside me.

I just chose to understand everything. I just chose to accept everything even though I really didn't want to.

I argued with my father earlier. There I proved more and more that nothing could change his mind.

I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. One thing I'm sure of: I'll be a miserable wife. Would I let myself be one? Nope. But it's so tiring trying to explain why I don't want this plan to work.

Well, I guess... With Rayver Clemente, I'd be miserable while he... he'd probably sleep in a pile of money.

Fück him, Clemente.