Rebellious Love

Rebellious 05

Despite being the eldest child, my parents let me live lavishly. I don't have to provide for anyone but myself. I am spoiled, even my younger brothers— who see me as their little princess treat me like one. I don't worry about money. I was born in a family where money isn't an issue and despite being unemployed, I still have funds in my bank account. It's from my brothers who would rather work very hard to provide for me. I was lucky to have them and like me, they were also against our father's plan.

"Papa, this isn't right. Lili doesn't even know that guy!" My younger brother, Liam has tried his best to convince my father the night before meeting the stranger, Rayver.

They visited me when they heard about it. While I was just silent as they talk in the library, praying that maybe they could help me convince our father. But with the way Papa just dismissed the topic, I knew from then that it was hopeless.

"Liam, it has been made. Don't try to help your sister out of this. She made the mess herself so, she should face the consequences. She brought this to herself."

Our youngest brother actually left earlier after trying to help in his own way. Liam, on the other hand, just won't give up but I felt like he would surrender anytime soon. Even I, have lost my hope in trying to make Papa's mind change. I mean, he could have just given me another punishment but marriage! He must have lost his mind.

"Lili doesn't even know anything about being a wife! She's not even a wife material, Pa. Rayver would just... he'll probably just gets tired of her."

I secretly throw a dagger at my brother. "I don't have plans to play the role of being a good wife, Liam. If marriage would happen then, he must put up with it because he also brought this thing to himself from agreeing to marry me."

Papa sighed deeply, tired of hearing the same thing again. I glanced at my mother who was just listening to us arguing in the corner. I know she could have stopped my father but for some reason, she can't... or won't. No matter how absurd this idea is, I felt like our mother found this ridiculous concept reasonably to clear my already tainted name.

God, these people.

"She doesn't have to be a wife material," Papa uttered. "She just needs to go with the flow, Liam. In front of other people, in the media... all she has to do is to pretend and let others believe that their relationship is made out of love."

I almost rolled my eyes. I wouldn't really utter a single word if this marriage wouldn't be registered but I'm sure, a lot of people will really dig deeper to find holes in my relationship waiting to be found to drag my family name again. But it won't happen because our father would make sure that no one gets in the way of his way especially since the election is near. The last thing he'd want is a scandal.

Well, I did cause a blot on his name now. That's why he's really trying his best to find a solution to it even though I shouldn't even have appeared in the news because I don't use drugs.

I would even be more willing to undergo some testing to prove myself. But my father just won't budge. Wouldn't it be more concerning if I'd marry then, annul after a year of marriage? That would cause me a lot of trouble.

But of course, no matter what I'd say, Papa would always be firm in his decision. Eventually, Liam gave up.

"I'm sorry, Lili. I know it was wrong but we don't have that much choice. We should have seen this coming," he said as we went out of the library.

I smiled at him. "Still... This is ridiculous, Liam. I can't believe that Papa is capable of doing this to me. Marrying me off isn't the only solution! I don't even know who Rayver Clemente is! But he's probably after our father's fortune for agreeing to this."

"Do you want me to run a background check? I've met him twice but we didn't really get the chance to interact. As I've heard, he's our father's most trusted person."

Shaking my head, I gritted my teeth. "Do a background check and if you could, send it to me before lunch tomorrow. I am meeting him for the first time and thinking of it makes my stomach churn in bitterness. Things would be easier if he, himself, decline my father. But knowing Papa, I'm certain that he must have promised him something that is not easy to reject."

"We can't really judge him, though," said Liam which made me stop walking.

I stared at him in disbelief. "Why do I feel like I'm the only one who's genuinely against our father's plan?"

I felt betrayed. When Liam learned about it, he was in Boracay enjoying his vacation but fled from there to Manila when I begged him to talk to our father. But now... why do I feel like everyone was into this plan? Do I really deserve such discipline?

He stopped to face me. "I am not siding with anyone, Lili. What I'm saying is... you just have to put up with it. No matter what I'd do or said, Papa won't change his mind. You know him, right? Once he decides, no one can ever change it. You just have to endure it for a year."

I shook my head. I felt like the rage I've felt when I first heard of it came rushing back.

"Endure it? It's so easy for you to say, Liam. Try to put yourself in my shoes first before you say such nonsense! Just for a year? To put up with him? Do you even know what you're saying?! This isn't a game! I am marrying a guy whom I don't even have an idea about! Then, what? File and annulment after a year? What does that make me, Liam?"

I felt like crying. The truth is, I am scared to be judged. People would assume that there must be a problem— with me or that guy that we couldn't make our marriage last. Marriage is so sacred and I do really want to have a happy ending when it comes to choosing the man I'd want to spend the rest of my life with.

But then, Papa was the one who chose a guy for me.

I don't want the rest of them to say anything about that. The word annulled doesn't sit right with me. Even if that is really the ending of this wedding. We will eventually divorce after my name is cleared. I don't have a problem with people getting divorced after marriage, that's their decision.

But for me, I don't want to get married twice. When the first marriage doesn't work, what will the man I love say to me?

I'm terrified that my annulment would cause a blot with the man I will have a relationship with in the future.

"Lili..." he called when I walk past him.

My heart felt so heavy. I couldn't sleep at that night and the thought of my brothers thinking that this might be a good idea to put me in place added to my disappointment. No one in this household doesn't seem to care about what would happen to me in the future. Well, the fact that they are the root of my miseries right now actually proves that they don't care about my opinion.

They all wanted to have my name cleared out in public. For our name, for my father's candidacy.

I cried that night again, feeling so lost and hopeless. That's why when I woke up the next day, my eyes were heavy and swollen from crying. I wanted to go down to protest to Papa again, to beg him not to go ahead with his plan. I feel like I'm going crazy thinking of life ahead of us. If I talk to Rayver, would he cooperate?

After all, who am I for him to agree to what I want to happen?

I'm not his boss. I am not Papa, who is his boss. He'd still go on with it because that's what my father wanted. He is loyal to Papa, he works for Papa, and Papa pays him, not me.

So for sure, he won't cooperate with me.

I almost didn't want to leave the room when I was called for breakfast. My brothers will be there, too. They each have their own place, while I still live here with Papa and Mama. They will be here until lunch, to witness me more being so pitiful.

Even if I don't want to go down, I don't have a choice because maybe Papa himself will knock on my room.

When I went down, I caught up with Liam and Jayden who were about to sit down. While Papa and Mama looked straight at me. I heard my mother sigh.

"You cried yourself to sleep again, Lili. Make sure to not make it so obvious when you meet him later," she pointed out.

I rolled my eyes and sat down next to Jayden. "That is really your concern, huh. You guys didn't even let me have breakfast first before you bring that up."

I hate them. I let Jayden put some food on my plate while I ignore my mother's stares. I should have not come down but then, I felt so hungry. I didn't eat dinner last night and besides, just as I've said, Papa would climb up to knock on my door to remind me to eat breakfast.

"It's happening and you don't have any choice now. If you'd run away again, I shall just have someone cut your soles, Lili."

Mama quietly scolded Papa for what he said. I just shrugged and started eating before I totally lost my appetite. Being here with them felt so suffocated.

"Just don't try to disobey me again, Lili. I'm doing this for the sake of your future so, please... understand. It will just take up a year and after that, you are free. As long as you won't be involved in any scandal again then, we will be good," said my father, sounding so concerned yet threatening at the same time. "Rayver is a good guy, Lili. I wouldn't choose him if not. He will be a good husband to you and that I promise you. You are my daughter... As much as I want you to be happy with your own choices, I wouldn't also let you ruin your name."

I didn't talk. I'm actually so sick of arguing with him for the same thing again. It felt like my energy has withered because I know I stand no chance.

Papa won't change his mind no matter what. Even if I cry a river, he won't. That's how hard his heart is.

"The dress should be delivered later before lunch. You should wear it, Lili. I personally picked it for you," Mama said happily as if the whole thing is a joke to her.

I hate everyone now, really.

"You must have given him something he can't reject," I spoke after a while. "I heard Rayver came from a poor family, Pa. From nothing to now, he'll be part of the Madrigal. Who would decline the offer?"

Our family is well-known both in politics and business. Liam and Jayden were the ones who handle our businesses. I'm not really a fan of working so, I've been slacking off ever since I graduated college three years ago. I say, why work? When I can have everything without me working hard for it.

I know it's rewarding for some to work for something they long to have but for me, it is a privilege not to work too hard in order to fulfill the lifestyle I have.

Being a Madrigal is easy as that.