Rebellious Love

Rebellious 09

All the cries and pleas have done nothing but rejection.

Papa didn't even listen to me even once until there were no tears left to cry, hoping that he would change his mind. It was hopeless and I thought, maybe Rayver can make that happen but to no avail, he's not doing anything to put an end to this illogical plan of theirs. It was outrageous. Like how could they do this to me? When I've done nothing.

God. I hate the media. I don't know how many times I've said it but I hate them. If it weren't because of them— and only if they fact-check, none of this would happen.

"You two will go on a few dates before we officially announce your wedding. The public needs to see you both," said my father while we were having a talk inside his office with my mother.

I scoffed. "I'm not a good pretender, Pa. The two of us pretending might just turn into a disaster," I said, looking at my own nails.

I heard my mother sigh. I look at her and she seems confused. I let out a pesky sigh.

"I really don't want to, Pa..." I said weakly. I have repeatedly expressed that but nothing is happening.

Don't get me wrong. I also want to fix the issue of the scandal but this solution that Papa came up with is crazy. Well, I have given up on trying to convince him and if marrying Rayver Clemente would fix everything then, alright.

As if I have a choice, right? No one gave me an option to choose from.

It's a yes or yes. There's no 'no' option.

I stood up from sitting. They looked at me together. I breathed so deeply that I felt like my soul would leave my body.

"Well... I'm not a fan of planning so, just tell me the other details tomorrow. If you want us to go on dates in public and be romantic, doing shíts only a couple would do, then alright. Count me in. As if I had a choice, right? You're always the one who should be followed, right?" I said sarcastically.

But of course, I wouldn't hate my father if he is not my father. His expression was blank and he didn't even seem to feel pity for me.

I mentally rolled my eyes. Even if he's like that, I couldn't bring myself to curse him.

I hate him, yes. But there's a little voice inside me telling me that Papa is just concerned about me. He is not only doing this because of the election but also because as a father, he must have felt the need to protect me.

Even though this is not the way I need it, he still does it because for him, it was for the better.

Well, I thought it was only our mother who knows the best for us. Turns out, so is Papa. It's just that, his method is not good.

"Alright then, it's settled. I will call Rayver tomorrow to come over. Get ready too. You two will go on dates tomorrow."

This time, I couldn't stop myself from crying. I think it's too fast. I'm sure he is agitated thinking of dating me. Well, he should be.

We are not on the same level, after all.

"So, tomorrow? I don't even know where to, what type of date? So, I'd know what to wear. I, at least, want to know the venue."

"Rayver will take care of that, Lili. For now, you go and rest. You need it," Papa said.

Mama was quiet, obviously not intending to stop Papa. I don't expect her to, though. From the beginning, she had no objection to it. All of them— even my brothers are into this plan.

These people... they were the ones who claimed to love me yet they are doing this to me.

"I'll give your number to him, Lili. He will message or call you himself to tell you about the date."

"Okay," I replied heavily. "Just tell him to include his name on his first message so, I would know the creep who'd message me."

I didn't stay long in his office. When I went down to the kitchen, I found Jayden busy making coffee. I sat on the chair, trying to blow some air that seems stuck on my lungs.

"Well?" he said, waiting.

I shook my head. "I have a date tomorrow. I want to run away but I know it's pointless," I said. "You guys are so unfair. I feel like you're all playing with me. Imagine the betrayal I've felt when you and Liam just gave up convincing father."

He just shrugged. He sat across me and stared at me intently.

"There is nothing more we can do," he said. "We all know that once our father decides on something, no one can change his mind. You know him... he's firm with his decisions. It's like he really thinks about it thoroughly."

Sighing, I leaned against the chair. I closed my eyes and just savored the aroma of Jayden's coffee.

"Besides, Papa has warned you before," he reminded me which I ignored. "But you didn't listen. And here you are, suffering from the consequence of your stubbornness."

I opened my eyes, ready to defend myself. "I told you, my name was just dragged. Even if you guys want to have me test, I only give nothing but negative results. I don't use any drugs."

"We know that... You're not capable of doing that but then, you are a Madrigal."

"Yeah, and it sucks..." I let out a chuckle. "It's suck being born in such a wealthy family, Jayden. The majority are on us, just waiting for the right time to attack."

"Well, we have to put up with it forever, Lili. But even if it's sucks being born as a Madrigal, I'd still choose to be born in this family but wiser."

I adjusted my seat and narrowed my eyes at him. Jayden— at his age, is already successful. Amongst us, he was the only one who attempted to start from the bottom. He built his own business. It's not as big as the others, but the fact that he didn't rely on our parents says a big thing about him. Meanwhile, Liam is helping Papa. While me... honestly, I've lived like a princess since I graduated.

My parents understand me, though. I said I wanted to explore more. I didn't want to be trapped in corporate life, and they understood me. They let me live life the way I wanted but ever since it was one after the other moss.

Chaotic. It was a disaster. But Papa chose to understand me. He always clean after my mess. But maybe, he got tired and gave up on me.

I grinned at him.

"Be wiser, huh? Where? With the girls?"

The corner of his lips lifted up. Jayden— has been in love with one girl since he was in college who constantly rejects him. Well, I want to tap the girl's back for giving him that.

He's in love with her yet his craziness hasn't stopped there.

He said that he is not committed so he still has the right to cheat. He's not committed so, sleeping with other people won't count as cheating, were his words.

Well, I don't know about him. I'm not too curious anymore when it comes to the woman he loves.

"Nah, Lili... Don't get started. I don't want to hear any more of your lectures to me."

He sipped on his coffee.

I leaned back in the chair again. I folded my arms and looked at the ceiling. It's quiet around because it's already night. But I can't sleep because if I lie down, my mind wanders somewhere. My mind just won't stop thinking that it affected my sleep.

I don't know what to do anymore. I just want it to be stopped.

"You're supposed to sleep. You still have a date tomorrow, don't you? You need to have your beauty rest."

I sighed deeply. I closed my eyes tightly.

"I don't want to see him," I said in a bitter voice. "His contribution to this nonsense marriage is big. I feel that his 'yes' was the only thing that convinced Papa, even more, to insist on this marriage."

He hummed. "Well, our father likes him, Lili. I've heard from Liam that if Papa could choose, he'd rather have him as his son than him."

My eyebrows twitched.

"That's how much he trusts him?"

"Yeah, it seems so..." he said in a low voice. "Liam was able to meet him but the truth? He doesn't like his guts. But admittedly, Rayver Clemente is really a good asset to the company."

My eyes flew open. "Well, Liam is always civil. He maybe hates his guts but he knows how to appreciate an asset," literally and figuratively.

"The company cannot afford to lose someone like Clemente..."

God, what's with that guy? Annoying. Just hearing his name makes my blood boil. Then tomorrow... why do we have to date again? Can't we directly announce the wedding? I don't like public romances.

It's not true. Who will believe us?

A lot of probably believe in it. I think I need to act realistically to make them believe us. It's not just dating that will happen. We have a lot of photoshoots coming up for the wedding. The food tasting and such. It's a lot of work and just the thought of doing all those with him, I just want to vanish into the thin air.

I just want to be invisible in the meantime.

I tried my best to sleep that night. I fell asleep but woke up in the middle of the night. I checked the time and I let out a pesky groan when it was still almost four in the morning. I was about to lie down again when my cellphone lit up on the bedside table.

I was not able to contain myself. I reached for my phone and saw an unregistered number. I opened the message.

From: Unknown Number

I will fetch you tomorrow before seven PM. Let's have dinner together.

At the bottom, it is dictated where the location is. I groaned and threw the cellphone on the bed. I seemed to lose my sleep there after reading that. I turned it off instead and tried to sleep again and fortunately, I fell asleep again.

Can I back out? The next day, after reading his message over and over again, I was debating whether or not to reply to him.

I noticed the time there. Why the f**k would he message me at four? Does he know he's disturbing people?

Also, won't he be able to sleep thinking that he will be alone with me tomorrow?

Huh? He better not get his hopes high. This is just for the show. Just to divert people's attention from my scandal.

In the end, I just let his message go. I didn't even bother to reply. It's up to him. I'm sure, he will tell Mama that too.

Which he did. Since I had just come down the stairs, he immediately told me about our dinner later.

Sighing, I just nodded.

They don't need to remind me.

"Where is Papa?"

"He left early earlier for work. So did Jayden, while Liam... well, when did he stop here at home? They both left."

I went to the kitchen and poured a glass of water.

"Can I go out now? Am I still grounded? The guards outside have decreased so, I guess... I can go out now?"

I was excited at that thought but when Mama slowly shook her head, my excitement vanished and was replaced by disappointment.

"I have tried to talk to him about it but your father just won't budge, Lili."

Why do I have a father like my father? So annoying. Tsk.