Arranged Marriage With My Ex-Boyfriend

Chapter 2: Unhappy Reunion

Chapter 2: Unhappy Reunion

Paris’ point of view

“I’m watching you.”

“I’m watching you.”

“And I’m watching you.”

My brow arched to my three brothers as they all left saying those words, exiting one by one like a model and going to their work. I almost laughed with their actions and at the same time, finding them weird.

“They are a hopeless case,” I said to myself. They never changed. They were still the crazy brothers I ever had.

“They are just being paranoid that you might leave again.”

I turned around as to where that person spoke up. It was Sabrina, my Brother Ethan’s wife. I pouted my lips and rolled my eyes. “Paranoid my ass,” I commented. Sometimes I really hate them of being so freaking paranoid when it comes to me. “They are all asses.”

“Yeah. They are all asses,” she agreed. We both chuckled from what she said.

I easily got in touch with her. She and my brother, Ethan are married for almost four years already which I happened of having no idea because…

Yeah. ‘Been gone for four years I didn’t know what’s happening to my family. Although they were social medias, I didn’t even think once of checking their f******k profile. I created my own accounts with different name in order to avoid from my brothers and also to him.

“Sis-in-law, I want to ask.”

“Ask away.” She blinked and smiled.

I fidgeted my hands. “Do you have any idea about the emergency my brothers have been talking about?” I have been staying here for a couple of days and neither of my brothers haven’t told me about it that something related to dad.

Her smile slowly disappeared which brought me a suspicious thought. “Uh… About that… I think you should ask them about it. It’s not my story to tell actually, Paris… I’m sorry I cannot answer that…”

Why? I want to ask but I just sighed and nodded. “Okay…” Even though I insist to tell her about it, I know she would just keep her mouth shut. That’s how she loves my brother, Ethan. But still I don’t understand what is happening. I haven’t seen Dad since I went home. He has been on his business trips in New York since last week. That’s what my brothers said.

“I'm bored. I wanna go to the mall alone,” I said to my sister-in-law.

“Alone?”

I nodded. “Yeah. Alone.” I stretched my arms and legs. “Don’t worry, I'm not gonna leave and vanish like a bubble. My things are still here so… please tell to my brothers that I'll be right back. Really. Please?” I pouted my lips as I plead to sister Sabrina.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, sure. I promised.” I even raised my hand, swearing I'm not gonna leave all of a sudden. I have no plans for now because I still haven't known about the news my brothers want to tell me. They should have said it sooner.

“Here's the car key to my car. You can use it,” said Sabrina, smiling.

My eyes widened in joy. I jumped in joy like a happy kid that has been given a lollipop. “Yiieee! Thank you, sister Sab!”

She chuckled and gently tapped my head. “Just don’t disappear later and everything will be fine.” She winked. “Be careful when you drive, okay?”

I nodded, smiling. I went out to the garage and hopped on Sabrina's car, switching on the engine and left the house of my brothers. I so wanted to stroll around these past few days. I couldn't do it because I have three paranoid brothers. They almost got into my nerves. Luckily, they didn't ask why I left. That's good to know.

Upon arriving the mall, I couldn't help but feel so giddy. My brothers gave me a debit card containing all my allowance they gave to me and accumulated for four years already. They really know how to spoil their little sister. I giggled from that thought. My brothers never forgot about me even though I was busy in America on that time.

“I could shop all I want. Jeez! This is so exciting!” I said, giggling again before I left the car after parking it. I hopped on the elevator and pressed the 3rd floor button from the underground parking.

My childishness started to take over me as I went to the notorious clothing line. I shopped all the dresses that I want, the shoes I want to wear and some accessories that I want to wear and have it. It's all thanks to my brothers.

Although I have my own money to buy things that I want but I have my precautions. I just don't want to risk it that my brothers would find out about my other bank account in America. I need to be safe just in case.

Tired from shopping, I went to a fancy restaurant and order food that will suit the appetite of mine. I really enjoyed it. I left all my shopping bags in the baggage counter before I ate. I went to a infamous milk tea shop in this mall and order a red bean milk tea with pearls.

After that I strolled around until my legs got tired.

Just as I was about to go to the baggage counter to get all my shopping bags I placed in the shopping cart, I stopped in my tracks when someone called my name.

I turned around and looked for that person who called my name.

“Pariiiiis!”

My foreheads knitted to the bubbly lady who coming towards my direction as she waved her hand, calling my attention. My head tilted for a moment, trying to recall who the girl is.

My eyes widened when I got to know her. “Stacey?”

“Ate Paris!” She was very loud and ran towards me to hug me so tight.

I chuckled. “Oh my god! Stacey, is that you?” I hugged her back. I couldn't believe of what I am seeing. It is really Stacey! I placed my hands over her shoulders to look at her. “Jeez! You're a grown up woman now!” I couldn't believe it that an eighteen year-old like her could be like a grown up woman already.

She held my hands. “Is it? Is it?” I nodded, smiling. She almost shrieked to my answer. “How are you, Ate Paris?” Ate is a Tagalog word for big sister.

“I'm good. You?”

“Likewise!” she beamed. She hugged me again. “I've missed you so much, ate! Where have you been? I heard you left the country without saying anything.” And her expression saddened which she made a wrong move for me she asked me that.

“Somewhere,” I said, half-smile.

“Where?” she asked, confused. “It's been four years I didn't hear anything from you. Ever since the broke up of you and my brother…”

I bit my lower lip, feeling guilty. “I have so many reasons, Stacey.” No. Many reasons are overstated. I only have one reason why I left.

And it's because of her older brother. I couldn't tell her that. I knew Stacey has blabbered mouth.

“Are you alone? Or are you with someone?”

She was about to answer when my phone rang out. I fished it out in my pocket. I saw the registered phone name. It was my brother, Ethan. “I'm sorry I have to take this, Stacey. Just a minute, okay?”

“Yes, ate,” she said and smiled. I smiled back.

I distanced myself from her and answered the call. “Yes, kuya?”

“You didn't tell to me that you had gone to mall. All by yourself.” I grimaced. Uh-oh! “If my wire hasn't told me about it, we wouldn't have known it.”

I frowned. “I'm just in the mall for Pete's sake, paranoid brother.”

“Hey!” I chuckled from his reaction. “You, little brat… After you go there, come to Smith Corporation. We have something to tell you. ASAP!”

“Okay. Okay. Chill, brother! I'll be there!” I said and hang up, didn't wait for him to respond. So evil of me. I giggled mentally.

I turned my head to look for Stacey. I found her and she was with a tall guy. I couldn't see his looks because his back was on my direction. I saw how Stacey stomped her feet, having her deep frown.

“Must be her boyfriend, huh?”

I slowly approached her. It's not nice not to say good bye at least to her. I really missed her. Just before I could come, Stacey's gaze fell on me. Her deep frown turned into a beaming one.

“Ate Paris!” She waved her hand and ran towards me. She surely loves to hug me whenever she has a chance like this.

We talked for a moment before I patted her head gently. “I need to go, Stacey. My brother called me.”

“Awww. That sudden? But I'm with Kuya Kurt...” She pointed the guy beside her which I didn't notice.

I almost stepped back from my standpoint when I saw him, eyes widened. My heart beats so fast seeing him again…

After four years…

No way…

“Paris…”

“I-Ivo…” Then goose bumps crawled at my back.

Just how on earth…

Ivo's point of view

“What took you so long to just change a single dress, Stacey?” I groaned, annoyed. She has been in the changing room for like 30 minutes already.

“Wait! It's so hard to choose!”

“Just get those dresses and I will pay them.”

“Really?” She popped her head from the space of the door she opened.

I nodded. “Yeah.” From what she said, she shrieked happily and sung. I sighed in defeat. I am already starving and this girl right here took so much of her time to pick a dress. I have no choice but to buy all the dresses she wanted to wear. I made her choose just two dresses but I changed my mind because of her, eating the time.

Stacey was dancing happily and I was in hell for I was the one who was holding her shopping bags. I truly regret of the things I said earlier. I shouldn't have said it. I should have stick with two dresses in each store we go to.

My sister picked the food chain she wants to have lunch to. She chose a fast food restaurant and I ordered our food.

“I wanna have a boyfriend who will be with me in the mall…” she said dreamily which made my brow arched.

“You are not allowed to have a boyfriend yet, Stacey.”

She shot me a glare. “Why not? I'm already 18. Turning 19 in the next couple of months!”

“So? I don't care.”

“I don't care…” she mimicked my tone and crossed her arms over chest. “Loser!” she stuck her tongue at me and I just shook my head from her childishness.

After eating our lunch, we went to a shoe line store which she picked shoes with pointed ones. “No. You're not gonna wear that, Stacey.”

“Why not? I'll wear it when I go to parties.”

“Fine.” I sighed in defeat.

When I'm need to pee, I told her to stay and look for her shopping bags. After a moment in the comfort room, I walked towards the place where I left her and I found her not there anymore. My eyes roamed around as I looked for sister. That brat… I told her to stay here. What could have happened if someone steals her shopping bags?

I found her in the middle of the mall.

“Stacey, what on earth? I told you to stay at that place where I left you. What if your things lost?” This lady in front of me was already getting of my nerves.

“But it didn't lost!” Her high pitch voice started to get in my nerves.

I sighed, exasperated. She is so unbelievable. I couldn't believe that she is my sister.

“Let's go home before I lost my sanity with you.” I gave up. I really gave up on this young lady.

“No! Not yet!” She stomped her feet like a tantrum kid as she has this big scowl in her face.

“We're going home, Stacey whether you like it---"

“Ate Paris!” What? I looked at her but before I could say anything she already ran towards someone.

I froze in my ground.

Wait… Is that…?

“Paris…” Upon mentioning her name, it felt like someone had poisoned me.

I blinked so many times as I stared at the woman who was hugging by Stacey. I couldn't be wrong. That must be Paris. That petite body built… and her face shaped like a heart. Her eyes glowed like the Eiffel Tower at night. The prominent nose… and the lips that tasted heaven…

She is back… She is here now…

I have found out that she vanished after the day of our break up. I didn't know where to find Paris to talk to her again. That took four years… Where have you been all this time, Paris?

I walked towards them… slowly. So slow that I couldn't even notice myself if I am really walking or not.

“I need to go, Stacey. My brother called me.”

I stared at her face. She became more beautiful. I want to caress her cheeks. I so---

“Awww. That sudden? But I'm with Kuya Kurt?”

I don't think she realize I was with Stacey. I saw her expression from calm changing into a surprise one. Oh god! That expression of hers…

I stepped forward as my eyes fixed on hers. “Paris…” Her name was the only thing I could utter.

“I-Ivo…” she said. Her eyes were so shocked upon seeing me.

It's not only her who is shocked from this. I am too. I didn't expect to see Paris again. I could feel the corner of my eye stung seeing her. I just couldn't believe it… She was claimed missing four years ago. And now… she was here. She was right here… in front of me.

My chest started to rise up and down as I looked at her. She changed a lot. I took a deep breath.

Before I could utter a word, she was already saying good bye to Stacey. Paris didn't give me a glance again after she left. I watched her until she was gone from my sight. I clenched my fist.

“Cat got your tongue, kuya?”

I snapped back as I looked at Stacey to what she said. I snorted. “Shut up…” I turned my back on her and started to walk to other direction. Stacey followed behind me.

“Uhuh. Yes, sure. You just saw Ate Paris that's why.” I heard her giggles.

I turned my head and looked at her seriously. She stopped giggling. She silenced because of that. “Let's go home,” I said as I was carrying all her shopping bags.

We went home as I felt myself disoriented. I didn't even bother from Stacey's talkative mouth who kept on telling me nonsense stories. I locked myself at my room and laid to my bed, lots of questions were dwelling on me.

Where have she been?

What happened to her in these past few years?

Why didn't she give me a glance again?

How is she doing?

Just why… My eyes flew to the picture beside of my bed table. Something clenched in my heart as I saw our picture. It was from before.

I could feel my eyes stung. I placed my arm over my eyes as I could feel my chest hurts. What have I done?