Reaping Me Softly

Chapter 24 - His Response

Life can be surprising. Even the ones that people have expected to come, some were still surprised at the anticipated event. There were normal things that still shock people... Just like Lia, who’s silently mourning for her freedom that will be totally taken away from her.

Starting tonight, she’s not the one who controls her life anymore.

It was not like she was given a chance to. More like her parents have finally lost the leash, but later found a new employer to be in charge in tightening the bind, again.

They were too selfish... Just once, did they even think of her welfare?

“Mama...” she cried. “I can’t do this anymore. Please, I don’t want to get married to someone I’m not in love with!”

She was shouting in distress. The situation was making her heart hurt so much that it would explode any minute from now. Marrying someone else when she’s clearly in a relationship is something she cannot bear to happen.

Hurting Simeon who loves her dearly... Lia can’t bear it. He was the only one who made her feel loved and losing him will be her greatest downfall. Undoubtedly, she is in love with him, too. And now, she was standing in between, letting her eyes pour a tear of pain as she fought.

The call brought bad news. She was hesitant to go back home as her parents commanded, but she has to put an end to her parents’ selfishness.

Her life, her choice... She doesn’t care anymore about the luxurious life that she would have in her parents’ power. She rather fight for love than choose endless suffering.

Laura, who was shocked at her sudden burst out pointed her.

“You ungrateful child!” Laura was in rage. “How could you say such things?! You are bound to marry the son of Alexander Garcia, Dahlia! You cannot do anything to stop us from marrying you off! The arrangement has been done and no one, even you can break it.”

They were having a silent dinner at their house when they suddenly open the topic of marriage. It was another family and this time, they succeeded in convincing the Garcia clan. Meanwhile, his father continued eating, not minding the noise.

In between them, her mother was the one who’s more eager to find someone to marry her. The father just supported her as they shared the same goal; power.

“Mama...” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “I’m still young for that. And I don’t even know whose that guy I’m going to marry! I’m not ready for that and please, control me all you want but not in that aspect, Mama! I have the right to say no!”

“You don’t! Have the rights to say no, Lia.” She stood up firmly. “You’re just my child. It is your responsibility to follow me and your dad!”

Lia’s shoulders moved rapidly as she sobs quietly as possible. The food on her plate was left untouched. She has lost her will to eat the moment they called her earlier in the morning. She expected this to happen but still, the thought brought her pain.

Her eyes were fixed on the food. Underneath the table, her fists were tightly clenched in rage. She was shaking! Even the ends of her teeth created noise inside her mouth.

Never did she expect that her parents have this toxic mindset.

“I never asked to be born!” she whispered, anger was evident in her voice. “I have no responsibilities other than myself, Ma! I did not, and if ever given a chance to choose who my parents will be, never in my wildest dreams that I’ll choose you and dad!”

Splash...

“How dare you!” Laura’s eyes widened. “How dare you talk to me like that?!” Her hand was still in the air, holding a glass of water that was now empty.

While Lia’s lips formed into a thin line as she put aside some strands of her wet hair away from her face. Her mother just threw a glass of water in her direction, some parts of her dress were wet, too. Yet she didn’t give a damn.

Wetting her lips, she bravely meets her mother’s flaming eyes. Unlike her, she chose to be calm.

“I’m not going to agree with you, Mama...” she said slowly. “I’m not marrying anyone.”

“Are you seeing someone, Lia?” Her father finally had the time to talk.

For a second, she stilled. But she remains staring at her mother intently to not give them an idea. She shall not be caught...

Slowly, she turned her head to her father, Ansel who was wiping the sides of his lips using the table napkin while looking at her with a calm expression.

She glanced at his plate... And he has the appetite to finish his food while they were shouting.

“No,” she answered firmly.

“Then why are you suddenly backing out? You never complained about it before.”

“I’m still young, Pa. And I realized to give importance to my rights as a woman, and as your child. My freedom is what I want that was why I wanted out.”

That was the real reason why.

Simeon only took a small part but in reality, her freedom will be at stake and she doesn’t want it to be totally taken away from her. If she’s free from their selfishness, she will be able to do anything her heart desires, even being with Simeon without the fear of being caught.

Her love for Simeon had convinced her to fight for something she was not able to argue before. It led her to finally stand for herself. The thought of him has triggered her to finally express her mind.

A motivation... A trigger that led her to this.

“You should rest, Lia...” Her father said. “We’ll talk about this tomorrow. I’m sure you’re just saying these because of stress.”

Her shoulders dropped. They just don’t listen... As expected.

Later that night, Lia cannot stop thinking of what happened. She showered, and just laid on her bed with legs and arms wide open, staring blankly at the ceiling.

She could hear her phone vibrating. Only Simeon’s number was saved on her phone so it must be him but, she was too tired to even move. She wanted a break.

However, she knows how his mind works. She had to pick up the phone from the nightstand and open his messages.

All were about asking her whereabouts. If she’s okay? If he’s allowed to call to check on her.

She sighed deeply and started typing.

Her:

I’m about to get married.

She bit her lower lip while staring at her sent message.

Tomorrow, she’ll need to go with her parents for a dinner with the Garcia family. Even their name didn’t ring a bell. She was not really familiar with influential people.

She needs to talk to whoever the guy is to be clear. If their marriage will come to reality, expect nothing from her. Her heart has been taken by Simeon, and no one can ever replace him.

Lia waited for his reply but it has been ten minutes but nothing came. She yawned and without warning, her eyes drifted to sleep.

She just woke up the next day with the help of her alarm clock. Remember last night, she quickly checks her phone and saw a message from him.

Simeon:

Are you free today?

She blinked twice. Lia got up from her bed and went to the bathroom, then press the call button. It took only three rings before he picked up the phone.

“I fell asleep last night,” was her first words which made Simone chuckled.

She smiled upon hearing his laughs. Leaning on the countersink, she put her free hand above her chest as she listens to his small giggles.

“Good morning, babe. I miss you...”

She pouted. “I’m sorry for yesterday. My parents came home earlier than expected.”

“Hmm... So you’re not free today?” His voice was hopeful.

“I will try, Simeon...” she said. “I also want to talk regarding my message last night.”

“That you’re getting married?” She could feel the bitterness in his voice.

“Unfortunately...” she uttered slowly. “They came back early to announced that to me. I’m scared, Simeon. This time, there will be an engagement party happening soon. What shall I do?”

The other line fell in silence. Now that they’re right in this situation, she realized that it was hard to think of any solution now. She regrets not thinking of a way to escape before... Her mind just went blank when it’s about the marriage.

“Should I just run away? A runaway bride...” she suggested jokingly.

But damn... Deep inside her, Lia knows that she’s capable of doing that. Who cares if her parents would face such a big shame if she runs away?

“We’ll just hope for the best...”

Her lips parted to what she heard. “What? Do you even give a care about our situation now, Simeon? You’re taking it too easy like one, two, three as if we could avoid it from happening without sweat!”

“Then what do you want me to do?”

That was when she lost her cool.

“You are seriously asking me that?” she asked sarcastically. “F uck you, Simeon!”

She ended the call and without thinking, she threw the phone against the tiles wall, making a loud crash sound.

She could not believe him!

“F uck...” She bit her lower lip hard that she could taste the metal. “How can he easily said that?”

Her legs started to get jelly. She wanted to cry but even her eyes gave up on her. It was too tired to even shed a single tear.

She covered her face with her palms. Now that she’s about to get married to the unknown, Simeon chose to act like a jerk. They have been talking about this for quite some time and Simeon has been telling her that everything will fall into the right places!

But he chooses to ignore her. It pains her...

She was honestly hoping that he would consider her thoughts of running away from everyone. Guess things will not be put in the right places starting now.

“Gosh... What am I thinking...”

It just happened too fast and unexpected. She set her hopes too high... Ended up feeling disappointed at his response.