Reaping Me Softly

Chapter 25 - Her Fiancé

Of all people, the less person she expected that would betray her was Simeon. She trusted him, and pour half of her faith in him that she wouldn't end up being miserable in the arms of another man. Lia believed in the love he has for her. It was deep, unbreakable, and a long-lasting love but in a snap, all her hopes went down to drain. 

Everything is falling apart. Now that she learned that Simeon cannot do anything to save her, to keep their relationship, and even fight for their love... The idea of giving up crossed her mind.  

It was him... Her feelings for him were the reason why she fought for her freedom. However, if he would choose to end things between them without fighting, she might just let her parents control her, forever. 

She'd choose the life of luxury, even without the happiness she long to have. 

"They're waiting inside... We should go. We don't want to give them a bad impression, right?" Laura talked beside her. 

She never uttered a word. All her interest just fled somewhere. Well, she has never been interested in meeting her soon-to-be husband's family, and the guy himself. It was just her parents who are in glee at this time. While Lia... 

A heartbreak was something she has never experienced before, nor did not even expect that day like this will come. Being romantically involved with someone did not interest her at all, the last thing she wanted was to have her heart collapsed because of a man. For years, she has learned to invalidate herself, refusing to feel... and just numb. 

But when Simeon came, hopes filled her heart only to be crashed down again.

It was engraved in her mind that she will never be free from her parents' grasp. At a young age, she lost her will to enjoy the phase of being a teen, like any other normal teen her age. 

"Get out of the car, Lia." 

She sighed deeply when her mother knocked on the car door beside her. When she didn't move, Laura voluntarily opened the door for her and hissed.

"Lia, tonight is not the right time to sulk. Get out of the car."

She wanted to cry in protest but she had enough tears. Everything upset her... What happened tire her. It was endless suffering for Lia and she just wanted to end it at all once.

Wearing her black thin strap evening dress, she went out of the car.

Perhaps the universe was punishing her for something she did not do. Or maybe it was just her selfish parents’ that were making her life more miserable.

It could be her existence, too... But she doesn’t want to think that it was her fault. She was just made out of responsibilities. And now she was suffering because of it.

The mere fact that she was born in this world was enough for her to call as suffering... If only she could ask them not to give birth to her, she would.

The moment she steps her foot outside, she knows there’s no turning back.

“Smile, Lia. So Garcia’s only son will like you. It took us a lot of time and effort to convince them. I’m hoping that you’ll not blow this up.”

She didn’t budge. Like a servant, she followed them to the VIP room in the five-star hotel restaurant where the mentioned family was waiting.

Her eyes were fixed on the floor, sighing in remorse.

“Lia!” Laura hissed at her. “Look in front! Be confident! If the Garcia family back out because of you, you’ll never like what I’m gonna do to you.”

She swallowed hard. The corner of her eyes warmed up.

“I’m sorry...” she whispered and did as she was told to do so.

With fear, she held her chin high.

For some reason, she felt scared. Partly because of her mother’s threat, but there was another way that she cannot name. Although times like this became normal for her. Whenever she come and meet the new names and faces of each family, the fear and nervousness fade away.

However, she felt weird this time. For an unknown reason, she was frightened. Laura’s threat, the fact that they wouldn’t come home without planning anything regarding Garcia and Possenti’s engagement party.

Thinking about it, she just wanted the ground to swallow her and never spit her back to her parent's property.

When they entered the room, her body froze in fear. A wave of confusion crossed her face. The shock was evident in her eyes, the look of astonishment, a look of horror hits her eyes upon seeing the familiar face.

It was dark when she saw him. But she could clearly remember his face even though, they only met once.

The moment she entered the VIP room where they waited, the first person her eyes caught was no other than Alec, her boyfriend, Simeon’s friend, and that made her insides jolted in surprise.

“Don’t tell me...” Her lips parted slightly.

If her assumption is right, no... It can’t be. She can’t... She took a step backward. The guy just stared at her blankly, no sign of interest was shown on his face. It was like he was already bored though they haven’t started yet.

Everything seems a blur. She thought she have lost her sense of hearing for a while. She had to blink numerous times and secretly sighed to relax.

He stood up and pulled out a chair for her.

“Have a seat...” he offered.

“This can’t be,” she whispered wearily. “This is not happening.”

Alec sighed. “We’ll talk after this. Sit and wait, Lia.”

She slowly nodded. Her mind flew outside of the room, thinking of Simeon. His friend... How would he react to this? She never expected this either, to see Alec in this kind of situation. She did not even think that she would see him again.

Now, she did. But in the most unfortunate event.

“Ija, you’re so beautiful...” His mother commented.

Her smiles were genuine, even her eyes were twinkling in happiness as she stared at her with her soft eyes. Lia can’t help but let out a genuine smile, too.

Her vibe was so light and gentle and by just looking at her, she can tell that Alec was lucky to have her.

“Thank you, Tita...” she uttered. “You, too, looked so pretty and young.”

She laughed heartily. “Heard what this young lady said, honey? I looked young!” She clapped her hands once.

“You are...” The man that resembles Alec, a lot, talked. “I think you two know what’s this meeting is all about.”

Lia lowered her eyes.

“The food will be served in a minute. Let’s talk about the engagement party over dinner.”

The word made her deaf for a moment. Engagement... They did not even ask if she agree to this sick agreement of theirs. Without further ado, they just went to inform her, not minding to ask of her unheard opinion.

Like always... Her feelings were always neglected. She can’t even voice out her thoughts as she knows that it will not matter to anyone of them.

In a minute, food has arrived and they started talking.

“Alec is studying medicine in the United Kingdom. By the time that you finished your senior year in high school, you can follow your fiancé there. For the time being, you can start processing your documents so it wouldn’t be that hassle anymore for the both of you.”

She gulped. Alec's father was the total opposite of his mother. He was strict, serious, and the type of person one needs to please in order for him to like them.

Yet she was not up for that. She doesn’t care about his opinion.

And what the hell? It was not just about engagement they will try to get involved with, but also her studies!

“Dad, let her be. It’s Lia’s choice and not ours. We should leave the decision to her,” Alec said in a calm voice.

She was not liking how his father decides for her. They were not even engaged yet, married or what and now, he was trying to meddle in her life decision, choosing which best that would suit her chosen career.

“I’m just giving her an idea,” he replied.

She hid her lips shortly before eating the vegetable salad. Her feet were eager to run outside and never come back. Of all the family she had met in the past, Alec’s father was the controlling one, she thought.

If she’d rank it, he would be on the second list of the rude and worst parent. Of course, her parents shall stay on the top. Nothing can beat them... They will always remain on the top.

“Anyways,” his mother interrupted. “You two needs to talk regarding this matter. To clear things and don’t forget to ask each other’s thoughts about this agreement. We can pull out anytime, Lia.”

She almost cried.

“Thank you, Tita...”

“Lia will never back down though,” it was her mother who simply warned her through her sharp voice and the hidden message behind her words.

After eating, the two went out of the VIP room and proceeded to the empty hall, then together walked towards the silent garden and stopped to face each other.

“I don’t want to marry you,” she said directly. “I’m in love with Simeon, Alec. And this is something we should stop to happen. I can’t let this happen...”

“We both don’t want this, Lia...” He sighed deeply. “I have a girlfriend waiting for me. I, too, don’t want to hurt her in any ways and Simeon is a friend of mine.”

She bit her lower lip to stop the tears from falling.

“What should we do?”

“Have you talk to Simeon regarding this matter?”

She closed her mouth, unable to find the rights words to say. How would she answer his question? That he shut her up and ended up being a jerk to her by giving her an answer she less expected for him to say.

“Yes...” she answered truthfully. “And we’re both trying to come up with a good solution, Alec.”

“You’re not alone, Lia.” Alec looked at her gently. “We will get rid of this agreement. If I have to leave the country, I will stop this from happening.”

Slowly, she nodded. “I have hopes in that...”