Everyone was in the dining area, chattering but I seemed unbothered. My mind was focus on Hunter who just left me here last day and didn't even call nor message me or visit me. I felt lonely suddenly without his presence. I did not call him because I know he would call me but he didn't. Should I call him first? Should I move first? Isn't boys should take the first move?
"Lia? Come here, my daughter," Dad called, awakening me from my reverie. Everyone look at me who just stands up with their open wide mouths and shocked look. I slowly made my way in front of Dad and held his palm. He looks at the people in front of us and his brows furrowed as soon as he look at his left side. "Where's Sienna?"
"Still not found," The middle age woman answer. Dad sighed. What? Who is Sienna?
"As you know, everyone, I lost my child a long long time after she left... Here she is, standing in front of us," Dad said. The two older couples and I think they are my aunties and uncles and even cousins. "Mom, Dad... Like you both said, she must go the same as what happened to me and her mother. Mom, I don't want to continue it. I don't want her to force and end up just like what happened to me." He looks at me before looking at my grandparents. "What if her husband will be like her mother?"
"We've known HC since he's little, his parent's divorce. He needs love, and we all know, Alexandria can give him that one. They both shared little similarities but have differences and they are so compatible with each other. Let's give it a try and if he will treat her like trash then we would cancel the marriage," Grandmother said.
After a long long discussion, everyone left the house. Grandma and Grandpa want to continue the marriage between me and someone I don't know. Now, I know how it feels to hear you will marry someone you don't know. I feel what Shane felt back there. "I'm so sorry, Lia.. "
"It's okay Dad. I'll make sure if ever I will have my child I will make sure they are safe in my arms and they will be okay since we have you." He smiles before hugging me.
"Thanks for understanding, Lia." Being all stressed out, I wanted to burst into a cry as the nickname reminding me of Hunter. He is the only one who's calling me in the nickname.
"Sure dad. Everything for you." We bid our goodnight to each other and went to I went to my bedroom while Dad went to his office. I did my night routine and went to my bed, still fighting back my tears. As soon as my back felt the soft mattress, my tears flow uncontrollably, I miss Hunter. I hope I got to see him before I knew who I will marry.
It's been two days, still... Hunter didn't call me. I keep on waiting but he still not calling nor text me. Dad tells me I will meet my future husband today. I know when I heard Shane was getting into something like arrange marriage, she leaves their home and travel here. I say I would object in that thought but here I am— agreeing on marrying someone I don't know. The only information I knew about him was he's an author and dad gave him the nickname; HC. It is close to my favorite liquid; H2O. Kidding.
I climb off from my bed and went inside the bathroom, I told the maids not to ready my water every morning since I can do it by myself. They want to argue but I assure them. In these two days also, I meet my other relatives and found new things about this house and what Dad likes and donts. I can feel like Dad also is getting comfort from me from now onwards and I made sure he will forget about the dark past and replace it with many beautiful moments.
I put on my comfortable clothes, I wear pants and a blouse. It's comfortable with me, dad also tells me to wear something nice since we will meet the family of my soon-to-be husband and also my future husband. There's a part of me that feels so nervous but I fight it and decided to go downstairs.
"Dad!" I shout, running to him. I jump and hug him as he chuckled, hugging me back.
"Aiggoo, you big baby.." I laugh at the sudden call of nicknames. I broke the hug. "They will arrive soon, we'll talk in the living room." I nod my head while he kisses my forehead.
"I'll help others to make juice while waiting for the dad." He nods his head. We both went in a different direction. I went to where the maids are and also the chefs. "Good morning!!" I shout. They did not flinch as the other may be told them I am now awake.
These past two days I started on waking up then do my morning routine before going to the kitchen and have some Chika with them. If you ask me what Chika is, it's Filipino slang, Jennifer, one of the chefs here is a Filipino-American.
We do our work and I also help them prepare the breakfast. I steal one piece of egg and eat it without them seeing me. I giggle at myself before proceeding to the ref to get the juice I made and refill the glasses.
As expected, the doorbell's ring and there's a loud, unison voices coming from the living room, giving a hint my soon-to-be husband's family arrived with him. My heart leaps as soon as I heard their voices. My dad greeted them very politely and even laugh with them. I am still not ready to get married. I don't want to.
I put the glasses in the tray, Jennifer look at me with a worried look along with her sister who's also a chef here. "Go on! I know you can do it!" They cheered. I smiles and gave the smile them. I pick the tray and start to walk towards the living room.
I did not look straight as I keep on looking at the tray so I can't trip or spill the juice, and also so I can't see his face first. I swear if I look at him, my heart would leap in nervous and made me loosen my grip on the tray, as possible, I don't want that to happen. I put the drink on the center table as they stops talking and all the stares were at me. "Lia, we're only 4," Dad said. I look at him and nodded.
Yes, he let me do what I want, even if he doesn't want me to help the workers here, because it's their job too and I also have jobs and personal problems to deal but because I am stubborn, I want to help then he let me. I took the glass and went back to the kitchen, not daring to spare a single glance at them.
"Ate, here, I fill so many glasses.." Jennifer looks back to see me. I call her Ate, it's also a Filipino word to call your older sister. She's older than me so I call her that, she also calls me bunso because I am younger than her, and her sister is also bunso, she's younger than me.
She nod and took the glass from me, I went back to the living room, focus on my fingers. Before I sat down beside Dad, I bowed at them. "I noticed, Lia, why don't you spare a glance to your soon-to-be husband?" He urges me but I still don't want to. I want to look but I fight it. I only want to look at Hunter.
"It's been a long time since we met, Hunter. I've been waiting to ask you to have coffee with me but you are always busy.." My mind widen. Am I hearing things or is it true? Did I hear Hunter's name?
To be continued.