Chapter 35: Chapter 35

I can't almost stand up to what I heard. Married? I calmed myself as my heart was beating faster than it's normal rate. Dad is always serious and only jokes once in a while. He always do business seriously.

"Who will get arrange marriage dad?" My sister asked. She's also confused and trembled as it's evident in her voice. Is it my sister? Why is she nervous?

"No, it's not you, Jace." mommy muttered as she flanced at me. "It's your sister Jane and Zandra's son, Zaine." I felt my spoon fell to the ground as I was in shock. I am what? Marry Zaine? At this young age?

"A-are you serious, dad?" I could barely pronounce the words coming out of my mouth correctly.

“Yes. We need you and Zaine for the solidity of our own companies. That way you can handle our businesses together.” Tita Zandra said.

"A-aunt, I can't." I trembled. I seem to have run out of words to say. The word panic is not enough to describe how I feel. It was mixed with confuse, shock and mental shutdown. I can't process what they've just told us.

“Why? You are both single, hija. ” Tita answered again. “As if you won’t like each other. And also, it's still a long time. You can enjoy your life and explore the world together.” she added.

I was immediately startled by a sudden push. The items on the table almost fell down because of Zaine's slap on the table. I notice the reddening of its face with anger. His eyebrows met as he stared in front of us.

"I don't like her mom and I won't marry her." He dangerously said before storming out, leaving us dumbfounded and disbelief.

"I have the same answer, I'm sorry." I stood up and followed Zaine. I came out and quickly his footsteps went to the gate. I even saw Lenard looking at my direction with astonishment as I passed the guard house. I was out and on the road when I saw Zaine.

"Zaine!" I called his name. He didn't look back and still walking his way away from the house.

I quickened my pace which ended up running to catch up with him. I couldn’t bear the pain in my foot because of wearing 2-inches heels. I stopped and removed it first before running as fast as I could to catch up with him.

"Zaine, wait!" I shouted. Moments later, he stopped walking.

Only street lights give us light today. When I got closer as I observed him faintly sitting on the road.

"Zaine, why did you leave so soon?" I asked. He didn't move nor flinched a second. He just sat down as if he's carrying the world.

“What do you expect me to do, Jane? Agree with those proposal planned by my mom? No! I will not follow her! ” He raised his head and immediately looked at me while his eyes were mixed with anger at me. It was as if those stares were piercing at the same time as the painful feeling that was in my heart.

"Still, you don't need to leave just like that."

“And just listen to the bad things mommy says about Cheska? Is that so Jane?” I was stunned. I didn't think the reason that he left was because of Cheska. She was the reason after all. “I can't bear to hear those words that really came from my own mother. Cheska doesn't deserve those words.”

"I know." I said softly.

“I treasure Cheska the most, Jane, because I like her, not just my best friend. It was like a knife stabbed my whole system when I heard my mother said those bad things to her.” His voice gradually weakened. His eyes are already red, I don’t know what the reason is.

That's enough... I don't want to hear what you have to say next. Please, Zaine.

"Is that why you don't want to marry us?" I asked. I tried not to stutter while asking this. I just stood and stared at him as he sat on the cold cement.

“Yes, I like someone else Jane. And I will wait for her. ” He stood up and faced me. "D*mn, I really miss her." He said.

He suddenly hold both of my arms. I was startled at his gestures. I wasn’t prepared for that, and the only shocked look was what I gave to him. He has those pleading eyes as he stared down at me.

"Please, tell me, Jane," he begged. “Where is Cheska?”

“ I don't know where she is.”

He threw a dim look at me. It took a moment before he averted his gaze and slowly turned away. I don’t know if I did the right thing by not telling him the truth.

“ I just want to see her again.” I heard him said before he walked his way away from me, leaving me with guilt.

I want to tell him where Cheska is. She's with her parents. I know she's in good hand but I didn't know that this would give a big impact to Zaine. He really begged to me just to know where she is.

Cheska was lucky that she had a friend who was always worried and there for her. A friend that she always leans on when there is a problem. But this is what she did, she did not tell us why she left.

Seeing the guy you like, begging for you to tell him where his love, is very heart aching. Those stares, the way he said those words, it was like stabbing myself for a certain thing I can't identify. A part of me was like silently cursing myself to be a hypocrite that the pain I'm enduring was just nothing even though it really hurts.

I went back to our house with a heavy heart. This feeling is tearing me apart. I want to cry for being the person who is just a second option.

When I got home I immediately caught up with Mommy outside. She was still wearing the dress she wore earlier. Beside her was Aunt Zandra who was furiously stares at my direction as if I did something wrong.

"Jane," mommy called and then approached me. She diverted her look at the heels I am holding because I removed it.

"Where's my son?" Tita Zandra asked. Mom and I both look at her.

"He left already," I replied. There is no trace of any fear in my voice just because of the way she looks at me.

If it weren't for her, Zaine wouldn't be triggered about Cheska. He will no longer look for our friend in me.

"You let him?" She added.

"He needs to be alone, ma'am." I said to Auntie, addressing the word ma'am as a sign of respect. I don't know how to approach her now. I turned to mommy. "I'll go upstairs, mom."

I went to the top without looking at them. This night is very tiring. They must not have made it surprising especially the 'arranged marriage' thingy. They were really obsess of business that they will put their loved ones to this kind of setting.

They didn't even considered the feelings of us when we heard it. Just for the merging of companies, they will do this? The thought of me marrying Zaine didn't even crossed my mind. Now, I'm confused.

Something want to accept that news on one part of my mind, but I know for sure that it's not really for me. I was young and had a dream. I don't want to be on a loveless marriage.

And also, I disagree with them. I don't want to marry Zaine. Eventhough I like him, it's not enough reason for us to be together. I will betray Cheska if she knew that. I am more concerned of what she will feel if she'll found out about this. I won't risk the friendship I build with them just for this marriage. I value her feelings towards Zaine.

I always disregard the idea that maybe Cheska also like Zaine. They have mutual feelings, while I am the third wheel to their relationship. Even though they treat both as best friends, there is still a possibility that they care together more than that.