Chapter 2

MARA'S POV 'I guess, this is it?' I said to myself. My family and I are now at the five-star hotel. Did I mention that this hotel is owned by the Ottave family and that we're going to have dinner with them now? There is no need to ask my parents why we're having dinner with them now. It was quite obvious that it was because of the long-planned marriage. But I must admit that I didn't expect it to be this fast. It's been a year since we graduated from college. We are still both in the adjustment period in our family business. Though I heard that Maru will be promoted as the General Manager of their company. I guess he adjusted so fast. After our college graduation, we both decided to start working in our respective companies. We both started in a lower position. If you are wondering how did I know all this about him? It's all because of my dad. He always gives me an update on all of Maru's actions or achievements. He likes him that much. After a few minutes, Maru and his family came. His mom smiled and kiss me on the cheek, his dad also did the same. While Maru, on the other hand, is just standing beside them. "Maru, aren't you gonna greet your future wife and her parents?" His father said with full authority. I look at him to see his reaction. He looks like a robot who followed his dad's command. He went to me and kiss me on my cheek. He did the same to my mom. While he offers a handshake to my dad. After all the greetings, we head back to our table and call the waiter to serve the food. "So Mara, I heard that your now the head of the Marketing team." Mrs. Ottave said. "Yes, Mrs. Ottave. I was promoted last week." I said in a formal and respectful tone. She chuckled. "Oh, Mara you can just call me auntie or mommy if you want." She said sweetly. "Okay, auntie." I respectfully answered. "And I heard Maru will be promoted as a General Manager in your company." my mom butt in. Maru nodded. "Yes. Mrs. Almonte, I will take that position next week." "Oh dear, you can just call me Auntie." Then she chuckled. I want to roll my eyes because my mom just copy Maru's mom but I told myself not to react to anything and just be formal. "Okay, Auntie." He just said. Our parents began to talk about business while we are having dinner, they sometimes asked me and Maru about our insight or perception of the topic. "I guess we all know the reason why we had this dinner." Maru's dad said after the dessert was served. None of us talked or reacted. We all wait for him to continue his speech. "We are planning to have your engagement next week and your wedding in 3 months," Uncle said with finality. It was obvious that we have no say in this. My parents and Maru's mom nodded in agreement. "Okay. I guess 3 months is enough to prepare for the wedding." My mom said. Uncle look at Maru and said, "And you young man, you need to break up with your girlfriend." I look at Maru to see his reaction. He clenched his jaw. I smirked. I've been waiting to witness this moment, I wanted to know what he will do now. He needed to make a decision. Will he fight for the woman he loves or he will just choose to follow his parents? He sighed and answered. "Yes, Dad." I was a bit shocked. Is that it? Did he just agree to break up with his longtime girlfriend? He didn't even try to fight for her. I thought Maru is serious with her. "Good son." I just shook my head in disbelief. I was about to leave when my mother stops me. My brow furrowed. What does she want now? "Since your wedding will happen in 3 months, it's better if you guys start to get to know each other." My mom said sweetly. "I guess you're right. We better leave them alone for them to talk and get to know each other." Auntie happily agrees with my mom's idea. After that our parents went home, leaving me with Maru. We just remain standing. It was Maru who breaks our silence. "You want to have coffee with me?" He asked politely. I just nodded. He lead me as we went out of the restaurant. We walked together to the hotel's cafe. All the employees in the hotel are greeting Maru. I also heard some girls giggling because of him. 'OMG! Sir Maru is really handsome' 'I agree! But do you know who is the girl beside him?' 'Girlfriend?' 'What? But Sir Maru's girlfriend is Ms. Jana right?' I just shake my head as I listen to their whispers. When we got to the cafe, I saw people staring at us. The manager of the cafe went in our direction and greeted us. The manager personally guided us to our table and served our coffee. No one tried to strike up a conversation. We just quietly drink our coffee. I'm not that surprised though, it's our first time going out alone together. We don't know much about each other so we don't know what to talk about. "So you don't have a boyfriend?" Maru said trying to strike up a conversation. "I don't," I answered him. He raised his brow "I thought your boyfriend is Alex?" My forehead furrowed. "No. He courted me but I rejected him." "Why did you reject him?" He sounded curious. I raised my brow. "Isn't obvious?" He seems confused by my answer. "I will eventually marry you, so why do I need to have a boyfriend? I don't like to complicate things." "At least you experience love." He said seriously. I wanted to laugh but I did my best not to because I don't want him to think that I am insulting him. "I am not here to love." I just said. "What do you mean?" He asked. I heaved a sigh. "I was not made out of love but out of obligation and business. I knew what my life will be so why will I need to waste my time for love?" He looks at me with pity. I just rolled my eyes. 'Oh please, I don't need your sympathy Maru.' I said to myself. "Have you ever been in love?" He seriously asked me. I chuckled. Maru creased his forehead. "No." I simply said. "Really?" I nodded. "Yes. How about you? Are you sure that you will break up with Jana?" He nodded. "Yes. Jana knew that I am engaged to you and I need to break up with her when the time has come that I will finally marry you." That got my attention. "She knew and yet... really?" I can't believe it! He chuckled. "Is it that hard to believe? Unlike you, I want to experience love, even just for a short while." "How did you make her agree to this?" I asked curiously. He just shrugged. "How did you make her agree?!" I asked again almost pissed. He chuckled which made me even more pissed. "A month after he said yes to me, I told her our situation." My eyes widened. "Our situation?!" "Why do you look surprised? We both know that you will marry me right?" He said in a teasing voice. I rolled my eyes. "Whatever! So she just agrees just like that?" "Of course not. At first, she wanted to fight for our love but I told her not to bother." "But why?" "You seriously ask me that?" I sighed. "At least you tried right?" "I thought your heart is as hard as a stone. Now I'm seeing your other side." "H-ha?" He shakes his head. "Nothing. Maybe my love for her is not strong enough to fight for her." "Is it really okay for you to marry me?" I ask him curiously. He looks at me with seriousness in his eyes. I kind of feel shy by the way he looks. "Staring is rude," I told him. He smiled. "Your blushing. Your heart is not really made of stone." I was about to answer him when he continue to talk. "And to answer your question, of course, it's okay for me to marry you, I'm actually honored to be chosen as your future husband. You just don't know how many guys out there want to be in my place right now."