Chapter 4 Unexpected 3

"WHAT? SERIOUSLY, Miles?" Andrea's reaction was shock and disbelief when I told her what happened before I got to the office.

"Shh! Don't be noisy," I immediately scolded him and turned to our coworkers who were busy with their work. I have just finished submitting the articles I edited and I will just wait for it to be returned to me for revision but I hope not.

Andrea's face was still amazed at what she heard from me. "I just can't believe it will happen, Miles. The man your ex-boyfriend traded you for is the man who will marry you? Whoa! It's just like a TV drama. That's how destiny plays, Miles there's a lot of twists." She smiled.

"That's not my destiny!" My eyes rolled. "That's not destiny, it's called bad luck."

"But, how does that gay-man look?" Andrea was curious as if she was excited about my answer.

I thought. "Well, at first you wouldn't think that he's gay. He looks like a typical man. He's handsome. He has a broad body. He has thick eyebrows and those eyes that have a charm that when you look at them, you'll really stare," I described to that man who surprised me.

"Wow! Does that mean he's a handsome creature? Oy! You were struck by his handsomeness, right? Were you attracted by the charm of his eyes that made you stare?" She laughed teasingly at me.

I frowned. "Of course not, Andrea. I hate him every time I remember how he and Roven used to kiss. Well, I'm not against or haters of gay people, it's just that Roven replaced me with that man."

"Destiny can be playful as many say, Miles. Be prepared for more twists," she said with a wink.

"Then, I'll play with destiny, Andrea, and I will make sure that I will win for this," I challenged.

"Are you sure? You're going to play with fate?"

I nodded. "Why not? If I have no choice, that's what I'll do, to play with destiny. But I hope that Zandy doesn't agree to the agreement that our families are preparing," I said with a frown.

"That Zandy might not agree but what if your parents force you? We know Uncle and Aunt who are left behind by time and believe too much in those curses, they are concerned about your future because you are their only daughter. They want you to get married and start a family," she said.

"I understand them in that part, Andrea, but I'm not ready for that state yet," I reasoned with a frown.

Andrea shrugged. "Well, let's just wait and see what happens. Just pray that Zandy doesn't agree," Andrea said.

I just frowned as my shoulders slumped. I feel that it will be difficult for me to refuse that marriage because I feel that even if I refuse, they will not allow me not to marry. Damn that curse!

-

My shoulders were heavy when I got out of the car when I got home from work. I frowned and felt even more heavy when I saw the familiar car outside. I sighed because I knew what I was going to get inside. I just have to prepare myself to face them.

I didn't make any noise when I entered the house but what surprised me the most was when I saw that man sitting quietly on a sofa with his arms folded and sitting like a woman. He didn't even look at me like the other four who were waiting for me.

"It's good that you're here, we've been waiting for you for a while," mom greeted with a smile. She stood up from sitting and came to me. She led me to the sofa near that man. They didn't even let me change my clothes.

"Good evening, hija," greeted Aunt Mandy. That's what I should call them.

I smiled even a few times and lost the desire to face them all because I already knew what was going to be discussed. "Good evening," I returned.

Silence prevailed between everyone in the living room. It was as if they were waiting to see who would speak first. I kept looking at Zandy who was right next to me. He was quiet and he was holding his cellphone while he was typing, not caring about the surroundings.

I heard Dad whisper. He looked at me. I was also silent while folding my arms. "Miles, Andrew, and Mandy are here to introduce you to their son," Dad said.

I tried not to show any reaction on my face. Because I'm not interested in that man.

Uncle Andrew smiled, and so did Aunt Mandy. "Miles, hija, I know you are also shocked by what is happening but you will also understand everything. I know you have met my son Zandy because I ordered him to come here but I still want to formally introduce my son to you." She looked at the man near me. "This is Zandy Saavedra, hija. Don't worry, he's good and kind," said Tita Mandy.

"He's stubborn and sometimes brat, but Zandy is kind and I know he won't do anything to harm you," said Tito Andrew.

I want to frown and grin. Sometimes brat, but nice? Why are they also forcing their son on me? Maybe it's because they've noticed that their son is gay, so they're pushing him to marry me. I looked at Zandy and when I faced him, he was also looking at me. Suddenly, something clicked in my chest because of that. I immediately looked away from him.

"We have already discussed the plan for the two of you. Since we both agreed to marry you, you are the only ones we need to ask about it," Dad said which surprised me.

I couldn't stop myself from speaking. "Was it discussed? Dad, why do you have to lead me in that matter? I will get married but not yet. I can choose a man for me. Even now I can marry, but I don't want to." I said, "I'm not ready to get married," I complained, raising my voice which surprised them all. "I'm already mature enough to decide on marriage and you don't need to interfere with that."

I saw Dad close his eyes tightly but it was only for a moment. "Miles, we're not doing this for us, this is for you. We don't want you to grow old without someone in your life. We want you to live happily with your own family," Dad insisted.

"Your Dad is right, Miles. We are thinking of you. We are old and what if we lose? How about you? We also want to witness the family you will build," Mom seconded. "We are afraid that you will never get married and you will become an old woman."

I sighed and sat up. I found my senses. "Until now, do you still believe in that curse? Mom, that's not true. If I grow old and don't get married, it's my choice and not because of that curse." I was silent for a while. "I don't want to marry a man that I don't love," I added.

"Are you only thinking about yourself, Miles? What about your Mom and me? I'm weak and I just want to see you have a family, can't you don't it for me? What if that curse is true? What will happen to you?" Dad's voice has also raised. I know he is angry. "Aren't you ashamed of them? A little respect."

"I respect your decision, but please respect my decision too. I don't want to get married. I won't get married because of that curse," I said firmly.

"Wh-"

My eyes widened when I saw Dad covering his chest and lying on the sofa. Mom attended to him quickly. I couldn't move right away.

"H-Honey, why?! W-what happened?" Mom asked nervously while holding Dad.

When I recovered, I quickly approached Dad. "C-call an ambulance! Hurry!" I shouted.

I saw Zandy come to us and immediately took Dad. "Let's bring him to the hospital," he said, then walked out of the house. We immediately followed him while Aunt Mandy supported Mom.

I felt guilty like it was my fault what happened to Dad. I remembered that he had heart disease and his blood pressure could rise.

My whole body was shaking as we were carried by car to the nearby hospital. Zandy was driving the car while Dad was next to me unconscious. Mom and Zandy's parents were riding in the other car.

"Hurry up, please! We have to take Dad to the hospital." I cried while looking at my Dad. "It's my fault! If I hadn't argued with him, maybe this wouldn't have happened to him. If only I had agreed to what he wanted!"

"So you will agree to marry me?"

"As long as Dad lives, I'll do what he wants! After all, it's my fault!" I don't know what I'm saying because I'm afraid of what could happen to Dad. I will do everything just to let him live.

Did I say it right? Can I stand that? The important thing is that Dad will be saved.