Chapter 3 3

Chapter 3

Chloe's POV

"Aaahhhhh!" I screamed loudly when the emcee announced that we won the science fair.

"Oh my god, Evo! We made it!" I hugged him tightly while squealing in excitement. But I was interrupted because of what I did. Evo hugged me back. I slowly pulled my face away until our faces were inches apart. Our eyes met. I swallowed hard because of his gaze. Is he angry? He didn't even smile. My arms were still wrapped around his shoulders and his hands on my waist. It felt like I couldn't move my body. His way of looking at me was so hypnotizing.

"Congrats!" I suddenly snapped back to reality when Cheenie approached us. I quickly let go of Evo. Cheenie held Evo's hand.

"We really don't stand a chance when you two are paired up. Both of you are a perfect pair," Cheenie commented.

"But we are a perfect couple!" then she added followed by her pent-up chuckle. She's definitely right. They're perfect together.

"And we as well. Perfect together!" Junjie interjected as he put his arm around my shoulder.

"Yeah, right. But we have a problem and we need to fix it," Cheenie said.

"Problem?" I asked, puzzled. Cheenie just nodded.

"Let's go. We need to talk," Cheenie pulled Evo, leaving both of us bewildered. I exchanged a questioning look with Junjie. He just smiled and gently held my chin between his thumb and index finger.

"We're going to explain," he said, giving my chin a little squeeze. He led me out of the pavilion, his arm still around me. We headed towards the school garden. Cheenie and Evo were already sitting on the swing seat. It had a roof, and four people could sit on it. Junjie and I joined them, sitting side by side. I faced Evo, while Junjie faced Cheenie. Our knees were almost touching because it wasn't very wide.

"So, what's this problem you're talking about, Cheenie?" Evo asked.

"Don't you know that Junjie and I are childhood friends? And we're both Chinese," Evo and I nodded, even though we both looked equally confused about what the problem was.

"In our families, arranged marriage is still a practice. And Junjie and I are scheduled to get married someday," Cheenie said. Evo and I exchanged glances. I quickly looked back at Cheenie and Evo. Evo's jaw visibly tensed as he looked at us. It was surprising and irritating at the same time. But I didn't feel annoyed. I'm weird!

"But for now, our parents can't know about our relationships. Because if they find out, they might send us to another country, or worse, make us get married right away," Cheenie explained.

"That's not the only issue. My cousin saw us at the mall yesterday, Evo. She reported it to my parents. But I made an excuse that I was just accompanying you to buy a gift for your girlfriend, who's also my best friend," Cheenie looked at me.

"And that's you, Chloe. I said you were Evo's girlfriend. But it seems they're not convinced. They asked why they haven't met you yet if you're his best friend. And they want to meet both of you," she sighed. What? Evo's parents really want to meet us?

"Cheenie!" we all turned our heads when her classmate called for her. The classmate hurried over to us.

"Cheenie, your parents are here. They're looking for you," her classmate said urgently. Cheenie quickly stood up and looked in the direction where her classmate came from.

"Oh my God! That's my mom!" Oh no! There's her mom coming this way. Cheenie quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me beside Evo. Evo, on the other hand, got off the swing seat and waited for Cheenie's parents to approach.

"Hi, mom, hi dad! Wh-what are you doing here?" she greeted them nervously as they got closer. Cheenie seemed visibly tense. She kissed their cheeks.

"We were just going to pick you up," her mom said, then looked at us. Evo then stood up and approached Cheenie's parents, giving the woman a kiss on the cheek.

"Um. Mom, dad, meet Evo and Chloe. They're the ones I've been telling you about," we stood up, and Evo approached.

"Hello," I greeted Cheenie's parents, and Evo did the same.

"So, you're Chloe, my daughter's best friend," her dad came up to me and kissed my cheek.

"I'm glad to meet you, dear," he said after the kiss.

"And you're Evo, Chloe's boyfriend," her mom added with a knowing smile and a nod. Evo smiled and nodded back.

"Wait. Why don't you invite them, Cheenie? It's Cheenie's birthday next week, her 19th birthday. She doesn't want to have a party, so we've decided to go to the beach instead. Join us," Cheenie looked at us and nodded as if she was telling us to agree.

"But you see, um..."

"Chloe, come on, please agree!... Evo. It's just in Batangas," Cheenie pleaded with us.

"Alright, dear. You should go. After all, you're Cheenie and Junjie's friends," Cheenie's mom urged, so I nodded.

"Good. So, let's go, Cheenie. Junjie, come join us. We're going to meet your parents," Junjie looked at me, seemingly asking for forgiveness, and bid his goodbye. I just smiled at him and gave a slight nod. They said their farewells and left us with Evo. Evo sat back on the swing seat. He wiped his face with his hands. He seemed troubled by the situation. I sat down in front of him.

"Are you okay?" I ask him.

"Are you sure, Chlow, that we're going? We will go there and pretend to be a couple," I shrugged. Then both of our phones chimed. I grabbed my bag and pulled out my phone and Evo's from his pocket. It was Junjie who texted me.

[Chlow, I want you to be there. Come with us, okay? The day will be boring without you. Please!]

I looked at Evo, and he looked at me too. "It's Cheenie. She wants me to be with her on her birthday," he said.

"Junjie wants the same," silence lingered between us. Until I broke the silence.

"Why are Chinese families like this? Why do they have to force them into a marriage when they don't even love each other? Isn't that unfair? Or is that just how rich families are?" Evo just smiled.

"What if, Chloe, I become your boyfriend for now? You wouldn't be ashamed of me, would you?" He said with a smile.

"Tss. How could I be ashamed of someone as handsome as you? Half of the girls in this school are dreaming of you. Do you think I'm still being picky?" I teased him, and he just laughed.

"You brat!" he pinched my cheeks playfully.

"Ouch! Evo, come on! I know I'm cute, but you don't have to pinch me," we both laughed. We both have problems, but we can still manage to laugh.

***

I heard the sound of a car outside. I quickly got up from the bed and peeked out the window. Maybe it's mom. I saw an unfamiliar black car. I saw a man quickly get out of the fancy car and rush to the passenger seat to open the door. My brows furrowed when I saw my mom step out of the car.

"Who's that guy?" I asked as I observed the man. Oh! I think he's my mom's boss. Yeah, it's him. I've met him before at the gatherings my mom attends. She sometimes takes me along to the events she goes to. Why is her boss dropping her off?

They even kissed on the cheek. Tsk. Are they that close? I saw my mom go inside, and the car left. I need to talk to my mom. I'll ask for permission to go to the beach. I went out of my room. I'll just wait for her here upstairs.

After a few moments, I heard the loud clack of heels on the stairs. Until I saw my mom coming up. A sweet smile immediately appeared on her lips when she saw me.

"Hi, sweetie. You're not asleep yet," my mom asked as she made her way up. I gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Who gave you a ride?" I asked.

"That's my boss. He offered to drive me home," I just nodded. Her car is in the auto repair shop again. It really seems like it's falling apart. We both headed to her room.

"So, why are you still up?" she asked and we entered the room.

"I'm just waiting for you, mom," I sat at the edge of the bed. She placed her bag on the couch.

"Why?" she asked and walked towards the closet. My attention was on her bag. I only saw it now, and it looks expensive. It's brown. I stood up and took the bag. I looked at the brand. Prada.

"Chlow, why are you waiting for me? Do you need something?" I turned to face my mom, who was currently picking out replacement clothes.

"Nice bag, mom," I commented instead of answering her. She turned to look at me.

"Just a gift from the big bosses. I was awarded the best employee of the year," she explained. I put the bag down and sat back on the bed.

"I wanted to ask for permission. It's Cheenie's 19th birthday. Evo's girlfriend and Junjie's childhood friend. We're invited by Evo to go to the beach. Is it okay if I go?"

"Aren't you going to have a problem with Junjie's family?"

"What do you mean by that, mom?"

"Sweetie, your boyfriend is Chinese. In Chinese tradition, arranged marriages are common. They have to marry someone who is also Chinese. Plus, we're not wealthy, and I'm a single mother. Our family isn't exactly ideal. I don't want you to get hurt because of this," my mom was right. We're already facing a problem now.

"But mommy, he's just my boyfriend. We're not getting married yet," I said and followed it with a soft laugh. My mom sat beside me and seemed lost in thought.

"It should have been Evo as your boyfriend. I glanced at my mom, surprised by what she said. She laughed loudly.

"Don't you like him? He's a handsome young man, and he's very kind too. I even thought he was courting you. There's something about the way he looks at you," tss. My mom is really something. She just says whatever comes to her mind.

"But seriously, dear. If it's Evo you end up with, I'd be at ease. I know his family is good, and I know he'll love and accept you no matter what our situation in life is."

God! She's really serious.

Well, she's right. Evo's parents are very kind. Cheenie is very lucky, but even her parents reject her. How is that fair? Evo's family is one of the richest in the country. Tito James is a successful businessman, running a real estate company, an architectural firm, and two universities. And Tita Chelsy is the most renowned architect in the country. She's even well-known in other countries. Their livelihoods are dizzying in their height. Meanwhile, we're like this. We're not poor, but we're far from being rich. Our lifestyle is miles away from theirs. We don't even have a business. How will Junjie's family accept me, when Evo's family, who are incredibly wealthy, are hesitant too? And our family isn't complete.

"Are you lost in thought?" my mom interrupted my thoughts.

"Nothing, mom. So, can I go with them? It's just in Batangas. Maybe for two days."

"Okay. As long as Evo is with you."

"Thanks, mom."