Drunkenly Married to the Enemy

Chapter 2

I stared at my mother with narrowed eyes, already suspecting what she’s about to do. She never calls me to meet up—not for dinner, not for coffee, not for anything. Unless this is all a ploy for their business ventures.

I pulled a seat and sat beside her. This is a six-seat table. I already have an idea of what this meeting could be and I don’t want to assume but I couldn’t help it.

I wanted to ask her but I didn’t know how to start it.

“Just relax,” Mom told me in the sweetest voice I have heard from her since I decided to pursue modeling instead of studying for my Master’s degree in business management.

I pursed my lips and crossed my arms. “What is this about? Where is Dad?” I asked.

She smiled and reached out to hold my hand. “Your father is Shanghai tonight. He’ll be in Singapore tomorrow morning for his business meetings.”

Well, what’s new? Of course, Dad would go all around the world just to get everything done. He is that workaholic.

“Why did I even ask?” I mumbled as I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. I took it out and read the message from Prayne.

Prayne:

Are you home?

I sighed and typed in my reply.

Me:

Not yet. I’m having dinner with my mother.

Prayne knows how much I hated eating with my parents so I’m pretty sure he’d be shocked to read my reply. He also knows that I am not really in good terms with them so this would probably be a shock to him.

Not even thirty seconds have passed and he already replied.

Prayne:

Really? Must be torture for you, dear. Lol anyway, why did she take you out for a dinner?

I bit my lip and started typing when my mother suddenly stood up and greeted someone with a very alarming enthusiastic tone.

I looked up and saw a middle-aged man, probably a little older than my mom and dad, with a woman at least ten years younger than him walking towards our table with a huge smile.

“Good evening, Grayson and Allie,” Mom greeted them with a funny high-pitched tone. She sounded very friendly which I find weird, by the way. She doesn’t even talk to me like that.

The woman, Allie, smiled widely. She’s wearing a maroon formal dress with a huge gold band around her neck. Her gold and pearl earring dangle all the way down to her shoulder and was very much emphasized because her hair is in a low ponytail.

She looked like his daughter but when I saw how tightly the old man is holding onto her waist, I figured that it’s not the case. Maybe she is his partner. I don’t know. I don’t want to judge someone by her taste in men.

Grayson also smiled before looking at me. “You must be Jelia,” he said. And I can’t deny how awkward it is to be gawked by him. My mind doesn’t want to do it but I am already judging him based on his partner. I hate that I am this judgmental most of the time.

I nodded but I couldn’t hide how uncomfortable I am right now. “Yes, sir,” I said and prayed so hard that my voice didn’t tremble.

“I am Grayson Guzman.” I don’t really get why he’s talking to me like that. I hate that he sounds so friendly that it actually makes me sick in the gut. “This is my wife, Allie.”

I looked at Allie who is smiling widely at me. It’s weird. I feel so weird looking at her in the arms of a man who’s twice her age.

I smiled weakly, just so she wouldn’t think that I am rude. But I am. And I already want to leave the table and just sleep in my bed. Yes, that’s what I need the most right now.

“Shall we order dinner?” Mom broke the silence.

Grayson looked at her and chuckled. “Sure, Olivia,” he said as he took the seat that’s right across mine. He smiled at me before picking up the menu.

Allie sat beside him and looked at the menu as well.

I sighed and turned to my mother who’s looking at me with conversing eyes, mouthing something like, “Just go with it.”

I scoffed silently before shaking my head. I grabbed the menu and pretended to be extremely fascinated by all the dishes that don’t look delicious anyway.

“So, where’s Joven?” Grayson asked Mom.

She chuckled. “My husband is in Shanghai for a business trip.”

“He surely is a busy bee,” he chimed and called the waiter.

Mom nodded. “He sure is,” she beamed.

I could throw up at the tone of her voice. I can only imagine how she is in front of someone so important. Is she the submissive type of person in business? Because she surely is not the submissive type as a parent.

“My son cannot come tonight because he has some errands to do,” Grayson told Mom. “He’s already managing one of the businesses under my group so he is quite busy.”

I pursed my lips and in a split second, I saw Allie’s face change expression upon the mention of his son. It must be hard for her to deal with his son. I bet he’s as old as she is right now considering that he’s already managing the business. 

But that’s beyond me anymore. I don’t want to pry on things that don’t concern me. It’s just a waste of my time.

Mom nodded. “Is he as workaholic as you, Gray?” she kidded.

Grayson chuckled. “He’s as hard-headed as I am. That, I can assure you.”

“Oh!” Mom shook his head. “Then my daughter will probably have a hard time dealing with him.”

I stopped looking at the stupid menu and snapped my head towards my mother. “What do you mean?” I asked, trying so hard to still sound respectful even though I wanted to shout at her. She is still my mother and she is still the first woman I have ever loved.

Mom smiled nervously as she reached my hand on top of the table. She chuckled and squeezed my hand lightly.

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Why should I have a hard time dealing with someone I don’t even know?” I am confused but also getting annoyed at the same time.

I knew there was something about this dinner. And I already had an idea about what would possibly happen but I didn’t hope for it to happen. And now, it is already happening.

For the love of God, I wanted to run away.

“You haven’t told her yet?” Grayson asked which made me look his way.

“What is it?” It’s not it. It’s not it. I kept on chanting inside my head. No, no. It can’t be.

Grayson smiled weakly. “You’re marrying my son, Jelia. And the wedding is happening in two months.”

My jaw dropped together with my hands to my sides. I felt like I have lost my strength. How could my parents do this to me?