Rebellious Love

Rebellious 02

Papa let me live like a princess. They never meddle in how I wanted to live my life. Even when my name was dragged and even my actions drew on predicaments, they still didn't restrict me. When I told them I don't want to handle the family business, they agreed because they wanted me to be happy.

They allowed me to do anything I wanted. To pursue what I desire, they didn't get angry. Without conditions, they said yes to whatever I liked. But I'm a grown-up woman who knows my limitations! I won't use drugs by any means!

Until the scandal blows up. Last night... In just the spur of the moment, my life will completely change.

I don't know how to get away. I tried calling my friends for help but I realized my line is out. I wanted to escape but the whole place was guarded, secured, and they even installed another set of cameras around.

One wrong move and I'm sure the bodyguards will drag me back to my room.

I cried the whole night until it wore me out that I fell asleep with dry tears on my cheeks. Even when morning came, Papa still talked about the man he thought would be the solution to my problem. While I was just eating, I was silently furious.

How can they arrange something that would make me suffer? It's awful. They're awful!

"You will meet him soon, Lili..."

I gritted my teeth.

Surely, there's a way to get away, right? Every problem has a solution but marrying me off is ludicrous! Maybe I can just talk to the man he's talking about and see if he does completely agree with it? Maybe not, I hope so. I'm hoping he's the type of person who has the guts to say no to my father because most people do say yes to whatever he says.

If he wanted to give up his bachelor's life, then he should look for someone who's willing to give away her freedom! I'm definitely not the right woman for that!

"Rayver Clemente will take care of you, Lili. I'm sure of that. You don't have to worry about anything. He will take care of you," Papa assured but I don't need it.

Hearing all those from my father, I knew that man already agreed before I could even say no.

I feel like crying again. Why does it sound so easy for him to say yes to this ridiculous marriage?! And why can't he say no?! He probably loves seeing a woman ruin her life being stuck with him!

I know I am very screwed. I'm too broken to even think of a way. Too damaged... And my parents were too occupied to hear my plea.

That was why I put all my effort into escaping. I don't know how I did it, I just did with all my desperate silent pleas. As I feel like losing myself if I hadn't, with no one else to talk to, in the four corners of my room with nothing but hate for my parents, I fled to breathe.

For a while, I wanted to live my life again before my life became more miserable.

I hated it. I still can't believe they're willing to see me cry on the day I walk in the aisle! I don't even know who's that guy they talked about! They're too heartless! I can't believe them!

Oh my god, why has my life turned out to be like this? All I wanted was to live a lavish life.

To marry, it's something I'm not ready for yet. Definitely not what I wanted. I can get away with my issue without a man, however, my father already came up with a ridiculous decision! They didn't even ask my opinion about the matter, they didn't even consider the cons of marrying me off!

They thought that I can't break the issue alone! So instead of trusting me, Papa insisted on bringing someone in the picture to do it for me.

Yes, the issue will subside. The public will buy it, they will believe whatever they see as they did to me, and the scandals will be cleared up. That's the only purpose of it after all. And I will definitely file a divorce! By means, it must be done after everything falls into its right place.

I will just use him for my own likings. He won't take anything from me. Caring about it is no use for Papa. He was serious about marrying me off. He always goes through whatever is in his mind especially if the goal is to save his daughter's face.

Yet the idea is fallacious! It's groundless! The way of saving my name from the scandal is nonsensical! Can I just run away and hide? A call would end my misery. It would save me from unwanted marriage but I refuse to mail my brothers who will certainly do everything for me to get away from it.

Papa will surely get wind of it. He will undoubtedly punish them for helping me. It's the last thing I want to happen. I don't want to cause that much trouble.

"Lilienne! Stop! You're wasted! Look at yourself, you look awful!"

My eyes rolled back due to the immense pressure of alcohol running down my body. She tried to snatch the glass but I refused to.

"I can still manage myself, Ria. Don't worry too much."

Hell, I'm drunk! I couldn't stand straight and my head is aching! My world is spinning around because of too much alcohol. I'm wasted but I can still remember my dilemma! What's the purpose of imbibing these alcohols if I can't ever forget that jam!

"How can I not?! You are drunk. Come on, I will drive you home."

"I don't want to go home," I smiled playfully. "Let me stay here tonight. The people in our house went crazy, Ria! They wanted to sell me off!"

"You mean, marry you off," Ria sighed.

"They're just the same! Marrying me off to someone I don't even know means selling me off! There's no difference!"

My back hit the sofa. I closed my eyes as I felt the burning sensation down my throat.

"Rayver Clemente... Rayver Clemente..." I chanted.

"Rayver Clemente? Doesn't ring a bell."

Is he rich? Papa won't choose someone who's not. His name doesn't sound familiar to me, even Ria didn't recognize him, so I assumed he's not that opulent. Or maybe because I'm not just interested in knowing which is which, who's on top of the richest individual in the business world.

I'm curious about what he is like. Why Papa chose him above all else. What he's up to, what he wanted, why he agreed to this foolish disposition. Is it money? His desires to have connections? Or maybe he pleads with him to arrange us because he knows and likes me even before the scandal blows up?!

It's possible, right? He saw an open door, so he came running to Papa and affirmed this to happen! He pursued him and used my situation to get on me! He likes me! Those who agreed to marry someone they don't love are fools! Only a foolish man can do that!

And that Rayver Clemente is no exception. How disgusting!

Days passed by and I'm still hoping they would change their mind. It has been a week but Papa still complains whenever he sees my name in the newspaper he reads every morning. That's when I slowly lose my hope. The scandal hasn't cooled down yet. The Madrigal princess is gradually falling and it deliberately takes away my freedom.

I'm so hopeless. It's disheartening to see what the future holds for me.

"Once you're married, the issue will subside. Your name will be cleared up, Lili, and you will start working in our company. Or you can just stay at your future house and do the wifely duties as I expect you to," Papa spoked during our dinner.

"I will work, Papa," I replied quickly. "You don't expect me to be a wife to someone I don't love."

"Well, that's good. Now that we're clear, I anticipate seeing you working instead of partying. I hope your name will not be dragged down again."

"That's a good start. Do it not just for the company but for your own sake, Lilienne," Mama smiled reassuringly.

"After your marriage, I will give you a position and have someone prepare your office in the company. For now, take your time knowing Rayver. He's a good man. I have set a date for us to meet him. You and Rayver, you have to work things out to convince the public."

His name alone made my heart shouts in bitterness. A good man?! I highly doubt it. How can Papa call him one? That man must have a good persuasion skill for Papa to bargain with that devil!

At least my father still knows the purpose of the marriage. I hope that Rayver clearly grasps his affair in this whole thing. For I have already plotted our lives together.

We will divorce. No matter what. It must be done according to my plans.

I plastered a fake smile. "You seem close with that man, Papa. How come I didn't hear of him?"

"You're not interested to know my affairs in life, Lili, not to mention it's about business."

I couldn't find the will to indulge myself in a chaotic world where crime might occur. Now that Rayver Clemente intruded, I guess I'd have to be cautious at all times. Who knows what he's capable of? Papa trusts him, yes, but I don't.

"Is he that influential, Pa? You chose him over everyone. How sure are you that he could be a big help to fix the blot?"

"I trust him. He's more fitted to be your husband for a while until the issue cools down. Before that, you'd have to appear with him in public," Papa sounded confident.

"And act as if everything is real..." I muttered disapprovingly.

"For the public to stop feasting on your name, yes, you have to."

My eyes fall on my silent mother. She didn't even say a thing to stop Papa. I feel so defeated. I feel so betrayed. The urge to plead was strong but I didn't. Because I know it's pointless.

"Mama..."

"Just put up with it for the meantime, Lilienne. We didn't tell you can't divorce him after, of course, you can. We will help you. But for a while, stick with the plan for the media to stop directing the news to you and the scandal you were involved with."

I looked down at the food. It was barely touched. I thought of words to say but Papa spoke again.

"Endure it... That's the consequence of your action, so be responsible enough to cooperate."

It wasn't my fault. I didn't know. But telling them those again is useless. Everything is planned. All I could do now is wait until the wedding and practice acting to appear so genuine.

"The day after tomorrow, he will be here. I expect you to act accordingly."

My lips formed into a thin line. "Okay..."

"Okay?" My mum seems surprised. "Just okay... I hope you're not plotting a scene in your head, Lilienne."

"Whatever I'd do, I know the wedding will happen. No matter what, right, Papa?"

"Yes, so don't bother to escape," he said in a straight voice.

They're so heartless. I'm sure I'd act up again once I see the man he talked about. This isn't a simple marriage. It's a life-changing decision and even if we separate, I'm afraid it might affect me in the future.

A divorced woman... There's nothing wrong. I just don't want to be labeled as such because of this petty situation.