If Only

Chapter 4: Beautiful Boy

Ender

"Sorry about that boss," Graham said after we had to stop abruptly on our way to my future in-laws' estate. I wasn't paying attention on the road, my eyes and hands busy checking my phone for the updates on my business back in the city.

I raised my head and looked out the window. It seemed that it rained the night before. The roadside was wet and muddy.

There were a few houses on our way, humble ones. My great grandparents came from the same background and hard-work got them to where they're at.

I had never been to this place before. My business meetings with Renato Santillan had only been in the city. He's lucky I agreed to come all the way here. My parents were his partners before and now that I'm running the family empire, I'm the one he has to meet from time to time.

His daughter came to our conversation one time when my mother mentioned settling down. I didn't object nor ask any questions. There was neither pressure nor demand for me to come with this agreement. There was nothing to lose either. So here we are. I will be marrying someone's daughter as a business agreement.

My mother said love can be learned. I don't believe it. I bet she knew that. Money was everything to the family. My parents had an arranged marriage but she said to me, "I learned to love your father. I couldn't help it."

It's not for me. I'm twenty-eight years old and I still haven't felt that kind of feeling.

***

"Mr. Ayutthaya, it's so good to finally have you in our home," Jenna Santillan greeted me as soon as I entered the ancestral house their family live in. It was the only mansion I had seen on our way here.

Earlier, we stopped at an orchard where Renato showed me his family plantation of a variety of fruit-bearing trees. Now it's lunchtime and we headed home to his house for a meal.

"Ender, this is our daughter. Tricia," Renato introduced me to his daughter. It was the first time we met. Our engagement was even done without us showing ourselves being together. Hence, rumors came around saying I was getting married. I didn't confirm nor deny anything. Only a few people know just yet.

"Nice to meet you," Tricia said as she held out a hand and when I held mine, she came close to me and pulled me to a hug. I stood there unmoving, not returning the embrace.

I could sense the awkward atmosphere but I could care less. I let her go and went on to tell them that my parents would be at the wedding. They were flying straight from London. It was just me and my driver who would be staying for a few days until the ceremony.

"So what do you like to do as a hobby, Ender?" Tricia asked as we started eating lunch.

I shrugged off the question. There was nothing I could tell her. Hobby wasn't for me. I'm always working.

Her parents began to ask me a series of questions regarding my personal life. Perhaps they think they had the right now that I was marrying their daughter. I answered straightforwardly but with no elaboration to the "why" questions or any other related to that.

When they asked me if I dated anyone. I said no and a thin smile at the question as to why. They asked me how many kids I wanted. I said one. Why not two? I gave them a thin smile.

I would rather get this ceremony over with and be done with it.

"We don't need to wait for five more days," I declared after I was done eating. "I have people coming to help with the preparation. Let's do it the day after tomorrow."

Turning to Renato, I continued. "We did agree to get it done in three days after I arrived. You're not backing out of that, are you?"

"O-Of course not," he replied to me.

"Then it's settled," I concluded. "If you don't mind, I'd like to get to my room."

"Yes, of course." Jenna Santillan nodded at me and asked someone to take me to the guest room. "And Tricia, why don't you help Tanisha as well to get Ender to his room."

I walked ahead as followed the elderly lady named Tanisha. Tricia was right next to me.

"We're not yet married, sweetheart, so I suggest you give me my space when I want it," I told my future bride before approaching the door to my room. She smiled as she brushed a hand down my arm.

"I'll be yours in two days. Does it matter?"

My eyes followed her hand on my sleeve. I took her hand off me and returned her smile with a cold gaze. "Don't expect anything from me until I come to you. We just met and you know what you're getting into."

I headed to the room after the elderly lady opened the door for me. "I'll take my luggage in. Would you mind showing my driver where his room is," I asked her.

"Absolutely, Sir."

Graham left with her. I looked back and Tricia was still standing a few feet away, looking at me. I ignored her and headed inside.

I had a long drive and an even longer night before that. I was tired but I didn't want to sleep. I walked towards the bed, stopped, and continued towards the balcony when I noticed that the doors were open.

It seemed peaceful everywhere. I could hear chatters from workers around the estate but I couldn't see anyone. Until a dog came into view running playfully across the back of the mansion.

A young man, probably in his teens, was running after it with a collar in his hand.

"Clay! Buddy, you need to wear this!" He shouted as he ran after the mutt. A wind blew my way. The wind chimes sounded as I looked down to get a better look at the boy.

How could he be so fair-skinned in this part of the country? He's even fairer than my bride was. My eyes were glued on him as he laughed with his pooch. Yes, the dog seemed to be laughing with him.

A smile curved on my lips when he finally caught the dog and put the collar on him. My heartbeat suddenly went haywire when the boy looked up and saw me.

His head tilted and he smirked at me. He gave me a side eye and walked away with the dog in tow.

"Hey!" I shouted. I didn't know why I had the urge to call him back. I didn't know either why I felt... happy when he looked back.

I saw his lips move but I couldn't make out what he was saying. Those lips got me speechless after he said something aloud, "Yes, Mr?"

This beautiful boy...

What the hell just happened to me?