Arranged Marriage With My Ex-Boyfriend

Chapter 5: Arranged Marriage

Chapter 5: Arranged Marriage

Paris' point of view

I ended up having a lunch meeting with Mr. Kurt Ivo Dela Fuente in a fancy restaurant. Simply because he asked for my brothers' permission. I massaged my temple, feeling like I'm getting sick after this talk.

We talked about the projects that have connected to Dela Fuente Company. At first, it was very awkward for us to initiate a conversation but afterwards, I choke that we got along not in a romantic way but in a businesslike manner.

I've got to admit that Ivo impressed me. So that's is how he worked for all these years...

I wonder if he has a girlfriend now. I castigated myself. Why on earth did I think about that?! I should never give a care to his personal life---most especially his love life.

"Why are you frowning?" I snapped back to reality when Ivo spoke. "Is Project R-153 not a cup of of your tea?" he asked softly.

"Uhm..." I was mesmerized from the soothing voice of his before I blinked so many times. "Y-You're wrong. I-I like it but I haven't read the upcoming project proposals. I-I just arrived and this is my first day as the CEO of my Dad's company." I chastised myself as I could feel myself blushing from ashamed, realizing I stuttered.

Why do I feel shy?

Ivo chuckled. "Cute," he mumbled.

I frowned. "What?"

He shook his head. "Nothing," he said as he smiled sheepishly.

I rolled my eyes and continued to eat. I slowly heaved a sigh. This scene brought me back to our old days. A nice and warm lunch then we would laugh to one of our silly jokes. We were so happy way back until something happened.

"I did not mean to hurt you, Paris..."

My eyes glanced up and I met his clouded eyes. I made a poker face. "Stop..." I don't want to hear this again. I don't want to be reminded by our past.

It was all done.

There was no need to discuss.

"You already did, Ivo. You..." I paused as my voice choke like I gulped my words and my eyes stung. Stop it, Paris! Don't you f*****g cry in front of him! Don't be such a crying baby! "Thank you for hurting me..." A tear fell from my eye but I instantlt wiped it away.

I closed my eyes as I saw that old but painful memory again. It was the day be cheated on me...

"No... I did not mean to hurt you... Let me explain, Paris..."

"The prescription period of your explanation is expired. Besides, I... I don't need an e-explanation as to what I... I... I..." I couldn't continue the words I want to say. I am already on the verge of crying. I stood up and ran to the bathroom. I locked myself in one of the cubicles.

I covered my mouth with my hand as I tried so hard to suppress my cries. I thought I already forgot it. I thought I already moved on from it.

But the moment I always laid my eyes on him, he just reminded me everything about the painful past of ours. I lied to myself. I just couldn't forget about it. Every inch of my body released hatred for him.

Not on my young heart, Ivo... Your words wouldn't deceive me again... I am a grown up woman now...

I bit my lower lip. Why did I have to agree with him to eat lunch with him?

Being with him would always remind me everything. It reminds me not to trust anyone especially guys. I never accepted suitors after my relationship with him.

I had my post-trauma with Ivo... because of what he did to our relationship. He crumbled every inch of it.

I calmed and composed myself. I don't want to face him, cried. I shouldn't be affected so much. I shouldn't show him any emotions. I shouldn't be the weak Paris four years ago.

I closed my eyes for a moment before I took a very deep breath. I opened the cubicle and checked my face. My nose was a bit red and swollen from the silent tears I shed. Very few women came to this comfort room and I'm so glad that right now, there aren't any people other than me... or so I think.

I stormed out from the comfort room. I gasped softly when I came to see Ivo who was leaning in the wall, facing the girl's comfort room. His hands were on his pockets, looking so hot at that position.

But seeing his eyes... it didn't appear the coolness in them. I saw the guiltiness written in his eyes and his jaw clenched upon seeing me.

I stood straight and cleared my throat as forced a smile at him. Be composed, Paris. Smile. Smile. Don't let him open the wounds again.

"Pardon my behavior, Mr. Dela Fuente. It's my fault for losing my coolness," I said formally.

"Uhm..."

I raised my hand to stop him to talk. "No need to say anything. Shall we continue our lunch then?"

Ivo blinked before he nodded quietly. We went back to our seat and silently ate our food. No one dared to talk. No one opened up about the upcoming projects of the two companies. Not even the past we had.

It's just silence that enveloped our being.

Weeks had passed and I got totally forgot about the embarrassing moment. I became more focus to our company and kept it in bay. It was so stressful being in a highest position that I always didn't realize what time I should go home if I hadn't been reminded by my secretary.

My brothers had became distant these past few days. I always caught them talking in the library but whenever I entered and asked them what it is all about, they would change the topic and leave the library, leaving me alone.

I sighed.

It's like they have been hiding something from me.

That's they always do even from before. Always leaving me out of the topic the family should talk about. As if... I've never been part in the adult world now, treating me like a baby.

I got a nervous feeling whenever they talked with the four of them including my father. I felt like they always had a serious conversation about me every time I visited them in Kuya Ethan's house.

In the end, I ended up spending my time with my niece, Silena.

"Yehey! Let's go, auntie!" Silena beamed, jumping in joy.

I chuckled as I held her hand then looked at my sister-in-law, Sabrina. "We'll be back after lunch."

"Of course," she said, smiling. Then she turned to her daughter. "Be a good girl, sweetie. Don't make ruckus, hmm?"

Silena saluted her mother. "I'm a good girl, mommy. Don't worry..." she said and showed her toothy grin.

I chuckled from her action. So cute. I want to pinch her cherub cheeks later.

"I'm afraid you have to postpone of going out, my dear."

We all looked at Ethan who was in the middle of stairs beside him was Stephen and Dylan. They all have serious expression like they had just gotten in a rotten fight verbally.

"Why?" Silena asked as her beaming tone turned down.

"Paris, we need you upstairs. In the conference room," Ethan said as he continued going downstairs.

He reached for his daughter and kissed her in forehead. "I'm sorry, sweetheart but you can't go to mall today. We need to talk to your Aunt Paris now."

"But I wanna go now." She pouted, about to cry.

"This is very important, Len. We need to speak with your aunt now," he explained, turning his head to his wife. "Sab, you know what I mean..."

I furrowed my brows when Ethan gave Ate Sabrina a meaningful look. She sighed and nodded. "Okay, dear. I understand." She took Silena from my brother. "Come, Len. Let's go to the mall."

"But... how about auntie...?" Her voice was very sad.

"She'll go with you next time," Sabrina explained as they went outside, leaving the four of us in an awkward silence.

"Paris, let's go."

I clenched my teeth, stopping myself to snap at my brother as I followed them silently. But that wouldn't last me to be silent all the time.

"What is happening?" At last, I spoke. But no one answered me. No one. But a moment later, Dylan spoke.

"You'll know later," Dylan said softly.

"Is this about the company?" I asked him. He shook his head. That made me confuse. "Then what?"

"Something more than that." My head turned to Stephen.

"What do you mean?" Curiosity started to kick in me.

He didn't answer.

I balled my fists. What the heck is happening? Why do I have this eerie feeling? I felt like I wanted to back out right now.

We all entered in the conference room, still the awkward silence encircled us. I sat in the couch, opposite of them.

"What is really going on here?" I asked as my voice started to rise.

"We're going to talk about your future, Paris," Dylan started.

"About my future? What do you mean?" This has gotten me confusing of what he is saying. What's with my future? Don't tell me that they could predict my future and are going to tell me what's gonna happen next?

"You see, Paris... We have taken care of your future." Stephen said.

"What the f**k are you saying? I don't even understand what you are all talking about." They are already getting in my nerves already. "Stop beating around the bush! Tell me now!" I exploded because I couldn't take the suspense of this talk.

"Long before you hadn't come home..." Ethan started as he reminded me that I was gone to somewhere for the past four years. "In hopes that you will come back, Dad has taken care the promise he had with his best friend."

My brow arched in curiosity. Promise of what? "And that is?"

"A promise of arranged marriage."

I leaned in my seat. "What about it? Is Dad tied up in an arranged marriage with his best friend?"

They all looked at each other like they found my question so silly. What's wrong with my question? Especially what's the connection of my future with that arranged marriage of Dad.

It took Ethan to talk again. But as he opened his mouth, I never knew that going home is a regrettable decision I had ever made.

"This is your arrange marriage we are talking about, Paris."

"What...?" I blinked. "My what?"

It took me so long to process of what they said. My what? My what? What...? I...

"Your arranged marriage, Paris."

The moment Stephen said those words and it sank right away in my system, enrage started to arise inside me. I stood up in anger. "What the f**k are you talking about?! How on earth did I have an arrange marriage?!"

"Paris, calm down. We'll explain to you," said Dylan in his calmed tone.

I glared at him. "Calm down?! Calm down?! How can I calm down from this s**t you all had said?! Who do you think would calm down upon knowing I am in an arranged marriage to a guy I didn't know?! f**k you all!" I outburst as tears started to fall.

My knees wobbled and I dropped on the floor, crying. My two eldest brothers, Dylan and Stephen tried to reach for me but I jerked them away.

"Paris..."

Angered, I looked at them disgustingly. "Don't you all f*****g touch me, you f*****g morons! How can you let this happen?! Why don't you just put yourself in an arranged marriage instead of me?!" I was becoming hysterical because I do not like this idea.

How could they let me put in this kind of situation? Why am I in an arranged marriage?

"I'm sorry but all of my eldest children are boys, my daughter."

I looked up as Dad entered in the room with his two bodyguards on his side.

"How could you do this to me?! f**k you!"

"Paris!" Ethan lunged at me and slapped me. I looked at him, surprised from the slap. "Don't speak ill about our Dad!"

"Ethan! You are being too much!" Dylan stepped forward and lunged at Ethan, charging him a punch.

Stephen helped me to stand and hugged my side as I cried on him. "f*****g Ethan! You don't have to slap our sister!" he said angrily.

"Paris has a badmouth! She should be punished!"

"You son of a b***h! What kind of logic is that?!" Dylan punched him again.

"Stop it!" Dad shouted in anger. "Dylan, stop it! Ethan, shut your f*****g mouth! I do not say an instruction for you to slap your sister!" Dad came over me and hugged me. I hugged him back, crying. "Stephen, don't even think about it..." His voice warned Stephen as I caught him lunging at Ethan.

"But Dad... I couldn't just let Ethan slide from what he did to Paris!"

"That's enough!" he said sternly. He turned to his bodyguards. "Sid, Leon, get my three sons out of here. I need to speak with my daughter."

"Dad..." My three brothers said in unison.

"No. I'll talk to her and you all stay outside."

As soon as Dad's bodyguards guided my brothers out of the conference room, Dad made me face him. He checked my swollen cheek. I could feel that it left a mark there.

"I'm so sorry for the behavior of your eldest brother, Paris. I-I know he didn't mean that to slap you."

I wiped my tears and stepped backward. "This is all your fault, Dad. Why would you put me in this kind of arranged marriage? I do not want it! I am against this!" I almost yelled at my father.

I took a deep breath as I need to calm. That slap woke up my senses as how insanely my father was.

"A promise is a promise, my dear. My best friend, Andres, and I had already promised that once I got to have a daugter and he got to have a son, we will bind them as one. Same goes with your mother, Isabella that she happened that her best friend is Andres' wife, Carolyn. We made a pact to each other," he said and slowly sat down in the sofa.

I slowly shook my head. "You're... you're insane, Dad. So is Mom." This is really insane. "You can't make me do this... Don't do this. I would definitely hate you... you and kuya..." I said, clenching my teeth.

Dad stretched a small smile. "I'm so sorry, sweetie. But this is for the best of your future. Whether you like or not, you're going to marry the guy I had engaged with you. Don't worry, he's a nice guy."

I looked at him in disbelief. "You're... kidding me..." I said then shook my head. He is really putting me in an arranged marriage...

"He's a nice guy, Paris. I tell you. His name is Kurt Dela Fuente, son of Andres Dela Fuente."

I gasped, shocked. "What?!"