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"Theo, stop building blocks in the middle of the living room." A hiss escaped my mouth as I almost step on my little brother's blocks. 

"Sorry ate, I'll keep them away na." he replied before breaking his buildings and putting them back to its container. I shut my eyes tight before massaging my temples, damn this kid, 12 years old and still playing blocks. He's damn 6th grader, and it's 7 in the morning, he should be eating breakfast to get ready for school. 

"Lory, don't scold your brother and come eat." I hear mom call from the dining. I look at Theo who's still fixing his blocks. I sigh and rolled my eyes a bit before carefully folding my skirt to crouch down and help him with his blocks. 

"Next time, if you want to play, play earlier, then once it's time for breakfast, keep them away. Huwag mo pati ikalat nang ikalat. Umaabot sa likod ng sofa." I said while helping him with the toys, he just nod as he continue to break the other buildings. I stand up once he's already closing the lid of the container. I waited for him to put it at the side before the both of us proceed to the dining. 

"What took you two so long? Lory diba I called you na?" Mom said with a hint of annoyance in her voice. 

I take my sit and ignored what mom said before putting rice and hotdogs on my plate. 

"Ate, hand me the ketchup please." Theo softly said, I glance at him then glance at the ketchup on my side before grabbing it and handing it to him. 

"Thank you!" He said before drawing a smiley face on his omelette. 

I just sat there silently eating, mom and tito Thiago are talking about something. It's something about franchise, business to be exact. I am not, and will never be interested in that business of them. Just... too  much responsibility for me. I don't see myself in the future taking over the business. Am I even gonna reach college? 

"Ate, taste my coffee po, it taste nice." I look at Theo who's offering me his coffee, I look at it from the top and saw that it does looks nice. 

I gave him a slight smile, "No thank you, I don't like coffee Theo, remember?" I softly said, a pout formed on his lips before slightly nodding and went back on eating. A sigh escaped my lips as the pout on his lips is still there. 

"Okay, let ate taste nga." I reach for his SpiderMan mug and I immediately saw how his expression lightened. 

I took a very small sip from it and the bitterness immediately explode in my tongue. 

"Mhmm, that taste nice. Gawa mo? You put chocolate powder 'no?" I said and his eyes widened and nodding. 

"I did ate, did you like it? Do you want me to make some for you tomorrow?" He excitedly ask, a small chuckle escaped my lips before caressing his hair. 

"No thanks, ate is not used on coffee. But it's really nice! Just don't drink too much of it, okay? Bata ka pa, you should be drinking milk." I said and he nod cutely making me smile. 

"Bilisan mo nang kumain, Lory. You'll be late for school." I hear mom said, I look at her direction and saw her still focused on her food. My smile dropped and did what she said. 

Before the clock even strike 7:30, we were able to leave the house. Me and Theo took our own van to school while mom and tito Thiago are on their own car probably going to whatever business they have to do today. 

"Bye ate, take care!" Theo shouted from the other street, our school are just across each other. I waved back at him before entering the large gate of our school. And just like what has been happening even from my elementary, every student is looking at me as I walk through the pathway of the school and hallway of our building. 

"So everyone, the registration for players such as basketball, volleyball, football, relays, Palarong Bayan, and board games such as Dama and Chess is now open... go to our faculty later to sign up." A sigh escaped my lips as our teacher just announced that. 

"Shuta! Oo nga pala, palaro na nga pala in three weeks!" I look at Ali who looks like she just realized something that she isn't expecting. That's literally not that surprising at all. 

"I'm sure may practice nanaman ang band any day this week." Dagdag pa niya, I started putting my things back to my bag since that's our last period for today. 

"Sali kaya akong volleyball?" We all look at Gwen's direction when she asked that. 

"Tara? I'll sign up the registration." I said and Gwen's eyes widened. 

"Yes! Sabay tayo mag pa lista." Gwen excitedly said and I nod once. 

I look at Jax's direction who's just silently fixing her things, "Ikaw Jax? Ayaw mo?" I asked and Jax's head snap at my direction. 

Jax shake her head, "Nope, ayaw ko, not very an athletic person." She replied and I slowly nod. 

"Ikaw Tobi? Tara volleyball?" Pag-aaya ko naman kay Tobi. 

"Oo nga Tobi, ang tangkad mo kaya. Pwede ka libero or center." Gwen suggested but Tobi shook his head. 

"Ayaw ko, tinatamad ako mag practice." Tobi answered, a pout escaped my lips, more like a disappointed one. 

"Mag hahanap nalang daw siya ng gwapo." Jax joked, Tobi immediately hit Jax on her arm.

"Yun naman pala! Maghahanap ka taga Munhigh? Or Lab High? Malay mo sa mga taga Montisori meron din." Ali joked, they started laughing while Tobi is just glaring at them.

"Malay mo taga Munhigh pala talaga forever mo, tanong ka lang kay Ali, sa MunHigh nag tuturo mama niya." Gwen teases, Tobi's expression dropped even harder.

"Ang bad niyo! Tinatamad lang talaga ko mag practice! Ayaw ko 'no!" Tobi replied, crossing his arms. I looked at their reaction if they are actually buying it. Well Ali doesn't.

"Ah alam ko na, andito na sa OLLA ang forever niyan. Hindi lang sinasabi sa atin." Tobi's mouth formed into a large 'O' and his eyes widened.

"Hala!! Hindi ah! Ayaw ko nga! Eww!" Tobi exclaimed, even making gestures making us laugh.

"Eh taga saan gusto mo?" I asked, crossing my arms on my chest. 

"Taga UST gusto ko..." Ali, Gwen, and I created a sound, a disappointed sound. Napa 'Jusko Po' pa nga si Ali. 

"Baka nga kahit mula dito sa OLLA walang pumatol sayo, mag hahangad ka pa ng taga UST?! Mag tigil Tobias Emory! Nahahagas bangs ko sayo!" Gwen said with her exagerated voice. 

"Wait... meron kang bangs? Asan?" Ali asked pulling Gwen's face examining her hair.

"Meron 'yan... invisible lang." Gwen replied smiling at Ali like a maniac, even posing, putting her hands on her waist.

"Ahh... sana all." Ali said letting go of Gwen's shoulders. I just silent sat there while watching them beaker with each other. 

"Ikaw Laura? May sasalihan ka na sports?" Nilingon ko si Laura nang magtanong si Jax. 

"Huh?" Napasapo ako sa aking noo nang iyon ang isagot ni Laura. 

"May ibang inisiip." Ali teased and I saw Laura rolled her eyes. 

"Ano bang sabi mo Jax?" tanong ulit ni Laura at napa-iling ako. 

"Sabi ko, kung may sasalihan ka na sports?" tanong ulit ni Jax, we just all sat there looking at Laura. 

"Chess..." Napakunot ang noo ko. Laura isn't the type to play that kind of sport. She has been really off these pass days. I wonder if what's up with her life.

We had a small commotion because of that. And the day ended by us taking our ways home. During our lunchbreak, mom told me that the driver won't be able to pick me up. So I decided to text my cousin who have his Honda Rebel to pick me up. I just waited for few minutes and he already showed up. 

"May pupuntahan yata kayo ng mom mo mamaya." He said while we're on our way home. My brows furrowed and didn't bother to reply. 

When I came home, Theo is already at the dining, doing his homework and eating. 

"Can I have some?" I asked as I stopped by the side of the table, in front of his cookies that are on a plain, white plate. 

He look up at me and smile, "Sure ate, you can have some." He replied and I nod before taking a piece. I also went to the refrigerator to find a cookie cake, I place down my bag on a chair before taking out the cake from the ref and taking a slice and transfer it to a plate. I also put a scoop of plain vanilla ice cream on top. 

"I'll just be at my room, if you need something, just call me via intercom." I said as I pick up my bag, Theo nod, still focused on his homework and I proceed to take the stairs and go to my room. 

I have assignments to work on, but instead of doing them, I decided to grab a book from my shelf and read while eating the snack I got for myself. 

I'm peacefully reading around 6PM when my phone rings, I pick it up and saw Ali's caller ID which I immediately answered. 

"Hey, what's up?" I said as I answer it. 

[I'm fine, how about you? I should be the one asking you that. What's up, kumain kana ba ng dinner?] She ask from the other line which made me chuckle. 

"Ali, it's just 6PM, it's too early for dinner. But I'm having cookie cake with ice cream on top while reading a book." I answered and I heard her let out a small 'oh'.

[Remember the assignment sa English?] She ask and I hum. 

"I should be doing that, kaso tinatamad ako." I replied before playing with the pages of my book. 

[Oh, don't worry, I'll send mine to you.] She said and my brows furrowed. 

"Wait, Ali no need--"

[Sent, check mo nalang sa Messenger mamaya,] She paused when I heard a loud whistle. 

[AY, sige end call na. Don't forget to eat dinner. Don't stress about the assignment, I'll send you my others mamaya, bye!] Bago pa man ako makapag salita ay in-end call na niya. I pull my phone away from my ear and stare at the screen. 

"Ali talaga..." I said while shaking my head before checking her message which are the photos of her assignments for English. 

My head snap at the direction of my door when I hear a knock on it. Followed by Theo's voice making my brows furrowed. Sabi ko kapag may kailangan siya tumawag nalang sa intercome. I place down my phone and book on my bed as I get on my feet and walk towards the door. 

"Diba I said tumawag ka nalang?" I said as I open the door and Theo welcome me smiling. 

"Mommy told me to tell you to get dressed daw po. You two are leaving by 7PM, dinner daw with the owners of Pondz." he said and my brows almost reaching each other's ends. 

"And you? Kasama ka daw?" I asked but he shake his head. 

"No po ate, kayong dalawa lang daw po." he said and I slowly nod. 

What does mom wants now from me? 

"Sure sure, tell mommy I'll get ready na." I said and he nod before running away. 

"Careful!" Sigaw ko bago isinara ang pinto. I lean on my door, confusion still printed on my face. 

"What now?" I asked before walking towards my walk-in closet and choosing clothes to wear. 

I supposed it should be something casual because it's probably a dinner with some of their business partners. Pero bakit kailangan na kasama pa ako? 

I ended up choosing my new black, Chanel dress that reach my mid thigh. For my shoes, I chose my black, Dior heels that tito Thiago got me last month. I also matched my outfit with my white Prada bag and some jewelries. When those are on my bed, I went to my bathroom and took a body wash. I also brushed my teeth of course. I applied light make-up first before putting on my dress, shoes and the jewelries. I let my hair down and didn't bother styling it. 

Around 6:47, a maid knocked on my door saying that mommy is waiting for me in our living room. So I grab my handbag that contains my phone, hanker chief and a lip gloss before leaving my room and going downstairs. 

"Glad you're here, let's go." Mom said without even glancing at me. I sigh and followed her outside our house and entered our white Mercedes-Bens. 

The first few minutes of our ride is just pure silence, until I decided to speak which is a pretty much bad idea. 

"Mom, where are we going?" I asked while looking at mom. She glanced at me and sigh. 

"Don't ask too much questions, just don't embarrass me once we're there." She replied and I sigh, looking by the window beside me and roll my eyes. 

We stopped in front of Pondz Garden, mom got out first and I followed her inside the place. This isn't my first time here. I've been here for several times. I also know the connections of mom and tito Thiago with the owners of this place. My question is... what will happen tonight? Why am I needed here? 

"Liliana, welcome-welcome." I stopped walking when tita Julieta greets mom and even did a beso with her. 

Then she look at me and smiled, "Ang laki-laki mo na Lory, come, give tita Julieta a beso." She said and I forced a smile before walking towards her and greeting her with a beso. 

"Good evening po tita." I greeted, then I soon see tito Reynaldo walking towards us. 

"Ladies, come, the dinner is ready." Tito said and me and my mom followed tita Julieta inside the hall near the pool where wedding receptions are usually held. 

"Sam, greet Lory." Tito Reynaldo told his son, I saw Sam, someone I know since we migrated here in the Philippines and this small town. 

Sam put down his phone and I keep my attention on him as I sit down, he look at me and smiled.

"Hey, long time no see." He said and I nod. 

"Yeah,  it's been a while." I replied with the same monotone he used. 

"So... let's eat first. It's time for dinner." Tita Julieta happily said, I scanned the table first to see the foods on the table. I saw the fish fillet in front of Sam. I was about to stand up to reach for it when he pick it up and hand it to me. 

"What do you want? I'll hand it to you." He said as he hand my the plate of fish fillet. 

I slowly shake my head, "It's fine, thank you." I said as I put a piece of fish fillet on my plate and hand it back to him. I also reach for the pesto pasta near me and put some on my plate before start eating. 

The elders are talking to each other and about business, I didn't listen to them since I am not interested. I only snap my head up when I hear my name mentioned. 

I look at them with my eyes widened a bit. 

Tita Julieta chuckled, "What can you say if you and Sam get married in the future?" She ask and my eyes widened before looking at Sam who have a neutral expression printed on his face. 

I look at mom who have a threatening face, she widened her eyes on me which made me gulp. 

"P-Po?" My hands are shaking and so are my hands. 

Tita Julieta chuckled together with tito Reynaldo, "We're planning na ipakasal kayo ni Sam in the future. I'm sure you won't mind it, you two have been friends starting you and your mom got here in Tagkawayan. We're sure you two can work things out together." She said and I feel like something just blocked my throat. 

I cleared my throat, "Hindi po ba masyado pa kaming bata for that?" I asked before looking at Sam who still looks like he doesn't care on what's happening. Help me here you dumbass! We are about to get arranged into a marriage and you look so relaxed there! 

"That's why we're planning for you two to get married once you are both 21." Tito Reynaldo said and my eyes widened. 

21?! That's so young! They're losing their minds! 

"Or pwede rin naman na by 21, you can live together. Your dad told us that you will take your college in Ateneo De Manila University, Sam wants to study college there too. You two can live together by that time then get married when you finished college." Tita Julieta said. I gulp and look at mom then to Sam. 

What the fuck is happening? 

"Ahm... we'll see po tita." That's what I only want to say right now regarding those plans of theirs. I think I will pass out anytime due to that tension awhile ago. 

"Oh, don't mind Lory. She will agree on it soon. And even she don't, what can the two of them do? Nasa atin pa rin ang desisyon." Mom said and the three elders chuckled. I look at Sam who's silently eatimg.

When I saw Sam finished his food, I excused the both of us and the three agreed, thinking the two of us might talk about the arrange marriage. I drag Sam by the pool side where there's no much people and three can't see us. 

"What the... Sam! They are going to arrange us in a marriage! You look so unbothered!" I exclaimed, I almost shout but I controlled he volume of my voice. 

He look at me and sigh, "You're mom is right, wala sa atin ang desisyon kundi nasa kanila. Kahit magwala ka diyan, tumalon sa pool, ililigtas lang kita pero hindi magbabago ang isip nila tungkol sa kasal." He replied and my eyes widened before a frustrated sigh escaped my lips. 

"You're losing your mind too, Sam! We're just teenagers! I'm just 16! You're... I don't know--"

"17--"

"See! We're just highschoolers and they are already planning a stupid wedding for us! Don't you have a girlfriend!? A crush?! Someone you see yourself to get married with?!"  I also grip on my hair if I just don't want it to be messed up. He remove his hands from his pockets and cross them in front of his chest. 

"None," he shortly answered, 

My eyes widened, "What?! So it's okay for you to be married with me?! It's okay for you to be my husband?!" I asked, and by now, I know some might be hearing us. I look like a mad woman here. 

He tilts his head and stare at me which made me fix my posture and feel a bit insecure, "Ask that again." he said and my brows furrowed. 

I rolled my eyes and sigh, "I said, if its okay for you to have me as your wife--"

"Yes, so I don't see anything wrong with what they're planning." He cut me off, my lips formed a small 'o' and stand there in shock. 

"And if ever you find someone else you love once we are married in the future, I don't mind you loving someone else as long as you're still married to me."