Our Lies Our Promises

"Mà? How many times do I have to repeat myself! I don't want to marry someone I don't even know!" I turned to my housemates before I took a deep breath and slowly calmed myself. They looked scared because my mom and I had a fight here in the living room. When I looked up at Mama, her expression was still the same. Both pleading and sadness passed through her eyes .. but what can I do? Eh, I really won't allow it! "I know that, Eden..." She smiled sadly making my brows furrowed because of confusion. Just last month when I was in Manila, my parents broke the news about the sudden downfall of our company due to an incident. The company was really owned by my uncle, one of papà's siblings which was passed down to older brother, kuya Nathan after he graduated Magna Cum Laude in Engineering, since they had no my aunt and uncle had no children. They have a good firm under the management of brother Nathan in recent years, but because brother Nathan received a big project in Canada, he temporarily managed it with tito again, but because tito is a bit old, kuya Nathan just thought about it. that only Kuya Finn would manage it temporarily; he's one of our cousins ​​who I don't know a bit ... I don't even know my older brother why he managed him! So, After three weeks of work, the company went bankrupt! Because he was working on a project that now suddenly collapsed while the construction workers were working. Authorized researchers says that it was because of the materials used. Kuya Nathan got angry so he came back here to the Philippines to fix what happened, and what's worse, we have many business partners who ended the connection with our company, because kuya is even more stressed. And he’s not the only one who’s stressed. Me too! Mamà and Papa had a friend back then who was also one of the successful ones who owned a construction firm here in the Philippines and was ready to help, but that was not the case ... My case was that they wanted me to marry the owner’s son; which is technically the CEO of their firm! So I'm angry and that frustrate. My parents aren't like this so I wonder why they want me to marry someone I don't even know ?! "Eden, ... calm down first. I told you, didn't I? You are the dominator. You will decide if you want to marry him or not." I made a sarcastic face at my mother. "What, Mom? And I really don't want to get married!" I shook immediately. "I said I don't want to, then you want to introduce me to that gung-gong ?!" "Eden ..." she called. I shook my head even more. "I really don't want to get married! When was there an arranged marriage in this family ?!" "Eden, he wants to see you and get to know you." I scoffed. "Edi give him that picture!" I pointed at my biggest picture frame hanged at our living room wall. That was the picture when I graduated as a Registered Nurse. If he wants to see me always, let them give it to him! That picture is still big, isn't it? "Eden! This is not a game, hija .." "Mà! My life is not a game either! Why do I have to marry someone I don't know. I don't want to!" "This is for the company--" "And why was I the compensation? Kuya may be the owner but Kuya Finn was in charge when the accident happened!" I can't stopraise my voice. I was about to die from this pressure! "Why isn't Arabelle the one to get married then ?!" Arabelle's my cousin. Younger brother of older brother Finn. "Eden, you're the one he wants to meet--" "That's bullshit!" I saw that Mama was a little taken aback when I suddenly shouted. "Who is that ?! And why does he seem to want to be followed here ?!" "Eden ..." "Let's not postpone this, Mà. I don't want to marry him. Period!" In Mom's face I knew she was hurt by the situation too, but why did I need more? I can’t marry someone I don’t know yet, and I don’t love. I close my eyes when I remember him. Damnit! For the past years, I thrived so hard to move-on from the past, from what happen, from him ... then now, they want me to marry someone because they want them to help us? Why, I will not allow that! I can't see myself in the future, living with a man whom I don't even felt a mutual understanding with. I shuddered as I imagined what his face was like. I'm not judgmental, but I have taste. "You decide, Eden. We'll have dinner with them--" "Dinner ?! Oh maybe you guys are about to start planning the wedding ?!" Mom's brows raised. "No, Eden." She assured her smile. "Like I said. It's up to you to decide. Whether you want the engagement to continue or--" "And I really can't keep that up!" I cut her off, laughing sarcastically. "He's kind, Eden. I already saw him when we met with your dad." I rolled my eyes at what Mom said. Ofcourse he'll be kind! That's their technique. It will look good even if there is a bubble inside. Tss. "He's also responsibe, hija. He may look arrogant, but he's polite and respectful." I didn't answer and smiled sarcastically at what Mom was saying. "Plus, he's handsome." Now my forehead is furrowed, I turn to my mother and cross my arms. "And what can I do with her handsomeness, ma'am? I'll eat?" "Eden ..." Her eyes widened. I groaned, getting tired with this nonsense. "Mom, whatever else you do. I won't allow it," I smiled softly at Mom and turned my back on her. I walked straight up the stairs and didn't look back at him, hurried back to my room to rest. When I opened the door of my room I immediately squatted on the bed and washed my face with my palms over and over. I heaved a silent sigh before I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling for too long. I'll be back to Manila next week, but I feel like I want to leave tomorrow. This incident is not just tiring. It's depressing me! Who is that man ?! It's like I want to kill him in annoyance even though we haven't met! And he was the one who wanted to tell my parents that I would make a decision if we ever met. Thick! I will definitely not allow that engagement! What did he think? Ma la-love at first sight I with him immediately and all of a sudden I declare that we are engaged? Who am I? Anna ?! At the end of the day, I was just in the room and didn't want to go out because my mom and I had a little fight earlier when suddenly there was a knock on my bedroom door. "Come in," I uttered softly, thinking it was Mama but it wasn't. Kuya Nathan was looking at me carefully, standing at my door frame after he opened the door. Did not speak. My brows arched. “What is it, to? " He smiled before he went further inside. "Do you want to talk about something?" Here he is at the same time he is sitting next to me. "Nothing?" I replied, a bit confused. "I know you wanted someone to talk to, Eden." He raised my chin using his palm. "Is this about your engagement?" "No engagement, brother. I won't allow that," I said in a dismissal manner. He chuckled. "I know ... It must be hard for you since you don't know him yet." "Ofcourse. What would they expect?" I arched a brow. "Why did you say that? Do you know him?" He took refuge. "It's just Ethan," "Then can you asked him?" I asked. "Maybe ..." he shrugged. I sighed and rested my back on the headboard. "Maybe your fiancè won't be really that hard for you to like him, Eden. What do you think?" "Really, brother?" I asked sarcastically, getting a little pissed. Don't tell me he's ganging up with my parents ?! "It's your decision, Eden ... but I have a feeling--" "Oh, please ... that proves nothing." I rolled my eyes and sighed. "I don't understand, brother. Why do I need more?" I lookes at him with tired eyes. "Eden ..." One of the reasons on why I don't want this arramge marriage to continue is because my heart was already locked for someone else.