A pair of Selena's brown eyes swelling with shock were staring at the people sitting in the living room. Few men seem to be the guard standing on the side by the wall with hands-on their side and serious face.
Selena was bewildered after seeing her father and stepmother with an unfamiliar man sitting in the living room. Teas and cakes which she recognized were on the table, she gulped hard, everyone's eyes turned to her after her presence emerged from downstairs.
Questions gradually rushed in her mind, wondering why they are here and why there's a man with them. Selena looked at him, an aura of aloofness was plastered on his face, he was looking at her, and when their eyes met, he smiled, a smile which looked so sweet but, was giving her a different vibe.
From the third floor, Daniella's figured popped in the stairs.
"Hi, you missed the breakfast and we are out cakes so would you please go downstairs and starts baking please?" Daniella said - she had a laundry basket in her hand while her hair was ponied in a messy bun, behind her was Evan, carrying another basket full of clothes.
She rose an eyebrow, then looked at her father and stepmother.
She could see the difference between the two couples, one was living a simple life while the other – well she would think extravagant but, her father and Samantha deserve it since they have worked for it.
She nodded and turned to her father, and then with light feet and delight face, she walked towards him.
She was about to give him a hug when Samantha filled the space between her and Nathan and suddenly embraced her.
As their faces went closer together, she could feel Samantha's air as she whispered, "Can you cooperate and be nice to him?"
Selena rose an eyebrow. When Samantha pulled herself, there was a smile her lips, one would say it looked sincere and gentle but, knowing Samantha and what she had done, it looked fake in her eyes.
Selena forged a smile and then pushed Samantha aside to greet her father.
She wanted to ask why and what are they doing here but, her father just gave her a meaningful look, something she couldn't understand.
Then, a hand-stretched from her side caught by the corner of her eyes, she turned, looking straight at the unfamiliar man's blue eyes.
A line appeared in between Selena's brows as she stared at his hand, does she need to shake it? For a moment she wonders about her manner.
Her body frost, as if someone tied her body and tossed it in a frozen ocean, she couldn't move.
Her mind queried what would happen if she accepted his hand, having Samantha here and a young man tells her that something is about to happen, something she wouldn't like.
"I am David Cortez, cousin of Thirdy, the prince of Aragon," and the same smile he had earlier was once again appeared on his face.
His smile didn't reach its eyes, Selena gulped hard, without taking his hand, she turned to her stepmother, face wrinkling like a confused baby.
"What is happening?"
Samantha smiled, she reached for Selena's hand but the woman dodged it. A fake shaky laugh let out from her lips, eyes awkwardly sparkling turned to David.
"This is Mr. David Cortez since you are single and we are thinking that maybe we could set up a date, get to know each other."
Selena rose an eyebrow, followed by her lips giggling with sarcasm.
"Dad, did you not tell her that I have a boyfriend?"
Selena could see his father's eyelashes flickered after she asked that, and then his eyes nervously switched it between her and Samantha, and seeing his reaction has made her face went flat.
"Don't tell me that you don't know Samantha, you asked who I was with on the island," her eyebrows were creasing differently, irritation filled her mind as she stated at her stepmother.
And she didn't bother to hide her irritation, stomping her feet, she continued, "how can you bring a man here knowing that I have a boyfriend, did you even consider what would he feel if he finds out about this. Ugh!" barking that with anger, she turned around, her mind was in a maze, and she couldn't figure out how to solve her problem so she could escape.
"Selena, wait," her father tried to stop her by grabbing an arm.
She hardly shook it off and then turned to the man named David.
"Look, I know that they must have promised something, but whatever is it, it is useless. I am not a real Su ok? I am –" saying that aloud in front of her father was somehow pained her.
"I am not a Su and I don't deserve any of their money," she laughed bitterly and turned to her stepmother.
She knew it was her idea because her dad wouldn't have asked her about grandchildren in their last conversation if it was his idea and she just hated how easy it was for Samantha to manipulate her father.
"Samantha, if you think, marrying him would be an advantage to the Su business, why don't you marry him yourself!" and roaring those words with anger, she rushed downstairs.
She doesn't care that the strangers in their living room heard her. She doesn't care anymore.
As she held the rail of the metal stairs, her father spoke.
"Selena stop," by that time, he was already standing behind her.
"Why don't we try? I am your father so could you please listen to me, just this please," she could hear the desperation in his voice, as she looked into his eyes, he saw how gloomy they were. His eyes were conveying a message to her, but she couldn't understand what it was.
Her father's eyes were turning into a different direction, she blinked wondering if she's seeing things.
Then her father spoke, his words were like thousands of knives stabbing her heart.
"I raised you so could you at least pay my kindness with this? Just try to get to know him, just one month honey. A month and if you don't want-"
Selena cut him out, an eerie sound was making her ears uncomfortable and for the first time, she looked at her father with disgust.
"You raised me?" she laughed with tears shimmering her eyes.
"You and mommy were busy playing Mr. and Mrs. Smith that you two have forgotten about me. I was just six when you die – ish. You didn't bother to tell me that you are alive because of what or who? Because of the twins who are strangers. You and mommy are selfish, I know you love me dad and I will always be grateful but, I won't marry someone for the sake of your business. Thank you for accepting me but, I think uncle Evan was the person who raised me so please," as her voice shook, tears overflowed her eyes.
"Don't force me to marry anyone, because I am really, really depressed right now," Her shoulders shook as she cried her feeling, she wiped her tears and ran downstairs.
She doesn't even know where to go, all she wanted was to be away from them, from everyone.
As she waited for the taxi on the side road, a man came out of the café.
"Ms. Su," Selena rolled her eyes when he called her out, it was David Cortez.
He ran towards her and stopped in front. She was about to open her mouth to speak when the man handed her a piece of paper.
It was a yellow paper folded into four, and when it reached her hand, she felt the difference of its material. It's not like a typical rough material, it was soft like cotton.
Her head tilted with confusion, as she was about to open it, David stopped her by holding her hand.
"Open it once you are ready to speak to her."
Selena rose an eyebrow, wondering about his creepy words.
"Who's she?"
Her eyes squinted as she waited for his reply. His face was serious, unlike the face, he had upstairs.
"Your cousin, real cousin. She's waiting for your phone call and she would appreciate it if you can keep this from them," saying that, the man turned his face at the café, where the whole family was busy with the work.
"So, you are not here to marry me?" she said creasing her eyebrows.
The man took in a deep breathe, "It would be nice to have you as my wife but I have someone I love and I am just here because someone asked me to," as he finished his sentence, the corner of his lips curved, and this time, his smile reached his eyes, showing how sincere it was.
Selena shook her head, "I am not really looking for a husband or even a date and this-" she lifted the paper he gave and lightly waved it in air.
"If she wants to meet me, she should show her face and not send someone."
Then she turned, stopping a taxi on the road.
When she opened the door of the backseat, the man spoke again, "You should stop seeing the two brothers, especially the older one. That's what your cousin asked me to tell you."
Selena rolled her eyes on him, closing her ears from all the words he was saying.
As she slammed the door of the taxi closed, her heart pounded with fear, she gulped and looked at the rearview mirror.
The driver asked for her drop off but, Selena could not think of any place she can go.
She sighed and looked at the café, she could still see Alexa at the same table with the Aragonian prince, the two looked like they are arguing from the distance.
Leaning her head on the chair, she shut her eyes and asked him to drop her at the nearest church.
Back at the café, Daniella stood behind her husband carrying a laundry basket.
She wrapped a hand around his waist and spoke with her mouth buried on his back.
"She's coming. I guess, it's time for your brother to end his mission,"
"Yeah," Evan replied.
"I still can't believe that he continued living with Samantha for years," Daniella said as she distanced her face on Evan's back.
Her husband sighed, gripping the basket tightly
"This is the only way he could protect Selena. He always tells me that it would be much better to have his enemy closer."
Daniella nodded, then she unwrapped her arms and said, "You are right. Now, go and fold those clothes."
Without a word, Evan obediently went upstairs with the dry clothes.