I arrived at the said restaurant 5 minutes earlier than what's said on the note. Like what I expected, my parents were already there. Across them was Lincoln who is wearing his casual outfit, suit and tie in darker shade of gray.
Clutching the handle of my sling bag, I walk towards the table. A smile automatically plastered on my face as I met my parents eyes. Dad pointed the seat next to Lincoln using his hand, obviously telling me to sit beside the man.
Although I don't want to, I can't really say no. I can't decline.
"Did you slept well?" Lincoln asked and it made me cringe, shivers crawling under my skin.
"Please, drop the topic." I simply stated before my eyes shifts around the whole place.
Of course, we're the only ones here. Lincoln's parents must have rented the whole restaurant for tonight. It's not that I'm surprised, I'm just amazed at how the family spends their money. Looks like Lincoln inherited that trait of his parents at the way he waste money. From buying luxurious cars to treating his girls into a very expensive date.
Moments later Mr. and Mrs. Sandoval entered the restaurant. The woman next to the chairman was obviously delighted when she saw my face that her lips formed a wide smile, eyes darted on me. It was almost making me conscious, thinking that my dress is not presentable enough for her to see.
The night went well so far. We ate in peace and talk about how the business was going well accordingly to how they wanted it to be. They even stumble upon our new projects and branches to turn the company into an empire. A literal empire that no one would dare to compete with.
"I would like to make an announcement," Mr. Sandoval stated which caught our attention.
My eyes glanced at Lincoln who seems to be holding his fork and knife a little too tight, his jaw clenching. It caught me off guard. I've never seen him like this, especially in dinner with our families.
"We all agreed on conducting the engagement party as soon as possible," Mr. Sandoval claimed. His eyes shifting from Lincoln and me before focusing his gaze at my parents. "We can't prolong the wedding anymore," he added which my dad nodded at in agreement.
I was mortified. Grabbing on my seat in attempts to storm out of the room for a breather, Lincoln held my wrist to keep me still on the chair. My hair flipping on the opposite side of where I turn my head – which is to Lincoln's direction.
"Excuse us," Lincoln said and I can hear how he is trying to keep down low, to be calm through his gritted teeth.
Before his father could even utter a thing, Lincoln took a hold of my hand and drag me out of the dinning. His steps are fast and heavy as he pull me towards the balcony found on the second floor of the restaurant. Immediately letting go of my wrist when finally it's just the two of us, and the thousand starts in the night sky.
"What's your problem?!" I exclaimed, my fingers wrapped around my wrist which he held earlier. For my skin is fair and white the evidence of him tightly gripping on it was visible as it left a print.
Lincoln gazed over my wrist and was about to say something but instead he swallowed his words down. The next thing that slipped off of his lips had my forehead creasing in confusion.
"Let's call off the marriage," he demanded so casually. As if it wasn't a big deal where in fact it is, "Besides it's what you wanted, right? Not to marry into some jerk like me."
"Are you crazy?" There's judgement on the way my voice sounds while my eyes shooting him glares of disbelief. "Do you even know how much our parents would disagree to that idea?" I added, still trying to sooth the burning feeling on my wrist.
I heard him hissed before muttering profanities. It was his usual attitude when he is displeased over a thing, may it be personal or work related. His mother once told me that Lincoln is very much alike to his father. They are both hard headed and stubborn and I can finally see what the woman was trying to pinpoint.
"Let's go back to where we left them," I said calmly as I turn my back on him.
Slowly I began to walk forwards and away from him. I'm not even that far to where I left Lincoln when he said something that made me froze.
"I'm planning to date Samantha, a date like every other decent couples do."
My body dramatically twisted around to face him. Shock was painted all over my face, eyebrows raised up high that it almost jump off of where it is placed.
"What kind of joke is this?" My voice is shaky for some reason. Perhaps I'm afraid of what our parents will do if they learned this thing.
Lincoln heaved a deep sigh and those green eyes met mine. My stomach was turning and tossing around as I look at him. There is an unsual expression on his eyes, as if telling me to say nothing about it and let him handle the situation.
But how could I? It's going to be a feud. In addition, Samantha's family business were not even that big. I'm more than sure that his father or mine would do anything to cut off the ability of their family to earn bucks, to make a profit.
"Are you telling me now that you're adoring Samantha and wanted to date her like a decent man would?" I asked the obvious question.
Lincoln's head move to give me a nod and I scoffed. The idea of ditching the wedding that's been planned for ages is already ridiculous and added with Lincoln liking a particular lady is making it even more unbelievable.
"I feel bad for her then." I hurriedly walked away after saying those words.
I'm already feeling bad for Samantha and for the things that are about to come for her if Lincoln insist on this whole idea of turning down the arrangement. For sure, the elderlies will find way to make this wedding happen.