"I would like to send this apology to everyone here, the visitors, Graciella's family and my family that I… won't accept this engagement. I don't want to marry Graceilla."
Loud clamours started to envelop the party, everyone couldn't believe what they heard. However, the buzzes from everyone at the party turned into scare screams and Daerin wondered what was that about. Whatever he said may be worthy of a clamour but for sure it wasn't overwhelming enough for everybody to act panicky outcry.
Something else could be the reason for them to react that way, and Daerin looked around to see what that was.
He had to turn his head behind him the moment he heard Graciella scream.
"Dad! No!"
Right in front of him, after he jerked was the barrel of a forty-five calibre pistol pointing between his eyes.
"You don't want to put my family in shame!" Guillermo gritted his teeth, his hands were shaking furiously for the embarrassment that Daerin created at that moment.
"M-Mr la Ruffa, please clam down. Let's talk it inside. Daerin had only done that because he was surprised and didn't know about it. We meant to surprise him."
"Dad, that's true. It's my idea to surprise Daerin," Graceilla reasoned while glancing secretly at Daerin.
The party coordinator grabbed the microphone from him and took over the situation.
"Everyone, my apology for what happened. I would like to remind you all that whatever you see and whatever you hear, must not get out on media and public. Everyone, you can finish your food and head home, I'm sorry."
On the other hand, Daerin's dad grabbed his arms firmly as he lead him inside the la Ruffa mansion.
Daerin noticed the gun wasn't only in Graceilla's father, the moment they got inside. Probably Graceilla took it from him. However, the way Mr la Ruffa glared at Daerin was still making him uncomfortable.
At that moment, he didn't know how to get out of the situation. Part of him was scared that he might get inside the trap forever. Graciella was not the worst wife he could have. However, marrying her could also mean that he accepted his defeat against his parents and everyone who wanted to control his life. His freedom was the only treasure he had, it was his purpose for living in this world.
"I want to hear your words Daerin," the vexation in Mr la Ruffa's voice was still apparent.
Nevertheless, even if Daerin didn't want to put himself in this kind of hassle, they already forced him to put himself in it. It might make him hate his parents more but as of the moment he was trapped and had to get himself out of it and all he could depend on was just himself.
"Mr la Ruffa, sir, I don't mean to disrespect you or your family. But, this engagement was between me and your daughter. It must be something that the two of us should talk about and plan. Do you wish your daughter to have a husband that doesn't even know how to stand on his own feet and doesn't want to have his own decision?" Daerin wanted to say more but he was also aware that he had to control himself at that moment, and there were still a lot of factors for him to consider and it was not something that easy.
"What are you trying to say Daerin de la Croix?" Guillermo took a deep breath his eyes glaring firmly towards Daerin.
"Guillermo, just let me talk to my son. He…" Daerin's father tried to interrupt, he couldn't trust what Daerin had to say and he was scared that it might get worst knowing how against Daerin in marrying Graciella.
However, Guillermo raised his hands to stop him.
"Let me hear what he has to say."
Daerin's father had to move back and shook his head. Praying that Daerin could hopefully get through this mess.
"The truth is tonight, I was yet planning to propose to Graceilla and it touched my pride that I… who is supposed to make a surprise for your daughter, got caught off guard and was the one to be surprised instead. I am the kind of person who gives surprises but hates to surprise myself. I am the man, I should be the one who gotta do the effort."
Guillermo stayed silent for a moment, then a loud guffaw went out of his mouth.
"I understand you. My daughter just doesn't know how to wait," he said.
"Yeah, but too bad everything is ruined now. I probably had to find another time for that, I want it to be special though," Daerin smirked at that moment he knew he had been able to dodge the trapped they made for him. It could be at another time though but at least he had more time to plan.
Nevertheless, he wasn't planning to propose to Graciella instead planning to find a way how to dodge them again, and he had to make sure that the next time he dodged he would be far enough to get him forever.
"Daerin," Graciella pulled him over to talk. After what happened the more he didn't want to look at Graceilla anymore. The more he felt disgusted by her, pushing hardly herself to him. That wasn't and would never be the kind of wife he wanted.
She was simply showing how manipulator she was the very first trait that would certainly cause Daerin to repel. Nonetheless, she was still at their house and he had to at least talk to her or he might be talking over her dad's pistol.
"Graceilla we need to talk," he muttered.
"We can talk in my room," Graceilla stretched her lips with a flirtatious smile.
Before Daerin could say a word, she attempted to pull him upstairs.
"Graciella, I don't want your dad to put that pistol again on my mouth. Do you think he would be happy to see you with me on your bed?"
"He won't care about it, all he cared was how people and his business partners would look at him."
"But, I promised him to respect your family and getting inside of your bed means not respecting me."
"Okay fine, you goody two shoes," Graciella rolled her eyes.