"Dairen, where are you going?"
Daerin stopped the moment he heard his mom's voice. He was just planning to pass by the gazebo near the pool going out. The moment she noticed her parents with Graciela talking there, he had already anticipated that he might call them to join the conversation but he never had a plan at all.
However, there was no other way out but to pass them by. He just wanted to go out and witness the sunset as he always does.
"Just outside, enjoy the sunset, think…" He never looked back at them while answering them. Nevertheless, he never left too. It might be too much disrespect if he'd do that.
"Our topic is exciting. Why won't you join us?" It was his father's voice this time and he knew that he was someone he couldn't ignore.
It was at that moment that he wouldn't have another choice but to finally face them. He noticed Graciella's smile.
"Sure, why not." He paused and looked at the three of them.
"Good, why won't you sit beside Graciela?" His father suggested.
'Of course, why not,' he thought. However, some part of him that he couldn't understand. He just got some feeling that he seemed just wasting his time there and he rather and even need to be at the bayside and watching the sunset could even be more meaningful and worthy than to be talking with these people.
Yes, it might be his family but most of the time he rather spent his time alone than talk to them. These past years they were always giving him bad vibes or something to think about. They might be just giving him suggestions, yet it sounded like they were giving him obligations.
That could even be one of the reasons why he rather not talk with them. Especially if Graciella was there. He was always aware that they like /Graciella a lot and he didn't know why. They usually say words that would mean for them to be together. However, Daerin couldn't even imagine Graciella being his lover.
She felt like his best friend and he knew so much about her. So much that he knew most of her attitude that Daerin couldn't even bear to take and be with. So, he never tried to think to be more than a friend to Gracey.
"Daerin, you're about to turn 25 as well as Gracey. Don't you think it's the best time for the two of you to get married?" Daerin's mom said with a bit of smiling, like a teasing face.
Graciela also giggled at what his mother said.
Nonetheless, that put Daerin by surprise. However, he didn't want to respond to that kind of question again. He was aware that it was not the first time for them to say that. However, every time they do Daerin didn't bother to take it seriously.
He simply chuckled, trying to take the comment as a pun.
"We are not joking Daerin, we are serious. I hope you'll take it seriously too. Graciella had been waiting long enough for you to propose." His dad was looking serious. Daerin couldn't even understand why he had to be that forceful in controlling his life.
If Graciella wasn't only there in front of them he would have no other choice but to call his father out. He didn't want anyone to control his life, not even his parents. Besides, if ever he would get married, especially not to someone like Graciella, he was aware of how controlling she was. She could never be someone he wanted to be his wife.
However, he wouldn't want it like that anym9ore. He was too tired to hear his parents saying that to him. He had to let out his voice.
"Why it seemed, you are forcing me to marry Gracie instantly? What is really your plan? What can you really get if I will marry Gracie?" He knew he had put his parents into a bad surprise. It kept his parents silent while they were staring at each other and glancing over Graciella. Daerin got some gut feeling that whatever the reason was, it was something they couldn't say in front of Graciella.
Nevertheless, Graciella faced him and said, "maybe because your parents just like me to be their in-law and they knew, that my parents and I like you."
She said sweetly and could even sound flirty. However, her expression changes when she noticed someone from the distance. Graciella was looking straight towards the resort gate and before everyone else noticed, she already had one of her eyebrows raising with what she saw.
Daerin noticed it and followed her gaze. It was Rexana standing at the gate and she was looking straight at Daerin with a meaningful gaze, that Daerin couldn't guess what. But everyone could see that she wanted to be noticed and even wanted to talk to Daerin.
"What is she doing here again? Are you planning to go out to meet that girl at sunset?' Graciella's voice changed, totally different from a few moments ago. She sounds harsh and angry, most probably sounds jealous.
"No, we didn't have an agreement to meet at that sunset. I didn't know she was there and she might not know that I will be going also, and maybe she just come here to ask for food. I did give her permission to ask Ms Chile anytime if she and her family is hungry." Daerin explained, even though he thought that he didn't have to.
"I don't think it was just that Daerin, I think that girl likes you." Graciella twisted her lips and everyone went silent, a bit surprised at what she said and the possessive reaction that she showed.
"Hey! You rugged girl, come here!" Graciella screamed at Rexana. There was a surprise on Rexana's face, even a bit of hesitation. She looked at Daerin to see if she had to come near them. Nevertheless, Daerin looked at her without a reaction at all.
She thought that it could be too rude of her if she ignored them calling her. Even though something was intimidating about how the girl called her, she had to show some respect show as she was summoned.
Rexana was smiling widely as she approached them, waving her hands at the same time. She didn't want them to see that she was intimidated or hesitating to talk to them. They are Daerin's family and friends and maybe just like how Daerin wanted to be a friend to her family, maybe she could be a friend to Daerin's family too.
"Hi! Good afternoon I'm Rexana…" she greeted them and tried to be friendly, hoping for them to do the same. However, before she could even finish her words Graciella cut her off and said.
"He you rugged girl, what are you here for? Do you like Daerin?"