Daerin walked back home with his head in the sky. He couldn't believe he did that to Rexana. It was never his plan that they would end up that way. He just wanted to help that poor girl and at the same time, he was enjoying the attention she gave him.
He helped her without looking for anything in return—especially not Rexana's body. However, with what he did to her. It looked like he planned it all.
Now, he wondered what made him different from Bruno. He knew he couldn't take responsibility for Rexana. He couldn't promise her a ring. Nevertheless, he still took his virginity.
He arrived home with heavy shoulders. Nonetheless, he didn't know that what was waiting for him is another set of trouble for him to face.
"Daerin, we had been waiting for you. What took you so long talking to that girl? Do you like her too? Is she already your girlfriend?" His mom blurted out the moment Daerin enter the door. His parents were on the sofa waiting for him.
He wanted to escape, not talk to them, and just go straight to his room. But, how could he? His father blocked the stair to his room.
"Don't you dare do that to us again Daerin, show some respect!" His father's voice was stern and assertive.
He had no choice but flopped his butt down the sofa and face them.
"I said this before and I will say it again. I don't like that girl, I don't even feel attracted to her. I just want to help her and talk about help. I can't assure you that you will still let Rexana ask for food when I'm not here. And, I want to continue helping her. So, I want you to give a little space for her inside the resort. A little stall, for her to sell her pearls. She will earn her own money and won't be asking for food anymore."
"Are you crazy? She could be a reason for us to lose customers. She looked so filthy, she don't even know how to wear a dress and shoes." Her mom's voice went louder and angrier while she stood up to yell at Daerin.
"Calm down, let me handle this." Daerin's dad patted his mom on the back. She sat back down and tried to calm herself.
"We can do that Daerin," his dad said.
"What? Are you both crazy? Are you trying to annoy me, putting my biggest pet peeve in front of me?" The veins in her mom's neck were starting to show up with irritation.
"No, we are doing that in exchange for something. Daerin needs to marry Graciella and tomorrow he needs to come with us to the city. We will go to Graciella's place and he will ask her to marry him."
"What? Why do I have to do that? Do you think marriage is like a game? Now, tell me who's crazy here?" Daerin stood up and was about to head straight upstairs when his father firmly grab his arms.
"No, marriage is not a game, it is business. Graciella is the only one worthy to be your wife. Her family has the biggest asset to the business community."
"We are talking about you depriving my freedom here."
"We are talking about you having financial freedom, Daerin. You need to marry Graciella if you still wanted a comfortable life. I dare you. I will take everything that you got now and kick you out of my home, you can go live with that girl you want to help." His dad stood up with his authority which made Daerin shoot his mouth.
"Tell me the truth is this all just about the business?" he asked.
"We had already told you what you need to know Daerin. So, go get ready for tomorrow."
***
At dinner time, Daerin and his family arrived at Graceilla's place. They had prepared a feast big enough for both families. It was more like a party.
Daerin wasn't expecting that they were actually attending a party and probably his parents just wanted him to make the proposal during the party for some impact. Not long after their guest arrived and he was more surprised when he saw his teammates being there.
"Wow, dude, I can't believe you're doing it. I thought you said you won't and come on, I just heard Graciella talking to her friends that after your wedding, you had to stop playing and need to focus on the business. His father already prepared your office." Rocco whispered with his last line while checking cautiously that no one heard what he was trying to inform Daerin.
Daerin went silent and felt repulsive about what he heard. That was the very thing he would never allow to happen to him.
"People eyes here, I would like to welcome you all for this special night. However, it is more significant for my daughter and her boyfriend because it will be the start of their future life. We are here together to celebrate Daerin and Graciella's engagement!" Graciella's dad announced on the microphone and then a series of applause and hooting from everyone at the party.
Daerin on the other hand got rooted on the spot. All he thought was that they were there to propose yet to Graceilla where he could still have a chance to not do it. What he wasn't expecting was that party to be actually his party for being engaged with Graceilla.
He felt too betrayed and he felt like he was starting to lose his voice. He wasn't even married to Graciella yet and he already felt like a puppy to them. With what Rocco told him, Daerin got more scared to be tied to Graciella. He never planned to be a puppet to anyone else for the rest of his life.
"I would like to call the love birds here on the stage, please. Graciella and Daerin, we want to hear a few of your words. You need to share with us how excited you both are that finally, you can get together legally," Graciella's father continued.
Daerin threw some furious glance at his parents before he walked toward the stage. Graceilla on the other hand Graciella was smiling widely when she met Daerin on the way to the stage.
However, Daerin paid no mind to her. He was walking like firmly and soullessly, straight and lifeless like a cadaver.
The moment he reached the stage, he abruptly take the microphone from Graciella's dad and spoke. "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."