Karson: "..."
He was dumbfounded and looked at his sister in disbelief.
"Wha-what did you say?" He asked again to
confirm her words.
"You didn't mishear. My bestie Freya likes to
become your girlfriend and of course, it's a fake one not real, okay? You guys just need to act like a couple, that's all"
"And why should I do that may I ask?" Karson uttered narrowing his eyes.
"Look, brother, I know that our father and my mother pressure you to date Lucia even though you don't like her."
Deena clicked her tongue as if she just recalled something else as well.
"Aah, I also know that you dated your first girlfriend just to get rid of Lucia. Honestly, she's the one who dumped you when she knew that, right? I even lied to my bestie saying that you're the one who dumped her just to save your face as a good sis."
She paused for a while to catch up her breath.
"Can't you see that? This is the best option we can think of right now. You just need to say that you have a girlfriend and if they want to see her, you can take Freya to meet them, that's it! So simple but effective. Don't you think so?"
Karson massaged his temples helplessly. "Thanks for your thoughtfulness, Deena. But I can solve this matter by myself. You don't have to worry about me."
Deena felt like he meant, 'This matter is non-of-your business. So stay out of it.'
She pursed her lips unhappily. She wanted to yell that she was doing this for her best friend. Nonetheless, She held back as she knew her bother's personality very well. He wasn't the type of person who enjoyed those 'useless things' like counterattacking your ex-lover. Also, it's better to hide the fact that Freya had a boyfriend, just in case...
"Gosh brother, don't you know that Lucia is obsessed with you? She won't back off until you get a girlfriend. And as for father, he reminds you twice or thrice a week to date her. You always leave home whenever they visit us. So don't be so proud and just take my offer, will you?" Deena glanced at him hopefully.
"Get lost."
That's it? That's all he could say after her very long speech? Deena was so much done with her nasty, arrogant brother.
She let out a loud 'Humph!' and left his room angrily.
'Gosh! What do I say to Freya now?'
That evening, the entire family gathered around the long wooden table to have some tea. Mr Ramirez glanced at his son, who was sitting across him with a solemn expression.
"Karson," He called out.
The boy put down his teacup and stared at his father with the same expression. He didn't say anything and waited for his father to continue. Mr Ramirez sighed.
"Look, son. I'm so disappointed. Yeah, of course, I'm happy that you are working well at school. I mean studying. But still, you didn't become my perfect son yet. How can you reject Lucia? How can we face the Richardson family like this?" He said without even pausing to take a breath.
Karson wanted to let out an angry laugh after hearing his nonsense. But he held back his urge to do so.
Who said that he wanted to become the perfect son? Is Mr Ramirez worthy of it? He didn't think so! And couldn't he reject Lucia? Wasn't it a human right to refuse someone when you didn't like that person?
In this family, no matter how much he opposed it, they really didn't care even a little bit. To them, he was just a pawn they used to win the large competition in the business world.
They only thought about securing their connections by marrying him off to a family which was useful to them.
As for his happiness, they ignored that fact. To them, being rich and powerful meant gaining happiness. But still, he was seventeen, okay? Not twenty-seven! Why couldn't they just leave him alone?
"I don't like her." He simply blurted out.
Father Ramirez lost his patience.
"Who asked whether you liked her or not? Just date her and you will eventually like her."
Karson clenched his fists. He couldn't wait to leave this nasty family. Deena was the only person he truly liked in this family. And at this moment, she came to rescue him.
"Dad, don't force him to date Lucia. He doesn't like her. Moreover, he already has someone he likes. And this time, it's a real relationship, a serious one that'll end up in marriage."
Both father and mother Ramirez were taken aback when they heard that. Karson also stared
at her. But he didn't refuse that and remained silent.
"Son, is it true??" Mother Ramirez asked.
"Mmmn" Karson said half-heartedly.
"Answer properly." Mr Ramirez glared at him.
"It's true. I have a girlfriend." Karson finally spoke.
"I don't believe it." Mr Ramirez slammed his teacup on the table.
Deena chuckled.
"Why not, Dad? I'm fifteen and I already had
two boyfriends although I broke up with them later. So how can't he have one?
Mr Ramirez stared at her unhappily but much softer than when he looked at his son a moment ago.
"I'll go on a business trip for a few days. After I come back, I want to see your girlfriend. Bring her here." Mr Ramirez finally suggested, no commanded.
"When did you start dating? why didn't you tell us earlier?" Mrs Ramirez asked curiously.
"She accepted me not so long ago" Karson uttered seriously.
Father Ramirez couldn't find any flaws in his answer. So he simply gave up questioning this matter further.
"Come to my room." Karson secretly said to Deena when the tea party was over.
She glanced at him proudly with an expression
like 'Look, you finally understood the value of your sister.'
"Thanks for the help."
When they came inside, Karson stated honestly. "Hmm." Deena appeared to be casual and calm
but inside she was so nervous.
'Is he finally going to agree?'
"You're welcome, brother. So what do you say now? Are you finally willing to accept my offer?" She couldn't hide the anticipation that filled in her voice.