"Let go, don't touch me" Diana screamed freeing his tight grip on her hands.
"What the hell is wrong with you, you should be on my side, but no, here you are scolding me for not ignoring that bitch"
"Just..Shut the hell up Diana, I'm loosing my mind, let me think" Diego roared running his fingers through his hair, still in shock he couldn't believe the woman standing back there was Megan.
" Diego,I expected more from you, you're my boyfriend for crying out loud not a mere friend"
"Wait do you know the woman back there by any chance, you both seemed to be lost in each other gaze for a moment" Diana said now crossing her arm across her chest firmly.
"Just get in the car" Diego managed to reply walking to the car parked outside.
"But wait, we're not yet done shopping" Diana shouted walking after Diego .
She leaned towards the window staring at Diego serious expression, wondering what made he so pissed off.
"I'm not getting in, not until you explain your connection with that woman"
"Diana I'm pretty sure you can find your way back home then" with that Diego reversed the car, zooming off immediately.
"Huh… Diego, come back immediately" Diana screamed at the top of her lungs stamping her feet repeatedly against the floor.
Another car sped passed Diana immediately and a huge outburst of laughter echoed.
"Did you get dumped by him" one of Megan friends said with a mocking tone.
Diana scoffed in annoyance realizing it was One of the women back from the mall.
Meanwhile Megan perched in the backseat, her hands resting on her knees, quietly reminiscing about the man she saw a moments ago.
"You should have seen her face earlier" another said letting out a mocking smile.
"Seriously, Megan, what's up with you?" Jade, the outspoken one of the group, suddenly turned around in her seat, her brow furrowing in concern. "You've been unusually quiet this whole ride"
The laughter that followed her playful jab sparked an involuntary smile on Megan's face. Still, her heart raced with unease, a nagging tension that she couldn't shake off. "I'm fine, really," she replied, a little too quickly, trying to brush off the question.
"Fine? Honey, you're as fine as a flat tire," Nicole interjected from the front passenger seat, her quick wit bringing a ripple of laughter from the others. "Tell us what's going on, you seem to have known that man from earlier"
Megan hesitated, her gaze dropping to her hands. "It's nothing girls, I'm great"
"Megan Did Aiden broke up with you" Jade moved closer, her voice brimming with interest.
"No, it's not about Aiden," Megan replied sharply, remembering the conversation with her parents that had left her feeling suffocated. " Aiden can never do that"
The car fell silent, and the weight of her admission hung in the air. The girls exchanged glances, sensing something deeper was at play. It was Nicole who spoke first, her voice softer than before. "You know you can talk to us about anything, right?"
Megan sighed, relaxing a little. "I know. It's just… my parents are really pushing me to get married to someone else, and they've even found someone to set me up with. It feels like my life is being decided for me," she confessed, the words pouring out.
"Oh, Meg," Jade said, twisting in her seat to fully face her. "You're not a kid, you've got to stand on your ground and get to choose your future. Don't let them pressure you into something you don't want."
"You love Aiden, right?" Nicole added, supportive eyes meeting Megan's. "And that should matter above all else. You deserve to be with someone you love, not someone they pick for you."
Megan nodded, biting her lip. "It's just—what if they're right?
"Stop right there!" Jade raised a hand as if to halt a speeding train. "Stop feeding yourself those thoughts. You're talented, passionate, and gorgeous! If you really love Aiden then you would fight to be with him"
"Sure, anyways Thanks, guys," Megan replied, her voice more stable now.
"Alright, enough heavy talk!" Nicole declared, her voice infectious with enthusiasm as she turned up the volume on the radio. "We're heading to that café with the amazing desserts! Let's celebrate friendship and freedom! Besides, you need a slice of cake for all that stress you're carrying."
"Cake solves everything!" Jade chimed in, her eyes gleaming with excitement, resuming the lively banter as the car pulled into the café parking lot.
" Wait Jade" Megan called out causing the girls to turn"
Please go on without me,I need to head back home for some urgent work" Megan uttered
"What? Meg, come on what's going on with you? Nicole said this time staring intently at Megan.
"Girls I'm so sorry, but I have to go now" Megan replied.
"Then what about us, you're leaving us here" Jade said
"Look, I know I initiated this whole outing in the first place, but something came up, girls I'm sorry" Megan responded staring at Nicole and Jade pathetically.
~~
Diego parked his car in the driveway,He leaned against the car for a moment, exhaling a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. The incident at the mall flooded back to him—especially the moment when he spotted her.
'Megan'
He hadn't seen her in years, not since high school, he had thought she had moved to the States. 'Megan' the girl he had always hated back then at school.
Diego shook his head, trying to get her off his thoughts,He made his way into the house, the creaking of the front door snapping him back to reality.
"Diego! You're back!" his mother called, her voice full of warmt.
"Dinner's almost ready. How was your day?" he's Mom asked.
"Fine, just the usual," he replied, though his thoughts were still tangled up with the image of Megan.
"Just the usual? You don't sound too convinced," his mother teased, glancing over her shoulder with a knowing smile. "You know I can tell when something's bothering you. Did something happen today?"
Diego sat down on a chair,his mother's intuition always striking him with both admiration and defeat. How could he explain the stirring emotions he was feeling? " it's nothing Mom, just a little bit tired" Diego managed to reply.
"Oh honey, you're working really hard" his mom said walking to him as she gives him a massage on his shoulders.
"Honey go freshen up quickly, I'll have the maid send you dinner"
"Sure,mom" Diego replied standing up from his chair he walked up to his room, his thoughts still filled with Megan.
Getting to his room Diego collapsed on his bed breathing out sharply.
He closed his eyes trying to recollect his thoughts.
For a while he stayed still like that in the quiet atmosphere,the only thing heard was the beating of his heart loudly.
Then suddenly his eyes flew wide opened.
"Diana" he whispered softly reaching out for his phone rapidly.
He quickly dialed her number,fear gripping him at once.
"Damn,I shouldn't have left her alone" Diego thought worriedly.
He quickly typed a message quickly.
"Hey,babe I'm sorry I left you, please reply back immediately once this message gets to you"
After some time his phone beeped with a notification.
"Screw you Diego, I'll never forgive you for humiliating me in front of those Crazy idiots back at the mall"
"I never meant to, besides I clearly told you to get in the car, but you refused"
"Then I guess this will be no different after getting married to me, don't bother calling me, I'm calling off this relationship right this instant" Diana type back
"Come on, babe, don't be like that,I said I'm sorry" Diego typed In return.
He couldn't Bear the thought of Diana breaking up with him, not after telling his parents about their relationship.
Diana : "Not until you tell me the connection you're having with that woman"
Diego : "I told you, it's nothing, I've never seen her"
Diana :"Then why did you fret the moment you laid your eyes on her, don't even think about lying to me Diego"
Diego : "Then give me one more chance babe ,are you ending us, just because of a mere stranger we encountered with, come on babe don't be like this"
"I'll come over to your place tomorrow,then we can iron this whole shit together, aight"
Diana :"Fine, this is your last chance, don't even think about messing up with me once more"
Diego: "Great,then see ya tomorrow,babe"
Diego exhaled resting his head back on a pillow.
"My day was so bad,I wished I had never seen her" Diego thought closing his eyes once more.
Suddenly a knock echoed from the door causing Diego to Snap back quickly.
"Come in" Diego said with a firm tone.
"The door opened and a maid walked in
" Your dad is back and he sent for you sir" the maid announced.
"Sure, I'll be there, give me some minutes" Diego replied standing up from his bed he walked into the bathroom.
~~~
"Dinner looks great, Diego!" Raymond exclaimed, his deep voice sounding as he gazed at the roasted chicken, sauteed vegetables, and mashed potatoes on the table ,"I can't remember the last time I've had such a feast!"
"Thanks, Dad," Diego replied, forcing a smile as he dished up a serving for both of them. He took a seat across from his father
They exchanged a few glances as they ate, which made Diego a little awkward,he knew it was always not normal for his dad to summon him in this manner.
"Well," Raymond began slowly, placing his fork down, "you're getting older, and it's about time you start thinking seriously about marriage. Though I know you're focused on your career and I know you have someone in mind already.
Diego's heartbeat quickened. "I know, Dad, but I'm not in any rush. I'm still figuring things out." The words stumbled from his lips as he tried to sidestep the conversation, hoping his father might drop the subject.
Raymond's expression shifted to one of resolve. "You're twenty-eight now, Diego. It's time to take charge of your future. I've been thinking… You should bring your girlfriend home for dinner next week. I want to meet her."
Diego's stomach dropped. "Uh, Dad, about that—"
"Let me finish," Raymond interrupted, his voice steady but firm. "If you don't have a girlfriend to introduce, then I'll be forced to make a decision on your behalf. You'll have a week to bring someone to meet me. Otherwise, I will choose someone for you. You may not like it, but it'll be final."
"Wait, hold on!" Diego exclaimed, his heart racing with a mixture of disbelief and frustration. "You can't just decide who I should marry! That's not how this works! I and Diana just started dating a few months back, and we're still getting to know each other ,You can't drop something like this on me!"
"Diego, this isn't up for debate; I'm being serious," Raymond replied, maintaining his stern demeanor. He leaned forward, his gaze unwavering. "I know this is sudden, but I want to see my son settled down, happy. You have one week to make sure that happens."
"Bring her to me" his dad continued
Diego felt trapped, his throat tightening with frustration. "Dad, we discussed about this, and we all agreed that when I'm ready she'll come over"
"Diego you're acting suspicious, you clearly announced that you had a woman, it's just one simple instruction, what's the reason for you objecting to it so bad?"
"Wait Diego, were you lying to us all along about you having a girlfriend" Raymond asked this time creasing his brow's.
"Hell,no dad,I would never do that" Diego replied.
"Then what's holding you back son, it's a simple task,I never asked for the head of a human" Diego dad said sipping from his drink.
"Fine, Let me at least think about this. Give me some time to figure it out dad"
Raymond's expression didn't waver. "One week, Diego. That's all I'm asking. No more time wasted." The finality in his voice made Diego's heart sink.
" I don't intend to exchange Diana for some arranged marriage"Diego shot back, desperation creeping in. "I don't want to end up in some loveless marriage, Dad!"
"I can assure you that love isn't merely about feelings; it's a commitment, a choice. You can grow to love someone over time. I did with your mother, after all," Raymond insisted, the remnant of nostalgia bringing a wistful glimmer to his eyes. "You have to start somewhere… Just think about it. I'm giving you this opportunity, Diego. Don't squander it."
"If you feel Diana is the woman you want to spend your life with,then I have no right to object to that, but if she doesn't shows up in the next one week then forget about her"
For a moment, silence blanketed the table as they both sat with their respective thoughts. Diego hated to have this conversation, but he was Left with no choice,he had once told Diana about introducing herself but she objected to it quickly.
"Can I at least know who you'd choose,if Diana doesn't shows up?" Diego finally asked, desperation shadowing his voice. His father, however, was quick with a shake of his head. "Nope. That's my decision alone. And I will not share them,if you really hate the aspect of getting into an arranged marriage, you should start doing the needful"
"Dad," Diego began, but he could feel the heat rising in his throat. He couldn't allow himself to voice more objections. This was his father, after all— he had known him to be a man always keeping to his words,he knew no amount of plea could change his mind now.
They ate dinner in silence, Diego was finding it hard to struggle with his thoughts he dropped his fork standing up at once "Dad, I'll see to It that Diana comes over, Good night dad" Diego uttered walking away.
He stopped right at the stairs turning to his dad again,
"Dad, please inform the family of whomever you're making preparations with know that I'm not interested and never will I be interested,I have a girlfriend and I'm happy with her" with that Diego turned walking away completely —one week to bring Diana over, or else his dad would choose for him.
"How is that even fair?" he muttered to himself.
"Diana wouldn't be happy to hear this, but I'll have to coerced her no matter what" he thought.
Sighing, he threw himself back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling as series of thoughts lingered through his head.
" Just one week"—he thought again closing his eyes in fraustration.