Home For My Soul

139|Trust Me

I glanced at my bodyguard. He immediately held the woman's hand and kept her away from me. Amaryllis is the one I need to think about. His face paled upon hearing the word invitation. Damnit. We're gonna have a big fight.

Why do problems always come when I have no preparation? Holidays are a mess, then comes the bad news. This woman only adds to my problems. Can't she wait until we meet at work?

“Theo, I need an explanation! Why didn't you say you already have a fiance!?” she shouted in a demanding tone as I ignored her.

I took Amarylis' hand, but she brushed mine off. I hugged her waist, she still rejected me. “Kat,” threaten me. I knew I was wrong, but he didn't have to behave like this.

“What's he talking about?” He looked at me sharply.

I held her hand, she did not refuse anymore. “We talk inside.” I opened the door and entered the lobby with him.

“We talk inside? Is that your only answer? Three months since your parents arrived, you won't answer my questions about it. When are you getting married, huh? When are you going to tell me? After you officially become her husband?” he asked, bombarding me.

“Kat, I said, we're talking inside. Do you want everyone to hear us fight?” I look around us.

He closed his lips. “Let go of me!” He took his hand away from me, but I held it again. “I don't want to be second. Let go of me, Theo!” This time, I didn't let go.

“Can you be an adult? You can scream and shout at me in the apartment. Don't be here,” I said firmly. I felt guilty seeing her eyes glazed over, but she ended up silent.

The trip to our apartment felt very long and the numbers changed so slowly. I know it's just my feeling, but every second of it is so excruciating. Why should you invite them too? How many people know about this plan?

It is impossible that Mr. Willis will come all the way to Indonesia for just one day. Why don't you focus on people in Indonesia? All of this was beyond my predictions. I didn't expect the news to reach Amarylis' ears this soon.

Arriving at the apartment, I let him enter first and let go of his hand. He let out a loud sigh, then turned his body with a piercing look at me. He waited impatiently as I closed the door. My head didn't stop thinking about the right words to explain.

But there was no word that I could find that was able to make Amaryllis calm down. Whatever word I use, this news is bad news for him. Then all I need to think about is the right word to persuade him.

“Why silence? Answer. What invitation is it?” ask her sharply.

“On the day of Matt's graduation, Ortu will hold an engagement event also for me,” I replied slowly.

He opened his mouth. “You mean, in church?” I'm nodding. “We broke up.” He said that sentence without feeling guilty.

“Kat,” protest.

“I'm serious, Theo. We broke. I told you, I don't want to be your affair. Your parents obviously only want you to marry the woman of their choice.”

“It's just fiancee, Kat.” I took her hand, but she moved away from me. My chest hurt to see him avoid my touch again.

“Only?” He laughed in surprise. “You will take an oath to marry in front of family and invitation. That's as serious a thing as marriage, Theo.”

My heart beats so fast. I don't want to lose him. “Gue will find a way for the event to be cancelled. Trust me.”

“I believe in you, but you will not be able to defy the wishes of your parents.”

“That's the same as you don't believe me. We haven't had a chance to talk. This plan they delivered in front of the Venny family. Therefore, I can't express my opinion.”

“Invitation has been spread. When do you want to talk to them?” exacting.

I closed my eyes, calming my emotions. It was my fault for not focusing. I did not expect that they would prepare everything this fast and large. I thought Mama would invite only close relatives. How do I know they'll invite Mr. Willis as well.

“Gue will talk to them now,” my promise.

“Terasu. We keep breaking up.” He turned his body, I immediately caught his hand.

“What do you mean, Kat? We stay together. You act like I'm married to him.”

“Awage or married, what's the difference? You will still be blessed pastor.” He brushed my hand. “You know we've agreed there's no more secrets, Theo. You can keep something that big from me and promise me we'll get married.”

I felt my chest ache even more seeing her eyes tear up. “We're getting married, baby.” Why can't he understand too?

“You just marry that Benny.”

“Venny,” error. I should have been quiet, but my mouth spoke first.

“Benny, Venny, I don't care!”

He entered the room and I heard him lock the door from the inside. I took a long breath. So tiring. We just got home from a long trip, he's already angry. I have to what now?

Every time we fought, I always felt my fear was grounded. Our relationship is very fragile, either from my side or him. There was a little problem, we had a big fight like this. It felt peaceful for only a short while and we argued more. If this continues, he will really leave.

Breakup. The solution is always to break up. Little broken up. Why did he not want to come to think about finding an alternative? He said, no one will separate us, but he himself continues to talk apart. Does our relationship never mean anything to her?

I entered the room and threw my bag over the bed. So obnoxious. Why have all my plans lately been disastrous? I had prepared everything well, even got some good news from the mysterious grandfather. Mom ruined everything.

“We agreed, Pa,” I said over the phone, as soon as he answered my call.

“Being engaged first is the best solution I can think of,” Papa said, kinked. He immediately understood my point, as we had not had time to discuss this since that day.

“Papa scared of Mama. If Papa can't hold Papa's own words, how can I believe in our next deal?”

“Listen, I admit I was wrong. But what difference does it make to get engaged this year with next year? I didn't break our deal.”

We did agree there was no marriage until I returned to Indonesia. I can't choose the woman I marry, so I decide the date of the wedding. But getting engaged was not in our discussion.

“Papa even invited Mr. Willis.”

“That's your mama's wish. He wants everyone invited.” He defended himself. “You didn't expect to be married to Amaryllis, ‘kan? You've forgotten that girl for good, ‘kan?” He deliberately switched topics.

“For sure, I won't marry Venny.”

“Nak, this is the best choice. She's the daughter of my business partner. Our efforts can work together for the long term through your marriage. Your union greatly benefits both sides,” persuaded Papa, trying to convince me.

“Married with Amarylis will not have a positive impact on our business. You're just gonna invite a big scandal. Remember, Son. There are shareholders that we must pay attention to as well as his advice and opinion. Your marriage and Matt will have to bring profit,” he concluded.

“Matt surely you guys will allow to marry anyone. Don't lie to me.”

“You think I don't know what you've been doing there for a year?” papa said in a serious tone. My heart almost stopped hearing it. “You're talking about lies. How're you? Are you not lying to me?”