Home For My Soul

99|Bad Tables

My wedding preparations began. I was not twenty-three years old and married. Other young men at this age were focused on arranging their careers or improving their skills, I was instead forced to foster a household.

Since Mama broke our agreement, then I don't hold back anymore. I prepared everything I would need to open everyone's eyes. I don't want to wait until the wedding day. Why would we spend so much money just for a failed reception?

“Jessica lucky, yes. Because he is fiancee Pak Altheo, he was appointed as an employee without going through the selection process.” The sound stopped me from walking towards the elevator.

“Hus, why did you just mention his name? Call her mom. If anyone hears you, you can get into trouble. Miss Jessica doesn't like it if we just say her name,” said the second woman.

“Lo, we're one major, why would I call her mom? He and I are both just regular employees here. Different if he and Mr. Altheo are married, then I call him mother.”

“You're one campus?” The mood was silent for a moment. “Is it true he likes to hurt others?”

“Sstt. Don't let anyone hear.” The first woman whispered. “She's getting married to Mr. Altheo, so she shuts down all her bad past.”

“Not to be covered as well as many already know. Habits are bad since working here.”

I just found out that my old friend is an officer here. Looks like I should talk to the HR Division about the bad habits of the employees. They gossip too loudly. I don't like them spending time talking during work hours.

Without difficulty, rumors of Chika's vices spread quickly. I don't need to involve journalists, they sniff it themselves. The woman was unconscious when people started asking questions about her school days on her social media.

Mama invited the two families to meet as the first notification container about my and Chika's wedding plans. Only my parents' siblings were present from my side. I don't want to know who's coming from the women's side.

“What did I say? Our happy day is approaching,” whispered Chika who sat by my side.

“Your happy day is not my happy day,” reply.

“Amarilis has gone a long way, do you think I didn't know you guys broke up?” He's laughing a little. “You put that profile photo forever is fine too. You will still marry me.”

If he's so sure we're getting married, then my guess is right. They threatened my parents about their past. But why is the rumor spreading something else? Did they do it as an initial threat?

The shareholders have not said anything on the matter. They held an impromptu meeting just to protest with my viral video with Amarilis. The gossip about my legality doesn't seem to bother them.

“Lo crazy, yes. Why do you just keep quiet married to Chika?” matt's protest just walked into my room.

“Patience, Matt.” I was sitting on the couch looking through the news on social media.

“Sabar, patience. The date has been determined, what new lo act when you have sworn allegiance at the altar!?” said panic.

“Lo follow the progress on social media, no? Soon you know my plan.”

“What do you mean?” He pulled out his phone and checked something. “Nothing special.”

“Sabar,” said again.

Since the atmosphere had not heated up and Chika ignored every question surrounding her past, then I asked for the second stage to be implemented. Viral video is responded to with viral video. It's good that he used a tape of my kiss with Amarylis to bring me down.

Whether she or Mama did it, I don't care. For me, it was a very low action. I kiss the girl I love, not the boyfriend, fiancee, or wife of the person. But the reaction of netizens was precisely in line with their expectations. I'm doing this to clear Amarylis' name as well.

“Hey, have you seen this video?” ask an employee at the reception to his partner.

“Already. Horrified, yes. Beautiful-beautiful but cruel.” The woman shuddered.

“I can't believe Miss Jessica could do that.” A janitor was talking to a friend next to him.

The employees were so shocked by the video that I didn't realize I was walking past them. Goody. I wonder if that woman still dared to show her face in front of me after the video was spread. The nearest schedule is to take off the bridal outfit. I hope you change your mind before that day comes.

At lunch break, a second video was shared. I used this method to urge my parents to take immediate action. They don't want to believe the evidence I've given, so I use netizens to change their decisions.

“Gue loves lo,” style said Matt who suddenly appeared in my office. He approached a sofa and sat down casually. “Gue can breathe with relief now.”

“What do you do here?” I don't like that disrespectful attitude.

“Praise my great sister. What else?”

“Lo don't interfere,” I said, seeing he was playing with his phone. “Gue did not want to read any messages from you in one of the videos. Keep reputation lo.”

“Iya, yes. I-i understand. You still think I'm a kid.” He grunted softly. “Kak Amarilis helps her parents sell cakes. Do you already know?”

I know every single thing he does to the color of the shirt he's wearing. Daisy sends a report every night to my email. Only when there is an emergency will he contact me as soon as possible. But he rarely did. They already know what to do under certain conditions without asking my permission.

Matt didn't need to know that, so I didn't answer his question. Enough of me to know that I'm still guarding Amarylis from afar. Since one person only knows about my secret, then Mama will also know. My plan could fall apart again if Mama intervenes.

Profile photos are not a problem. Mama no longer protested about it, especially after I kept quiet with her plan to advance my wedding schedule with Chika. The evil women were so focused on their preparations that they didn't realize I was attacking them.

“Theo,” said Mama who was waiting for my return. “What do you do?”

“What does Mama mean?” I pretended not to know.

“You spread a video of Amarylis hitting Chika's bodyguard,” she replied. “Do you realize what you are doing? Chika's feelings are shattered accused of being a no-no.”

“Accused a no-no?” grunts Matt. “Mama read, dong, crowd comments. There's a schoolmate Theo open-air about Chika. He and his gang are bullies, Ma. Amaryllis is not the only person who has ever been a victim of her.”

“That's just juvenile delinquency commonly done by people of that age. Chika is not a bully.” My mom still defended him.

“What have you done to dampen gossip about me?” my many.

“What?” He looked surprised by the diversion of the topic.

“Since Chika's graduation, the old, stale gossip about me went viral again. What did Mama do with it? Is Mama trying to dampen it too like Mama protesting to me now?” my challenge.

“Theo,” reprimand Papa.

“Gue son Papa. What Papa could make me a tumbral for your good name?”

“No one made you tumbal.”

“Then why do you guys insist that I marry Chika? The bad reputation of the woman can also drag our good name. How many times do I have to say this? You don't believe the evidence I've shown. Moreover, this means that if not they threaten you with old gossip?”

“Therefore, you must marry Chika for all this to end,” Mama said.

“What conclusion is it? We reply them so that they do not dare to mess with us again. If we lose now, they'll keep trying to control us, Ma.”

“We can't fight them, because they have the proof!” mama was frustrated.

“Proof? What proof?” I was confused, then the hot gossip about me reminded me. “Proof I'm not Papa's biological child?”