Mr. Left (Mr. Series #2)

Chapter 7

"Don't overthink," I remembered from what Jhon Rey had said earlier. Why would he be so caring? Is he trying to tame me again?

Tsk. No matter how hard I think about why he suddenly changed, I can't find the answer.

I'll sleep it off now.

The next day, I wondered why my classmates were looking at me when I entered the room. Thank you; I knew it. Their silence was only momentary. They will return to their everyday habits, gossiping about me and my life. How lowly.

I saw Anne, so I waved to her. Her eyes widened, which surprised me.

"The eff? So the news is true? You're engaged?" Anne asked with her strident voice while holding my hand, checking the ring I was wearing. "Since when?" she added.

"Huh? J-just yesterday," I simply answered. I noticed how my classmates were also surprised. They do really have good ears.

"OMG! Did he propose to you at a Japanese Restaurant? Someone saw you last night!"

I was shocked. Did someone see us there?

"Come on, tell me what happened! Did you finally get back together with your ex-boyfriend? I left you for a while yesterday, and suddenly, you immediately got engaged! I'm envious!"

I frowned.

"Uh? I think you got the wrong news." I walked to my seat. She followed me.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know why you're happy because you thought Jhunel and I got back together, but this ring—it wasn't from him. It was from Jhon Rey."

She backed away.

"So he already proposed to you?" sambit ni dad nang makapasok muli ako sa bahay. He was sitting on the couch, wearing that smirk.

"He did," I answered. Mukhang hinintay niya ang pagbalik ko.

"I never thought he'd do it quickly. He must be in a rush."

My shoulders slumped. What is he trying to imply—that Jhon Rey is rushing to complete his mission and get a divorce?

Aren't they the ones who want it—to propose Jhon Rey to me? Jhon Rey abides by what they want. Why don't they seem satisfied?

"Don't put your hopes up, Sheen May. Don't trust him yet. He must be plotting something," he warned.

"What do you mean, Dad? I thought you were planning for us to marry each other to cause a ceasefire against Carpio's family. Why are you telling me this now? I'm so confused," habol kong tanong sa kaniya. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako nakakuha ng lakas ng loob na magtanong sa kaniya nang ganoon.

Nilingon niya ako. Ito ang unang beses na nagtagpo nang matagal ang mga mata namin. "Hear this out. You marrying that man will cause a temporary halt in this mess, but it is not an assurance that they will not betray us after they gain this power back. So I want you to be careful and yet be observant. He might hurt you again," he advised as he returned to his office.

I don't understand why they are speculative about Jhon Rey's move. Ginagawa niya na nga itong kasal kahit saliwat sa kagustuhan niya. Ayokong maging katulad nila na para bang mahirap magtiwala sa ibang tao. Hindi ako magiging masaya kung magiging ganoon ako. Sa totoo nga lang, tila ba nagiging ganoon na rin ako dahil pinapakain nila ako ng mga bagay na negatibo na naglilikha ng pag-aalinlangan sa akin.

Hindi ba sila masaya na hindi na namin sila sinusuway? Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang makaramdam ng lungkot para kay Jhon Rey. Dahil sa akin, kailangan niya ring magdusa. And now it feels like they are telling me to stay away from him when they wanted me to get married to him. How ironic.