A Better World With You

Chapter 7

"Good morning, sweetie." My mom greeted me as I woke up from my bed. She was sitting on the side of my bed while looking at me dearly. I rubbed my eyes when I see everything is blurred, though I realized it's because I don't have my glasses on so I reached my desk while I was still lying and put it on before I sat.

"Good morning, mama." I greeted her back with a not so genuine smile. I mean I want to smile sincerely to her, but I just can't because if I could have the list of terrifying people, she's definitely in top ten. I really feel bad thinking about this, but she scares me despite the condition she has.

She leaned closer to me and kissed my forehead like she always does. "Darling, I want you to come with us together with your father for having  a breakfast meal with the friend of ours that handles one of the big companies in Manila." Mama said with a smile and I know what she's trying to do. She's going to set me up with another rich man.

"Mama, I prioritize academics because you said so and still, you wanted me to become distracted with someone that I don't—" I wasn't able to continue my words when she shushed me and I am trying my best to be calm because I don't want to burst out my anger. I am happy without a man in my life and now, they're forcing me on someone or something that I don't like.

"Darling, it's a great opportunity to our business and to our family. Don't you want to be richer once you get yourself married to an influential man?" I'm not surprised anymore when she said that. It's the same old line whenever she's trying to set me up with a stranger. Moreover, papa also want this, he wants all of his daughters to make a pact with Men that are all blessed with dollared bills and a big company. No wonder, Ate Lori was arranged to kuya Markian, ate Regina was partnered with a crazy rich man in Italy, and then me.

"Mama, I can be rich on my own—" She shushed me again. I didn't had the chance to continue because her eyes is now glaring at me. I swallowed due to nervousness and just nodded right away. From a glaring one, her eyes immediately softened as I obey.

"I knew you'll agree kaya bumangon ka na at gumayak. Gagayak na rin kami ng papa mo." She said sweetly as if she didn't compel her daughter to compromise to what she wants and I nodded once again with a fake smile. Mama walked out of the room and when she closed it, I sighed.

"I don't want to do this!" I shouted in a form of whisper as I stood up and get myself ready. I walked inside my closet and picked a full heart tie-strap midi dress and a white low heeled sandals. For the jewelries, I just picked a simple necklace with seven pearls all gathered in the middle and one pair of pearl earrings that suits the necklace.

I love jewelries, so instead of having only a necklace and a pair of earrings. I gathered five different typed of rings so I can accessorize my hands. Finally, I picked one brown Lady Dior top handle bag. Once I am done preparing for the things that I will wear, I got my towel and a set of underwear before I could finally take a shower.

Minutes passed and I was already done with my simple make up. My hair is dry and remained straight down. When I feel like I'm done fixing myself, I realized that my room was still a mess. I looked at the time and I think I could still make it. However, this wasn't an opportune moment as ate Emma knocked already to my room's door

"Ma'am hinihintay na po kayo ng mama at papa mo sa baba." She said from the outside and now, I feel pressured. I don't want ate Emma to fix my own bed because it's already embarrassing. I'm twenty one, and I should know how to fix my own bedroom. This would also help ate Emma to lessen her listed errands at home.

"Ate Emma, can you please tell them to wait for seconds? I'll just fix my bed." Sabi ko sa kanya.

"Pero ma'am, trabaho ko naman po na ayusin ang mga higaan niyo." Sagot naman ni Ate Emma sa akin pero hindi ako pumayag.