Hidden Identity

Expectations

Dad: "Age is merely a number."

"Well, 40 is a pretty big number compared to 18!"

Dad: "I've known him since you were 2 years old. He's not that bad! I trust him completely."

"What if he won't marry me? Then?"

Mum and dad looked at each other.

Mum: "Because it was his idea."

"Hm?"

Dad: "...it's not like that. He just wanted to help."

Mum: "Mm hm. Sure. He just wanted to 'help'..."

"?"

Mum: "I was showing him pictures of you; worst mistake i made." She muttered the last line. "And your DAD brought up the problem and he volunteered to marry you. He's the one who came up with the marriage idea. Based on your pictures."

Dad: "You're making it sound worse than it actually is!"

"...."

I-i'm not ready for this. Too much has already happened and they're springing this on me too. I'm only 17; there's only so much i can take.

Tears started rolling down my cheeks and my throat began to ache.

Dad: "....i already gave him my word."

*Sob*

Dad: *Sigh* "How about this...you...go on a few dates with him? If there's something about him you don't like: then i'll take back my words. Okay?"

I looked up at my dad with tears still blurring my vision.

"O-okay..."

Dad: "Good girl." He smiled.

Jo was in the background cringing throughout. I would've said that he was feeling helpless but...something was telling me that he could stop this. That he could say something to save me. But he didn't. I don't know, i think it was just my imagination.

And when my parents left, Jo was also left looking guilty and insecure.

"Are you okay?"

Jo: "Y-yeah. Go to sleep." He gave a soft hesitant smile.

[NEXT DAY]

Ichy: "Marriage?!"

Tak: "To a 40 year old man?!"

Ryu: "That's even older than Jo!"

Jo: "You can do math; good for you."

Richy: "T-that's crazy! That's cruelty! That paedophile!"

Haru: "I can't believe your dad!"

"Me neither!"

Haru: "By the way, is Rosie coming today?"

"No, mum took her somewhere."

Ichy: "And didn't your mum say anything?!"

"She tried; but she's helpless."

Everyone: "...."

Richy: "Let's run away!"

"Huh?"

Richy: "You..." he grasped my hand. "...And me. Let's elope like a romantic couple! We'll be like Romeo and Juliet!"

Haru: "They died in the end."