I'm Lucifer's Wife

10

I Won't

"What do you mean you're backing out?"

I looked at Franz then back to my parents. Having to deal with them is really making me nuts. And this is the last time I want to. Hindi maganda sa pakiramdam na kailangan ko pang magpaliwanag para lang mangyari ang gusto ko. Damn Lucifer. I chew the side of my cheek trying not to scowl in front of them. I sighed.

"I just can't and won't marry him. Why can't you understand that?"

"And why is that so, little lady?" my dad asked with one brow raised. He's calls me that name so I know he's serious and won't take non-sense answers. I bit back the groan when I saw his expression. Now I know where I got that attitude.

"Pa, I don't love him. And I want to marry the person I love." and that's true. That's one of my wishes.

"You could learn to love him, princess." my mom interrupted. "Isa pa, you've known each other since childhood right? That's an easy way to love him."

LOVE HIM?! MA, ARE YOU SERIOUS?! I'LL LOVE THE PERSON WHO ONLY DID WAS TO HURT EVERYONE!?

But of course I can't say it. "Ma, please, hearts can't be taught to love someone. Most importantly, hindi ko kaya yun." I turned my eyes towards them and used what could possibly pass on as puppy eyes. "You wouldn't want me miserable for the rest of my life, right?" they nod and I smile. "Then please, call this off."

There was silence until dad spoke, "So the rumors are true about you and Aldrin's secret relationship then?" my eyes almost pop out of my sockets with what I heard from dad.

"What? No, Pa." I immediately answered. Heck those rumors. "We're just friends, Pa."

WHAT ON EARTH GIVE THEM THE IDEA OF ME HAVING A RELATIONSHIP WITH DAMON?!

"And so who's this man you're talking about?" Pa, why do you have to be so intimidating?

I looked away. Geez. Now I'm cornered. I just can't tell them who or I'll be doomed. But I can't also let them dictate my future. It's mine. And mine alone to decide.

"I don't know." I lied. Go on Seraphim. Lie until you die. What a lame excuse. Tsk. "I'm still waiting for that person and I still want to live my life freely." well that's quite true.

I heard Franz's fake coughed that made us look at him. What on earth is his problem? Magsasalita na ba siya para tulungan ako? Ang alam ko kasi dalawa kaming mangungumbinsi kina dad, but since this family meeting started, e, ako lang nagsasalita.

"If you excuse me, tito, tita." he slightly glance at me before continuing. "I, myself, disagree with this engagement. I know it's for her sake, and I understand that. But do you think she'll be happy if she marries someone she doesn't love at all? I know I'm not in the proper place to interfere but she's more of a cousin to me and all I want is for her to be happy with someone who's worthy of her."

If I was stunned with what he said, is an understatement. Because in all truths, I'm now in the verge of crying. All because of him. Franz is like a brother I never had just like what he said. Mula pagkabata pa lang namin, he never let me down. He makes sure I'm happy. And now, coming from him? Ang lakas ng impact. He's a man of actions, so for him to say it with so much conviction, I'm really lucky to have him. And despite all this mess, I'm happy I have him by my side to support me.

Dad nod. "I understand that, Francis. But we know this is for the best."

"Pa!?" I snap in surprise. Best? Marrying me off to that devil is the best? "If this has anything to do with the merger, then I'll take care of it myself. I'm not something to be traded off dad."

I heard him sigh, "It's not actually about the merger, Allison. It will happen with or without this enhancement." then he looked at me in the eye. "This is about your future. A future that was too impossible with what you're doing."

"Why is that?" I asked. "I can take care of myself. And most especially my future!" what the hell is wrong with my future? Why do they keep telling me that? I can take care of myself. They should both know that better than anyone else.

"Yes we know you can," mom agreed. "But we want you to be happy and be able to see you create your own family."

I felt my blood rushed up to my cheeks with that answer. But I manage to get my head off of that idea. I'll have my future the way I want it, not anyone else's. And that is final.

I sigh. "There's really no changing your minds, isn't it?"

I am damn tired explaining. They really are my parents. If there's something we have in common, among others, it's our stubbornness. Because once we decide on something, we see to it until the end. We don't back out. How much hard the obstacles that we have to face, we always make sure to make it until the end. There's no giving up on our vocabulary.

"Allison," mom called out. I shook my head no. It was enough answer for me.

"Whatever happens, I won't marry him." I told them fiercely and definitely. "And there's nothing you could do to change that. I will rule my life and you will have no say on it."

I was about to leave, when dad said something that made stop me mid-step.

"You really did take after me, Allison." dad said as his voice was reminiscing. Of course, I knew that. Everyone might say I got the best of them, but we all know better. I may have the looks and character of mom, but everything that I am, took after dad.  "And that attitude of yours is what we want to change."

Change? What for? I'm happy with me being myself. If people can't understand that, I don't freaking care. I don't need their approval. I am who I am.

"...we don't want you ending up alone and lonely, princess. It was something that's about to happen to me had I not met your mother. And as a father, I don't to see you go through that. I want to watch you as I walk you down the aisle and hand you over to a man I surely know will love and cherish and treat you the way you should be and more."

"It'll happen dad," I whisper but enough for them to hear. "But not just yet, and certainly not to him."