It Started Without Love

Chapter 1

“Are you still upset about your dad’s decision, Reese?” I stayed silent and just covered my whole body with my comforter. I thought that this vacation will be a relaxing one, hindi ko inakala na mas nakakastress pala dito. Kung alam ko lang, hindi na lang sana ako sumama.

Who wouldn’t be upset, they decided for myself without consulting me. Kasal pa talaga ang pinakialaman nila. They even blackmailed me.

“You want to pursue medicine, get married with Liam.”

Liam Ezekiel Suarez, the Suarez Group of Company’s heir, Tito Anton and Tita Lisa’s son who is a well-known playboy ever since college and been a topic of almost every gossip sites for being linked to models and known TV personnel.

“Rest for now, tomorrow we’ll meet with them again, together with Liam. Kakaalis mo lang ng dumating siya.” I heard her footsteps and then the door of the room being shut.

Kinuha ko ang phone ko sa ilalim ng unan ko. I visited my social media accounts and checked if Ash, my bestfriend/cousin, is online. Online siya kaya’t minessage ko siya agad.
I’m waiting for her reply when a notification popped up.

Liam Ezekiel Torrefranca Suarez sent you a friend request.

Another notification popped again, this time sa IG na ito.

ezekielsuarez started following you.

ezekielsuarez: You left early, did not give me chance to meet you. How rude of you.

I followed him back and typed in immediately.

reesemargareth: Sorry but I’m not interested in meeting a stranger.

ezekielsuarez: Have a goodnight Margareth, see you tomorrow.

Magrereply pa sana ako pero naiinis ako sa itinatawag niya sa akin, mas preferred ko ang Reese or Therese than Margareth, only mom call me that when she’s angry. Instead of typing a reply, I just ignored his message and just vent all my frustrations to Ash who called me immediately.

I woke up when I heard knocks on my door and my mom calling me outside.

“Baby, wake up. We have an appointment with your Tito Anton and Tita Lisa. They are already waiting for us at the resto.” I felt bad again. I really don’t like their idea.

After doing my morning routines, I slipped on a denim ripped shorts and a white loose spaghetti top. I paired it with a strappy flat sandals. They eyed me from head to foot, as if protesting for my choice of clothes. What? Anong gusto nilang suotin ko. But instead of voicing out their protests, nanahimik na lang sila. Sabay kaming naglakad papunta sa restaurant ng resort.

“Good morning, Kumpadre. Sorry at natagalan kami ng konti, alam mo na. Babae.” Tumayo naman si Tito Anton para kamayan si dad, ganoon din si Tita Lisa na bumeso sa amin ni mom. Tumayo naman si Liam para bumati pero di na ako nag-abalang batiin pa siya, umupo na agad ako. Nakita ko pang tinanguan ni Tito Anton sina dad para sabihing pabayaan na lang muna ako.

“She’s all grown up, Alona. Noon, Reese is just a cute little girl running in the lobby of our companies or sometimes playing under the table of the conference rooms.” I’ve known them ever since I’m a kid, but not Liam. He grew up in New Jersey with his grandparents in his mother side. Ang kilala ko lang ay ang dalawa niyang katapid na babae. Si Lindsy na matanda sa akin ng tatlong taon at si Laila na mas nakababata sa akin. I heard they’re in Maldives right now for vacation.

“Naaalala ko pang kapag bumibisita siya sa opisina ni Anton, she’d always run towards her tito para kumandong at mangalikot sa table nito. Now, you’re a very prim and proper lady Reese. I really miss our naughty little Reese.”

“Kaya talaga nagseselos si Lindsy at Laila dahil mas mahal mo pa yata si Reese kaysa sa kanila eh. She changed when she’s teen. Maybe because of the fact that she’s not that little anymore at siya lang mag-isa palagi sa bahay. Minsan lang makabisita si Ashleah at ang kapatid niyang si Alexa. Alexa can’t play with them too kasi asthmatic kaya’t di na lang din sila naglalaro masyado.” I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. Ba’t ba kasi ako ang pinag-uusapan nila.

“How old are you now, Therese?” Itinaas ko ang tingin ko nang tanungin ako ni Tita Lisa. Pati ang mga lalaki na kanina pa nag-uusap tungkol sa trabaho ay napabaling din.

“I’m 23, tita.”

“I heard you already passed the licensure examinations for nursing. Are you going to apply as a nurse or you have other plans?” nagpatuloy sa pagtatanong si Tita.

“Pag-uusapan na lang siguro ‘yan nina Liam once they’d settle down. Para naman di sila magkaroon ng problema.” I stiffened when tito Anton said that. I feel like I want to lash out anytime but I respect them so much. Napag-usapan na rin to namin nina mommy kanina bago kami pumunta dito. They will let me enrol in med school, they will even finance my studies until I get my license but in return, I will marry him. If I refused, all my cards will be hold, I won’t get even a single penny from them.

“Uhm, I plan to continue studying in med school tita. I took up BS Nursing as my preparatory course.” Nagkatinginan naman sila, mom squeezed my hand, as if thanking me that I did not show my rudeness again.

“There’s no problem about that, if that’s what she want then I’ll support her.” I glanced at Liam when he said that. Huh! So he agreed to this. If I’m not mistaken, matanda siya sa akin ng dalawang taon.

He just smirked at me. I glared at him.

“How rude of us, gosh. Why don’t you guys introduce yourself to each other first.” Parang kinikilig pa talaga si Tita Lisa ng sabihin niya ‘yon. Mom glanced at me and then to Liam who is just watching me intently, waiting for me to introduce myself first.

“Therese.” I simply said. Siniko naman ako ni mommy, parang pinapagalitan ako. I sighed deeply. “Therese Margareth Alvaro Gozon.” I look at him and he has this smug look on his face.

“Suarez, that’ll be Suarez soon.” Natawa pa ang mga parents namin. I just glared at him. “Liam Ezekiel Torrefranca Suarez.”