MISCHIEVOUS HEARTS (Phoenix Series #3)

Chapter 1

APRIL'S POV

I am smiling widely in front of the mirror while I'm getting ready for our dinner later. I put the last touch of lip tint on my lips and made a popping sound. Ang cute ko talaga! Kahit ako nanggigil sa mukha ko.

Lastly, for the final touch! I put a comb hair crown on where the part of my hair is tied. Gold ito at may mga small diamonds na nakapalibot sa crown. Bagay na bagay sa medium length kong black hair with brown highlights.

From the reflection of the mirror, I saw my father entering the room with a smile on his face. I turned around to meet his smile with mine.

"Ba! How do I look?" I twirled around making the hem of my white dress flow.

"Adorable as always, Yueyue." He said while just looking at my face.

Napanguso tuloy ako. Sa mukha ko lang siya nakatingin eh, hindi sa damit ko. But it's okay. Alam ko naman na bagay sa akin ang dress na to. I bought it back when we were in Beijing with my sister.

Dad calls me Yueyue dahil ang Chinese name ko ay Shi Yue so he came up with Yueyue.

"You know, you don't have to do this. Pwede ka pang mag-back out." Dad looked at me with his worried expression.

Bumuntong hininga ako at lumapit ako sa kaniya. I grabbed both of his hands. "Ba, napag-usapan na natin to diba."

"Ang kapatid mo dapat ang nasa posisyon na to ngayon, hindi ikaw." He said.

"But I want to do this. My sister doesn't deserve to have this engagement. Hindi ako papayag na hindi siya magiging masaya kasama ang lalaking hindi niya naman mahal." Alam ko naman kung ano yung pinag-aalala niya eh. Pero determinado na ako sa decision ko.

Dad let out another sigh then he hugged me. Yumakap din naman ako pabalik. "Inuuna mo pa ang kapakanan ng iba kesa sa sarili mo. But, if that's your decision then I won't interfere on it."

"Don't worry, Ba." Kumalas na ako sa pagyakap kay Dad. I looked at his eyes and I can see that it is full of worriness and pity.

I hate looking at those eyes. Ayokong kinakawawa ako. Mas lalo akong napaghihinaan ng loob pag ginaganiyan ako.

Sumakay kami ni Dad sa sasakyan nito with his driver. Habang nasa byahe kami hindi ko ipagkakaila na kinakabahan ako.

The truth is, if I have another option, I won't do this. I don't want this engagement.

Pero ito ang hiling ni mama bago siya namatay. She wants one of her daughters to marry the son of her bestfriend. Hindi pa kami nabuhay sa mundo, nagkasundo na silang dalawa na ipakasal ang anak nila sa bawat isa.

This engagement was supposed to be arranged with my sister. But, my sister refused this marriage. Ayaw niyang matali sa lalaking hindi niya naman kilala at hindi niya naman mahal. Mahaba pa ang buhay ng ate ko, that's why I stepped in the picture. I made a decision na ako na lang ang magpapakasal sa lalaking hindi naman namin kilala.

At first, my father and sister doesn't like the idea of making me the bride. Pero decision ko to. For the sake of my sister's happiness and my mother's final wish.

"I have already enrolled you sa paaralan kung saan nag-aaral ang fiancé mo. On Monday you're going to have your first day." Sabi ni Dad.

"Did you enroll me in Fine Arts?" I asked him.

He gave me a genuine smile and he patted my head making me purred. "Ofcourse, Yueyue."

When we arrive in the Chinese restaurant, the waiter lead us to the VIP room. Mas lalong lumalakas ang tibok ng puso ko sa bawat hakbang ko patungo sa kuwarto kung saan makikilala ko ang lalaking nakatakdang ipakasal sa akin.