"I cant believe you did that! My God, Ariana, what are you even thinking?!" My Mom scolded me in her office. She slammed her laptop down and stood up from her seat as she harshly removed her glasses to glare at me.

"I know, Mom. And I'm really sorry" I apologized, looking down to the floor.

"And those clothes! My God, Ariana! Were you in your right mind to even wear such inappropriate dress! Look at that! You nearly show all your skin!" She continued lecturing making me look down on the floor longer.

Actually, I'm expecting this will happen that Mom will be fuming in anger. Who would think that the news travel so fast? It was only last night but it was all over the news on what happened between me and that Stephan.

But what is irritating is that the news are saying that it's my fault! All the photos in there were me throwing the wine at him which is actually so unfair because they didn't caught the part we're Stephan is talking so low to me. Now it's looks like I'm the bad one here.

But it was really him.

"Give us a good explanation for this, Ariana. Why did you disrespect Stephan?" Dad's turn to ask and his face is so serious. It is very clear that he is not happy with it.

"I wasn't the first one who made a disrespect move, Dad. He disrespected me first! He was shouting at me telling me that he doesn't want to marry me." I told them, my hands are shaking in nervousness.

"What? It's impossible that he doesn't want to marry you. He reserved the both of you in the most amazing French restaurant in town because he knew how much you love it." Mom told me, placing an hand on her waist.

"That's an easy thing, Mom. French restaurant or not, we are not getting married." I crossed my arms across my chest.

"You like it or not, we didn't raised you like that." Dad lectured me.

Mom ran her hands through her face and groaned "The Draco and our family has been good friends for a very long time, Ariana. And I don't want my own daughter to destroy it and to begin a conflict with them. Apologize to him." she said, deepening the last sentence.

"Apologize?!" I gasped but then just withdraw. I am not gonna win in this one so I just better shut my mouth and agree to them, like I always do.

"Yes, apologize to him." Dad said before turning their back to me again.

The look of disappointment from both of my parents.

Again, I did it again.

In my whole existence, I did nothing but disappoint my parents because of my failures. I guess marrying that man is the only way for them to want me. For them to be proud of me. But this is not just a thing that is very easy to achieve. We are talking about marriage here for crying out loud!

A whole life commitment to someone. And I have never think of getting married at such a young age! God, I still should be enjoying my life and my freedom since I just finished college and it was very successful.

But for now, I don't have the voice to tell them that.

It's better if I should just turn away and leave the office or else my parents will be angrier at me. We don't want that to happen so I walked out of the office and closed the door when I left.

What should I do? Apologize to the guy that talks to me like I was a piece of trash?! That is a major strike down to my pride.

Yes, I may be a good girl who always listened and obey her parents but never in my life disrespect and disobeyed them. So, why don't they just let this pass? I mean I will obey them for the rest of my life but not this one. Darn it.

This is so stressful.

I was walking on the hallway when I decided to call my best friend, Jasmine. She's a supermodel and the daughter of Mayor Peter Skyler. She is quite busy from all the model works but she always have the time for me.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Hey, Jas." I greeted first in a not so energetic way.

"Whats with the tone, Ariana? Is that your new way of greeting me?" She asked, ironically and I can sense her smiling. "What's up?"

I sigh "They did it again" I murmured and she already knows what I am trying to say.

"Oh no, what happened this time?"

I inhaled and exhaled deeply before stopping when I reached the living area and I sat down on one of the luxury couch. "Guess what? This thing that my parents wants me to do will surely kill me."

"They want you to kill yourself? That's good. I will give you some ropes if you want to die that way?"

I sarcastically laugh and rolled my eyes "Nice, Jasmine. Really helping."

She laughed hard on the other line. This woman is the craziest woman I have ever met in my entire boring and miserable life. "I'm just trying to make you laugh, darling. Cheer up a little. I hope its not that bad"

"They wanted me to get married"

"Oh, that is bad" she quickly replied, in a low tone.

"I was engaged to Stephan Draco and the man is not even nice. I repeat not nice." I stated, with a soft scoff "He told me a low woman, Jasmine. He disrespected me so I threw the wine at him!"

"You threw a wine at Stephan Draco?"

"Yes, I did." I proudly replied.

"I'm impressed you're still alive. How did the press handle that?" She seems shocked which is not what I am expecting from him since I'm expecting on something like 'You threw a wine at Stephan? Good job! Kick his ass for being an ass!'

"The press are going crazy. Blaming me for it and now my parents are so freaking mad at me." I said, my tone getting lower.

"You got yourself in big trouble, lady. Stephan Draco is not the one you should messed with." She responded. "He may be a handsome and hot chef but he had the most amazing connections in the world. He can take you down so easily."

I scoffed again "The heck I care. My parents are disappointed at me and now I have to apologize to him and maybe beg him to marry to make my parents proud"

"Aren't you sick of saying that line?"

"Nope. Because I really have to do it." I smiled and just laughed. "If marrying this man will make them happy then I have to do it but I need to know this man first."

"Well, good luck with that, girlfriend. Your bitch is always here for you if you needed anything." She told me in a worried tone.

"Thank you. Good luck on your job." I told her with a smile.

"Tsk, I am so pissed right now to be honest because Dad just hired this super hot and handsome bodyguard who did nothing but tease me and annoy me." She snarled. "Imagine, my friend, how dare him ignore my flirty gestures. No one ignored me!"

I laughed at her tone. She sounded so desperate "Maybe he is just holding back because he is doing his job and don't want to loose it"

"Fuck him. I slept with one of my former hot bodyguards and Dad never knew about them. I only fired them because they bore me!" She shouted on the other line.

But I can't help but just laugh "Don't mind him anymore. Anyway, I gotta go. I will just call you later." I told her then we said our good byes and I ended the call. Even if Jasmine has a lots of bodyguards around her, had a very protective father, she still does everything she wants and her father just let her do where she was happy. The exact opposite as my life. She is so lucky.

"Ariana" I heard my mom's voice from the staircase. "We have a visitor tonight so would you mind cook some foods?"

"...Sure?" I sounded unsure though. Why me? We have many chefs in our house but why do I have to do it? But I already gave my answer so I have to do it. Do not disappoint them, that's what I have to do and nothing more.

THE EVENING came, and I'm in the kitchen almost done with the foods that I'm cooking. Since Dad requested to make some seafood dishes, I made some salt and pepper shrimp, seafood pasta and gripped halibut with peachnand pepper sauce.

"Smells amazing, dear" Dad came inside the kitchen as I was finally serving the dishes on the plate. I called the maids to finally serve them on the table since it's already seven in the evening. "Making you take culinary in college really was worth it."

Yey, of course it is. You forced me to take it but I didn't regret taking it because I definitely enjoyed it. Taking that in college is the only one I enjoyed from all the things that my parents forced me to. But right now, this marriage thing is so far the worst.

"Dad, who is this special guest you'll be having?" I asked, as I washed my hands in the sink.

Dad just smiled and head out after saying "It's a secret."

I rolled my eyes and sulked. I will found anyway so why bother hide it from me? And why do they need to keep it a secret if it really doesn't concern me anyway. I put everything that I used on the sink as I wiped my wet hands on the clean kitchen towel near the fridge. I hope the dishes I made will taste wonderful so this special guest will like it and might have more.

I took my apron off and let the maids to the rest as I was about to head upstairs when the door bell rings. That must be the guest.

"He's here!" My mom came out and walked down the stairs then one of our maids again opened the front door.

Then my jaw just dropped to the ground seeing who is on our doorstep.

"Oh, welcome Stephan. Please come in" Mom greeted him, excitingly.

Fuck, it's him.

Once he sets his foot inside, my heart just felt like was boom...boom..boom. Panic raises to my body until I found him in front of me.

God is he really the special guest? I thought a beaver would be nicer, really. It is much better. I think we have been staring for each other for seconds until Dad come in and kinda saved my life. Thank you!

"Stephan, boy. I'm so happy you agreed to our daughter's invitation. She cooked you some seafood dishes that you love. Come, let's eat " Dad just dragged Stephan away and I stood there, frozen on my spot.

Wait, my invitation? He likes seafood? I didn't know any of what he said. I invited him? That really stressed me out.

I was about to go upstairs when Mom stopped me on my tracks. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going upstairs, Mom. He's not my guests." I told her but she grabbed my arm and dragged me down forcefully. Oh, damn it. Cant I just go to my room? I don't want to face that man!

We arrived in the dining area, Mom and Dad are on their seat, opposite to each other, making me and Stephan sit next to each other. Great. What a great day for you, Ariana.

I sat down on the chair and place my elbows on the table. Stephan was sitting quietly and I badly want to smash my glass in his face. He is such a fake guy!

"How was your restaurant, Stephan? I heard you opened a new one...in?" Dad started to ask.

I took some of the pasta but I'm not really enjoying right now. The fact that I know he is sitting beside me is making me so tensed and careful. Which is I don't known why I am feeling like this? Calm down, Ariana. This is just a test.

"I just opened two restaurants in the Philippines, Clarence. " oh so they are on their first name basis, eh? Getting comfortable with each other already. I'm not really pleased with that one.

"Wow, in the Philippines. That's great." Mom smiled then looked at me "Oh, boy. When will our daughter have her own restaurant? Ariana, make sure that you will be working on that." She pointed a finger on me.

I suddenly nod and agreed. Well, I can't say no anyway. She is just gonna keep on mentioning that until I agree with her.

"I hope your Dad is doing well now. Last time I heard, his condition got even worse." Dad mentioned.

Stephan took a bite of the shrimp and my eyes just can't stop staring at him as his fork came contact with his lips and the way he swallowed down just made my throat dry in the process. Why the heck is he handsome?! He is making me so nervous and tensed. I can't calm my heart down from beating too fast.

"My Dad is actually getting better. Still, the doctors want to check on him if the medicine will work" he answered, nicely and calmly.

"Hope that your Dad gets well soon" Mom added and continued eating. "Honey, are you alright? You were staring at Stephan the whole time. He might melt."

My one eyebrow raised "No! No, I was not staring at him!" I defended and started putting the pasta in my mouth fully.

Stephan turned to me with a smirk on his face "Can't you eat, doll?" He finally spoke to me but damn his voice made me want to drop on my knees and just melt at how sexy it is.

"I-I'm fine. Don't worry about me." I hid my face from him and just pushed more pasta in my mouth and chewed them which I just realized that it is very hard to chew.

Stephan removed his eyes on me then to his meal "These are delicious. You made them, Ariana?" He asked me.

He liked it? That's good news but why is he trying to be nice but in fact he hates me.

I hesitated to nod then just agreed. "Yes. Thank you."

Then all of sudden, my mom's phone rings causing for her to answer it "Hello?yes...I'm actually at home, Alex." She told to the other line. Alex is her client from what I know. "Oh, sure...okay..." Then she ended it. "I'm sorry but I have to take care of this. " and Mom left, her food is still not finished but she already stood up and left to head her office.

Great, now and I'm alone with Dad and Stephan.

Stephan and Dad continued talking and seems like they really got along with each other while I just eat in between them and forces myself to eat the foods even if I can't anymore.

When I noticed that we are all finished eating, I grab a table napkin to wipe my mouth then stood up.

"Where are you going?" Dad asked.

"Just gonna walk around, Dad" I answered.

"Good idea. Tour your fiance around the mansion, bond and chat a little." Dad grinned widely and then stood up as well. "I'm gonna leave the two of you here because I will check your mother upstairs. Have fun." He told us then like what Mom did, they just leave us hanging.

"Fuck" I muttered, running my hand through my hair.

"Whoa, the good and noble child just cursed." Stephan murmured behind me.

I turn my head to him and saw him wiping his mouth also with the table napkin before he stands up and looked down on me using those warm brown eyes. "So, shall we walk around?"

I narrowed my eyes at him and started walking ahead as I sensed him following me behind. I opened the door towards the garden and the smell of sweet flowers cane contact with my nose. We also have a huge pool in this area so I just stood at the edge.

And I think this is the time to go serious with this man. "What the heck is wrong with you?"

"Huh?"

"What are trying to show to my parents? That you're the good one here and I'm the bad person? But boy, you we're the one who insulted me in the restaurant last night and I'm not gonna bow my head to you, you got that? My parents may like you but I don't." I poke him hard near his chest as my voice was getting deeper.

Stephan just chuckled and pushes my hand away from him. "I don't like you more that you don't like me for sure, Doll." He told me, facing the pool instead and crossed his arms.

"Then why are you here?" I placed my hand on my waist and looked at him, bitchy face.

"Because your parents told me that you are ready to apologize so I assume that you are gonna be nice now and accept your mistake."

Oh this stinking man.

"Are you trying to piss me, idiot?" I glared at him.

But he just looked at me and then away "You are just stressing yourself, doll. I have no interest in getting married and especially to you. But since you are still not asking for forgiveness...then I will just tell your parents that we are not getting married."

My eyes widen and grab his arm before he could walk away "Wait, wait, wait, boy. And what are you gonna tell them? The reason why we are not getting married?"

"Simple. You don't want to marry me."

I frowned "What? Is it only me who doesn't want to get married? Tell them that you also hate to marry me."

"Not my problem" he murmured and was about to walk away. Like heck, I'm gonna agree to that! My parents will surely be angry with me if he told them that. That will disappointed them more!

"Fuck, what are you trying to improve? You also don't want to marry me why not tell them that we don't want to marry each other. End of story."

"No." He is trying to be hard, eh?

"Then why?"

"Because I will make your life miserable. That's why" he stated, immediately without a blink as he looked at me dead serious.

I suddenly felt nervous but not let it show "My life miserable? Dude, my life is already miserable."

"Good. Because I will never ever be married to a puppet like you." Then he scoffed "Look at yourself, you can't even tell your parents to stop the wedding because you don't want to disappointed them. Poor doll, can't even speak honestly to them. What if I tell them right now to stop the plan? We hate each other so much and that Draco and Cruz will no longer be business partners anymore."

God, he is playing with me. He is trying to test me out if I'm gonna give up but if he is really gonna tell my parents to stop this wedding using the reason that I don't want to marry him then that will result a chaos. My parent as will surely be so disappointed and so angry at me. I don't want to be the cause of their rivalry or the end of their friendship. But my life is also depending on this. God, I don't know what to do!

Stephan scoffed once again "I see that you are really one weak girl, doll. You will never ever be strong." He warmed me causing me to tensed up and all of a sudden just slapped him once again but harder this time. I don't even care since he is talking shit again! I'm not a weak girl!

"Fuck you!"

"Ariana Cruz!"

Oh shit.

I'm freaking screwed.

Slowly, I turn and saw my parents standing there shock as they witnessed me cursing and even slapped Stephan on the face. Oh, this is so bad.

Time to pack your bags, Ariana. Because they will surely throw you away.