"Meredith, open this door! Let's talk!" Mom shouted from the other side of the door.
I didn't mind her. Instead, I fixed myself. I harshly wiped the makeup and lipstick on my face and pulled my hair into a bun.
"Meredith!" The knocks were loud but I remained unbothered.
I've never been disappointed in my entire life until I heard that fucking news. I can't believe they arranged me with Ellwood. He's my best friend since I was in grade school, for pete's sake!
Haven't they even considered that my friendship with Ellie is at stake here? I don't want to think that Ellie agreed to this for money. I'm sure he's just forced to agree to this.
I know him very well, he never once showed any romantic interest towards me. He's just naturally flirty so I know that those higs and kisses were just friendly gestures.
And I know that he's a certified fuck boy! He has new girls with him everytime, and I don't give a damn about who's his girlfriend now.
My heart calmed when Mom finally stopped knocking, until I heard Dad's voice.
"Sweetheart? May I talk to you for a moment?" Dad's voice is calm and taming.
My lips curved a bit, standing up and opening the door. Dad's face peeked from the door so I opened it widely to let him in. We silently sat on the bed, no words uttered.
Silence sufficed at every corner of my room. I heard a lot of sighs from Dad before he finally turned to me.
"You know that me and your mom loves you and we just wanted what's best for you," he started.
I blew out a breath and nodded.
"The Echevariis are not strangers to us, especially Ellwood. He's a very competitive and consistent, and I know he won't hurt you..." He sighed heavily before he continued.
"I like him for you and in fact, I want him to be my son-in-law," he straightforwardly said.
I swallowed everything I heard, unable to respond just yet. I already saw it coming but it still hurt... hearing him say that. Is Ellwood not enough as the company's CEO that they still wanted more?
"Dad..." I pursed my lips when he held my hand.
"I know you're still mourning for the death of your husband. Hezekiah is a good man, he's too young to left the world..."
I could feel my heart being slowly and painfully torn apart. I bit my lower lip to stop my tears from falling, but to no avail, it did.
"Please don't cry, sweetheart..." His voice soundied concerned, trying to soothe my pain.
I know I dissapointed him a lot of times even though he often lets me do what I want. He's always by my side from the very beginning. He taught me how to walk and to stand on my own. He is a very supportive and a loving father to me, to the point that I didn't want to disappoint or fail him this time.
"But I love my husband so much, Dad..." I almost whimpered, feeling my hear slowly breaking into pieces.
He breathed out a loud sigh and look intently at my sorrowful eyes. "I know, and I know Hezekiah would be more than happy to know that Ellwood would be the one to replace him instead of unfamiliar people..."
I blinked rapidly to stop my tears from falling. He is right, Ellwood is a big catch. Dad thinks that Ellie is the right guy for me. I can't point out any faults at him. He's so gorgeous, so clean and smart. I always feel safe and secured around Ellwood, but it doesn't mean that he's the right guy for me.
"But he is my bestfriend... Ellwood is my bestfriend, Dad," I sobbed. I bursted into tears. I felt Dad hugging me.
"I know, and he will always be, hija..." He gentle kissed my hair and gave me a soothing hug.
I'm angry at myself. I also felt guilty for all that pain I've caused for choosing Hezekiah over my parents. I know, from the very start, Mom doesn't like him for me. But I didn't obey them, I got wedded to Hezekiah even if I know that Mom's not happy with it.
Now, I have the chance to prove myself that I'm not a failure to this family, but I don't know if I can do it.
"I'm not forcing you to decide right now, I want you to ponder upon things before you decide. Marriage is a long term relationship, and it will definitely be hard for you because Ellwood's your best friend."
I slowly looked up at him. The heaviness in my heart was eventually gone. On the other side, I know that he will always respect my decisions.
Holding onto that reason, I saw myself nodding. A heavy sigh escaped my lips first before I talked.
"I'll do what you said, I will give you what makes you happy... but In one condition."
His eyes opened in disbelief, "Are you sure, hija?" I noticed his shoulders firmed. "And... what is your condition?" he asked and gave me some odd expression.
I took a deep breath before I opened my mouth to speak, "Three months, just give me enough time to decide. It's not easy for me. I love Ellwood, but it doesn't mean that he can change Hezekiah in my heart."
He was silenced for a while, I know he's thinking that I'm just wasting my time, but I trust Dad, I know he'll understand me.
I gripped his hand tight, "I promise..."
I smiled when I saw him nodding. I don't know if this is right. I love my husband so much, and I'm sure no one could ever replace him in my heart. I just hope that Hezekiah's memories will return in a span of three months, because if not... I will never get a chance to win him back again.
I opened the door open to let him out. After that, I walked back to my bed and laid down.
A breathy sigh escaped from my mouth as I leaned my head to looked out the window, the warmth of the sun hits my skin, beyond this wall and white curtain, I can smell and hear the salty waves crashing outside.
I rest my smile a bit, it feels good to be back.
I stood up to watch the sun from the veranda. The waves and the rustles of the leaves from the wind brought music to my ears.
I almost jumped on my feet when I heard my phone ringing. I sweated as I saw what name was written on the screen.
It's Gabriel again, how my texts and calls did I not answer to avoid talking to him? Until now, there's still a heavy baggage inside me because of my two weeks absence at work.
I don't know how to react at this very moment, I was painfully torn apart. I never once thought my situation to be this complicated.
Truth is I'm on AWOL right now, and I should accept whatever punishment may come from my recklessness.
I gathered all my power before I slid out my phone to answer the call.