005: After years of break up, we finally met

"Are you ready, sweetheart?"

I glanced at the door when I heard a familiar voice. There, I saw my mother who I think is all ready to go to the five star hotel where we would meet the Alquezers to talk about the wedding.

"I'm on it, Mom," I replied with a small smile on my lips. I knew I wouldn't be able to back off the deal, not when it's already been sealed.

But fuck it!

I think I'm starting to get nervous... even when I knew nothing could get nervous about.

I just feel like... I wanna put this deal off.

I groaned as I shook my head while walking on my way downstairs. I saw Dad waiting for me at the side of the staircase, just like what we can see at the movie.

"Shall we?" he asked which I just laughed about. I accepted his offer of linking arms and with that, we took our way out of the house together.

"Are you sure that you're okay, sweetheart? We can cancel this meet-up if you're not yet ready to face August," Mom says as she broke the silence in the car which I just shook about.

"No, Mom. Let's go on with it. Nothing would change even if we'll reschedule the meet-up. I'll still see his fucking idiotic face," I retorted which made them both laugh at the front seat.

"Darling, just tell it to me if August would do something reckless on your marriage. I'd probably give him a lesson. I'll give him a punch on his face, darling. Something that I'm surely he can get from me," says Dad which made me raise an eyebrow at him, smirking at what he's talking about.

"Even if he's Uncle Augustine's son, you'll punch him?" I challenged Dad which made him look at me through the rearview mirror.

"Even if he's Augustine's son, I'll still punch him," Dad firmly replied which raised my eyebrow more.

"Even if he is your friend's son? Frankly, to your most respected friend, you'll still punch him?" I continued to challenge him and here he was, still firm on his replies.

"Even if he would be the son of the President, I'll still punch him, darling," he still firmly replied which made me burst into a silent laughter.

"Even if he'd be a reason to save our company, you'll still punch him?" I finally retorted which made him go silent.

He faked a cough and averted his gaze away from me. "Well... I guess I will give him a warning before giving him a punch," he replied which made me laugh. Even Mom who was just being silent at the side burst into a laugh at Dad.

"I am a hundred percent sure that you can't have the urge nor the ability to punch him, love. August is your favorite, right? You almost pushed our daughter to marry him before. Blaire just refused, so your plan with Augustine didn't push through," Mom pointed out which set Dad into silence.

He's guilty.

When arrived at the five star hotel, we found Uncle Augustine and Auntie Nicolette seated in the private space they've got for this special meeting with the two parties. Archer, Nicole and Violet are sitting with them. I wonder where Austin and August---

I stopped and groaned as soon as I realized what I was thinking.

Argh, Aliana Blaire! Stop thinking about him! And can you please stop looking for him? It's not that he should be here! I know for sure he's also against this marriage.

"Anton," Uncle Augustine called Dad as soon as we entered the room. They immediately stood up as a sign of respect on our arrival.

"Thank you for giving this meet-up a time, Augustine," Dad thankfully stated and then look at Auntie Nicolette. "And Nicole, thank you for helping us---"

Before Dad could even finish speaking, they started laughing which made Dad stop for a moment.

"Anton, no need to be formal. We are all family here. Besides, it's our pleasure to help. In fact, we're all ready to help you without anything in return, but because we want Blaire to be part of the family, we pursue this arrange marriage," Auntie Nicolette stated which soften my heart in glee.

If only they know how much I also wanted to be part of their family, but because of their son's actions, I couldn't do so.

"Hija," Auntie Nicolette called me. "You're becoming more beautiful. It's like saying you'll be better off without August, but sorry, I really want you to be part of the family and be my child, Blaire," Auntie confessed which made me smile.

"I can still be your child, Auntie, even if I'm not married to August," I stated which made her shook her head, opposing the idea I just mentioned.

"I still prefer to have you as my official daughter, hija. Daughter-in-law is not bad. You're still labeled as my daughter so it's all fine. You, having our surname would be great to be heard. Aliana Blaire Gazette-Alquezer. See? What a beautiful name to hear. Our family name suits you well," she retorted which me shook my head.

"By the way, where's Austin and August, Augustine?" Dad asked, looking for the two members of the Alquezer Family.

Before Uncle Augustine could speak, someone spoke at the door.

"Sorry, I'm late," says the newcomer.

Just when I thought it was August, my heart skipped a beat. When I've learned it was Austin, I feel like I felt relieved of something.

"Aunt, Uncle," Austin greeted my parents politely before kissing Mom on her cheek and giving Dad a nod. When his gaze landed to me, I immediately blinked.

"Blaire," he finally called me. I was surprised when he inched our distance and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

While we're on that position, I accidentally saw a familiar man.

It's August.

And he's staring darkly at me.