Chapter 52

My forehead furrowed when I found Tito Ephraim, Carolina, Carl and their boyfriends and girlfriends as well as Aunty and Dad. There was also a policeman in the living room.
Aunty and I met eye to eye.
"Lineah!"
"Oh my!" scream by Carolina.
Dad dashed towards me, he wrapped his arms around me.
"Dad..."
He pulled away. "Where have you been?"
My mouth is covered, I don't know what to say to her ...
My gaze shifted to the people here.
Theirs...
"What happened to you, Lineah ?! We're so upset! We thought you might have been kidnapped or something!"
Carolina didn’t know she had told me what had really happened to me.
"We were really nervous because you were with us last night! We should have accompanied you home, I'm really sorry ... If we had accompanied you you might not have disappeared--"
"What happened to you?" Aunty asked.
"What happened sister?" second by Titus Ephraim.
Letse! What can I tell them?
I looked at Dad. I gulped. He must be worried about me. You didn't even call me when I disappeared.
"Looks like you've seen what's missing. We're not needed here anymore." a policeman said.
"Alright, thank you officers." Titus Ephraim.
"Sit down first Lineah."
Tyang guided me to the sofa but I didn't follow because I was sure they wouldn't stop me until they knew where I was from and what happened.
"Uh ..."
I turned in Dad's direction as he spoke. "Let's let Lineah rest first." he glared at me. "Go up to your room and rest."
I sighed.
I don't know if I'll be happy that Dad let me in on Tyang and Tito Ephraim's questions or be sad because he looks disappointed.
******
"Dad?"
"You're with him?"
"Dad I can explain ---"
"No need."
"You don't know what you're doing Lineah. Your engaged." Not anymore.
I sighed.
"Lineah!"
Denard turned to spit out the door. He rushed towards me and wrapped his arms around me.
"I came here faster than I could when Dad told me you're gone."
"How are you? Did they do something to you? I will fucking kill ---"
"Denard." I squeezed his hand. He stopped and seemed to get what I was saying.
"Calm down... Oh-it's just me."
"I'll leave the two of you."
"Thank you Tito." said Denard.
"What happened to you? Are you alright?"
"Y-yes I'm okay. Are you?" I scanned his face fully. He looks so tired. Its eyes are deep and it seems like there is no sleep.
How can I say it without hurting him?
"I'm sorry Lineah this is all my fault ... We're just really busy saving the company. I don't know what to do anymore ..."
"It's alright Denard. I can handle myself so you don't have to worry about me."
"What happened to you?"
I looked away. "It doesn't matter what happened to me. What's important is your health. Are you sleeping? Are you eating enough?"
He smiled, "My wife is worried."
I gulped.
"W-who wouldn't worry would they?"
"I can't wait to marry you, Lineah. I think we should plan it."
I sighed.
"D-denard ..."
"Hmm?"
"What--" I couldn't sleep when the door opened.
"Oh you're too soon!" That's good. Since all of us are here. We should talk about your wedding. "
I close my eyes tightly. I keep on ignoring this topic but it keeps on coming.
What am I going to do?
"Tito Ephraim ..."
Its forehead furrowed. "Why? Is there something wrong?"
"We don't have to hurry." I said calmly to her.
"Why do we have to prolong the marriage, Lineah?"
"Denard has been waiting for you for a long time. If you hadn't disappeared now I probably have a grandson with you. He's been by your side since the beginning, you had nowhere to go then. You are hopeless then he came and helped you. I think its time for you to give the favor now. "
"I know Denar is suffering--"
"Exactly. He's been waiting for you for years. You've been engaged for two years so you just have to fix your wedding!"
I swallowed hard.
"Maybe it's hard for us to take care of because there's still a problem with the company ---"
"That's the point! When you're married, everything will be okay! Haven't you been waiting for this for a long time? We need to plan it right away!"
"We don't have to hurry--"
"Is there a problem Lineah?"
"W-what do you mean?"
"You're not like that before when we talk about your wedding. Did something unexpected happen in our plan?"
"What do you mean Tito?"
"I missed the Montevero escape from your hands because Salvatore Corporations was captured. But now I won't let you ruin my plans." he seriously said. He sound so greedy and dangerous. Different from what I knew.
"Plans?"
"What is happening here?" aniya is Dad.
He's face softened instantly when he heard Dad behind him.
"We are just talking about the wedding."
"Lineah wants to plan it as soon as possible." second by Denard.
My forehead furrowed when he said that. I never said that. What I want to say is the opposite. I don't want the wedding.
I don't want to get married ... I don't want to marry Denard.
"Really?" Dad's eyes narrowed.
"Yes, she did."
"How about your company? Planning the wedding takes time."
"The wedding will help our company! The wedding should be this week!"
"Isn't this week too early? I mean--"
"That's good because ---"
"I think we shouldn't decide for them Ephraim. It's their wedding after all."
"Dad's right Tito, there are too many problems so we won't have a hard time--"
"Lineah's right. We shouldn't take it easy." I lay down loosely. Fortunately, Denard agreed.
"Next week is fine. I think a week is right for our wedding planning."
What ?!
I can only say that he finally agreed with me!
"Fine. Next week then. Don't be in a hurry because you're still there until the end, aren't you?
Denard reached for my hand, "Of course, Dad." And he kissed it.
Letse! I have to say otherwise I might end up marrying Denard.
I withdrew my hand from him. "Can you leave Denard and me first so we can talk?"
"Why? We need to plan ---"
"We should let them talk to Ephraim," Dad asked.
"I know you're excited Lineah." He leaned forward but I pushed him slightly, his forehead creased.
"I don't think we should continue the wedding, Denard."
"What?"
"I'm sorry ..."
"You're tired of Lineah. Let that rest."
"Denard no--"
"I said take a rest Lineah." He squeezed my arm tightly.
"D-denard ..."
"I'm sorry ... I'm just tired. But don't worry, I can plan our wedding."
"Denard ayoko."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't want to continue the marriage."
"I knew you would say that but I'm not gonna let you go Lineah. You're just confused because of what happened. You met him again of course your trauma will be back. I'm here to help you go through it , Lineah. "
"This is not about my trauma--"
"What did you say? Your trauma suddenly disappeared?"
"Denard."
"Tell me what happened Lineah."
"Do you think I don't know what's going on in my house? You punished him? Then what? What did you do to make him sign the papers?"
"See ?! You can't speak!" he shouted angrily at me
"He's confusing you!"
"I'm not confused. I already made my decision, Denard. I don't want to get married." I got caught in my tummy.
"I know you've done a lot and helped me and I'm willing to give that back but not in this way."
"Why do you seem to be here to marry me ?!"
"It's not like that."
"Then what?"
"I'm sorry Denard ..." my eyes traveled on the ground.
"This is all I get after loving you?" his bitter promise.
"I'm really sorry ..."
"Stop saying my name Lineah!" he's eyes never leave mine. "I don't know you anymore..." he said and walked out the room.