My Happily Ever After

2 - Arranged

Abby's POV...

We were chatting happily about the upcoming Senior's Ball in the kitchen when I saw Gorio pass by and when he saw me, he smiled brightly. That same typical smile that he gives me daily. He's really handsome but he hides them in his glasses, messy looking hair and not so cool outfits.

"Good morning, princess." he said. "Morning, Emz."

"What's so good in the morning?" I muttered and immediately pouted.

"Y-you." he stuttered and he shrugged. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Err. Whatever, Gorio." I said and he chuckled. 

"I'll...ugh, I'll take my leave, princess...Emz!" he said and fixed his glasses. He rendered a smile again before finally leaving us in peace.

"Ahhhh!! Gorio's looking more and more handsome as years go by, don't you think?" Emilia whispered to my ears and giggled.

Emilia is Carolina's daughter who also lives in our house. She's like my real best friend. We grew up together and go to the same school. Her school fees and all are handled by my parents since Carolina's been working with us for a very long time now. She usually helps with the house chores even if she doesn't need to.

"Yeah, but you know very well that for me, Anthony's more handsome." I answered and rolled my eyes.

"Anthony...Anthony...Anthony..." she pouted. "You always talk about that guy."

"What? It's true."  I said firmly.

"I beg to disagree, señorita. Gorio's face, body and sex appeal is way beyond señorito Anthony's league." Emilia said firmly. "And...can I just add that your Anthony's kinda cocky."

"He's absolutely not." I countered. "Anthony's nice and kind. He wouldn't be loved by everyone if he's cocky. Plus, he's Gorio's best friend."

"Tsk. He is. Trust me." Emilia insisted. "And if I know any better, maybe Anthony's just taking advantage of Gorio's brilliant mind so he keeps him as his 'so-called' friend..."

"Hey. You know that's not true. And besides, you’re only saying that because you two always end up fighting." I added. "But if you actually try to befriend him and know him better. You'll see that he is a nice guy."

"Tsk! Nice guy, my a**. For your information, the reason why I don't really like him for you is...number 1, he's cocky...2, he's cocky and lastly, he's cocky."

I rolled my eyes at her and she smirked.

"Whatever you say, Emilia...You're annoying. And please, you know I don't like you calling me señorita...Just so you know, Anthony's the guy for me." I said confidently and she just shook her head. "I just know it, okay?"

"I think you'll look better with Gorio." she insisted. "And can't you see that Gorio's head over heels for you?"

I just raised my brows on what she said.

I seriously doubt it.

"It's obvious on how he looks at you, Abby." Emilia teased. "He likes you a lot. And all of us here in the hacienda and in our school knows that he likes you."

"Don't start, Emilia." I said glaringly. "Besides...did he ever even say that he likes me? No, right?"

"Action speaks louder than words..." Emilia added. "Are you blind? He doesn't need to say it."

Honestly, I know that Gorio really likes me. Yes, he may look like a dork but he's actually very protective of me and gives me everything I want. He does everything I wanted him to do. But he never said that he likes me. He just follows me like a lost puppy. But after what he did before, he’s name was scratched from my heart.

"He is not the one who is meant for me." I said.

"And Anthony is?" Emilia asked a raised brow.

"Yes. Definitely."

"You're crazy." Emilia commented and pouted. "You're just saying that because he's the only guy who seemed to not notice you. And so you want him."

"That’s not entirely true but a part of it is true. Plus, I truly like him, Emz. I like Anthony very much." I added confidently. "And what Abby wants, she gets!"

"Err...Whatever you say, Abby." Emilia shrugged. "I just don't want you to regret it sooner or later."

"I won't. Anthony is the only guy for me."

Afterwards, Emz didn’t give up prying and asked me again.

"Then tell me, why not Gorio?”

I couldn’t answer right away.

Yeah, why not him.

“Is it because he is poor?" Emz asked more when I didn’t answer her first question.

"Oh my gosh, NO!" I said right away. "Don't ever say that. I never have thought about that."

"Sorry."

"Emz...Gorio and I are...are...are just the exact opposites."

"Opposites attract, remember?"

"Not all the time." I tried to reason out and rolled my eyes again at her. "He is like a dork, an introvert who likes being alone and I am a very outgoing person. He doesn't like parties and I love it. We like different things. He is a guy who just wants a simple life. And...and...I am not that kind of girl, Emz."

"Maybe not now. But...I think that's not a valid reason." she said and pouted at me. "Don't you ever deny it in my face Abby. I know you like him too."

"I don't."

"You do. You guys were so close and inseparable before that I almost felt jealous as you spend more time with him than me." Emilia stated.

"Don't go there, Emz." I told her warningly.

"I know there's something that you're not telling me." she said and pouted more.

"He's just not the right guy for me, okay. And besides, I like Anthony." I said firmly.

"How do you even know that he is not with some chick in his college campus now?" Emilia asked with an 'as a matter of fact' look.

"Anthony is not that kind of guy." I insisted and pouted.

"See? You don't even know. And you don't see him and whatever it is that he's doing." she insisted. "You don't know but maybe one day, he comes back with a hot girlfriend."

I pouted. "I'll make sure he won't."

Emilia just shook her head and shrugged.

***

"Señorita…" Carmela called bringing me back to reality. "Your grandfather wants you to go to his study room."

I smiled and nodded. "Thanks."

I immediately went to his study room. I knocked lightly and entered as I heard him say I can. I smiled childishly at him and he chuckled. 

"How are you today, iha?" Pop asked.

"Good, Pop." I said as I went to kiss his cheek. "You?"

"Better." he said.

He's been ill for almost a week now and that was ever since the board meeting. They said it was just fever and that he's really getting old. But he's never been this sick that before. And I noticed that his face has become paler and he lost some weight.

"You should've rested more, Pop." I complained and he looked at me intently. "I don't like seeing you so weak."

"We need talk seriously." he said right away, changing the subject. So we sat on the couch of his study room. "I need to tell you something which is very very important."

"Okay...What is it?"

"I've made a big decision for you. I know you'll get mad at me for doing this. But it's for the best." Pop said seriously. "I am hoping you can forgive me."

"What decision? I'm confused." 

"You're getting married in a month."

"What?!!!"

"I set up an arranged marriage for you and you're getting married in a month, iha." he said once again.

"Whoa…You can't do that, Pop! You know very well that I don't ever wanna get married!" I hissed and looked at my Pop like he had grown two heads. 

"Iha..."

"Tell me you're just kidding."

"I'm not." 

"Is this some kind of a prank?!"

"No."

"POP!!" I yelled and glared at him. "I'm serious."

"I'm serious too."

"No. No. No."

"This is for the best, iha. I wanna make sure that you will be alright." he said sadly.

"What do you mean you wanna make sure that I’ll be alright?" I asked. 

"I don't have much time left, iha..."

"I already said I studied business so I can help you. I will do my best and learn quickly. I don't need to get married!!!"

"You don't understand...there is no more time to wait until you master everything about the company and the hacienda. I must do this now."

"Then make me understand, Pop. You can't just tell me what to do with my life!"

"I'm dying..." he answered weakly and looked down.

"w-what?" I choked.

***

I was crying my heart out to Emilia as she silently listened on the other line. It's been like an hour ago when my world started to crumble down again.

"My life sucks, Emz!" I hissed. 

"No…don't say that."

"My parents already left me and now...now...my grandfather's dying..." I sobbed. "How can it be crueler?"

"Oh, gosh. I sorry to hear that. I wish I was there to hug you, Abby." Emilia said and I can hear that she was now also sobbing.

"No, it's okay. I understand that you also have to be there for your Mom." I answered. "I just can't believe that life's been treating me sooo bad lately. Was I really that bad to be punished like this?"

"Oh, Abby. Please don't think that way. You know that God always have the best plan for us. Have faith." 

"I know…but...but it just hurts sooo much." I added as I let another batch of tears flow from my eyes.

"Hold on, Abby. Please don't give up." Emz said as I heard her cry with me. "Don't lose yourself again, okay? I'll be there as soon as everything is okay here."

I cried and cried and she was just there for me. She's with me when I was heartbroken, she came and stayed with me when my parents died...She was always there for me when I have no one. 

"W-what do you mean, Pop?" I asked as I looked at my grandfather.

"I've been sick for a very long time now. And recently, my body stopped responding to treatments."

"Since when?"

"I was diagnosed a year and a half ago."

"Of what?"

"I have a pancreatic cancer." he answered and my tears started to flow.

"Oh, Pop. No. No. No. That can't be true. You're a very strong man. Have you tried getting a second opinion?" I said continuously shaking my head.

"I did. Do you know the reason why I stayed in New York for a very long time before? That was because I got myself treated." he answered.

I hugged him tightly. I cried over his shoulders as he hugged me back. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was positive that I can be cured. So I didn't bother to tell anyone. I went there and tried my best to be healthy. And then the accident happened...and...and...I have to stay here with you. And now, my body is just giving up now..."

"Pop..." I sobbed.

"You need to be strong, iha." he said and gulped. "You are a very strong woman. You have to remember that."

"But...but...I just can't lose you too."

"I'm so sorry, iha..."

I just continued crying until my tears run dry.

***

It's only a week left before my so called wedding. And until now, I still can't believe that I am getting married. Worst, I still can't believe that my grandfather is dying. He has lost so much weight as days passed by. His doctor said 'it's only a matter of time before he goes'. The next day after his revelation, I immediately agreed to my Pop's wish for me to get married. He did everything and gave me all the things that I have ever wanted so I just can't ignore his wishes. If this is what he thinks is the best for me, then so be it.  My grandfather announced the good news to everyone as soon as I agreed. I don't know why he's so happy about it when he knows that he's dying and he's marrying me to a complete stranger.

"Who is he, Pop?" I asked one time when I went to his room.

"You'll know soon, iha." he answered weakly.

"Why can't you just tell me now?" I asked again and pouted at him. "Don't you think that I have the right to know who my future husband will be?"

"I don't want you to change your mind." he said.

"I already agreed. Why would I change my mind?" I asked again. "Is he ugly?"

He chuckled heartily. "Trust me...he is very good looking. And he is a very good man. And I know it in my heart that he will definitely take good care of you."

"How sure are you that he is not just taking advantage of the situation?"

"I know him very well." he said with a small smile. "I'm really happy."

There is something suspicious with the way he smiled but I just ignored it. As long as it makes him happy then I'll do it. 

 "I know it's something that I shouldn't have done but I just can't leave you behind without anyone there as your backup."  he said bitterly.

"I still have Emz and Tito Julio." I commented as I wiped the tears that formed in my eyes before it falls.

His eyes looked flickered and looked hurt before he closes his eyes.

"Are you okay?" I asked

"Yeah. Just a bit tired." he answered 

"Sorry. Maybe I have exhausted all your efforts now." I said and immediately fixed his blanket to cover him and kissed his forehead. "I'll be back in a while."

I was about to exit when I felt him grab my hand. "You have to promise me one thing, iha."

"What is it?"

"That whatever happens after I'm gone, you will always stay by your husband’s side. And never to trust anyone but him and yourself..." 

"You trust him that much?" I blurted with my brows raised.

"With all my life." he answered.

"Now, I'm becoming more curious who might that guy be." I muttered.

"Soon, iha."

"Fine. I promise." I said to him and kissed his cheeks again. "Now, you need to rest as I go and check on what Carmela is preparing for dinner."

"Okay."

I smiled weakly and looked at the mirror. I have been doing this a lot lately. But what can I do? My life's been stumbling down, down, down. I know that I have to be prepared but I still can't get the fact that my grandfather's leaving me behind. Everyone's just leaving me behind. I closed my eyes again and let my tears flow.

***