Chapter 2

I walked to the park near the university instead of driving home after classes were over. It was pretty sunny, a great time to go for a swim at the beach. I wouldn’t even have the time for that though…considering where I live and the fact that I’m trying to maintain my high grades.

I held the letter in my hand, wandering whether I should open it now or not. 20 minutes later…I was slowly opening it and the first word I saw caught my attention.

My dear Clarissa, if you are reading this now then it means I have already passed away.

As you know, Robin is my only grandson.

And to me, you are my special granddaughter. I’ve wanted to see you two get married after you get your degree in college. As my last wish, I would like to have you two married soon. Of course, for now you could only hold an engagement ceremony.

It’s up to you whether you want this or not. Please, remember that I have chosen you.

You are the only person who can take care of him. I just know it. I knew it the moment I first saw you two together 5 years ago.

That was all I needed to cry again. The tears just came down uncontrollably. I never expected something like this. Not even in my wildest dreams…How can I marry someone who hates me? I bet he’d rather be with anyone but me. He has done EVERYTHING to make me look bad, so why would he accept to marry me now?

So that’s why dad was acting all weird. He also wants me to marry Robin because he’s close friends with their family. I bet mum will go crazy once she hears about this. Now what kind of a dilemma have I fallen into? But hey, if Robin doesn’t want me then we won’t get married even if I wanted to…it’s as simple as that!

For the second time that day I drove to dad’s place. This time though, he wasn’t alone. He was wearing a suit, shaking hands with someone I remember seeing when I was still in 9^th grade. Alexander Hughes…Robin’s father. Standing beside them was Brenda Hughes…his mother.

Is this what happens when two families accept to give their daughter away for marriage? A meeting to put everything together? But the only person missing was…mum.

To my utter surprise, she came out from the house and hugged Brenda. MY MUM!! Hello!! I was also here…didn’t anyone hear me arrive? Is this some nightmare?

I quickly turned around…trying to get out of the place without anyone noticing, but my dad did. “Clare, honey you’re here. Come on…join us. Where are you going?”

Where am I going dad? Are you seriously asking me that?! I’m running away of course. I wanted to say that but it would have been rude, especially since the whole family was here.

I forced a smile and looked at each one of them. “H…Hello.”

Brenda’s face lit up as she saw me. The next thing I knew… I was being hugged tightly. “Clarissa! It’s been a while. You’ve grown up so beautifully.”

“Well thank you Mrs. Hughes, but I… umm… have to go,” I said quickly.

“Oh just call me Brenda, and what do you mean you have to go?! Join us…Robin will be here soon.”

I gulped at the mention of his name. Robin was coming here? As soon as his name was mentioned I saw a silver BMW come up. Oh God! He’s here.

He was being all nice again. He talked politely with my parents at first then said hi to his parents. When everyone sat together for tea he decided to bother me. We were the only ones still standing out in the yard, and of course he wouldn’t let me go in.

“What’s this all about?” he asked. I gave him a confused look.

“You don’t know?”

“What?!”

“Don’t you know about the letter your grandfather left? He clearly stated that he wished for you and I to get married.”

He tensed. Not really what I expected. I expected him to start making fun of me…or maybe, just maybe he would have walked in and told everyone that he hates me and there would be no way we would get married to me.

“You just have to say no if you don’t want that,” I mumbled.

“What did you say?” he was looking at me now.

“No…I mean, you can just say no,” I said, a little louder this time.

“Why don’t you say it? I don’t care. I’ll go along with whatever you say.”

“Wait! What?! Nooo…if you leave it to me I’ll say yes. I can’t say no to what grandfather wanted,” I groaned. He stopped for a while, as if pondering for an answer.

“I don’t care. Just say yes then,” he said before walking to his car.

I ran after him and sat in the passenger seat. “Why?! Are you ok with being with someone you don’t like?” I yelled. I was beginning to lose my patience now.

“Why are you yelling at me? Get out!”

“NO.”

“So, you’re asking me to deny my grandfather’s wish because you can’t do it?”

“Yes.”

“Won’t that still mean that you don’t want grandfather’s wish to come true you moron? And who are you to tell me I’m ok with being with someone I don’t like?”

What he said actually got to me. I never thought this idiot would ever say anything reasonable to me. I couldn’t help it…deep down I felt respect for him.

“So what you’re saying is that you’re ok with me if I say yes? You won’t hate me more than you already do, right?”

For the first time in years he actually gave me a sincere smile; a very attractive one at that. “What are you talking about? How do you get 2^nd place with that clueless mind of yours?”

What he said…it replayed in my mind more than a 100 times. Clueless mind…Clueless mind. What did he mean by that? What was I clueless about?

It was 8:21 PM, and as usual I was slacking off at Gabriel’s part time job. He worked as a bartender from 5 till 9 although our University is strictly against students taking on jobs, but since he’s always been the 3^rd smartest and pretty much since he has a scholarship they’ve made an exception for him. He lives close by in the same apartment as Lena, and he’s found a job close by too. So, I don’t worry much about him overloading himself anymore.

He’s what you would describe as an angel…perfect personality and good looking. His parents own a company but he had some problems with them so he ran off. Of course they know where he is and all that but he’s stopped talking to any of his family members for some reason. He depends on himself for everything. He’s just amazing!

“So, what would you like to drink?” he asked with a smile.

“Anything strong. I’m not in a good mood today Gabes. Besides, I’m having a hard time going to sleep.”

“Later…I’ll take you somewhere to cheer up. No alcohol for you today.”

“Whyyyy?” I whined.

“Gabriel! Can you come over for a second,” it was one of those flirty girls again. They’re always around him…shoving numbers and trying to get closer to him.

“Wait here. Don’t disappear on me like you did last time. I’ll be back soon,” he said.

I sighed and sat on one of the chairs wandering whether I should just leave. I felt weird being the only person to sit alone by herself. Pretty much all the guys were looking at me.

I was about to get up when someone held my hand and jerked me out. It didn’t take me a second to know it was Robin. He always had this strong fresh scent. The scent of after shave mixed with something else. He smelled really good. That was the only thing about him that made him bearable. Otherwise, I just can’t stand his personality.

“Rob…”

“What are you doing here?” he asked once we were out. I was still being dragged to his car.

“What does that have to do with you?! I came to see Gabriel!”

He sighed. “Your mum said you left with me but never came back home. She was worried sick about you! Everyone was. Yet, you were here in a bar?! Didn’t I drop you off at the library because you ‘supposedly’ wanted to get some books?”

I looked down on my shoes and mumbled a sorry. He was right. I was being unreasonable. I need to think more straight. “I’ll call mum and tell her where I am.”

“No. I’m taking you home since I promised.”

“But Gabriel and I are…”

“Can you just stop saying his name?! Why is it that you always say his name when you open your mouth?” He actually…did he actually say that?!

“When did I…”

“I’m…sorry. I got angry for no reason. How about you just listen to me today? It’s already this late. You can see him tomorrow at school.”

I nodded, not wanting to argue with him any farther. I sent Gabriel a message saying that I was going home with Robin. It was strange…how closer we seemed to get every year. Yea, we fight more frequently…and he does tease me a lot more too. But doesn’t that mean that we’re just becoming closer? I don’t know how…but I found myself falling asleep on the drive home…

Chapter 1

     I slowly opened the door and tiptoed across the room to where my best friend, Lena was sitting. I was late for yet another literature class. Mrs. Brown was still facing the board… scribbling something about a new novel we had to read. Of course no one paid the slightest attention until Mrs. Brown herself turned and rested her fierce eyes on me. “Clarissa, just what are you doing here in my class?!” she yelled. I sank lower in my seat hoping people would just look away. “I did notice you absent when everyone was already here 10 minutes ago, and I remember telling you not to enter my class once the doors are closed. Now wait for me outside. I’ll need to talk to you once class is over,” and that was final. I was kicked out.

The problem is that I’m still living with my mum which is like an hour away from the University that I’m currently attending. Everyone else moved in to either a sorority house or got an apartment close by. I’m basically the only one who’s still living in the same place I’ve been living for the past few years.

“Got kicked out again?”

My head jerked up at that familiar voice. He just has to always be there at my most embarrassing times. Robin Hughes, the  first smartest, hottest, and strongest guy around so far. Of course, it may sound impossible for such a perfect guy to exist so let me tell you…he is 2-faced. Everyone thinks he’s an angel considering how intelligent and full of talents he is. I’m the only one who knows his true personality. It all happened during 8^th grade. I transferred to his school that year and made the mistake of rejecting him when he actually asked me to go to the school dance with him. I went with my close friend, Gabriel instead. I bet I hurt his ego cause ever since, he’d always try to ruin me. We’re like rivals too…Although he’s first at the moment I will soon catch up to him. I’ve been second place for 4 years, but I’m going to change. I’ve decided to find a place and live closer too…that way I can score more points.

“What are you doing here, Robin?” I rolled my eyes, avoiding looking into his deep emerald green eyes. I hated looking into them…they made me lose myself into their depth. Not that I like him or anything…

He leaned against the wall next to me and grinned. “You know you aren’t being smart. You can never get first place, so don’t waste your time. I don’t have to be early to class…I never get kicked out.”

The fact that he’s so popular helps him a lot. Not even the teachers dare say anything to him. They respect him like he’s their idol. I hate his arrogance, and the fact that life is so easy and simple to him. I stayed silent. I didn’t want to bother with him now. After knowing him for all these years I knew that I could never win an argument. He’s a good talker. He knows how to shut me up… and I don’t like that. So, I avoid it most of the times. To my surprise, he crouched down beside me and leaned in so that our foreheads were practically touching.

“Clarissa…” he whispered. I’m sure I was blushing like crazy and this time I couldn’t avoid his gaze. He chuckled and ruffled my hair…something he never did. By the time I got back to my senses he was already gone. Why? Why did he do that? That really wasn’t a normal gesture from him.

Class was over 45 minutes later and I was still sitting outside the lecture hall thinking. “Clare!! Get up. This is really embarrassing,” Lena’s voice woke me up from my daze. Of course Mrs. Brown told me to stay with her for a few minutes. I had no choice but to go with her. Her few minutes turned into 15 long agonizing minutes. She kept blabbering on and on about how she would have to remove marks from my grades and maybe just fail me in her class if I don’t attend on time. I had this sudden urge to shout at her, to tell her that she was being a bitch. I was only 5 or 10 minutes late. She should just let it slide, especially since she knows I live far away.

“Oh and…your father called. He said to go over to his house without your mother knowing. I’m letting you go now but make sure to come back in 30 minutes,” that was the only thing she said that I actually listened to. Before long, I was already out and into my car. Dad lived close by. Ever since the divorce, mum has only let me see dad during the weekends. Me going over now is considered a very bad thing. I was actually curious to know as to why dad had called me over from school. What was so urgent?

5 minutes later I got there and ran to the villa. Dad was waiting for me outside. He wasn’t looking good…something must have been bothering him. “What’s wrong dad?” I asked.

“I’m sorry Clare. I got you to come all the way here just to hear some bad news,” he seemed hesitant as to say it or not.

“It’s OK dad. I only have 20 min. to stay here so let’s hear it,” I urged. You would think it might have been something to do with business. My dad’s a lawyer… a very successful one, and he usually has trouble taking care of things. He’s usually overloaded with things, so I love staying with him at those times when he needs a break. He calls me over…and sometimes I feel like he uses his job as an excuse to watch movies with me and eat junk like the old days. This time it seemed different though…

“Dad?!” I groaned. “What is it?”

He was still silent. It definitely has something to do with me. I just know it!! He wouldn’t have a hard time saying it if it wasn’t.

“You won’t hate me?”

I stared at him blankly, and then went into a fit of laughter. “W-What is it that would make me hate my dad?” I asked.

“I’m serious Clare.”

“I know I know. So, what is it?”

“The Hughes family… Do you remember them?”

The stupid grin on my face faltered and all I could think of was Robin. “Y…Yes.”

“Well, his father and I are really good friends. You know that…right?”

“Dad, where is this going?”

“Well, Robin’s grandfather died last week and he left a will and a letter for you. It’s up to you whether you want to go along with it or not.”

His grandfather… I remember going to their house frequently because of dad. The Hughes family is really nice. In fact, they seem like angels. His grandfather loved me a lot and we were quite close until I stopped going over in 10^th grade. To think that I didn’t see him for all this time and him passing away caused tears to start pouring out. I always hated Robin for making people think that we were pretty close, because it was all an act in front of the world and our families. Sometimes, he would also make me the bad person in front of them so I avoided going to there house. But now, my dad says he left a will and a letter…that included me in it.

So now I was walking to my next class with the letter in my hand. I still didn’t have the courage to open it, but I knew the contents of the letter were going to change my life. Even if I hate it, if it’s something he really wanted I’ll grant it for him. Because he was the first person to actually care for me so much although we weren’t even blood related…