Chapter 17: Questions & Disbeliefs

NEXT MORNING

08:00 A.M

*Knocking on the door.*

I heard someone knocking on my door. 

Me: (sleepy) Who...is..it?

I just had a crazy night yesterday, and I am trying to recover.

Zane barged into my room and pulled me out of it.

Me: Zane! I am still tir---

Zane: Your entire workplace is on our door!

Me: (awaken) What?! What do you mean on our doorstep?

Zane: I mean what I mean (sighs) Sorry twin, but you might have some explanation to do to your colleagues.

Me: Oh no! About my engagement! (sighs) There's no turning back from here I guess...

I looked at Alicia and Ziana.

Me: How are you both keeping?

Alicia: I just want to know how you will explain your engagement to them.

Me: Please don't remind me.

Alicia: Okay then, but on a serious note, what are you going to tell them?

Me: I don't know...

I went to the doorhole.

The entire office, including Nathan and Jonathan, is on our doorstep, right now. On Saturday.

Me: I just want to... never mind. It's my mess, I have to get myself out of it.

Ziana: You mean you were dragged into it?

Me: Thanks Zi.

I opened the door.

Me: Hello everyone.

Riana came in front.

Me: Are you... okay, Riana?

Riana: What do you mean, 'Am I okay?!' Of course not! You are Lee---

I closed her mouth.

Me: Come inside everyone. (looks at Ziana, Alicia, and Zane) May I?

Zane: Sure.

Everyone came inside. After I closed the door, I saw Leah eyeing Zane.

Me: Don't think about Leah. I'm watching you.

Leah: Geez, okay Liana... Romano.

Zane: I will be out with Ziana.

Ziana: Where are we going to?

Ziana was dragged away by Zane and Alicia stayed with me, which felt much better because I would have been interrogated by them.

Me: Does anyone want something to drink?

Them: No, thank you.

Me: Okay, you are all acting weird.

Riana: Of course! How am I supposed to react when you said you want nothing with romance the next thing, you are getting married to Lee Romano!

Kayla: Not going to lie, Liana that was a HUGE step.

Nathan and Jonathan kept silent while the three women were whining.

Me: I know, and it came... as a surprise for me too.

Leah: Okay, what do you mean?

Me: Well, we have---

Alicia: Those two were so annoying and cute to see at the same time... they would always talk long on the phone every day.

Nathan: Really? And you decided to keep it a secret? Wow...

Me: Yeah, and tell me one celebrity who has publicly shown off their partner on the streets willingly without the paparazzi getting in the way. Tell me.

Nathan: You are right... there are none, but you didn't have to lie about it though.

Riana: Yeah! I mean you could have spoken in riddles and then revealed it afterward…

Me: As if you would have been satisfied with the "riddle" Riana.

Jonathan: So, types like Romano are your kind of guys huh?

I looked at my boss.

What's that supposed to mean?

Me: I don't follow.

Jonathan: So you are into fame?

Me: Jonathan. Before you insult me, ask. Okay? Firstly, I love Romano for who he is on the inside, not what I can gain from him. Secondly, I hate the words you uttered. Take them back. Boss or no boss, I don't want a man to speak to me the way you did.

Everyone else was shocked at my tone of voice with Jonathan. Jonathan didn't expect it to.

Jonathan: I am sorry. I take back my words. I just… was feeling hurt.

Me: About?

Jonathan: About your engagement to Lee Romano.

Me: Oh? Why?

Jonathan: Because I wanted to know you better.

Me: Really?

Nathan: Yeah, and you played with our hearts at the same time.

Me: Watch it, Nathan. I played with no one's heart. Don't tarnish my good name.

Nathan: Fine. I won't. I just… wished you would have spoken about your relationship with Lee first.

Me: What would have been the benefit of me doing so?

Nathan: I wouldn't have fallen for you.

I knew Nathan liked me as recently, and a bit of Jonathan too. If they could know that I am being paid to do this…

Why do I care? It's not like I wanted a romance… I just got forced by Hailey and Henry and Lee need the same escape as I do from work.

Sorry Nathan and Jonathan for your broken hearts…

But nothing can be done.

Me: Sorry for not returning your feelings guys.

Jonathan: I will be on my way then. Bye Liana.

Nathan: Yeah, bye Li.

Me: Um… bye Jonathan, bye Nathan.

They both left for the door.

Their guilt trip never works on me, and never will.

Their hearts will heal over time.

Riana: Back to the point. You have to tell us how you both met.

Me: Sorry girls, I can't.

I smirked at them.

Me: That info, you will get at the wedding. Be patient Riana.

Riana: You are mean Liana! Anyway, girls, we will be on our way too.

Kayla: Congrats Liana! I am happy for you.

Me: Thanks Kayla.

Leah: Congrats girl! You will enjoy life with Lee, trust me.

Me: What, you have dated him before?

Leah: Ha! As if? But I mean, he's loaded!

Me: Yeah… I am not getting married to him because of the money, but thanks for the congrats, I will surely enjoy my new married life.

Riana: Congrats… Liana.

Me: Thanks Riana.

They all left for the door and I closed behind them.

Me: Thank goodness they are all gone! Thanks for saving me, sis! I owe you big time.

Alicia: Yeah you do, but that's what sisters are there for right?

Me: Yeah. Thanks.

Alicia: Anytime.

As I threw myself on the couch, Alicia and Ziana who came out of nowhere came and stood in front of me.

Alicia and Ziana: I love Lee Romano for who is he on the inside! I am not marrying him because of the money!

Me: Girls, please stop. I don't know what got into me… I just heard myself utter those words.

Ziana: Love is in the air!

Me: No, it's not!

Alicia: Yeah, and we believe you.

Me: Okay… maybe he is handsome.

Ziana: Of course he is!

Me: Zi, that's my fiancé you are talking about.

Ziana: Jealousy!

Me: Yeah, jealousy.

I stood up.

Me: Thanks for helping and cheering me up guys, I owe you!

Zane: You do!

Ziana: You bet!

Me: I will go back to sleep. I haven't recovered yet.

Ziana: You still have time to go back to sleep?

Me: When the tiredness kicks in, you can't push it away.

I walked away and went up the stairs, hoping that no interruptions would happen for the rest of the day.

1 HOUR EARLIER

7:00 AM

LEE ROMANO'S VILLA

LEE'S POV

Lawrence: Lee.

Me: Yes Dad?

Lawrence: Your… fiancée, Liana you said?

Lee: Why?

Lawrence: Good gracious, son – speak to me with kindness.

Me: Sorry father. My fiancée Liana, why do you ask?

Lawrence: (sighs) I want to meet her.

Me: When?

Lawrence: Today. At lunch.

Me: That's short notice. Why didn't you tell me yesterday?

Lawrence: She must know that since she is marrying into the Great Romano household, everything happens at unexpected times. See you both at lunchtime. Oh and by the way…

Me: Yes Dad?

Lawrence: When is she moving in? You can't be getting engaged without---

Me: Today.

Lawrence: Why--- wait, today?

Me: Yes Dad.

Lawrence: (happy) Now that's my son! Why didn't you tell me this news?! I will see her in the afternoon then.

Me: I have told you now Dad, you will see her in the afternoon.

IN THE CAR

Ace: So, what are we going to do now Lee? How sure are you that she is going to agree to it?

Me: We will see when we get there.

Let's see what kind of house she and her family live in...

30 MINUTES LATER

Ace: This is where she stays boss.

Me: Okay...

BACK TO MAIN POV

ONE HOUR LATER

08:00 AM

I heard a knock on the door... again.

I went back downstairs to find Ziana seated on the couch, anticipating who was knocking on our door once more.

Me: The Rodriguezs are surely popular today.

I opened the door to find:

LEE?!