Chapter 18: Dad?!

I open the door to find:

LEE?!

Me: L-Lee?!

Lee: Oh wow - you didn't have to miss me that much.

Me: As if! What are YOU doing here?

Lee: To pick you up. 

Ziana: Oh come on Liana! Just let them in!

Me: Sorry... come on in.

I let them inside. I saw Lee Romano look around the house.

Was he inspecting?

Lee: Your house... doesn't look too bad - it's pretty average.

Me: Pretty average? Should I take that as an insult?

Lee: No - as an honest review.

I felt hot with anger. 

Did he come all this way to insult our house?!

Me: How may I help you Lee Romano?

Lee: You haven't dressed up yet?

Me: Dressed up for what? If you have working eyes Romano, you will see I am from bed.

Lee: You have 30 minutes to get ready and have everything packed.

Me: Packed for what? Lee you are getting on my nerves.

He came closer to my face.

Lee: Expect me to be on your nerves because you are coming to stay with me - you are my fiancee remember?

I opened my eyes wide.

Was this happening? This was all too soon!

Me: We haven't gotten married yet... sir.

Lee: Well we will be soon.

I glared at him.

Lee looks at Zane, Alicia, and Ziana.

Lee: Are they your... siblings?

Me: What did you think Lee?

Lee: I was just checking.

Lee goes to greet Zane, who seems happy seeing Lee. Ziana tried not to fangirl, and Alicia looked at him skeptically.

Please don't do that Alicia...

Me: Do you want something to drink, Lee, Ace?

Ace: No thanks.

Lee: I am good thank you.

Ziana: We will give you some space.

Lee: No need. I was just here to pick Liana up. My father wants to meet her.

Ziana and Alicia: Wow!

Me: What?! Today?!

Lee: What were you expecting? Next month?

Me: Of course not! I am not even dressed yet! Let alone pack my things yet!

Alicia: Mr Lee.

Lee: Oh please call me brother. You are my sister-in-law, right?

Alicia: Indeed.

Ziana: Brother, please don't worry about Liana - it's the first time she is going to be in a relationship, let alone marriage, her bags will be ready in 30 minutes.

Lee and Ace smiled at Ziana and Alicia.

Lee: Really?

Ziana: All will be taken care of.

Me: Girls! That was not part of the plan! 

Lee: You have...(looking at his watch) 30 minutes until we will for the villa.

I walked to Lee.

Me: Rich or not, I want to keep my independence.

Lee came closer to me.

Lee: I never said I was taking it away.

Lee's voice grew soft as he whispered to me.

Lee: (whispers) If we want our story to sell, we need to act the part, don't you think?

Me: I hate you.

Lee: I hate you more.

Ziana and Alicia dragged me away to get ready while Zane and Lee had a serious conversation. I loved how Zane always stood up for me, although these two silly sisters of mine were over the moon about things.

IN THE BATHROOM

Me: You shouldn't have thrown me out of the bus!

Ziana: Tell us, how would you have run away from the situation? His dad wants to meet you.

Me: And interrogate me, yeah!

Alicia: We are sorry, but there is no turning back from this. All we can do is to play the part well. You are not losing us.

Me: Yes I am because I won't be able to see your faces everyday.

Alicia: Aw, well try not to miss us too much okay?

Ziana: Yeah, I am sure you can visit us on the weekends. Now get ready! I know exactly what you are going to wear!

Me: You two are super mean.

Alicia: Yeah, we know.

30 MINUTES LATER

My bags were already inside the car, thanks to Alicia and Ziana. Zane looked happy but also a bit sad. 

Is my moving out of the house saddening him?

I say my last goodbyes to Alicia, Ziana, and Zane.

Me: I will miss you guys.

Zane: I will miss you more little sis.

Me: We were born on the same day.

Zane: But I was born an hour earlier... but still - I will miss you, little sis.

Me: I will miss you too big brother.

Lee: There won't be a need.

Me: Lee, don't you see I am---

Lee: They can visit anytime they want to, I mean it would be nice to see the city view from a different perspective, right?

The three of them looked at each other.

What have you set me up for Lee Romano?!

Zane: Bye!

Ziana: You will visit us when you have some time then. Bye!

Me: You won't be---

Alicia: You are not moving out of the country, so we won't be missing you too much.

Me: Okay... bye!

It feels sad despite that though.

We went into the car, to which Lee Romano was behind the wheel while I sat on the passenger seat next to him and Ace seated behind us.

Me: Just what are you up to?

Lee: I don't follow Liana.

Me: You literally turned my family against me! Follow that! Just, what are you trying to achieve in doing so?!

Lee: I am forming a relationship with your family, sad I couldn't meet your parents.

Me: They are on vacation, they will be back in 2 months.

Lee: Nice. Speaking of which...

Me: Yeah?

Lee: Your house... looked average.

Me: Just keep quiet Lee Romano! As if your villa has the potential to satisfy all my needs. My "average" home just had what I needed to make it the perfect home and has made me the woman I am today, thank you.

Lee: I never asked anything.

Me: And I never asked for your input on my family's house.

It's going to be a looong way to go.

30 MINUTES LATER

LEE ROMANO'S VILLA

I stepped out of the car to see a fancy sports car on the driveway and a huge villa in front of me. I opened my mouth wide in shock of what I was seeing. The view was breathtaking. It was as if it came from a fantasy book!

Although it is way too big for two guys and an elderly man.

Although I was not pleased with moving in as of yet, I had to meet Lee's dad and I had to play my part as perfectly as I can.

Lee came and stood next to me.

Lee: Loving the view already?

Me: As if - it's just that it is too big for two boys and your father.

Lee: How sure are you that there's no one else staying here?

Me: Oh? There are others?

Lee: No. Come on in, we need to get you settled.

Me: Let me get my---

Lee: Ace has taken care of that. Come inside.

I walked inside the villa and even though I didn't want to admit, the villa looked as amazing as on the outside – I didn't mind seeing such houses on TV but living in one feels like a dream – a dream I never had and wanted.

Lee: So, how is it?

Me: Yeah. It's fancy.

Lee: Admit it, you love this place.

Me: This is not my kind of life, so I can't admit to a life I never wanted.

Lee: Anyway, my father is in town and he will be back before---

Lee got interrupted by a phone call.

Lee: It's my dad. I will be right back.

Me: Take your time.

I was left with Ace.

Ace: Liana, I took your bags to your room. It is upstairs, the second door on your left.

Me: Oh, thanks, Ace.

Ace: Liana, you know, once you get to know Lee, you will see he is not a bad guy. He may look tough on the outside, but he is soft inside. Give it some time okay?

Me: Well, it's my first time being with a guy, let alone getting married so it feels a bit overwhelming but I am okay, thanks for the advice, I will try to keep it.

Ace: Sure, so you really haven't had a romance before?

Me: No. Found it as a waste of time.

Ace muttered to himself but I could hear what he was saying, but then I decided to pretend I didn't hear a word.

Ace: (mutters to himself) You and Lee really are alike…

Me? Like Lee? Alike? I don't see us sharing interests AT ALL…

Me: Were you saying something?

Ace: No, it's nothing. Lee's coming back, I will see you later.

Me: Bye Ace.

Ace: Bye Liana.

Ace left and Lee came back.

Lee: What was Ace saying to you?

Me: Why do you ask?

Lee: Out of curiosity.

Me: Oh my! The Great Lee Romano is curious about conversations. Wow! You deserve a noble prize!

Lee walked to me and held my chin to meet his gaze with mine.

Lee: Lee Romano doesn't care about what you talk about but with our contract in mind, you need to follow some rules.

Me: Rules?

He let go of my chin and gestures me to sit across him in the living room.

Me: What rules?

Lee: Firstly, do not talk to other men.

Me: Easy. Move on.

Lee: You sound like you have no connection with men.

Me: Because I don't.

Lee: The only person you can have around you in public apart from me is Ace.

Me: Okay. Oh, and don't worry – Ace was just telling me how much of a nice man you are.

Lee smirked at me.

Lee: Who said I was worried?

Me: You sounded worried.

Lee: Ha, you really are energetic, aren't you?

Me: What is that supposed to mean?

Lee: Moving on---

Lee ignored me, once more. Could he get any worse by the minute?!

Lee: Secondly, do not pry on my private life. Your life is yours and mine is mine. Remember that.

Me: Got it.

Lee: Thirdly, do not fall in love with me.

After months of acting, he thinks no girl would fall for him?!

As if I would though…

Me: With pleasure.

It felt a bit painful though – I AM NOT IN LOVE WITH LEE ROMANO!

Lee: Great.

Me: But don't think you only make the rules sir. I have some of my own.

Lee: Look at you being very professional, I must say, it's quite impressive seeing it come from a klutz girl.

Me: Romano, don't try me.

Lee: Expect more to come – not my words.

Me: (rolling my eyes) Anyway, here are my rules.

Lee: Take it away.

Me: First, as much as we both hate each other, when we are together, you must pretend to be in love with me.

Lee: Really?

Me: Yes Mr. Drama boy, don't you know the saying, "Do it for the plot?"

Lee: As much as I hate it, fine I will do it.

Me: Don't worry, you will grow to hate it even more but end up loving it instead. Secondly, I can visit my family anytime I want.

Lee: Not possible. Since you are my fiancée, paparazzi will be after you each day – your family wouldn't want to see their faces on the newspaper right?

Me: And who said I am happy to see mine there?

Lee: You will grow to hate it to love it.

Why does he like turning my words against me?

Me: Thirdly…

Lee: Yeah?

Me: Don't take marriage lightly. It's a serious responsibility.

Lee: Should I take advice from a girl who knows nothing about relationships?

Me: Yes, take it from the klutz girl. I may know nothing about being in a relationship, but I know how important it needs to be taken – seems like the rich kid knows nothing about relationships huh?

Lee: Don't push it.

Me: You started it.

This game of chess will be a fun one to play.

Me: Anyway, that's all from my side. Anything else you need me to know?

Lee: One more thing---

I heard a young boy stepping into the house and walking over to Lee. Lee gently picked him up as I looked at him, shocked by what I am seeing.

Me: Lee, is this---

The boy spoke up before me. He looked at me suspiciously before turning back to Lee.

Boy: Dad, who is she?

HOLD UP…

LEE ROMANO HAS A SON?!