Thursday, July 30, 2009

Always and Forever - Chapter 6

Chapter Six: Don't Want To Be Your Friend




“Ella!” she heard him, followed by a loud knock on the door. Ella just leaned by the door, trying her best not to cry. “Ella! Open the door. Let me explain!” she heard Calvin said. “Go away!” she shouted at him. “Ella...” he sounded tired as he called her again. “Please... let me explain...” he begged. She did not dare to utter another word. Why does she feel hurt now that she now that Calvin loves another girl? She shouldn't feel that way. She shouldn't feel jealous or insecure about it. Instead, she should be happy, for there is enough reason for her not to marry this man. He would have an excuse to tell her father that he can't marry her. But that though of him backing out frustrates her even more. “Ella... please... listen to me... it's not what you think...” he said wearily. “Ella, you should talk to your husband-to-be!” she heard Chun scolding her.

She opened the door, and saw the two men standing by the door. She glared at Calvin, and saw him in his sad expression. “Why are you like this, Calvin? You are giving me enough reason to stop loving you, and yet you're chasing after me...” she thought. Calvin looked up, and held her hand. “Ella... it's not what you think.” he said. “It's not what I think? You came here at my friend's shop to buy a dress for your girlfriend, and you're telling me it's not what I think?” she flared at him. “You have a girlfriend, and yet you chose to be married to me? Don't you think you are hurting that girl? You're such a jerk!” she shouted at him. Calvin could see the jealousy written all over her face. Somehow, his heart felt giddy at that thought, but he couldn't let her show that. “Ella... do you think if I have a girlfriend, it would be easy for me to agree to this marriage that our parents have setup?” he asked. Ella swallowed hard as he looked into her eyes. She looked away from him. “I don't care if you have a girlfriend or not. I still don't want to be married to you. So please, get out of here.” she said. He reached for her face, and turned her to face him. “You're jealous, aren't you?” he asked. Then, he gave her a playful smile. Ella glared at him again. “Who's jealous? Me? Are you kidding me? Why should I be jealous?” she snapped at him.

She saw Chun and Calvin trying to suppress their laughter at her sudden flare up. “I don't give a damn if you have a girlfriend, or not. Why don't you use that as an excuse for my father, so that you won't be able to marry me. Call of the wedding. That's all I want.” she said. Calvin smiled, and then shrugged his shoulder. “Well, if that's what you want, there's nothing I can do about it. I'll tell them on Saturday, when we come over to discuss the details of our wedding.” he said. Then, Calvin turned to Chun. “Actually, I was looking for a perfect dress for my fiancée. Too bad, your friend here does not want me around... I guess I'll come back here is she's not around.” he said. Calvin looked back at Ella, and saw the surprised look in her face. “I'll see you on Saturday.” he said. Then, he left the shop. “Oh. My. God. He is actually planning to buy you a dress?” Chun said in awe. Ella was more than shocked than her friend. “So, it was for me all along...” she thought. Then, she began to smile. She watched as Calvin leaves. “Tell me, I'm the fiancée he's talking about, right?” she asked. “I just heard he said that you are her wife-to-be, so I'm guessing, yes. You're the fiancee he's talking about.” Chun said. She felt herself blush at that realization. Suddenly, her heart felt giddy. “So,” she heard Chun say. “you still don't want to marry him? Because if you don't, I'll grab that hottie...”

--

“Andy!”

Andy looked back, and saw Senda and her friend, Gui Gui coming up to him. He looked away from them, and sighed. He hated being around these girls the most. And now, they're about to approach him. “Not again...” he thought. As soon as they got near Andy, they latched themselves into his arms. “So, how about a date tonight?” Gui Gui asked him. “Can't. Big test coming up tomorrow.” he said. Then, he glared at the two girls. “And aren't you two supposed to be studying for the exams tomorrow?” he told them. “And since when did you care about the exams. You're the biggest slacker here at the academy!” Senda said. Andy sighed again, and released himself from them. “Look, I don't know about you guys, but I don't want to fail tomorrow's big test. So, can you go, and leave me alone?” he said. Senda and Gui Gui folded their arms, and rolled their eyes at him. “Fine. We'll leave you.” Gui Gui said. He only sighed with relief as soon as the two girls were out of sight.

“Eh, Andy...” he heard someone say. He looked back, and saw his friends, Julian and Ah Ben coming up to him. “Why are you pushing those girls away! I mean, man, those are chicks! You shouldn't be like that.” Julian said. “They're not my type.” he said, smiling at them. “You're such a weirdo. Up until now, we don't know who you really like. You don't like Senda nor Gui Gui... are you sure the girl you like is really a girl?” Ah Ben asked. Andy just laughed at him. “Of course. It's a girl. And I'm still not telling who she is.” he said. “Fine. Keep it a secret. We'll soon find out who that girl is!” Julian said.

They were walking through the lobby, when they bumped into the school nerd, Genie Zhou. Genie's books fell on the floor, and she picked it up. The three boys just looked at her, glaring at her for bumping into them. “Stupid nerd!” Ah Ben shouted at her. “Sorry... sorry...” she said, stuttering as she picked up her books. “Next time, watch we're you're going, dork!” Julian shouted at her. The three just laughed at her as she picked up her book. As Andy looked down on the floor, something caught his eye. It's a pink envelope with his name on it. Before Genie could pick it up, he took it. “Look what the nerd have here...” he said. Genie looked up, and saw Andy opening it. She suddenly got scared about them seeing her love letter for Andy. “Give it back!” she said as she stood up. She tried to reach for it, but Andy and his friend would keep it out of her reach. Before she knew it, Andy and his friends were already reading her letter. “Give it back!” she said. She saw the amusement in their face. They were mocking her, with each of the words she have written in the stationary. “Ooohhh... nerdy's got a crush on Andy!” Ah Ben teased. Julian looked at her, and smirked. “Fool! Do you think Andy will like you? You're simply out of her league!” Julian said. She looked up at Andy, and saw him laughing at her. “I wasn't touched, really.” he said to her.

She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. She was embarrassed because of what happened. She should've picked up that letter first, and hid it before they could see it lying on the floor, but then it was too late. “Give it back to me!” she said, snatching the letter from Andy's hand. Though her eyes were fogged with tears, she could clearly see them laughing at him. With that, she closed her eyes, and ran away from them. “That was stupid of her. Does she think Andy will like her because of a stupid letter?” Julian told Ah Ben. The latter laughed, and then he gave Julian a high five. The three went on their way. The two were busy mocking and teasing about Genie, that they didn't noticed that Andy slowed down. As he looked back to the direction where Genie ran, the smile on his face slowly disappeared. He felt his heart break upon seeing her cry. He wanted to ran after her and say sorry, but he can't do that with his friends around him. He felt guilty for teasing and playing with her. He didn't want to break her heart or hurt her, because she is the girl he have loved for so long.

--

Ella parked her car outside Genie's school, and saw her stepsister sitting by the bench with her head hanging low. That afternoon, Genie called her, asking her to pick her up. “Genie?” she called. Genie looked up at her. Then, she stood up, and stormed towards Ella's car. She immediately got inside the car, leaving Ella confused with her action. “Wei...” Ella said as soon as she got inside her car. “What's wrong?” she asked. “Just drive.” Genie said. Ella raised an eyebrow at her. “Look, I maybe fond of you as my stepsister, but may I remind you that you have no right to boss me around?” she said at her. “Just drive, will you?” Genie shouted at her. Ella sighed, and then started the engine of her car.

Ella noticed that Genie was quiet a long the way. She saw her leaning by the window, and she could actually hear her sniffing. “Genie, is there something wrong?” she asked. Genie didn't answer her. Ella sighed, and shook her head, and continued driving. As they reached home, Genie immediately ran towards the house, rushed upstairs to their room. Ella came behind her, still confused with Genie's behavior. “What's wrong with Genie?” Melinda asked as soon as she saw her. Ella just shrugged her shoulder. “I don't know. She called me awhile ago, asking me to pick her up.” she said. Then, she looked at her stepmother, and smiled. “I have to go. I have to meet up with Charlene and Chun tonight, so I don't think I'll be here for dinner.” she said. “Oh... I was hoping you could stay tonight for dinner? Your father would be coming home early, and it would be great if we are complete...” Melinda said. Ella let out a faint laugh, and shook her head. “I appreciate the thought, Melinda. Sorry to get your hopes down, but it would be very impossible. Besides, I'll only spoil your appetite if me and my dad bicker again.” she said. Melinda smiled sadly at her, and nodded her head. There's no way their family would be complete during their dinner, simply because Ella didn't want to see her own father. “I understand. Take care of yourself, OK?” she said. Ella smiled and nodded her head. “Call me if anything happened to Genie.” she said before leaving the mansion.

--

Andy sat on his study stable, staring at the blank paper in front of him. Each time he starts to to write something, he felt that the words he have written is wrong. Then, he heard the door of his room open. He looked back, and saw his brother, Calvin, by the door. “Are you sure you don't want to come with us? Don't you want to meet your future sister-in-law?” he asked. Andy smiled at him, and shook his head. “Maybe next time, ge. I still have papers to finish.” he said. Calvin entered his room, and then looked at the crumpled papers beside him. He read it's contents, and then smiled. “So, does this report includes a girl named Zhou Wen Xuan?” he asked. Andy looked back at him, and then snatched the paper in his hand. Calvin could only laugh at his younger brother. “You're not writing a paper for school. You're writing a love letter. So, this Wen Xuan is your crush?” he asked. Andy did not looked at him, but he nodded her head. “And you felt that whenever you start writing her your letter, the words don't fit in?” he asked again. Andy nodded his head. Calvin sighed, and then sat beside him.

“Ge... when Selina jie is still alive, did you write her love letters?” Andy asked. Calvin smiled and nodded his head. “Everyday, until the day she died...” he said sadly. “What do you usually tell her on your letters?” Andy asked again. “I would write to her how much I love her. I would write to her what I truly feel inside my heart. I would tell her that she's the most beautiful thing that happened to me... that for the rest of my life, I will only have her. Those kinds of mushy stuffs.” he said. “Do... do you also give her a letter when you too have a fight? When you did something to make her cry?” Andy asked again. “Of course I do. I would give her a letter, and a bouquet of her favorite roses. Then, Selina would forgive me...” he said. Andy smiled to himself and nodded his head. “OK. I think I now know what to do.” he said. Then, he looked up at his brother. “Thanks, ge.” he said. Calvin gave him a confused look. “Aren't you going to ask for my help?” he asked Andy. He only shook his head. “I think I'll take it from here. I know exactly what to tell her in my letter.” he said. Calvin stood up from his seat, then ruffled his hair. “Fine. I'll leave you for now so that you can concentrate. Good luck on your letter.” he said. Andy watched his brother as he left his room. Then, he turned his attention to the paper on his table. Then, he began to write. He wrote what's inside his heart, what he truly felt. He wrote his apology for her, and then he asked if they could be friends. Before he knew it, he finished it. Satisfied with his work, he folded the paper into three, and then placed it inside the envelope. Tomorrow, he will give it to Genie. For once, he have to be true to himself. He loves her, and he have to let her know what he truly feels.

--

“Give me 10 yards of that pink one, and 6 yards of this white one.” Ella said to the shop owner. The owner took the roll of cloth, and then began to measure it. “Aiyo! If I only knew that being a designer is such a pain in the ass, I wouldn't have agreed with you guys in this kind of business!” Charlene said as she walked beside Ella. “Hey, it's fun though, don't you think?” Ella said. Charlene sighed, and rolled her eyes at her. “Hey, look at this cloth!” Then heard Chun said. The two girl followed him, and saw him a white cloth. “Ella, dear, don't you think this would be perfect for your wedding gown?” he asked. Ella rolled her eyes at him, and Charlene laughed at the two. “I almost forgot. You're about to get married, right? And to think I thought I will be the first one who'll get tied down.” Charlene said. “It's not that great, Char. Trust me.” Ella said. “I think it is... And to think you're marrying a guy you had a one night stand with.” she teased. Ella looked away from her, and turned her attention on other things. “Heard Chun got to meet this hottie. When will you introduce him to me? And to think I'm your best friend. I should be the first one who should meet him, not Chun.” Charlene said. “Look, Chun only got to meet that stupid guy because he was looking for a dress for his girlfriend.” Ella explained. “And it turned out that he was looking for a dress to give you.” Chun teased. She looked at his friends, and saw them giggling. She sighed, sometimes, she wonders if they really are her friends.

Just then, she heard her phone ring. She took it from her bag, and answered it. “Hello...” she said. “I want you to come how for dinner tonight.” she heard a familiar voice say. It was her father. “Didn't your wife told you that I'm meeting up my friends tonight?” she said to him. “And did I tell you to follow whatever I say, or else you will lose everything?” her father snapped back at her. Ella could only sigh at him. There's nothing she can do to turn him down. “Fine...” she said in an annoyed tone. “I'll be there.” She ended the call, and then turned to her friends. “I have to go, guys. I'll see you tomorrow at the shop.” she said. Charlene and Chun looked at her, and nodded their heads. “OK. Make sure to be at the shop early, OK?” Chun said. Ella smiled at him, and nodded her head.

--

“Melinda...” Ella called as soon as she entered the mansion. Melinda smiled at her, and kissed her on the cheek. “You're home early. I thought you're going out with your friends tonight?” she asked. Ella shook her head, and sighed. “Your husband called me, and told me that I should be home for dinner. What's wrong with him? It's so unlikely of him to ask me to stay home.” she complained. Melinda let out a smile at her. Somehow, it seems that Robin is doing his best to spend more time with his own daughter. “I don't know about your father, but he called a while ago, and told me that he's expecting some visitors over dinner tonight.”
“Figures. He always does that when he wants to impress a possible new client. By the way, how's Genie?”
“Still up in her room. She was just sleeping or sulking.”

Ella sighed upon hearing what her step mom said. “Let me guess, this is not your typical Genie Zhou?” she asked. Melinda shook her head. “She have always been like this, especially when something bad happens to her...”
“Have you talked to her?”
Melina shook her head. “I don't know how I could get that girl to talk to me...” she said. Ella gave the elder woman a warm smile. “Can I try? Maybe she'll talk to me...” she said. Melinda smiled back at her and nodded her head. “It's worth a try. Maybe she'll open up to you.” she said. Then, Ella went up to Genie's room. “Genie...” she called as she knocked on her door. There was no response from her. Instead of knocking again, she opened the door, and went inside her room. She saw Genie burying herself under her blanket. “Genie...” she called again as sat on her bed. This time, Genie slowly peeked from her blanket. “Jie...” she called in a weak voice. Ella reached for her, and brushed her hair from her face. She looked at her worriedly. “Are you sick? Don you want me to tell your mother that you're not feeling well?” she asked in a worried tone. Genie shook her head. “I'm not sick...” she said. Genie sat up from her bed, her head hanging low. Ella looked at her closely, and saw her face marked with dry tears, and her eyes swollen from crying. “You cried... anything wrong? Did something happened in school?” she asked. Genie slowly nodded her head. “Jie... they... they...” she stuttered. Her lips quiver as she tried to speak. Each time she remember what Andy and her friends did to embarrass her a while ago, she couldn't help but cry. “Did someone bullied you at school?” she asked. Genie nodded her head to answer. “They embarrassed me in front of my crush... and my crush laughed at me the whole time...” she said. Then, she looked up at her stepsister. “I bumped into them, and my books fell on the floor. They were shouting angrily at me because I wasn't looking at my way. Then, they saw my letter for Andy. They took that letter, and read it. After they read it, they teased me and mocked me. They... they told me that Andy will never like me because I'm a nerd.” she said. “Are you always being bullied in school?” Ella asked. Genie nodded her head again. “All of them didn't like me because I'm a nerd, and not cool enough like them. They also thought that... that I'm ugly... And... and I don't have much friends in school... ”

Ella sighed as she looked at Genie. She pitied her sister because of what happened to her. Maybe that's the reason why when they first met, Genie wanted to be close to her, because she doesn't have friends. She gave her a smile, and then pulled her to hug her. “Aiyo, Genie. Don't mind about them. Those guys are jerks. No use crying over them.” she said. Genie looked up at her, and saw Ella smiling at her. “Believe me when I say you're beautiful. After all, I, Ella Chen is your sister. You look like me.” she said, trying to up her spirits. “But you're my stepsister...” Genie answered. “Why, just because we're stepsisters, you can't be as pretty as I am?” she said. Genie turn into a smile at what she said. “Look, don't ever let them bully you again. If they did that to you, call me and I'll give them a piece of me. OK?” Ella said. Genie shook her head, and sighed. “With what happened, I don't think I can go back to school...” Genie said in a low voice. Ella gave her a confused look. “What happened a while ago to you is really bad, huh?” she asked. Genie nodded her head. “So, because of what happened, you want to transfer schools?” Ella asked. Genie smiled at her, and gave her puppy eyes. “Will you help me tell mom that I want to transfer schools?” she asked. Ella sighed at her, but then, she gave in to her. “Fine... I'll help you convince your mom to transfer you. Maybe you can go to my school before, if that would help you...” Ella said. Genie's smile widened, then she gave Ella a big hug. “Thanks, jie! You're the best!” she said. Ella could only laugh at her sister. “Fine... fine... I appreciate it... not get up from your bed and prepare for dinner, will you?” she said. Genie looked at her, and nodded her head.

--

“Dad's here!” Genie said as she rushed down the stairs Ella followed her, and saw her father talking to her step mom, and their visitors. Their visitors turned out to be Calvin and his parents. She slowly walked down the stairs, her eyes staring at Calvin's smiling face. Then, she saw Calvin look up at her. She felt herself blush, so she turned away from him. “There's my daughter...” she heard her father said. She walked towards them, and before she knew it, she was standing before Calvin.
“For you...” she heard Calvin said. He handed her a bouquet of white roses. She took it, and stared at it for a while, and then she gave Calvin a confused look. White roses have always been her favorite. It was also her mom's favorites. It was such a coincidence that Calvin knew which flower to give her, not unless her father gave him a hint. “T-thanks...” she said. She heard her father clear his throat, and then she saw him looking up at Calvin's father. “Tristan, there are some matters that we need to discuss. Follow me to my office. Melinda, please call us when dinner's ready.” Robin said. Melinda nodded her head. “I'll go in the kitchen first. Celestine, would you like to help me with dinner?” Melinda asked. Celestine smiled and nodded her head “I would love to.” she said. Ella looked at her step mom with confusion. Seems like they planned to leave her alone with Calvin. “I'll stay here with jie!” Genie said. Ella sighed with relief at what Genie said, but then she saw her mom making a sign at Genie. “But on second thought, I think I'll help mom in the kitchen...” Genie said as she followed the two elder women.

And finally, the two of them were alone. Ella looked away from Calvin. She felt her heart beating fast with the thought that Calvin have been gazing at her. “Still not used with you being silent...” he said. Ella looked at him, and smiled. “I'm the silent type.” she said. “I don't think you are. When I met you at the bar, you were talkative.” Calvin said. “By the way, thanks for the flowers, though I know my father told you I like white roses...” she said. Calvin gave her a confused look, and then let out an amused smile. “What?” Ella asked in a confused tone. “I only guessed it. I didn't ask your dad for any info.” Calvin said. It was Ella's turn to give him a confused look. “You only guessed it?” she asked. Calvin nodded his head. “Not really guess. I just felt like giving you white roses. It's my favorite as well.” he said. Ella turned away from him. “Even if you guessed my favorite flowers, that doesn't mean I agree to marry you...” she said. “Why don't you give it a shot? It's not only you who's taking a risk here. Ella, I want to get to know you...” Calvin said. “I don't want you to get to know me. I don't want to get to know you either.” she said. Calvin gave her a questioning look. “Why?”
“Because I don't have to do anything with you.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't want to be close to you.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't want to be friends with you.”
“Why?”
“Because I want you out of my life.”
“Why?”

Ella sighed, and looked back at him. Calvin find himself amused with the irritated look on her face. “Why are you asking a lot of questions?” she asked. “Because you're not giving me a definite answer.”
“What kind of answer do you want me to tell you?”
“Something that I could agree on.”
“I said I don't want to be close to you, I don't want to be friends with you, and I don't want to be married to you. Which part don't you understand?”
Calvin paused, and then smiled at her. “Everything.” he said. He moved closer to her, and then stared into her eyes. “Make me understand why. Convince me... that's all you have to do...” he said softly. “Even if I marry you, I will not turn back on my old ways.” she said firmly. “I can live with that...” Calvin said. “I will only cheat on you.”
“I can make you change...”
“You can't change me.”
“I can make you love me.”

Ella turned away from him after hearing what he said. “You can't...” she said. “How can you make me love you, when I already do?” she thought. “Look, Ella. Even if we get married, I'll give you your freedom. You can do whatever it is that you want...” he said. “Why are you insisting on marrying me, when you already have a girlfriend!” she shouted at him. She looked at him, and he seems to be unmoved by what she said. “We're still not over that issue, aren't we?” he asked. Ella shook her head. “No. Because you will tell my dad all about her, and you will tell my dad that she is the reason why you can't marry me. Understood?” she said. She did not wait for an answer from him. She stormed away from him. Calvin shook his head, and sighed as he watched her leave him. Seems like there's nothing he can do for now.

--

“Dad...” Ella said as soon as their dinner is over. “I think Calvin wants to tell you something.” she said, eying on the man sitting in front of her. Robin looked at Calvin, and smiled at him warmly. “What is it that you want to tell me, Calvin?” he asked. Calvin looked at him, and then looked back at Ella. Then, he smiled. “Nothing... it's just that I found the perfect wedding gown for your daughter.” he said. Ella's eyes widened at what he said. He looked at her dad, her step mom, and his parents, and saw them smiling at them. Then, she glared at Calvin. “That's not what you're supposed to tell my dad, Calvin...” she said, trying her best to control her temper. “Yes...” he said, staring at her. “Aside from that, I think we can set the wedding two months from now. I was told that it's a perfect date for a wedding.” he said. Robin nodded his head, and smiled. “I agree with you, Calvin. Then, if your parents will agree to that date...” he said, looking at Celestine and Tristan. “I agree to that date as well.” Tristan said.

Ella stood up from her seat, glaring at Calvin. “What are you saying?!” she shouted angrily at him. “It's not what you're supposed to say?! Aren't you going to tell my dad that you already have a girlfriend, and that you're planning to marry her?!” she shouted. Calvin leaned back on her chair, and then folded his arm. “What girlfriend? I've been single for five years now. I don't have a girlfriend, Ella. I've told you at the shop that I was looking for a dress for you.” he said. “You're supposed to tell my dad that you can't marry me! What the hell are you doing, ruining my life?” she shouted at him. She threw her table napkin on the table, and then stormed out of the dining room. Robin felt embarrassed by her daughter's outburst. “Excuse me. I will need to talk to my daughter.” he said as he stood up from his seat. As Robin left, Calvin lowered his head, feeling guilty of what he did. He should've followed what Ella told her, but he didn't, and it only made matters worst. He only wants to marry her, but she's pushing him away, and he doesn't know why. “Calvin...” he heard Melinda call him. She gave him a smile. “I'm sorry about Ella. It's just that, she's shocked when she found out all about this.” she said. Calvin smiled at her, and nodded his head. “Maybe it's a bad idea to agree into this marriage. I understand, Auntie Melinda...” he said. Then, he looked at his parents. “Ma, Pa, I'm sorry. I can't force Ella to marry me. Maybe we shouldn't push through with this...” he said. Celestine smiled at his son, and then held his hand. “We understand, son...” she said. Tristan smiled at his son, and nodded his head. “Don't worry, I'll talk to Robin. We don't have to force one of you into this marriage...” he said.

--

“Can you tell me what you did back there?” Robin said as soon as he cornered Ella into his office. “Calvin can't marry me. He have a girlfriend, and they're supposed to get married.” she said as she turned her back on him. “Don't give me that crap!” he shouted angrily at her. “He already told at the dinner table that he doesn't have a girlfriend. What kind of lie are you saying?!” Ella turned to face her father, and looked at him angrily. “I don't want to marry him! Now, are you satisfied?” she shouted at him. “You are going to marry Calvin and clean up your act. I'm fed up with you, and your immoral lifestyle.”
“You can't force me to do something that I don't want to do!”
“Believe me, Ella. I can and I will.”

He circled around her, and when she stopped in front of her, he let out a smirk. “We made a deal, remember? You have to do everything that I tell you to do, or you will never ever get your mother's wealth, especially that summer house...” he said. Ella looked up at him with fear in her eyes. Robin felt satisfied upon seeing her face turn pale with what he said. “Not the summer house...” she said in a low voice. “All of my mom's memory are in there...” she said softly. She felt her tears forming at the corner of her eye with thought of losing that house. “Then, if you don't want to lose it, you'll go down and talk to Calvin. You will apologize to him and to his parents, and you will tell them that you are willing to marry their son.” he said. Ella stared into his father's eyes. “Do you hate me that much that you want to ruin my life?” she asked. Robin sighed, and then turned away from her. “I know you don't want me, and that I wasn't the perfect daughter... why are you punishing me like this? Do you despise my mom so much, that you're lashing it all out on me?” she asked. “You don't understand, Ella. One day, you will thank me for making this decision for you.” he said firmly. “Will I thank you if one day, I fall apart because of our decision?” she asked.

Robin did not answer her. Ella doesn't know it, and he may not have said it or made her feel it, but he loves his daughter very much. This is the only thing left to do so that he can be assured that Ella will be in good hands. “Go down now, and apologize to them.” he said. Then, he left Ella alone in his office.

--

After a while, Ella and his father went down the stairs. “Well, I think my daughter have something to say this time...” Robin said. Ella walked in front of Calvin and his parents, her head hanging low. “I'm sorry...” she said. “I'm sorry for the way I acted a while ago...” She looked up, and saw Calvin's mom smiling at her. “We understand, dear. You don't have to apologize.” she said. Ella smiled at her, and nodded her head. Then, she turned to face Calvin. “I can't force you to marry me, so...” then he paused, and looked up at her. “Calvin...” she said. She gazed into his eyes for a long time before she began to speak again. “I'm willing to marry you...”

Labels: Always and Forever, fan fic