I don’t even know where he is now, and what his state is in life, but I still don’t lose what I felt for him then. Moving-on was just an excuse for me to bust boys who wanted to court me after these past few years. Because honestly? Not one of them caught my interest. That's why I'm a bit mad and dissapointed with my parents because of this. "When is the dinner anyway?" I asked, uninterested. "Tomorrow raw? Why, Eden?" I shrugged. "Are we going?" "Yes," I just nodded. Then, it's settled. Tomorrow, whoever he is, I'll immediatly declare that I don't want to marry him, or to be engaged. If he gets angry, that's a problem for him. I'll help our company if it means to stop that freaking engagement. I’m not interested in whoever it is, and I’m not interested in marriage. Kuya Nathan left me alone in my room after he said goodnight. I went to sleep immediately after that because I had no intention of playing billiards. So when the next day came I was ready early. "How are you, Ma'am ..." I turned to one of our new housemates by my side and the amazement was really evident on his face. I chuckled forcefully. "Thank you, manang. But instead of calling me, 'Ma'am'. Just call me, Edana nalang." She blinked at what I said before she nodded with a smile on her lips. I looked at my reflection once again back in the mirror before I took my pursed that was laying on my vanity before I motioned the maids to come with me back to the living room. Wearing a cream drop waist dress, that is paired with my white pump sandal and my hair on a french twist, I'm ready for dinner later. I didn't apply heavy make-up since I'm not allergic to that, so I just applied a little colored nude eyeshadow before I applied lipstick, which is a pink rose colored. I have a natural bsauty and fortunately, my skin is clear so it doesn't need to have a foundation for me to glow. I'm fine without too much make-up. I'm not a model to have it as a must and a need. I went downstairs from the second floor casually and looked unmixed with nervousness on my face. That's when Igot a glanced at mamà who was now sitting on our sofa elegantly with papà beside her. I approached them as I got down to kiss their cheeks. "You look wonderful, son .." Dad smiled at me. I slowly smiled back in a low and uncertain mood. "Are you ready for dinner, Eden?" I slowly turned to mama, before giving her a small nod. It was 6 pm when I was done preparing so we directly went our way towards a five-star restaurant near a beach resort here in Cebu using kuya Nathan's car. It's good that we won't have dinner there. My mood eased somehow. Since I was young, we were able to go there, so I kind of lost the anger I was feeling, and what's nice about it is that I can catch a view from Bohol in that perspective. Kuya parked the car infront of the restaurant. Dad got out of the front seat first before he opened the door to the backseat for us. And with trembly feet, I manged to get out of the car casually and elegantly. We were instantly approached by one of the staffs from the restaurant and guided us to where we were reserved by mamà's friends. "Oh, look! They're here." I looked up at a woman who looked in her late 40's when she was dry and approached us immediately. "Seraphina! Oh my! It's good to see you again!" Mama and I kissed and then papa. "It's good to see you too, Isabelle. You look more elegant now that your in 50's huh?" Mom complimented so the lady was a bit amused. Though, when I studied her face, she looks familiar. I haven't seen him before, but ... he looks like something. And maybe because I was staring at him I didn't realize that his eyes were looking at me now. "Is this your daughter? Oh wow! No wonder my son likes you so much, hija." She smiled. "Not to mention that he already showed me your pictures before," She laughed elegantly, making my cheeks heat for a breif moment. What does he mean? Mom laughed with her so I got more confused. I just couldn't say a word when another man came. Looking like he's in his late 50's, I was even more confused as his face was familiar to me. He greeted papa, and then mama and then me again. "It's nice meeting you, Eden ..." My eyes widened a bit when he already knew my name. Oh, come on, Edana. Ofcourse he knew you! "It's nice meeting you too, sir .." He laughed. Making my my lips parted. "Don't call us Sir and Ma'am, hija. You're part of the fanily now." I almost choked down my own saliva when I heard him say that. Well, I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but, I won't marry your son. "Oh? Where is he though?" I looked up at Dad when he asked that. The woman chuckled before she motioned us to sit down first. "He's been a bit busy these past few days because of the company, but he'll be here. He just came from Manila." "Manila?" Mom asked in shocked. "Oh my ... We should've scheduled another time for dinner. He must be tired, Isabelle." I turned to the lady to see how she reacted. "Possible. But I guess he's just excited aswell. He says that he can't wait any longer to see you again, hija." She glanced at me with a warm smile. My eyes narrowed as I frowned. Now hold up! I don't really understand what's going ong happening! To see me again? Do I know this guy, and why does he already know me? Have we met before? Or have a longer interaction with each other? I can not remember! "Your son's hard-working! I like that." Dad praised me. "Just like his father," the lady smiled at her husband. I scratch the bridge of my nose when I don't have any other role here but to listen to their discussions until I began to get bored. The duration of that man! Are we really the ones waiting ?! Earlier, older brother Nathan had arrived at the table and he was now sitting next to Mama while texting. I tried to have contact with him by touching his feet using my heels so it won't be less boring but it looks like his attention is really focused on his cellphone so I took a deep breath and just rolled my eyes at the people in the restaurant. Nervously I was still able to act naturally and calmly so when people saw me they gave me smiles, and I gave it back to them. Until ... "Isidore, you're here! Come join us, son." I glanced at Mrs. Isabelle suddenly smiled in front of him; which is the one behind me. I didn't turned around to see who it was because of how she called him. No, maybe I'm just over reacting. "I'm sorry, I'm late, Mom ..." I couldn’t move as that voice reached my eardrums. It wasn't like before because it changed into a much more deeper tone, but who knows, maybe that's not him! "Did Paolo pick you up from the airport?" I diverted my attention to his father. "No, dad." He paused. "I'm the one who drove here." "Aren't you tired, son?" My breathing started to panic when I saw mama glancing at ms before she gave the person behind me a gentle smile. "It's okay, aunt. Thank you for coming ... uncle," I saw papa nod at him. "Sit down, Isidore. Don't just stand there!" I began to feel conservative when her mom chuckled. Mama laughed there too, and since I didn't know what to do I turned my eyes to my empty plate. The only chair that wasn't occupied was infront of me! And because I don't want to conclude on who it was, I bowed my head at the same time as the trembling of my hands began. I just felt that my parents were looking at me as my dad coughed a little so I temporarily turned my attention to him, but when I saw mama who was stingy smiling at me and teasing whoever was in front of me I frowned and returned the gaze to the food. I badly want to get out of this place already! "Are we still waiting for something?" I calmed my own breathing down when I heard dad asking that question. "No more, Edgardo. So, we'll let the waiters serve our food already?" I heard that from the man's father. "Ofcourse, Theus." Dad chuckled deeply, and so did the other. "Eden ..." My body was shaking when I heard my mother call me. I turned to her with a grim expression on my face, to let her know that I wanted to go out already but she gave me a happy one instead. Oh my God ?!