[120] a
As a result of Darren and Chloe’s messy impromptu breakfast, Darren made a foolish decision. Without informing anyone and barely saying a word after dropping off Chloe at the café, Darren followed his parents back to Santa Monica. No, Darren didn’t agree to the arranged marriage. He just needed time to think about his relationship with Chloe.
“Why is it so difficult to introduce you to my parents, Chloe?” Darren complained with a long sigh. His face was gloomy as he reluctantly followed his parents, who wondered why Darren had joined them.
“Are you sure your child is okay?” the mother asked her husband, occasionally glancing at Darren.
“Just leave it. Don’t ask too many questions or pressure him too much. Papa is afraid it might have serious consequences seeing Darren’s return last night.”
Eventually, they agreed not to ask about Darren’s girlfriend, whom they only knew through stories. As parents, they were also curious about their son’s partner.
Darren had been in Santa Monica for two days now.
In their large house, while having dinner together, Darren stood his ground about staying with Chloe. He didn’t hesitate to reject this arranged marriage, as he believed it was an outdated tradition from the past and didn’t align with the present. Moreover, Irena’s childish behavior made Darren uncomfortable, especially with the thought of becoming her husband.
“What’s so difficult about getting to know each other better?” his mother asked with a furrowed brow. “What’s wrong with you? Since you came back, you’ve been getting angry frequently. Has Mama ever mentioned anything about arranged marriages?”NôvelDrama.Org owns this text.
Darren fell silent, his face tense. He also had a headache thinking about how he could introduce Chloe to his parents. To get acquainted and discuss their plans, the relationship between Darren and Chloe, and whether it could progress to marriage. What’s so bad about getting to know his parents? Or was their relationship just a passing fling, according to Chloe?
Thinking about all the questions swirling in his mind worsened Darren’s headache. And Chloe never sent him any messages. She didn’t even bother to ask how he was doing. Darren did the same. Although he longed heavily, it was even heavier to keep fighting for someone who didn’t want to fight with him.
“That’s enough. I want to rest in my room,” Darren declared, leaving his parents confused. Both his mother and father exchanged glances.
“Irena’s parents are coming tonight, Darren. Mama gave an ultimatum, remember?”
“Whatever!”
Darren walked away with a slight stomp. Although he intended to step back, why were his parents pressuring him like this? Didn’t they understand Darren’s feelings even a little bit? Goodness, God! Whatever they wanted to do, it was up to them. Darren didn’t care. He truly needed time to think about his feelings.
Fortunately, Irena’s parents didn’t come tonight because they had an unexpected matter to attend to. It made Darren happy because he didn’t have to struggle anymore to come up with excuses to reject their planned arranged marriage. Unfortunately, Irena still showed up. As if she had no shame or regret, she arrived alone. Who knows what her intentions were?
No, Darren wouldn’t back down.
“Mom and Dad should have talked to me first before making a decision,” Darren said to his parents. Tonight, he had to make everything clear. He didn’t want his life; especially marriage matters, to be heavily regulated. Couldn’t Darren find a partner on his own? Besides, why Irena, of all people?
“How can we discuss this with you when you insist on introducing Chloe to us? Besides, there’s no sign that your chosen girlfriend will show up,” Darren’s mother retorted, leaving Darren shaking his head quickly. “We made time to come to Surabaya, but what did we get? Just a visit and Chloe didn’t want to come.”
“She doesn’t want to come, Mom. You didn’t even inform Darren when you went to Beverly Hills. Surely Chloe wants to get to know you at the right time,” Darren quickly interjected. “I don’t want Mama and Papa to arrange this marriage anymore. It’s ridiculous! What era do you think you’re living in? Not the past, right? You should be able to think broadly and openly without resorting to arranged marriages! Make both parties happy,” Darren said, throwing that question at his parents, leaving the couple speechless and unable to answer.
“Of course, we can be happy,” Irena chimed in, feeling ignored all this time as Darren expressed his rejection of their arranged marriage. Due to this, Irena’s parents also wondered about the success of the planned wedding. Irena wouldn’t give up. Getting Darren was her goal. Whoever stood in her way would be crushed. Love meant that much to Irena.
“Happy? How can we be happy when you have a partner who acts childish and doesn’t have a mature mindset!” Darren snapped at Irena, who fell silent and sipped mineral water beside her plate. She tried to normalize her suddenly racing heartbeat. Darren’s face turned red with restrained anger.
Although it hurt, was Irena’s request that difficult?
“If that’s what you want, we’ve already said we’ll give you a week. I hope you truly fulfill your promise to bring Chloe before us. But if you can’t meet our request, whether you like it or not, you’ll have to follow this arranged marriage we’ve planned!” Darren’s father sternly stated to his son, but Darren didn’t respond directly because all he wanted now was to be with Chloe, and she consumed his thoughts.
Moreover, Darren would be here for one week. Although it seemed short, it felt like a long time for Darren because he couldn’t meet his beloved, especially with the looming presence of Leonel. Leonel would have more freedom to approach Chloe if he weren’t there. Was his decision to return home this time a reckless move?
But if he didn’t return and assert his rejection, his parents would pressure Darren to agree. He couldn’t let that happen.
Fine then. I need to go back to my room and rest. My body and mind are not in good condition to discuss this,” Darren announced.
Without waiting for an answer from his parents, Darren quickly left the dining table and headed to his room. He felt disgusted being next to Irena and looking at her face. Darren didn’t care if Irena called him a bastard or anything. He honestly didn’t care.
Meanwhile, Leonel was planning his move to get back together with Chloe. He purposely didn’t return to New York City when he discovered Darren would be in Santa Monica for a week. It allowed Leonel to win over Chloe’s heart and return to his ex-wife. According to Leonel, Chloe now looked beautiful and mature, which made him reluctant to let go of her, especially if he had to see her in Darren’s arms.