2 can i decline everything?

I was about to reject everything, because I can't do this to myself, "I am- as if heaven heard my prayer; my phone started ringing. It was from my best friend. I looked at everyone, "it's a bit important call." I hurriedly picked up.

"yes, boss"

"Erica what are you doing now~" she seemed happy

"yes sir, but right now? Is it important?"

"what- she was shocked

"No worries sir, we need to take this project. I am okay with it."

"Are you okay? Erica" she asked me, I need to explain it to her later

"I will be going right now and if possible, please ask others to come too"

"Oh everyone's coming? I see"

"Don't worry sir, don't be sorry." And I got up from my seat and hung up.

I looked at them with apologetic eyes, if only they fell for my lie "I am really sorry, I need to go. It's really urgent"

"But Erica-

"I am really sorry mum, and I am really sorry everyone, being the head of the PR department, I rarely get any day off. If only this wasn't important, I would've pushed it back. But I can't. I apologize once again" I bowed them expecting them to allow me.

"You can go, Erica, we will consider this as yes from your side," Mum said, my eyes grew wider, I was in shock; I couldn't believe what she just uttered, how could she do that? How could she not even ask me once or listen to me once? My tongues were tied for some unknown reasons

"yes, Erica go now, it's okay and since we have 12 days for your wedding; let's go for shopping on Wednesday, will you be able to take a day off Erica?" Mrs. Yoon looked desperate as if she is wishing a yes from me; if only I could lie.

"Ayy, Hana, Erica isn't that bad, okay? She will take a day off; now don't worry." Mum responded instead of me again; I was tearing up, I wish I could hold my tears, suddenly Mrs. Yoon got up and held my hands, "Thank you so much Erica" thankyou so much" I wanted to cry out loud, I bowed down and closed my eyes and wanted these tears to stop. And without looking back I left that private room, once I was out my tears started falling. I went to my car, and started crying, what am I supposed to do? How to get out of this mess? How to tell them, that I love someone else and I can't marry someone else. I never thought I had to face something like this in my life, I always thought I would bring Seungcheol to my home on my birthday and introduce him to my parents. We planned everything to do this year, mum and dad would love Seungcheol but what am I supposed to do now? I am in love with a guy who was there for me every time and took care of me all these years, at this point I can't live without him and it is the same for him, I mean happiness to him. He was the one to hold me tight when I wanted someone by my side.

I started driving to our home, where mum and dad lived. Tears were fallin' endlessly. Yoona called me again; I rejected her call and sent a text mentioning I will be calling her back after few minutes.

My mind went back to thinking what actually happened 30 mins ago, I still couldn't process what actually happened? I couldn't think straight, I wanted to run away right now and not come back, well I ran away and this is the consequences. How was everyone so happy and smiling and I was getting heartbroken by every second.

I didn't notice I was driving recklessly with speed, it felt like everything was falling down, there I saw a car coming towards me. I pressed the breaks with full force. I took a turn and stopped the car, I was about to get into an accident. my mind went blank, my cries got louder, I wanted myself to go back and tell them no.

"what should I do? Help me" my cries got louder and louder. I was helpless at this point; I wish I could just get out of this whole situation, without thinking twice I drove back to our home, definitely waiting for a beautiful explanation from my parents.

[4 pm]

I was sitting on the couch waiting for mum and dad. I saw them entering with big smiles.

"Welcome back home". They were taken aback when they saw me as if they didn't expect me to be home at this hour, right I never come like this, and if I come I stay in my old bedroom only.

"Honey, you are home?" mum was walking towards me. I stood up and started walking towards them.

"care to explain what did you just do there? And why did you reply for me?" I asked very calmly, trying to hold myself from shouting.

"Erica listen I thought it would be better for me to reply since you were in hurry." She replied casually, yes casually.

"oh, tell me it wasn't because you thought I might say no and leave or might not reply to that family ever again? tell me" I wanted to hold back all my anger but I was losing it bit by bit.

"Erica listen to your mum and don't say like this" dad spoke this time, he just pissed me off now.

"Dad don't say a single word, did you guys ever think about my happiness? No matter how much I grow let me be happy with my happiness. Why you had to do this? why? Just reply me with a valid reason nothing else, at least I can try to accept this whole bullshit"

"Erica, stop with this attitude you think we don't care about you?"

"yes, that what I exactly think. YOU. DON'T. CARE."

"Erica, is this a way to talk?" I couldn't take his words anymore.

"Tell me why you did this without even asking me whether I want this or not or what I want?"

"fine, let me tell you" and dad looked at mum

"First this was because we are family friends and then another reason is business but now it looked like their family is happy to accept you so we came to this conclusion we should seal this relation."

"What about me? Cared to ask me?" I couldn't hold back anymore I just started shouting

"What about you? Don't you like Jihoon? He looks like a decent guy" mum said casually, how could she do this.

"MOM!" her words were, just hitting me hard and making me lose my everything bit by bit.

"Listen to me once, I can't okay I just can't marry off a guy whom you choose because of some shit reasons and you did with without asking my opinion. I can't. I will break it off"

"Why you can't?" she raised her voice this time, I was taken aback for sure.

"I am in love with someone else all these years, mum I love him I can't leave him. never" I broke down and fell on the ground, her screams never fails to scare me, and my tears make a way through my eyes, no matter how much I grow up, some things never change

"you're in what?" dad asked me, they were surprised

"Yes, I am in love with a guy who was there for me when I needed someone when you weren't there for me and now you want me to leave him for your stupid business. I should be free from all of this bs" I managed to say but mum held my hand and forced me to stand up, I was crying I thought she would understand me.

"Did you sleep with him?" I shot my eyes at her

"Mum-

"honey stop asking this, we know she won't"

"Did you sleep with him? I asked you" her stern voice, making me feel disappointed in her, making me feel disgusted

"Mum!" she slapped me hard, how could she do this to me, I've never seen her like this, never.