My arranged future!

When night has fallen, everyone was squatting around the fire place. Stanley wrapped himself with his blanket. It was indeed a bit cold on this mountain.

He squeezed himself in between me and Tess. " I need human blanket, this blanket is not enough. " He said while pushing Tess sideways with his hips.

Tess spanked his butt as she moved farther apart. " Okay, I'm deaf now!" she said when she was seated not near. I knew she understood what Stanley had in mind.

They all started to play seven up and were starting to get noisy.

"Fem, seriously, can we talk?" Stanley shivered under his blanket.

"About what? Is it a serious topic ?" I asked shooting him a curious look. Indeed, he didn't seem like joking.

"Let's move out here, it's a bit noisy." He rose from his feet and reached his hand to help me get up.

We moved to a concrete bench not too far from everyone. We tried to sit on it but it was so cold. We grabbed two large fire woods, laid them on the ground and sat down.

"Are you not cold?" He asked.

"Not really, Im wearing doubles and this jacket is a wind breaker." I said as I shrugged my shoulder.

"That's good!" He said then pursed his lips as if to think first what he was about to say.

"What's the agenda? Is it really important?" I asked.

"Fem, Im not going to beat around the bush. I don't know if uncle told you anything about this. But the way I see it, you seem not to know anything." He started.

My eyes widened in curiosity. "What is it?" I asked.

"Fem, actually, our parents arranged us to marry after our graduation. I just learned this from daddy last year. Prior to that, I wanted to court you even though I know we are cousins. I was just fearful you might be disgusted and keep your distance from me. If you were not my cousin, I could have done it long ago.... When daddy told me this, I was so glad! .... But then, I didn't know I have a very powerful rival in your life. " I listened as Stanley said slowly.

"What do you mean rival?" I asked. I was totally at a loss.

"The developer of this mountain, your papa knows them and he has given them his blessing too. Actually, the whole picture appears like you are the main player here. The future of this mountain lies in your heart. Choose him and this mountain will go, choose me and we will keep this ancestral land. That's why I'm gambling my chance. I don't understand why uncle gave them his blessing. His reason was that it is for the sake of the community." He said.

"Oh! Why did I not know this?" I shook my head. I pictured myself as a worm being used as a bait to catch a shark.

"Fem, we have been classmates since high school and you know me very well. I didn't do anything wrong to you, did I? I was at least hoping that you will notice me as a man and not as a mere easy-go-lucky cousin. I have no money and power as that developer have. Take out his money and power and compare us! Why will you choose a stranger over me?" Stanley's voice became firm and hoarse.

"I didn't know all about these. Who is that developer you are talking about?" I asked although I had the hunch, I needed to clarify it.

"I heard John Paul Arevalo and Dan Brent. I think they are partners." Stanley said.

"Oh, it's them? I just happened to meet them two summers ago. But I don't know them very well" I said as I focused my eyes at the blank dark space. 'So it was his brother and not him. Huh!' I thought.

"How did you know all these?" I asked Stanley.

"Daddy told me last year. He came home one afternoon feeling so angry. I thought he was going to kill me. He said he was so frustrated with me for not doing anything. He said I'm a useless son! When he was sober, he called me and told me everything. But I understand your papa, he has good intentions too. I just can't imagine myself loving another girl other than you." Stanley confided.

"Do they need to use me as a bait without even informing me? They have already decided my future without my knowing! I have studied hard to achieve my dreams, yet here I am being manipulated by my own blood!" I wanted to scream in anger but seeing my classmates happily playing around the fire, I burried my head in between my knees and tried to suppress my intense anger. This pain in my heart was almost the same as when I knew Mark was getting married. This is the second time I was hurt like this. I wanted to run wild and free myself from everyone.