Chapter 2

Time flies so fast. Athena and Michael Angelo become best of friends. Both parents are happy to see that their children become friends as they will bound to marry in the future.

"Gelo!" He turned around as he heard the girl who's calling his name. He smiled widely when he saw Athena run towards him. He frowned.

"Hey." He said. "Why are you running? You almost kiss the floor." He chuckled as he helped her stood up properly. Athena would have almost fallen if he had not been caught.

" Shut up" She hissed. " I was calling you several times, but you didn't bother to look at me. That's why I ran, and it's your fault." Athena looked away.

"Sorry I didn't hear. I was using my earphones that's why I didn't hear you." He said.

"Anyway... I just want to give you this." Athena gave an invitation card to him. "Tomorrow is my 16th birthday remember? Mom and Dad will throw a party in our house. And they told me to invite my friends." She shrugged.

"Don't worry I'll come even if you didn't invite me, as long as there are lots of foods to HahaHa ha." Athena shook her head in disbelief.

"You're unbelievable!" They both laugh.

"Mom, Dad why did you want to talk to me?" Michael asked as he entered his father's office in their house. The room is quite wide, there are four books full of books arranged. There is also a table near the glass window where his fais ther seated in the swivel chair four-chair chair in front of his Father's desk two chairs on each side. The interior is very manly, mixed with brown, cream, and white and two paintings of a renowned artist hanging on the wall placed near the door.

Mrs. Adelaine smiled at him. " Yes, son we want to talk about your marriage." She said directly.

"B-But I'm too young for it Mom, Dad. I'm Just sixteen years old, and you want me to marry at this very young age?" He said looking at his parents in disbelief. "And one more thing…" He looked down. "No one will try to marry me in my estate." He looked at his mother with teary eyes look, No one will like me because of this" He pointed to himself. " I'm fat... A-and I'm a nerd." He looked down. He doesn't want his parents to see how painful it was to her being bullied by his classmates.

"Aww, my poor son." Mrs. Adelaine hugged him and caress his back. His father stood up and tap his shoulders. He looked up, and he saw her mother shed a tear, and his father is looking at him worriedly.

He smiled bitterly. "It's okay mom. I'm fine." He let go of his hug from his mother.

"Don't worry son. Maybe you'll be happy if you will know who will be your soon-to-be wife." His father said.

"And you will not marry her yet, Maybe after you graduated from college. But we will be having an engagement party for you by tomorrow." Michael bys shocked at what his mother just said. An engagement party tomorrow? He thought.

"But mom! Dad! Tomorrow's Athena's sixteenth birthday. And I promise her that I'll come on her birthday." His dad just chuckled.

"Don't worry son we know. And we're going to her party tomorrow. You'll see after her party, you will know who your fiancé will be." Her mother grinned.

Michael's brows are knitted. He buys puzzled at what his parents just said. I just wished I could choose my wifom I really loved. Not to whom my parents arrange it. He thought. But who is he to disagree on his parents will. His parents know the best for him.

*At the party*

It's Athena's sixteenth birthday and as promise, Michael Angelo came together with his parents. He brought his present to Athena.

Wearing a tux with white polo, he went inside to the Meredith's House.

"Tita Jodie" He greeted Mrs. Jodie Meredith

"Oh, Hi. Where's your parents?" She asked.

"They are outside, talking to Tito Anthony. Where's Athena by the way?" He asked politely. Mrs Meredith smiled.

"She is in her room preparing, in no time, you'll see her." He just nodded and put his present beside the table where the other gifts were.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. May we have your attention please." Mr. Anthony said as he stood up in the stage in front of the guests.

He caught everybody's attention.

"Today is the most special day of my one and only child my daughter Athena Meredith." And with that, Athena showed up and walk towards where his father is standing. She is wearing a beautiful pink ball gown, with her hair tied up in a messy bun. Wearing her sweet smile to everyone. Everyone gasps as they saw how beautiful Athena is, especially Michael Angelo who couldn't take his eyes of the birthday girl.

"I am very honored to be a father of this lovely girl. Thank you for coming to this party, especially the Mr. and Mrs. Smith together with their son." He looked at the table where the Smith family is seated and smiled to them. " Robert is my best friend since college until now that we have our own family. And we are happy that our children become friends too. My daughter, Athena here just turned sixteen today, but we have one more thing to celebrate." Athena's brows are knitted to what his father says.

"Michael Angelo, can you come over here?" Confused Michael went to up to the stage.

"Tonight is also the engagement of my daughter Athena to the son of my friend Robert Smith, Michael Angelo." everyone gasps.

"We all know that they were too young. But don't worry they will not marry until they are not done with their studies. So yes, it will be a long engagement." Confused Athena looked at Michael Angelo like she's asking what-the-hell-is-going on. Michael just shrugged. He is too, was shocked on tonight's revelation of their parents. Everyone is applauding with the news they heard.

"Mom, Can you explain to me what is this all about?" Athena asked in a confused look.

"Tomorrow honey... But for now..." Mrs. Jodie kissed her forehead. " Enjoy your night with your friends." She smiled. Athena couldn't believe on what's happening tonight, but she shrugged at that thought.

" If I were about to have an arranged marriage might as well to Michael Angelo, after all we are friends. He is my best friend" she thought.

"Athena..." She turned around to look at the person who had to call her.

"Hey Gelo. I never thought I will be engaged to you." She gritted.

"I'm sorry about that." He bowed. "I never thought it was you, whom I will marry with. Though my parents told me about the marriage thing yesterday, but I didn't know it was you." He explained.

"Nah it's okay. I knew it all along that they will find someone who they want me to marry. But I'm happy that it was you. After all we are friends, and you are not a stranger to me." she smiled genuinely.

Michael's heart skip a beat. All along since the day they met, she had a crush on the girl. And now, he is relieved when he found out that the woman he had long wanted was the person he would marry.