The Soler Estate.

A mixed of modern and old-money architecture. White cobblestone walls. Its many large windows, reflecting the orange lights from inside, as if staring at us, like golden eyes watching us arrive as we passed through, the tires crunches and groaning against the paver gravel.

The estate really looks bigger than the last time that I visited. Though, maybe I just feel smaller, with every centimeters the car comes closer and closer as it drives through the circular pathway. With a fountain in its center. The water flows louder as if I hear my blood flowing faster as my heart pounds. Budum. Budum. Budum.

The car engine slowed as Neo hit the brakes, letting out a soft final groan. I looked through the passenger window. In front was a massive doorway- double black wooden doors, framed by tall windows. Above was a giant Georgian fanlight. I heard my breath hitch and my hands scrunched my skirt as I felt it tremble.

Just then I felt a hand over mine. I glanced at Neo. His face was calm and concerned. For me.

"Hey... you're going to be alright..."

I released a deep sigh, wanting to feel relieved. He flipped my hands and intertwined it with his. Saying nothing of words but that action communicates indicating He is there by my side. I swallowed my saliva before giving him a faint smile that lasted a second.

He slid out of the drive seat and walked around the car to open my door. Reaching out his hand for me to take. I hesitantly reached out my hand resting it on his palms. He gently held it, guiding me out of his car. I slung my bag over my shoulders as I felt my heels touch the pavement.

We stood there in front of the doorway. I felt my hands trembling again not hiding the nervousness. As if on cue, Neo reached out to my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine once again. His grip was tight but comforting. As we walked hand in hand to the entry way, I tightened my grip on his hand, as he rubbed his thumb over mine after.

"I never said it earlier...but...you look beautiful" He said, softly.

That made me glanced at him in a beat. "Even if you were to wear the green one, which I knew you wanted to wear your favorite-"

I nearly tripped over a pebble.

"B-How...?"

He replied with a knowing gaze.

"It's you after all. Either way you'll still look beautiful with it" He chuckled still holding my hand.

"You're pleasing...as well..." I remarked, shyly.

He chuckled, "Did I hear that right...? Melliriese Ceida...? Giving compliments? Complimenting me...?"

"oh shush!"

As we closed the gap to the doors, it suddenly opened, blinding us with lights from the crystal chandelier attached above the ceiling of the foyer. By the door, stood a woman in her 50s wearing a beige tailored blazer over a white high-collared blouse. Matching with a Burgundy knee-length a-line skirt.

"Master Neo. Welcome back." She greeted Neo, then turned to me.

"And Lady Ceida, it's a pleasure to have you back"

I pulled out the Azuritein me - the girl who can stand in front of millions without a stutter or a stammer. I smiled and greeted. "It's lovely to see you again Mrs. Cornwell." The woman nodded and guided us, leading to the dining where Neo's family is waiting. While we were walking, Neo slightly tugged me. "You alright...?"

I could only nod. What am I supposed to do...? We're already here. There is no time to make a u-turn out of that front door.

As we passed through an arched doorway, the dining revealed itself. A huge dinning table rest in the middle of the room. It was fully set with candles and utensils - two types of each - forks, spoons and a knife. The napkins are elegantly folded into a mini swan. The champagne glasses sparkling under the big tiered chandelier. The table was surrounded by eyes watching us enter the room. A woman almost at her 40s, pushed her chair back and walked over to us. She was wearing an elegant emerald velvet dress. Styled with a cowled-neck halter. Why does it have to be green...?...

Her ears pierced with a large golden hoop as her hair drape over her shoulder in an elegant curl. "Mellieriese, darling" She approached me opening her arms slightly for a hug. "How are you, darling? You look lovely! "

" I'm doing pretty well, Mrs Soler."

A total lie.

"That's wonderful. I hope Neo is treating you well"

Well it's been only a year since this agreement, and nothing really changed on how we treat each other. Jokes and whatnots, the banters. Still the same.

"Neo, has been a...handful...yeah..." I said with a fake grin on my lips as I glance at him. He slightly glared at me in a funny way. "But he's...there for me."

"Well that is my baby boy. He's quite a gentleman isn't he?"

"Yep" I replied.

Seconds later Mrs. Soler, grabbed my hands, making me release Neo's left hand. At the thought that his warm palm left mine, I tensed up a bit. Neo noticed this, so to comfort me a bit, he placed his hands over to my shoulder rubbing it slowly. Reminding, that he is there just beside me. Not going anywhere.

"I'm really sorry dear. I know it's been hard for you this past year. My condolences." Mrs. Soler spoke as she held my hands.

"Thank you Mrs. Soler."

Moments later, a heavy footsteps and a thump of a cane echoed against the geometric designed ceramic tile floorboard.

"Is this Ceida...?"

"Papa" Mrs. Soler addressed to him releasing my hand. Those hands immediately slipped into Neo's arms. He then placed a hand on it and glanced at me. We locked eyes for bit, before I broke it looking at the man approaching us. The thump-clank of the cane against the tiles felt like a countdown, pounding in sync with how my heart beats right now.

"Magandang gabi ho, Don Soler..." I greeted him with a bow.

That is Don Soler. The owner of this estate and other large companies in the city. Father of Mrs. Soler and Neo's grandfather. The very one who made a deal with my grandmother to arrange this relationship. Neo's and my arranged courtship.

"Lo, good evening po" Neo addressed his grandfather with a mano. A Filipino gesture of holding the back of an elderly's hand and pressing it against the forehead, as a symbol of receiving grace or blessing. It's a gesture sign of deep respect for the elderly. "God bless you Hijo, Hija" He turned to me and placed a hand on my head when I bowed earlier.

Then a sudden silence enveloped the room.

"Oh, ano pa hinihintay natin...? Kain na tayo~!" Don Soler broke the silence with a cheerful tone.

"We're ecstatic that you could join us tonight Melliriese!" Mrs. Soler clapped her hands as Neo pulled a chair for me to sit. I thanked him and turned to his mother. "Thank you for having me."

"Well, I'm sure kuya Neo is having a blast, you are here after all" Just then someone interjected. A guy with his hair slick back, grinned at Neo, while Neo hissed back. Kleton Soler - Neo's half-brother.

"Oh come on, Kleton, wag mo na ngang asarin si Neo. Pero aminin mo, totoo." Then a girl spoke, a bit older than the two boys. That's Ate Mykaella Soler - a Brand endorser and model for LERIOLLE.

She's actually in training under my aunt Kerlina in the modeling agency.

Later on, the food is being served on the table. It's like a feast. There was steak, veggies, a whole chicken. Some mushroom soup, kaldereta, some pasta and a whole lots more.

Wow. I never seen a dining table with this many cuisines. Is there a black hole on their stomachs...?...sorry my bad...but geez...

My thoughts were broken when I heard my name was called. I looked towards the voice and I was greeted by a concerned eyes. It was Neo.

"You alright...?"

I only nodded. "Would you like some pasta...?" He asked again. Once again I could only nod. He lifted my plate and served pasta, some of the chicken and steak.

"Here, just ask if you still want more...or if it's too much, just give it to me okay...?" Neo said as he placed down the plate in front of me.

I lifted one fork and stabbed a piece of the pasta. Placing it in my mouth, the creamy flavor melted inside. It tasted similar to what my brother usually cooks. It was delicious. I couldn't help myself but clenched my skirt.

"How do you like the pasta, dear...?" Ate Mykaella suddenly asked me. I glanced at her and said, "Masarap po...super..."

She wore a smirk on her lips and glanced at Neo. I also glanced at him and noticed how his ears is turning red.

"Ano Neo, wala ka man lang ba sasabihin...? Nagustuhan niya luto mo oh..." Ate Myka rested her chin on the back of her palm, still wearing that cheeky smile.

I pressed my lips and giggled a bit. Neo's ears are like tomatoes right now. It was a cute sight. It's kind of rare to see him flustered like that.

"You really like it...?" He asked, still a bit flustered by the teasing if her sister. I placed my hand in top of him. "It was delicious."

"So, I know it's only been like what a year or so since you two are...a thing...or in the courtship stage...can I just ask Mel~...does our dear brother over here have a chance in your heart...~?" Kleton then asked drinking from his champagne glass. Neo hissed at him. "Kleton...!"

"What...?...just asking..."

I pursed my lips, feeling pressured. All eyes are in me. From all the eyes staring at me, Neo's is the one I'm scared to look at right now. I don't want to pressure him, in front of his family of all things.

"Hey, you don't have to answer that if -" He tried to speak but I beat him to it.

"Actually...If I'm being honest...I don't...uhm...I don't want to be a dissapointment or anything...but..." I lowered my head down, clenching both my fists. "I...I don't think I'm ready...yet...to be in a relationship...but Neo has been in my life since we were little...and if he were to be ...the one...then I'm glad...very...glad..."

The table went quiet after that confession. Neo and I locked eyes a moment before I looked a way. He's looking calm but I know he's freaking out inside. His ears became red again.

But, the silence, didn't last, as Kelton teased Neo about it. "I didn't hear a no~ bro~..."

"Shut up..."

He's clearly flustered. I'm sorry Neo.

Just then, Don Soler cleared his throat as he lowered his fork with a sharp clink against his plate. He wiped his mouth with a cotton napkin. He clicked his tongue. "It's good that you two are getting along." He said. "Ever since you two met, I knew, you two would be soulmates."

"Please, feel free to visit anytime..." Don Soler continued. "And...I hope you have space on your stomach for dessert" He then lifted his arms and clapped two times. Later on, staffs walked in with a silver platter and distributed it. Lifting it was a chocolate almond mousse cake.

Seconds later, Don Soler asked. "Nasaan nga pala si Xyrus?"

"Hay nako lo...ayun, nagkulong na naman sa kwarto..." Kelton answered, piercing a whole on his left over steak.

"Oh, hindi ba siya kakain...?" Asked, Don Soler.

"Nako pa, kahit anong pilit mo dun, ayaw talaga...." Mrs. Soler answered. Don Soler raised a finger signaling to Mrs. Cornwell to come closer. "Abutan niyo ng pagkain yung si Xyrus ha..."

"Yes po sir, naabutan na po"

"Okay."

Xyrus...? Sino si Xyrus...?

"He's our cousin." As if Neo had read my mind, he said.

"It's his first time here in the Philippines...He was raised in the states." He added. I gave him a soft nod - a singular acknowledgement nod.

The courses were quite heavy, so as the atmosphere within this room. Before we leave, I excused myself to go to the powder room. I locked the door with a sharp clank. I stood in front of the lavatory and looked at my reflection on the mirror. I could feel my face heating up. I also feel my cheeks getting numb. Those smiles I've been putting up is killing me. I took a deep breath and freshen up a bit. As I got out of the room, Neo was waiting outside, leaning back on the wall, with his arms inside his pockets. "Hey"

"Hi"

"Ready to go home...?" He asks.

"Mh-mm..."

"Thank you again for taking time for having dinner with us. I hope we have dinner again soon. Regards to your mom and aunt. It's really nice to see you again" Neo's mother said, giving me a short embrace before letting go.

"Thank you again for having me. It's nice to see you all again." I replied, still wearing the Azurite smile.

As we reached the foyer, Mrs Cornwell stood there and nods as we passed. Neo was awfully quiet, as he led me back to his car. I took a quick glanced at him as he opened the door for me. He was still silent as I slid inside the passenger seat. He closed the door and circle around to the driver's seat. As he sat there, he leaned back against the leather seat, not uttering a word.

"Hey..." I called with a soft tone.

"You didn't have to lie like that..." My brows met at the center as my face screamed confusion. "What do you mean...?..."

"The thing you said back there...you...being glad...if I were the one..." He looked by the fountain first before meeting my gaze. "You didn't have to lie..."

I pursed my lips and sighed, shifting my body towards him. "...I didn't say that because of the arrangement or it's what they wanted to hear from me..."

I gulped and added softly. "I said those things because it's the truth..."

The sound of the splashing water from the fountain, made the atmosphere on point.

Then I let out a smirk. "Plus, to tease you"

"I hate you..." He chuckled.

"you don't..." I said as I shift back into my seat.

Pause.

"I don't..."