Marigold — Chapter 17

Mari's POV

Hiding my face using my right hand, I smiled awkwardly to Lennox, who, in the entire period we were together, kept staring at my face which made me really uncomfortable. Not to mention the weird stares we keep getting from the students passing by.

So, after he asked me if he can court me, I wasn't able to give an answer. It was like, I was caught off-guard and the words he told me didn't really sink in. I mean, I was indeed shocked about what he said. We started off really bad.

"Again, why?" I asked for the nth time. I just don't understand why he suddenly wanted to court me. Of course, I felt overwhelmed too. The fact that someone, with a face as surreal as his, asked for my permission.

A small smile escaped his lips and I avoided his gaze.

Ge'ez. Why does he look so handsome? I mean, just because he told me he wants to court me doesn't mean the way I see him has to change. But why the hell it was changing?

Suddenly, his jaws seem more defined to me. His smile seemed to be so captivating and I get so shy just looking at him straight in the eye.

Do I like him?

"I like you so I want to know you better. You've been asking me that question since an hour ago..." he chuckled and I scratch the back of my head.

"It's because I don't understand! It's not like we were in good terms or something. From the first time we saw each other, I don't remember anything that shows the slightest idea that you like me. And this!" I pointed out the bag that he gave me. "You even threw my perfume! So, like, how do we talk about that?"

I quickly grab the cup in front of me and took a sip of the hot choco I ordered. The two of us ended up in a cafe near the school, one reason why a lot of students had been looking at us. Part of the reason was, people rarely see us with other people than my friends. And when I saw friends, I meant the BlackTan kids like what they call us.

"That's not something I can't compromise with," he answered.

Putting down my cup, I wipe the invisible sweat on my forehead. What he did next made my heart do a mini-somersault. With a handkerchief on his hand, he leaned a little and started gently wiping my forehead. My hair was up on a loose ponytail and that made it easier for him to do that.

My lips parted at what he did which made me put down my hand a little slower than the usual.

I turned my head a little and that made him moved back. When I looked at him, he smiled once again and I felt something kicking inside my chest.

Ge'ez.

Every second that passes, I feel like I'm getting nervous even more. A long silence took over and I just don't know what to say.

Do I say yes?

For some reason. I feel like this, him, I feel like it's different. I've had suitors before and I remember telling them to ask for Dad's permission. But now, why do I feel so scared to tell him the same words?

Was it because I have this feeling that he will really ask for Dad's approval?

"So..." he whispered, breaking the silence between us. "It's already past seven, let me drive you home?" he asked.

"Ahm, I have my car, thanks..."

"I'll fetch you tomorrow then since I'm going to start courting you..."

I covered my face in panic. "Oh, God..." I uttered in helplessness. Why the hell am I this indecisive?

"Hey, you don't need to decide now if you're not ready," he mutters in pure concern. I lifted my gaze and stared at him helplessly.

"Can I do that?"

"Of course." he smiled.

I don't even understand how I was able to manage myself and got home. The moment I reached the garage, I saw Latch smiling creepily.

"Come here, you idiot. You told everyone what happened, let me just kill you!" I growled at him the moment I get off my car. But my little brother surely knows I can't hurt him. He just walked towards the backseat of my car and took my bag and my books.

"It's not like I told them a lie though. Besides, knowing how Dad and Uncle Skyknows about it, it's just a matter of time before the rest of the guys would hear about it too,"

"That's why you told them yourself, is that it?" I swung my arms on him and pretend like I was giving him a headlock while we walk our way inside our house. He was chuckling and I did the same.

"Why are you home though, don't you have a date or something?"

"Nah, I realized that it's fun to see how your love life will go so I decided to stand back and watch for the meantime," after he said those words, he made a dash and went inside the house while I mutter him sweet curses that Dad won't be happy to hear.

"Latch!" I screamed the moment my feet stepped inside the house only to be greeted by the loud noises in our living room. My brows furrowed when I saw all my uncles and aunts inside, drinking.

My lips parted at the sight of my father twerking. I shake my head a little, giving up internally. This isn't a new sight actually.

"Yah, Grey can really copy how Storm hyung twerks!" Uncle Seth was laughing hysterically. Aunt Zanaya was with him, clinging into his arms.

"Stop that Grey!" my mom was dying of laughter. All hell broke loose when Uncle Storm, with the possibility of being drunk already, stood up and twerked with my father.

"You got home really late," I almost yelp in surprise when I heard Z's voice. I turned around and saw him leaning on the wall a few feet away from where I was standing. His voice was deeper than usual and for some reason, he looked a little annoyed. What's his problem?

"Yow!" There was a couch near him and I saw Y grinning. He was eating an apple while looking at me. Then there is Xander who was leaning on the one-seater chair, also looking at me. Suddenly, I got a little nervous. Why are the guys here?

"Why are you all here?" I can't help but ask. Z walked forward and I gulped. Suddenly, my heart started beating rapidly, like how it does whenever I remember that kiss we shared.

I brushed those thoughts away from my mind especially after he leaned forward and gave a kiss on the cheeks, something that I should be used to. Y stood up too when we came and was about to kiss me on the cheeks but pinched his chest which made him yelp. He kissed me anyway, while Xander just stood up and messed my hair before sitting back on the chair.

"You're so unfair, Marigold. You don't physically hurt my twin like you do to me!" Y started whining and I just pouted.

"He doesn't t annoy me as you do!"

"Yeah, right. I don't kiss you as he does too, huh," he teased and I swatted his hand when he pinched my cheek. I was already sitting beside him, Z no longer around.

Where did he go?

"Lennox was courting you?" I heard Xander asked and I turned towards him immediately.

"How did you found out?" I whisper-shouted, afraid that my father or any of them will here.

Xander smiled smugly, "Everybody knew about it, Mari. We even saw photos of you guys on a date,"

I turned towards Y who was chuckling. "You got Z pissed off. He was waiting for you here since two hours ago and you went out on a date, you sneaky little girl,"

My eyes widened at his words, "He knew?" I asked appalled. I don't know why but I suddenly got so nervous.

"So now you know why my brother looked a little pissed,"

"But why?"

Y raised an eyebrow at my words as if what I just said was funny. He turned towards Xander and sigh in defeat. "Please, X, can you please enlighten this lady over here,"

Xander chuckled and that got me annoyed even more. Why do they act like they all know something that I don't? "You guys are annoying. Where are the girls?"

"Upstairs in Latch's room. They were having a party on their own but your guy was too pissed off we decided to stay with him while he waits for her girl who, apparently, went out on a date,"

"I can tell her what she wants to know Xander. Stop giving her ideas..." I turned around when I heard Z's voice. And I wasn't sure what is more shocking, Xander's words which didn't really sink in, or seeing Z with a bouquet of flowers in his hands.

"Z..." I whispered. Before he can even say a word, my father's voice echoed across the room and that made my system go frenzy.

"Okay, Z boy. Sit down with us here and ask for my permission. I know Marigold will probably allow you to court her but this is something we-your uncles- talked about back then. You gotta undergo an initiation young Z," my father slurred but every word he uttered was like a bomb in my ears.

And then my eyes landed at Z.

"Z?" I whispered.

And then Z's smile caught me off-guard as if confirming everything.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner but Mari, I like you," he started.  "I like you so much I'm willing to cross that line between us and cut our ties as best friends,"

My breath hitches at his words...my heart almost stopped beating and I wasn't sure what to feel.

What the hell?

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