Eyo! Before this chapter starts i just wanna say that i appreciate the people who reads my trash 😅

Oh and before i forget, i suggest you guys to play the song "BTS Let go"  because that song inspired me to write this chapter and i love that song at the moment

So yeah! Enjoy this chapter even though it really sucks 😅🙁

사랑해  😘

Author's POV:

Everyone was busy preparing for the school's play except one. She wasn't picked just like what she expect to be, she was disappointed. She promised herself that she wouldn't let her be defeated even once by her

Flashbacks

Everyone was seating silently inside the room, all was focused knowing that the teacher would announce the result of the voting for the lead roles of the play any moment 

Others we're expecting to be picked, while others didn't really care but they still stayed quiet to hear the result. No one knew that they would be shocked on what the result would be, they didn't expect it to be so breathtaking

(Author: why do i have to write something so trashy all the time?)

"Okay settle down everyone" the teacher started "So the student that we picked for the role of Romeo is, yep you guessed it, Xian please come in front" they're not even surprised anymore, knowing the student and the teachers would just pick someone handsome because let's be honest here, everyone wanted Xian to be Romeo

As he walked towards the front he smiled, melting all the girl's heart but that smile was for his girlfriend. He really wanted Iris to be his Juliet for the play knowing himself would be picked for Romeo

"Okay, so our Juliet would be.." everyone was tensed, they all wanted  for Iris to be Juliet because they wanted to see the couple act. All was silent and tensed, hearts are beating fast, nervous for what the result would be

"Isabella, please come here at front" half of the class groaned because Isabella was picked to be Juliet while the other half just didn't care, they rather stay quiet than to make a commotion for just a pointless play

Upon hearing the result, Iris's heart drooped and she felt like her expectation collapsed right in front of her very eyes. She didn't expect Isabella to be picked for the role of Juliet. She froze at her spot and remained silent, the information wouldn't sink in through her mind

Once Isabella stood at front, everyone removed their gaze at front and didn't pay attention. The classroom grew silent. You couldn't hear anything, as if it's a ghost town. None of the student liked the result for the role of Juliet but they don't have a choice so they stayed silent

Iris's POV:

I watched them from my seat, smiling so happily. I noticed that Isabella saw me and smirked, i couldn't give a damn about it. I'm not upset that i didn't get to be Juliet and partner up with my boyfriend but because i told Isabella that she wouldn't be picked to be Juliet. Well guess whose eating her words now

"Okay so this two would be playing the lead role as Romeo and Juliet, and since drama club is suppose to be the one hosting this play, the students from the club would play as the other characters. All our class would need to do is help for the preparations as well as for the props" our teacher announced

We don't have classes anymore because the play would be scheduled next week. For the other students besides our class, they would be responsible to help for the other activities for the up coming event

"Hey, why are you so quiet?" I was cut off from my thoughts when Xian suddenly spoke to catch my attention. I didn't even noticed that he's already sitting beside me

"I-it's n-nothing, i'm just really h-happy that you got picked to be Romeo" i lied. Yes i am happy that he got to be Romeo and i'm proud of him, but i can't take my mind off Isabella. They would get the chance to be together and she would have an advantage to take Xian away from me. I'm afraid

"Really?" He eyed me as if he didn't believe on what i just said. I can't blame him though, people can easily read me whenever i'm sad and lying at the same time

"Yes, i'm really happy for you" i forced a smile hoping he would believe my lies. I don't really want to lie to him but at the same time, i don't want him to see me sad

"Can you help me practice my lines? I want to memorize them the day before the presentation" he asked me, pleading with his eyes. I can't really say no to him but at the same time i can't

"I'm sorry but i can't help you. I really want to be with you until the event start and help you with your lines but i can't. You're suppose to practice with everyone, and our job is to help for the preparations and we're also in charge for the props. I'm sorry" i kissed his cheek when he pouted. What should i do? I can't really be with him because he has to memorize his lines and practice with everyone

"Okay" he pouted "But visit me sometimes at the gymnasium okay?" He asked me showing his sparkling eyes. I laughed

"Of course my prince, now hurry your butt along. The teacher already called you because the practice will start soon" i smiled bitterly as i saw his figure disappear into the distance

My eyes turned blurry because of the tears that's forming in my eyes. I don't wanna cry, but i can't stop my own tears from running down my cheeks. I may look tough and unbreakable outside but on the inside, i'm as fragile as glass, only my parents know that. Not even my friends

I'm scared. I'm scared that something would happen and that would pull us apart. I'm scared that someday, i would see him with another girl and he's happy without me. I only put a tough look whenever i face Isabella but the truth is, i'm scared and breaking inside

She has a great advantage against me because i don't know Xian that much unlike her. They have been together since they we're kids and i only met him like ten months ago

I wiped my tears once i saw my friends looking at me

End of Flashbacks

Iris's POV:

As the play starts, i sat within the crowds wherein i wasn't noticable so that when my tears fall, he wouldn't see them. My friends are sitting beside me and i hid my pain within a bitter smile. I don't want them to know that i'm crumbling inside

The parents also attended today's presentation and event including my parents and Xian's parents. I haven't seen them once and i can't believe today is the first time i will meet them

I'm nervous. I'm afraid because there's a gut feeling inside me that i can't explain but it keeps telling me that something is about to happen. I don't like this feeling one bit

As the play goes on, my heart trembled in fear. My mind keeps telling me that when the play ends, i wouldn't like what would happen and i'm afraid that i'm slowly believing my own thoughts

"Hey, you okay?" Cloe questioned me. She probably noticed that something is bothering me

"Yeah, i'm just nervous of meeting Xian's parents later on. He told me earlier that he invited me and my parents to have dinner with them and he'll formally introduce me as his girlfriend to his parents" i rubbed my two hands and fan myself using my hands as nervousness keeps growing into me

"Don't be nervous. I bet his parents would love you just like him. You're such an amazing and lovable person so don't worry" she smiled at me and tried to ease my nervousness. It kinda decreased

After her inspirational words, it sunk into me and i became more confident in myself but still the bad feeling hasn't dissolve yet

Time skip to the dinner

Author's POV:

Everyone sat quietly and enjoying the meal they are eating. But the room was somewhat not peacefully quiet, it was filled with agitation and uneasiness

The nerve wrecking silence was shattered by the fake cough Mr. Kim delivered. All attention was focused on him

"So son, is this the girl you told us that is your girlfriend?" He straight forwardly asked Xian "Yes dad, she is" he then replied. No one was expecting the interruption of his mother

"Son, she's a lovely girl and i wish you can be with her until the end but..." She started. Somewhat Iris was growing more and more anxious of the answer of his boyfriend's mother

"We already arranged someone for you to marry. The graduation is almost near, just a few months away from now. I'm really sorry" his mother showed pure sadness in her eyes

"I'm really sorry son. She's a very lovely girl and we see that you are really happy with her. If we knew that you already had a girlfriend, we would've postponed the arrange marriage" his father then said

"But you know now, you can postpone the wedding right?" He pleaded his parents as much as he can. He can't bare not being with the love of his life

"We're really sorry. But we already talked about this to the family of the girl you will marry and they already agreed and signed the papers" his mother explained. Suddenly he slammed his hands on the table loudly causing Iris to flinch from her seat

"HOW CAN YOU NOT TELL IT TO ME FIRST BEFORE ARRANGING ME TO SOME RANDOM GIRL THAT I MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW OF!!" He shouted at his parents not thinking twice about the consequences

"Xian Kim watch your mouth and don't shout at me and your mother like that" his father lectured him but there is no sign that Xian would give a damn on what his father is blabbering about

"I don't care on what you both are going to say. You arrange me to some random girl without my acknowledgement" he said straight to his parents

"Sorry to disturb but i think we'll be going our way. My daughter doesn't feel well and it's getting late now, thanks for the dinner" Iris's father bid farewell and they stood up from their chair

On the other side, Iris was horrified by the news that was thrown at her. She couldn't think of anything else but to leave that place, never return again and cry her heart out alone

She was gonna grab the door of the car when someone pulled her wrist and stopped her from doing anything

Iris's POV:

I was paralyzed on my spot seeing the boy in front of my eyes. Tear stained cheeks, puffy eyes and messy hair. He looked deeply in my eyes while i hear his quiet sobs

"Please don't leave me, i can convince my parents to stop the marriage and we'll be together. Besides it's just for business" he held my hands tightly like his life depends on it. If i wasn't lying to myself, i would break down any moment now but i kept it hidden

"Don't hurt yourself further. We can't do anything about it and just like what you said, it's for business so let's stop this nonsense" he released my hands from his grip because of what i said. I grab his face and wiped his tears that keeps on falling down

"But i don't wanna leave you" he said

"Neither do it" i said still keep holding his face in my hands

"Then why?" He questioned me like a kid who wants a treat

"Because, it's not right for both of us. Even if we are together, someday you'll have to leave me because of your marriage plus you can't disobey your parents" i told him like i was lecturing him

"I can do anything for you, i can disobey anyone for you" he sincerely told me and held my face and wiped my tears with his thumb. I didn't even knew that i was crying

"Please let us give it a chance as long as we can" he pleaded me with his teary eyes

"As long as we can" i couldn't say no to him. He's my weakness and i'm his. I love him with all i got...but it's slowly fading

We let go of each others embrace as i step inside the car. When i closed the door i couldn't keep it anymore. I cried and cried to my hearts content. My mother was beside me because she knew i needed someone to hug

She kept whispering sweet nonsense to my ears to comfort me but nothing was helping. I kept crying and crying the whole car ride until all turned black..

I woke up in my bedroom, already in my pj's. Dad must have carried me all the way here and mom must have changed me when i passed out from the car

I never knew that this kind of thing would happen to me. I thought that the arrange marriage thingy only exist or happen in the movies or fictional or wattpad books

(Author: wow way to break the fourth wall Iris)

I stood up from my bed and stood in front of my mirror. I look so fragile and weak. Dark circles under my eyes, bloodshot red eyes, puffy eyes, messy hair and stuffy nose. I look like a mess

(Author: me everytime i look in front of a mirror)

I should tell my friends about this matter next week. I want them by my side when i feel fragile like this. I'm really sorry my love but when i can't fight of us any longer... I'll let you go

And that's a wrap of chapter 23 of the story

Wow this chapter was sure a roller coaster of a ride. I decided to start the falling action of the story today or from this chapter

I'll try to update faster and finish this crappy book faster since i really decided to put it for discontinue for a month now

I'm slowly losing hope for this book and i'm so close at giving up

I'm still glad because some are actually still reading this piece of garbage that i'm writing 🤧❤️

Thank you very much to the people who are still reading this

Have a good night/day everyone

This has been author-nim

사랑해 친구 ❤️🌸