Mikaila POV

Caroline looked at me with a severe face. Right now, we were in one of the cafeterias, which was relatively quiet. She urged me to discuss my relationship with Reyhan privately and seriously.

“Mika, marriage is not an experiment. Don’t be reckless; you don’t know him, let alone love him.” Caroline started. I could tell she was holding back her emotions right now; I could feel the aura of real annoyance she was emitting. I can only stare.

“I don’t have the balls to argue, everything was what my parents wanted, and this seems to have been planned since I was little, well before I was even born,” I said honestly and resignedly, Caroline chuckling in disapproval.

“Where’s your assertiveness?? Where’s the independent Mikaila?? Do you guys love each other??” Caroline bombarded me with questions; I shook my head.

“I don’t know, but I didn’t hate him the first time I found out; if he’s my future husband, it’s not like most people would immediately refuse.”

We were silent for a while; then Caroline broke the silence between us. My mind is full.

“If you start to love him one day, be honest with your feelings, don’t hurt yourself.” Caroline took my hand, and I nodded.

“And I hope you don’t experience unrequited love again.”

I also remembered Phillip; you could say he was the first person to make me have a boyfriend, but my feelings were not reciprocated. Phillip only considers me his younger brother, and he likes another girl. Since then, I became traumatized to start new feelings for other men; I feared rejection. I put my chin on my palm; I’m still confused about my decision to have a relationship with Reyhan , who will soon enter the stage of marriage.

My cell phone rang, and Reyhan ’s name was on the screen. I just stared at my cell phone lying on the table without wanting to answer it; I needed time to think about all of this, and finally, the phone went silent again.

“Why wasn’t it picked up?” asked Caroline. I took a deep breath.

“I need time to think.” That’s all I can say, and it’s true: I need some time to think; I don’t know how much time is left before I let everything go according to fate(?) that has been determined for me. I’m not sure.

My phone rang again with the same caller; I decided to turn it into silent mode.

“What if he doesn’t love me?” The question just came out because I was thinking the worst right now.

“You guys are just starting; why do you always think of the worst first?”

I am shrugging my shoulders. Sometimes, it becomes a habit of mine, thinking the worst so I can be prepared if it happens. However, Caroline always raves about it and defies me constantly to think that way; she says it dampens my optimism; I’m just getting ready instead of wanting to give up.

“Live this to the best of your ability; if he is toying with you, I will kill him myself.”

I smiled as I looked at Caroline; she is my very understanding cousin and is like my sister.

“He wants me to quit Entertainment,” I tell her, and Caroline looks at me in disbelief; she almost jumps out of her chair. I know this news must have shaken her, too.

“What?? And you accept it??”

I nodded, Caroline plodding languidly into the back of her chair.

“Are you okay if I stop?” I asked worriedly, Caroline smiling as she waved one of her hands.

“I’m not a nameless manager, Mika; even without looking for artists, those artists come to me,” she concluded arrogantly. I pressed my lower lip to mock her arrogance, but what Caroline said was true. She is one of the most experienced artist managers and the most sought-after artists out there.

“I’d better take you home; I also want to meet Aunt Alina,” said Caroline; we left our seats. Just as we were about to pass the cafe door, Reyhan ’s figure blocked our path, and I could see that the man was holding back his emotions.

“I want to talk to you, Mikaila,” he said with a slight hiss. I’m like a rabbit that will be eaten by an anaconda now.

“I’ll wait at home.” Caroline left without trying to help me. When Caroline’s figure was out of sight, Reyhan grabbed my wrist and slightly dragged me to his car. Luckily, I didn’t bring my Audi here; I went with Caroline after the launching of my second single.

I felt pain in my wrist from Reyhan’s grip. When we got to the side of his car, Reyhan jerked my wrist.

“Why didn’t you answer my phone?” he asked with a scary expression. I lowered my face, not daring to look at him; he was terrible when angry.

“ANSWER, MIKAILA!!” he snapped, which made my body shake from being surprised by his screams. I wouldn’t say I like being yelled at like this.

“S-so-sorry, I-I-“My tears started to squeeze out; I know it’s my fault, but can he not yell at me like this? Here?

Reyhan gripped my jaw and forced me to look at him, tears welling up in my eyes when I looked at him. Unexpectedly, Reyhan released his grip on my jaw, then turned around and hit the car’s body hard; I was surprised again. The next second, I was in his arms; it made me confused. Reyhan gently stroked my head.

“Sorry, I just don’t like it when you don’t answer my phone; I’m worried about you,” he whispered, which made my heart flutter. After my fear lessened, Reyhan broke his embrace, cupped my cheeks, and lifted my face; then, his red lips kissed me. I replied the kiss was so intoxicating that we finally had to end it due to running out of oxygen.