The Fake Dating Game's
Tireds

DAPHNE

The end of the drama at Hadley's wedding made me end up being tried by Papi and Sister Darius in the living room. Their facial expressions were completely unpredictable. Looks calm from the outer casing, but can change at any time.

Mami sat beside me, hugging me from the side while stroking my arms. A mother's instincts are to protect her child. Yes, Mami's gesture like this clearly shows that she wants to protect me from Papi and Kak Darius' nagging.

My sister-in-law Candice made no comment. He could only smile faintly, giving his full sympathy and support to me from behind.

"Daphne..can you please explain to Papi why you didn't tell us if you already have a lover?" papi asked in a soft voice but to me his gaze was sharp.

I suddenly felt nervous. My palms are cold sweat. I was confused as to what to answer. They don't know if Decs isn't my real lover. We were just pretending. Noted: pretend.

"Why shut up, Daph? Answer Papi's question!" Papi began to raise his voice.

Mami rebuked, "Darling.don't yell at him too much! You scared Daphne. Speak well or I'll be angry!" threaten her.

A second later, Daddy's attitude softened a little. Mami is able to make Papi melt with just one sentence.

Papi again asked, "Are you afraid of Daph?"

I nodded slowly. It would be a lie if I said I wasn't afraid when Papi's temperament looked flat and cold like this. He is rarely angry. But once angry, can run out with the family got scolding himself.

Mommy who realized that my whole body seemed to be shaking, reflexes tightened her embrace.

"But just wanted to know who Daphne was with you?"

I ventured to answer, "Name Decs, Papi."

"Decs who? Can Papi know his last name?"

Degh...

I have no luck today. Just got to know Decs a while ago. How do I know his full name? I suspect, Papi must have wanted to do a background check on Decs, which is why Papi wondered to me about his last name.

"For what Papi wants to know about his last name? Is Papi gonna spy on him?" ask me to the point.

"Of course, Daph, you're Papi's only daughter. When you already have a lover, it is mandatory for Papi to find as much information as possible relating to the man. Papi loves you, and Papi doesn't want you to fall into the wrong hands!" lang Papi at length.

I don't blame Papi for being so protective. It is only natural that the reaction is this way.

"I'm sorry Pi, sorry I wasn't honest." I deliberately reasoned. "I-I'm just scared. If I were to be honest about my lover's origins to you, our relationship would not be condoned."

"Is it true that your lover's job, what was his name?"

"Decs, Papi.the name's Decs." I'm quick.

"Whoever is that! Decs...is it true that Decs' job was a waitress at a wedding?" Papi looks serious to make sure.

Since I do not know about the background of my pretend lover, then I will let it be fast.

"Where do you know him, Daph? Know your brother rarely socialize or go out. How long have you been dating her?" it was Darius's turn to question me now.

To sound reasonable, I tried to make up free. "We know each other through dating apps. And just meet online. As for how long we've been dating, it's been 3 months."

I was so quick to lie to my family. It's like a pro. I'm sorry Papi, Mommy, Brother.

Darus' brother is still curious. "Did your lover know that you were from a high-class family, Daphne? You're a Harper. Does he know that?"

I'm shaking. "No, brother, he doesn't know. As long as we were in contact, I never told you about my family. He doesn't even know what my job is. From the beginning, I knew what his profession was. Our meeting at Hadley's wedding was really unexpected."

Silence hangs on the sidelines of our conversation. The atmosphere in the living room turned 180 degrees so scary. Everyone who was there looked at me seriously.

Papi sighed and said, "The fire doesn't know what to say, Daphne. On the one hand Papi is happy because you have found a partner. But on the other hand, Papi is also sad."

I knit both my eyebrows. "Why is Papi sad? Is this because of my lover's profession which is only a servant? Pi, Daphne loves him and he's a sincere man. He's capable of accepting Daphne as she is."

I swear to God I don't want to marry and be betrothed to William. As much as possible I'll convince Papi that Decs is the right man for me.

"It's not so, Daphne." Papi replied in a dislike tone. "Is that how bad you judge Papi? Do you think that Papi attaches importance to the family background of others without thinking about the happiness of Papi's daughter?"

"You're wrong, baby. All your life, Papi and Mami have never pressured or forced you to marry a man from a rich family. We are not the same as Grandpa and Grandma. Even Papi and Mami still let you live free!" continued again.

"Then what makes Papi sad?" lirihku slowly.

"But sad because you're not being honest with us. Papi was disappointed because Papi had to know something as important as this from Grandma's mouth, in public as well. This makes Papi wonder if there is something wrong with Papi, so you can not freely tell the story?" he said at length.

"If Papi sets me free, why would Papi keep quiet when Grandpa betrays me to a man like William? To Brother Darius, I'm sure Brother must know who he is! But why are you all quiet!!!" my emotions began to stir.

The faces of Brother Darius and Papi suddenly tense up. From this I can judge, if in fact they knew about my match with William. But they just shut up.

"We can't do anything, Daph. You know for yourself how Grandpa and Grandma are. Their power is so strong. If it is A, then it will be A. Can't be bothered." Brother Darius is defending.

"Including letting me marry a guy like William?"

Their bodies were still riveted, unable to answer my insinuations.

"Hmm.Here is Pi, I'm not arguing. I'mtired. It is my hope that tomorrow at the family gathering, Papi and Brother can receive the Decs with open arms. Excuse me for going upstairs first."

I retreated to release my hand from Mami and immediately rushed up to my room upstairs.

***