Dad: "Age is merely a number."

"Well, 40 is a pretty big number compared to 18!"

Dad: "I've known him since you were 2 years old. He's not that bad! I trust him completely."

"What if he won't marry me? Then?"

Mum and dad looked at each other.

Mum: "Because it was his idea."

"Hm?"

Dad: "...it's not like that. He just wanted to help."

Mum: "Mm hm. Sure. He just wanted to 'help'..."

"?"

Mum: "I was showing him pictures of you; worst mistake i made." She muttered the last line. "And your DAD brought up the problem and he volunteered to marry you. He's the one who came up with the marriage idea. Based on your pictures."

Dad: "You're making it sound worse than it actually is!"

"...."

I-i'm not ready for this. Too much has already happened and they're springing this on me too. I'm only 17; there's only so much i can take.

Tears started rolling down my cheeks and my throat began to ache.

Dad: "....i already gave him my word."

*Sob*

Dad: *Sigh* "How about this...you...go on a few dates with him? If there's something about him you don't like: then i'll take back my words. Okay?"

I looked up at my dad with tears still blurring my vision.

"O-okay..."

Dad: "Good girl." He smiled.

Jo was in the background cringing throughout. I would've said that he was feeling helpless but...something was telling me that he could stop this. That he could say something to save me. But he didn't. I don't know, i think it was just my imagination.

And when my parents left, Jo was also left looking guilty and insecure.

"Are you okay?"

Jo: "Y-yeah. Go to sleep." He gave a soft hesitant smile.

[NEXT DAY]

Ichy: "Marriage?!"

Tak: "To a 40 year old man?!"

Ryu: "That's even older than Jo!"

Jo: "You can do math; good for you."

Richy: "T-that's crazy! That's cruelty! That paedophile!"

Haru: "I can't believe your dad!"

"Me neither!"

Haru: "By the way, is Rosie coming today?"

"No, mum took her somewhere."

Ichy: "And didn't your mum say anything?!"

"She tried; but she's helpless."

Everyone: "...."

Richy: "Let's run away!"

"Huh?"

Richy: "You..." he grasped my hand. "...And me. Let's elope like a romantic couple! We'll be like Romeo and Juliet!"

Haru: "They died in the end."

Richy: "Except without the dying!"

Ichy: "Shut up; if she was gonna run away with someone it would be me so don't get happy!"

"?"

Everyone cast their eyes to Ichy.

Ichy: "I-i said IF! It's hypothetical! And don't take it the wrong way!" he defended and tried not to flush red.

Jo wasn't saying anything.

Tak: "Why so quiet Jo?"

Jo: "Oh...i was just...thinking..."

Ryu: "This is entirely my dad's fault! This wouldn't be happening if it wasn't for him! UGH!"

"Let's move on in life shall we Ryu?"

Ryu: "H-huh!?" he stuttered and blushed furiously.

Ichy: "He took it the wrong way..."

"Oh! Hahahaha!"

Haru: "I like it when you smile."

Richy: "Me too. I like her laugh."

"Wha-?! Are you two making fun of me?!"

Haru: "What? No! Hahaha!"

"You don't look so bad when you laugh either."

Haru: "Hahaha-*hic*" he stopped laughing and started blushing again as i smiled in his direction.

Jo and Ichigo were throwing daggers at Haru with their eyes.

Tak: "I like her laugh too." He joined in. He was only doing this to make Ichigo angry.

Ryu: "Ahm! Can we keep it PG please?!"

Ichy: "And what's so special about her laugh?! It's just a laugh! She's a laugh! Her life is a laugh! She's one big joke!" he lost it and started shouting.

"Temper temper!"

Jo: "Ichigo, calm down. There's a limit to jealousy."

Richy: "Ooooooooooooh!"

Haru: "He finally talked."

Ichy: "Tch, whatever! And i'm not jealous!"

"Anyway, my parents said to go on a few dates with him before marriage...I don't even know what he looks like."

Tak: "That's so messed up."

Richy: "What if you told them you had a boyfriend?"

"Then my dad would beat me."

Richy: "Harsh."

Ichy: "Tell your fiancé then. He can't beat you."

"Even if i did, who would pose as my boyfriend?"

The whole gang suddenly burst into life and started volunteering as tribute. They were shouting over each other until i stopped them.

"GUYS! I could never look at you that way!"

Ryu: "What do you mean?!"

"Remember you all said i was like a sister to you?"

Richy: "Why did i say that..."

Ichy: "Well, that was before you were ugly."

"I was always like this..."I sighed. "I think i'll get to know him first, and then i'll see what happens."

[NEXT WEEK]

I looked up at him. He was quite tall.

My dad decided it was best for me if i was myself; which meant no mask or wigs. My mum told me to wear mascara though. And she picked out a cute dress for me to wear. She told me to contact her straight away if anything happened. And now i was facing the man whom i'd have to marry at my 18th birthday.

Man: "How are you, Miss?" he smiled and kissed my hand after shaking on it.

Woah...he doesn't look too bad for a 40 year old. And he looks and talks in a posh accent. I guess he really is from a rich household. But still...

Man: "?"

Dad: "Ahm! Claire!"

"Oh! Haha...sorry...I'm Claire May." I introduced myself.

He had a small beard like Jo, and thick hair on his scalp. He looked like a math professor or something. He didn't have any wrinkles and looked like he takes great care of himself. He wore glasses and a suit with a tie. He looked like the sensible type; not the joking type like Jo. And so far, he hasn't done anything to make me believe that he's a paedophile. Yet.

Man: "My name is Taisho. You may address me any way you are comfortable with." He grinned politely.

Jo was glaring at him from the counter as he polished glasses.