“Miss Elise Warrens, will you be the person who will complete my missing puzzle piece?” I furrowed my brows and crossed my arms. Everyone around us started screaming, and even though he was one of the heartthrobs in our university, I was still not interested in accepting his proposal. As someone who came from a family of mafia, I intend not to get attached to strangers. My family taught me how to be careful when picking people, and even if I get old, I want it to remain that way.

“No, I am sorry.” I politely answered and bowed. I started walking away without looking back. How can someone fall in love with a woman he never talked to? I thought that would be the last time he would talk to me, but I was wrong.

“Hi, Ms. Elise!” he greeted me and waved his hands. He became my classmate in one of my subjects in my 3rd year of university. “Can we become seatmates?”

Even during my internship, he never left me alone. At first, I felt annoyed, but as time went by, I learned how to cope with his existence, even if it stressed me out.

One time, as I stared at the people dancing on our Senior night, someone approached me. He was wearing a black suit, and he showed me a warm smile.

“Ms. Elise, can we dance?” He extended his hand and at that moment, I couldn’t help but smile. I always decline his offer, and maybe agreeing now won’t hurt. After all, he has tried to pursue me for years. I think it is enough.

“Okay..” I can see his face brighten, the reason why I stretched my lips even more. Maybe he thought I would say no.

“Really? You are saying yes?!” I nodded and smiled. “That’s a first!”

We both laughed and danced the night away.

That small interaction bloomed into an interesting friendship, which led to a relationship, and at last….

“Miss Elise Warrens, will you be the person who will complete my missing puzzle piece?” These are the words he uttered when we first talked, and now that he is kneeling in front of me, I feel like crying. Everyone in the company widened their eyes, as they saw the scene.

“Yes..” I uttered. Everyone around us jumped. They were all witnesses of our love story, and perhaps that was the reason why Milo chose to propose here. He inserted the diamond ring inside my third finger and immediately leaned closer for a hug.

“Congrats!” our sweet moment was interrupted when my younger cousin arrived. “You guys are really cute!”

“Thank you, I am glad that you finally decided to stay here in Japan with us, right Milo?” I glanced at my fiancee, and I noticed his expression changed. He seemed nervous, perhaps it was still unbelievable for him that I said yes.

“You are right, love.” he smiled and then looked at my cousin. “Hey Lara, do you want to eat something?”

“No, I am alright. I can manage,” she smiled and continued walking. I sensed an awkwardness between them, making me wonder if there was something up between them.

“Hey, are you guys ok with each other? Why does it seem that you guys have bad blood?” I asked Milo and fixed his hair. He smiled and cupped my face

“Why would I have bad blood with my future wife’s cousin?” we both laughed and nodded. He got a point. We both shared intimate moments, and we don’t fight that much, which is why my friends find him an ideal husband. He pursued me for years, and when he finally had me, he never changed. He is still the sweetest, nicest, and cutest guy I have ever met. Not until one night.

I was walking in the hallway, holding a tray of cookies and a pitcher full of milk. It was the weekend, and my fiancee asked his friends to come over so they could play video games. Since I was busy with my paperwork, I agreed and told them I would be late. On my way home, I decided to stop by the supermarket and buy some food they could eat. I was about to open the door of their gaming area when out of the blue, I heard one of his friends’ voice.

“Hey, did you see Lara when you proposed to Elise? Goddamn! She is so hot!”

“I know right,” another one agreed. “She didn’t even age! I wonder why Elise and her don’t even talk that much. They are cousins, right?”

“Of course, she literally approached us. I heard it is because Elise’s family is too strict. Honestly, I wonder what kind of family Elise has.” I heard my fiancee respond. “She looks like a model but so what? I already have Elise.”

I narrowed my eyes while listening to their conversation.

“Yeah, because you haven’t tasted her yet, am I right? We thought you were the king of the bed, and yet you can’t take her to bed?”

“We talked about it, and I agreed. There’s nothing wrong with it. I respect her.” I can’t help but smile when my fiancee uttered those words.

“Or maybe you respect her money?”

“I agree. Being serious in a relationship is not one of your qualities. If you are indeed serious, you won’t leave Lara pregnant.”

I accidentally dropped the tray I was holding after hearing what one of his friends uttered.

“Hey, what’s that?”

“Hold on, let me check.”

I froze on where I was standing and immediately fixed myself when I heard the door open. The guy widened his eyes when he saw me standing behind the door.

“Ah–Elise.. How are you?” the guy nervously greeted.

“Elise?” my fiancee peeked at the door and immediately guided me inside the gaming area. “You should stay here as I clean the mess.”

“I am sorry, I stumbled.” I apologized and looked down.

“Hey Elise, how long have you been standing there? You could have just opened it and entered so we could help you,” added one of Milo’s friends. “Do you have a cut on your feet?”

“No, I just actually arrived and decided to stop by to give you some snacks.” I smiled, which gave the group of guys a sigh of relief. “What do you want? Let’s order then. My treat, since I broke our expensive pitcher.”

“Nah, use my card,” Milo replied while picking up shards of glass “Don’t worry about this, we can buy again tomorrow. Are you hurt?”

“I am alright,” I uttered and smiled. “You don’t have to worry about me, it’s not like I got a huge cut or something.”

As I observed the group of guys smile, I felt bad about myself. All this time, I thought they were genuine and kind, yet they were just like the group of fuck boys I often see back in college. They are just pretending to be the good ones.

“Honey, what do you want to eat?” I was taken aback when Milo slowly hugged me from behind while I was playing on my phone. “We will order something!”

“Anything’s okay!” I replied while my eyes were still glued to my phone. “You know what I like!”

“Got it! Spicy Chicken with Fries on the side, and a chicken sandwich!” he exclaimed like a kid and kissed my cheek before leaving. “If you need anything, just call me, okay?”

“Hmm!” I responded and leaned on the sofa. He went towards his group of friends and began chatting as if they hadn’t seen each other for years.

“You are lucky to have Elise, she seems nice and easy-going, just my type of girl!”

“Shut up, find your own!”

“Be careful, we might steal her from you once you mess around.”

I know they intentionally make those types of conversations to make me feel good about myself. If they think they are doing such a miracle, then they are wrong. I pity myself for being such a dumb woman. I grew up in a Mafia family and yet I failed in picking the appropriate person meant for me. Once my family knew about this, this guy would be dead before daylight, and of course, even if it sounds stupid, I won’t let that happen.

“Honey, I can’t wait to really get to know your family..” Milo whispered in my ears as we stared at the night sky. “Will they accept me?”

“Milo, you are drunk. You should go and sleep.” I whispered and moved away. “I told you not to drink beer, right?”

“Don’t be such a lame girl..” he replied and scratched his head. “This is the reason why I sometimes hate myself for staying with you…”

I stared at him, and I couldn’t help but feel my blood boil after hearing what he said. Perhaps it is indeed true that booze releases the inner thoughts of an individual. He pinned me against the wall and caressed my face.

“Move, I don’t want to hurt you…” I whispered. He laughed and leaned closer.

“What are you gonna do to hurt me? In just a slap, I could make you cry.” I refuse to believe that I am talking to my future husband, but I can’t help but feel disappointed. “Come on, let’s do something just for once.”

“I said no.” I firmly answered and gulped. “We talked about this, right? I want to do it with you after the wedding!”

“But how about me? Do you think it is okay with me?” he screamed and started kissing my neck. “Especially when you are this hot?”

I closed my eyes and pushed him away.

“What the fuck, Milo..” I gasped. “Are you hearing yourself?”

“If you really love me, you would allow me to touch you, right?” his eyes began to be filled with water. “Do you even consider what I feel?”

“Then why did you marry me?!” I screamed. “I told you I won’t do it with you yet you are so persistent, and now that we are here, you are going to blame it on me?”

Once again, he pushed me toward the wall and began undressing me. I didn’t want to hurt him, but he left me with no choice. With all my force, I pushed him away and took out the gun I hid beside the flower vase.

When he tried to pin me again, I showed him the gun I was holding. His eyes widened, making him move away. Luckily, my family taught me some skills I could use when I was younger.

“Try to fucking move and I will blow your head off,” I warned him.

“I think I married a criminal..” I smirked when I heard Milo talking. “What the fuck was that, honestly? Didn’t you tell me that you are a family of criminals or something, Lara?”

I slowly nodded. It seems that he still keeps in touch with my cousin.

“I mean, I never thought she would have a fucking gun! Come on! Help me get out of this! Tell her you want me and let’s leave!” I can sense the panic in his voice. “I am just a guy! Of course, I have needs.”

I kicked the door, the reason why Milo dropped the phone he was holding. I showed him a warm smile and crossed my arms.

“How’s your sleep, honey?” I asked. He smiled and scratched his nape. “As far as I could remember, you decided to sleep in your gaming area.”

“It was nice..” he whispered. “How’s your sleep?”

“Terrible,” I answered. “Want to know why?”

“I think I need to use the bathroom..” he uttered and started running away. I can’t help but find him pathetic. Now, I need to get the upper hand. I won’t let him get away this easily. Is this why Lara came back? It is because they both have a kid?

—

“So, how’s the preparation for the wedding?” My father asked while smoking. I narrowed my eyes and stole the tobacco from his hands.

“Come on, papa! Stop smoking! Do you want to die early?!” I scolded him and dropped the smoke to the ground. “I am pretty sure you smoked a hundred in a week when I was away!” I looked at the row of guys in suits and shouted. “Am I right?!”

“No miss, only 101…”

“Even worse!” I touched my lips and closed my eyes. “Why are you acting like a kid, papa?!”

“What do you want me to do? I get bored if I don’t have work! Your siblings always take the work for me! They think I am old, so they don’t assign me some tasks!”

“Papa, do you want to see Grandma this early? I thought you wanted to see all of your children in wedding gowns and suits?” I scolded him and raised my left eyebrow. “You are testing my patience, papa.”

“Why are you even here by the way?” My father argued. “You should be with your loving cute fiancee.” I can’t help but roll my eyes at that moment. He narrowed his eyes and picked up his gun.

“What did he do?” He knows me so well, to the point that a simple gesture means so much to him.

“Papa, I don’t want to marry him anymore.” I sighed and placed my head on his shoulder. “He is the worst.”

“What did he do?! I knew it. That ugly ogre needs to suffer!”

“I don’t want to marry him, but I don’t want to separate from him.” My father’s jaw dropped, the reason why the row of guys in suits panicked.

“Did you bump your head or something?” my father asked.

“He is a playboy and broke many hearts..” I smiled. “And I am one of them, but I don’t want to free him without any lesson. I want to give him a lecture on how to treat women with care before letting him go.”

I was taken aback when the guys in suits began clapping. My father’s eyes began to be filled with tears, and the next moment, he began sobbing.

“I raised you like a boss. You are the best!” he uttered and hugged me tightly. I would be lying if I said that I don’t want him anymore. In fact, I still love him to death, but I can’t stand his actions. I won’t let him get away that easily.

“But how dare he to hurt your feelings? I want to teach him a lecture first!” I immediately tapped my father’s shoulders and calmed him down.

“Father, don’t be too dramatic. He is not worth your energy and I can handle him.” I assured my father and smiled. “I’ll be fine.”

“But I know it would be difficult for you not to mix your emotions and your task, right?”

The smile on my face disappeared, and my father found it difficult to see.

“Look at you, you seem so head over heels with that guy and yet you are planning to make him pay for it? I think you might end up hurting yourself.” my father sighed and shook his head. “My child, just leave that dirt and come back here with us. You can just be my assistant and live here away from the stressful environment of the city.”

“Papa, you are also living in the city, why are you acting as if this is a different place?” I wiped my tears and sighed.

“No, I will not let him fool other women anymore. I want him to pay, and I will never stop until he learns his lesson.”