Let's Date | JenLisa

Chapter 2: The Reality Show

"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday to you!"

Everyone in the house shouted including Lisa who was holding the cake for her mother who's turning 60.

"Happy Birthday Mom! Now, make a wish!" Lisa said with the widest smile plastered on her lips.

"I have almost everything in my life except for two things." Mrs. Manoban said with a hint of sadness on her voice.

"What is it Honey? I'll give anything that you want. Just tell me." Mr. Manoban said while hugging his wife sideways.

"But, only Lisa could give it."

"Me? Then what is it, Mom? I will spend whatever I have to give you anything."

"Is that a promise?"

"Promise! Now, make a wish and blow your candles."

Mrs. Manoban closed her eyes and held her hands. "First, I want a lovely dauther-in-law." Lisa froze. She never expected her Mom to have that wish. "Lastly, I want an even lovelier grandchildren. Lots of them!"

Mrs. Manoban opened her eyes and blew the candles before Lisa could move them any farther.

"Moooooooom!" She whined! And put down the cake. "You know I cannot give you that."

"And why not?"

"Because..."

"We all know you can."

"But...but how? I mean, I don't have time. I have a lot of businesses to handle! Besides, I don't even have a girlfriend to marry right away for you to have a lovely daughter-in-law. How is it even more impossible to have the even lovelier grandchildren thing?!"

"Then at least try to find someone." Sadness was all over her Mom's voice now. "I am not getting any younger. I want to at least be able to take good care of my grandchildren before I die."

Lisa felt guilty. And she felt even guiltier after her Mom said, "You should never make a promise if you don't have intentions of fulfilling it." And went straight to her room.

"Now, great! You're Mom's party is ruined!" Rosè (Lisa's secretary/bestfriend) half shouted. "Congratulations!"

Lisa glared at her and then turned to her father.

"Dad?"

"Was it that hard to try, Lisa?" Lisa lowered her head.

"You are our only child. Yes, we are the proudest because of all your success. But we want you to find true happiness." Mr. Manoban said while tapoing Lisa's shoulder.

"Okay." Lisa whispered.

"What did you say?"

" I said, I'll talk to Mom."

Lisa went to her Mom's bedroom and knocked on the door.

"Mom?"

There was no answer but she could hear some sobbing. "Mom? I'm sorry. Please open the door."

"No!"

"Okay, fine! I'll do it Mom. Just open the door, please. I promise, I'll do date someone."

Then suddenly, the door swung open. There goes her Mom with some papers on her hand.

"What are those papers for?"

But instead of answering, her Mom dragged her to where her dad, Rosè and the visitors are.

"Here, sign this one." Said Mrs. Manoban with the widest smile on her face.

Where was the sobbing old lady back there? Lisa thought. "What is this Mom?" she said while getting the pen and was about to read the paper. It looks like a contract but what is it for?

"Hey! No more reading! You know I won't let you sign anything that would put you in any trouble, right?" Mrs. Manoban said while putting those puppy eyes.

Lisa hesitated for a while. She looked at the smiling Rosè and her dad who just nodded. The  she looked down at the paper and signed it.

"Yay! My duaghter is going on a date! Let's celebrate!" Everyone cheered as loud as they can. Actually, only few was there. Just the closest of the closest to the Manoban Family.

"So, what's the contract about?" Lisa asked then had a sip of her wine.

"It's a dating contract."

Lisa almost threw up but managed not to.

"A what?! You're kidding me, right?"

"OFCOURSE!" Mrs. Manoban said.

"I knew-"

"NOOOOOOOT!"

"Mom!"

"You can't do anything anymore. The contract has been signed. And as an honored businessman, you know contracts are one of the most important thing!"

"What if I breach the contract?"

"Then, you have to pay the consequences."

"I have millions of money. I can just pay for it."

"Who said it was about money?" Mr. Manoban said with the mot serious tone.

"If not money, then what is it?"

"It's your name and all of your businesses."

"You can't just take them away from me! I know you won't do it!"

"Then don't force us to." Mr. Manoban firmly said.

Lisa was stunned. She never imagine "not dating" would go this far. "Mom?" She now turned to her mother.

"You said, you'll keep your promise?" Mrs.Manoban said with teary-eyes.

Lisa accepted the fact that she can no longer backout. "Then atleast give me a copy of the contract."

Mrs. Manoban tightly hugged Lisa. "Thank you! This would be the best give ever! I love you!

Lisa hugged her Mom back. "I love you Mom. Happy Birthday."

"Hey! Be ready. In two days, the crew of the reality show will arrive her for the briefing and some interviews. Who would have thought a monkey would be a celeb in a bit." Rosè said then winked at Lisa.

"Reality show? Interview? Tv?" Lisa said with so much confusion.

"You just signed into a Dating Reality Show, My Child."

"Great! Can this situation get any worse?" Lisa said sarcastically which made all of them laugh. Then she whispered to herself, "I'm doomed."