Chapter 23：Arranged marriage

The next day, Renae slumped her bag onto her seat and walked towards the Principal's office. She was dead set on making Min and her group pay. They could hurt her, she wouldn't have complained at all. But they hurt someone who was completely not in involved! And in the first place, how was she to forgive them when they didn't apologise? Of course, she wasn't going to let them pass her by.

Renae knocked on the door of the Principal's office, her face calm and completely expressionless. "Come in," the principal, Mrs Xing, replied. "Good morning, Mrs Xing. I have come to report something to you. I hope you take care of the situation appropriately," Renae tone of matureness surprised Mrs xing. She smiled at the student before her. "Go on."

"As you can see, I am wounded. The cause of these wounds are girls in the same group as student, Min, from class 3-2. I'm not sure of these students' names, but I can easily describe their appearances to you. This is not all they have done. My friend, Cathy, who is also from class 3-2, realised they were doing this and tried to stop them. They dragged her in and started to hit her too. The day prior, Min hired a few people to create fake news about me and two other students from our class. Min has had a personal grudge against me since the June holidays ended and school started," Renae explained.

Hearing this, Mrs Xing was extremely disturbed. Bullying itself was a serious matter, the fact that she made it physical was even more serious! "I see. I definitely will deal with this appropriately. I'm sorry, may I see your.... your wounds?" Mrs Xing asked. "I can show you the bruises, but I can't unwrap bandages for the other wounds though," Renae replied as she turned around and pulled up the back of her shirt to show the bruise on her back from that girl's kick. Along with it were a few other bruises.

Mrs Xing's eyes widened in horror. How could a fellow student hurt another so badly? Mrs Xing was absolutely furious at this point. "I'll get the CCTV footage as proof. You guys were at the side of the school right? A lot of bad things happen there..."

After discussing for a little more, Renae left Mrs Xing's office and the PA [1] sounded. "Student Min from class 3-2, student Michelle from class 3-5, student Irene from class 2-1..." and so on. All the names of the girls who had bullied Renae and Cathy resounded throughout the school.

In class, Min's face paled. She didn't expect that hussy to actually tell a teacher, not even, the principal! She was in a state of panic, what excuse could she even use to get out of this? Renae and Cathy had their bodies as proof! As Min and the other girls came all met at the hallway on the way to Mrs Xing's office, Min said to them, "No worries, that hussy only has her wounded body as proof, we can lie our way out of it. I heard the side of the school doesn't have a CCTV. Just follow my lead." They nodded.

A few periods went by, after Min and the girls had gone into Mrs Xing's office, they didn't step out for a long time. It was only at the last period where they returned. All eyes were on Min as she entered the classroom. She rudely stomped in, completely disregarding the teacher. "Min! I'm having lessons right now. How can you not great me?" The teacher asked, crossing her arms as she scolded Min.

"What the freak do you want?! I'm already having a freaking bad day, okay? Leave me the freak alone you annoying hussy of a teacher!" Min's reply was extremely vulgar. I think the number of curse words she used exceeded the amount of brain cells she has! Renae thought to herself as she watched the spectacle. She silently laughed inside.

"MIN!! And where do you think you're going?!" The teacher looked like she was about to burst when she said that, her face turning red from fury. "Your freaking stupid boss suspended me for a month. You can blame that hussy over there," Min said as she pointed her accusing finger at Renae. Renae's expression remained unreadable. Min just trudged out of the classroom with a dark face.

Min got home and threw her bag on the sofa the moment she got home. It startled her mother. "Min! What happened with the plan? Didn't you say there were no CCTVs at the side of the school?" Min's mum asked her, a frown on her face. "I thought so too! ARGH! I hate that hu- that girl SO much! Why can't she quietly kill herself and release Matthew so he can come back to me?!" Min yelled through gnashed teeth. "It's okay hun, even if we don't get her now, we can always get her later. You have one full month to come up with a plan! Use your genius mind to think of something," Min's mum encouraged her.

Min's mum's eyes suddenly lit up. "Min! Did you say the name of the guy is Matthew? I'm a friend of his parents!" She suddenly exclaimed. Min sat up from her original slouchy position. "Really?! How about an arranged marriage?" Min said. It was as if they shared the same mind. "Yes, Min! I'll contact them immediately. We can go meet them tomorrow," Min's mum said with a blinding smile as she grabbed onto her daughter's hands.

The next day came very soon. Min and her mum reached Auntie Ann and Uncle Jeffery's house little before school ended and they chatted for a while.

That day during recess break, Min wasn't there to disturb them. They had an enjoyable time chatting while eating their food. "It is great to not hear Min's annoying voice during recess," Matthew said aloud. But his words fired back at him when he reached home that day.

After he sent Renae home as usual, he went back home. While opening the door to his house, he could hear many voices talking. It wasn't just his father and mother. Perhaps new neighbours? He thought to himself. He walked inside the house to find Min and Min's mother. Matthew was joyous the entire day, until he saw Min's face did his expression completely change. From his happy expression to a cold icy one..

"What are you doing here?," his question directed towards Min.

"Why don't we let your mother tell you the great news?," she said beaming with joy.

"Auntie Tiana," he greeted politely then he continued to say, "Mom, could you now please explain to me why they are both here?"

"Your dad and I agreed for an arranged marriage between the two of you," Matt's mother said with a smile.

"What if I say no?"

"If you don't have a reason as to why you object, then no. The marriage will happen," Auntie Ann's tone turned serious.

"I have a reason. She bullied Renae! Is that not a good enough reason?," Matt said in a loud voice.

"Don't you raise your voice. Stop making excuses to not agree to this arranged marriage," Auntie Ann said sternly.

"Now apologize to Min and Auntie Tiana."

"I have nothing to apologise for! The person who should apologise is Min! And my reason is real! Do you need proof? Why don't you go over to Renae's house to look at Renae's bruises? In case I take a picture of Renae's bruises and you say it's photoshop, it's fake and all,"Matt said.

"I'm not going over to Renae's house. I'm sure Renae is fine, and Min is a lovely girl. Why would Min do such a thing?"

"Mom, you're on her side?"

"Stop this nonsense and apologise!"

"Why? I'll get Renae here myself!" Upon hearing this, Min's heart started beating faster.

After saying that, he left the house and slammed the door in front of their faces.

"I apologise for my son's outburst. He's probably just spouting nonsense. He just wants an excuse out of this arranged marriage."

"It's alright! We'll come back another time when he's feeling better," Auntie Tiana responded.

"Thank you for being so understanding!"

Auntie Tiana nodded her head and left the house with Min.