Chapter 8

Dinner was grilled fish served with sauce and plenty lemons. And for dessert it was chocolate cake. What I learned about the Ians was their love for elegance—everything must be in order. Also, the unspeakable of eating without talking.

I devoured the dishes without appearing too desperate. Not having proper meals for days and then sitting at a large table, accompanied by all varieties of foods that could be swapped for another within the blink of an eye.

I also learned that Allen detested garlic. He also had a habit of smelling the food before eating to detect the presence of garlic.

Juliet was her usually cocky self, laughing in an unnecessarily high pitched annoying voice every few minutes. She also tried to engage Allen in conversations as much as she could.

I knew what Allen and I had was nothing. It was the spur of the moment, but it gave me hope. I knew I was a hopeless romantic when I went through all the books in the library during high school.

“Here,” Allen handed me a glass of wine before taking his seat beside me on the sofa. Juliet was sending daggers my way, and Margaret was seething within.

“Thank you,” I muttered. I couldn’t bring myself to say no despite not being a drinker.

“To business,” Mr. Ian raised his half filled cup to the air. We made a toast to business, I almost fell for the façade. Sitting on a fancy sofa, resting my leg on a fancy rug that probably cost millions, and holding a glass of wine. But these people I was with neither cared about the prices of the items in the room nor the fact that there was an elephant in the room that needed to be sorted.

I politely kept my drink aside. Father took long sips before he spoke, “My shares company has been doing really great after our partnership and I must say that’s years of achievement. The first time my dad took me on a tour of the company I was only a teenager fresh out of high school. He sat me down and looked me in the eye, and he said, “This is your future.” The Gareth’s Shares company had been running for decades. You see, I almost gave up on the company but you gave me hope Mr. Ian. You’re the perfect example of a role model, and I’m honored to be in your presence,” Father raised his cup in the air and declared, “To Mr. Ian.” And we drank to it.

The wine felt warm and spiky but I gulped it down in order not to feel offended.

“Thank you so much for the toast and for the epistle.” Mr. Ian burst into a fit of laughter at his statement. Nobody joined him either because they thought it wasn’t funny or un-polite.

“Let’ talk business shall we?” He furrowed his eyebrows. He had dark brown eyes and I wondered where Allen got his.

Focus Cheryl.

Juliet momentarily relaxed, and eagerly crossed her hands on top of the other. Father loosened his tie and cleared his throat.

“I have come today to present a marriage proposal Mr.Ian.”

It was quiet for a while, everyone was lost in their world. I observed Allen who seemed unfazed, and then my eyes wandered back to Juliet, who had a stupid smile adorning her make up face. I couldn’t deny how beautiful she was.

“Go on Mr. Gareth,” Mr. Ian urged after what seemed like forever.

“I have come to the conclusion that what stronger business partnership than our children’s union.”

I scoffed internally at his words. He didn’t come to the realization of anything, Juliet was the one who showed her interest in the marriage.

Mr.Ian’s eyes were on me. He kept his hand on his jaw and had a thoughtful expression. I almost screamed at him, he might have thought Father was talking about me when he suggested the idea of marriage. God knew, I wasn’t fit for it.

“Which one of your daughter’s may I ask?” Mr. Ian inquired.

“Juliet sir.” Came father’s reply.

I could’ve sworn I had seen Allen fist his hands and exhale harshly, but it was quick and I was too engrossed at staring at his face.

“But—” Allen uttered gaining the attention of his father and mine.

A single word could mean anything. It could mean that the moment we had hours before the dinner at his living room was genuine. I couldn’t stop thinking of his slender fingers that wiped across my fragile skin. His breathe that fanned on my neck, and the close proximity.

“Mr. Gareth hadn’t finish talking, has he?” Mr. Ian interrupted Allen who seemed like he had million questions to ask.

“Ah yes, Mr. Ian. As I was saying, what stronger business partnership than that of our children. With a marriage between Juliet and Allen we can run a long time collaboration that not only would benefit us while we are here but the future generation.”

“I like the way you speak Mr. Gareth. It’s in my intention to turn over the company to Allen when I retire in a year. His marriage would only be a sugar on top. I will run this idea with his Aunt, she had been on his neck to get married—” he chuckled softly.

Juliet was beyond excited. If it wasn’t a formal dinner she could’ve started jumping and singing at the top of her longs. Margaret had a proud smile adorning her face.

My heart felt like it had been pierced with a dozen needle and left to bleed. I couldn’t understand why I felt what I felt. What Allen and I had, that was if we had anything at all, was nothing. Yet I couldn’t stop myself from hoping that he married me instead.

I could kill to get out of the house I lived in. But as usual, Juliet had everything. Just like she did when we were little.

And now she had Allen as well.