Chapter 2 - Content

“What do you think it is?” Shawn said with an amused gaze at Pru while walking inside the room

Pru snapped out of her shock and followed Shawn “Well I’m not dumb I know it’s a walk in closet but why is it so huge? And already filled up with clothes and shoes?! Are these all for me?!” The walk in closet looked like a studio apartment with gold and silver accents. The cabinets were full of clothes and a wall of shoes from ceiling to floor. There’s also a center island for jewelries and a huge full length mirror inside.

“You’re officially part of the Kingsley’s now, so yes, these are all for you hand picked by our personal stylist. You need to look the part y’know. I know it can be a nuisance sometimes but being a Kingsley means you need to uphold a certain standard even in your wardrobe. I know you can hold yourself well in social occasions but your style in clothes are really not... y'know what I mean." Shawn was beginning to feel embarrassed "So with that being said, Grandpa threw out all your clothes yesterday and just left you with few of your personal belongings” Shawn said with an apologetic face while pointing to her suitcase “Sorry….”

“I’ve no right to complain.” Still in a daze while browsing the clothes and shoes. The styles are still appropriate for her age but she can feel they are all expensive and there are some formal wears too. “But all I can see are girls clothes. Where’s yours?”

“oh mine’s over here.” Shawn walked out on the other side of the bed and opened the door. Pru followed suit and was equally amazed. It’s the same size as hers but was a bit more masculine looking with all the black and gray accents.

“unbelievable.  A whole family can already live here!” Shawn just patted the girl’s back in amusement and opened a door just beside walk-in’s door inside the closet. “Where are you going?” inquired Pru, wondering if there’s no end to the surprises in their bedroom alone.

“to the bathroom to wash up. Have you never been to the bathroom since you got here?”

“I couldn’t find it.” Pru admitted sheepishly

Shawn gestured to the bathroom and pulled Pru to go in “You can also enter here through your walk-in over there” Shawn pointed to a door adjacent from where they entered.

Pru just gawked at the size of the bathroom. It was bigger than their closets! It even has a jacuzzi, a urinal and a toilet with its own room!

Shawn was really entertained with Pru’s reaction. “Well come to think of it, you’ve really haven’t gotten a tour of the whole Estate, have you? But your dad I suppose have, since yours and mine basically grew up here.”

“i… don’t know…” She muttered while looking at the big mirror.

“Okay okay get out now, I need to wash up and call Eunice.” Pru snapped out of her trance while being pushed by Shawn out of the door and laughing.

After a while, Shawn and Pru are now on the bed getting ready to sleep.

“Shawn?”

“hmm?” while positioning himself on his side of the bed

“How is Eunice? Is she okay?” Pru asked with a worried look “I mean, I’m a girl too and if I were in her shoes I’d get really upset and lose my mind to know that my boyfriend got married to someone else.” She said while looking down and twitching her fingers.

Shawn studied Pru’s face for a minute before answering then he extended his hand over to Pru’s side asking for her hand. She gave it to him and he squeezed it “You are my wife now and I am your husband. Whether we like it or not. We just have to live with it. We’re off to a good start with those agreements you made.” Shawn smiled reassuringly “Also, you are my friend, like a sister to me. Whatever problems Eunice and I may have moving forward got nothing to do with you or this marriage. Besides, with every girlfriend that I had, I made sure they know about this arrangement and Eunice was the only one who was willing to push through with it with me. So, she knows what she’s getting into. Sooner or later she knew this would happen. So, don’t worry about it.”

Pru smiled and squeezed his hand back “I’m just thankful that Grandpa Turner won’t haunt me in my sleep as he got to see me wed to you and fulfill the pact our grandpas made before he died. At the very least, I got married to a not-too-bad man.” She smiled and rolled her eyes. Shawn snickered and both turned off their night lamps before slumbering peacefully.

Prudence Turner and Shawn Kingsley were arranged by their grandpa’s for marriage at birth. It was supposed to be for their own children, but since they both had sons, the pact the 2 grandparents made was passed on to their grandchildren.

The pact was suddenly enacted when Pru’s grandpa had a heart attack and was advised that another one is inevitable soon and surely he won’t be able to survive that one any more. So, in a week’s time – Grandpa Turner & Grandpa Kingsley (who were best buds during the war) – coordinated an intimate yet Grandiose wedding in their estate. Inviting only close families and a few influential stakeholders from the Kingsley Group.

Two days later, Grandpa Turner had another attack and sure enough he didn’t survive. After a month of grieving, Pru was allowed by her parents to finally live in the Kingsley estate.

Pru woke up pretty well after having a good night’s sleep in a large comfy empress sized mattress. She glanced at the other side of the bed and saw Shawn still in deep sleep. After stretching, she went to the bathroom to take a bath. Pru glanced at her walk-in in disbelief “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this.” Chuckling to herself.

After some time, Shawn bolt up and ran straight to the bathroom and relieved himself. Suddenly an ear-piercing scream was heard and Shawn was so stunned he fell on the ground with mouth open, eyes wide and heart racing. Luckily, he was done doing his business. He was finally able to trace where the scream came from and saw a figure lying behind the shower glass doors on the floor covering herself and realized it was Pru!

“OUT! OUT! OUT! OUT NOOOOW!” Pru shouted on the top of her lungs while covering herself. Good thing that the shower walls and door, even though was glass, was somehow blurred by the moist from the warm water.

Dumbfounded Shawn struggled to get up and ran outside the bathroom and locked the door. Breathless from the whole scenario, he plopped himself on the bed. After he calmed down, he exclaimed a hysterical laugh while rolling on the bed.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, Pru was dressed and came out of the walk-in face red, head down not looking at Shawn.

“I think we need to discuss bathroom usage rules.” Shawn snickered while sitting on the sofa waiting for Pru.

“Yes I think we do.” Covering her face with her hand brisk walking to her dresser.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t see anything! I just woke up and was too busy doing what I need to do anyway.” Shawn shrugged while suppressing a smile “Unless…” He squinted his eyes and gave a mischievous smile

“I DIDN’T SEE ANYTHING!” Pru protested defensively.

“I was just kidding!” Shawn laughed “So lock and knock at all times. Agree?”

“Agree.” Pru blushed while blow drying her hair without looking at him.

Standing up “alright I’m gonna take a bath. Wait for me so we can head to breakfast together. I’m going to lock the doors so don’t get any idea.” He playfully warned her

“Ugh! As if!” Pru rolled her eyes while continuing her morning skin care routine.

Shawn strolled towards the bathroom laughing.

When Shawn’s ready, they both came out of the bedroom and headed downstairs and walked towards the dining room. The estate was quite large, and she was afraid to get lost. However, Shawn’s long strides were making her skip-jump just to keep up to him. “Heeeey wait up!”

“not my fault you’re short.” Shawn teased

She pouted her lips and acted like she was hurt. Shawn giggled. But Pru was taken aback when he suddenly intertwined their hands together. She was staring at it when Shawn exclaimed “Good morning Grandpa!”

Pru looked up and shook away her shock and greeted the old man enthusiastically too.

“Good morning indeed! To see a loving young couple hand-in-hand together lights up my heart! I just wish Freddie is still here to see this. But don’t worry, I’ll tell him all these when my time’s up” Grandpa Kingsley winked

“Grandpa! Don’t say that!” The couple both retorted with a worried look on their faces

“We know the inevitable! Anyway, enough of that. Today’s enrollment right?” Both nodded with a smile “And where’s the bracelets I made for you?” Shawn and Pru showed their arms wearing the thin gold bracelets with each’s initials on it “Remember, you children are already tied to each other! So no funny business!”

The couple broke into a nervous laugh and looked at each other meaningfully. “Of course, grandpa, Pru and I won’t do anything to hurt your or the Kingsley and Turner families.”

Grandpa Kingsley pursed his lips and gave a nod of approval.

“Master, Mister, and Mistress. Breakfast is ready.” A servant announced

Together, they all went to the dining hall, Shawn’s parents were waiting already seated in the dining table. After exchanging warm pleasantries, Shawn escorted Pru to a chair beside his and they all began to eat their first meal together as a couple and as Pru, a part of the Kingsley’s.

Pru felt a warm tug in her heart while observing everything and taking in all the pleasant and heart-warming environment around her. ‘They may be part of the .0000001% of the richest families in the world, but their relationship doesn’t seem like it. They’re just like me and my parents. Close, warm and full of love. This arranged marriage don’t seem too bad I guess.’ She thought to herself.

Seeing the faint smile on Pru’s face, Shawn elbowed Pru “Hey, what are you smiling about? Eat up or we’re gonna be late” he said smiling.

Pru snapped out of her trance and immediately ate up with a look of content on her face.