CHAPTER FOUR

 The living room resonated with the sound of the slap thrown across Felix’s face.

 “Mum!”

 “Don’t even,” Rose pointed a finger at her eldest daughter and she took that as a cue to stay silent. “Didn’t I warn you? Answer me! I told you not to do anything stupid but you didn’t listen.”

 “Rose, calm down,” Allen tried to hold onto his wife but she broke free.

 “Don’t tell me to calm down, Allen,” she said almost in a whisper. “You didn’t hear him directly if not I’m sure you’ll be even madder than I am.”

 “Mum-”

 “This child,” she pointed an accusing finger at Felix. “He ruined everything. He has ruined everything! For once Felix, I asked you not to but you just take pleasure in seeing us in pain, do you not? Even if you couldn’t think of being an embarrassment to us, how about yourself? Do you not have any shame in you? You ruin whatever chances we have at being happy or getting you to do something that’ll be beneficial to your life every single time. Aren’t you tired?”

 Felix rubbed his hand across his cheek, trying to soothe the pain from the slap. His hair fell to his face and he made no attempt to brush it away as it was the only way he could at least not see his mum’s face as she lashed out at him.

 “Answer me!” his mum grabbed him by the shoulder and shook him violently. “Why did you do that? Is that how bad you don’t want to get married? Even if that was the case you could have at least being less harsh. What did the poor Oliver do to deserve that from you? He listened to his parents and came here and you insulted him! You wanted him to get lost? Why? What exactly is your problem, Felix?”

 “I-”

 “I don’t want to hear a word from you,” Rose yelled as she cut Felix off then violently pushed him away. “You useless thing. You don’t work, you don’t do anything. All you do is stay home being spoilt and yet-”

 “Mum you need to please calm down,” Joanna said as she rushed to help her brother up as he fell from her mum’s push. “This wouldn’t solve things.”

 “You are a disgrace to this family,” Rose continued, ignoring her eldest daughter’s plea. “You’ve always being the black sheep in every way but I guess there’s no use crying over spilt milk. Mistakes have being made and we can’t go back on some. But listen to me Felix, you’ll be extremely lucky if the Finns do not call off this marriage and trust me, if you’re lucky enough and they do not call it off and you try anything silly again, just consider yourself an outsider to this family cause I promise you, I will disown you. Being a part of this family has been nothing but a privilege to you so if you don’t want to grateful for that, you will be cut off.” 

 “That’s enough,” Allen finally wrapped his arms around his wife and she seemed to calm down. “Felix you heard your mum so just go to your room and reflect on your foolish actions. That’s okay. Let’s go inside, Rose.”

 Sparing Felix one more disgusted glance, Rose held on to her husband and walked out of the living room.

 “Felix,” Joanna started but Felix pushed her away before she could continue.

 “Just go home,” Felix said to his sister. “Alex, I’m sorry you had to witness this. I was really excited to see and talk to you after all these but I guess perks-. Anyways, I’m sorry.”

 “Don’t be,” Alex walked towards him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s not your fault.”

 “You don’t have to try to make me feel better,” he slowly brushed his hand off her shoulder. “I’m fine.”

 “But-”

 “Go home, Jo,” Felix cut his sister off again. “Please just leave.”

 “I can’t leave you like this,” Joanna was being persistent. “You’re not okay.”

 “What do you mean?” Felix almost laughed. “Oh, that? Come on, you should know me better than that. It’s nothing new so I’m pretty much used to it.”

 “But-”

 “Please,” Felix finally resorted to pleading. “If you really want to help me in any way, just leave. Just go home and let me be by myself. Alex, please just take her home.”

 “Honey,” Alex put his arms around Joanna’s shoulders. “I think we should go.”

 Joanna looked at her husband then her brother. “Alright, I’ll leave but remember I’m only a call or text away if you need me.”

 “Of course,” Felix replied, trying his best to smile at his sister. “I know.”

 His attempt to smile was finally successful. Scared he wouldn’t be able to pretend any longer, Felix quickly bid his sister and Alex goodbye and went to his room. 

 ---

“Son?”

“Yeah?” Oliver temporarily took a break from his thoughts to reply his mum. She looked at him, eyes filled with worry then remained silent. 

 Oliver sighed then looked away, memories of the day’s event rushing back.

 *Flashback*

  “Mr. Felix?”

 “What?” Felix scoffed at him. “You want to know about me? Fine. My name is Felix. My favourite colour? It’s purple. What else? Maybe my favorite food? Okay, It’s pizza. Oh and my best friend? Joanna, my elder sister. Wanna know what I love the most? Being alone and people who respect that and give me my personal space. Wanna know what I hate the most? When people like you try to get close to me. Interested in knowing my biggest wish? Sure, I’ll tell you. For you to get lost and call off this marriage while doing so. Okay?”

 “Eh?” Oliver was utterly speechless as he blinked continuously trying to register what had just happened. 

 Felix rolled his eyes at him and turned to leave. Still shocked and unable to say a word he watched him turn, leaving him with the smell of his cologne as he walked past him.

 “Oh my God,” it took an unfamiliar voice to bring him back to reality. He blinked again to look up to meet an unfamiliar face staring at him with despair. “Mr. Oliver?”

 “Yeah? That’s me,” he replied, his mind still unsettled.

 “Um,” the lady in front of him waved at him until she was successfully able to gain his full attention. “Sorry, I’m Joanna. Um, Felix’s sister.”

 “Oh,” he said. Looking closer, they looked alike. “Oh.”

 “I’m really sorry about my little brother’s attitude,” she gushed out. “I’m really sorry. I know you must be flustered but I’m really sorry and I hope you understand.”

 She seemed like she was in a hurry as she didn’t even wait for a response from him before she turned to leave. As quickly as he could, he grabbed her arm to ask her a question.

 “I’m sorry, Jona, right?” he said. “Um, is your brother, Felix I mean Mr. Felix, is he okay?”

 “What?” 

 “Um, I mean,” he let her go then run his hands through his hair. How could he explain how he was feeling? “I mean, is he okay? She seemed a bit…”

 Joanna held his hand, seeing the sincere worry in his eyes and voice. “Yes,” she nodded. “He was just a little- Yes, he will be. Thanks for your concern and again, I’m sorry this happened. I have to go now.”

 *End of flashback*

 “Oliver?”

 Again, his thoughts got interrupted and for the first time he wished he and his parents went in different cars.

 “Just let him be for a while,” his dad replied his mum before he could reply.

 Mentally thanking his dad, his eyes remained shut as he anticipated them getting home.

 The rest of the drive was silent with Oliver’s head rested on the window. On getting home, not a word was said to him from his parents as he made his way to his room.

 He sat by his study desk staring at the picture of Felix laying next to his notebooks. He looked drop-dead gorgeous earlier. The dark suit he was putting on earlier was basic but for some reason, managed to look ravishing on him. His long peach hair was styled to lay low and as he stared at it, he could only imagine running his hands through them. 

 His skin was fair and smooth was had to be the most beautiful thing he had seen in a long while. As he raised her hand to tuck few strands of his hair beneath his ear, he noticed the rest of his piercings were bare as he only had a earring worn on each ear. 

 Though nervous, he stretched his hands forward and as he placed hers in his, he placed a kiss on it. His palms were soft and felt delicate against his. He handed over the bouquet of flowers to him and watched the tiny silver bracelet wrapped around his wrist dance as he collected it. His fingers slowly caressed the petals of the flowers and he couldn’t help but imagine how a ring would look on those delicate fingers.

 He couldn’t remember who suggested them going to talk in private as he was lost already. Watching him walk and from the look on the parents’ face, he understood what was going on and walked behind him.

 He was nervous and couldn’t think of a good conversation starter. His parents ‘basic information’ barely contained personal information about him so he couldn’t think of what he might like and what not.

 He finally remembered he was also an architect and decided to go with that topic. He could never run out of what to say when it came to architecture and since it was their mutual professions, he hoped it’ll be the same on both sides.

 “Ugh,” he groaned on remembering his outburst. It couldn’t be because of choice of conversation starter, could it be?

 People like him. He racked his brain again trying to figure out what he meant? Was his first impression a bad one? Or could he have heard something about him? He strongly doubted it being her hearing something about him for obvious reasons. He was famous for being young, successful, rich and gay. Other than that, he had never being cut up in any drama or rumour despite having a handful of celebrity friends and business partners.

 Perhaps, it wasn’t him. Maybe he wasn’t just interested in getting married. Or the thought of getting married to a stranger irked him.

 Groaning, he threw himself on his bed. He was confused on what to do. His parents probably noticed something was off with him but definitely had no idea what it was about. 

 Few minutes after he stormed out and her sister came to apologize on his behalf, Joanna came back to meet him to ask him to go back to the living room. Apparently, Felix was already on his way so he had no option but to quicken his steps so they could arrive at the same time.

 His parents were utterly clueless and made jokes about what they could have talked about. Felix was silent and his parents gave short nervous replies.

 Dinner was silent with Felix not uttering a word all through. All form of conversations came from both parents, Joanna trying to get him to talk occasionally.

 Dinner ended on a good note and Felix’s goodbye was mumbled. He avoided his gaze and before he could say anything, he turned and left his presence. 

  His phone beeped in his pocket signifying a message and he took it out to check who it was. It was unknown number.

 Unknown number: Hello.

 Unknown number: Did you get home safely?

 He blinked continuously as he stared at the message on his phone. Quickly, he replied the message. 

 Oliver Finn: Mr. Felix?

 It had to be her. His heart skipped a beat as he sighted the familiar bubbles floating.

 Unknown number: Yeah…

 “Oh my-”

 Unknown number: Felix’s sister

 Unknown number: Joanna

 He heaved a sigh of disappointment as he waited for her next message. On getting none, he decided to reply.

 Oliver Finn: Oh, hello ma’am.

 Oliver Finn: Yes, we did get home safely. Thank you.

 Jona Rueben: That’s a relief.

 He couldn’t contain his curiosity. 

 Oliver Finn: How’s Mr. Felix, by the way?

 Jona Rueben: He’s okay

 Oliver Finn: Okay…

 Oliver Finn: About earlier today…

 Oliver Finn: Does he perhaps not want to get married?

Oliver Finn: to me…?

 He bit his lip immediately wishing he never sent that message. He couldn’t control himself though. His words kept on ringing in his head and he was confused on what to do. 

 Oliver Finn: You can tell me honestly. 

 He exhaled, waiting for a response. Their marriage might seem like it was going to be nothing but a business contract but even business contracts required consents from both parties. He needed to know what he might be getting himself into.

 He sighed as his words rang in his head again for the millionth time. There was no need to bother. He obviously didn’t seem to be interested in it and he couldn’t help but wonder why. Before he could give his head the opportunity to make up excuses, he got a reply from Joanna.

 Jona Rueben: No, it’s not like that

 Jona Rueben: He does want to get married…

 Jona Rueben: He was just a little scared and overwhelmed with things so he had that outburst. He definitely is interested.

 A smile was already finding its way to his lips when his room door was opened, interrupting.

 “Oliver? Oh, you’re up.”

 “Wasn’t I supposed to be?” he asked his mum walking towards her. “Why?”

 “It’s nothing,” she quickly smiled at him. “How are you?”

 He knew what she was referring to. His change in countenance after his private meeting with Felix was obvious and she had noticed. “Great.”

 “Are you sure?” she placed a hand on his shoulder. “What did you think of the meeting? How’s Felix?”

 “Sure? I noticed-”

 “It’s nothing,” he laughed lightly. “We were just both nervous, that’s all.”

 “Oh,” her expression was somewhat confusing. “The Ruebens called. They wanted to know how you felt.”

 “How I felt?”

 “Yes,” she nodded. “The wedding. Are you still up for it?”

 He was silent for a while. 

 “Son,” Ashley spoke up. “You really don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. It’s-”

 “What do you think?”

 “Me?”

 “Yeah,” Oliver nodded. “You and dad. What do you think about it. About Felix?”

 “Oh,” she was silent for a while. “I, we, think Felix would be a good match for you. He’s different in a way and there’s just something about him I like.”

 He smiled watching his mum talking about him.

 “But it’s all your choice, you know?” she quickly added. “You guys met already. Even if it was briefly, I think you should be able to know if it’s something you want to proceed with.”

 Oliver was silent for a very short while before speaking. “It is. I want to proceed with it.”

 “Splendid!” his mum clapped her hands, excitedly. “It has being finalized then. I’ll call the Ruebens family and we’ll talk about the engagement, pick a date for the wedding and start the preparations.”

 “How soon are we talking about?”

 “With the excitement in the air,” Ashley turned to face her son. “You’ll both be married in about two weeks!”