CHAPTER THREE

“How long ago had it been planned?”

Felix was standing in his room by the window side. It had barely been five minutes after he stormed out of the dining, aware of his sister tailing him. He got to his room, slammed the door and proceeded to stand by his window to calm down.

“Felix-”

“Just answer it,” Felix replied his sister, still not turning to face her. “You obviously know about it. I mean, isn’t that why you’re here?”

“Fine, Felix,” his sister moved closer to him to hold him by the arm. “I knew about it and that’s why I’m here.”

“Quite obviously.”

“But trust me,” Joanna continued. “There was nothing I could do. Dad called and told me he had something important to talk to me about. I insisted he hinted me about it over the phone and that’s when he told me he’s thinking of getting you married to some gay billionaire. It was still all so new to me too so all I could do was ask him to let me talk to you about it.”

“You did great at that.”

“Felix,” Joanna sighed. “Don’t be like this. I-”

“Of course you can say that,” Felix finally turned to face her. “You’ve lived your whole life the way you wanted to. You never had your life mapped out for you. You did whatever you wanted to, attended the college of your dreams, studied what you wanted to, got married to the love of your life and you’re living your fucking dreams. Easy for you to tell me how to act. You don’t even know what it feels like to be me.”

Felix’s lash brought about silence between them.

“I’m sorry,” Felix said after a while. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you.”

“It’s okay. You deserve to be mad.”

“I sure do,” Felix heaved a sigh then sat on his bed next to his sister. “What am I supposed to do, Jo?”

Before Joanna could replied, he continued. “Am I the only one who sees this as totally crazy?”

“I understand you, Felix.”

“Why in the world would they think of getting me married?” he continued. “Is there something else I don’t know about? Is the family going broke and I’m being sold off or something?”

“It’s nothing like that-"

“I couldn’t actually care less even if that was the case,” Felix said then looked away. “It’s not my place to suffer because of them.”

There was a short-lived silence before Joanna spoke up again. “Can I be blunt with you?”

“Your blunt side is my least favourite side of you but okay.”

“I don’t think you have a choice here,” Joanna began. “This seems to be the peak. I don’t know what exactly they or you are thinking but I don’t think you really have an option. Mum and dad are really tired of you just staying at home doing nothing-”

“So they want to just marry me off?”

“Something like that, I’m afraid.”

Felix sighed for the hundredth time. “I guess I really don’t have a choice then.”

“Sadly,” Joanna smiled at her. “So what are you going to do?”

“You’re still asking?” Felix laughed. “You just left me with no choice.”

Joanna bit her lip, looking at her little brother helplessly. She knew how uninterested her brother was in getting married. He wasn’t even interested in knowing who it was- just the thought of getting married was enough to put him off. “I’m sorry, little bro.”

“It’s fine,” Felix smiled. “It’s not like it’s your fault or anything.”

There was a short awkward silence before Felix broke it by asking, “Who am I getting married to anyways? It’s not an old man, is it?”

“No no,” Jo replied quickly, glad he was at least interested in knowing who it was. “Oliver. Oliver Finn.”

“What’s that?”

“HE is one of the youngest and most successful billionaires around here,” Joanna gushed. “He’s also an architect and he is extremely gorgeous.”

“I know what you’re thinking but you’re thinking wrong. I don’t care if he’s gorgeous or not.”

“You’re so weird!” Joanna exclaimed. “Why wouldn’t you care if he’s hot or not?”

“You must really think cause I’m gay I would automatically be a sucker for hot guys,” Felix shook his head. “I’m far from that.”

“What?”

“Don’t get me wrong,” Felix replied with a mischievous look on his face. “I like hot guys. I don’t just like over-emphasized hot guys.”

“Whichever ways, you’re still weird.”

“You still love me though.”

“That I sadly can’t deny,” Joanna pouted then pulled her brother into a hug.

Joanna smiled as she felt her brother hug her back. She was glad her brother wasn’t resisting as hard as she expected him to. Due to the situation of things, resisting was going to be a useless thing to do and she was glad she didn’t have to spend the whole day trying to explain that to her brother.

Felix was naturally a stubborn person and it was extremely hard to make him do something he didn’t want to. It was one of the reasons he never got along well with their parents as they constantly tried to force him to do things he didn’t want to.

He had never accepted or taken any suggestion from their parents serious. He always immediately rejected it or made up his mind to ruin it. But for the first time, he wasn’t speaking of how to ruin it or at least promising to try his best to ruin it.

Or so, Joanna thought.

As unknown to her, as Felix hugged her back, he was already silently thinking of a million ways to ruin the upcoming wedding.

---

Few days had passed since Felix was informed about his upcoming marriage arrangements.

Ever since, he could count the number of times he had left his room. He stayed indoors all day and completely avoided his parents. It was an opportunity for her to resume being full time best friends with his sister. Though apart, they spent most of the time texting each other. Joanna’s husband wasn’t left out as Joanna video called most of the times she was home.

Felix loved it though. Though deep down, he knew the reason his sister was suddenly constantly available, he pretended not to. It was distracting enough and he just decided to enjoy the moment while it lasted.

“I was so scared I was going to lose the case but then being the badass I am, I won it!” Joanna concluded the story of how her day went to her brother. “I’m really exhausted though.”

“Of course,” Felix smiled through the screen. “You talk and argue for a living. I-”

He got interrupted by a knock on his door. He pretended not to hear it as he repositioned his phone so his sister could see his face clearly.

“Who is it?” Jo asked over the phone as the knock grew louder.

“No one I’m interested in talking to.”

“Come on, Felix. You’re obviously in so stop ignoring. It’s them, right?”

He nodded in reply.

“Just open the door and hear them out,” Jo suggested. “You never know what it’s about.”

He knew what it was about though. He never admitted it but he was scared. Scared of what next would come out of his parents’ mouth if he gave them even a little audience.

Pushing away his thoughts to a side, he dropped his phone on his bed and walked over to open his room’s door. As expected, his mum was standing outside. She was dressed in a trouser suit and it was obvious she just got home from work.

“Can I come in?”

“Sure,” Felix’s reply was mumbled as he led the way into his room. He returned to his original position on his bed and his mum did the same.

He picked up her phone and was about to disconnect the video call when Joanna signaled to him not to. Groaning, he placed the phone underneath his bedspread and turned to face his mum.

“You should tidy up this room sometimes,” his mum finally spoke up, looking around her. “You’re no longer a kid.”

“I’m comfortable with the state it is in though,” Felix replied her. “I can at least have my room looking the way I want it to, can’t i?”

“Sure,” his mum raised her eyebrows. “Felix, what happened? When did you become this cold?”

Felix looked away and ignored her question. “Why are you here?”

“Can’t I just be here to see my son?”

Felix laughed. “We both know we don’t have that type of relationship. So tell me, why are you here?”

“You’re right,” she nodded. “I am here for a reason. Your dad and I are worried about you.”

“Why?”

“Cause you haven’t left your room in days.”

“Oh?”

“If this is about your upcoming wedding,” she exhaled. “You need to snap out of it.”

“What?”

His mum finally rose to her feet. “The Finns would be coming over tonight. It’s going to be a family meeting.”

Felix couldn’t believe his ears. “The Finns? Who are those?”

“Your future in-laws for heavens sake Felix!”

“Oh,” Felix’s tone seriously lacked emotion.

“Yes, so you better get yourself ready,” her mum wasn’t done. “In case I forgot to include, Oliver’s also going to be present. And oh just in case you don’t know, Oliver is your husband-to-be.”

“Oh,” Felix looked away. “I’m sorry but did any of you even for a second wonder if I actually want to get married? Like if I actually want any of this?”

“It’s not a matter of what you want here,” she replied, Felix immediately regretting ever speaking up. “You have to. You just have to.”

“Whatever.”

“I don’t know what you plan to do but you better not try anything foolish,” her tone finally changed. “For at least tonight, don’t be an embarrassment.”

Felix balled his fists watching her mum’s words sting. When she was done, he watched her turn, slam the door and leave.

“Felix Felix come on don’t-”

Ignoring his sister’s plea, he disconnected the video call and switched off his phone.

--

“You look dashing, son. Staring into the mirror a million times wouldn’t change that.”

“What?” Oliver realized his mum had caught him staring at himself in the pocket mirror for longer than usual.

“You look great, really.”

“Thanks, mum.” He smiled shyly, running his hands through his hair being careful not to get it dishevelled.

They were on their way to the Reuben’s family house and he couldn’t hide his anxiety. He was dressed in a wine suit with a white shirt underneath. His black hair was combed and styled in the most attractive way he could think of.

He glanced at the bouquet of flowers laying next to him. The paper containing Felix’s basic information hadn’t included his favourite type of flower so he just went with roses.

He rubbed his sweaty palms together and exhaled. He glanced at the rolex on his left wrist to check the time. They had been driving for over thirty minutes and still weren’t at their place.

He fought the urge to ask the driver how long it was going to take them to get there. He was already certain he was doing too much for just a meeting.

“Oliver?” his mum called out to him. “Ready? We’ll be at their place in less than five minutes.”

“Oh?” he couldn’t help but feel a tingly feeling in his stomach just by the announcement. Sneakily, he took out his mirror, adjusted his tie, smoothened his hair and smiled at his reflection. “Okay.”

---

Felix sat in front of his vanity, staring at himself. It was almost seven pm and he knew he wasn’t supposed to be sitting idly dressed in an oversized hoodie and shorts.

His ‘future in-laws’, as his mum had referred to them as were going to be around in less than thirty minutes. He was to be getting dressed, styling his hair and probably applying makeup while mentally thinking of ways to impress the family but he couldn’t bring himself to do any of that.

He was so lost in his reflection in the mirror, he didn’t realize his room’s door was opened and got an intruder.

“Felix?”

“Jesus Christ,” he jumped at his name. He clutched his chest, breathing heavily. “What the hell, it’s you. How long have you been standing there? What are you doing here?”

“I was invited,” Joanna made herself comfortable on Felix’s bed. “It’s a family dinner and I’m technically still family so yeah.”

“Oh, great,” Felix’s voice lacked enthusiasm.

“Alex’s here too.”

“Really?” that finally piqued Felix’s interest. He was fond of his sister’s husband for numerous reasons, the major one being how he always made his sister smile.

“Yes,” as usual, Joanna smiled in response.

“That’s great. I haven’t seen him in quite a while.”

“Mhm mhm. But before that, the Finns would be here anytime soon,” Joanna got up. “Why aren’t you dressed?”

“I don’t know what to wear?”

“Worry no more then,” her sister headed over to her closet to pick his outfit. With a sigh, Felix got up and followed his sister.

That wasn’t his reason but being too tired to begin explaining his actual reasons, he just went with the one his sister seemed to believe.

He still found his seeming reality hard to believe. It was crazy and hard to believe that him who didn’t have anyone he was interested in not to talk of a boyfriend, was about to get arranged to get married. It was unbelievable and no matter how hard he tried to snap out of it, it didn’t seem like a dream he could snap out of.

Fifteen minutes later, Felix stared at the transformed image of him. His sister had gotten rid of the hoodie and shorts he was previously putting on and had replaced it with a black shirt and matching dark trousers. His peach coloured hair was styled and though his sister initially disagreed, he had black earrings decorating his piercings.

“You look dashing. Simple but extremely handsome,” Joanna commented with pride.

“I look like I’m dressed for prom,” Felix replied. “But more like, I attended a funeral first.”

“How dare you?” Joanna’s hands flew to her waist. “You look wonderful!”

“Too bad,” Felix said, turning away from the mirror. “How’s it going? Are they-”

Before she could complete her statement, his room door was opened to reveal her mum. She heaved a sigh of relief on spotting Felix then turned to Joanna.

“Thank you so much,” their mum squeezed Joanna’s hands. “What would I have done without you?”

“It’s no big deal, mum.”

“Of course, it is. Unfortunately not all children are like you,” she turned to face Felix. “You look nice, by the way.”

“Thank you.”

“Let’s go,” she signalled to her Joanna and her brother. “Everyone’s waiting for you downstairs.”

“Alright,” Joanna took Felix’s hands in hers. “Let’s go.”

Felix couldn’t be more grateful his sister decided to hold his hand as they walked down the stairs. Though still extremely nervous, her warm fingers wrapped around his made him a little calmer.

He raised his head briefly to look at the audience awaiting his arrival. His dad was seated next to an unfamiliar man and opposite him was an unfamiliar woman and a male version of her seated beside her.

He knew he was finally alone the minute he felt his sister’s fingers slowly uncurl from his. She flashed him a reassuring smile and walked over to stand next to her husband.

“This is my son, Felix,” Allen got up to introduce his son to his little audience. “Felix this is Harry Finn, his wife, Ashley and most importantly their son, Oliver.”

“Good evening,” Felix bowed her head, lightly.

“Oh, a good evening it is!” Ashley walked towards Felix to put her arms around him. “Oh my, you look even more dashing than in the pictures.”

“Oh, I’m flattered,” he replied, trying to be as polite as possible. “Thanks ma’am.”

“Call me Ashley,” she smiled at him, Felix nodding awkwardly in response. “Oliver dear, come on, introduce yourself properly.”

Felix stared at the Oliver as he walked towards him. His gaze was on the floor as he adjusted his blazer.

“Hello,” he said to Felix. He stretched his hand forward and aware of everyone’s gaze on him, Felix had no choice but to place his hand in his.

Taking him by surprise, he leaned forward and placed a light kiss on his hand. “I’m Oliver Finn and it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Um…Felix. I’m Felix. Felix Reuben. It’s a pleasure to meet you too.”

“I wasn’t sure what type of flowers you preferred so I got you roses,” he continued, handing the bouquet of flowers over to him. “I hope you like them.”

“Oh, thank you,” he collected the flowers from him and faked a smile. He was tired already. His feet especially were hurting from the rather uncomfortable shoes he was putting on.

He personally disliked flowers and even more disliked roses. He could imagine what type of person he was already and his attitude was already sickening to him.

“Why don’t we allow the kids talk for a while while we adults also talk?” Ashley suggested, Felix arching an eyebrow.

“That’s a great idea!” Felix’s mum clapped her hands. “Felix dear, why don’t you give Oliver a tour of the house while you both talk?”

Felix almost wheezed. Felix dear? What was that?

“Sure,” he kept a straight face and led the way with Oliver behind him.

The walk to the balcony was silent, Felix only breaking the silence when they got there.

“This is the balcony.”

“It has a great view,” Oliver replied, turning to face Felix.

“It sure does.”

“Architecture is such a beautiful thing, isn’t it?”

How did he almost forget? He was also an architect like his parents.

He exhaled. “I’d rather not talk about that.”

“Why?” his question irked Felix. “Oh, I’m guessing you don’t want to talk about work?”

“I actually do not want to talk at all.”

“Oh,” his tone had a hint on confusion in it. “What then?”

Felix turned to finally meet his gaze. “You know, you really don’t have to do this.”

“Do what?” he still sounded confused. “Try to talk about work? Okay, I get it. I won’t. We can talk about other things though. Anything. That’s why we’re both here, isn’t it? To try to get to know each other better.”

Felix exhaled and looked away in response.

“Mr Felix? Felix?”

“What?” Felix scoffed at him. “You want to know about me? Fine. My name is Felix. My favourite colour? It’s actually grey. 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 whole marriage or whatever the fuck all of these is while doing so. Okay?”