I can barely recognize myself in the mirror when the make-up artist finally steps away from my face.According to mum’s order, she had made me look a bit mature with the powder and concealer just to fit Mr. Austin.I guess she is ashamed of the man just like I am for her to go to this extent.“I have a few jewellery pieces, I will bring them now,” Mum says to the makeup artist and leaves immediately. Few minutes later, she returns to my side with three different jewellery pieces “Which one would suit her outfit from amongst these pieces?” Mum inquiries, in deep contemplation. Then I see her eyes linger on the pearl necklace.A scoff escapes my lips. I would never have believed that she would one day care about my looks enough to give me something from her expensive jewellery collection if a day like today didn’t come by.Anyone who doesn’t know Mum will think she loves me so much and want me to be presentable, not knowing that she has a selfish reason behind her attitude.Some
“Go on!” I snap. “Go ahead and rip it so you can finally prove to mum that things go horribly wrong when you are with me otherwise, I’m well behaved. Also, the maids are outside and can clearly hear out conversation.”Rolling my eyes, I add, “Even if they can’t hear out conversation, the subject remains that the jewellery ripped after you walked into my room. Let’s see how long Mum will continue to feign ignorance.”Instantly, the smirk on Brenda’s lips disappear and finally, I can exhale in relief, knowing that my threat worked.Although I’m not confident about finally proving a point to mum because it might end up backfiring since she is so biased, I don’t take any risks.“I don’t need to cause any troubles for you today because you are already in one,” Brenda sneered, folding her arms below her chest. “You are getting married to an old man who wouldn’t even treat you well, so it’s fine if you play a little dress up game today with Mum’s stuff. I can put up with that.”“Get the
Mum’s actions doesn’t surprise me. I was never expecting her to punish Brenda after all, she has loved her for almost twenty years.It would be an impossible thing to expect her to suddenly punish or hate Brenda. But I am content with the seed of doubt that has been successfully sown.Arriving at the private tea house where the family meeting was scheduled, one of Dad’s bodyguards holds the car door open for me, something that I have never experienced.Brenda snorts and walks past me to go hold Mum’s hand, but right as she is about to cling to her, Mum turns to me. “Hurry up and come here!” As soon as I get to her side, she takes my hand. “You better put up a smile today. Don’t look like a robot in there and disgrace your father and I.”I don’t say anything in return as my eyes search for Brenda, wanting to know how she must be feeling to not receive our parents attention. I see her with a scowl sitting on her face immediately my eyes find hers. At least she hasn’t fainted yet.
Tessa, Christopher, Brenda, Mum, Dad and I are overwhelmed by different reasons known to us, but I try to take a guess starting from me.I had prepared my mind that I was meeting an old man based on the facts Brenda had spewed, but to my surprise, it turned out that she was mistaken. But the shocking fact is that the arrangement is with Christopher, my Boss.Now, Christopher is not just my boss, he is my one-nightstand partner! And I had just submitted my confession to him yesterday. I’m not even sure he has watched the clips, so who dare I try to gauge his current thoughts?A breath gets caught in my throats as the waiters start to serve the dishes and I immediately grab the glass of water sitting in front of me to chug it down.I don’t even dare to lift my gaze feeling Christopher’s eyes on me. I bet he wants nothing more than to murder me.There is a high chance that he will reject this arrangement. My job is not even safe, then how can it be a marriage with him given the weig
The ambulance soon arrives, and Mum goes with Brenda first while I stay with back with that for a few minutes.“My apologies, Chairman Moore, for the disruption. Brenda has not been well lately. And with your permission, I will take my leave now,” Dad says to Tessa’s grandfather and I catch a tinge of regret and embarrassment off Dad’s eyes.It must have shook his pride to experience this abrupt situation in the Moore family’s, and he is in no way happy about it.“The situation is understandable. Give me a call after you have settled your family’s business,” Grandpa Moore says to him.Dad bows gratefully to me before taking me along as he left the private room.I somehow manage to catch Tessa mouthing ‘I will call you later’ before Dad drags me away.Dad doesn’t say a word to me on our way to the hospital. He is both anxious and annoyed but as for me, I sit back and relax without a care in the word.I think that Brenda chose this moment to faint just to ruin the meeting. She de
Today must be one of the happiest days of my life because what in heavens is going on here?I was eavesdropping to know if Brenda will say anything bad about me so I can know their next step, but instead, I got something wonderful.Who on earth will believe that Mum and Dad will scold Brenda and blame her at the same time and ask her not to join in the next family meeting?I chuckle within myself and straighten my back with a big smile on my face. Finally, there is something more important to Mum and Dad than Brenda, and that happens to be the connection with the Moore family.At this point, I’m not even worried if Christopher will cancel the engagement or not, I just feel so happy to know that Brenda doesn’t rank the highest in Mum and Dad’s life.I reel in my happiness for a moment, but when I press my ears to the door again, I hear Brenda crying and sniffing.“It’s all my fault,” she says, taking the blame. But I know that she has only got started with another emotional bla
“Austin,” Grandpa calls me and immediately corrects himself. “Treat your fiancée well at work. You both will be engaged after the second family greeting.”I don’t say a word in response to that instruction, and he doesn’t bother because he knows that I will not defile his instructions.Tessa chooses to ride with my back to the family residence and I can’t get her to shut up knowing that was the exact reason she chose to join my car.“Wow! I am the happiest woman on earth today. I will go to church for a Thanksgiving prayer and offer arms to the poor. I won’t even get man if anyone offends me today.”A deep breath escapes my lips. This is what I have been hearing her say for the past five minutes since we got on transit.I don’t see a point in her happiness but as a thought occurs to me, I quickly turn my sharp gaze to her. “Did you know Emily was the woman the family arranged for me?”“No!” she denies immediately with a small furrow to her brows. “Believe me, I am as shocked a
SUNDAY.Emily’s POV.Brenda regains control of Mum and Dad’s love at the breakfast table but at least this time, there is peace.Everyone seems to be in a good mood except for Brenda and I.Well, Mum and Dad are happy with the family meeting with the Moore’s and the agreement half-reached that they can’t smiling from ear to ear.Brenda looks a little moody; still feigning weakness and unwell but otherwise, she is eating well. I bet to think that she doesn’t want to ruin the atmosphere today with her usual targets at me after being scolded for the first time in her life.On the other hand, I have no reason to be in a good mood regardless of the peace at the table. Even if anyone makes a rude remark at me, I won’t even battered an eye or be angry about it. I will simply focus on finishing my dinner and leaving.I am yet to get a call from Christopher regarding the marriage agreement or the one-nightstand case. I am very worried because I can’t even tell his thoughts or his plans.