Chapter Five - Utter Chaos
1671 Worte
Anacá
The door opened, and Josh strode in with a smile, immediately making me wary. Why was he in such high spirits when I was dying a slow death here? He turned to wait for someone outside the door, and I peered out to check who it was. Had he brought Jordynn along with him? It would be such a tremendous insult to my dad and his parents. But mostly, it would be an insult to me.
However, instead of Jordynn, it was none other than Eros Nikolaou who walked up the porch and into the house!
The moment he came in, his eyes held me captive. I gasped with horror as his fiery gaze burned through my skin. He seemed furious with me, as if I had committed a crime. My glance fell on his finger, and my heart stopped for a second. I could see my sapphire ring still on his finger! I couldn’t breathe. My eyes went up to meet his angry, brooding gaze.
However, Josh seemed unaware of the chaos he had invited. Why did he? Couldn’t he just speak to his parents instead?
There was a shocked silence all around as all eyes focused on the duo. Josh was always unpredictable and eccentric, and no one knew what he had in mind. He flashed a smile at his mom, totally ignoring Uncle Jeremy as always. “Meet my boss, Eros Nikolaou, mom. He’s here for the engagement.”
To my dismay, Jess brought my dad to the living room to be a part of my engagement ceremony. He smiled at me and came over to meet Josh before I could stop him. I went up to him to get him away from Eros. It was an instinctive move to protect him from any shock or stress.
I didn’t like Josh’s ways. Why did he bring Eros here? Or did he? I could see how tense he was.
“Welcome to our humble home, Mr. Nikolaou. I am Charles DuVernay, Anacá’s dad. I’m thrilled to have you here to witness the engagement of my daughter to your employee, Josh Hemmingway.”
I watched with horror as Eros smirked at me, realizing I hadn’t informed my family about him. “Oh, I’m so pleased to meet you, Mr. DuVernay. There’s a slight misunderstanding here. This engagement can’t happen. Hasn’t Anacá informed you yet?” He held my gaze, and my heart constricted with fear, realizing his intentions.
“There’s nothing to inform. Please, let’s get on with the event. Dad has been released from the hospital today. He can’t stay up for long.” I tried to steer the conversation towards safer grounds, but my dad ignored my efforts.
“Wait a minute, Anacá. What do you mean, Mr. Nikolaou? Why can’t the engagement happen? Am I missing something?”
I panicked and glanced at Eros to give him a hint, but it didn’t look like he’d let this go so easily.
Even Uncle Jeremy joined me to help Dad to a chair. “I’m sure it’s nothing serious, Charlie. Why don’t you sit down and relax? The ceremony will start soon.”
“Yes, Mr. DuVernay. The ceremony will start soon, but instead of Josh, I’ll be the one to get engaged to your daughter.” He flashed a brilliant smile and guided my dad to the sofa. “It’s just a formality tonight. Your daughter couldn’t confess the truth to you for fear of rejection, but we both are already engaged. See this ring? Anacá bought it for me. Tonight, I want to do it the right way, but with your blessings.”
I gaped at him and then at dad, fear clutching at my heart. This was what I had been dreading. I had no idea how Dad would react. He could hardly see anyone beyond Josh for me. At this moment, I could do anything to avoid getting engaged to Josh.
Jess handed Dad some water to sip. “Here, uncle Charles, please have some water.”
“Yes, allow me, please.” To my immense astonishment, Eros handed the glass of water to my dad’s lips. He whispered something to my dad while the entire room watched the drama with wide eyes.
Aunt Dana and Uncle Jeremy stood like statues, glaring at Josh, who looked the happiest among all. “What’s the meaning of this, Josh?” seethed Uncle Jeremy.
“Umm, umm, dad..” he stammered, looking clueless.
“I’m asking you something, dammit.” Uncle Jeremy lost his temper, but Josh simply chewed his lips.
“Josh, don’t you want to marry Anacá?” asked Aunt Dana gently.
Josh gave her a stressed look. “Maybe she hates me too much to marry me, Mom.”
My jaws dropped at what he implied. Was he trying to blame me for breaking the engagement? I could see the upset looks on everyone’s faces, especially my dad. No, I had to correct the misunderstanding.
“Yes, I hate him because he has been betraying my trust with someone else. I found out about his affair with Jordynn, his colleague. They insulted me in front of his entire office when I went there. I wish I could tell you about it, Aunt Dana. But you’ve done so much for me, I couldn’t tell you.” I hung my head in shame and guilt while Josh stepped backward, eager to escape.
“Is that true, Joshua Hemmingway? Did you insult Anacá?” demanded Aunt Dana angrily.
“Mom, please. I like Jordynn. Don’t force me to marry anyone.”
Uncle Jeremy sighed and went to comfort Dad. “I’m sorry that it turned out this way, Charlie. I had my suspicions about Josh when he stayed away from home for the last eighteen months.”
“But you could have told me, Anacá,” said Dad, looking hurt.
I went up to him and clasped his hands in mine. Kneeling on the floor before him, I looked at him. “I wanted to, Dad, but you were struggling with your health, and I didn’t have the courage to tell you.”
He scoffed but calmed down strangely. “This was so important, Anacá. I had the right to know.”
Tears of guilt stung my eyes as I watched my dad in fear. Was he stressed? Would he get another attack? “I’m sorry, Dad. Please don’t worry about it. I’ll be better off with Eros,” I whispered, only to calm him down.
Eros helped me to my feet and made me sit beside my dad. Aunt Dana and Uncle Jeremy, too, joined us to console me. Josh slipped out of the house, and no one noticed his absence. “It’s okay, Anacá. You can marry whoever you want to. There’s no compulsion. Charlie, just give them your approval. Let’s get on with the ceremony,” urged Uncle Jeremy.
I couldn’t look at Eros, although I should have thanked him for saving me from Josh.
“Fine. If that’s what she wants. I just want her to be happy.” I hugged him with relief.
Eros got down on one knee before me, making me gasp. Why was he so charming to my dad? Why did he need to put up an act for my dad’s sake? Despite the questions flitting across my mind, I supported his act. It was only for my father’s sake.
“I can win the world only if you promise to hold my hand for a lifetime. Will you, Anacá?”
I searched his eyes, blinking at his speech. What was he offering me? Why did he want to marry me?
“Yes.” I accepted blindly, or everyone would be suspicious, especially my dad.
He pushed a delicate diamond ring onto my finger and rose to give me a brief hug. The moment my body brushed with his, a tremor went up my spine. I pushed him away instantly. There was loud applause from all around. Everyone congratulated us while I stood transfixed to the spot. Did I do the right thing?
My dad pulled me into a hug with tears of happiness in his eyes. “I’m so happy you found a man who loves you.”
I smiled tightly and hugged him back, not breaking the happy bubble he was in. He hugged Eros as well, but he was in a hurry to leave.
“We’re getting married tomorrow. I’ll be back to get you, Anacá.” My jaws dropped to the floor while everyone gasped at his announcement.
“Tomorrow? Can’t it happen next weekend?” asked Aunt Dana, looking agitated.
“No, I’m leaving Athens on a week-long tour. Don’t worry about the arrangements. Everything will be taken care of. Just be ready in the evening, tentatively, by five.” He turned to leave but paused. “Anacá, will you see me off?”
“Go.” Aunt Dana pushed me towards him before I could decline him.
I gingerly followed him out of the house to the driveway, away from all prying eyes. The moment we were alone, he grabbed my hand in a deathly grip. I gasped with fear and looked into his furious eyes. “What the hell were you up to, Anacá? How could you agree to get engaged to your ex when you were already engaged to me?”
I gaped at the guy. “I was forced to. Do you think I want to marry that *ssh*l*?”
He softened a little at my admission. “Why did you disappear on me?”
I had no answer to that. “I didn’t want you to find me.” It was the truth. Strangely, he didn’t react.
“But I found you.” The touch of his hand on my skin made my stomach flutter.
“How?”
He smirked and released my hand. “By threatening your ex, Josh Hemmingway. Anyway, be ready to marry me tomorrow.”
- Schriftsteller
