The unlikely love triangle

The Dinner

Elizabeth ran all the way home, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. She thought Charles had finally given up on his pursuit of her, that he had released her from his grip forever. She locked herself in her room, trying to understand what had transpired that day. Who was Charles, really? What did he want from her? Why did he want to marry her against her will?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock on the door. She knew it was her stepmother, Mrs. Lena, the wicked woman who had made her life a living hell. She ignored the knock, hoping she would leave her alone. But then she heard her father, Mr. James' voice, stern and angry. She had no choice but to open the door.

She saw her stepmother standing there, glaring at her with contempt and hatred. Her stepmother had always been cruel to her, ever since she married her father, two days after her mother's death. Elizabeth was only nine years old then, and she still missed her mother terribly. She wondered if her father ever loved her mother, or if he had forgotten her so easily and replaced her with another woman.

"Someone has come to see you". Her stepmother snapped at her, she should be polite and greet them. "I am not in a mood to meet or greet anyone," Elizabeth snapped back. Her stepmother grabbed her hand and tried to drag her downstairs. Elizabeth resisted, pulling her hand back and telling her to let go of her. "You ungrateful child, now that's enough creating so much drama, come down at once." James ordered her to come down at once and behave herself. Elizabeth had no other option but to obey.

She followed them downstairs, feeling humiliated and angry. She saw an old lady sitting on the sofa, wearing a hat and a coat. She recognized her immediately. "Hey, I know we met in the mall yesterday. Why are you here"? "I'm here to express my gratitude, you saved my life. I'm deeply indebted to you." The old lady said, with a sincere smile.

Lena and James looked at each other, puzzled by the lady's words. They had no idea what she was talking about.

"Oh, that's nothing. Those thugs were too weak. Even a person like me could handle them." Elizabeth said, modestly.

She had rescued the old lady from being kidn*pped by some thugs in the mall. She had learned karate to become stronger and protect herself. She knew Lena wouldn't go easy on her.

"I'm sure you didn't have dinner. Let me treat you to dinner." The old lady said, kindly.

Elizabeth was hungry. She could hear her stomach growl. She didn't want to stay in front of Lena and James. They were her enemies, not her family. She thought the old lady was really good and kind. So she agreed to go with her.

But what she didn't know was that the old lady was actually Charles's grandmother.They went to a hotpot restaurant nearby. It was a big and fancy place that normal people couldn't afford. Elizabeth had never been to such a place before. She never had money to afford such a place.

Mrs. Sophia (Charles's grandmother) had booked a private room in the hotpot restaurant, where she invited Elizabeth to join her. She and Elizabeth sat together at a round table, and the food was served by the staff. Elizabeth was very excited as she couldn't take her eyes off the place and the food. There was so much food on the table, of different colors, flavors, and textures. She wished the time would stop there, and she could enjoy this moment forever.

"I think you like this place. Come, let's eat." Mrs. Sophia said, with a warm smile.

Elizabeth kept her cool with the old lady and started eating the food. She didn't want to be rude, but she wondered why the old lady was so nice to her. Charles was sitting in the next room, behind a one-way mirror. He was listening to everything that was happening, through a hidden microphone.

"I am Charles's grandmother." Mrs. Sophia said, casually.

At that moment, Elizabeth was drinking juice from a glass. When she heard that, she spat out the drink that was in her mouth. She coughed and choked, feeling a shock in her system.

"What?" Elizabeth said in disbelief. "Have I got trapped here? Why Charles again?" She thought in her mind, feeling a surge of fear and anger.

"Don't be nervous. I'm here just to talk to you." Mrs. Sophia said, trying to calm her down. "It was me who sent the proposal to your parents. I really liked you when I saw you at the mall. So I wanted my grandson to marry you. I made him agree to this marriage. Though he is tough on the outside, he is really good on the inside. Why don't you consider him? He doesn't know how to do things right and kindly."Sophia really liked the fearless Elizabeth and her courage.

After hearing this, Elizabeth calmed down a little. She realized that the old lady was sincere. She put her points in front of Mrs. Sophia and tried to explain her side of the story. Elizabeth wanted Sophia to understand her.

"I'm just eighteen and I have a lot to do in my life. I'm not interested in marriage now." Elizabeth said, firmly.