DECISIONS
1321 Words
Roxie POV
My heart sank as he entered and approached us, his face etched with anger like a predator ready to pounce. I tried to compose myself to avoid confrontation.
Upon drawing closer, he yelled at me, prompting me to lower my head to avoid his cold gaze.
"Watch your tongue, son; you are talking to your future wife," his mother reprimanded him.
"What!" His response was neither subtle nor harsh. "Mom, what do you mean by that?"
"Just as you heard, I have found a more suitable wife for you." Although her words may have sounded gentle, I knew it was an order he had to abide by.
He scoffed, brushing through his hair with frustration and annoyance evident in his eyes as he glanced towards me.
"Mom, you know I already have someone I want to marry and spend the rest of my days with."
I clutched my chest as a sharp pain surged within me, my heart shattering at the sudden confession. I took a deep, shaky breath, trying to compose myself and hold back the tears and sadness.
Unbeknownst to me, I was being watched. "Enough, son! I don't know what that gold digger has done to you. You are losing your grip, son," Mrs. Colton yelled at him.
"Mom, she has a name, and you have to stop calling her that. You don't know her like I do, so do not judge her."
"You've got to be kidding me; you're still defending her. That is so gentlemanly of you, son," she sarcastically stated.
Avoiding his gaze, I felt a moment of hesitation as he glanced at me yet again before moving his lips.
"If you think talking to my parents will get me to marry, think again. I will never marry you; how can you stoop so low?"
"That is enough, son. I won't allow you to speak that way to this kind lady," his mother defended me, though I wished she hadn't.
"There is nothing you can say that would make me marry her, so please, Mom, Dad, don't do this," his tone softened as he pleaded.
"I-I-I am sorry for—" I tried to speak up, and unfortunately and fortunately, they all turned to look at me.
Trying to withhold the tears, Mrs. Colton smiled at me while walking towards me. She cupped my cheeks in her hands, which seemed a bit bigger than mine, and smiled again.
"Dear, I need you to listen to me. In two weeks, you and my son will be married, so I need you to pack up and leave for today. You don't have to worry about the preparations; just tell your family to get rest for the wedding of the year."
Her words were as sharp as a knife and encouraging. For some reason, I felt I could trust her words. Evans was left speechless by his mother's unexpected announcement.
I nodded in response to her request and took my bag. Desiring eye contact, fear held me back—the fear of seeing his disgusted and disappointed face. I escaped the horror I was in by crawling out of the place. I finally released a long breath and calmed my beating heart while standing behind the door.
After Roxie left the room, Mrs. Colton hit her son on the head and scolded him.
"That is so uncalled for. How can you be so heartless towards a kind woman?"
"Kind, what is so kind about her? I rejected her, and now she comes to you guys for help. What the hell does she want from me?"
"Fool, when someone offers themselves on a silver platter, do the honors by accepting it with a kind heart."
"Mom!" Evans raised his voice. "What?" his mother asked.
"I believe I am not something you guys can just hand over to someone whenever you feel like it. I have told you several times I am going to marry the woman I choose, not the woman you choose for me."
Mr. Colton was displeased with the tone Evans used to speak to his wife.
"You need to ease up a bit, son; you are crossing the line. Your mom is just looking out for you. And just so you know, she came to us with a clear conscience. Who knows, she might be the one for you."
"Dad, I know who is best for me, and that is Olivia, and it's final. I am going to wash up and leave after."
He walked away, leaving his parents dumbfounded. "It's already been decided you're marrying her, not anyone else," Mrs. Colton shouted behind him.
"Damn that little cold fool; we need all the hands we can get, and he thinks he can throw that away," Mrs. Colton voiced out angrily.
Mr. Colton walked up to her and calmed her down. "Hon, don't bother with him; he is all barks and no bites. He comes around."
She scoffed. "You think so?"
"Yes, I believe they are perfect for each other."
Roxie spent two hours on the road, trying to grasp what went on at the residence of the man soon to be her husband. She entered her room, pulled out her long boots, and threw herself on the bed. Exhausted but needing a shower, she dropped her bag on the floor, took her clothes off, and headed to the shower.
The bathroom filled with steam as the sound of running water echoed through the space. Roxie stood under the warm cascade of the shower, her eyes closed as the memories of an unwelcoming incident flooded her mind. The disgust and hate drawn on Evans's face made her heart ache. Her face tightened, frustration evident as she recalled the hurtful words and dismissive gestures she experienced.
"I can't believe he treated me that way; he made me feel small and insignificant. But it doesn't matter; no matter what, I would not give up on him."
Meanwhile, Evans showered in his bathroom. His thoughts wandered on what just happened.
"Damn it, who the hell does she think she is? I want to let her get what she wants."
He clenched his fists, his jaw tightened with anger as he recalled his mother's decision concerning the marriage proposal.
"Let's not dwell on this; I need to see Olivia. She is the only one I need."
Back in the bathroom, Roxie opened her eyes, the water cascading over her face. She took a deep breath, her resolve strengthening.
"We can do this, Roxie; let's not dwell on the negative aspects and call Oli; she is the best to help me with this."
Simultaneously, Evans turned off the shower, the sound of water fading into silence. He stood tall, his determination radiating from within.
Roxie and Evans, both unaware of each other's thoughts, stepped out of their respective showers, ready to face their decisions for the future.
Time flew as a week passed by, and just as Mrs. Colton promised, she worked towards the wedding, making preparations for her son's wedding with all her might. Unaware of what his mother was doing, Evans continued his daily routine and helped the company finances grow each passing day but kept the media in the dark.
It had been three days since Evans had visited Olivia, so he decided to do so on a weekend to spend the weekend with Olivia.
However, he found himself unwelcome in his beloved house. Standing in front of her apartment door, he rang the bell, and it took longer than usual for her to open up. Nonetheless, she came through and opened the door.
"Why are you here?" The first words she uttered upon seeing his face.
"Huh," confused, he asked, "what's wrong?"
"Aren't you supposed to be preparing for your wedding, Mr. Colton?"
He was in shock. He had tried his best to keep the rumors from reaching her, but it seemed to have failed.
- Writer
