The Heart Never Forgets

Chapter-2

CHAPTER-2

Morris Anderson and his wife, Tina Anderson, are having breakfast. They are quite wealthy. They own two grocery stores in Virginia, a house, and some farmland in the countryside. Lukas is their only son. They raised Lukas with much love and care. They never let Lukas feel deprived of anything. They have spoiled Lukas completely. Because of this, Lukas sometimes behaves a little recklessly. But Lukas is not a bad boy at all. He is just a little pampered. Lukas had never disobeyed his parents. But he is a bit stubborn. If he doesn't get what he likes, he becomes a little insistent.

Lukas is not a brilliant student. Although he passes every year in school, his grades are never good. His father would often scold Lukas about this. Lukas's mother, Tina Anderson, however, didn't pay much attention to these things. She has big dreams for her son. So when Morris Anderson scolded Lukas for his bad grades, Tina would proudly say—

Tina Anderson: Look, Morris, you can't scold my son like this. You know, not everyone is equally proficient in everything. Lukas may not be getting good grades in school, but he is excelling in his guitar class. He plays the guitar very well and sings well, too.

Morris Anderson: Hmm, I understand. So what? Won't Lukas have to manage my business? I will grow old someday.

Tina Anderson: Look, Morris, the time hasn't come yet. When the time comes, Lukas will manage everything just fine.

Today is a holiday. Tina Anderson has prepared all of Lukas's favorite items for breakfast today. Tina and Morris Anderson are having breakfast leisurely. They are sipping hot coffee and reminiscing about their wedding memories. As Lucas pulled up a chair at the dining table, his parents stopped talking and looked at him with very attentive eyes. Lucas was a little surprised to see his parents looking at him like this—

Lucas: Good morning, Mom and Dad.

Tina and Morris together: Good morning, our dear son Lucas!

Lucas: What's wrong with you two? You're suddenly being so nice to me!

Tina Anderson: Have we ever maltreated you? There's a special reason. Can't you see how much breakfast I've prepared for you today?

Lucas: Yes, I can see, it's all my favorite breakfast foods. Thank you very much, Mom. Now tell me, what's the special reason? I want to know.

Tina Anderson: Finish your breakfast first. Then your father will tell you everything. I hope you will listen to your father very carefully.

Lucas: Yes, of course, Mom.

Lucas happily finished his special breakfast with his parents. After a long time, Morris Anderson was being nice to Lucas. Lucas found his father's behavior very mysterious. He couldn't understand what they wanted to tell him. Anyway, the meal was over. Lucas's father, Morris Anderson, slowly wiped his lips and hands with a napkin. Then he looked at Lucas with a calm gaze for a while. Lucas started to feel very uncomfortable. He sat there silently. Lucas's father, Morris Anderson, said—

"Well, you look just like your grandfather. Your grandfather was just as well-built and handsome."

Lucas: Dad, Mom said you wanted to tell me something important.

Morris Anderson: Yes, your mother is right. The things are indeed important. We actually want to talk about your marriage.

Lucas: Marriage! My marriage?? Lucas stared at his parents in great surprise. He couldn't understand what they were trying to say.

Tina Anderson: Yes, your marriage. Listen carefully to what your father is trying to say. There's no need to show so much excitement. Understood?

Lucas: But Mom, I've only just graduated from high school!! I still have so much to enjoy in my life. I have so many dreams for myself...

Lucas stopped speaking as Tina Anderson gestured with her hand.

Tina Anderson: Lucas, we know everything. We are your parents, we won't make any decision that will harm your life, understand? Now be quiet and listen to your father.

Morris Anderson started speaking again.

Morris Anderson: Listen, Lucas, you are an adult now, and these things can be told to you. So your mother and I have decided to tell you everything and help you adapt to the situation. But if you keep fidgeting like this, you won't understand anything.

Lucas: Okay, Dad, alright, you told me. I'm listening calmly. Sorry for fidgeting.

Morris Anderson: How do you feel about Della?

Lucas: Hmm, good. Della is a very good friend of mine. But why did Della's name suddenly come up here?

Tina Anderson: There's a reason.

Morris Anderson: Yes, we also know that Della is a very good girl. She is a very good friend of yours. Your friendship has been there since childhood, and I want to deepen this relationship even more. I have arranged your marriage to Della.

Lucas felt like he had fallen from the sky. He was stunned by his father's words.

Lucas: Dad, I'm sorry. This is impossible.

Morris Anderson: Why is it impossible, Lucas? Isn't Della beautiful?

Tina Anderson: You yourself said that Della is a very good girl. Didn't you, Lucas?

Lucas: Yes, I did. She is indeed good and the most beautiful girl in school. But that doesn't mean I have to marry her. Besides, we only know each other as friends.

Tina Anderson: Many things change over time. Friendship can turn into love, you silly boy.

Lucas: Mom, what are you saying? I've never seen Della in that way.

Tina Anderson: Start seeing her that way from now on. (Smiling mischievously).

Lucas became a little embarrassed. He grumbled to his father...

Lucas: Dad, what's going to happen? I can't take this anymore.

Morris Anderson: Tina, stop, I'll explain to Lucas. Lucas, first, tell me if you are in a relationship with anyone.

Lucas hesitated, looking around. Then he lowered his head and said...

"No, I don't have an affair with anyone."

Morris Anderson: Good, then from now on, Della is your girlfriend, and you will be in a relationship with Della.

Lucas: But why with Della?

Tina Anderson: Because your marriage to Della has already been arranged.

Lucas was now completely confused by his mother's words. He stood up. After staring at his father with a surprised look for a while, he asked...

Lucas: Dad, now I'm really getting annoyed...

Morris Anderson: But what your mother is saying is true.

Lucas: That means you're saying that my marriage to Della has been arranged. Then why don't I know about it?

Morris Anderson: We decided on this marriage arrangement when you and Della were children. Della's family also agreed to it. We had planned that when you and Della became adults, we would arrange your engagement.

Lucas: But Della never told me anything about this.

Tina Anderson: Della herself doesn't know anything. How would she tell you?

Morris Anderson: Only the elders of the two families know about the arrangement. We had agreed that you would be informed about this when you were old enough. And I think now is the right time to talk about this. Lucas: But I need to know why you made such an important decision? Marriage is not child's play.

Morris Anderson: Yes, you have the right to know about all of this. We will tell you everything at the right time. For now, try to find out if Della is having an affair with anyone. Because we don't want our son's future wife to be in love with someone else. After saying these words, Morris Anderson said to his wife, Tina Anderson...

"Come, Tina, let's sit down and watch a romantic movie. Lucas knows what he has to do now."

Hearing the words "future daughter-in-law" from his father, Lucas felt a shiver. He suddenly felt Goosebumps all over his body. This was the first time in his life he felt this way, thinking about Della. So, has he started to fall in love with Della? (Lucas's face turned red with embarrassment.) It's worth mentioning here that Lucas's parents love watching romantic movies. They also watch action movies occasionally. They both like to think of life as being like a movie.