Falling in Love with You

Chapter 8 Meeting the Fiancee

Jonathan Pov...

After dinner last night, I invited Jessica to stay at my place to comfort her. Even though she didn't say anything, I know she felt awkward and looked like a fool last night. She tried to be sweet and cheerful, but no one noticed her kindness. It was as if she was a song on the radio, playing to an audience that wasn’t listening.

It’s the weekend, so we’re still lounging lazily in bed. I gazed at her, still asleep and nestled in my arms. Gently, I kissed her forehead and caressed her rosy cheeks. She murmurs at my touch, instinctively snuggling closer to me. I held her tight, savoring the peaceful moment.

"Morning babe!" She beamed, pecking at my chin.

"Morning baby! How was your sleeping? " I asked her.

" That sounds wonderful, babe! Sleeping beside you is so comfortable and relaxing. I can't wait to make this a daily routine with you, Jonathan. " She cooed, snuggling closer to me. I bit my lips, unable to find the words to respond.

"I am too baby!" I cried. Knowing that this dream will not happen if Dad pursues his plan.

We stayed in bed until lunchtime, wrapped in each other's arms. I couldn't shake the feeling that this might be our last moment together. The joy we were experiencing seemed to turn into a burden, growing heavy and painful with each passing minute.

Even though everything feels overwhelming and time keeps moving forward, I continue to date Jessica. As long as I am with her, I’m not concerned about the future.

" Babe, I have a dinner meeting with Dad later. I'll need to drop you off around five. I'm sorry about that," I told her. With her usual supportive girlfriend, she smiled and nodded.

"Alright, babe!" she said with a smile. Every time she smiles while I'm lying, it breaks my heart.

After dropping her off at home, I returned to my apartment to change into something more comfortable and presentable. As I picked out my clothes, I couldn't help but wonder about this special woman I was expected to marry. The question lingered in my mind, making me ponder the significance.

Just as I thought, Dad was reminding me of our dinner meeting.

"Yeah! I am coming, Dad. " I texted him.

When I arrived at the restaurant, I spotted Dad seated with a man whose back was turned toward the entrance, making it impossible to see his face. As I approached closer, I noticed Gertrude making her way toward their table, and just then, Dad caught sight of me.

I'm stunned and rooted to the spot, unable to utter a word. Is this the bride I'm about to marry? I ask myself as my dad calls out to me.

"Jonathan!" Dad called, snapping me out of my trance. I slowly walked over to them, and she was equally startled and stood up with her mouth agape and eyes wide in surprise.

“Is he?” she asked Uncle Homer, her shock evident as he smiled and nodded in response. She sank into the chair, visibly stunned by the revelation.

“Uncle Homer, can I speak with Gertrude for a moment?” I asked, my voice wavering as I swallowed hard.

" Of course, we’re just setting the date. Take care of my daughter! " he said with a smile. I looked at him in disbelief, wondering if he truly believed we could be a couple.

I grabbed her hands and yanked her out of the restaurant. Unbeknownst to me, Dad and Mr. Homer had witnessed the whole scene, and they were pleased by it, while I was seething with rage and feeling like I was choking with anger.

"Gertrude, you know I have a girlfriend, and it's your best friend!" I uttered pissed.

" I know, and this wasn’t my idea either. I wasn’t expecting it to be you! " She explained, though I remained unsatisfied. Unbeknownst to us, Jessica had witnessed the entire exchange and misunderstood the situation completely.

" Then talk to your dad. Tell him I am already engaged! " I pushed her hard to understand.

" Why not tell him now? Dad is straightforward. Just explain your reason for rejecting this marriage proposal because I was brought here to meet the 'best fiancé' he could find for me, that’s exactly what he said. " She spoke with a Stoic demeanor, returning to her usual intimidating presence. I was left speechless, unable to respond to the sudden shift in her behavior and expressions.

" Do you have feelings for me? I heard you made threats because I chose your friend. " I felt I had no choice but to confront her directly. They were skilled at using their presence to manipulate situations. As anticipated, she turned to face me.

"Excuse me! It looks like my intuition was correct. We're not friends anymore, and who said I had feelings for you? " She asked mockingly. I frowned, puzzled by her response. No one knows what lies inside my heart and mind besides one person.

" For the record, I'm not here because of you. I'm here because of our business. Dad needs me, and I don’t need you. If you’re curious, maybe you should ask your father why he suggested we get married. Regardless, it's not my concern to handle. " She spoke with a serious tone, her smile fading as if she were addressing a purely professional matter.

" I have to leave. I can see your banshee approaching, and I don’t have the time or energy to handle both of you. " She said, grinding her heels as she turned away. I was already taken aback by the situation, struggling to understand her words. What could she possibly mean? All I knew was that Dad was always very strict whenever we met Gertrude's father.

"By the way, I'll tell Dad now," she added, halting in her tracks. A sudden wave of worry and agitation washed over me, prompting me to chase after her and grab her hands. Just then, Uncle Homer arrived to pick us up, and Jessica, a few steps behind, stopped in her tracks, clearly surprised by the commotion.

" Are you two still not hungry out here? Come on, let’s go inside. " Uncle Homer suggested, glancing at our nearly intertwined hands. It was too late to pull her hand away now. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Jessica's angry and hurt expression as she watched us.

As Uncle Homer walked ahead, Gertrude yanked her hand away with force, trying to free herself from my grasp. I held on, not yet ready to reveal what I had planned to share with her. Her annoyance was palpable, and despite my resistance, she remained persistently irritated. The tension between us grew as she struggled to understand my hesitation while I grappled with the right moment to speak.

I pulled her closer, and unexpectedly, she twisted her ankle and fell into my arms. To my surprise, I instinctively hugged her to prevent her from hitting the ground, and when she raised her head, our lips accidentally met in a kiss. I was taken aback, frozen in place. Dad and Uncle Homer, who had witnessed the kiss, looked at us with genuine, joyful smiles that seemed almost painful to disrupt. I hadn’t realized I was still holding Gertrude so tightly until I saw her face turn as red as a tomato, her mouth agape in shock. I finally let her go when I noticed Jessica still watching from outside seething in jealousy and anger.