To the Man I've Been Praying For

A Closed Deal

“What?” Margaret squealed and her face was baffled.

Margaret stood glaring, after hearing her dad telling her that the ‘engagement thing’ wasn’t fake. She rolled her eyes at Felix Martin who was with them in the study room. The party finished earlier than expected.

“So, what’s the deal, Mr. Montagu?” she said angrily, her face frantic. She knew that he was behind this mess.

“Stop it, Margaret!” Mr. Keening demanded. “You’re grown up now so act like one,” he said, sounding too firm.

She was shaken. It was the first time that her dad spoke this way. Ever since- his dad has been nothing but a sweet and caring dad.

“I am Dad!” Margaret cried out. “I am. So please let me know the situation,” she added. She can’t help but stop her tears from falling. She can’t understand a thing.

“Sorry, but I think I shouldn’t be here, Mr. and Mrs. Keener,” Felix Martin said to them, wanting to leave the family to talk about matters on their own.

“No. You should stay. You made this mess so you have to fix this mess!” Margaret chided, her eyes burning.

“Sweetie please,” her mom pleaded with her to stop.

“Mom dad I’m begging you please don’t do this to me,” Margaret kneeled in front of her parents. “Please let me live and do things on my own,” she added.

“Do it on your own? You are living in a scary world, Margaret, and the only thing we can do for you to survive is to be with Felix Martin,” her dad stated. Her dad's words even made the situation worse. “Our decision is final, Margaret,” her dad said clearly, and left the room with her mom.

Her parents always gave her all that she wanted, but why not this time? She and Felix Martin left the room. Felix Martin holds Margaret’s arms and helps her to stand up.

She feels exhausted. For a moment, the room was filled with silence. Margaret thinks of possible reasons and she finds only one answer; it is this man’s doing.

“Tell me everything now. They can’t tell me the reason so I will ask you directly. Why is dad acting strange? Did you blackmail my parents? Or is it business-related? No, dad and mom will not compromise their only daughter for petty things like that.” Margaret asked, her voice being low but controlling.

She looked directly into Felix Martin's eyes. His eyes say a thousand words but utter not even a single word. At some point, she feels tipsy. She only remembers drinking a couple of glasses of wine but can’t control herself. She wants to throw punches at him but she can’t. All she could do was gaze at his handsome face. Margaret’s left hand tenderly caressed his eyebrows; his straight and pointed nose and, lastly, his inviting lips.

“Margaret, are you okay?” Felix Martin said, his face looking worried.

Instead of answering him back, Bella draws her face towards Felix Martin and gives her a peck on his lips.

The light that passes through the window wakes her up. The tulle white curtain dances as the wind go through an open window. The sun basks inside her room. She covered her face with her palm, avoiding being hit by the lights.

“Ouch! My head hurts,” Margaret uttered, feeling some heaviness in her head. She grabbed a glass of water from the side table.

She remembers everything that happened now. All that happened in a detailed way. From that ‘engagement thing’ to the confrontation and that stupid thing she did.

“Did I kiss him?” she asked herself, not believing her memories. “I think I did but that wasn’t a kiss but a peck,” she made sure of herself. “It wasn’t even a big deal to start with.”

She decided to take a shower before meeting her parents again. She wouldn’t stop asking them until they told her the truth. She wears her usual daily attire – a white tee paired with dark denim and classic heels to complete the attire. She often has her hair in loose waves.

“Margaret, the dining table has been set on the veranda,” Czarina said to her.

“Veranda?” Margaret asked.

They only eat there when they have visitors or relatives who have visited them.

“Mrs. Keener told us to set the table on the veranda because the weather is beautiful,” Czarina explained, missing the part that Mr. Montagu is eating with them.

“I’m coming,” Margaret responded, glancing at the mirror.

She greeted and kissed her mom and dad, who were sitting at the dining table. She was about to sit down when she noticed a spare plate beside her seat.

“Are we expecting someone?” she asked.

“Sorry, the call lasted longer than expected,” a familiar voice was approaching them.

She takes a glance at her back. He is there. In fairness, he looks more handsome wearing a casual shirt and khaki shorts. She smells a fresh muscular scent coming from him as he sits beside her.

“It’s okay. Margaret just joined us,” her mom responded.

Margaret didn’t say a single word while they were having their brunch.

“Your mom sets a meeting with a wedding consultant-,” Mr. Keener started a conversation but was interrupted by Margaret.

“Dad,” she stood scowling. “Isn’t it this much? You had just announced and planned my engagement with my knowledge and then now, what? A wedding? Can’t you just please explain to me what’s going on? I just turned 18 Dad! I’m still studying,” she said, holding a long breath.

“It was just a wedding. You can continue your studies, besides no man can be as good as Felix Martin," her dad added.

“Just a wedding? Can you hear what you are saying, dad? Of all the people, I expected you to be the last person who'd say that-” she leaned close and sat. She was taken aback. Her dad, who used to be her protector, looked like he had lost his mind.

“Sweetie, we love you very much and we won’t make decisions that will harm you. Just trust us, especially Felix Martin – he won’t do anything that will hurt you,” her mom said, pressing her palm.

“Mom, how can I understand the situation if you’re hiding something from me,” she said, her voice wheezy. She hurriedly went to her room and grabbed her bag. She wants to go somewhere away from them.

“Margaret wait,” she heard Felix Martin calling her.

“Why would I bother waiting for you?” She hastily responded.

“But you did,” Felix Martin beamed. His smile radiates.

“Ha-ha, not funny at all,” Margaret murmured, giving him a dirty look.

“Can we talk?” Felix Martin asked, his face becoming serious.

“Sure thing. We need to iron things out,” she agreed.

“Then we’ll use my car,” he responded. He unlocks his titanium liquid silver Bugatti Divo and opens the door for her.

Felix Martin is busy driving. She doesn’t know where they are going and doesn’t bother to ask.

A call from Kenneth breaks the silence.

“Ken, I’m sorry I forgot to call you back,” Margaret sounded worried.

“It’s okay. Where are you? I’ll pick you up,” Kenneth insisted. He was curious to death to know everything.

“I am out of the house, maybe we can meet-,” Margaret was interrupted by Felix Martin.

“Ms. Keener, let me just remind you that you have already committed,” he said loudly- as if he wanted to let Kenneth know that they were together.

“Who’s that? Tell me your place and I’ll pick you up in no time,” Kenneth countered.

“Sorry Ken, but we can’t meet right now. I’ll call you as soon as I’m done here, okay?” Margaret was light and honeyed. She ended the call and noticed that Mr. Montagu smirked.

“Who is that Ken, your boyfriend?” Felix Martin asked.

“If yes, will that cancel the engagement?” she responded by asking.

“No,” he replied shortly.

“Do you have feelings for me, Mr. Montagu?” Margaret wondered.

“Is it what will make you accept the marriage?” he counter-questioned.

“Not,” she replied.

“Then there’s no need to talk about it,” he insisted.

Margaret opens the car window and feels the cool breeze of the wind. She never thought that Felix Martin would go to a place like this. She grew up knowing that businessmen’s time is precious. Her dad couldn’t spend a whole day with them due to his busy schedule and when he did, they visited nearby places. But Felix Martin seems to be quite different. He knows that this person is busy but still takes time to drive and talk to her.

He parked his car. It seemed like a vacation home, Margaret thought.

She removed her shoes and walked near the shore. She felt like being comforted by the gentle wind and so decided to enjoy the moment.

In the distance, Felix Martin is sitting on the bench on the waterfront property. He is watching Margaret, who seems to enjoy the beach. I made the right choice, he supposed.

Margaret stayed like that for almost an hour. She just about forgets all her worries. A gaze from afar makes her wake up from this beautiful dream she had. She walks to where Felix Martin is. The mid-50s serve freshly squeezed orange juice and grilled chicken salad sandwiches that look so lip-smacking.

Margaret is about to grab one when she thinks that Felix Martin might harm her.

She frowned. What a waste. She feels hungry after playing with the waves.

Felix Martin noticed her expression. He smiled.

“Don’t worry, it’s edible,” he beamed. He tastes the sandwich and sips the cold drink to apprise her that it is safe.

“Huh? Margaret pretended not to know anything.

“Nothing, please dig in,” he said. He doesn’t want to ruin the mood.

Margaret starts eating. Occasionally, she takes a peek at Felix Martin. He seemed nice, but she knew that looks can be deceiving.

“Tell me about the engagement,” Margaret started talking.

“You and I will get married a month from now,” he answered.

“Don’t give me an obvious answer, Mr. Montagu,” she responded. Margaret gave him an unpleasant look.

“Okay, what exactly do you want to know?” he queried.

“Why did dad come up with such a big decision? Do we owe you? Did you threaten them?” she asked, sounding anxious thinking about the possible reasons.

“Margaret, listen. I am not the right person you should ask about your parents’ decision; they’ll tell you when the right time comes. No one owes anyone,” Felix Martin explained. “And I do not threaten people. That is not my style.”

“If they just want me to get settled, why can't I be with someone I love?” she wondered aloud.

Felix Martin didn’t respond. He wanted to make this relationship work out but decided to draw a line.

“I know what you are thinking about. Don’t take this too seriously. Assumed that it was just a business deal that needed to be sealed for years and when the time came, we could get a divorce whenever we wanted. You can still live your normal life. We’ll be staying under the same roof, but it doesn’t mean we’ll share the same bed,” Felix Martin clarified.

Don’t take it seriously? Was it just a business deal? Her heart ached for a moment. Nevertheless, she didn’t want to entertain it.

“Good then,” she said, her voice deep. At one moment, she thought that he had feelings for her but he didn’t. “But I want it casual and simple. I don’t want this to be remembered by many since it was just a business deal,” she said sarcastically.

She stood up to avoid his stare. Her eyes are tearful.

“I want to go home now,” she added.

No one speaks what’s on their mind. For a moment, there was silence until a call from someone broke it.

Wendi appears from the caller id.

“Where are you? Don’t tell me you forgot our date,” Wendi said from the other line.

“I’m on my way. I’ll be there in no time. See you,” Felix Martin responded.