His Rejected Bride

chapter 2: A plan for rejection

Ashley woke up pretty late as she had slept late last night because of thinking about Frederick and how he would react upon seeing her. Her fear of being rejected clouded her mind. Her alarm had gone off for over thirty minutes.

Ashley got out of her bed and dressed it. She laid her mat on the floor and did some stretching out and yoga to clear her mind.

A knock came at the door and her mum walked in.

"Sorry for interrupting your yoga time dear"

"No, it's okay mum. Come in"

"Okay dear", her mum said, sitting on her bed. "Dear, I have news for you. "

"News? What news?

"About Frederick?

Ashley's heart skipped a beat. She could feel her heart race. Was she excited or was she scared?

"Okay, go on" she stuttered.

"Well, Mr Ferdinand Owen, Frederick's father had put a call across to us to inform us about Fredrick's arrival. Your meeting with him will be fixed tonight and the date and time will be relayed to us"

"Oh! That's nice mum. I'm, you know, excited about it " Ashley tittered.

"Okay. I thought it wise to give you this news about your betrothed. I'll be in the kitchen. Care to join me and prepare breakfast for everyone?

"Yes mum. In a bit, I'll be with you"

"Okay darling", her mum patted her back gently and went her way.

After Owen's morning breakfast, Mr Owen invited Frederick and Mr Ferdinand to his office. Frederick was the last to arrive at his office. Mr Owen asked the maid to serve tea, which she did, and excused herself from their meeting.

Mr Owen calmly narrated his relationship with Mr Steven and the promise they had made to each other. Frederick, confused about what Mr Owen said, tried to figure out how it was linked to him, since his dad never married Mr Steven's child.

"Grandpa. I'm sorry, but your story is quite confusing. How does it relate to me? I mean, since the promise wasn't kept because of circumstances, what do you want from me?

"His granddaughter is your betrothed."

"His what is my what? Frederick scoffed. "Grandpa, I believe age is actually catching up with you. How can you say that? Betrothed to whom? This is crazy. Who in this modern world betroths his child to another? This is sick grandpa "

"Well, we did in our world. "

"You guys promised to have your kids get married. I'm not your child. I'm your grandson, therefore I'm not bound by such a silly pact or promise. Grandpa, can't you see? Fate doesn't want you two to be in-laws. You guys are better off as friends, that's why your kids never married their kids. Try to reason with me. Dad, back me up here please. "

"I can't Fred. Dad is right. Yes, circumstances happened, but promises are made to be kept ".

"Dad! But not all promises are meant to be kept. Some are to be broken and one of them is this silly promise "

"You'll meet with her tomorrow at the restaurant where I have already made reservations. You will be nice to her, and you have to get her to like you. Understood?

"No. Not at all. I do not understand anything, grandpa. Grandpa, if this is why you pulled me down here, I'm sorry, I won't grant your request. By tomorrow I'll leave this place and go back to where I came from."

"Frederick Ferdinand Owen! I've said it and it's final."

"I've said it also, grandpa, and it's final. "

"Ferdinand, talk to your son."

"Dad, talk to your father. You can not get me entangled with some silly family, some stranger, some girl from some family all because of a stupid promise. I refuse to be forced to do that. "

"Frederick! Don't speak to your grandpa in such a tone. Do not disrespect him!

"Yes father. My apologies, grandpa, but I won't do that."

"Just one date with her son, do it. Go meet her, please, meet her, just this once, son."Mr Ferdinand requested.

"I can't. I'm sorry . I would love to retire to my bedroom."

"Fred"

"Ferdinand, let him be. I do not expect him to accept our request so easily or jump in excitement. I mean, he's a full-fledged handsome young man who can find a woman for himself. This is pretty much for him and I understand his anger and feeling of betrayal. Do not force him. Let him be, he will definitely come around. "

"Yes father. I'll take your leave then."

"Good"

Frederick recalled he had seen a black power bike. He requested for the key to be brought to him. One of the maids rushed to Chris's bedroom and grabbed the key and returned immediately to Frederick, handing over the key to him.

Frederick left immediately for the garage. He mounted the power bike and wore the helmet and zoomed off. Mr Owen watched him from his office drive off.

"Kids and silly anger issues" Mr Owen said, sipping his tea from his cup.

Frederick drove down the nice nature-designed road. He let the nice wind grace his body.

His phone began to ring, and he immediately parked his bike to pick up his call. His girlfriend, Eloise, was calling.

"Frederick speaking", Frederick said while he balanced his bike.

"Eloise baby speaking to her prince charming." Eloise said

"Okay. What do you want? Some money? I'll send some money to your account."

"Hold on, not that. Where are you?

"Me? I'm with my family in Italy. Any problem Eloise?

"You traveled down to Italy without informing your woman? How rude and ungentlemanly, Frederick."

"My apologies, Eloise. It was urgent, I had to come down to respond to grandpa's call."

"What sort of call dragged my man down to Italy? Tell me."

"Eloise, do not worry. It's nothing I can't handle."

"You're definitely hiding something from me. Tell me, Fredrick, what is it?

"Turns out a lady was betrothed to me even before the birth of my father. Grandpa and her grandpa made a promise to each other that their kids would get married. Unfortunately, circumstances happened, and now I'm going to fulfill that promise with her. They betrothed her to me, before we were born."

"What? That's absurd. What rubbish! Frederick, didn't you tell them about us? That you've got a woman in your life? Fred do not agree to this silly arrangement. Do something. I bet that lady must be reeking of so much debt."

"What do you mean by that? Reek of debt? How?

"Come on, Frederick. Isn't it obvious? I mean why would they still hold onto such stupid promise if they are not neck deep in debt? Of course they are, and they have realized how wealthy not just your family is, but you are also. Look, trust me when I tell you, they are after your family's wealth, and you need to be careful and act fast."

"What do I do then? I'm really out of options."

"Simple. Agree to go on a date with her."

"Hell no! No way am I doing such a stupid thing! I'm not going to go on a date with some silly stranger girl."

"Fred baby, listen to me. I've got an awesome plan. Accept the proposal of date. Show up there either early or late."

"Continue."

"All you have to do is to embarrass the demon out of her. Show her where she belongs to. Insult her and reject her. Tell her that you can't get entangled with some low-life cheap girl like her, and you've got a perfect woman for you, and you're going to go back to your woman. Warn her to stay away from you and your family. Make her feel less of herself. Make her cry, make her feel dejected, that she would have no other option but to plead with her parents to call off the entire thing and break the stupid promise. Tell me, how do you see my idea? Great, right? I knew it."

"Not really. Hurt her feelings, make her feel dejected? Wow, sounds quite." Frederick paused and took a sharp breath and exhaled immediately. "Quite fun to do. I'll do it. I'm going to make sure she swears never to have anything to do with me."

"That's my love."

"I'll hang up now and drive back home. I'm out on a power bike, trying to clear up my head. Thanks for calling and for the brilliant plan."

"You do not have to thank me. I'm your woman and I can't stand by and watch my in-laws take my man from me, never."

"Funny Eloise. Okay then. Take care. I'm hanging up now. Bye." Frederick hung up and quickly put on his helmet. "Eloise is right, let's do this. I'm coming for you, miss whoever you are."

Frederick started the bike and drove back home.

Frederick parked the bike in the garage and hurried into the main house, searching for his grandfather.

"Where's grandpa Mum? He asked his mum.

"In his study room. Any problem son? You look quite tensed."

"No. I'm okay. I'll go meet him."

Frederick ran off to Mr Owen's study room. He came to a halt and took a deep breath, and exhaled softly before knocking on the door.

Frederick knocked twice, and Mr Owen granted him permission to come in.

Frederick slowly opened the door and went in, shutting the door behind him.

Mr Owen was sitting on the couch across the room, reading a book when Fredrick walked in.

"Sir Owen."

"Sir Owen? Really Fred? You hate me that much not to call me grandpa? Still mad at me, I guess. Come sit with me." Mr Owen gestured to Fredrick to join him.

Frederick joined him on the couch. Mr Owen shut the book and placed it beside him and removed his reading glasses, which hung around his neck.

"What? Old man needs extra eyes to read books. Don't stare at me that way."

"I know. I'm not surprised. Just that, I have thought about it after driving down the road."

"About what?

"What we discussed earlier. I've decided to go on the date. Just one date right?

"Yes son. One date. What can possibly go wrong dear?

Frederick smirked and replied. "Absolutely nothing." He smirked again.

"This is perfect news. Your dad would be so excited to know about this. Fred, thank you so much. Your old man can die peacefully."

"Hell no!

"What? You do not want me to die peacefully?

"Not that. I do not want you to die."

"Okay. Good then. I'll call them up and inform them about the latest developments. I'll ask them to send in the best suits for you to choose for your date."

"Grandpa, I've got a lot of good clothes in my box. I'll definitely find the perfect one for the date."

"I know. But new beginnings, new journeys and new relationships deserve a new suit. Off you go while I put calls to some people "

"Yes grandpa. Enjoy your day."

Frederick walked out of Mr Owen's office holding an evil smirk. He was already excited about the date. He can't wait to humiliate the so-called strange betrothed.

Ashley's mum came running down to the living room, yelling Donald's name. She quickly handed over the phone to him.

Donald stepped out to take the call while his wife waited anxiously in the living room.

Ashley walked in from the kitchen and was surprised to see her mum tensed and pacing. She placed the glass of juice she had on the table and went to her mum.

Ashley touched her mum's shoulder, startling her.

"Dear, it's you."

"Yes mum. What is it?

"Your dad received a call from Mr Owen. I hope all is well."

"All is well," Donald said while he walked towards them. "Mr Owen had called to inform us that Frederick has agreed to go on a date with our Ashley tomorrow. They had already made some reservations at some fancy restaurant. Ashley and Fredrick will be going on a date tomorrow evening at the greatest, five-star restaurants."

"Really honey? This is good news. I was tensed back there. Thank goodness everything is working out really well. Ashley darling, you do not stress about anything, okay? You know why? Because everything is going to play out fine."

"What if he rejects me? What if he doesn't like me? I'm pretty scared right here, mum."

"Don't be, okay. He won't. Trust me, for him to accept, he must definitely like you. Just be you and watch everything fall into place, okay dear. Come here." Her dad pulled her in and hugged her.

The next day, Ashley spent her day getting all dolled up. She got her hair and her nails done, while Fredrick was so eager to meet her and reject her as soon as he could.

By six-thirty pm, Fredrick was already set for his date. He looked handsome in the black suit.

He informed Mr Owen he was ready for his date. Mr Owen was happy to see his grandson excited about the date.

Frederick left for his car. His chauffeur was already waiting for him. His chauffeur quickly opened the door of the car and shut it the moment he had his seat.

Ashley stood before the mirror, staring at herself. She looked beautiful in the red silk dress. She took a deep breath and exhaled softly.

"You can do this Ashley, you can."

She grabbed her purse and went downstairs. While she walked, her hair bounced beautifully. Her mum flew a kiss to her, lightening up Ashley's mood, as Ashley's lips curved up in a smile.

"You look dashing and awesome. My daughter looks so beautiful." Her mum praised her.

"Thank you Mum. I should head out now. It wouldn't be nice to keep Mr Frederick waiting. I do not know what his temper is."

"Pretty nice, I can attest to that." Mr Donald said, touching Ashley's cheek. "Have fun dear and be safe."

"Yes dad. I'll head out now."

"My daughter is now a woman." Ashley's mum smiled.

Ashley's car stopped because of the traffic light. A car was parked beside hers. Ashley let down the window of her car, same with the other car, as it turns out Fredrick's car was the car beside Ashley's car.

Ashley suddenly felt her heartbeat increase. She felt a strong aura around her and began to feel a little bit uncomfortable.

Frederick also felt a bit strange. He immediately closed the window of the car and their car drove off.

Frederick arrived at the restaurant before Ashley and was welcomed in by a waiter who showed him to his table.

Minutes later, Ashley walked in and was shown to Fredrick, who was busy with his phone.

"Good evening, you must be Mr Frederick Owen" Ashley's sweet voice filled their space.

Frederick stopped what he was doing with his phone and looked up immediately. He was left slack-jawed and left in shock. Ashley's beauty took away his breath for that moment. He didn't move, all he did was stare at Ashley.

"Does he like me? Ashley wondered while she stood before him. "I hope he does." She mumbled.