The Arranged Marriage

Sander — “Why are you so ugly?” Shey — “Why do you act like you’re so handsome???” Sander — “Because I really am handsome.” Shey — “Wow!!!! If I were a guy, I’d be more handsome than you!!!” Sander — “Really???? Then why does nobody court you???” Shey — “Because I’m choosy!!” Sander — “You’re still choosy looking like that???” Shey — “Ouch, seriously!! You’re so harsh!!” Sander — “Because the TRUTH REALLY HURTS!! 😂” Shey — “Damn you, Sander!!!! You’re so full of yourself!!!!!!!!” Sander — “Ugggllllyyyyy!!!! 😂😂😂😂” Yes, that scene happened 10 years ago… And yes, I’ve changed. Like, CHANGED so much… And this is my story… Papa — “I have arranged for your marriage to Sander de Lambert. It will take place two years from now. Besides, you two already know each other since you’re childhood friends. Starting now, you need to go out and date each other." Me — “But Papa!!!” Papa — “I’ll have you brought to their mansion today so you can meet and talk. Maddy, your new nanny, will go with you as your chaperone.” Me — “But Papa!!!!! Why do you—” Papa — “By the Blessed Virgin!!!!! Mary Sheivanna, don’t question my authority!!!! I will not stand for any more of your opposition! The marriage has been arranged and cannot be undone! Sander is already waiting for you at the mansion, and he knows Maddy is coming with you.” Arranged marriages were what daughters were for… at least daughters of wealthy French men. And yes, my dad is French. Arranged marriages were nothing new in our family. But I was never going to marry Sander. Sander was my childhood BEST ENEMY… De Lambert Mansion… (Shey's POV) Wow. Just wow!! Their mansion is even bigger than ours. Well, why am I even surprised? The De Lamberts are insanely rich in France. So many things have changed in this mansion too. It’s been 10 years since I last came here. I stayed in France for 10 years, but my personality is more Filipino since my mom is Filipina. I was walking through the hallway when I heard two people talking nearby. I told Maddy to wait for me in the visitor’s lounge outside the mansion. I overheard their conversation… Voice 1 — “Dad, I cannot marry that ugly duckling!!!! I can’t imagine myself marrying that Humpty Dumpty chubby Chucky!! This isn’t some fairytale where she suddenly becomes beautiful after a kiss!!!!” Ohhhh… this sounds very familiar… very, very familiar… So I moved closer to hear more of his insults. Voice 2 — “Sander!!! I didn’t raise you to be such an uneducated monster!!! Shey is very different now. You need to see her. And whether you like it or not, you’re going to marry her!” Ahhh… so I was right. Sander was still the same old Sander. Still ridiculously full of himself and annoyingly arrogant. So he still hadn’t moved on from calling me “Humpty Dumpty Chubby Chucky”??? Seriously??? And now he called me an ugly duckling too??? That shameless jerk!!!! Maybe he wants me to shove my current face into his eyes. Hello?! There’s no more Chubby Chucky. This is the new Mary Sheivanna Lacarte with a silent “E”!!! I don’t wear eyeglasses anymore, so expect expensive contact lenses. I don’t have pimples all over my face anymore because I already survived my awkward adolescent phase. And nobody calls a 34-24-34 body “chubby”!!!!!!! Sander — “Okay fine, I’ll meet her, Dad. But don’t expect me to like her.” Uncle — “Go ahead, son. I think she’s already outside. Good luck, son. Be nice to her.” I heard footsteps coming closer… It was too late to hide because there he was standing right in front of me — God Sander De Lambert… the god of arrogance!!!!!!!!! I was caught off guard. Sander was standing right in front of me!!!! Sander — “Oh wow!! Do I know you????” Me — “Huh???? Ahhhhh… I’m…” Sander — “You must be Maddy!!!! Shey’s nanny, right????” Me — “Huh?????” Sander — “You don’t look like a nanny though… just between us, huh?” (he whispers) “I think you’re prettier than your boss 😂😂😂” Me — “Ahhhh… uh…” So he thinks I’m Maddy??? Hmmmm… well, this is going to be a fun game. Okay, I’ll play along. Sander — “Anyway, is she outside already?” Me — “Hmmmm… No, Sander!! I mean no, Sir!!! Ma’am already went home because she… ahhh… because her stomach hurts.” Yes, I had to lie. I had to pretend. So I might as well commit to this role!!! He started this. I quickly called Maddy, who was waiting in the lounge, and told her to go home so I could fully begin my roleplaying. Bwahahaha (insert evil laugh) Me — “Hmmmm Sir, I heard you’re going to marry Ma’am Shey. Are you okay with that?” Sander — “Okay???? You must be kidding me. Hahahahaha. I’d rather die than marry that ugly duckling.” Me — “Then go kill yourself!!!” Sander — “Whaaatttt?” Me — “Sorry, Sir… what I meant was… it’s not right to kill yourself. Besides, Ma’am is actually nice…” Sander — “Nice?? Her personality is just as ugly as her face.” Ugh!!! I was doing my best to hold my temper. This Sander is seriously shameless… ggggrrrr. Sander — “Maddy, next time I visit the Lacarte mansion, can you entertain me instead? I might throw up if I see your boss.” Me — “You’re more disgusting.” Sander — “What was that, Maddy?” Me — “Hmmmm… I said don’t worry, Sir. I’ll take care of it!!!!” You’re the pitiful one, jerk!!!! I wanted to add more, but I stopped myself. I needed more patience… Me — “Hmmmm Sir, I should go home now. Ma’am texted me saying she’s not coming anymore.” Sander — “Oh good!! Tell her I hope she never shows herself again 😂😂😂” Me — “There’s no such thing as forever, Sir. So you’ll still meet again 😂” Sander — “That was smooth!!! 😂” Me — “Of course!!!!” Sander — “Maddy, thank you, huh. You made me smile today.” To be fair, the i***t was a gentleman. He escorted me to the gate and even had their driver take me home to the Lacarte mansion… well, technically OUR mansion. This roleplaying thing is actually fun 😂😂😂😂 To be honest, Sander still looked as good as ever. He was still incredibly handsome and unbelievably arrogant 😂 Actually, when we were younger, Sander and I got along really well. Everything only changed when I developed a crush on his best friend, Brandon. I was 15 back then and entering adolescence, so I started getting pimples. Sander teased me endlessly, and I got too embarrassed to face Brandon anymore. I was also a late bloomer, so I only got my first period at 15. After that came my “Chubby” era. Because of my frustrations with myself, I decided to go with Mama to France. Eventually I liked it there, and time helped me change. So after 10 years… I bloomed beautifully. 😉 Papa — “Oh hija, how was it? Did you meet him?” Me — “Yes, Papa… and I’m enjoying his company.” Papa — “See??? I told you to trust me on this. I already knew from the beginning that you two were meant for each other.” I almost wanted to throw up after hearing Papa’s words. How could I marry someone who was the definition of arrogance??? Earlier he literally said “I’d rather die”!!! So annoying. But I have a plan!!!! I’ll do everything to make Sander even more turned off by me 😂😂😂😂😂 so that the wedding will never happen. Bwahahaha (insert evil laugh again)