The Arranged Marriage

The Game Isn't Over Yet

The next day, Shey was startled by a call from Sander.

I knew Maddy had given him my number, but I wasn’t expecting him to actually call. What does this i***t want now???

My voice over the phone sounded different compared to in person because apparently my voice gets a little pitchy on calls. So I wasn’t worried he’d figure out I was pretending to be someone else. Haha!

Me — “Yes, future husband???”

Sander — “Future husband your face!!!! Hey Miss Skin Problems, did you know your nanny is prettier than you??”

Me — “Ohhhh… so you think Maddy’s pretty???”

Sander — “You honestly look more like the nanny compared to her.”

I just smiled.

Oh, Sander… if only you knew 😂😂

Me — “Did you call just to insult me??? What a wonderful trait you have, Future Husband.”

Sander — “I called to let you know that I hope your illness lasts longer so you won’t be able to attend Dad’s birthday. Because I already have a date.”

Me — “Ohhhh, you have a date. May I know how much you paid her???? Just like the old you — you paid your prom date back then because nobody actually wanted to go out with you.”

Sander — “Hey!!!! You’re still rude as ever!!!”

Me — “If I know, you just miss me, Sander. Just admit it already.”

Sander — “You’re wasting my load. Bye!!!”

Whattt???

He hung up on me???

He said I was wasting his load when he was the one who called me 😂😂😂

So obvious. That i***t probably has a crush on me 😂😂 Maybe he has a crush on “Maddy.”

I went downstairs and bumped into Papa.

Papa — “Oh Shey, have you and Sander talked already about the upcoming party at the De Lambert mansion?”

Me — “Yes, Papa.”

Papa — “That’s good. But BonRio just called me saying Sander insisted on bringing another woman to the party. BonRio got furious at him. Apparently, he hasn’t even gone home since last night.”

Me — “I’ll try talking to him, Papa. I gotta go now. Love you!”

Later that day, I was having coffee with a friend at my favorite café when I saw Sander enter with some friends.

Oh no… some of those people know me.

I quickly lowered my cap to cover my face so they wouldn’t notice me.

They sat right behind me, and I overheard them talking about the marriage.

Voice 1 — “Sandz, so you’re really marrying Shey?”

Sander — “That’s just part of the hierarchy tradition, bro. But I can always get away with it.”

Voice 2 — “But she’s beautiful, bro!! You can’t let that beauty go. Didn’t you have a crush on her back in high school?”

Sander — “A crush??? 😂😂😂 You’re crazy.”

Voice 1 — “So the marriage will happen in two years, right? Are we invited?”

Sander — “None of you are invited!!! 😂 Because there won’t even be a wedding in two years!”

Ouch…

So he really was serious about not marrying me.

If that happens, there’s a huge chance his family would disown him. The De Lamberts are the wealthiest French family in the country.

Sander — “Bro… I still believe in LOVE. I still want to marry for love. And that’s what I’m going to do. I’ll only marry the woman I truly love.”

Me — “AMEN!!!!!!”

Even I was shocked at myself for blurting that out loud.

Out of embarrassment, I immediately dragged Nikka out of the café before Sander could see me.

SO EMBARRASSING!!!!!!

Now I was sitting alone in my room, staring at myself in the mirror.

I didn’t even realize I was already crying.

I admit it… what Sander said hurt me.

He really didn’t want to marry me.

He was willing to destroy the arranged marriage between our families just to avoid marrying me.

And suddenly, I remembered all the teasing and insults Sander used to throw at me before…

10 years ago……..