JUST LET ME GO

The Woo

Emily had just seen Fred off, and the day had been a very happy one for the lovers. It was as if their relationship had just begun. She couldn't contain her joy as she stepped inside the door and shut it behind her.

Immediately, there was a knock on the door. "Who could it be? Everyone is at home," Emily's mother thought. She got up from her chair, walked to the door, and opened it.

Standing before her was a stranger dressed elegantly. A sleek black Mercedes Benz was parked in the compound. She wondered who the visitor was.

"Good evening, ma'am," Bryan said with a charming smile.

"Good evening," Emily's mother replied, her curiosity piqued.

"I'm Bryan, Emily's friend," he introduced himself.

"Emily's friend?" Her mother's eyes narrowed. "I have never known you, nor has she ever told me about you."

"Yeah, actually, we met a few days ago. So our friendship hasn't been long," he explained.

Emily's mother thought within herself whether to let him in or not. "Emily, where are you? Please come over; you have someone waiting for you."

"Okay, mom," Emily replied from her room. She stood up, walked to the door, and saw Bryan standing there. The look on her face was displeased, but she pretended as if all was well.

"You know him?" her mom asked.

"Yes, mom, he's Bryan," Emily replied, trying to sound casual.

"You can come in," Emily said, stepping aside.

"Thanks," Bryan said, walking gently into the house. The scent from his body filled the room. The room was a small apartment with worn-out chairs.

"You can have a seat," Emily pointed to a chair.

Her mom had gone to the living room, leaving the friends to interact. Bryan looked around, taking in the interior of the room. It was the complete opposite of his family's luxurious mansion. He sensed that their level of poverty could help him get what he wanted, the reason he had actually come to pay the visit.

"Emily, please call your mom and dad. I need to talk to them," he requested.

"Is there an issue?" Emily asked, her brow furrowed.

"Not at all," he replied with a reassuring smile.

Emily stood up, went to the living room, and called her parents, who were in there with Leo. "Dad, mom, the visitor, Bryan, wants to see you."

They all got up and walked into the sitting room. "Good evening, sir," Bryan greeted Emily's father.

"Good evening," Mr. Thompson replied, his eyes fixed on Bryan.

There was a suspenseful silence. No one knew exactly why Bryan had come to pay them a visit.

"Young man, who are you?" asked Mr. Thompson.

"I'm Bryan, the son of Brandon from Lake Oswego," Bryan introduced himself.

"Oh! Brandon, I've heard much about the family, especially the philanthropic gestures. It's a great family. You're highly welcome," Mr. Thompson said, his eyes lighting up with interest.

"Thanks, sir," Bryan replied, his smile widening.

Mrs. Thompson, Emily's mom, could only be surprised at what could have brought such an influential guy into her poor home.

"So, my son, why are you here?" asked Mr. Thompson.

Bryan cleared his throat and adjusted himself on the seat. He began, "Sir, I visited Williamette a few days ago from the Lake. I've been searching for a girl to take in as a wife, the one that I would really love. The one that can help me succeed as I take over the family business from my dad. For years, I've searched the Lake, traveled wide, but I couldn't see a girl that fits in. Luck shone on me a few days ago when I met your humble and loving daughter, Emily. She's the perfect woman for me; I love her, and I want to take her in as my wife."

Emily was displeased in her seat; she didn't want anything or anyone to stop her affair with Fred. Mr. Thompson and his wife gazed at each other, their faces filled with surprise and interest.

"Young man, please, I'll get back to you," Emily's father said, calling his wife and daughter inside for a private talk.

None of them knew Bryan's true intentions for coming to marry Emily. Though he looked gentle and genuine, there was something else that he actually wanted Emily for, not true love.

"Emily, you heard him right?" her father asked.

"Yes, Dad, but at least, he should have told me first before coming here."

"This is an opportunity for us. It means a lot to be associated with the Brandons," Mr. Thompson said, his eyes shining with excitement.

"I'm sorry, mom; I can't accept him," Emily said, her voice firm.

Mr. Thompson's face looked worried. "Emily, have you gone insane? Here is a man that can change your life and take us from this poverty, and you're saying you can't accept him?"

"Dad, he's a stranger. I know nothing about him. Who knows what his intentions are?" Emily replied, her brow furrowed.

"My daughter, he knows what he wants, and that's why he didn't waste time coming for you. You heard him saying he's been searching for a perfect soulmate and he found you worthy," her father said, trying to convince her.

"Mom, have you forgotten I'm betrothed to Fred? What then happens to Fred?" Emily asked, her voice filled with concern.

"What has Fred ever offered you? Can he take care of you? All these years, what has he offered you? Forget about him, Bryan is perfect for you," her father said, his tone firm.

"I love Fred so much, he is the one I want. My heart craves to be with him every second of my life. I can't just leave him for Bryan, a man I just met a few days ago. Fred has been in my life always," Emily said, her voice filled with emotion.

"Emi, look here. Fred has nothing to offer you. You love your brother, Leo, so much. Wouldn't you want to be happy if his medical bills can be taken care of? Here's a man that can change your life, change this family's poor status, and pay all the bills of your brother. You have to accept him, darling," her mother convinced her.

At the mention of Leo's illness, Emily's heart melted. Truly, the family needed money for his medical bills to be paid, and Fred, a mere small-scale farmer, couldn't afford to pay all these bills. All she could think now was, "Should I accept him just because of my family, or should I resist this temptation and be with Fred, my love?"

As Emily stood there, torn between her love for Fred and the prospect of a better life with Bryan, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She knew that she had to make a decision, but she was unsure of what the future held.