Chapter 3
1407 Words
“I’ll marry him,” I said loudly as I pushed the door open.
The room fell silent.
“Are you sure, daughter?” my dad asked, shock written all over his face.
“I’m tired,” I said quietly. “This whole night has been too dramatic, and it’s taken a lot out of me.”
I turned and climbed the stairs, tears blurring my vision as I headed back to my room.
“Did she just say she’d marry Gerald?” my mom whispered, releasing a long sigh of relief.
“Get some rest, dear,” she called after me.
“Tomorrow, I’ll make your favorite.”
She craned her neck, trying to catch one last glimpse of me before I disappeared from sight.
“I knew my sister wouldn’t watch me suffer injustice,” my brother said, a smile spreading across his face.
“Don’t talk like you didn’t just put her in danger hours ago,” my dad snapped.
“Let’s all get some sleep,” my mom said softly, still smiling. “Tomorrow will be a new day.”
The next morning, I woke to the disturbing sound of arguments drifting up from downstairs.
“Can this house go a full day without drama?” I muttered, rubbing my forehead as I forced my sleepy eyes open and climbed out of bed.
“What’s going on again?” I asked, already irritated, as I entered the living room.
“How are you feeling, my love?” my grandfather asked, rushing to my side.
“I’m okay, Papa,” I said, sinking into his embrace.
“I heard you agreed to marry Gerald,” he said gently. “Was that truly your choice, or were you forced?”
“It was my… choice,” I stuttered.
He studied my face. “Are you sure? You don’t sound convinced.”
“It was,” I said quickly, then looked away.
“What’s all the noise about?” I added, changing the subject as I glanced around the room.
“I found the man who saved you yesterday and invited him for dinner,” my grandfather said coldly. “Something your incapable parents failed to do.” He shot my parents a sharp side glance.
“Dad, the issue will be resolved within the timeframe,” my dad said, walking toward us.
“But tonight was supposed to be dinner with Gerald’s family.”
“I agree,” my mom added quickly. “The savior can come another day.”
“You see these two?” my grandfather said with a short laugh. “Completely incapable. That’s why I always knew neither of you had what it takes—perfectly matched in weakness.”
Then his expression hardened.
Turning to them, his voice dropped, sharp and final.
“It’s happening tonight. I don’t care if it means combining a wedding discussion with dinner for our guest. That is my decision.”
His words struck like thunder, shaking the room into silence.
“I think it’s okay, Papa,” I said, walking to his side.
“It’s fine. We’ll figure it out,” my mom added softly, her voice calm but tired.
“I’ll go arrange everything needed for tonight,” she continued, then turned to me.
“And please, go try on the dress before it gets too late.”
“Okay,” I replied with a small nod.
“I have to step out—I’ve got a meeting,” my brother said abruptly before leaving the house.
Outside, he ran to Gerald.
“You got me in big trouble, you know that, right?” Mathew said, his voice tight.
“I know,” Gerald replied calmly. “It was supposed to work out. I don’t know how everything went off track, but trust me—after the wedding, I’ll sort everything out.”
He placed a reassuring hand on Mathew’s shoulder.
“Just trust me, alright?”
“Gerald?” my dad’s voice cut in sharply.
Mathew stiffened.
My dad stood a few steps away, clearly surprised. “You’re here and didn’t think to come in and greet us?”
“I came to see Mathew,” Gerald replied respectfully. “I planned to come in after we finished talking, sir.”
Then he smiled, slow and confident.
“Is Megan in?” he asked.
“Well… she is,” my dad replied cautiously.
“Then, Mr. Marvin—” Gerald began.
“You don’t get to see her until the engagement,” my dad interrupted firmly.
“You’re aware of that, right?”
“Yes… of course,” he replied, a broad smile spreading across his face.
“And you know what we need to talk about,” my dad said carefully.
“I do,” Gerald answered smoothly. “As the one who proposed this arrangement, I’m fully aware of my responsibilities. My company will handle everything immediately after the wedding.”
“Oh, thank you so much,” my dad said, visibly relieved. “Please tell your father I won’t forget this kindness. I’ll do my best to repay it as soon as possible.”
“Of course, Mr. Marvin,” Gerald replied with a light laugh. “You’ll be able to pay it back.
After all, I’m marrying your daughter, right?”
He laughed proudly.
“Gerald has been a great help,” Mathew said, grinning from ear to ear. “I really can’t thank you enough.”
“Dad! Dad!” I called, rushing into the garden in search of him.
“Gerald?” I froze, shock flooding through me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, my mouth still open in disbelief.
“Leave here. You know you’re not supposed to see him until tonight,” my dad said sharply, gripping my arm and pulling me back toward the house.
“Wait!” I struggled against his hold, but he didn’t even slow down.
“I’m coming, Megan,” Mathew said, his voice cracking, like he wasn’t sure he wanted to be dragged into the drama.
“You betrayer,” I muttered under my breath, shooting him one last look before finally giving in to the weight of my dad’s strong grip as he dragged me inside.
When we got inside, he finally let go of me and released a long breath.
“Wow, Dad,” I started.
“What was he doing here? And what was that conversation about before this evening’s discussion?” I asked all at once.
“You’re not supposed to see him, and that conversation is none of your business, okay?” he replied, not even turning to look at me.
“Let the men handle the business,” he added.
“The business I manage,” I said, raising a brow, “or the one you squandered?”
“I don’t have time for this,” he snapped, now shaking with impatience. “Why did you call me?”
“Well… Mom was calling,” I replied.
“Marvin!” my mom’s voice rang out, loud and sharp.
Her eyes caught sight of us from the staircase.
“I’ve been calling you for ages. What’s going on?” she asked.
“I need help with the flowers, and everyone is busy. Only you and Mathew are acting like you’re on a vacation trip,” she added, clearly annoyed.
“I’m coming, baby,” my dad said quickly, rushing toward the stairs. “I’ll be there soon, okay?”
“Only a lioness like my mom could tame that wild old man,” I muttered under my breath.
I turned to leave—
“And you!”
Oh no. My mom’s voice again. What have I done now? I thought.
“Your dress, Megan. Your dress,” she said loudly. “Have you tried it on? Megan, your dress—phew!”
“You’re stressing me like it’s my engagement ceremony,” she added dramatically.
“Mom, calm down,” I said. “I’m going to the dressing room right now. I’m sorry, okay?”
“Okay, okay,” she replied, turning to leave.
Then she turned back suddenly.
“NOW!”
The entire house froze before everyone started running on their toes.
Wild days again, I thought.
I walked into the room.
“Wow…”
I froze in shock at what I saw.
This wasn’t what I was expecting.
- Writer
