Chapter 4:Wooing His Bride
1228 Words
"Hey, stranger".
“Huh,” I wonder who that is and conclude it must be a wrong number. Just as I’m about to put down the phone, it vibrates again.
It’s Archer, by the way. I got your number from your dad.
I burst out in laughter.
Hey.
I hope I didn’t wake you up.
I haven't slept yet.
I couldn’t sleep either. I can’t stop thinking about you.
That gets me blushing furiously.
Me neither.
Can I call you?
Yes.
I'd barely sent the message before my phone rang, and I picked it up.
“Hey,” his voice sounds husky. I shiver.
“Hi,”
“Thinking about me too, huh?”
“It was mutual,” I replied, covering myself entirely with the duvet, then I closed my eyes. It makes it feel like he’s with me.
“Our thoughts sync. That should go into your con list,” he advises, picking up the conversation from earlier.
“Definitely,” I said solemnly while trying not to giggle.
“And while you’re making your list, you should add good-looking, smoking hot, good genes, and intelligence too, just to mention a few,” he supplies. I couldn’t hold it anymore and burst out laughing.
“Thank you for the comments; I’ll take them into consideration as I work on my list,” I responded.
“You’re welcome. Although, I think you’re going to have a problem with the Pro column,” he informs me.
“Why?” I asked breathlessly.
“Because I’m perfect, of course,” he said boldly.
Another round of laughter rolls out of me, and he joins me.
Q
“God, I love the way you laugh,” he says, sounding breathless, and quickly the mood changes. Or maybe it didn’t change, more like we’ve been trying not to address the tension between us.
“Archer,” I moan.
“I know. I just wanted to hear your voice tonight. Goodnight, Ruby.”
“Archer, you should not.”
“You should get some rest Ruby, you can talk about this tomorrow.” He said, interrupting me halfway, and I could tell that he already knew what I was about to say.
“Goodnight, Archer.” The phone went silent. I guess I needed to hear his voice too.
“One more thing, Ruby,” he said just before the call ended.
“What is it?” I inquired curiously.
“I really want us to work out.” He said, and I felt surreal.
We both know this was an arranged marriage and both parties have something to gain from it. I also remembered telling him about my ex. I believe that should give him enough hint that I was not interested in starting anything serious regardless of the alliance being forced on me.
“Goodnight Archer.” I ended the call just before he could say anything further. I was not interested in having this conversation with him.
I reached across my bed and opened the drawer to get a note and a pen. Sitting up, I made a list.
He was right; I don’t really have anything against him. I fell asleep thinking about him.
Regardless of how I started off with Archer, I just could not shake the feeling that there was no to this. I can't afford to trust someone else again, especially Archer.
I know that whatever happens between us henceforth, I will have to be very smart about it. I can't let my emotions get the best of me again, not after my recent heartbreak.
Waking up from a good night’s sleep, I stretched and fell back to bed.
I was going through my schedule for the day when someone knocks on my door and Maria walked in. That’s weird.
Everybody in the house knows not to wake me up. I usually just go downstairs whenever I wake up.
“Signorina, a package has come for you. You need to sign the delivery.” “Package for me?” I repeated in surprise. I pick up my robe hanging on the chair and wear it.
The moment I entered the living room, I was amazed.
There are thousands of red roses in my living room. I’ve never seen anything like it before. They smell divine and look fresh. I’m speechless. Nobody has ever done anything like this for me before. Nobody. “What’s the noise about?” Papa asks gruffly, coming from his room. When he sees the reason for our gathering, he stops, then smiles smugly at himself.
“Bambino?” He asks. “Is this from Archer?” “I think so, Papa,” I reply.
The delivery man gave me a form to sign, and I did. That’s when I notice a card sticking out of one of the vases containing the roses. I picked it up and opened it. The roses are definitely from Archer. I blush.
“It’s from Archer, Papa,” folding the note and holding it tight. The content was for my eyes only.
“Ah, I knew he was a good one. I did well, didn’t I?” He asks suspiciously. “Yes, you did, Papa.”
“But…”
“There is no but's Ruby. You have to marry him.” My Dad said, interrupting me halfway, knowing fully well what I was about to say.
“Just because he is a good man does not qualify him as the man I want.” I said with a smirk on my face as I went through the letter embedded in the roses.
I remembered that we spoke last night, and he did not mention anything about sending me a package. I knew this was one of the tricks men use in getting a girl to fall for them, but there was something about Archer that I am yet to understand and my father forcing this arranged marriage down my throat is not making the situation any way better.
“What if I refuse to marry him Dad?” I asked, hoping to get a different response from him.
“The Alliance is fixed Ruby, there is nothing you can do about it. The earlier you open your heart to loving him, the better it will be for you.” My father shot back without mincing his words.
I touch the roses and feel how soft they are. Archer didn’t have to send these roses; he didn’t have to try to woo me again. My father had all but finalized the marriage. My saying wasn’t needed.
I had never thought that Archer would even think of sending me some nice gestures. Considering my fallout in my past relationship, I was not expecting any different from Archer. I was ready to go into that marriage to prove my father wrong, not to love Archer but the thought that he went to this large extent just endeared him to me more.
“He’s a good man, Bambino; he will take care of you and give you what you deserve,” he states.
The delivery van drives away, and the workers go back to their various posts. I hear a couple of sighs as they go.
“I know, Papa,” I say softly, still trying to wrap my head around this gesture.
“Then you will marry him?”
- Writer
