Warriors Mate

3- Time To Go

To say I was stunned was an understatement. What just happened?

“Jason…” I faltered. Not sure just what to say. “Did you just propose marriage or a business arrangement?” I really wasn’t sure what it was. 

“Aria, my love, be mine and we can have it all. Power, wealth, the status we deserve. All of it. Just say yes.” His gleaming smile never faded. So sure of himself and without hesitation he continued to smile at me as if it was all I needed. 

“Please stand up, Jason.” 

“Is that a yes?”

“No! It is not a yes! Can I please talk to you, alone?” That is when his smile wavered a bit. He didn’t get the answer he wanted. He stood quickly embracing me and started to dance slowly not wanting to alert anyone something was wrong. The guests nearby didn’t know if I had accepted or not and the puzzling looks said just as much. Nevertheless, each couple paired off to join us in the dance as we swayed to the music that had now become almost eerie sounding. 

He leaned in slowly to my ear. “Your father assured me this was a done deal. He said he spoke with you, and you understood this is for the best. For our families to join and create a dynasty like no other.” Anger radiated from him in waves. I have never seen him angry but now, hearing the cutting words and the way in which he spoke to me was putting a fear like no other in me. His illusions of grandeur were insane. He held my left hand in his right, but his left arm curved around my waist holding me so tight it felt like a vice was holding me in place. 

“Jason. Please let me go. You are scaring me.” I realized I was trembling. There was barely a breeze, and it was most definitely not cold. “I don’t know what my father told you, but I am leaving tomorrow for Oregon. I do not want to marry you. I want love, and happiness, not a business deal. Don’t you want the same?” 

Jason pulled back, stared into my eyes, and scolded me just loud enough for me to hear. “You never have been very good at following directions. And now look at what you have done. You are ruining your makeup. You will need to freshen up before any pictures are taken. I can’t have a photo of my fiancé with her mascara running down her face, now, can I?” I hadn’t noticed I was crying, but, sure enough, tears were running down my face. Jason handed me his baby blue handkerchief from his coat pocket. I dabbed at my face lightly all the while Jason never loosened his grip. 

“Yes, I love you. I need a family to carry on our family names and build our empire farther than just Santa Clara and San Francisco. Don’t you want the same?” 

Was he serious? “What is my favorite color?” 

He stopped swaying and stared at me. “What?”

“What is my favorite color?”

“I don’t know. Probably the blue color you are wearing right now. What does it matter?”

“Wrong. When is my birthday?”

“I see what you are doing. We will have plenty of time to get to know these things later. Stop this nonsense. I don’t need you causing a scene on the day of our engagement. Say yes and we can all enjoy ourselves. You are being petulant.” 

“You don’t know, do you?” It was my turn to be aggravated. “It is in April. You have been invited to my birthday party every year since the fifth grade, yet you can’t remember it and want to marry me? You don’t know anything about me so how could you possibly say you love me? Why do you want to marry me?” 

It was so quiet; I hadn’t realized I was yelling until I looked around at the startled faces of the guests. The music had stopped and even the staff were wide-eyed with curiosity. 

Gigi walked through the crowd, her hair neatly pulled up and her apron spotless. She reached for me with one shaky hand. “Come Aria. I believe we need to get you freshened up.” Her motherly smile comforted me as I reached for her. Jason roughly pulled me back to him at the last second. 

“This is not done, Aria. You will be my wife. You will be mine and there is nothing you can do to stop it. Just say yes so we can get on with the arrangements.” he growled at me. 

I looked to Gigi and back to Jason. I was done with this nonsense. Giving him my best smile, I simply said “Goodbye, Jason. Thank you for coming.” 

I walked away from Jason for what I would hope would be the last time. Gigi guided me through the crowd as the musicians started to play again. Behind me, I could hear Jason laugh off the encounter as nerves.  Chatter started among the guests and servants offered refreshments. It was like nothing had happened.

Gigi led me to the washroom off the kitchen and proceeded to rinse a cloth with water. “That was quite a surprise, I must say.” Gigi said as she passed me the washcloth. “I wasn’t expecting that buffoon to propose. He is not right for you. I have said it before, and I will say it again. What was he thinking, proposing before the entire party? That man has no sense at all.” She was on a rant, and I was not going to stop her. “The nerve! To think he was worthy of my sweet Aria. Not even close! He may be smart and handsome, but he doesn’t have a sincere bone in his body. He would never know what you need to be happy.” Gigi took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I feel much better now.”

I couldn’t help but giggle at her. She was adorable when she was on a streak. Her full cheeks jiggled as she went on the release whatever it was that was bothering her. And Jason bothered her. He had been at our home many times before and could not see why I treated Gigi like family. In his eyes, the staff was the staff. Nothing more. 

“I am so done with this day. It started with a headache, and it will end with a headache. I don’t want to go out there again. Gigi,” I say turning to her, “I think it is time to go.” 

She nods her head slowly, eyes shining with new tears. “I know what you are saying, dear. I understand. I think it would best to go while your father and Jason are busy at the party.” She heads for the washroom door. “I will prepare some food for your trip. I was going to do this tomorrow, but you never know what kind of food you may find on the road.” Gigi turns back to me with one last teary smile and slips through the doorway leaving me to my thoughts. 

I have already packed most of the things I am taking on my trip. Movers are scheduled to retrieve the rest of the things I want to be shipped to Oregon. One day is not much time, but one day could be a lifetime. I stand and head up the back stairs to my room. In just a short while I will be on the road heading north. 

It is time to go.