Dad: We're planning to join your hands in marriage.
Ashton:... What?!
They want me to get married?! And to my ex?! That's why Christian was hesitant to break it to me!
Dad: Looks like you still don't know to control your tone.
Ashton:...
He comments in an irked voice and I look away from him. This old man has never liked me, why would he be bothered about me getting married? He just considers me as a disgrace to our family name. What's he scheming now?
Wait, both of our families are very close on terms of business. If Kate and I were to elope, it would be beneficial for both the business companies. This is not a marriage, this just a business transaction!
This man has abused me physically and mentally since my childhood and still expects me to go along with his plan? Fun fact, I say,... NO.
Kate's Father: It will be easier for you both to adjust since you both are already know each other. What do you think?
Ashton: I...
Honestly? Honestly, NO, nu-uh, never!! I don't want to get married not because she's my ex girlfriend or because it's my so called father arranging it for me but, for the simple reason that I'm not ready to settle down yet.
Dad: Well?
He won't hear me say 'no' to anything. I look back at him.
Ashton: Can I... think about this and come back to you?
Dad:...
He glares at me but I don't break eye contact. Nobody says anything. The air in the room feels heavy. You could cut the tension in here with a knife. My mother is the first one to break the silence.
Mom: It's not like the wedding is tomorrow, you can take your time to think it over. I know it's quite sudden.
Kate's Mother: Why don't you both go outside and catch up while we discuss the details?
Ashton:...
Her one sentence tells me everything. They've already made their minds and won't take 'no' for an answer.
Kate: Won't that be lovely!
Kate exclaims in a cheerful tone. Wait, what? When did she become so sophisticated? Kate gets up from her seat and walks over to me.
Kate: Shall we head out?
Ashton:.. Sure.
We both leave the room and as soon as we shut the door, we both heave out a massive sigh.
Ashton: Huh?
What's wrong with her? She was so collected back there.
Kate: Ah, sorry if I creeped you out with the whole 'elegant lady' act.
Ashton: There no 'if' there, y'know.
Kate: Heh, 'guess so. That's what years of etiquette lessons do to you.
We both start walking towards the garden.
Ashton: I did expect this. I mean, can you believe it? Meeting you after years in my... parents' house only to discuss our arranged marriage... Don't you think it's almost unreal?
Kate: Tell me about it. If I were you, I wouldn't know what to think.
Ashton: What?
That sounded a little off.
Kate:.. Nothing.
Both:.....
What do we talk about? Wait, she didn't say anything about the whole marriage thing back there. It looks like Kate's already agreed it. But, why? She's never been the type to agree to anything that would go against her will.
Ashton: Why did you agree to the whole thing?
Kate: I had to.
Ashton: What do you mean?
Did her parents force her or something?
The staff opens the garden door for us and we step outside. The scent of blooming flowers tickles my nose. They didn't plant roses even after I left, that's good (because I'm allergic to them). Kate starts walking ahead of me.
Kate: You remember I told you how I ran away from home so that I could have the experience of earning my own living?
Her long, blonde hair sways with the wind. Her midnight blue dress flutters elegantly. The afternoon sun makes her look as though she's glowing as she walks slowly towards the flora. The scene itself looks like it could be a beautiful painting. For a moment, I'm in trance but, quickly snap out of it.
Ashton: Yeah, what about it?
Kate: I lied.
She halts and turns her head back to look at me. Her big, blue eyes stare into mine in a steady gaze. She parts her rose red lips slightly.
Kate: I ran away because they were going to force me to marry someone I barely knew. I thought I could finally live the way I wanted to after I left the city but, they hunted me down and forced me to come back.
Ashton:...
Kate: I've been dodging them for years but, when they heard you came back, they immediately reached out to your parents and introduced the idea to them. Before I knew it, they had everything already planned. They won't listen even if either of us disagreed.
Ashton: So, you agreed to the marriage because you couldn't stall them anymore?
Kate: That's part of the reason, yes. But, my main concern has always been that I don't want to end up with some stranger. When I got to know it was you, I didn't have anything to refute.
What she says really puts me in a tough spot. If I refuse to go along with it still, she'd be hurt.
Ashton: Don't take to heart but, I really can't marry-
Kate: Face it Ashton, we have NO choice in the matter.
She interrupts me before I can complete my sentence. She's not wrong but, after what that old man has done to me, I don't even consider him as my father. Why should I follow what he says? He would've been much happier if I was never born.
Ashton:... If he really wants to make a business transaction, why doesn't he marry Leah off?
But, of course, he would never do that; he loves her as though she was his own daughter and to him I, who is his own son, is like an outsider or an animal on whom he can vent his anger on.
Kate: She's too young.
Young?! THAT'S the reason why he won't use Leah over me?! I'll tell you what, marrying someone off who's legally eligible is one thing and abusing a toddler till he reaches his teens is a very different thing!!
Ashton: I don't care, I'm not going to give myself in in this loveless marriage.
Kate:... Have you ever considered my feelings over this?
Ashton: I..
I look away. I did but, I just can't go along with this. It's because hearing the word 'marriage' itself reminds me of someone who's engaged and it makes my heart hurt. Kate walks over to my and takes my hands in hers.
Kate: We can keep this marriage secret until you're ready. If you turn it down, they'll make me marry a stranger sooner or later. Can you not do this for my sake at least? Did those 10 months mean nothing to you?
Ashton:...
I look away, not being able to meet her sorrowful gaze.
Kate: Emperor Group isn't doing it's best right now, since you're not planning to take over the business after your father, what other alternative does he have except seeking help from Intel-Corp?
My father established the Emperor Group in his early 20s and Mr. Bleu, Kate's father over threw the CEO of Intel-Corp and took over it around the same time. Even though Emperor wasn't as old and experienced as Intel-Corp at that time, my father singlehandedly rose it at the top and over Intel-Corp in the matter of months.
To think that the business that soared in its early ages is facing the slightest bit of trouble is threatening. If it gets too vulnerable, anyone can take over it. What would my family do then..? As I fall into a dilemma, Kate speaks up again.
Kate: So, what's your answer?
There's nothing else that I can do if means that I'll have to sacrifice my own pride before him. There's no use hesitating anymore either. I take a deep breath to calm my nerves and open my mouth after reconsidering everything.
Ashton:... I accept it.