21
Proposal
A day or two had already passed, Cloira secretly slipping articles of paper inside the rather large jewelry box I've kept since I was 10. I read through every period and comma thoroughly, making sure I've not missed a single word and information that could be useful. Irritation coursed through my veins. All of these papers yet none of them held what I needed.
I abruptly shut the box as soon as my door swung open. My heart raced at the thought of being caught. The irating face of my cousin came to view, his once playful demeanor is now masked with a ruminative expression. A refreshing sight to see.
"Theios demands for your presence in his study." he said in a solemn tone, his similar eyes never wavered from my own.
I bite my tongue, holding back from scolding him with profanities along with a lecture in knocking, instead I nod my head in acknowledgement before letting him know that I would follow. As soon as he left, I briskly hid the blue colored box under my bed. I fluffed out the covers 'til it kissed the floor. Patting the dust of my shorts, I exit my room.
They'll never know. No one must know. I trust Cloira with my life and I'm grateful of her help; But I asked her to snoop, not to collect useless paper.
I balled my hand into a fist before softly tapping the door that held my father. Twisting the knob open as the mellifluent voice of my father greets me. Glasses perched at the bridge of his nose as he scans through the stack of papers infront of him, scarcely did he look up at me.
"Close the door, darling." I did as told.
My stomach twisted as I reminisce on the last time I was in here. I was informed of being sold to the American mob's heir, he hasn't said that but that's what it seemed like. My thoughts flood with anxious ones, was he here to tell me that I'm now sold off to an auction for sex slavery? I shook my head at the ridiculous thought. Though, it wasn't impossible. Sometimes desperate times call to desperate measures.
"Now," he threads his fingers together before placing them on top of his desk. "I didn't sell you off to sex slavery, Vena." he sighs as he read through my look of despair.
I sit up straighter, "Then, why am I here?"
"You're here because I want you here." I sucked in a breathe as he made his presence known. I hadn't heard the door open nor did I ascultated his footsteps. That's one thing with Stavros Koenig, he only let you hear what he lets you to hear, see what he lets you to see, and feel what he espouses he wants you to feel.
A scintillating object caught my eye. I lean to inspect it further. "Vernamina, are you with us?"
"huh?" I answer absent-minded. "I'm sorry what were you saying?" I avert my attention to my father, only to be faced with Stavros' poker face. Startled, I sunk myself deep in my chair as his nose bumped with mine.
My heart fluttered at his closeness as did my cheeks turned into tomatoes at their unseen redness. A cough from my father, he distances himself from my flushed state.
"Darling, I'm aware of your fondness to Stavros." he clears his throat while loosening his tie, "He's here to ask for-"
"I'm here to solicit for your hand in marriage," he takes hold of my hand and kissed the back of my palm.
Solicit? Marriage? Again? "Why?" the word shoots out of my mouth.
"Darling, what do you mean?"
"It's too fast isn't it? too hurried, rushed, all the synonyms of fast! Stavros," I turn to the man in question. "We haven't even been together for at least a year-"
"So, it's not an issue. Many people have married a partner they've been with for only a week, what's holding you back?"
Arranged marriages was not foreign in our world. It's often practiced by older families, but mine is a modern one! That's why I can't wrap my head around the fact that my father's agreeing to the plans of my boyfriend— Should I even call him that? He hasn't made his presence known and would only call at times.
I'd rather date a rock at this point. This relationship's almost non-existent. I didn't ask for his attention to be mine twenty-four seven, all I asked is a phone call at least once a day and a date for a day. It's not as though I asked for a mansion, two ponies and an island all to myself. Is that too much to ask? I wanted to feel the fluttering of my heart when I see him at my front porch. To have him come and visit my room, then we'd secretly make out as he rushes out the window.
But then again, I'm not normal. My status isn't, my life isn't, the world I'm living in isn't, and all my friends aren't either.
"So, my goddess, Elixir, would give me the honor of becoming your lawfully wedded husband?" Call me paranoid but I could've sworn his voice held a tinge of desperation.
He kneels down on both knees instead of only one. "Please?" he kissed my knuckles.
My mind screamed for me to say no, yet my heart wished to see where it could lead to and if it would catch his attention more. Injudiciously, I wanted to obey my heart. My stupid, dumb heart. I look him in the eye, placing my hand on top of his that held mine. Gears ran in my head as I think of what could be said. What should I say? Yes, if I do, it wouldn't be right. I have my morals, I'm against arranged marriage. Technically this wasn't the case yet it seemed as though it is. I've always expected a proposal to be set on the beach or at a romantic spot, not in the comfort of my father's office.
But, if I decline... Was there a catch?