March 11th
{EMMELINE}
I woke up well today, the morning sun shimmered down into my window covered by a satin curtain. It took me a while to get out of bed because of how comfortable I was but I knew I had something to do today. I took a shower and threw something on. I tried to feel comfortable, it was the weekend and I had nothing to do. Well, except what I had to. I had been playing over my head over and over exactly what I should tell my parents about Stefan and the way to say it. However, my entire being shook with fear of them being unaccepting.
I cursed under my breath when I heard a small vibration coming from my nightstand and I grabbed my phone. Stefan and I still had an outgoing call, causing me to smile. He was still sleeping, I could hear him breathing and snoring slightly. How did I get so lucky to meet him? I can't imagine how my life would be right now if I didn't have him. I really think I would've been married to some society bot at this point. Him working five-to-five in an office and me at home patiently waiting for him to return. Yeah... no.
I hung up the phone and put it in my sweat pants' pocket. I was really nervous, I didn't know what would happen after I told my parents about Stefan.... especially my mom. My mom was a lot colder than my dad and definitely more focused on the money part of life. Luckily, she always knew how to earn her own money and didn't depend on my dad. If it were any other way I wouldn't hesitate to call her a gold digger. Her properties and companies make enough money to keep running but she's lost so much money in them too. She's had to, unfortunately, sell more than half her assets and were still falling down economically.
But... They were my parents, right? They're supposed to support me and let me do what makes me happy?
Yeah, definitely.
I walked downstairs and made my way to the kitchen and to my surprise, none of the staff was in the house yet. It was probably grocery day and the kitchen staff was out buying food and the driving staff was filling up the cars with gas.
I made myself some breakfast before I heard footsteps coming from the front door. I figured it would be staff so I ignored it, knowing they'd just come in here and go about their job. I would really love to say that I had become friends with the people that work in my house but surprisingly they don't make any efforts to talk to me or my family whatsoever. Either way. my parents tell me I shouldn't have to talk to them.
I was surprised when I saw my parents walk in. Never in their life have they woke up before seven, so I couldn't even begin to guess where they were. Maybe they were at that age where they want to fall in love all over again and they went on a date. No, normal parents chose "date night" so they can actually get some sleep.
I got up and put my dishes on the sink and walked to them.
"Oh, Emmeline." My mom smiled and I gave her a smile back. She looked down at me in my red tank top and gray sweatpants, displeased. My mom never really paid attention to what I wore, unless I tried walking out the door in lingerie. But we're not talking about junior year of high school right now.
"Good morning," I smiled and hugged them both. "Where were you guys? I have something to tell you guys." I said, getting straight to the point. My heart was beating quickly and I was so glad I was really finally doing this.
"Oh, we also have something to tell you." My mom said and my dad made a face at her. Oh?
"Yeah, we want your opinion on something." My father rephrased but my mother shrugged him off. I nodded with a nervous smile. I was really expecting my parent to give me the news that we were moving into a more affordable home or selling another small business. I even expected to get some good news. Maybe my father finally signed a contract with a good company to get some good profit.
We all sat down in the living room and my mom turned on the TV. She had a really bad habit about being somewhere without the TV playing in the background. I chuckled because Rick and Morty were on. My fault.
My mom obviously changed it to the news and I saw there were things about what everyone was talking about. There have been countless reports on missing government officials and military men. It wasn't something that happened very often but some of the men that were missing were gone for months and no one knew anything about them. How scary can that be? I couldn't imagine.
Apparently the government is on the brink of a war right now. I understand only that President Cauley is having a trail put on himself to take him out of the presidency. Apparently, the rich citizens set up and rigged the election to make him win and everyone who voted against him is protesting and the military has split in half. Some support Cauley, and some want him gone and want Morellos in charge.
People, that work for the government normally have security that carries a good amount of weapons so who could go past that and kidnap those people? I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard my dad speak up.
"Em, we need you to know because we say anything that all we are worried about is your happiness." My dad said, and I could tell he was struggling to find the words. I don't think there was something more horrible and mysterious than this.
"Emmeline." My mom interrupted and she smiled at me. "You're 23, a university graduate, you're gorgeous... you've got it all." She said and I shifted in my seat. Not this again. "But, you're single still. You don't have a husband, no kids.. we just don't know how to help you. We've introduced you to all the young men in our society and you've turned them all down." She said and I felt my mood drop.
"Mom, but all of those "young men" were terrible, immature and would've made the worst husbands. Had I married even one of them I'd be divorced by now." I told her. I have never been so disgusted in my life. Just knowing that my parents want me to get married to save their asses because they don't want to admit we're losing money. Go work and stop trying to give away your daughter.
"Emmeline, don't start this. You know about our... situation." She insisted and I pursed my lips. I shouldn't have to do this. Normally, every other time we sat down to talk about this my dad would at least intrude and have something to say and this time he was silent. I don't know if that made me hate or love him. I loved him because I knew he had worked hard his whole life and now he was too old to do much, but I hated him because it shouldn't be my responsibility to get married so my husband gives me money to spend on my family's company.
"Who is it?" I asked, tears welling up in my eyes. I didn't even know why I was asking, I just.. had nothing else to say apparently. The day I decide to tell my mom and dad about Stefan. They would never allow him and I to be together. Stefan was an amazing man, and I loved him. But he didn't have a good last name.
"Nicholas Aleshire." My dad said, making me scoff. What a stupid name. I shook my head and nodded. No!
I felt like I wanted to cry. "Emmeline, I know you don't want to marry for money. But just meet him, and if he's worth it then please give him one chance. I want you to know that I wish the best for you and you don't have to marry him. Just give him a chance." My dad said and gave me a weak smile. I know that somewhere in his mind he just wished that I would marry for money but he knew he taught me better than that.
"Dad," I said and sniffled.
"Don't, Emmeline. I've had enough of this fantasy foolishness! Love comes after marriage, with spending time with your husband and getting used to being around them." My mom said and stood up from the couch.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Could she really be more selfish? "Conformity. The enemy of progress, mother. Yeah, absolutely not. I don't even know who he is!" I said and stood up, beginning to walk away up to my room. I could hear the door opening and the chatter from all the staff that was barely walking in.
"Well, you're meeting him tonight so get ready!" Was all I heard from my mom before I hopped out my window. It had gotten a little chilly outside, and it made me upset I was wearing this tank top. I walked down the sidewalk and walked all the way to Stefan's house. I can't marry a man I don't love. Maybe they've never worried about me or how I go about my life but I most definitely care.
-
Today just felt like a blur and it seemed like there was nothing I could do to change it. When I went to Stefan's house he wasn't there and I just assumed he was busy working on his training. I was so proud of him because he was finally able to graduate from the academy and have a nice job in law enforcement. It was something he would enjoy doing and would bring him a better life for himself.
I am about to meet Nicholas, which kind of scares me. My parents have definitely mentioned men in our society they want me to marry but I always thought they were joking. Who even does that any more? But they had never actually had any of the guys come over to our house.
I heard an engine outside and I looked out my window. There was a black Range Rover pulling up into our front. I watched as a tall man walked out the passenger seat and gave the keys to our security. I sighed and stepped to the side, giving a long sigh and shaking my head. I wasn't trying to impress him so I wasn't wearing anything special. In fact, I think I'd go to the gym with this. I was just wearing one of my tennis skirts and a shirt. No one said it was formality so it was the furthest thing on my mind. I did wear makeup though, I figured I should look alive.
I got called downstairs and I checked my phone one last time. I couldn't understand why it was taking Stefan so long to text me back. I walked downstairs and made my way into the living room, watching as an older man and woman walked in. "Emmeline, I would like to introduce you to Kol and Persephone Aleshire." My father introduces and I smiled at them.
"Pleasure to meet you, I'm Emmeline," I said and shook their hands.
"You too, darling." Mrs. Aleshire said.
"Please, come in. You must be starving." Said my mother, and we moved to the side and let the couple walk inside and make their way to the kitchen, my parents following behind. I looked out the door and I saw him.
No...
THAT was Nicholas Aleshire? It really couldn't be.