"So, Megan, what is the career that you are going to pursue?" Grandma asked. Her tone was stern and powerful, which made everyone look up at her from their plates. "I am a fiction editor at the moment. I wish to be an author someday," Dylan and everyone else at the table smile at me in approval, except grandma, which made me uneasy for a moment.
"Do you think a Hills girl can sit in a room with a few papers and a typewriter all day? How will you be able to take care of the affairs of the house?" Her questions were directed at a direction that Dylan never mentioned about, and I was a little confused about where she was going with this; I looked at Dylan questioningly as I wanted a bit more information on the situation before I could respond.
Dylan looks at me, nervousness reflecting through his features. I gave him a little nod and replied, "Grandma Hill, with all due respect, I wish to pursue any career I want and still create an identity for myself as a future Hills girl."
Grandma kept staring with her piercing eyes at me for while as everyone anticipated her response before responding to my words themselves. 'She had full control over her family,' I thought as I kept looking at her and then at everyone. To my wonder, and to everyone's as well, grandma's lips stretch into a smile making my eyes question whether I was hallucinating for a minute.
"That is exactly what is expected from a Hills girl. Each one should leave a print behind to have the next one follow and create their legacy." Grandma said with a smile as she looked at Dylan and his parents. Dylan held my hand from under the table and smiled. I couldn't help but blush as his eyes kept drifting from my eyes and my lips.
"If that is what you think, Megan, then I have a proposal to make," Grandma announced, taking away all over smiles with just one sentence. Dylan and I turned our eyes at her, so did everyone at the table. "What is it, gran?" Kizzy asked as she sipped her white wine.
She looked at Kizzy briefly and turned her face to mine as though she was going to launch a missile that will destroy all of our lies in one go. "Well, you and Dylan must get engaged on the anniversary day of Dylan's parents. And next coming months, we will have your wedding where I will write off the estate in Dylan's name, including all other rights."
It was a missile that nobody saw coming, including his family. His mom gasped as she looked at her mother-in-law in complete disbelief. Kizzy looked at us, scanning our expressions. Dylan was in shock as he knew all his plans were gone underground even before it could take off from the ground.
"Is there a problem?" Grandma asked after a few moments pass. "Are you serious? It is too early for me to decide that, gran!" Dylan said as he knew, legally bounding in a relationship is far from the deal that he had made with me. I didn't know how to respond either.
Grandma smirked, looking at Dylan, and said, "Unless you have someone to decide for you, you are not going to do it. You love Megan, don't you? And she seems a good fit for our family. I have decided, and this is final."
Richard wanted to defend us, but he knew anything he said, will be used against him, especially in the case of Dylan. We sat there trying to get our head around it as the moments passed in silence. We came to an end of the dinner when grandma announced that she was done eating and got up from her seat.
It was another rule that unless the head of the member gets up, no one else could leave the table. Dylan lived in such a sophisticated environment that I felt sad for him that he couldn't live a life like normal people, making their own choices and suffering by themselves if things go wrong.
Dylan and I took a moment away from his family as they all sat down in the living room except grandma, who retreated into her room to rest. Dylan took me to the left-wing of the house, who also had his room there. Walking through the corridors reminded me of the mansions that are featured in historical movies. And, Dylan's face was moody than it ever had been, with a good reason to be upset about.
"Dyl! You okay?" I asked as we entered into an open hall which had been arranged like an office room cum library. He walks over and sits on the couch, that overlooked a shelf full of books from up to the ground. I joined him and sat next to him. "I don't know what to do anymore, Meg. I can't ask you to do any more than you are already doing. This is already a lot."
I didn't know what to say to that, but I knew he was too emotional at this point. His grandma is being too hard on him. And forcing him to get into a marriage. That too so soon, with someone can take a toll on anyone. "Dyl, I think you need to think through this once more. I know it's a lot, and we can talk about what to do, but she is partially right for caring too much for your future."
Dylan looked at me, shocked, "what are you saying, Meg? You will marry me as you agreed on a fake relationship? That is more complicated than you think. Hills don't believe in divorces, and that means you will be bound to me for the rest of your life." His words were for some reason, didn't make me panic or back away in fear. I wanted that somewhere in my mind.
"I don't know, Dyl! But we will figure it out as always. Like always. You don't worry, okay?" I said with a smile. I couldn't see him sad like that, and his hopelessness was seeping through in his words, which made my heart ache even more. He leaned a little closer almost suddenly that I didn't expect at all. I kissed him back as if begging to see what he is missing.
He had all he wanted right in front of him. He was just not seeing it across the veil that he had drawn between him and everything else. He is hurt, and I love him with each second that passed with him. I nibbled his lower lip as I breathed in his scent, completely forgetting where I was and what I was doing.
He leaned over me as we kissed each other, tasting every ounce with such passion. I pulled back a little as I looked deeply into his eyes. I didn't know what took over me at that moment, but my thoughts became words for a moment where I had no control and said, "I love you, Dylan! I love you more than my life right now, and I will do anything for you."
Dylan stared at me for the moment as I came back to my senses, and I realized that I fucked up once and for all.