As soon as Isabella walked through the front door, her family gathered around her, eager to hear about her conversation with Sophia.
"So, Isa, what did Sophia say?" her mother asked, barely containing her excitement.
Isabella took a deep breath and announced, "I've agreed to go on the blind date."
The room erupted in cheers and applause. Her siblings high-fived each other, and her parents beamed with joy.
Alexander, her mischievous brother, chimed in, "Oh, Isa's getting married! Isa's getting married!"
Isabella rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Shut up, Alex. It's just a blind date."
But Alexander continued to tease her, singing "Isa's getting married" in a silly voice.
Her other siblings joined in, playfully ribbing her about her upcoming date. Isabella laughed along with them, feeling a mix of emotions: happiness at her family's excitement, but also nervousness about the blind date itself.
Her mother intervened, "Okay, okay, let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's just a blind date, and we'll see how it goes."
But the damage was done. Isabella's siblings had already started imagining her in a wedding dress, and the teasing continued throughout dinner.
The next morning, Isabella was awoken by her grandmother's gentle but firm prodding. "Isa, wake up, dear. We need to talk."
Isabella groggily opened her eyes, still trying to shake off the sleep. "Grandma, can't it wait? I was sleeping so peacefully..."
But her grandmother was insistent. "No, dear, it can't wait. Today's the day you'll meet your potential suitor, and I want to make sure you're prepared."
Isabella sighed inwardly as her grandmother launched into a lengthy lecture on men, what they like and dislike, and how to tell if they're interested. Isabella had heard it all before, but her grandmother seemed determined to drill it into her head.
"Men like confidence, Isa, but not too much. They like a woman who's feminine, but not too fragile. And they definitely like a woman who can cook and take care of the home."
Isabella grumbled silently, feeling like she was being treated like a child. She knew her grandmother meant well, but honestly, she just wanted to sleep in and enjoy her last bit of freedom before the blind date.
But her grandmother continued to dispense advice, barely pausing for breath. "And remember Isa, if he leans in when talking to you, it's a good sign. If he touches your arm or shoulder, it means he's interested. But if he crosses his arms or avoids eye contact, it's a bad sign."
Isabella nodded politely, pretending to take it all in, but really, she was just counting down the minutes until she could escape and start her day.
As she was finishing up her preparations, her mother knocked on the door. "Isa, hurry up, dear! You don't want to keep your date waiting."
Isabella nodded and took a sip of the cup of tea Charlotte had handed her. Just as she was about to leave, her grandmother stopped her.
"Isa, remember, when you're through with the first man, call me and I'll tell you the place to meet the second one. And the third, and the fourth... you'll be meeting ten men today."
Isabella's eyes widened in shock. "Ten men?! Grandma, I wasn't expecting that!"
But before she could protest further, the taxi pulled up outside and honked its horn. Her family seemed to be in on the plan, and they were all smiling and encouraging her to go.
"Have fun, Isa!" her mother said, giving her a gentle push towards the door.
Isabella felt a surge of panic, but it was too late. She had to leave. She took a deep breath, grabbed her bag, and headed out the door, wondering what she had just gotten herself into.
...................
In the dimly lit confines of Ethan's room, a heated argument unfolded between him and his aunt, Ms. Kim. The air was thick with tension as they stood facing each other, their voices raised in a fierce debate.
"I refuse to go on a blind date, Aunt Kim!" Ethan declared, his voice firm and resolute. "I can handle my own love life, thank you very much!"
Ms. Kim's expression turned stern, her eyes flashing with determination. "Ethan, you're 30 years old and still single. It's time you settled down with a good woman. I've found someone perfect for you - intelligent, beautiful, and from a respectable family."
Ethan snorted in disgust. "Respectable family? You mean, someone who'll fit perfectly into your ideal of a trophy wife?"
Ms. Kim's face reddened. "How dare you! I'm only trying to help you, Ethan. You're being obstinate and foolish. You're not getting any younger, and I won't have you ending up alone."
As the argument escalated, Ethan's room seemed to grow smaller, the shadows cast by the dim lighting twisting into menacing forms. It was clear that neither Ethan nor Ms. Kim would back down, each determined to get their way. But little did they know, their lives were about to become even more complicated...
Ms. Kim started to cough, a weak, raspy sound that shook her frail body. Ethan's expression changed from defiance to concern as he rushed to her side. "Aunt Kim, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."
Ms. Kim's coughing fit subsided, and she smiled weakly. "It's okay, Ethan. My COPD has been flaring up lately...stress doesn't help."
Ethan felt a pang of guilt for stressing her out, knowing her chronic obstructive pulmonary disease made her more fragile. He reluctantly agreed to go on the blind dates, only to ease her worries. "Fine, I'll go. But I'm only doing this for you, Aunt Kim."
Ms. Kim's face lit up with a weak smile, oblivious to Ethan's resentment. "Thank you, Ethan. I just want you to be happy. Give these girls a chance..."
Ethan nodded begrudgingly, already dreading the ordeal ahead. He felt like he was being forced into a nightmare, all because of his aunt's well-meaning but misguided attempts to play matchmaker.
As Ms. Kim explained the details of the blind dates, Ethan's scowl deepened. Five different girls, five different locations...it sounded like a never-ending torture session.
With James' help, Ethan was wheeled out of the house, his mood darker than ever. He was only going through the motions, his heart heavy with resentment. What a miserable day this was shaping up to be...