POV: ELLE
The living room was huge with a Chandelier dangling in the middle of it. The wall was painted in blue and white with artistry design on them. It was beautiful. We were led to the dinning room, it had a long table with five chairs at either side of the table. Different kinds of food and drinks sat on top of the table that this could count as a feast.
Mr caddel sat at one end while my dad sat at the other, their wives sitting beside them. A blonde girl came down few seconds later dressed in a long black sleeveless gown. It was obvious she was a Caddel because of her strong resemblance to Mrs Caddel. She gave a small greeting, and sat beside her mom, Mason sitting beside her. Dylan sat in between my mom and I. With the sitting arrangements, Mason's and I sat opposite of each other.
It was awkward. I didn't know what to do with my eyes. I kept looking at everything and everyone except him.
"I hope you all enjoy the food. Elle I made the spaghetti and meatballs specially for you. I called your mom and asked about your favorite" She said smiling.
I couldn't help but return her smile. That's thoughtful of her. "Thank you Mrs caddel"
"Oh call me mom, you'll soon be married to my son. Mrs Caddel sounds too formal" her smile still present.
"Of course, mom" I said while attempting to serve myself.
"Don't worry about that, Mason will take care of it." She said turning to him. It seems she communicated with her eyes because Mason's features tightened a little before turning and serving me.
"Thank you" I told him.
"It's fine" he said and took a spoonful of chicken rice. I don't know if he did that to end any further conversation or he was just hungry. Lia's smirk after looking at him made me believe its the former.
Silence followed as we mentally agreed on table manners. The sounds of spoons, forks and knife clashing as they fought for who would go into the mouth.
Dessert was served; cakes, pies, ice cream and pudding. I was honestly looking forward to this part of the dinner.
"We've picked a date for the engagement. It on the 4th of next month, march. The engagement will be held at the grand hall, where the Off-Limit party is held at" my dad stated.
"The invites have all been sent as well as the arrangements made. The only thing left are your outfits. Everything else is taken care of" Mr caddel said.
"Wait, are you four in a groupchat or something? How and when we're these arrangements made"? Mason said in a surprise tone.
"We want the marriage to happen as soon as possible. The tension has greatly reduced over the years but we don't want to take chances." My mom said.
"Well, at least you have the marriage to plan. Give me a call if you need any help Elle" Lia said surprising me and by the look on her family member's faces, them too. I was expecting her to be closed off but I guess not.
"Thank you, Lai. I'll be sure to do that" I said after a few seconds.
"That's settled then. Set a date, both of you, to pick an outfit" My mom said.
"I know you both want an alone time to talk and catch up, so why don't Mason take you on a house tour?" It was Mason's mom. I'm very convinced she's the biggest fan of this marriage.
"Right. Let's go Elle. If you don't mind". he said getting up.
"I would love to, please excuse us" I said following mason upstairs.
POV: MASON
It was suffocating. Everything was suffocating.
When I saw Elle for the first time after all these years, I couldn't take my eyes off her. All my childhood memories with her came like a slide show.
She was beautiful, that much I'll admit.
I wasn't paying attention to the exchange of greetings between my parents and hers. Don't get me started on those flattering my mom has been doing. I wanted to puke.
Serve her food? I'm not her fucking personal chef!
But of course I had to comply, not in front of the elders. When my mom had suggested touring the house with Elle, I was relieved. I just needed to get away from that suffocating atmosphere. Even Lia was a traitor. She might as well make Elle her sister with the amount of buttering she was doing.
Someone cleared their throat behind me, I had left with Elle. I stopped and turned to look at her. She was looking at me like I was crazy.
Don't tell me I've been mumbling to myself. Fuck, this is embarrassing.
I cleared my throat. "Um, sorry for that" why am I apologizing to her? "This way" I gestured to my left. We entered the balcony and I stood at the railings, breathing in the fresh air. This is not the time to lose my composure.
She stood at least two arms length beside me. Good, I don't need her close.
It was silent for a while before she spoke. "It's good to see you again, Mason. It's been what, eleven years?" she rubbed her arms slowly.
"Yeah, how have you been?" I asked. Oh I haven't forgotten about the 'pretense game'. I was going to play this game with her till marriage.
"I've been alright. I've gotten my fashion degree. I wanted to be a fashion designer remember?" she said looking at me.
I remember. I remember a lot of things. I wanted to tell her I remember what she did Fourteen years ago. But I kept mouth shut. Thinking of those memories made me angry.
"Let's join the others, it's getting late." I said walking away. I didn't want to talk to her any longer. I glanced back and saw that she was still standing there. A sad expression on her face.
I don't care.
"Let's go" I said once again. We haven't gotten to the living room but sounds of laughter could be heard. At least they're having a great time. Then I remembered we haven't picked a time to meet up for getting an outfit.
"Will you be free tomorrow morning? 11am?" I asked suddenly halting.
"What?" She said taken aback.
"The engagement outfit. We have to pick an outfit." I emphasized. I don't want to give her any ideas for a date. I mentally shivered thinking about a date with her.
"Oh. Yeah I will."
"Okay I'll call you. Did u change your number?" I asked.
Hurt flashed in her eyes. "No, you just have to unblock me" she said and walked away.