Haunting Past

Chapter 3 – Refusal

Ronald’s POV

The day I met Fiona, my sister’s friend, I lost my heart. She is not a heavenly beauty, but to me she seemed just like an angel. Each time our eyes met, my heart fluttered. I wanted to confess my feelings but never got the courage. I had never experienced such a feeling towards any woman in the past. That doesn’t mean that I am a male virgin. I did have a few relationships before I became serious about business. None of those relationships were serious and I never felt such a strong connection to those girls as I feel towards Fiona.

Even after she started working for Dickins Corporation as a designer, I was never able to communicate with her without becoming nervous. After Rose got engaged, my parents wanted me to settle down. My mother even tried to set me up for a couple of blind dates. After about a year of trying to fix me up with someone, my mom literally stopped her quest. One day she said,

“I give up on finding a match for you. I don’t think I will ever be able to see my grandchildren. I never had any hope of Ethan settling down from his nomadic life. But you broke my heart, Ron. You were always my obedient boy, then why are you not giving me the happiness I deserve?”

“I am sorry mom, but I don’t feel that connection with any of the girls you tried to set up.” I tried to defend myself.

“Then why don’t you find one for yourself? You have never opened up about your concept of your future wife.” Mom hopefully looked at me. Dad and Rosy were also present and were now eagerly looking at me.

“We will talk about that later. For now, let’s just focus on our little Rosy’s wedding.” I said and escaped to my room.

Even though I had moved out of my parents' place, I moved back after we got our little sister back. Even Ethan, who always liked to go roaming, started coming home. Dad and mom wanted both of us to take the responsibility for the whole wedding, which we took happily.

Time passed by and there was just a week until the wedding. I was busy inspecting the preparations at the wedding venue, when Rosy called me and asked to meet her at the small apartment that she and Fiona own. I rushed there fearing that something had happened to Fiona. I have just been there a couple of times. When I reached there, Fiona was not there. I was welcomed by Rose’s fiancé, Ryan.

“What are you doing here Ryan?” I asked.

“I came to help Rose with something.” He said, pointing towards the room. To say I was shocked to hear his words would just be meek, I was dumbfounded. A lot of thoughts just went through my head within a few seconds.

“Hey man, relax. Why are you getting tense? Take a break from your thoughts. We are not up to anything. Rose wanted to talk to you about something important and she needed my side. So come inside and settle down. I will bring you something. You look really pale.” Ryan said, and went to the kitchen.

I was about to sit on the couch when Rose came out of one of the rooms. As far as I know, it’s the room that was built after Helen came to stay with them. Both Fiona and Helen are there now. Whenever Helen goes to her parents or her boyfriend, Rose comes to stay there with Fiona. Rose is really an exception to all the girls of rich families. Even after she got her family back, she never left her simple life. The same quality I have seen in Fiona.

“Why did you want to meet me so urgently? Aren’t Fiona and Helen home?” I asked her.

“No, they are not here. Fiona had some important meetings to attend with Megan. Helen will be going to her parents' place after work,” Rose replied. Megan is Ryan’s sister and she manages Dumont fashions along with Ethan from the side of Dickins Corporation.

“So are you staying here tonight?” I asked.

“No, I am not. Helen will come back late. I just wanted to talk in private and that’s not going to happen at home. That’s why I chose this and asked Ryan to join me because I might need his help to pull out the truth from your mouth.” She gave me a knowing smile and went to the kitchen to help Ryan. They came back within minutes, making me more nervous. Rose had never behaved like this before. I have a bad feeling about her sudden change.

“Ronald, don’t get too tangled in your sister’s words. She is just exaggerating everything.” Ryan tried to comfort me.

“Ron, I will come straight to the point and I want only the truth.” Rose’s words stirred up my uneasiness. Rose and Ryan exchanged looks and I could see Ryan urging Rose to go on.

“Ron, do you like someone?” her question made me dumbfounded. I just stared at her.

“I know you like someone and that’s why you have been rejecting the girls mom selected. I just want you to confess it.” I lowered my eyes and started fidgeting with my fingers, a habit I have whenever I get tense.

“Ronald, you can tell us anything and I promise we won’t judge you by your choice. You have all the right to choose your life. Just remember that whatever your choice is, we will be with you.” Ryan tried to boost me up.

“What do you mean by that, Ryan? I know my brother and he is not what you are thinking. I know what he is up to.” Rose scolded Ryan, making me smile.

“My sister is right. Ryan, you don’t have to worry because I am not into men. I don’t know how to open up about my feelings. I agree that I like someone but I am not sure if she likes me or not.” I said, looking up to meet my sister’s smiling face.

“I knew it and if I am not wrong, that lucky girl is my best friend.” Rose came and sat beside me.

“Best friend?” Ryan looked confused.

“Yes, it’s Fiona,” I agreed.

“I am so happy for you. She is a good girl and I am sure mom and dad will definitely like her,” Rose said excitedly.

“I know they like her but first I want to get her approval. I am afraid that she won’t see me in that way,” I said.

“Ronald, do you know anything about Fiona?” Ryan suddenly asked.

“I just know that she is a good person and I like her,” I replied.

“I think you should know about her before you approach her,” Ryan suggested.

“What do you mean, Ryan? Rose knows about her and she is happy. Then why are you trying to pull me back?” I looked at both of them and this time I could see Rose getting tensed.

“No Ron, Ryan is right. You should first know everything about her. I can guarantee you that she has completely changed, but I don’t want you to break her heart. So it’s better that you know everything before confessing your feelings.” Rose backed Ryan.

“Rose, everyone has a past and I believe that it shouldn’t affect your future. In our world, I can’t be fanatic about my future partner’s virginity unless I am one myself. I don’t care what happened in her past. I want to be her present and future.” I declared.

“I appreciate your perspective, but would still suggest hearing her story once,” Ryan said.

“I will, but not from anyone else. If she wants to open up about her past to me, then I will be all ears. If you could both help me to confess my feelings to her, that would be really appreciable," I said.

"We will definitely help you. What do you want us to do?" Ryan asked.

"I want to propose to Fiona," I said.

"What? You want to directly propose without knowing if she likes you or not." Rose asked, startled.

"I don't want to waste any more time. I am not going to propose to her by marriage. I am going to propose to her to be my girlfriend." I clarified.

"How do you plan to do that?" Ryan asked.

"I want to make it really special and so I am going to propose during your wedding reception. So I want both of you to give me some moments from your precious day to make it really special for Fiona." After that we discussed the matter for almost an hour and finally came to a nice plan.

Today I am here to make the day really special for both myself and Fiona. She looked awesome like a bridesmaid in the morning. At the reception she just seemed to be a water fairy in her ocean blue and white gown. I just couldn't keep my eyes off her. Slowly the time went by and at last Rose and Ryan started the couple dancing. I knew it was time for action. So I went and asked Fiona to dance. She was reluctant at first but then gave in. We started dancing and I took care to move towards the middle. That's where I am going to propose to her. As soon as Rose and Ryan saw us near them, they stepped down from the height giving us the way. I could see surprise in Fiona's eyes and she was looking around when everyone fell silent.

I took out the jewellery from my pocket and went down on my knees. I really didn't know what to say. I have been trying to practice in the past few days but failed. Now, when I looked up at those mesmerizing eyes, a smile crept onto my lips. I know everyone except Rose and Ryan will be shocked to see what's happening because no one knew, neither my parents nor my brother.

"Fiona, I know it's weird to do something like this without your knowledge. Trust me, I can't keep my feelings buried anymore. The last two years were the best years of my life because I met the two best ladies of the universe, Rose and you. You have always surprised me with your talents, but still, the simplicity you inherit makes you unique. I have never felt anything before towards any other girls as I feel for you. Even when mom wanted me to go on blind dates, I always wished it to be you. I know I had been a coward for two whole years. Not anymore. I want to be with you, to know you, to understand you and to cherish you. Fiona, will you be my girlfriend?" I could hear my own heart beat as there fell dear silence.

Every eye is now on Fiona. I looked into those green eyes but just to see tears falling on their own. Her lips trembled, making me nervous. With a throbbing heart, I saw her head shaking in a no.

"I am sorry, I am not worthy of it."

With that said she ran away from there towards the exit.