It started with arranged marriage

Chapter 10

- Eric William Miller -

I came back to my penthouse after meeting with Lily. My thoughts were occupied about the marriage. I was thinking how I should convince my parents and avoid this complicated  situation. I also had a bit of hope that it might not happen because Lily would also convince her mom. I decided to go and talk to mom tomorrow morning before they were going ahead more with the plan. 

The first thing I did as soon as I woke up was I called mom. I informed her I will be at home by lunch time. After I finished with my daily morning routine I went straight to my parents house. I saw dad was reading a book and mom was nowhere to find. “Dad, where is mom?” I asked. “I’m here,” mom answered, walking towards us. 

She sat down next to dad, “did you eat already?” she asked. “Thanks mom. Not yet but later,” I said. “I need to talk about more urgent stuff,” I said, taking a seat in front of them. “If you are going to talk about your marriage with Lily then end of discussion,” mom said firmly. Dad was not helpful at all. He was just giving me the look, don’t ask me looks. 

“Mom___ you know this will be my life right? You know I have Sophia too,” I said. “Because it is your life, I’m doing it for your own good. I know Sophia left you again and moved to New York,” she said. I was shocked by the fact that she knew about Sophia. I knew Sophia left me but I still couldn’t get over her yet. I still had a desire to get back with her again. 

“Mom, but this is not something that you can control on your own. You know you cannot make a decision without my will,” I yelled to her. I didn’t even realize I yelled at my mom. At that moment I couldn’t control myself. She was hurt by my words, I didn’t intend to hurt her too. “Mom, mom I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell at you,” I apologized to her quickly. 

“Eric, trust our judgement on this and can you consider this again. She is a good girl and she will be the perfect partner for you. Will you think about it again please,” mom said. When I saw her face, pleading for me to consider again, I couldn’t say No. “Son, your mom is right, she will be the perfect partner for you. Just think about it again,” dad said. “Okay, I will think about it again, but I don’t think my decision will change,” I said. 

I decided to drop this subject for now. I think it would be better if I gave some time for mom to think about my proposition too. I needed to play hard to win mom on this. “Mom, dad let’s go eat lunch outside,” I asked. “I already made lunch, let’s just eat at home today,” mom said. I said goodbye to my parents after lunch and went back to my place. 

I didn't want to be alone in the evening so I decided to call over Nick and Drew to my house. Drew was my best buddy too. Nick, me and Drew have been friends since college. Three of us were inseparable from then till now. I called Drew first and he also agreed to come over my place. Then I called Nick, but he couldn’t join us because his grandma was still at the hospital. 

After a few hours, Drew arrived at my place. “Where is Nick?” Drew asked. “He can’t join us tonight. His grandma is still at hospital,” I said. We were having Pizza and beer and enjoyed the time. “Hey man, are you and Sophia really over now?” Drew asked suddenly. “It’s complicated now. She moved to New York,” I said. “You know what, now it looks like I will be ending up marrying Nick’s sister”. Drew was surprised by my comment. I told him about what my parents were planning. 

“I really don’t know what to do right now. Mom seems really serious about it,” I said. “I don’t know man. Sorry I cannot help you with anything now,” he said. “It’s okay. Thanks just for coming by tonight,” I said. Drew went back around 10. It was lying on the bed, scrolling my phone. I saw Sophia’s new IG post. She was with new friends and another photo of her was with a guy, hugging tight each other. 

She hasn't called me since the holiday. I left her a thousand messages but she never replied. I decided to call her this time instead of messaging. I called her phone, instead of her picking up the phone one guy's voice was coming from the other line. I didn’t say anything and hung up the call. I was super annoyed about that and I wanted revenge on her. I wanted to feel the same way how I felt pain when she left me. I wanted to show her I was better than every guy she was with now or she had been with. 

I called mom and told her I would accept her arrangement. Mom was so happy with my decision but she didn’t know I had another agenda with this arrangement. I knew I would regret my decision later on. But I wanted to show Sohpia, I could be happy even without her. On the other hand, I felt sorry for Lily and her family. I knew if Nick knew about that it might ruin our friendship too.