It started with arranged marriage

Chapter 17

- Eric William Miller  -

I sighed as I re-read the message from my mom. She sent a long message for the preparation list for the wedding. Today was the day that two families would meet up and choose the date for the wedding. Later I got to know from mom that Lily had finally agreed to marry me. I thought that she wouldn’t agree. But who cares now she agreed and I finished with the preparation part and just needed to proceed with the real action plan for my real intention for this marriage. 

I was about to go to the meeting then I received a phone call from mom. She reminded me not to be late and not to come with empty hands. “Jimmy, can you arrange a wine bottle and flower for me,” I ordered my secretary and  went to attend the meeting. When I came back from the meeting, I saw a wine bottle and flower boutique was already on my table. I put the wine bottle and flower aside and continued working on the project. 

“Eric, your mother called____” Jimmy came to my office and told me about mom’s call. But I cut him off before he could finish his sentence. “Thanks Jimmy, I know why mom called. Jimmy just smiled at me and then told me “then you should better hurry now”. Jimmy knew that I had a family dinner with Lily’s family and he also knew I was about to get married with her too. Moreover he was not just only the secretary he was my advisor and close friend of my family. “I’ll wrap up your work for you, you just hurry go now,” he said. “Thanks Jimmy,” I said as I exited from my office. 

When I arrived everyone was there already. “Eric, you are late,” mom said. “Sorry mom,” I said and then walked to them to greeted them and gave the gift that I brought to Mrs. Collin. “Ohh thanks Eric, this is so lovely,” Mrs. Collin said. “You’re welcome,” I said, giving her a hug. Shortly after I arrived, the dinner started. Lily was sitting next to me. Everyone was chatting happily except Lily. She didn’t talk that much during dinner. Normally as I knew she was chatting almost all the time when she was with others. 

“Eric, Lily, Mary and I think next month will be perfect for the wedding. What do you guys think about that?” mom asked me and Lily. “If everyone is ok then I don’t have any problem,” I said while looking at Lily. After they got the answer from me all of them were waiting for the answer from Lily. She wasn't aware of that and she was literally digging into the desert plate. “Lily! We are waiting your opinion,” Mrs. Collin said. 

“Oh sorry! I’m okay as long as all of you are okay,” she said and then kept eating again. When she was eating, she looked so innocent and adorable. I kept observing her while she was eating. After she finished with her desert, she looked so satisfied and happy. 

Mom and the rest were so excitedly talking about the wedding plan. “Lily, dear, is there anything that you want to include in the wedding plan,” mom asked Lily. 

“Is that Okay if we just do a simple wedding in the backyard with only close friends and family,” she said. 

I was so surprised by her request. As far as I knew, a big grand wedding was every girl's dream. Also if it’s Sophia she would definitely want the biggest grand wedding. 

“You sure dear that you don’t want us to do a big grand wedding?” mom asked her again and she nodded at mom. 

“Then as you wish dear,” mom said. 

“I think we should ask for Eric opinion too,” Mrs. Collin said. 

“I’m happy to follow what Lily wants to do,” I said. That made everyone chuckle except Lily. I intentionally said it because we are in front of the whole family. I needed to gain trust from both families. 

After we finished with the dinner I had a chance to get to know more about Steve and had a chance to bond with others family members too. They are such a lovely family, after getting to know more about them I decided to treat Lily well at least even though I didn’t love her. If I felt guilty about what I was planning to do. 

Shortly afterwards we finished with dinner, I was about to go back and walk toward my car. Lily was the one who sent me to accompany me to walk to the car. Right before I got inside the car, she said “Eric, can I ask you one favor?” 

“What is it?” I said. 

Her face looked, she was concerned about something. “Never mind, it’s nothing,” she said. 

“Okay, then,” I said and went back to my place. 

I was drinking wine alone at my penthouse with a million thoughts. I felt wrong to Lily and her family but I couldn’t let go easily of my ego and pride that got hurt because of Sophia too. I decided to try my best to treat her well and respect her. So I decided to go and get the engagement ring for her tomorrow. At least that was the best I could do for her for now. 

The next morning, first thing first, I went to the jewel shop to get the ring first. I bought a sixteen carat emerald diamond ring. Even though it was expensive at least she deserved it and also at the same time I knew it could trigger Sophia too. I was on the way to the office from the jewel shop, then I saw the new commercial video of Sophia displaying at the billboard. A lot of thoughts came across my mind. I asked my driver, Max, to stop the car at the starbuck coffee shop near the office. 

I went inside to the shop to get a cup of coffee to clear my head. As soon as I entered the shop, my attention was caught at the table near the corner of the shop. It was Sophia and her so-called boyfriend who were there having coffee. They were laughing and giggling while having coffee. I pretended I didn’t see them and left the shop quickly without buying anything. I felt my blood boil inside my body when I saw her smiling. How could she be happy like nothing happened and I was the only one who was suffering.I called Jimmy as soon as I reached to my office and told him to leak the news that I was about to get married with Lily along with the picture of the ring that I just bought.