Saved by the sea

Chapter 2

I sat there stunned for a moment. Too stunned to give him an answer, but that was clearly not a problem for him, because he didn't even wait for me to answer, as he put the ring on my finger. Once I felt the cool metal on my ring finger, it drew me out of the shock haze and started to process it at least on some level. Slowly, I stood up and hugged him. Naturally, I wanted him to kiss me, but he just stood still as I wrapped my hands around his stiff body.

"Yes, of course, Oliver, I will marry you."

I was so happy, but still a bit shocked about all this. The sole fact that he wanted to marry me outweighed any fears I had. This gorgeous man wanted to marry me. Oh, god, how come I became so lucky?

Happy tears ran down my cheek as I still could not believe that I had won life like this.

Quickly I wiped away the tears that kept running down my cheeks, feeling a bit embarrassed by my emotional reaction.

He did not say anything else after that, just motioned for the waitress to bring our check, and we left the restaurant in complete silence. I did not really mind that as I was still trying to wrap my head around even the possibility of that.

In the same silence, he drove me home and dropped me off by the door with a kiss on the cheek. I was about to invite him in, but he left without saying a word.

I know that it was not normal to take time with intimacy, that maybe he didn't want to rush me and I found it kind of romantic, but still it felt a bit off. Before this thought could take root, I pushed it out of my head.

Once inside, I sat on my living room couch and stared at the small diamond ring on my finger... it looked strange there. I sat like this for a few hours staring at the small golden band with a diamond attached to it and I still couldn't believe that he proposed to me. I kinda gave up on the idea of marriage and love when it was clear that there was no prince rushing to save me.

I know how I look, I own a mirror and some level of realism. I wasn't pretty, more on the plain side on my best days. My figure was the opposite of what was portrayed as beautiful in the media. My thighs and ass were too big... all of me was too soft in general. I tried to lose weight a few times, but it was never stuck. If I lost anything it would always come back a few times more, so after a while I just gave up on that idea.

I felt my phone vibrate and once I pulled it out, I saw that it was my father was calling.

"Hi, daddy."

"Hey, baby... how are you? Oliver just shared the great news... I'm so happy for both of you..."

Why did Oliver call my father already?

"Thank you, daddy... It was so unexpected..."

"Why baby? You are a great catch and every man would be happy to have you as a wife. Oliver told me that you both don't want to wait and that you want a small wedding as soon as possible,"

Well, that's news to me...

Maybe he wanted to surprise me?

"You know that I'm not much of a people person and a small wedding would suit me more..."

I tried to sell this shitty excuse and hoped that father wouldn't try to dig too deeply into this.

"I thought that you should take some time off work to plan the wedding."

"Thank you, daddy. I will think about it."

"Great baby. I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you, daddy. I love you. Now please go rest. You know that doctors asked you not to stress yourself out too much."

"I know baby and I will rest later. I still have some work to do."

"Daddy!"

"I know... I know... sweet dreams' kiddo."

"Bey daddy."

I hung up and sat there looking at my phone for a few minutes.

Last month, daddy had some chest pains. So I forced him to see his doctor. He wasn't overjoyed to do it, but he still agreed.

The doctor told us that he sees some signs of heart issues and that dad should take it easy if he wants to reach his sixties. So yeah, good luck with that. I was forcing him to leave work on time and take some breaks daily, but the man was as stubborn as an ox. I had to make some serious threats if he went on like he has so far. But finally he agreed to take it easier, but it was not enough to make a difference in his overall health.

With a deep sigh, I stood up and walked to my bedroom to prepare for sleep. But my mind was still spinning about what happened just a few hours ago.

Why would he call my father first thing and decide without me about the time of the wedding?

But maybe he is being considerate and wants to take off the stress from the whole situation. It was kind of sweet in his way and I should be happy that this man wanted to marry me and spend his whole life with me. But part of me was uneasy about the whole situation. It seemed unreal that he would want to marry me, it seemed a bit too fast, but if I tried to put brakes on this... I'm sure he would not appreciate it... Maybe he would want to leave me altogether.

I wanted to scream out my frustration, but I didn't. I continued braiding my red long locks for sleep... which seemed that won't come easily today...

I tried to push that annoying voice in my head that wanted me to doubt Oliver, that was sure that this whole thing will go downhill from there. But I wanted to believe Oliver, he had been nothing but good to me these past few weeks. It may be a little fast, but there wasn't a big line of suitors waiting in the wings. part of me was afraid that this was my only chance... He maybe wasn't in love with me... but maybe he will love me... over time.

It would also make my father happy. He was always worried about me, that I was spending too much time alone and all he wanted for me was that someone would take care of me.

And I think this would put him at ease, and he could concentrate on himself a little bit more...

I released a low sight and settled into my bed.

I picked up my phone and plaid some slow songs to help me come down and sleep... and give something for my brain to concentrate on.

It took me a few songs but at the last chords of Eric Clapton's "Tears In Heaven" sleep took over me and I fell into a restless dream-filled sleep...

I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. With a frustrated growl, I reached for my phone, which was lying on my bedside table.

I rolled over and saw that it was an unknown number calling, and it was well past ten AM...

"Hello?"

"Hi Beka darling, this is Oliver's mother calling..."

What?

"Good morning, Ms Carson..."

"Yes... yes... I wanted to invite you today to look over the plan for your wedding..."

The last part of this sentence seemed to be forced out of her...

Wait? What? Did she say plans? What plans?

"Yes of course..."

"Good... I will wait for you at twelve at my home..."

"Yes... "

And before I could finish my sentence, the line went dead... Well, that was interesting...

Okay... I have an hour to make it in time... great...

I jumped from the bed and ran into the bathroom to shower and get ready.

It took me a bit longer than I expected, and now I was running late... great... just great...

I drove my little old car to Oliver's parents' home and made it just in time...

thank God...

I walked up the big colonial house steps and knocked on the doors. After a few minutes, they opened and a grey-haired creepy looking guy opened them.

"Yes?"

"Hello, I'm Bekas West... Ms Carson is expecting me?"

"Yes... follow me."

He turned around and walked fast, leaving me a little bit stunned for a few moments... and I rushed after him.

He led me through one room after another until we reached a room that looked like a library. Oliver's mother was sitting at one of the big armchairs in the middle of the room.

She lifted her head the moment I entered the room... her cold blue eyes locked with mine for a few moments...

She looked as perfectly cold as I remember. Her perfect blond hair twisted in a perfect french twist, without a hair sticking out. She was dressed in a cream-coloured designer sweater and cream tailored pants, Her looks reeked money and power.

Her slim hands were holding a cream notebook, that she closed the second she saw me.

"You finally get here..."

She said as I walked over to the couch next to her...

"I'm sorry... I was..."

And before I could finish saying anything, she continued.

"Yeah... yeah... sit down. We have a lot to plan if you want to get married next week..."

Wait? Did she say next week?

"So... You can get married in the courthouse. The celebration will be held in our backyard. As Oliver said, it would be just close family and friends, so it would be enough. For dress... I will call my friend, she maybe has something in your size... or something that can be altered..."

I just sat there blinking...

What the heck?

How is this discussion?

It seems that it was already decided...

Well, it was nice that they want to help... I should be happy... that she cares and wants to take part in it... but... but...

"There is no need for a wedding party, too much fuss... I will call your father with all the necessary details and money. And that is it... you can go now. I will call you when I have an answer from my friend about the dress."

She dismissed me, stood up and left the room...

What the f**k just happened?

I sat there for a minute stunned until the same butler came to escort me out of the building...

I drove home like I was in some sort of haze... I don't recall much of it...

I sat in my car in the driveway for a few minutes and decided to call Oliver... Maybe he can explain to me what was happening...

I dialed his number and waited for him to pick up...

After a few seconds, the line opened.

"Hi Oliver, how..."

"This is Olver Carson, I can't come to the phone right now, please leave a message..."

"Hi Oliver, this is Beka... please call me when you get this..."

Great... just great... but maybe he is busy...

But Oliver didn't call me back... and he wasn't in the office on Monday...

On Tuesday he was in, but his mother demanded me to come to her friend's shop...

I walked over to Oliver's office... as he was my boss, to tell him that I have to leave for a few hours...

I knocked on his doors because Tammy his secretary was nowhere to be seen and blinds were drawn on his glass door.

"Yes?" he said, his answer was followed by a woman's giggle...

I opened the door and found Tammy standing behind him and he was sitting in his chair.

"Hi, Beka..." His face fell a little bit... but he tried to hide it... I didn't think much of it...

"Hi Oliver, your mother called. She asked me to meet her for dress shopping..."

"Yes, she told me this morning... go, but be sure to return and finish all of your tasks when you return... and close the door behind you..."

Well, that was strange... but didn't pay much attention to it... maybe they were solving some serious problems...

I walked over to my desk and gather my stuff before I left. I left the office to meet his mother, who was waiting in a car by the front entrance...