Paper Rings (English)

Chapter 2

    A long regretful sigh escaped her mouth as she sat in the middle of the Mortel family’s spacious living room. Circling her was seven elderly women, including Sander’s mother, chatting away about their upcoming wedding. Their tiny voices overlapping one another rang through her ears and made her run a hand across her forehead.

    “So, Primrose, dear.” Mrs. Mortel called her attention and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “How old were you again?” 

    “T-twenty-seven, Ma’am.” 

    “Mama or Ma should be fine.” The woman traced a small smile, to which she responded with an awkward nod. “Since you and Waddles insist on getting on with this fast, I think we should try and act closer as soon as we can too.” 

    “O-okay, Ma.” She gulped as her eyes flashed a hint of intrigue and confusion. “But… Waddles?” 

    The sound of oddly diminutive and uncanny waves of laughter echoed through the corners and high ceilings of the house. Primrose pursed her lips into a thin line, unable to comprehend their sudden delight upon her query. 

    “Sandra, you know he’d throw a fit if ever he hears that nickname again,” said Patricia. 

    Based on the introduction earlier, this woman with a humongous pair of pearl earrings is Sander’s Aunt and his father’s youngest sister. Her sharp jawline and pointed nose slightly resembled the man she was marrying. 

    “It’s Sander’s childhood nickname. He was such a clumsy child that his cousins used to call him that.” Sandra snickered before lifting the porcelain teacup and taking a sip. “Anyway, back to you. Do you have regular monthlies?” 

    “Monthlies,” Primrose repeated in confusion. She tilted her head, waiting for any of them to laugh, but everyone remained silent. That was when she realized it was not a joke. “My monthlies?” 

    “Yes, dear.” The eldest of the pack, Margot, finally spoke. Wrapped with a luxurious cashmere sweater, Sander’s grandmother commanded the attention of every person in the room. “It’s crucial for us to ensure that your menstrual health is in good condition. Since you’re marrying the last male descendant of this family.” 

    She knew she’d say that. After all, it wasn’t the first time she heard about it. That was the same line Sandra told her when they first met in a dinner with Sander’s parents. 

    “Mommy, isn’t that a bit rude? Asking her this question in our first meeting.” Patricia bit her lip down and threw a sympathizing look at the red-haired lady. “I’m sorry, dear. You must be taken aback by this absurd topic.” 

    “It’s not absurd, Patty.” Sandra heaved a deep breath. Far from her warm demeanor earlier, she darted a stern look in her direction. “You have to understand that Sander has a role to play in this family apart from running the business.” 

    Dumbfounded by the swift turn of events, Primrose found herself at a loss of words. She nodded with caution while exchanging glances with Patricia, who was as perturbed as her about the topic. 

    “I-I think my health is in an excellent condition. You don’t need to worry.”

    “Good.” Margot pursed her lips and turned to Sander’s mother. “But just to be sure, it’s best we have her checked before they fly out for the honeymoon.” 

    “Honeymoon, you say.” Another middle-aged woman seated at the far side of the room with a glass of champagne barged into the conversation. “Didn’t Waddles already made it clear that they’re going to settle there? You, old hags, keep caging that child. That’s why he turned out that way.” 

    “Aerith, will you stop drinking in broad daylight?” Patricia stood up and snatched the glass away from her daughter’s hand. “I already asked the maids to lock the alcohol away. Where the heck did you find this?” 

    Aerith shrugged her shoulders and shifted her haughty gaze to Primrose. “Don’t get too comfy with this family. Next thing you know, these fags are already stabbing you in the back. After all, you’re taking the only gem they care about in this family.” 

    Her vague statement brought heavy stillness in the air. Sandra cleared her throat loudly and gave Patricia a dismissing nod. Without a word next, the woman immediately scooped her daughter up and moved out of the scene. 

    “It’s not our place to meddle with your marriage, but we do hope you think twice about settling in New Caledonia.” 

    Primrose touched the ring on her finger and held her breath. She was trying to fight off the urge to shut down her suggestion rudely. Her mouth traced a wry smile followed by a strained laugh in an attempt to hide her hostility. 

    “I’ll try to discuss that with him after the wedding.” 

    “How about looking into the rooms?” Patricia popped out of nowhere and winked at her. Almost as if she was trying to save her from being trapped in a dreadful spotlight. “Sander also used to live here when he was a teenager. You might want to see his room.” 

    “Ah, yes.” She paused for a while and glanced at Sandra. “If it’s okay with you, Ma.” 

    “Of course.” The esteemed madam of the house rose from her seat and gestured her hand to the hall. “Shall we?” 

    “Tour her around. I’ll check in with the food for dinner.” Margot turned her feet in the direction of the kitchen. Not long after, she tilted her head and looked at her. “Is he coming to pick you up later, dear?” 

    “Yes, I think so.” She blinked upon noticing that the elderly woman was waiting for something other than a response. “I’ll ask him if he can join us for dinner.” 

    “Good.” 

    It was a big home. Calling it similar to a castle was not an overstatement. It was the kind of place she imagined royal folks would live at. The crumbling rock walls and beautiful arched windows added to the fairytale effect one could only see in the television. 

    Not that she grew up in a shabby place, just that this place somewhat felt ancient — and sad. Except from their footsteps and the whirring of the air conditioner, not a sound could be heard as they climbed the long spiral stairs. 

   “This is my room,” Anne announced with excitement flashing her pair of hazel eyes. 

    She was introduced as Patricia’s closest cousin and confidant. Her cycloidal thick-set arched eyebrows were also almost identical to Sander. Giving away the fact that the man got his intimidating appearance from his father’s side of the family.

    “This used to be Sydney’s room. But since that cheeky girl insisted on moving out, we let Anne stay here to accompany Sandra and Mommy.”

    “Ah, I see.” 

    “Come, I’ll show you my collection.” She grabbed Primrose’s wrist and dragged her in front of the closet. Her eyes twinkled in delight after meeting her confused gaze. “I haven’t had the chance to give you a wedding gift. I guess this would suffice.” 

    Her mouth fell open when the door of the walk-in closet opened wide before her eyes. She could hear Patricia and Sandra sighing in the background as her eyes scanned countless lingeries neatly lined up together in a rack. Some of them were too bright in color to ignore. Some were even see-through and unthinkable to wear. 

    “You didn’t need to show her that, Anne.” Sander’s mother palmed her face and glanced at the door. “Let’s go to other rooms now.” 

    “Hey, don’t disregard my collection. Most of these are from high-end brands and really expensive, you know?” Anne grabbed the flustered lady by the shoulder and pushed her inside the closet. “Now, take your pick. Your honeymoon is coming soon. You’ll need this.” 

    Primrose exchanged glances with Patricia, silently sending a plea for rescue. But the mother-of-two only chuckled at her, seemingly amused by her display of discomfort. 

    “Just pick one and get on with it, sweetheart. There’s no stopping Anne.” 

    Unable to put her mind into it, she pointed at wherever her finger had landed. Upon hearing soft snickers, she immediately knew that it was a bad idea. When she looked, Anne was holding racy red lingerie with see-through flower laces on the stomach. 

    “That was a nice pick, Primrose.” The owner of the appalling closet gleefully exclaimed and placed the revealing piece of clothing on her hand. “Sander won’t leave you alone if he sees you wearing that. I assure you.” 

    “We’ll be expecting a little one soon, I guess,” Sandra added with a pleased air around her before stepping out of the room. 

    “Let’s go.”

    With heavy footsteps, Primrose followed along. Inside her mind, she was relentlessly cursing Sander out. Who would’ve thought his family was a bunch of uptight weirdos? Now she finally understood why he didn’t hesitate to accept her terms of this fake marriage. Clearly, she was on the losing end. 

    “This is Sander’s.” Anne pushed the door wide open. 

    At first glance, no one would think that this was a room occupied by a teenage boy. The pastel blue wallpaper didn’t help either because everywhere Primrose looked, it was all plastered with cats’ imagery! From his bedsheets to toy figures on the nightstand, even the lamp had cat ears. 

    “I know what you’re thinking.” Patricia giggled, as their gazes met into an understanding. “This is not a prank; you’re really in his old bedroom.” 

    “But…” She scanned the room for the second time and glanced back at her. “I never thought he’d be so…” 

    “Girlish.” 

    “Anne,” Sandra called her name in a stern voice before turning at the red-haired lady.  “My son grew up with love for animals, and we saw no fault in that, so his father let him do what he wants with his room.” 

    “A-ah, I see. It’s cute.” She glided her fingers on the soft linen and paused at the sighting of a white fur crossing underneath the bed. “Is that a cat?” 

    “Ah, it’s Snowflake.” Patricia scooped the cat up to her arms and walked in front of her. “This used to be Sander’s pet until he moved out when he was eighteen. Anne and I decided to take care of her instead.”

    “He moved out and left his pet?”

    Not one of the three mouthed response to her question. They only glanced at one another and pursed their lips. A signal that she shouldn’t put her nose any further in that topic. 

     “Can I touch her?” 

    “Sure,” She placed the seven-pound white Persian cat in her arms. “She’s about fourteen years old now, so she’s quite calm and unbothered. She likes being cuddled too.” 

    “How cute.” Primrose bopped the nose of the feline and traced a smile. It was all she could do amidst the rising tension inside the room. “She’s a pretty cat.” 

    A knock on the door jolted the strange atmosphere away. The maid stood awkwardly as she bowed her head to give respect to Sandra. 

    “Madam Margot prepared tea for everyone to share while waiting for dinner.” 

    “I see. We’ll be downstairs in a bit.” Sander’s mother tilted her head in our direction. “Shall we? We can continue showing you around some other time.” 

    When the stern madam stepped out of the room with Anne trailing behind, Patricia tapped her shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile. Unknowingly, her gesture made her chest feel lighter. 

    “Great job today, Primrose.” She sighed and shook her head. “They can be quite strict, but they’re just making sure the same mistake won’t happen again.” 

    “The same mistake?” 

    “Oh,” The late tycoon’s youngest daughter covered her mouth and sighed in defeat. “This mouth will be the death of me.” 

    “What do you mean?”

    “You see, back when Waddles was only eighteen, he was quite rebellious.” She scratched her head and ran a hand in Snowflake’s fur. “He tried to fake a marriage with his girlfriend to get away from managing the family business. That's why when he announced he signed a marriage contract, everyone was alarmed.”