5

In the morning I sneaked out of my room letting Maria sleep more. I reminded Brad to wake her up after an hour and drop her off. Loitering in the corridors of the house, I was lost in my own world. While random thoughts flooded in my head I entered one of the guest bedrooms which faced the main gate and sat on the marble-made window sill which felt cold through my pajamas. Not many moments later I dozed off.  

A while later I was woken up by an engine roaring. I saw through the window Brad escorting Maria to the car. She seemed sober enough now. The car drove off after a while. All of a sudden stomach growled which reminded me I had nothing since the last evening. I got down from the window sill and walked my way out again through the corridor. Reaching the ground floor of the mansion I made my way towards the kitchen. I saw Selena instructing something to the housemaid. I went ahead and opened one of the upper lockers brought out one of the chocolate chip cookies boxes of my stash.  

"Morning Tessa."  

"Morning Selena."  

"Why don't you try this. Jenny made this new pasta. Well, she modified it."  

I went towards the kitchen platform Jenny served some of the pasta on a plate and I tried it with a spoon. The pasta was really good. The cheese with tomato dominated my taste buds and there was a hint of some herbs which I didn't know but it enhanced the flavor.  

"You have put something in it. The herbs. It's tastes nice." I said through my full mouth.  

"I'm glad you liked it."  

"Hmm-mmhm." I continued eating.  

"Hey Tess, dad was actually looking for you this morning. He said he had to talk to you about something important."  

"Edward? What did he say about what?"  

"No, he didn't mention that. He'll talk to you when he returns."  

"Okay." Probably about the deal. Thinking about it still made me nervous. I was almost rethinking my decision but then I shook my head. It was decided.  

I gave the plate to Jenny and went out of the kitchen. In the dining room, I saw Robbie having his breakfast.  

"Morning kiddo!" I messed up his hair and sat on the chair beside him.  

"Morning Tessiee !!" He teased.  

"Hey you up for a scooter ride?"  

"Yeah!!!"  

"Finish up quickly I'll get my keys."  

A while later Robbie and I traveled on a country road which was bordered by forest on both sides. I viewed Robbie through the mirror and he was gazing and had a content smile.  "

You like this?"  

"Yeah, I do."  

"Okay hold on tight now the road is going to be a little rough now."  

"Okay!"  

I took a sharp left cut and entered into the forest. The branches of trees brushed past us. As I went ahead the forest started to disappear and the beach was in our sight. I stopped and parked my scooter beside a tree.  I turned back to check on Robbie he was awed by the sight. I stood beside him.  

"How's it?"  

"This is so beautiful. I never saw this part of the beach."  

"Nobody comes here. Well till now, I discovered it a while back."  

"It really is beautiful, so peaceful." He sighed.  

I gazed back. Dark blue waves struck the sandy shore which had the same flattened multicolored pebbles scatttered around just like the lake. In contrast to the sea, the sky was faded blue. At the corner of the beach, there were rough and rigid black cliffs.  

"Okay let's go ahead now."  

We ran towards the beach. For hours we played and laughed. After being tired we laid down. I closed my eyes while the air blew fast over us.  

"Dad said you are going to marry very soon." Robbie all of sudden blurted.

Oh dear, why did he remind me of it?  

"Yeah, I am." I sighed.  

"Whom are you marrying?"  

"I don't know."  

"What do you mean you don't know?" Robbie turned to me.  

"Edward fixed me with somebody."  

"Somebody? Do you like him?"  I turned towards him propped my head on one hand.  

"I don't know his kiddo. How would I like him?"  

"But if you meet him will you like him then?"  

"I don't know."

I really didn't know about that.  

We spent some more time on the beach and then decide to go back. A while later we reached the house.  

"I didn't want to come home."  

"Yeah me too." I agreed with him.  

I checked my phone and saw there were missed calls from Maria. And a message.  

I gotta talk to you. Call me back.

-Maria  

I sat down on my bed and dialed Maria's number.  

"What happened?"  

"Hey, you were out somewhere?"  

"Yeah I was. What's the matter?".  

There was a pause on the other side. She finally spoke.

"I actually got some information on the guy you are marrying."  

"Oh, how? " I was alert now.

 "When you said Gray enterprises it sounded a bit familiar and then I researched. You didn't tell me you were marrying The Dylan Gray!"  

"The who?"  

"Dylan Gray."  

"As if I know who he is."  

"Girl you are mad or just oblivious."  

"Whatever."  

"You really are something. He's like one of the most successful CEO in the world. At a young age, he's started assisting Lucien Gray his father. It's said that the Gray enterprises' market value increased exponentially in six years as he entered the scene. People call him 'The Hitler of Business world.' His company is profiting like massive but he destroyed a company by driving it to bankruptcy."  

"What?"  

"That's not it."  

"What now?"  

"Well, he dated like half of the world."  

"Ugh, this is getting worse."  

"You should seriously read what magazines write about him. I read an article about him in Vogue the writer actually called him a 'mean bastard'. Some Glendora Vinci.  

"You mean Glendora Vincent."  

"Yeah that how do you know her?"  

"Edward knows her."  

"Oh yeah.....whoa wait"  

"What?"  

"She actually dated that guy! Ha! This is one of the most controversial articles. I Googled her"  

"That explains the ' mean bastard'.."  

"Haha yeah. You know I am not even going to tell you how does he look like But a hint, he looks really damn good. Pure raw masculine."  

"Ria."  

"Yeah?"  

"What did you really call for?"  

"Ya actually I called for Derek, he told me how I acted like a maniac last night. I just wanted to say I am really sorry about that. I regret it so much and hate myself right now. I mean how stupid could I be?"  

"I know it's okay."  

"I woke up in the morning I saw Brad I asked about you to him he just said that you instructed him to drop me off. Then you lied to my mom to save me. Tess, I am so sorry and such a pain in the ass."  

"You are but I really don't mind it."  

"Am I right but Derek told me you punched a guy? I mean he was so shocked you know."  

"Yeah, that guy called you 'bitch' I was already pissed. He had no right to call you that."  

"I swear to god Tess I want to marry a guy who would be like you."  

"Don't talk about marriage right now."  

"Oh yeah so okay never mind let's not talk about it."  

"I'll talk to you later okay? I have to talk to Edward."  

"Yeah bye."  

After ending the call I went to the library to see if Edward was there but he wasn't. I went to the office room then and he wasn't there. Might have not returned till now. I was about to leave the room when I saw Edward coming inside.  

"What are you doing here?"  

"Selena said you had to talk to me about something."  

"Ah yes." He dropped his coat off on one of the seats and sank in his seat. 

"Tiring day?"  

"Yeah."  

"We can talk later, you can have some rest."  

"No, it's okay. I just wanted to tell you that they are coming tomorrow evening."  

"Who?"  

"Gray family. I should introduce you to them. You'll also meet Dylan."  

It took me a minute to realize that I was going to meet my future husband and in-laws. Everything is going so fast.  

"You okay with it?  

"Huh? What?"  

"You okay with it if they come tomorrow?"  

I wasn't. I didn't want to see them at all. Running away seemed like a temptation to me.  

"I guess it will be fine."  

"It's done then."  

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow."  

"Okay."  

I ran towards my room and bolted the door. I sat on my study table. They were coming tomorrow. I still couldn't believe it. After all that Maria told me about him made me have second thoughts about my decision. Maybe people present him in the wrong way. It could be possible.  

I reached for my phone and texted Maria.  

They are coming tomorrow...T  

Oooo 'meet the parents'...M  

Yeah right I am so excited (sarcastic)....T  

Honey you gonna has a heart attack tomorrow. Trust me ♡_♡....M  

I am having one right now....T  

It's okay darling I was just saying but you might possibly have a small one XD. Anyway all the best and tell me how does he look like up close:*....M  

You mind switching places with me?....T  

Lol ;p. Honey no I really want to cuz he is so sexy. I am not a Reynold you know....M  

Neither was I. I'll tell you about it tomorrow.....T  

Yeah, you do. Oh, and can you like to get a picture of him? And send it to me when you meet him? ;p...M  

No, I won't. You are sick. goodnight. ...T  

Oh I know goodnight:*....M  

I stretched in my chair. I was actually sleepless and I had no idea why.  

*Dear diary,  

It was fixed they were coming tomorrow. I am feeling a little bit nervous. Now I was going to be a part of yet another family. Today Robbie asked me that would I really like Dylan. Would I? I don't really think it is a business deal after all. I had thought giving exams was finally I was done with forever but this was worse. I wish mom was there to comfort me like she used to. And Dad cheering me up in his way. I hope everything would be just fine tomorrow.*