08-None of it

"Here?" Karen repeated absentmindedly "To..to do what, Aunt Maya?"

Aunt Maya pulled Karen to her room and threw her wardrobe open. Pulling out a short gown she held it to Karen's chin and grinned sheepishly.

"Yes.. perfect for the occasion!" she placed it on the bed and began to scurry for more.

"Aunt," Karen called more loudly to get her attention.

Aunt Maya turned, "I'm so sorry if I'm acting weird, dear. It's just that I'm so excited to have to plan your wedding and witness it as well."

She held Karen's hands in hers. "Don't be nervous."

"I'm.. I'm not," Karen assured herself "It's just that..why..why is he coming here?"

"Probably to get to know you?" Aunt Maya chuckled and sat Karen down "I know this will be your first time with..with the opposite sex, Karen and you need not be nervous."

Karen let out a sigh.

"I know you'll be fine," Aunt Maya smiled "Now go on, freshen up quickly."

After that, Aunt Maya went back to Karen's closet and began to rummage through, muttering to herself which would be the perfect outfit.

Thirty minutes later, Zachary heard the doorbell ringing. He had just laid out the waffles from the oven when he washed his hands and walked out of the kitchen.

"I wonder why she's late," he muttered as he pulled the door open "Karen you're-" he began but stopped upon seeing Mrs Kord and Kevin walking behind her.

"Oh, it's Zachary." Mrs Kord explained "How nice to see you again,"

"Yeah," Zachary answered really quickly "What do you want."

"We came to-"

Kevin stepped up and cleared his throat, interrupting his mother.

"I believe someone here wants to marry me," he said "We're here to see her."

"Wrong address-" Zachary replied and attempted to shut the door when Aunt Maya appeared just in time.

"No,no,no Zachary!" she pulled him backwards and opened the door wide. Mrs Kord was glad to see her.

"Kevin, get back here! I told you it's the right address." Mrs Kord called and then turned back to Aunt Maya.

"Hello, Amaya.. we're not late are we??"

"Of course not," said Aunt Maya with a bright smile "Please come in."

Aunt Maya dragged Zachary to the kitchen after serving her guest some wine.

"What is this, mother?" he questioned "Why are they here?"

"That is Karen's husband to be and her future mother-in-law. If you will not behave nicely, you should better leave."

"I won't leave mother, neither will I let this wedding happen! I won't let Karen marry this man."

"Then you will cry over my dead body," Aunt Maya shocked Zachary with her words.

"Stay out of this, Zach. If you meddle in this and create a scene I promise you, you will regret it!" she warned before walking out.

Zachary went into Karen's room. Barging in, he met her in an orange silk dress just above the new. Since her back was to him, she turned at the sound of the door, her brown long hair whipping in the same direction.

Zachary lost his prepared words and just let his gaze linger on her.

"Zach?" Karen called for the second time "Zachary, are you okay?" she called more loudly before he came down to earth and slowly nodded.

"Mother is pushing ahead with the wedding," he said "And you are too."

"Since this is what Aunt Maya wants then I'm doing it. I cannot hurt her feelings and rid her of her joy."

"You won't be ridding her of her joy, Karen" Zachary stepped forward "She would still be happy if you decide not to do this."

Karen shook her head and tucked her hair behind her ear before lifting her gaze, "I have never seen your mother this happy, Zach. You haven't noticed it because you're so caught up in whatever problem you have with Mr Kord."

Zachary shook his head, "The problem I have with him is his arrogance and his lack of respect for anyone below him. You don't know this and that is why I am trying to protect you."

"And what's Aunt Maya doing? Endangering me??"

"Yes, and she also does not know this." Zachary responded

"Zachary please, I don't want to argue anymore. It doesn't matter what you think because if Aunt Maya is fine with it then it's fine."

"Karen-" Zachary spoke however at that instant Aunt Maya came up behind him and walked over to Karen.

Without a glance at him, Aunt Maya pulled Karen down the stairs.

Mrs Kord was happy to see Karen and hugged her tightly.

"You look so beautiful my dear," Mrs Kord complimented and then took Kevin's hand in hers "This is my son, your fiancee- Kevin Kord."

Karen lifted her gaze and stared at him. He had great features, from his well chiseled jaw to his sharp and pointed nose and then to his closed eyes that added a calm aura to his face. He had a strand of jet black hair falling over his full eyebrow. Karen tried not to let her gaze linger too long on his exposed chest.

"Mr..Mr Kord." Karen acknowledged with shaky voice and an outstretched hand.

Although, Kevin knew it was only right for a handshake he did not release his hand on purpose and only gave a smirk.

Karen retreated her hand.

"Why don't you both get to know each other while your mother and I make dinner?" Aunt Maya suggested and Mrs Kord agreed as the two women grinned mischievously.

"Uhm, Aunt Maya-" Karen stopped them from leaving "I'll like to..to help"

"No, not this time dear" she responded and winked knowingly at Karen before disappearing along with Mrs Kord.

Karen was fidgeting so badly while Kevin stood still, as calm as the sea before the storm.

"Karen," in the silence, her name felt like a warning on his lips. She turned and stared at him.

"I'm blind," Kevin said "Why do you want to marry me?"

"Excuse me?" Karen didn't understand.

Kevin slid a hand into his pocket, "You heard that right. What did my mother promise you to make you agree to marry a blind man?"

"I..I don't understand," Karen faltered "Isn't it you who wants to marry me?"

Kevin scoffed and then turned sharply towards her, "Does this seem like a comedy room to you, Karen?"

"I don't understand a single word you have said, Mr Kord." Karen replied, struggling with her rising heartbeat.

"Is that so?" Kevin retorted, circling around her. Stopping in front of her, he added "My mother wants you as the bride, I don't. I don't want to marry you."

After a while, Karen found her tongue "Then why are you here?"

"To know why you have agreed to this bullshit!" he said lowly, just enough for her to hear him.

"I..I agreed because your mother convinced my aunt-" before she could finish her statement, he grabbed her arm and brought her close to his chest.

"Let go, what are you doing?!" she tried to get out of his grip.

"How much did my mother promise you just so you can marry me??"

"She promised nothing, now let me go."

Kevin shook his head as if he didn't believe her, "Nothing? Then you must have agreed to marry me for my money."

Karen continued to struggle in his grip until he held her still, Karen breathing heavily with their lips only inches away.

"If that's the case then rest assured that you will have none of it!" he said with clenched teeth. "Maybe that will make you change your mind about the wedding!"