LOIS' POV.
Someone wake me up, because I got to be dreaming. I just heard the biggest joke of my life. I'm getting married. And then, they threw the BOMB. I am getting married to OLIVER.
"Oliver Grant?
Mom did you just say Oliver Grant!!?" I asked, completely bewildered.
"Ye...sss baby" she replied unsure
"Hahahaha. You're joking right?"
"No I'm not" she said, looked guilty.
"Dad is this true?....... Why am I even asking? It's not true. Of course it's not. It can't be." I smiled hopefully, though I had a feeling that this was more serious than I thought.
"Yes princess, It's true" Dad replied, quite unperturbed. His demeanor sent chills down my spine.
"What's going on Dad? I'm really finding it difficult to understand things here" I was already close to tears, not because I thought they were serious, but because of the fear of them being serious. They would not do such a thing to me.
"My princess, the only thing there to understand, Is the fact that you are getting married to Oliver." He said.
"How? why? I don't understand this all" I gushed out apprehensively.
"Baby girl, let your Dad explain" Mom cuts in.
"My dear" Dad calls me in his usual calm and collected tone.
"Dad...?" I responded immediately urging him to go on.
"Your grandparents had a sort of pact with Oliver's grandparents"
"Okay....?" I said wanting to hear the rest of his explanation.
"Now, this wonderful and unbreakable bond between the Grant's Family and ours went way back when your grandparents were still alive.
They treasured the great relationship between them and decided strengthen ties by joining their grandchildren in holy matrimony.
They made sure to tell your mom and I, and also Ashley and William (Oliver's parents) about their decision and made us promise to aid the plan"
"The plan...which is joining I and Oliver in marriage?" I said, completely appalled by the reply I knew was coming.
"Exactly" He replied to my utter dismay.
“Honestly I don’t know why I’m still here. This is a sick joke!” I made to walk out, but my father’s rebuke made me stand in my place.
“You won’t dare to walk out on your parents! No matter what the situation is” He ordered to which I grudgingly obeyed.
"Are you people being serious right now? I leave home to school for just a few years, I come back and I don't know what's up any longer. Wow!"
"Lois calm down... " Mom tried to speak but I cut her short.
"Calm down!!?.... I can't cope with all this. It's all too sudden, it's nuts!!! With Oliver of all people. You guys should have known better than to do this. And you feel because you are my parents, you can navigate my life any which way? Even to the extent of dictating who I would spend forever with?"
"It's not the way you see it baby. We didn't have a choice. I'm sorry. So sorry" Mum croaked out. I could tell, it wouldn't take so long before she starts crying.
"You know I don't really have a rapport with Oliver. So why would you make such a decision!?"
"But Matt is married" Dad referred to Oliver's older brother.
"I know Dad, but there is still Justin, and we are really great friends" I replied, quite hopeful that I would be able to excape the horror of getting married to Oliver. But I was soooo damn wrong.
"Well Oliver is the only available one. William told us Justin is dating someone, and it would be unfair to destroy his relationship for a matter that has an alternative"
"Wow, 'he's the only available one' You say it like he's a business pawn"
I glared at the two people I had always respected and loved. I wasn't sure if they were the parents I knew any longer. Ready to give away my happiness for some sort of agreement between two groups of people who are long dead! I was even surprised that I had easily taken all they said, without passing out.
"By the way, everyone knows that you never had a rapport with him, compared to how you flow with his siblings and the same goes with him. But he is the only single one in the family right now, that's the reason why William and Ashley decided to honour our parents wish now, before it becomes to late---" Dad sighed.
"---Before Oliver goes into a serious relationship. Though they doubt he would. He has proven nonchalant to having a productive relationship. It seems the two of you were made for each other" Dad said rather comically. This was not a funny situation.
"That's not funny Dad. For crying out loud I thought I have the right to choose with whom I want to spend the rest of my life? I'm 24 years of Age. I can perfectly make decisions for myself"
"I know princess, but we are choiceless right now" And for the first time since the conversation began, Dad looked helpless.
"Please my dear, do this for us" Mom pleaded, looking anywhere apart from my face.
"Mom this is not an ordinary request. When did Uncle William let you know about this" I queried.
"About what?" Mom asked
"About the fact that he is ready to honour our grandparents' wish"
"Well...3 months ago" Dad shrugged.
"What! 3months? and I'm just finding out about this? What if I was in a relationship or something!"
"We are really sorry dear, that we didn't tell you this earlier on, until 2 weeks to your wedding...." Mom quickly put her hands to her mouth. And then, what she let out dawned on me.
"What? 2 weeks?
Seriously Mom. Did you plan on tricking me down the aisle on my wedding day?" My voice sounded much lower than I wanted It to be right now. I felt really wronged, most of all, betrayed. I gave a bitter laugh.
I didn't realise I was crying until I tasted the salty fluid on my tongue.
"You know what?" I asked admist my tears. "You guys should have this house to yourselves, because...... I just realised that I no longer matter"
I quickly picked up my phone ran to my room, took my car keys, and went straight to the parking lot, Not once looking back at my parents who kept calling me, as I entered my car and Zoomed off.
****************************
I drove to Moya's bar. A really nice Bar close to my working place. I visited there once in a while, with Harrieth, my best friend. I parked my car at the lot and walked in. I had a few shots of vodka. I unsteadily stumbled from my seat and walked unstably to the parking lot. I was about to go in and drive back home, but I had a change of mind.
As I walked by the pavement on the road side, the cool breeze brushed through my face, as the conversation I had with my parents replayed in my head.
I just couldn't believe that they decided to dictate my life and didn't bother to let me in on it. It felt so cruel, I never imagined things would turn out this way.
I know that part of this was due to my nonchalant attitude towards having a relationship. I was too invested in my work, so much that I didn't even entertain date invites.
I even told Mom and Dad that I didn't think I was gonna get married anytime soon, because I didn't believe that I could give any man the kind of attention I gave my work. It actually makes it easier, since it's Oliver we are talking about here.
He doesn't really care about me or the attention that comes from me.
God what am I thinking?.... I'm not considering wedding Oliver, am I?
But on the brighter side, I have nothing to lose, I get to have a husband that I practically have no issues with. I can continue living like a single girl, even while married.
Funny enough, I don't really know much about Oliver compared to my brothers, but I definitely know that he doesn't see me as a friend.
How ironic! I never had a rapport with Oliver, the way I interacted with his siblings. It was due to an incident that took place when we were much younger. His only sister Harrieth is my best friend and his brother Justin is the closest male friend I have ever had.
Matthew the first born is also a wonderful friend of mine, and it could have been a lot more easier if it was him I had to marry. He was so mature and reasonable. But he was already married. How great! I just wish I wasn't the only daughter.
Things would have been a lot more different. Talking of siblings, I happen to have 3 elder brothers, they are great, the best infact. The first is Jake, Harrison is second and Derrick is the third, and all of them are single as hell!! I wonder if they had actually known about this marriage pact as well.
Though, every now and then, I seem to notice that Jake has a thing for Harrieth...the way he looks when he talks to her, appears to be all sweet and gentle with her. He really is gentle, to be honest. Well I think, they look lovely together.
Maybe the marriage terms could be amended, a guy from my family and a girl from Oliver's family instead. That way, Jake and Harrieth can just get married. At least, they tolerate each other, unlike Oliver and I.
I really don't think it's time to lament or keep sulking on how unfair life is being to me. Instead, It's time to make a big decision. This wedding we are talking about, is in two weeks time. It's either I get married, or call off this silly Joke.
******************************
OLIVER'S POV
"Alright Dad, I will be there..... Of course I would make it.... Bye Dad"
I hung up the call with my Dad, as I cleared my table for the day. I guess I would be officially meeting my 'fiancee' today.
It's not like all our other meetings were informal, we practically made seeing each other so formal, even though we were literally family, considering our family bond. We still weren't free around each other till now, and we're supposed to get married. How on earth was that possible?I didn't even remember how she looked anymore. It'd been so long since we last saw each other. Ever since she went to attend Medical school in London, we never met each other even by chance.
It's been six years But I would consider having amnesia, if I forget those icy blue eyes of hers, and her wavy curly dirty blonde hair.She was quite cute then. I actually can't believe I'm getting married to Lois. If anyone had told me this years ago, I would have punched them in the face for such a silly joke. It was like I was in a trance, when my parents told me about it. Who is being forced into marriage in this century.
But I have nothing to lose, because I'm totally single and so not ready mingle, so there's absolutely no one by the side, suffering a heartbreak from this decision. But I have to admit that I'm gonna miss bachelor hood. It's so free and enjoyable.No one to whom you owe early nights, or explanations. I will also miss the good sex with no emotional attachments.
Pheew!! God help me, because this is going to be one hell of a ride. A crazy one. I better get going, I don't wanna be late to dinner.
LOIS' POVI was so glad, when we alighted the car. Derrick and Harrison didn't stop teasing me about my dilemma.Atleast I could have some fresh air now. My brothers could be a handfull.Jake wasn't able to make it, because he had a business dinner with a client today. Mum and Dad were so relieved when I returned home. Mum was already contemplating calling off the wedding, Until I told them my decision.Yeah, I accepted the damn wedding. Dad and Mum were really relieved and happy. Deep down I knew that was the best decision I made. I had to fulfill my Grandparents' wish and make my parents happy. We were family by the way, withor without this marriage pact.We walked towards the very familiar garden. It's been a long while
Lois povIt had been two days since the dinner at the Grant's mansion, and I suppose I heard Oliver say 'please be there by 3:00pm', over the phone when we spoke yesterday.We were to meet at Belle for the ring shopping, as agreed two days ago over dinner. But it seems Oliver would take pleasure in wasting my time today.I was already seated on one of the chairs at Belle's reception. One thing that I loved about shopping there. A place to sit and relax. For God's sake it's already 3:25pm, and he is not here yet.So much for promptness!I subconsciously rolled my eyes.Iditched Dr Reynolds at the theater and left him to carry out the operation on the young girl with hynea, alone with the two new interns. So bad of me, and now Oliver is wasting my precious time."I'm not usually so late" I looked up, of course it was Oliver. I gave him a needle piercing look. "I'm sorry, ple
OLIVER'S POVI was standing at the altar, directly opposite the officiating priest. I had been standing for close to 45 minutes, and the bride was not forthcoming.Different imaginations played through my mind. I just hoped what I was thinking wasn't the case. She couldn't have ditched me at the altar.No no no.... It's just 45 minutes. Be calm Oliver. She wouldn't do that. She wouldn't drag our families' name to the mud. I tried so hard convincing myself.*News headline*Popular Billionaire Bachelor Oliver Grants, jilted at the altar.......No no no, I would be totally and completely done for. I definitely wouldn't hear the end of it from Eva. I would be the
Lois's pov "At this point, I really wish I could just say it out loud and be like 'Yes I do! Of course I doooo! Oliver I dooo!!' My thoughts were interrupted when I heard sounds of laughter. What happened? Why was everyone laughing. I opened my eyes which I didn't notice were closed until now. Oliver's face was something else as he was trying his best not to laugh and I really didn't think his endurance could last longer, but why on earth was everyone laughing? It seemed like they were all laughing at me because everyone was looking at me while laughing. I was the center of amusement but what happened? Oh my God. It just dawned on me. Did I just shout it out loud? I wasn't just thinking about saying an 'I do', I was actually thinking out loud. Lawd! I have never been more embarrassed in my life. I looked towards the congregation and Aunt Ashley winked at me. JESUS!! I forced a shy smile at her. Harrieth came forward with the wedding ba
LOIS' POV I would be a big liar if I said I wasn't tired at the moment. We were all sitted at a large table at the wedding reception. Mom and Aunt Ashley next to me by my right hand and left hand side respectively, while Oliver sat directly opposite me. After the kiss at the church, he's been oddly quiet, not that he was talkactive on a normal day. I frowned my face due to the ache I felt on my ankles. My foot were as sore as hell. How did I ever come across this Loboutins? God!!! "Hey Lois, are you alright?" Aunt Ashley asked."Yeah I'm fine. It's just that my ankles ache alot" "Oh? Sorry, You must be so stressed out" she said sympathetically. I quickly caught a look on Harrieth's face that disappeared almost immediately. Was that a look of hurt I jus
Oliver's POV My heart beat accelerated when I laid my eyes on Eva. I really didn't want to see her, but thanks to Lois who got carried away in her victory and invited Eva to the wedding. Sincerely, I was still hurt from what Eva did. I was already so into her and all she could was to cheat on me with none other than Nathan Black. I really detested that guy. He took everything I ever wanted. He's the reason behind this whole mess. Because of him, I lost all I wanted, which made me start dating Eva for the wrong reasons. Along the line, I fell for Eva. She was just so similar to what I wanted, which was until she cheated on me with Nathan. I really did feel bad for dating her out of spite, anger and jealousy. But then I began to compare her to what I ac
LOIS' POV. It's been two weeks since the incident, two weeks since my only companion in this big mansion has been Becca and her daughterPaige, two weeks since I slapped Oliver. I really didn't mean to slap him, but I just couldn't contain my anger. It was the second time I slapped him in just a span of 24 hours. I could still recall the misunderstanding we had. I was given a leave period at work for our wedding and I was seriously bored there in the big mansion all alone because Oliver had already left for work, not like I would have had a chit chat with him after our quarrel the previous night tho. I decided to have a sight view of the mansion. I met Jason the Gardener who took it upon himself to show me around. He was a very good looking guy around th
Oliver's POV I was deep in thoughts as I drove. How on earth was I tell Lois that I needed her to come to Mr Olsen's party with me. We've not particularly spoken to each other for the past 2 weeks. I got a call while at work from a very important client, Gabriel Olsen and he asked if we could meet and discuss about the business deal. I immediately gave a positive answer. But then he invited me to his wife's birthday party, as an avenue to have that meeting and I agreed to it, but what came next, I was expecting. He asked me to come with my wife as a date to the party as he would love to see her since he missed the wedding. I tried to make excuses but he insisted that I brought Lois with me.Now I have to think of how to approach her and ask her to come with me