7 - The start of an Act

Rose's POV

I didn't even wait for the driver to open my door when we arrived at the villa. I rushed into the house, up the stairs and into my room, locking the door. I ran to my bed and cried. I didn't care if my make-up ran onto my clean sheets. I didn't care what the household maids thought of me at that time because I knew they saw me rushing to my room. I didn't care at all. How could Papa sell me out like that? HOW?! I'm his only daughter, and he treasures me so much. I know this because he tells me that every day of my life. Or was that all a lie? If he cared about me that much, he wouldn't sell me off like that. He would ask me for my feelings first. That's the Papa I know. Not the one who announced the wedding between Eugene and me tonight. That's not my Papa.

I cried. I was heartbroken. Angry. Unsure. I didn't know what to expect to happen next, and I didn't know how I could face my father and mother after tonight. I dishonoured them tonight. I was a disgrace. I made them lose face in front of the Wrights tonight. Alistair and Coraline must think very low of me now. I was the one to blame. I am a disgrace.

I wasn't sure how long I cried. It must have been past midnight already. I sat up straight in my bed and looked down at the dress mama made for me. At least now I know why the dress she made was so fancy; The dress was an engagement dress. I know everything now. Everything is falling into place now. All the pieces I had to wonder about why they came, why Papa never told me the Wrights' had a son as well and the real deal of this dinner party. I hate it. I hate that I'm the fool again. I hate that I've made a fool out of myself and that I made Papa and Mama lose face tonight. I hate myself.

Deciding not to sulk further in this dress, I undress and put on my bathrobe. I walk into my bathroom and start to run myself a nice hot bath. I needed to relax. I needed to feel a little better than I do now. I climb into the tub and soak. Closing my eyes, I try to relax from this horrible evening of events. Why me? He could have any girl in the world. Why me? Why do we have to keep the binding of the friendship between our two companies through marriage? Just why?

After soaking until I could feel the water getting cold, I climbed out and washed my face to clean the make-up on my face. I put on my silk nightwear and my robe and go towards my balcony. The stars look beautiful tonight. Somehow I always feel better looking at the stars whenever I'm sad. I sighed, but as I did, I heard the bushes underneath my balcony rustling. There is no wind blowing tonight, so what can it be? I looked around the garden, and then I saw him, Eugene, staring up at me. Great! Just what I need. I turn around to walk back in, but he calls me back.

"Rose?"

I stop midway and turn around, facing him again. I made no effort in showing him how mad I was and that I didn't want to see him right now.

"What, Eugene?" I say, irritated, "What can you possibly want from me now? You already have me as your engaged wife, so what else do you want?"

"Now, see, Rose, that's what I'm here to talk about," He tries saying as calmly as possible. I could see his irritation zooming out of him from my answer.

I sigh, annoyed, and lean on the balcony fence, "What is there to talk about?"

"Well, probably the fact that neither one of the two of us want this marriage, so hear me out, will you?"

That piqued my interest, "Talk then. I'm listening."

"We both know there is no way we can get out of this marriage, so we will have to go through with it, but I don't like you, and you don't like me, am I right?"

I laugh mischievously. "You are so right. You don't even know it."

"Well then, let's make a deal. Are you in or not?" His face developed a smirk after he finished his sentence. What are you up to, Eugene Wright?

"It depends on what I'm putting myself in for," I state, not putting in any effort to hide my suspicion of him.

"It's quite simple. The idea of us staying here for a few weeks is so my father and yours can do business, obviously, but the other reason is so you and I can get to know each other before the wedding ceremony."

I lift my left eyebrow at this, "Your point is?"

"I think we should just hang out like we are supposed to, but don't be affectionate if you know what I am insinuating?"

I look at him. Has he gone mad?

"Eugene Wright, don't tell me you feel something for me?"

"Not in the slightest. I'm just saying let's put up a show for our parents from tomorrow onward. Let's get married, but we don't have to do anything or talk to each other after the marriage. We can sleep in separate rooms in our house. We can live our normal lives as we are used to living. You, doing your modelling and me, working at the company. What do you say? Deal?"

I took my time to think about the proposition he gave me. It's quite a good plan, but I ruined my parents' reputation tonight. I'll have to get past that first.

"I'm in, but I need to know what your parents thought when I ran from the dinner party."

"Oh, about that. Your dad freaked out with my parents but your mum sort of fixed everything. She ran after you, we all know that. When she came back, she told everyone that you weren't disappointed about the engagement but that you didn't feel well ever since this afternoon, so you ran to the bathroom first and vomited, and she sent you home to get some rest. That's all that happened."

I love Mama. She knows how to handle everything so well. I get a slight smile and look at Eugene.

"Fine, let's do it. Starting tomorrow. Make sure you know how to act well."

"Trust me. I won't disappoint."

And with that, he turns and leaves, and I also go into my room and climb into bed. I need to sleep. Everything was just too much today, so some sleep will do me good. I close my eyes and drift off into sleep.