STILL seated in her office and whimpering was Jasira. She was also still trying to regain her composure after the flood of emotions that had overtaken her.
Her phone buzzed, breaking the silence. She glanced at the screen and saw that it was Tarmah calling.
“Hello,” Jasira answered, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Jasira, I just saw the news about Amelia and Jeremy,” Tarmah said, her voice filled with concern. “I had no idea this was happening. Are you okay?”
Jasira felt a fresh wave of sadness but was grateful for her friend’s concern.
“I’m trying to be. It is just… it was such a shock, Tarmah. I didn’t expect this at all.”
“I can’t believe it either,” Tarmah said, “Amelia never mentioned anything about an engagement to Jeremy. I’m completely blindsided by this news. How are you holding up?”
“I’m struggling,” Jasira admitted. “Seeing them so happy and in love… it is hard.”
“I understand,” Tarmah said gently, “but remember, you are strong, and you deserve happiness too. Don’t let this overshadow your worth. We will get through this together, and besides, I still do not want to believe that Jeremy is involved in this.”
Jasira sniffed.
“You think so?”
“I know so, I am so sure. Let’s just wait till evening and see what is going to happen,” she suggested.
“Thank you, Tarmah,” Jasira said, feeling a bit of comfort, “I appreciate you being there for me.”
“Always, Jasira. Like I have always said, you are like a sister to me, not just a sister but a big sister. Just take it one day at a time, okay?”
“I will. Thanks again,” Jasira said before hanging up.
She felt a small measure of peace knowing in the midst of the cruelty and hatred in the world, she had someone aside Jeremy, someone who cared about her.
***
Jeremy was busy in his office that fateful morning, so busy working on his laptop and on some papers. He had been working since he arrived the office.
A few hours to the break hour, Nathan strolled in, and walked up to his boss.
“Congrats on the engagement, Boss Just saw the news. Exciting times ahead,” he said and astonished, Jeremy slowly looked up from his laptop, inquiringly staring at Nathan.
Nathan was taken aback. Or hadn’t he seen right? It was just a few minutes ago that he was going through his phone on the social media, that he had seen the announcement about Jeremy and Amelia’s engagement party.
His initial reaction had been the one of surprise and curiosity, still he had deemed it was much better and respectful to send Jeremy a quick congratulatory message, before interrogation.
“What are you talking about?” Jeremy questioned.
Nathan was shocked.
“Really? It is all over the internet,” he said.
“What is all over the internet? You are getting me more confused,” Jeremy said and without a word, Nathan just handed his phone over to him.
He took it and saw for himself, the piece of information that have been trending. Instantly, he felt a cold shock run through him.
He was never aware of this, he had not been informed about any engagement plans neither did he plan with anyone that he was ready to be engaged, even though he was ready but to who?
“I never did that,” he said handing back the phone to Nathan, who took it with a surprise stricken face.
“Then who the hell did?” He questioned.
Panic set in as Jeremy immediately called his parents.
“Mom, Dad, what is going on? What engagement party did I plan with you guys?” Jeremy asked, his voice tight with anxiety. “I had no idea about this until just now.”
There was a brief pause on the other end before his mother responded. “Jeremy, we were just as surprised. Mr. Redford made the arrangements without informing us beforehand. We only found out after everything had been set.”
Jeremy was stunned.
“Mr. Redford did this? Why didn’t he talk to me first? Who the hell does he think he is to plan such things behind me?”
“He believed it was the best decision for both families,” she replied. “He thought it would resolve any issues between you and Amelia.”
Jeremy felt a mix of anger and confusion.
“This is my life. How could he decide this without consulting me?”
“I understand your frustration, Jeremy,” his mother said softly, “but maybe this is an opportunity to make things right with Amelia. Think about it.”
Jeremy sighed, feeling the weight of the situation.
“There is absolutely nothing to make right. I need to talk to Mr. Redford. This isn’t how I want things to happen,” he hung up immediately.
After hanging up, Jeremy felt a storm of emotions brewing inside him. He felt a simmering anger as he got up and picked up his phones.
Nathan who all the while had been standing there listening to every conversation, immediately went ahead of Jeremy, he instantly knew where they were headed, and need not be told.
He couldn’t believe Mr. Redford had orchestrated such a monumental event without his consent. It wasn’t just an overreach; it was a profound betrayal of trust, disrespect and a blow to his face. How dare he?
Together with Nathan alone, they drove to the Redford Estate, the anger in his chest growing with each passing minute.
When they arrived, he didn’t bother to announce himself. He marched through the familiar halls with a determined stride, his mind set on confronting Mr. Redford.
The butler barely had time to step aside as Jeremy stormed past him, heading straight for the study.
Mr. Redford was at his desk, reviewing documents, when Jeremy burst into the room. He looked up, startled, but quickly composed himself.
“Jeremy,” Mr. Redford began, his tone measured, “I assume you are here about the engagement announcement.”
“You assume right,” Jeremy snapped. “How could you make such a decision without even talking to me first?”
Mr. Redford sighed, setting his papers aside.
“I understand you are upset right now. My intention was to help-”
“Help?” Jeremy interrupted, his voice rising. “You blindsided me. You made a public announcement about my life without my consent. That is not helping; that is controlling.”
“I wanted to mend things between you and Amelia,” Mr. Redford said, trying to maintain his calm. “She was deeply hurt, and I believed this would show her that you are committed.”
“Committed my foot! That is not your decision to make!” Jeremy shouted. “You don’t get to dictate the terms of our relationship if ever we had one.”
Amelia, who had heard the commotion from the garden immediately appeared at the doorway, together with Zoey, they were both at the garden.
Her eyes widened in shock at the sight of Jeremy’s fury.
“Jeremy, please,” she said, her voice trembling. “Let’s talk about this calmly.”
Jeremy turned to her, his expression softening only slightly.
“Amelia, I care about you, not as my woman though, but as a friend, this… this is too much. Your father overstepped his bounds, and I can’t just go along with it.”
“Huh!” She and Zoey gasped, their eyes so widened in shock. Just then, Mrs. Redford rushed in as well, panic stricken.
“What is going on?” She asked no one in particular.
Mr. Redford stood up, trying to diffuse the tension.
“Jeremy, I apologize if you feel this was an overreach. My actions were driven by a desire to protect Amelia and ensure her happiness.”
Jeremy shook his head, his anger not abating.
“What you did was wrong. You tried to control a situation that should have been between me and her.”
“Jeremy,” Amelia pleaded, stepping closer, “I didn’t know about the announcement either. Can we at least talk about this? Work through it together?” She tried to lie.
Jeremy’s eyes were hard as he looked at Mr. Redford.
“I’m done talking. You wanted a public spectacle? Fine. Here it is. I’m not marrying your daughter. I would never be part of a relationship that is manipulated from the outside.”
The room fell into a stunned silence. Amelia’s face went pale, tears welling up in her eyes. Mr. Redford’s expression turned from shock to a stern resolve. Mrs. Redford and Zoey were both stunned.
“What… what did you just say Jeremy?” Mr. Redford asked.
Jeremy scoffed and moved a little bit closer, looking into the faces of everyone in the room as he spoke.
“Read my lips clearly,” he began, “I am not and was never interested in your daughter Mr. Redford, and so being I would never marry her,” he said.