Dawn POV
“Engagement!?” I shouted, both in shock and exasperation. My widened eyes on Mom seems as though she expected nothing else of my reaction. “This is not what he says.”
Tears brimmed in my eyes. And I felt a tight knot in my chest.
What? Does Ethan also know about this? Has he been told? If yes, what was his reaction?
He won’t think I had followed my brother here blindly after knowing I would be getting engaged with his brother, would he?
No! I grabbed a handful of my hair, pulling it frustratedly.
What have I gotten myself into? I thought I’d get enough time to draw out a plan if I followed Henry here.
I swear… God! I had no idea that Dad is gonna proceed with my marriage just a day after his daughter got his heart broken.
I slumped weakly down on the bed, my tears slowly falling.
In my dazed state, I could not think of anything.
“Dawn…” Mom called quietly.
She moved to sit beside me, grabbing hold of my hand.
No! I don’t want to be comforted. Nothing she says is gonna make me cheer up anyway.
“Dad wants the best for you, Dawn.”
The best for me? And the best he could ever think of is to get me married against my will?
I mentally scoffed, freeing my hand away from her hold.
How could I have forgotten? Huh? That, for someone like me, falling in love is a luxury.
I wiped my tears, blinked back the rest, and breathed in quietly.
“I want to be alone, mom.”
“Dawn!” Mom stared at me, ashen face, her lips pursed as she surveyed me curiously under her misty eyes.
“I’m not gonna run away.” I mouthed. “You can station as many guards as you want outside the door. Lock all the windows. I won’t go out. I just wanna have some time alone.”
“It’s not what you… ”
“I know,” I intoned
“Alright, I’ll be back in a minute to get you.” Mom chuckled. She gave me a nervous pat on the back before she toddle out of the room.
Yeah! She will be back, and I’ll find myself downstairs, in the parlor, getting engaged to that git.
I rested my elbows on my knees, burying my face in my palm. I let my tears down, not caring about ruining the darn makeup.
God! It’s too horrible to be true.
I hissed in indignation as the door suddenly banged open.
Alright! I know I’m to get back down there but is it already up to a minute? No! Can’t I have just a second alone to myself?
“Dawn…?”
I heard a familiar voice followed by soft slapping of flop on the floor. “That’s you, isn’t it?”
“Mia?” I muffled, flying my head up.
Mia gasped. Both her hands quickly clapped over her mouth. She glared at me.
Before I could do anything other than open my mouth, Mia flung herself on me, her arms wrapped tightly around my neck, almost squeezing life outta my petite body.
“You bitch!” She shrilled. “How dare you! How dare you come back after all these months.”
“Mia… Lis…” I struggled against her hold, trying to break free. “Can you. let me go? I can’t breathe.”
“Bitch!” Mia sniffed loudly as she released me. “You heartless bitch.”
Mia has been my friend since high school. A classic lady in her early twentieth. Curse a lot, but quite jovial and caring.
“Why?” She cast a glare at me. Her red-painted lips raised in a lopsided smirk. “You left me hanging. No message and not even a call.”
I quickly tore my gaze away from her, now focusing my eyes on the pink triangular plastic tube on the dressing table.
A wave of guilt crashed through me, reminding me of how I’ve not even remembered my friend for once.
“Not even once,” Mia continued, her low dull voice intensifying my guilt.
Oh, God!
“I’m sorry,” I muttered.
“Sorry?!” Mia scoffed. “Oh right! Medicine after death. And how dare you not tell me you’re getting married!”
I snapped my gaze back to her. Every ounce of guilt now leaves my body, replacing them with anger.
“Why am I hearing it from Henry?”
“Because he’s a little fat git!” I spat. “I never wanna get married, you know that, don’t you? ”
“I do.” Mia creased her brow. “Isn’t that why you ran away from home?”
I gave a few nods, my tears using the chance to slide down my cheeks.
I thought I’d run for it forever. I thought I had won.
Mia sighed, pulling me closer. She placed my head on her chest and patted me softly.
“C’mon,” she breathed out. “I can’t even get mad at you.”
“I don’t wanna…” I cried. “I don’t wanna get married, Mia.”
“I know,” Mia mouthed.
I quickly flew my head up, for a thought had just run down my dazed mind.
Bless Mia for coming at this time.
“Wh… What?” She creased her brows.
“Your phone…”
Roughly, the door sprang open, cutting me from completing my statement.
I cursed mentally as I snapped my gaze to the intruder.
“I’m sorry, Mia,” Dad said, but he’s not sorry at all. “Will you let your friend excuse you for a few minutes?”
I shook my head. No! I don’t want to excuse her.
“No, Mia.” I mouthed through the corner of my lips.
Mia darted her eyes quickly from me to Dad, and with a nervous chuckle, she mumbled. “Of course, Mr. Shaw.”
I gritted my teeth, hand balled into a fist.
Of course?
“Alright, Dawn. Let’s go.” Dad hissed. “It’s just a small party with only both families. C’mon, you don’t want to keep your in-laws waiting.”
He grabbed hold of my hand and led me to the door.
“And wipe any traces of that silly tear off your face.” He also snapped.
I stared back at Mia, muttering inaudibly to her as Dad finally succeeded in walking me downstairs
As soon as I get downstairs, mom flashed me a smile which didn’t seem encouraging at all.
“Should we start?”
“The sooner the better.”
****
I stared absentmindedly at the silver ring which, unfortunately, I now share with Nicole.
I’ve cried so much that I did not know what else to do.
And unfortunately, after the small engagement party, I was left alone with Nicole to show him around the house.
As if that’s important.
I don’t want anything more than to get back to Mia, but this man won’t stop bothering me with his flat little ass.
“Hey, are you okay?”
I flinched, my eyes widening as they settled on Nicole who looked utterly worried.
“What?” I mouthed.
“I have been asking about that hedge, but you won’t answer me.”
He said with a pathetic smile.
“Ah!’ I breathed out, running a hand through my hair. “I’m sorry, I got carried away.”
“Carried away?” He frowned. ” Is this because…”
“Sorry, but can I use the restroom?” I smiled sheepishly.
Reminding me of Ethan is definitely what I want now.
Oh yeah! He knows I’m out of it because of Ethan, yet he went ahead telling me he’s going to marry me.
“Oh right”
I flashed him a sheepish smile and whirled around to make my way in.
There’s only one thought in my mind. Get back to Mia, take a phone and put a call across Ethan. But, if it doesn’t work, I’m going to run away from this goddamned mansion.
Yes! I’ve done it once, it is not going to be that hard, is it?
I heaped my cloth up in my hand, walking as fast as I could, but before I could climb the stairs, I felt a strong pair of arms around me.
I got whirled around, slamming hard first into what seemed like a rock.
“You’re in a hurry to go to the restroom that you missed your way?” Nicole chuckled.
Cursing quietly, I folded my fist.
Right! Didn’t I tell him that I’m going to the restroom? Why would he follow me all the way here?
Nicole pulled me up, holding my face in his large palm. His eyes moved my face before they settled on my lips.
What… my lips?
“I forget to do this,” he whispered, and before I could make out what he’s saying, he placed his lips on mine