CHAPTER 17
Rachel arrived home early from work, her mind still buzzing with the events of the day. She dropped her bag by the door and made her way to the bathroom, eager to soak in a warm bath and relax. She filled the tub with steaming water, adding a few drops of lavender oil to the water.
As she sank into the tub, she let out a sigh of contentment and closed her eyes, letting the warmth and the scent of lavender envelop her.
As she lay in the tub, she found her mind drifting back to her day at work. She thought about her boss’s strange outfit and the way it made her feel embarrassed for him. She thought about the uncomfortable conversation she had with William, and the way her mind kept drifting to other thoughts. But despite all that, she couldn’t shake the feeling of contentment that had settled in her chest.
The bathroom was a small but cozy space, with white tiles covering the floor and walls. The tub was made of porcelain, and it had a white finish that gleamed in the light. Above the tub, there was a window that let in natural light, providing a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The window had a white curtain that was pulled back to let in the light. On the wall next to the tub, there was a built-in shelf that held various toiletries such as a shampoo, conditioner, soap, and a few candles.
The room had a small sink made of white porcelain, with a mirror above it. The sink had a single lever faucet and a small shelf underneath it to hold a few essentials. The toilet was tucked into a small alcove, and it had a white finish that matched the rest of the bathroom.
She stayed in the tub for a while, letting the warmth and the scent of lavender soothe her body and mind. Eventually, she got out of the tub and dried herself off. She put on her robe and made her way to the kitchen to make a light meal for herself and her mother.
As she cooked, she thought about her mother bringing up the marriage information some time ago but she didn’t want to think about it, so she pushed the thought off her mind and concentrated on what she was doing. She didn’t want to ruin her mood so she thought about something else.
She started by heating a skillet over medium heat and adding a bit of olive oil. She diced up some onions and garlic and added them to the skillet. She sautéed them until they were translucent, and then added some diced tomatoes. She seasoned the mixture with salt, pepper, and a bit of basil, and let it simmer for a few minutes.
Next, she cracked a few eggs into the skillet and stirred everything together until the eggs were cooked through. She served the dish with a side of whole wheat toast and a small salad of mixed greens.
After dinner, Rachel and her mother sat at the table and talked about their day. Her mother’s racy eyes told her she had some information to share.
“You seem to be in a really good mood today,” her mother said with a smile. “I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time.”
Rachel grinned and nodded. “I know, it’s strange. I had a really tough day at work, but somehow I still feel really good.”
“I’m glad you’re happy,” her mother said with a smile.
Their dinner was pleasant but her mood is ruined when her mother brought up the conversation about the contract wedding which was her Father’s wish before the accident that took his life.
“Mom, can we not talk about the contract marriage right now? It’s just… it’s a lot to take in,” Rachel said, dread washing over her as she thought about the arranged marriage her father had planned for her before he passed away.
Rachel’s heart sank as she thought about the arranged marriage her father had planned for her, before he passed away.
“I know this is a difficult topic for you, Rachel, but we have to talk about it eventually,” her mother said gently.
“I know, but I just don’t know if I’m ready for this,” Rachel said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I understand that, but you have to remember that this was your father’s wish before the accident. He wanted to make sure that you were taken care of, and this is the best way to do it,” her mother said.
Rachel felt tears welling up in her eyes. “But I don’t even know the person I’m supposed to marry,” she said.
“That’s true, but you’ll have the rest of your life together to get to know each other,” her mother said with a smile.
Unable to continue with the discussion, Rachel stood up and began to walk towards her room but her mother’s voice stopped her. She didn’t want to lose it.
“Rachel, I’m sorry to bother you, but you just can’t keep avoiding it. Where are you going?” she asked, her voice edged with concern.
She hesitated for a moment before responding without sparing her a glance. “To my room. I… I just need some time to process everything.”
“I understand, honey. Take all the time you need. I’m here for you if you need to talk.” her mother said, her brows shooting up in concern.
Rachel nodded, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of despair that had settled in her chest. She excused herself from the table and went to her room, trying to push the thoughts out of her troubled mind.
She closed the door behind her and sat on the bed, tightening her jaws to prevent the tears from spilling. The topic and the fact that she was going to get married to someone she never knew was the bane of her life and there was nothing she could do to prevent the looming problem.