Part
7 An Arranged Marriage
Dinner in Chen Residence was full of weird atmosphere.
Amy sat beside Theo awkwardly while the man himself
ignored her presence most of time. Both parents were having a nice chat each
other. Ethan, who was sitting in the left side of center table, glanced Amy
many times with curiosity. Kate, the other side was resenting for this marriage
plan. She imagined herself sitting next to Theo countless time.
“Amy dear, do you like the meals? I cooked all your
favorite food.” Suddenly Joanna spoke, snapped out of Amy’s daydream.
Amy saw her blankly for second. Obviously, the food
tasted delicious, but she was not in a phase to appreciate it.
“Honey, what’s wrong? Is the food not suited with your
taste?” A worry has seen in Joanna’s face.
Amy shook her head abruptly. A sweet smile was radiated
from Joanna made Amy felt guilty. She has never forgotten how Theo’s accusation
for the headline news four days ago. She called his secretary many times since
she knew Theo always rejected her calls. She requested a meeting in a person
with him, but he bluntly refused it. He did not want to create the hype which made
people more misunderstand when they were caught in a discussion. She was not
enjoying it either.
This official meeting between families surely did not
resolve the problem. This so-called marriage for business would be troublesome
since Amy and Theo dislikes each other.
“Anna, just let her be. She can’t enjoy her food if you
always bother her.” Li Qiang reminded Joanna with soft tone.
“Oh, I am sorry Amy. Auntie always be noisy.”
“That’s fine, Auntie.” Amy lowered her head and ate her
food.
The clumsy expression of Amy really cracked Ethan up. All
attention, except Theo was turned to him swiftly.
Ethan smiled with meaningful look to Joanna. “Mom, you
just realize your noises. How about your nags?”
Joanna shot her warning eyes. Ethan always teased her
with his irksome attitude.
“Ethan, stop blabbering nonsense.” Li Qiang spoke
assertively, shut Ethan mouth.
Nobody dared to go against the head of Chen family when
he spoke. Ethan continued munching his food. Theo did not care the tense air as
he was busy eating and putting the food in Toby’s plate. Toby looked him with
obvious admiration.
“Theo, you should put food on Amy’s plate too. I will
look after Toby.” Joanna advised his son to give his attention to Amy.
“Mom, please. Just eat your food.” Theo said it flatly.
Joanna took a deep breath. She felt helpless about Theo’s
coldness.
After dinner, a serious atmosphere fulfilled the family
room. In the beginning, two elder men was talking about their cooperation and
future business, then suddenly Joanna brought the marriage issue. Li Jie nodded
about the arrangement while Li Qiang teased his excited wife. Maggie, who was
sitting beside Li Jie, only gave few comments.
Theo was busy with his phone, so he looked like ignoring
his around, including Kate’s seduction. Amy dazed since she was thinking to
escape from this depressing situation. This could not had escaped from Ethan’s
sight who was sitting in the other side of sofa near Kate.
“Amy, you won’t get happiness in your life” a sharp pain was
piercing as she thought her past-memories.
She fell in love deeply with someone, but she was
betrayed till her heart froze. Li Jie, her father accused her for being
pregnant before marriage. She left the city with broken heart and had spent days
abroad in despair for a year. She almost drove crazy facing endless
psychotherapy.
Her awareness was awakened when Carrie showed their happy
photos in a desperate voice one day. She even went further to jump to the beach
even though she got trauma of drowning in the water. Then they hugged and cried
for long time until Amy apologized several times with tears flooded her face.
“…. I think the engagement’s date on Theo’s birthday
sounds a good idea.” Li Jie nodded.
The engagement will be held less than two months from
this day.
“Maggie, do you think the same? Or should we make it
earlier and the marriage on Theo’s birthday?” Joanna asked Maggie.
Maggie forced a sweet smile. She struggled to keep her
face looking happy with the plan. When Li Jie brought this issue, she always
tried to convince him to marry Kate with Theo, reminded him about how Amy were
disgraceful Li family with her shameless action. However, Li Jie insisted and
spoke his final decision.
“No, I think it is better not to rush the marriage.
Besides, they need more time to know each other.”
Joanna nodded in agreement. Theo could not control his
calmness. A sudden move from him attract the elder’s attention.
“I am really sorry, Uncle Li, Auntie Maggie, Dad, Mom. I
need to discuss something with Ms. Li.”
Joanna has just wanted to speak, but Theo quickly grabbed
Amy’s hand and bowed down. Amy was dumbfounded when Theo pulled her away from
their parents. Kate almost jump out, wanted to follow them but Ethan held back
her wrist.
“Do you want to be the third wheel?” He prevented Kate to
step further.
Kate felt frightened when Ethan’s stern face like a
burning fire.
In the garden, after vanishing from the elders, Theo let
go off Amy’s hand. He turned to face Amy.
“Ms. Li, I had clearly told you that I don’t expect we
see each other.”
Amy trembled as Theo’s coldness pass through her spines. Theo
noticed the fear written all over her face. The dim light in the garden made
her sparkling.
Theo remained silent as he observed Amy with a sudden
interest. Her big crystal eyes were the most intriguing whether she was annoyed
or smiled.
“Mr. Chen, I would like to discuss about this situation,
but you refused my call. Do you think I didn’t try my best to destroy the plan?
I would rather be a single forever than get married with you.”
Amy lifted her chin, bravely staring Theo with
her fierce eyes. Her chest seemed breathing up and down.
Theo flabbergasted. This woman was totally changed from
seconds ago. Has she not realized how many marriage proposals coming to his
family? On the top of that, wherever he goes, many women would seduce him
involuntarily.
A flashback crossed in his mind about David’s
investigation report. This was impossibly the same woman.
Theo put both his hands into the pocket of his trouser.
He looked at Amy with relaxed face.
“I don’t know what kind of tricks you were playing that
my mom is so fond of you. It is really hard to solve the problem if my mom
insists about you being her future daughter-in-law.”
Amy rolled her
eyes. A night breeze gusted up her delicate face. She felt cold since only
wearing a thin dress, so she folded her arms in front of her chest.
“Well, Mr. Chen, even if I tell you the truth you won’t
believe in me anyway. How about you find yourself a girlfriend and marry her?”
Her words provoked his anger. In a blink of eyes, Theo
was standing so close to Amy and holding both her wrists forcefully until she twitched
her lip.
“Don’t ever mention about a girlfriend in front of me.”
Theo said it in dangerous tone.
Amy’s heart was beating so fast with this closeness. Theo’s
breath was sending a strange sensation in her ears. He bended down while was
whispering words.
Amy nodded panicky. She really wanted to move away,
however a masculine smell from Theo’s body enchanted her mind.
When she raised her head, Theo was staring her intently. Amy
gulped nervously. Under the light of full moon, she must admit Theo’s face and
height is above average. Although he was wearing a white shirt, this could not
hide his well-built muscles.
Amy quickly lowered her head and spoke in trembling
voice. “Mr. Chen, I understand, so please move out.”
Theo smiled devilishly. He let go of her wrists and lifted
her chin instead. Amy was shocked. Her lip was opened a half way. A sweet
fragrance fulfilled the air. Out of the blue, Theo felt a sudden desire to kiss
her lip.
Without thinking, Theo pressed her dainty lip with his. It
tasted sweet and intoxicating. He deepened his kiss, making Amy’s mind became
blank. Her body was being stiff, and her legs weakened. She held on Theo’s
chest. This small touch made Theo kissed her until she was breathless.
Amy pushed Theo hard. An anger, surprise, and bitterness
were carved in her eyes.
Theo looked down her coldly.
“That’s your punishment.”
He left without second glance. Amy gnashed her teeth, felt
humiliated. This marriage was another mistake in her life. A drop of tear fell on
her cheeks.
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