Chapter 175
Liam
As soon as I arrive at my parents’ residence, the staff stand in line to welcome me, but this isn’t a warm welcome as I know what to expect when I speak to my parents.
I make my way inside, ready to fully explain myself as I know the challenge I’m about to face.
How could Stephanie tell them when I told her that I planned to do this myself? My father already sounded like he was against my decision, but I’m here now and by the time I leave this place, it’ll be with my family’s approval.
I get to the living room, my mother’s glare so sharp that I can feel it from a distance. I’m certain that if Charlotte was here, she’d look at me the same way.
“Good morning,” I say to both of them, taking a seat on the couch across from theirs.
“What’s so good about this morning when you ruined it?” My mother sneers. “Of all the shocking things in this world we could’ve heard from Stephanie, this wasn’t on the list! Are you out of your mind?”
“Mom, you have it all wrong. I made this decision with a clear mind.”
“A clear mind?” My father chimes in, his tone and facial expression filled with disapproval. “You made the decision to marry someone you know absolutely nothing about.”
“It’s not like I’m marrying her today or something. I have my reasons for choosing her and-”
“We already know,” my mother cuts me off. “Aileen claims she has no idea who we are, but do you really believe that? Don’t you know how many ladies would jump at the opportunity to be with you? We’ve set you up on several dates before but those never worked out, which is why we thought it would still be Stephanie in the end since you two are so close.”
“Mom-”
“No! She was heartbroken when she told us about this and I’m certain her parents will be disappointed.”
“If you always wanted me to marry her, why did you make me go on those dates in the first place?”
“It was to establish a few business connections along the way. And because you never showed any romantic interest in Stephanie, we thought we’d let you choose from all the other ones we set up for you. But if I’m being honest, I always wanted it to be her.” “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t like her that way.”
My father scoffs. “How could you not like her when she’s so classy and decent?”
I raise my eyebrows a little. If only I could openly tell them that Stephanie isn’t who they think she is.
“Liam, should I remind you that even before your mother and I got married, we didn’t like -”
“I know. You didn’t like each other. I’ve heard it a million times. You only fell in love later on, but that’s not what I want.”
“Listen to me.” My mother points a finger at me. “If you think we’re about to accept a girl we know nothing about into this family, you’re wrong. You can’t just walk up to someone and decide that she’s going to be your wife. What if she’s a criminal?” “She’s definitely not.”
“You don’t know that for sure,” my father says. “I hope that by the end of the day, you’ll be back to your senses and stop this nonsense.”
“But-”
“Enough.” He rises to his feet, loosening his necktie. “I need to get to work now.”
And with that, he makes his way out of the living room and I look over at my mother, who doest even want to look at me. “Mom-”
“No.” She crosses her arms, facing the other side.
I get up from my seat, taking a seat right beside her and reaching for her hand even if she doesn’t look at me.
“You’re obviously disappointed that it’s not Stephanie, but I seriously don’t see myself with her.”
She sighs. “While it’s mainly Stephanie, there are other girls from good families within our circle.”
“And I want none of that. Aren’t you the ones who want me to settle down?” I remind her. “Yes, but-”
“I’ve made my choice. I’m certain that when you meet Aileen, you’ll change your mind.”
She rolls her eyes. “That’s where you’re wrong. Just get your head right and forget about whatever this is. I won’t accept it.”
“What if-” “Enough.”
I press my lips together so I don’t speak any further. It’s clear to me that there’s no getting through to her. It’s obvious that she’s extremely disappointed. Aunt Mia is her best friend and they’ve spoken about this for years. Still, it doesn’t change anything for me. “I’m sorry,” I say to her.
“That’s my son.” She chuckles, holding onto my arm. “Now you’re talking a-”
“I’m sorry for not settling down the way you all want me to.”
She gasps. “Liam!”
“I’ve made my choice. It’s still Aileen. There’s just something so refreshing about her.” “The fact that she’s pretending not to know who you are?” She pulls her hand away.
“I don’t think she’s pretending and if she is, I’ll definitely find out. For now, it’s her.”
It seems that no matter what I say, my mother only ever lashes out at me, but that still changes nothing. She raises her voice a few more times, listing all the things that could possibly go wrong but in my mind, I’m only thinking about Aileen I still can’t believe she chose to wait for me back at the suite. She must really have a lot of time on her hands.
When it seems that my mother and I are unable to come to a mutual agreement, the argument comes an end with her still not accepting my decision, just like my father intend to change their minds and one way or another, I will.
On my way back to the hotel, I call Josh again but it’s just like before. I have so much to tell him.
Then, thinking back to the reason I had to explain myself to my parents, I dial Stephanie’s number and she immediately picks up. “Hey, what’s up?” she says casually.
“Why did you have to open your mouth when I told you not to do it?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Aileen.”
“Oh, that. Look, I just wanted your parents to pump some sense into you.”
“You still had no right to tell them.”
“As a close friend, I’m only looking out for you.”
I scoff, knowing the real reason she did it. “I spoke to my parents and they refused to accept Aileen before even meeting her.”
“As they should.”
“But I’m still going ahead with her.”
“Are you fucking serious? Why would you do that?”
“Just like I said to my mom, Aileen is my choice.”
“You still don’t know her!”
“I will. You seriously shouldn’t have told them, because now you’ve just sped things up for me in my attempt to prove them wrong about her.”
“You know what? It’s a good thing I won’t be around for this since I’m going on a trip. Do whatever you want because I’m done looking out for you.”
The call abruptly ends, making me shake my head. I understand the way she feels right now, but it doesn’t change anything.
Just as I arrive at the hotel, Josh calls and I decide to take a few minutes before going up to the suite.
“Took you long enough to get in touch with me,” I say to him.
He chuckles. “I was busy with my girl, okay? What’s up?”
“Stephanie’s told my parents about Aileen.”
“What? Why? Actually, don’t answer that because I know. Still, she shouldn’t have done that. I’m guessing you’re mad at her?”
“I don’t know, but it’s a good thing I don’t get to see her face for a while.”
“Anyway, what did your parents say?”
“They don’t approve. They said Aileen might be a criminal or something. They want me to stop this, but I won’t.”
“You’re really serious about this, huh?”
“Yup.”
“So, I’m guessing you’ve already spoken to Kate?”
Hearing her name makes me tightly shut my eyes. “Not yet.”
“And yet you want to marry Aileen?”
“I couldn’t reach Kate each time I called. It’s just not right to tell her through a text message.”
“She won’t be happy about this.”
“Why would that happen when she was never my girlfriend?”
“I don’t know, dude, but the way I see it, she won’t take this lightly because it’ll be such an abrupt end.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“You usually do crazy stuff but this is
by far the craziest thing you’ve ever done. What if Aileen really turns out to be a criminal or might bring about a bad reputation for your well. respected family? Will you still go ahead and marry her?”