Chapter 4 The Preparations

• CHAPTER 4
• The Preparations
• Narrated by Flora
• I am woken up with a slight jolt.
• I look at a lady who is clearly one of the maids, dressed in a black and white uniform, very well composed.
• She smiles sympathetically at me and says:
• - I apologize, Miss, but it's already 4:00 in the afternoon and you haven't eaten anything yet.
• She frowns a little and I see a table nearby with food on it.
• Even my eyes eat at how beautiful the food is. I realize that I haven't eaten anything since yesterday, practically 24 hours ago.
• - Thank you. - I smile at her who looks friendly to me.
• She excuses herself and leaves the room.
• I go to the table and eat whatever my stomach lets me.
• I look like a real starving woman, ahahah.
• After an hour, another waitress shows up to clear the table.
• - Many congratulations, Miss. - she says with a smile on her face.
• Oxi, it's not my birthday!
• - Excuse me, but congratulations on what? - I ask lost in this conversation.
• - Why, because I just heard in the kitchen that you have already started with all the preparations. - It's very short notice, but don't worry Miss, everything will be ready on time. - she smiles as she speaks.
• I'm stunned, I don't understand a word she's saying.
• - We've been missing a party here at home, - she continues - and a wedding after all is perfect. - she speaks excitedly.
• - A wedding? - I ask in fear.
• - Yes, Miss, the future Don Brian has just announced that your wedding is in three days.
• What a nerve that crazy man has.
• He is handsome but he must be really crazy.
• But does he think I'm going to go along with the whole marrying him thing?
• Marriage contracts, terms and all that? He can only be crazy from that hawk-head.
• The Next Day
• Problematic
• Narrated by Brian
• As soon as I enter the house one of the maids comes up to me.
• - Sir, -she calls me- Miss Flora refuses to put any food in her mouth since yesterday, she says she won't eat anything anymore.
• I roll my eyes, holy patience that I don't have any.
• - Don't worry, I'll take care of it.
• That's all I need, to have a tantrum in the house.
• I go up to her room and open the door I left locked.
• - May I come in? - I ask before opening the door completely.
• - What do you want here? - I hear her say.
• I can tell she is angry, but apparently I can come in, she didn't say she couldn't.
• I then open the door and she is sitting by the window.
• - One of the waitresses told me that you don't want to eat, may I know the reason for this stupidity?
• She gets up and comes towards me.
• - The reason is very obvious and very simple, it's you and this stupid marriage. I don't want to get married, let alone to a man I don't even know, let alone have to do it thank you. - she looks at me angrily.
• - And what do you think by going on hunger strike that will help you anyway? - I ask curiously.
• - If I don't eat I'll die. - she says shrugging her shoulders.
• - Hmm, I see. Well, but you won't die before the wedding anyway, there are only less than 48 hours left. - I speak looking at the clock.
• She looks at me enraged, angry and who knows what else and immediately starts screaming.
• - THEN I'LL KILL MYSELF BEFORE THIS CRAPPY WEDDING EVEN STARTS.
• I take a deep breath trying to keep my calm.
• - You'll kill yourself! - I say.
• - Yes, if you don't release me I will kill myself and then you won't be able to marry me and this stupid contract will be void.
• She crosses her arms in front of her and looks at me all hopeful.
• She looks like a spoiled child.
• But what she doesn't know is that I have a card up my sleeve.
• - Flora, I know you don't know, but your grandmother is hospitalized. - I inform her.
• I see her startled and uncross her arms.
• - My grandmother? But why? What happened to her? - she asks in distress.
• - I don't know, it seems that it had something to do with her heart, but what is certain is that she is in danger of dying, but I can save her, she needs a surgery which is very expensive, but...- I look into her eyes.
• - But what, Brian! Just say it! - he says impatiently.
• - It's simple, you agree to marry me, fulfill the contract and the terms, and I save your grandmother, otherwise your grandmother doesn't have long to live.
• She looks at me perplexed.
• - Are you playing with my grandmother's life?
• - If you think so, I won't say otherwise. The game is quite simple Flora, you marry me, your grandmother lives and we only have to put up with each other for a year, it won't be that hard.
• I see tears in her light green eyes.
• Flora is a beautiful woman, very beautiful, no doubt about it.
• I sigh irritated with myself, for having these stupid thoughts.
• She looks outside through the window and is silent for a while.
• I decide not to interrupt her and stand here waiting, seeing what she decides.
• - Okay, you win, I agree to marry you. - she speaks finally, without taking her gaze from the window - But I need to see my grandmother before I get married.
• - No, no way. - I speak rudely and immediately.
• She looks at me in astonishment.
• - But why? I already told you that I agree to marry you. What's wrong with you?
• -You're not leaving the house before the wedding, so you don't get cute and try something stupid. Before the wedding you won't be able to do anything but wait.
• - But Brian, it would be a quick visit, I won't tell you anything," she tries to convince me.
• - No, Flora, it will be better this way, not before the wedding takes place.
• She gets upset again but doesn't say anything more.
• I then go towards the door and lock it again.
• I go downstairs and see Mark coming.
• - So, trouble in paradise? - he asks that and bursts out laughing like a stray.
• - If you weren't my best friend, I would shoot you right now," I say disgusted.
• - How exaggerated. - he says amused.
• - Let's just have fun with some hot chicks. - I say, already heading towards the street door.
• - And how is the future wife? - he asks jokingly.
• - Good Lord, what a troublesome woman, I don't have the patience for so many chirps.
• He laughs.
• - Get used to it my dear friend. - he says giving me a pat on the shoulder.
• - Let's go, I want to have fun all night, at least with two. - I speak irritated.
• -Let's go then, stud.