LILY
I felt like backing out, not wanting to proceed with my agreement with Arlo. His mother’s gaze was fixed on me, and I couldn’t quite read her expression. Arlo glanced at me, and I shook my head at him, silently refusing to continue with his plan.
“Please,” he pleaded.
“Why did it take you both so long to arrive?” Arlo’s mother asked sweetly.
“I was busy, Mom. I had a lot to handle at the office. By the way, Mom, this is Lily Perry,” Arlo introduced me.
“Hi, Ma’am,” I greeted her politely. She had a slight resemblance to my mother.
I was surprised when she suddenly hugged me and kissed me on the cheek.
“How long have you been with my son, dear?” she asked me.
“Arlo—” I was about to answer when an older man called Arlo’s name.
“Grandpa,” Arlo responded.
The older man’s gaze fell on me. His look was so intense it reminded me of Grandpa Williams—authoritative and unwavering. I felt nervous as his eyes assessed me. His presence was powerful, and he seemed like someone who wouldn’t easily back down.
I was startled when Arlo wrapped an arm around my waist in front of his grandfather.
“Good evening, Grandpa,” Arlo greeted calmly.
“Arlo, we need to talk right now!” his grandfather demanded authoritatively.
“Dad, can’t this wait? Your grandson is with his girlfriend,” said a man who bore a striking resemblance to Arlo. I was sure he must be Arlo’s father.
“Thank you, Dad. Grandpa, I’d like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Lily Perry,” Arlo said.
The older man didn’t respond. Instead, he scrutinized me from head to toe, his piercing gaze intimidating. I swallowed nervously.
Arlo also introduced me to his father, Philip, and his mother, Ella. His grandfather, I learned, was named Thomas.
I thought Thomas’s demeanor was slightly gentler than Grandpa Williams’s. Sir Philip gently placed a hand on Thomas’s arm, likely to calm him down.
Why is it that some parents want to control their children’s lives? Why can’t they just let them make their own decisions? It’s unfair. Still, I couldn’t blame Arlo for going through with this plan. I understood where he was coming from.
“Good evening, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Philip,” I said, forcing a smile in front of the Bonde family.
Mr. Thomas only nodded, his expression still serious. I wanted to leave, to run away from where I stood. It felt like I had gotten myself into something worse than hiding. I had no idea what kind of life awaited me after agreeing to Arlo’s condition.
“Babe,” Arlo whispered to me, casually using the term of endearment.
But my heart fluttered when he called me “babe.” Honestly, I’d never been in a relationship before. My father and Grandpa Williams had forbidden it, always telling me that a man was already chosen for me.
My friends used to call me “babe” jokingly, but even then, they were careful—afraid of Grandpa Williams.
I remembered Austin shouting on campus that he would court me once we graduated, claiming I’d be his girlfriend soon. Little did I know, Grandpa Williams found out about Austin’s antics.
The next day, Grandpa didn’t allow me to go to the university. I felt suffocated, like every move I made was watched. Even when I went out to a bar, I had a curfew and a bodyguard tailing me. I had no freedom and never got to enjoy my teenage years.
Sometimes, I envied other girls who could do whatever they wanted. Meanwhile, people would see me and envy me, thinking I had everything. But the truth was the opposite of what they perceived. If only they knew I was living in a completely different world.
“Lily, are you okay?” Arlo’s mother, Ella, asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. I smiled at her.
I quickly apologized, realizing I had zoned out.
“Sorry, Ma’am. I just remembered something,” I said. She smiled back at me warmly. Her kindness and gentle tone reminded me of my mom.
“Call me Ella or Mommy from now on because soon enough, you’ll be married to my son,” she said.
Both Arlo and I coughed awkwardly at her remark.
“Why? Don’t you like what I just said?” she asked teasingly.
“Mommy, you’re rushing things,” Arlo replied.
“Let’s eat first,” Arlo’s father, Philip, suggested.
Arlo guided me to my seat, pulling the chair out for me. As I sat, I noticed Mr. Thomas watching me intently. Arlo and I sat side by side at the dining table. Two women came in to serve soup in small bowls. After that, they left silently.
