Chapter Two~

Five in the evening… They are going to be here any minute now. Rona felt flustered at that thought, as she sat in front of her mirror putting on her earrings. With each second passing by, she felt nervousness filling her and making her all anxious. Only minutes until she would have to put up with an hour or more of communicating with others away from her comfort zone.
Why should I do this? Why should I get married? she thought to herself, waiting silently in her room. She understood her mother’s worries. She knew she just wanted to make sure her daughter would live well when she wouldn’t be there for her anymore. But she was fine with it. She was fine with being alone, away from everyone. She did want to be alone. How could she make her mother see that?!

At exactly five fifteen, the doorbell rang. They’re here. Rona’s chest tightened. She didn't want to get out of her room, but her mother would be coming any second now to take her down.

“Rona sweetie, are you finished…” Sarah said as she walked into Rona’s room and was immediately stunned.
“Oh my, Rona! I didn't know it would suit you this much. You look so beautiful tonight dear.” She hugged her daughter tightly.
“Please sweetie, give it a chance. Just try to take a good look at him. He seems nice, and his father came all the way from France to take you as a wife to his son.” Sarah said and held her hands. “Just give it a try. Meet him and see what happens, OK?”
Rona released a short sigh. Her mother was pressuring her and she didn't want to upset her.
“OK mum. Go to them and I will follow you,” she said as she smiled at her mother.

Rona felt butterflies in her stomach. Her whole body was trembling as she walked down the stairs following her mother to where the guests were. Her legs wouldn't seem to settle down, so much so that she thought it wouldn’t be a surprise if she tripped with her high heels and fell on the ground.

Somehow she managed to reach her distance, and quietly she settled on the chair nearest to her mother. She felt so nervous that she forgot to greet or look at the guests that came all the way here to meet her.

“We meet again.” It was a familiar voice that she heard not long ago. “How are you today, if I may ask?” he asked.
We meet again? What does he mean? Rona wondered and slowly started to raise her face to look at the man that was talking to her. Such a handsome guy! That was the first thought she had. He appeared tall as he sat firmly in his chair. His suit drew the fine lines of his body that looked just like an athlete’s. Slowly she started to look up at his face. She saw a familiar gaze in his eyes. Eyes as blue as a deep ocean, eyes that she had seen before in her dreams. Who is he? She wondered.

“Are you OK?” He asked, interrupting her thoughts. “You really don’t remember me?! I’m Nicholas. We met in class this morning.”
A look of surprise filled Rona’s eyes. No wonder she could remember his voice.

“Oh my, Nick, do you guys already know each other?!” Allen asked his son.
“Yeah, dad. She’s in the additional class I’m taking,” Nicholas said smiling at his father.
“That’s great then. Now Steven, Sarah, let’s go to the study room. I want to talk to you about something,” Allen said pulling both Steven and Sarah out of the room, in an attempt to let the young ones have their chance to talk.

Awkward silence filled the room, as they left. Rona felt his gaze on her, but still no word came out. Why is he so quiet? Is he also against arranged marriages? She raised her head to steal a glance at him, only to find him still staring at her with his eyes. The blue in his eyes darkened as he studied her silently.

Blue eyes. They looked so familiar. Something in them had captured her, and she couldn't deny it. For the first time in a long while, she wanted to look at someone, a guy no less. She was attracted to him.

“Won’t you allow me to hear your voice?” His sudden request surprised her, but she still didn't respond.
Nicholas felt irritated. There had never been a girl that ignored him. Every girl that he met, tried to at least talk with him, but from her, there was nothing… instead she ignored him, twice!

Determined to break her silence, he left his chair and stood near her. Softly, he moved her long bangs that covered her face to her back, in an attempt to get a better look at her. Quickly Rona backed away in shock. Her eyes widened as they met his. Her cheeks coloured in a soft blush as he stared at her eyes, and quickly she looked away.

Quietly, Nicholas moved his hand away, and sat on the chair next to her.
"Interesting," he whispered with a grin on his face.