Chapter 4 Mother's Petting Her

"No father!" Nancy screamed as her father opened her room door and finally exited her bedroom.

She turned to face her mother and begged, "Please Mom, talk to Dad. I cannot marry that man; I cannot marry Charles."

Mrs. Olivia Marlon sighed and finally walked up to the bed to meet her daughter, still holding the bouquet of roses that Charles had earlier given to her.

"I'm sorry, Nancy," she said. "I wish I could speak to your father about this. But you know your father works under the AJ Political Party group, and even though he doesn't like Charles nor approve of him as your husband, he can't say no. We were only hoping for your father's rank to be promoted, which is why he sent your photos to them..."

"Mom..." Nancy stared at her mother's face in shock, tears filling her eyes. She clearly remembered the day her mother had called her on the phone while she was at her home in City X, trying to cook.

Her mother had asked her to send photos, saying she wanted to use them, since Nancy hardly ever took any photos or posted online.

She didn't know her mother's true intention was to send her photo to the Alejandro family. Had she known, she would have sent an unflattering photo instead.

Nancy finally asked her mother, "Why, Mom? Why did you hide it from me? Why didn't you tell me you wanted to send my photo to the Alejandro family's son to check me out? I could have sent an unflattering photo. That way, Charles wouldn't have chosen me."

Nancy cried harder as she stood beside her window, hurt by the thought that her parents wanted to trade her off to be with Charles. She thought about how she might escape from Charles, as she didn't want to marry him. His family ruled over their city, which made the country bear the city's name.

Mrs. Olivia Marlon apologized, "I'm sorry, Nancy. I didn't mean to make you sad."

Nancy walked from the window to her bed to sit and cry, and her mother sat beside her, offering comfort.

Nancy begged, "Please, Mom, I have to escape this marriage. Dad can't call it off, and I don't want to marry Charles. Didn't you see how he looked at me? With lust in his eyes. He seemed like a pervert, and I can't marry a man like that-one who lusts after everything in a skirt."

Mrs. Olivia Marlon laughed. "Hahaha, no Nancy. Don't say that. I believe Charles chose you because he truly loves you and wants to marry you."

"No, Mom," Nancy disagreed, but her mother picked up the bouquet, hugged Nancy close, and said, "It's okay, my angel. Stop crying. You're beautiful, and that's why Charles was staring. I think he truly likes you, and your father's intentions were for a promotion when he sent your photo. Out of all the rejected photos, Charles chose yours."

"No, Mom, I don't want him. I don't want Charles. I want a simple man who will love only me, not someone like Charles."

Her mother comforted her. "See, Charles even brought you beautiful flowers to show his love. Please stop crying; I hate seeing you like this. I wish I could talk to your father, but after you ran here, Charles didn't get angry. He genuinely wants you as his wife."

"No, Mom! I don't want Charles! Who told him I'm back home?"

"Did you and Dad rush to call him and tell him of my return?" Nancy asked.

Mrs. Olivia Marlon frowned. "No, Nancy. We've not seen him since he chose your photo. I'm shocked he came today. Maybe he was eager to meet you."

Nancy stood firm. "No, Mom."

Mrs. Olivia said, "It's okay, my angel. Your father believes love grows in time. Give Charles a chance. Being the President's son isn't easy, and people judge him harshly. He might be nice, and you won't know until you get to know him. Stop listening to online gossip."

She gently led Nancy downstairs to dinner, where Nancy, realizing she had no other option, followed.

Nancy was nervous, knowing the maids had seen her reaction to Charles. She sat at her usual seat, preparing to eat, famished.

Her father joined them at the table, looking strict, and not ready to apologize yet. Nancy sighed and ate, thinking of how she'd escape Charles's clutches.

After dinner, Nancy thanked her parents and retired upstairs. She paced in her room, pondering the impending wedding in two days.

"Two days. How do I escape this marriage? How do I escape Charles?" she asked herself.

Nancy sat on her bed, researched the next flight back to City X, and found one at 10 a.m. the next day. Smiling, she purchased a ticket, planning her escape.

"Yes, I have to leave," she said, heading to the bathroom before settling into bed. She lay there, finally drifting to sleep.

****

Charles Alejandro arrived home late due to traffic in the city's major roads. He still lived with his parents in the heart of the city, in their presidential white villa.

He exited his car, walked toward their mansion-a grand, guarded two-story building-and entered its peaceful premises.

Inside, Charles ascended the stairs, intending to go to his top-floor bedroom when his mother emerged from the kitchen with a smile.

"Charles... did you meet with your bride today?" she asked.

"Mom," Charles replied, smiling, as he approached her. He hadn't noticed her when he first entered.

He wondered who told her about his visit to his chosen bride, knowing his parents kept an eye on him.

His mother continued, "Isn't she the one? I can see you're smiling, my son. Isn't she the one in the photo?"