Delays

NATHANIEL STORM

I hate delays.

Also, people, things, and other factors that cause delays.

However, in this particular hour, as my car struggled to move in the traffic, I was too occupied with thoughts of that woman to notice the fading of my precious time.

Sarah Pierce.

I rested my elbow on the door and covered my upper lip while my sunglasses continued to give me a view of the gridlock.

There is something about Sarah Pierce. Something that makes me react.

Beyond her tired appearance, when I saw the piles of burdening emotions in her eyes, I became very curious about her, and that curiosity widened when her fiery tone suggested that she knew me.

But I did not expect my curiosity to lead me to say yes to her marriage proposal.

Or perhaps it wasn't the fault of my curiosity. Maybe I have a loose screw in my head.

Why else would I have said yes so easily? That too, to a woman I don't know.

Or could it be pity?

No. It certainly isn’t that. Sure, the wickedness I watched her suffer within that short time could not be ignored, but it is not my thing to pity strangers, especially since I do not know their stories.

Sh*t…

It might take a while to figure out why I said yes.

I think I am better off focusing on the positive side of this situation. Thanks to the change in plans, I won't get married to Rosaline Pierce, whose guts and loud voice I have always hated. Also, I will get to force myself out of my father's will to control my life.

I guess I have to thank the heavens for sending Nolan Pierce's second and never-mentioned daughter at that very moment. With a single appearance that embodied sadness and feistiness, she has helped me find a way out of my predicament.

My phone's ringing snapped me out of my multiplying thoughts. I glanced at the screen and picked up my father's call.

“Come home. Now,” his gruff voice ordered. “You have five minutes.”

“I am stuck in-”

He ended the call, and I sighed. The battle I will meet at home will be a long one. But I will make sure to win. As I have always done.

About forty minutes later, I strutted into my father's study room- an exquisitely designed room often featured in magazines.

I have always hated this room. I hate how it lacks natural air.

“You called,” I simply said once I sat on one of the couches in the centre of the room.

“What authority do you think you have, Nathaniel?” My father, Edward Storm, turned to reveal how gracious old age looked on him. His embrace of grey hair worked in his favour, and his regular workouts made him look younger. “How could you change the bride?” However, his limping gait serves as a reminder of his real age.

“Because it is my life. I changed the bride because I was not comfortable with your choice. I don't get why you are angry. That woman…” It strangely feels wrong to regard her so loosely. “Sarah Pierce is also Mr. Pierce's daughter. I do not see what the problem is.”

He stood before me and showed me his temper. “What about getting married to Rosaline Pierce, do you not understand?”

“Again, Sarah Pierce is also his daughter, there is not much difference.”

His brows arched. “Says who?”

“You have no reason to be against this.”

“She has a daughter with an unknown father!” he complained. “What are you thinking? Don't you realise she will hurt your image? Our image?! Listen, boy.” He poked my chest. “Rosaline Pierce is your bride. Stop being stupid and do as you are told.”

I scoffed. And that shocked my father.

He asked, “Are you in your right mind?”

“I believe I am. And this will be the last time I say that I won’t change my mind.”

His concern grew bigger. Yet, contempt remained in his voice. “Are you bewitched? If not, you have no reason to be this stubborn.”

I got up with ease. The battle was not as terrible as I thought it would be. After adjusting my tailored shirt, I firmly said, “Accept Sarah Pierce or watch me cancel all the contracts between us.”

“How dare you-”

“Goodbye.”

With a slight smirk of victory, I walked out, and I became more confident about my choice. Now, what's left is for me to cement everything.

I must not leave any stone unturned.