The boyfriend

CHAPTER 1

JENNA’S POV

“Seriously?” I stormed into the study, holding up a newspaper. “If there's anything I won't take, grandpa is you always devising a means to get me married.”

I threw the papers across the desk grandpa was sitted on.

“I see this is your new way of saying thank you?” He said.

“You are lucky you got to hear about it this time and not run away like a little girl.” His adjusted his glasses as he fixed his gaze at me.

Anger? Annoyance? I couldn't read his expression from how he looked. I looked at grandpa confused trying make sense of what I just heard.

Did he say thank you? Was it for always making marriage plans behind my back? Or when he arranged a “board meeting” which by coincidence just happened to be my wedding.

I rolled my eyes. “Of course I'm supposed to be appreciative of all the times you tried to ruin my life.”

“If getting married was a means to ruin peoples lives, the whole world would have been a mess by now,” he snapped.

I looked down at my shoes, and gritted my teeth. ”At least I don't get to end up like mum and dad....”

The room fell silent as though I just uttered a forbidden word. Grandpa's expression fell flat, his gaze turned to me.

“You don't know anything about your mum and dad's relationship worked,” his voice with a hint of anger.

“You're only trying to hide the truth from me as usual; dad has always being a freak. Mom died! And whose fault was that? My own fucking father.

My heart raced against my chest.

I'd never felt this surge of hatred stream through me just at the thought of my father.

Grandpa walked up to me, holding my hands in his. “Jenna, my child. Everything your mom did was solely on her terms.”

He continued, “Kristen was my favorite, and just like you I made sure to give her all she ever asked for. Your dad was just a manipulative devil who drove her to her death.”

“No....if you claim you love her then why didn't you stop them from getting married?” I drew my hand back. “Answer me.”

“Honey?” Grandpa called softly.

I looked up at him. He gave a sad smile and squeezed my shoulder.

“Something's happen which we can't quite control. Your father was a low life, and I curse the day I let your mother get married to him.”

“Which is why I decided to get you married myself....to prevent what happened to your mother.”

“And the company? Getting married would mean me not paying full attention to the company?”

“It's about time you forget about the business and start to think about raising a family, Jenna.” He cried.

“I'm to blame for your lack of interest in getting married; I gave you everything you have and now you couldn't care less if a man was in the picture or not.”

I glanced around the room refusing to make eye contact. All I could do was stand there like a child getting scolded.

He continued, “I gave you everything you asked for, I groomed you into this self independent businesswoman, I could go on and on, but all I ask of you is this little favor,”

“What.... I'm only trying to say I'm not ready yet.” I trailed off. “Getting married is such a big deal and I'm not cut out for it.

“I get it now.” He nodded. “I've drawn myself to the conclusion you find attraction not in men, but women,” judging eyes stared fiercely at mine.

I felt My face reddened in shame.

I clenched onto my dress, feeling repulsed at what grandpa had just said.

What could this old man possibly be thinking? How could he even think of such a thing?

Of course I'm not attracted to women and who knows, I can just imagine what the press would say about it when grandpa goes yapping about it.

Business savvy, Jenna after years of marriage pursuit reveals to be attracted to women!!

I quivered at the thought of it. “I'm not a lesbian! I have a fiancé for Christ sake,” I shot back angrily.

His eyes widened as he jumped up his chair in excitement. “Are... you serious?”

His his eyes sparkled with hope as he waited for my response.

“Yes, I am serious.” I blurted.

“Why am I just hearing about this now? Why did you keep it a secret from–”

“Because I was scared you won't accept him.” I interrupted. Dragging my hand from his as I turned away.

“I'm afraid he fits into what you think of dad.” I took in his hands again, holding it up against my chest. “And i didn't want you to disapprove of it so I decided we will go low key and figure out what works best for both of us.

His once gleaming face now turned into a frown. “ And what does he do?”

“Well, he manages a company. And I know you've always wanted someone who's wealthy and affluent, but I really love him, please!” I cried.

“I made a vow I'd never let whatever happened to your mom happen to you,” he replied grudgingly.

“He's not like that grandpa, I promise you.”

He pulled me in for a hug. “Okay my child. If you feel this man makes you happy, then I'm happy.”

“You're the best!” I hurriedly placed a peck on his cheek, “ I love you so much.”

I turned to walk out of the study.

“Just one thing. I'd like to meet with this man,” he announced. “Be sure to bring him for dinner tomorrow.”

He waved his hands in dismissal.

I walked out of the study, wedging myself against the door as it shut closed behind me.

What If he knows? I thought to myself as I began racing to my room.

I picked up my phone and dialed Cassy’s number into it.

“Pick up the phone!” I murmured as the phone continued to ring.

“Hey girl, how you been?”

“There’s no time for all that now cass, I’m in deep shit”. I said, as I paced back and forth the room.

“What’s wrong hon-“ I cut her mid sentence before she could even finish up whatever she was saying.

“How do I get a boyfriend before tomorrow night?”