The Engagement

Only five people were gathered around the dining table, yet I felt completely surrounded by strangers.

My dad and the man introduced as Mr. Reynolds , who, despite being the largest shareholder of my school, I had never encountered before, were in conversation.

My mom was just grinning broadly.

To my surprise, Ethan, someone I never expected to see in this context, was sitting directly across from me.

I had no clue what was happening, and it frustrated me to be in the dark about it; I wondered if Ethan was aware this event was going to take place.

Memories of how he had embarrassed me just hours earlier flashed in my mind, making me to let out a sigh and rise from my seat.

“I apologize, but if you’ll excuse me,” I said before exiting the dining room, ignoring my mom’s calls.

I stepped outside, trying to comprehend the situation unfolding.

Engagement?? Fiancé??

At that moment, I heard footsteps approaching; I turned to see that it was Ethan. He walked towards me, then stopped in front of me and erupted in laughter.

I stood there, staring at him until he finally stopped laughing and looked at me from head to toe, then back to my belly, shaking his head.

“This is genuinely amusing. Father keeps talking about this engagement, and he surprised me today by bringing me into this low-class family and to top it off, with an ugly fat girl for a fiancé??” His words stung, and then his demeanor shifted as he glared at me.

“Listen closely, I don't know what your dad is planning, but ensure you put an end to it,” he said. “I should have expected this when I realized someone like you was granted a scholarship to our school,” he added.

“You think I want to be engaged to someone like you? Do you believe I knew anything about this?” I replied, and he laughed.

“Coming from someone who practically confessed to me today,” he said mockingly.

“What’s so special about you? Huh? Do you think you can insult anyone you please? You believe you’re perfect too?” I shouted at him, and there was a moment of silence before he responded.

“I’m Ethan Reynolds ; you think nobody is flawless? I’m what perfection looks like,” he stated. “Goodness, I think father must have a plan if he believes I’ll marry someone like you,” he murmured, and I noticed he referred to his father as just father but not ‘my father’, which was strange.

“Just the thought of spending even a minute looking at your face disgusts me. Now, think about someone spending their entire life with you; come on, young lady, you should have mercy on them and remain single forever,” he said, and at that point, I could no longer tolerate his nonsensical remarks.

Out of nowhere, I slapped him hard across the cheek, pleased that it caught him off guard.

His eyes widened as he glared at me intensely.

“How dare you??!” he growled.

“I find you disgusting too, and I hate you,” I said, and with that, I turned and walked back into the house. I glanced towards the dining area; they hadn’t immediately noticed me as they were deeply engaged in their conversation.

“They’ll surely get along since they both go to the same school,” my mom said, and Mr. Reynolds nodded with a smile. Just then, his gaze met mine, causing my parents to look over as well.

“Oh, there you are! You should join us now,” my mom urged, and I approached the dining table, looking at Mr. Reynold.

“I’m sorry, but whatever you’re planning with my parents, I’m not interested, so count me out,” I said before leaving their presence and retreating to my room, slamming the door.

“To hell with this dress and everyone,” I muttered as I struggled to remove the dress from my body, eventually tearing it and groaning in frustration. I then threw myself onto the bed, clenching my fists tightly.

Why is this happening to me?

My parents, who were meant to support me during these challenging times, are actually causing me more pain.

Why would they choose something for me without my approval?? Especially an engagement?? It feels like an arranged marriage where the bride only meets her husband for the first time at the altar.

———-

Minutes went by, and then my mom entered my room. Before I could say a word, she slapped me hard on the cheek, leaving me stunned.

“What has come over you , what’s the meaning of what you did?” she shouted.

I touched my left cheek where she had struck me, biting my lower lip, and then I stood up.

“I should be the one asking you, what’s the deal with me suddenly having a fiancé?” I shouted back just as my dad walked in.

“How dare you raise your voice at your mother like that?” my dad yelled at me, and I scoffed in disbelief.

“You should be grateful that someone like him wants to be your fiancé. Look at yourself, do you still think you have the audacity to complain judging by your state ?” my mom said.

“Just stop!” I screamed, “What’s wrong with my state?? Huh??? You want me to get engaged to someone who bullies me? Someone who calls me fat and ugly to my face, someone who says I disgust him?” I said, and there was a moment of silence.

“And now you’re fabricating stories to avoid this??” my mom stated, and just as I was about to respond, my sister appeared at my room door.

“You all should really lower your voices; I’m trying to read,” she said, and my mom quickly turned to her.

“Oh, I’m sorry, sweetheart, are we bothering you?” she said, and even though I felt hurt inside, I was accustomed to this favoritism. They all treated me like I wasn’t even part of the family while they spoiled my sister like she was a princess.

“What’s wrong with getting engaged? Stop making things difficult for Mom and Dad, and just do what they asked,” Scarlet said before walking away, and I desperately wanted to pull her hair at that moment.

“You see, even your sister knows how to handle a situation like this,” my mom said.

“Why don’t you just engage her instead of me? And why am I the one who’s supposed to be engaged to that family?” I turned to my dad, “Why would a family like that consider marrying into ours?? Huh??”

“And what’s wrong with our family?” my dad shot back. “You’re getting engaged to that family, and there’s nothing you can do about it as long as I’m alive as your father,” he said and left my room.

“Do you really have an issue with apologizing? The least you could do is apologize for ruining today’s meeting, but you still pretended to be tough,” my mom said, and with that, she exited my room.

There’s no way I was going to marry Ethan, and I knew that the only way to prevent it was to ensure that the Reynolds family ended it themselves.

And I believe I know exactly how …