Chapter 2: Is this a joke

Erica's POV

I quickly opened the door, and both my father and the stranger turned to look at me.

“Sorry, Daddy. I didn't know you had a visitor.”

My father smiled. “Oh, princess, come in. Sit down. Let me introduce you to Phillip.”

Phillip.

He looked so familiar.

Omg, he's the man I had an episode with at the cafe.

The same man whose drink I had poured over his head.

My eyes widened.

He looked equally surprised to see me, but his expression quickly changed into a scoff.

" Sir, is she the gentle sweet daughter you were talking about?" Phillip asked my dad.

my dad looked at him and nodded.

"Yes, she's beautiful right?" my dad said laughing.

Oh, no.

Why was he here?

And why was my father introducing him to me?

“Have you two met before?” my father asked, looking between us.

Phillip opened his mouth to answer, but I quickly interrupted him.

“No.”

He turned his head and looked at me.

I avoided his eyes and walked over to sit beside my father.

What was I supposed to say?

That I had poured a drink over his head because I thought he was laughing at me?

My father would never let me hear the end of it.

“Are you sure?” Dad asked.

“Yes, Daddy. I'm sure.”

Phillip leaned back in his chair, looking amused.

I glared at him.

He raised an eyebrow.

I quickly looked away.

“Anyway,” my father said, clearing his throat, “there's something important I need to tell you.”

I turned toward him.

“What's that?”

He took a deep breath.

“Princess, I want you to listen carefully. And please, don't be shocked by what I'm about to say.”

I frowned.

Why was he talking like that?

“Okay, Daddy.”

He glanced at Phillip before looking back at me.

“You're going to get married.”

I blinked.

“What?”

“You're going to marry Phillip.”

For a moment, I thought I had heard him wrong.

I looked at my father, then at Phillip.

My mouth opened, but no words came out.

Was this a joke?

I looked at Phillip again, expecting him to say something.

Instead, he looked at my eyes and smirked.

That little smirked made my blood boil.

“Daddy, what are you talking about?”

“I'm talking about your marriage.”

“But I don't even know him.

My father raised his hand.

“Let me finish first.”

I closed my mouth, though I was already struggling to control my anger.

“You and Phillip will go on three dates first. That way, you'll have the opportunity to get to know each other. After the dates, we'll begin the wedding preparations.”

I stared at him.

Three dates?

And then what?

A wedding?

“No,” I said, standing up. “There's no way I'm getting married to someone I don't know.”

“Erica.”

“No, Daddy! You can't just decide who I'm going to marry.”

My father sighed.

“That's why I suggested the three dates. You need to get to know him first.”

I turned toward Phillip.

“Hey, you!”

He slowly looked at me.

“Do you even know me? Why would you want to marry me?”

He didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he looked at me as if I had asked the most ridiculous question in the world.

" If it's a decision made by the elders, so be it." Phillip said staring at me with a disgust look.

My mother walked into the office.

“What's going on here?”

The moment I saw her, I rushed toward her.

“Mom!”

She caught me in her arms.

“What's wrong, sweetheart?”

I buried my face against her shoulder.

“Mom, Daddy is trying to get me married to someone I don't even know!”

My mother looked at my father, then at Phillip.

Her expression changed.

She gently rubbed my back.

“Erica, calm down.”

“How can I calm down? Nobody even asked me if I wanted to get married!”

My mother looked at me with pity.

That look made me feel even worse.

“Your father is only thinking about your future,” she said softly.

I pulled away from her.

“My future? What about what I want?”

Nobody answered.

I wiped my tears angrily.

I couldn't believe my own parents were doing this to me.

Then Phillip stood up.

“Mr. and Mrs. Williams, I think I'll leave now.”

My father nodded.

“Of course, Phillip.”

Phillip picked up his jacket and headed toward the door.

I watched him walk away.

Was he seriously going to leave without saying anything?

He had been sitting there like he was enjoying the whole situation, and now he was leaving?

“Phillip!”

He didn't stop.

I quickly walked after him and grabbed his hand.

“Stay. We need to settle this.”

He looked down at my hand, then slowly raised his eyes to mine.

“Let go.”

I tightened my grip.

“Not until you explain yourself.”

He gave me a cold look.

“You don't talk to someone that way, princess.”

He smirked.

I immediately released his hand.

I wanted to slap that smile off his face.

Phillip turned toward my parents.

“Thank you for your time, sir. Ma'am.”

He nodded politely before walking out of the office.

I stood there, staring at the door.

That arrogant man!

How dare he talk to me like that?

I turned toward my father.

“Daddy, I don't want to marry him.”

My father looked at me.

“Erica, I understand that this is sudden, but I believe Phillip is a good man.”

“Then you marry him!”

“Erica!”

My mother gasped.

I covered my mouth.

I hadn't meant to say that.

But I was too angry to care.

My father shook his head.

“I'm not going to force you into anything, princess. But I want you to give him a chance. Go on the dates. Get to know him. After that, you can decide what you want.”

I looked at my mother.

She gave me a small nod.

I took a deep breath.

Fine.

If they wanted me to go on three dates with that arrogant man, I would do it.

But I had no intention of marrying him.

I wiped my tears and looked at my father.

“Fine. I'll marry him.”

My father smiled.

“That's my girl.”

I forced a smile.

But inside, I was already making a plan.

Three dates.

That was all I needed.

I would make Phillip regret ever agreeing to marry me.

I would make those three dates so unbearable that he would be the one begging to end this engagement.

And when he finally gave up, I would be free.

I smiled to myself.

Let the games begin.