2. Am I rejected?

Clara's point of view:

After a long day, I got into my car to get back home. Why does the day end so soon? I remembered the morning banter with Elsa. What will the old lady do now? She has punished me in every way possible. Now she can only repeat those. Maybe I have an advantage of experience. My eyes teared up thinking about those. I should cry now so that I can face everything with a straight face. 

I love to cherish how that lady's face lost its colour every time I stood there unaffected. That was my sole strength. But her punishments and tortures are so damn severe that no one would have given them even to their enemies. I remember the day. She locked me inside a room for a whole day when I was only eight years old. I always shiver uncontrollably whenever this old lady is around. 

I stood in front of my home which looked not like mine anymore.

A loud laughter filled the hall as I entered the hall. There were so many people sitting there. Suddenly everyone turned to look at me. An old lady smiled at me. She looked familiar. But I don't remember meeting her before. 

 "Clara?" she hugged me as I stood there out of the place. 

 "How beautiful you have grown to" She was ranting about me.  

"It's Grace Fernandez. Your grandma's Bestie," Mr Taylor introduced her to me. Damn yeah, I remember her now. Mom and my grandma used to stay in her home with me for summer vacation when I was too little. I don't even remember my age. Meeting her made me emotional. It felt like I was meeting my mom or grandma again after so long. I hugged her to show my emotion. She pats my back.  

"We came here to ask for your hand to marry my grandson" I broke the hug as I looked at her in shock.  

Marriage?  

I have despised the concept. My mom gave her everything in this marriage. But what did she get in return? Betrayal? Is it coming to me now?  I gulped the lumps in my throat. I looked around nervously.

"No. I am not ready for marriage. Please," I voiced out suddenly, as I didn't want anyone to compel me on this topic. I looked at Mr Taylor. He didn't expect me to talk this way. He didn't like the idea. But I can't let him decide my life.  

"Dear, you can meet my grandson," Grace Fernandez tried to convince me. 

"Please, Grandma. Don't force me." I replied with a soft plea, and the lady seemed to understand me instantly. She smiled at me as she kissed my forehead. 

"Anyways, I am happy to see you." she kissed my forehead. I sat beside her, and she talked about everything. Her family, her son, Frank Fernandez, and even she gave a hint about her grandson. She always praises her grandson, and I suppose it's Alex. I have read about him in magazines. Did I push the luck away even without thinking about it? I shrugged off my thoughts as I knew marriage was only a betrayal. I entered my room after a long talk. It's the only time I talked for so long.

My legs halted in the entrance of my room. Damn, who did this? My clothes were here and there. My eyes fell on the red gown that was my mom's favourite gown. I took the pieces of the dress in panic.  

"Oops. My bad. I thought you would agree to marry Alex. So I wanted to show you what will happen if you agree to marry him." Elsa stood there with no regret. All I want now is to smash her head for real. Why the hell it's always me? I took the pieces of the gown without minding her words.  

"Princess, why did you worry? I had already made sure that she wouldn't say yes." Elena came behind her with a smirk. What did she do now? Paxton? I stood up abruptly as my hands trembled. What did this woman do now?  

"Don't panic. Your brother is fine as long as you don't say yes." Elena laughed as I got relieved to hear them. They are the worst people I have ever seen. 

In just a some days, as per my grandma's will, my mom's property will be in my name once I am 23 years old. I will leave this place forever with Paxton.  The thought made me a little relieved. I have to endure them just a little more.

"It's even boring to blackmail her. See how she is standing there." Elena seemed to get pissed off to the next level. I never spoke to her or replied to anything, and even retorted her torture. 

 "Her mouth works as fire whenever she is with me alone," Elsa spoke the fact for a hundred percent. Elsa at least got to see my real me for at least 10%.  

"Whatever. We should now focus on getting your proposal for Alex," Elena whispered to Elsa. Did she think I was dumb too? But wait, I saw Elsa kissing another guy that day. But she is blushing with the proposal thing? Whatever. These people can plot anything, and I don't give a damn. I picked up my mom's gown. I started designing another one and have decided to use this fabric to style it.  

End of pov  

Thirds person point of view:

"She denied it," Grace Fernandez spoke with sadness. Her lips gave a huge pout. 

"Omg, someone rejected my son?" Frank exclaimed loud enough to grab the attention of someone who came inside the room, listening to them.

"How can anyone reject the most eligible bachelor of the city?" Roselyn Fernandez asked with a fake faint as Alexander Fernandez sat opposite to the crazy family that was teasing him black and blue.  

"Should we celebrate this?" Mac, his secretary cum his best friend spoke with a giggle, and Alex was like to smash his head for real.  

"Should I reconsider your pay this month?" Alex asked as Mac took his phone, pretending to attend a conference call about the next project, showing he was damn concerned about his pay alone.  

"You didn't even ask my opinion. I am not," Alex started as all the three spoke in the union.  

"Not ready for marriage" All the three laughed as if they had cracked a big joke.  

Alex sighed tiredly. Why is it so hard to understand?  

"Should I be the old and cunning woman to blackmail my grandson to get married or forget about the family empire?" Grace asked as her eyes twinkled with the thought alone.  

"How about I join you and make his life miserable by snatching his credit cards and every luxury thing?" Frank seemed to like the idea. Rose was damn enjoying the scene.  

"How about you all play in the hall and leave my room now?" Alex asked, standing up as if he was exhausted from their drama. Grace stood up with a worried face. She is sad. She couldn't watch her grandchildren like this.  

"I wish for you to get married soon. We won't force anything. But try to consider our wish" Grace is always wise to convince anyone with her words. Even though it's not emotional, it hits right at Alex. Of course, he can't be selfish and mourn over his past over the years.  

"It's high time you move on. So, we can at least take steps to convince Rose. Why are you still holding on to the past?" Frank sighed tiredly. 

  

"If you are not ready to move on, there is no way we can expect anything from Rose," Frank spoke with dismay. Rose's face turned dark with his words. 

Alex looked at his little sister. She deserves a happy life. If he can do anything for her, why not? But is he ready? Alex and Rose sat there in complete silence. 

"You can't stay single forever. Just say yes to Dad. They will find a good partner for you. You can't just waste your life." Rose spoke, keeping a hand over his shoulder.  

"On my wedding day, I will tell you the same, and I hope you say yes to me" Alex stood up as Rose started trembling with the thought of marriage alone. But wait. What does he mean?  

"Omg, He said yes?" Frank was hiding behind the door and came inside jumping.  

"Of course. Dumb son. He meant that only" Grace jumped like a teenager as she also was hiding there. Alex rolled his eyes at their drama. How dramatic his family is. But yeah, he got curious all of a sudden to know who Clara was. Did he get rejected?