Chapter Seven

“Mom, you can't just make plans on my behalf as much as you please. I should have known; you practically begging me to go to Bali with you out of the blue was suspicious as heck! How could you try to hook me up with Casper? Does my opinion mean nothing to you, Mom?” Eline said, fuming with anger. “What are you on about, sugar plum? I would never do that to you. I simply wanted us to have some simple mother-daughter time. Is that too much to ask?” Ingrid said innocently.

“Please come off it, Mom! Your antics do not work on me. I know it's you trying to set me up with Casper, so stop lying to my face. I am no fool.” Finding herself cornered, Ingrid threw her hands up in exasperation. “Fine, Eline, fine! Yes, I tried to set you up with Casper. Now, is that so bad? All I want is to see my baby girl happy and in love.” “I am happy, Mom. I don't need you going behind my back setting up blind dates. I'm not a child; I'm 27, for crying out loud. You need to respect me too.” Tears were starting to form in the corner of her eyes. Why wouldn't her mom just see things her way and respect her process? I mean, it wasn't as though she was shying away from love or men; as already established, she wouldn't get into a relationship unless the guy has a sound head on his shoulders.

“How can you be so selfish, sugar plum? Why can't you consider your mom too? Do you know the nasty things people are saying about my daughter behind our backs? I can't even bear to face my friends because they keep wanting to know when my daughter is going to bring a man home. You're not getting any younger, honey. You need a man who can provide for you and keep you satisfied.” “Ugh! Why does it always have to be about you, Mom? You call me selfish, but what's more selfish than what you're currently doing? Why can't you just let me be? Just because you found Dad doesn't mean other men out there are saints. GET OFF MY BACK, MOM!” Ingrid uttered an audible gasp, clutching her chest. “I beg your pardon, Eline Hendrika De Beaufort; how dare you speak to your mother in such a manner? All I'm trying to do is ensure my girl gets to live a comfortable life so I don't have to worry whilst in my grave”

“Hey ladies!” Stopping in his tracks, Luuk De Beaufort couldn't help but feel the palpable tension in the atmosphere. “Did I intrude on something private? I couldn't help but notice how cloudy and stuffy the air in here is.” Eline turned and stared daggers at her brother, causing him to shrink slightly. “There's nothing private going on, darling,” Ingrid answered her son. “It's just that Eline here wouldn't let her boring and selfish mother help set her up with a fine young man,” sighing exasperatedly, Eline had had it. “I don't see you setting Luuk here up. I mean, hes literary four years my senior. Why is he allowed to do as he pleases and I'm not?” “Whoa, whoa, whoa, now hey, little one,  I've had my own fair share of set-ups. In my own case, I happened to approve of the ladies, although they didn't quite work out,” Luuk responded, smiling stupidly with his hands raised in mock surrender.

“Arrrrrrrrgggggghhhhhh, I can't take it anymore! I need space from all of you.” With that, she ran back upstairs, ignoring the calls from her mother and brother. If she spends one more day around them, she sure as heck will lose her mind. “Hey Rosa, are you home? I really need to get out of here; at least I commit familicide.” “Awwww, is it that bad, Ellie? Of course you can come over. I'm currently home, and we can talk about it. “Thank you, Rosa, you're an angel.” “Anything for you. See you soon.” “Alright, see you soon,” Eline said, ending the call. She packed enough items to last her at least a week and left the family mansion, ignoring the plea from her mother.

…

“I mean, can you believe my mom?” Eline cried. She went to Rosalind's place a few minutes ago, fuming. Rosalind had to work on calming her down because she was on the verge of tears, and she was really angry. “How could she decide what happens to my life? I mean, I'm not a child anymore. Why can she not respect me?” “I'm sorry, Ellie. Ingrid can be a lot most times. I'm terribly sorry. Can you please tell me what she did this time around?” Breathing in, Eline tried to calm her nerves. The recollection of the day’s events is still leaving her furious. “She was on my neck about going with her to Bali for two weeks. She tried to recruit my father to appeal to me, using other manipulation tactics too, and I told her I couldn't make it because of my recent launch, and was happy to go with her soon, but she wouldn't have it. So I stormed off, only to get a call from Casper offering to take on a two-week vacation to, guess where.” Raising an eyebrow, Rosalind gasped lightly. “You don't mean…” “Yes, I mean Bali. Turns out my mum was trying to set me up with Casper. She was going to take me with her to Bali and ditch me with him”

“Oh, my God! That is really terrible. I didn't know your mother could go to such lengths. I know she was keen on hitching you with any of the top bachelors, but I never knew she could do that to you. I am really sorry ellie, no wonder you're so distraught,” Rosalind said comfortingly. She gently rubbed Eline's back to calm her down. “I mean, it's not like she doesn't know that Casper is a duffus. All she cares about is that he's hot, handsome, and rich. Do you know what he said to me when he first met?” “No, I don't,” Rosalind responded, shaking her head. “He looked me up and down, circled me 360, and whistled like a wolf, and said straight to my face, ' You have such amazing birthing hips, princess. I can't wait to get married to you and have you get started on birthing those six kids. He winked after spewing such trash!”

Rosalind couldn't help but double over laughing. “It's not funny, Rosa, Rosa. I was sick to my stomach, and I almost threw up on him,” Eline said, aggrieved. I'm really sorry, sweetie; it's just so funny! Did he really say “birthing hips?” “Yes, he did,” Eline responded, rolling her eyes. “I literally had to bite the insides of my cheeks to stop myself from spewing profanities at him. Urgh. What a freaking idiot. I also hate the way he calls me princess. It sounds so sleazy and condescending. Lifting her hand, she pinched the bridge of her nose and just plopped on the bed. “I guess in my mother's book, he counts as a saviour to her aging spinster of a daughter,” Eline said sarcastically.

“You can't say that about yourself, Ellie. Come here,” Rosalind said, opening her arms wide. Eline embraced her. “It's going to be just alright, sweets. Speaking of alright, I heard Luuk was back in town,” she said, releasing Eline. “Don't even remind me of him… that sheep is better off in Birmingham…”