2. She Is Imperfectly Perfect

Third Person's POV:

Their mother, Nina, happened to pass by Mason's room and caught snippets of their conversation. Though she couldn't discern the details, she was certain they were discussing Mason's impending marriage. Curiosity piqued, she decided to interrupt and find out what they were talking about.

Upon noticing their mother's arrival, Anna's laughter abruptly ceased, while Mason's throat went dry with apprehension, fearing that their mother had overheard his raised voice.

Nina Williams was not only a housewife but also a strict college principal. Her unwavering discipline governed both her professional and maternal roles. Mason and Anna lived under her strict rule, fearing her authority more than anything else. No one dared to oppose Nina's decisions within the family.

"Was the topic of discussion related to your marriage, Mason?" Nina inquired calmly yet with a sharp focus solely on him.

Mason felt a shiver run down his spine at his mother's question. He shook his head vigorously, lacking the courage to admit to what he had been saying earlier.

"Mom, Brother was just..." Anna began to speak, attempting to convey the truth, but Mason cut her off.

"Mom, I wasn't saying anything. I will accept whatever decision you make," Mason declared, feigning honesty in his tone.

"Well then. Just remember that whatever decision I make, it is for your own good," Nina stated with a serious tone.

"Yes, I understand," Mason agreed, casting his gaze downward.

"So... do you have any objections to marrying Isabel?" Nina suddenly posed the question, leaving Mason wide-eyed and unprepared for such a direct inquiry.

Mason glanced at his sister, and Anna subtly urged him to mention Addison to their mother.

Without wasting another moment, Mason mumbled, "Mom... I... I like... Addison, and..."

Before Mason could finish his sentence, Nina halted him midway, interrupting his words.

"Listen, Mason," Nina began, her voice filled with a mix of sternness and concern. "I allowed your elder brother, Tyler, to marry according to his own preference, and the outcome was disastrous. His wife may have been stunningly beautiful, but beauty is only skin deep. You must have seen for yourself how appearances can be deceiving, especially when it comes to your sister-in-law. True beauty lies within, in the qualities and character of a person."

Nina paused briefly before continuing, determined to convey her message. "Tyler is no longer a part of our family, and I don't want the same fate to befall you, Mason. I don't want our family to break apart once again, which is why I have chosen a girl for you based on her virtues, not just her external beauty. Even if you overlook Isabel's flaws, I still consider her the most beautiful choice I could have made for you."

Nina's words only grated on Mason's nerves. He couldn't fathom delving into the depth of his mother's words; he was fixated on his belief that Isabel was too unattractive to be his wife.

"But Mom..."

"No 'buts.' I have observed Isabel closely. While she may not be perfect on the outside, her inner beauty shines through. She is imperfectly perfect, Mason," Nina declared, causing Mason's anger to bubble even further. However, he managed to control his rage in his mother's presence.

He chose silence, realizing that his mother would never consider his opinion.

"Believe me, Mason. Isabel is the best decision I have ever made for you. Every encounter with Isabel leaves me in awe of her nature and demeanor. I understand that you are infatuated with Addison right now, and you may not grasp the weight of my words. But mark my words, one day you will thank me for choosing Isabel as your partner," Nina said with unwavering confidence, fully aware that Mason was unhappy about the impending marriage to Isabel.

Mason saw his mother's words as manipulative, and he scoffed internally at his own fate. He felt like the unluckiest son alive, believing his mother was trying to manipulate him into marrying an unattractive girl.

"Also, remember this: whether you agree or not, you will marry Isabel. Understood?" Nina finally asked, and Mason reluctantly nodded in response.

"Good. By the way, the wedding is scheduled for the 15th of this month. You have only ten days left. I hope that by then, you will establish a connection with your fiancée, Isabel," Nina stated matter-of-factly, yet the announcement of the wedding date weighed heavily on Mason's heart, causing him immense pain.

Without waiting for Mason's response, Nina turned to Anna, who had been silently observing the conversation between her mother and brother.

"Wedding shopping will begin tomorrow. Will you accompany me, dear?" Nina asked, and Anna agreed instantly, despite her own reluctance. She didn't want her mother to sense her opposition to the marriage.

"Great. And both of you, make a list of the friends you want to invite to the wedding," Nina instructed before leaving the room.

As soon as their mother departed, Anna started scolding Mason for not voicing his opinion when he had the chance. Mason remained unresponsive, opting to leave the house and head to the club, seeking solace in drinking and spending time with his friends, hoping to alleviate his inner frustration.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mason sat at the club, nursing his drink, eagerly awaiting the arrival of his best friend, Matt. He knew that Matt was the only person left who could help him escape his miserable fate of marrying Isabel.

When Matt finally arrived, Mason wasted no time and poured out his heart, sharing every detail with his friend. He desperately sought an idea to break off the impending marriage. After hearing Mason's plight, Matt smirked and said, "I have a better idea to call off this wedding."

Mason's eyes widened with anticipation. "What is it?" he asked eagerly.

"You should contact your fiancée, or should I say, Isabel," Matt suggested. "Tell her that you're not willing to go through with the marriage and ask her to call it off herself."

Mason pondered the idea, realizing its potential effectiveness. "Yeah, that could work. But where can I find her?" he inquired.

"Don't you have her phone number?" Matt asked, surprised.

"No," Mason replied curtly. "Why would I bother having her contact information? I have no interest in engaging with that... trash," he said, visibly annoyed by the idea of having a regular conversation with Isabel, as his mother had instructed him to do.

Listening to Mason's response, Matt paused for a moment, then asked for Mason's phone. Confused, Mason handed it over, furrowing his brows.

"What are you going to do with my phone?" he asked, puzzled.

"Just wait and see. Give it to me," Matt replied with a mischievous grin.

Taking the phone, Matt navigated to the contact list and began to check all the recent received and dialed numbers from the past three days. Finally, his eyes fell on a number saved as "Isabel," which had been dialed two days ago.

"Take a look," Matt said, handing the phone back to Mason. He pointed to the saved number of Isabel, leaving Mason both shocked and speechless.

"This is impossible," Mason uttered after a couple of minutes of silence, his mind reeling.

Matt chuckled, amused by his friend's reaction. "Impossible? Your mom is capable of anything, my friend. You still haven't grasped the extent of her cunning, have you?"

Matt continued, "Your mom probably called herself 'Isabel' to acquire your number. She saved the number as 'Isabel' on your phone so you could have a conversation with her."

Mason seethed with anger at his mother's manipulation. "Good Lord! How could she do something like that? Only God knows what goes on in her mind," he exclaimed, frustration coursing through him once again.

Having had enough, Matt took the phone back from Mason and dialed the number saved as "Isabel."