Part 69

Richard shook his head. "Don't be stupid, I'm not that petty." Richard snarled in exasperation. "I'm not concerned about your past or your daughter. Whoever Claire's future husband is, whether he's a widower or a bachelor, whether he's young or as old as you are, as long as Claire loves that man and wants to live with him I won't mind. After all, I know your character well enough and I know your family well enough. And if you still have the same character as Antony from our high school days, I will approve of your relationship while your failure," Richard shrugged, "everyone has their own storyline." he continued firmly.

Both Claire and Antony breathed a sigh of relief at Richard's words. But it didn't last long as Richard then continued.

"The problem here is her." He pointed at Claire. "Our mother has brought a future husband for her."

Now it's Claire and Antony who are shocked by Richard's statement.

"What do you mean?" Claire asked confused.

"Didn't Gladwin tell you?" Richard asked confused. Claire shook her head. "For God's sake, that kid!" Claire could see the annoyance on her eldest brother's face. "Three days ago, Mama called me and said that she had found the perfect husband for you." She said, more to Claire. "I don't know, I myself don't know who he is, where he comes from or who his family is because mama didn't say it clearly. But for sure, he's related to Harry's wife and Mama also told me that she told Gladwin about it and asked Gladwin to tell you about the match. But Gladwin?!" Richard chuckled again.

"What's wrong with me? Why are you calling my name?" Gladwin, who was unknown when he came, now entered the room silently. His face looked rather pale and eye bags were clearly visible under both eyes. It was obvious that Claire's twin had stayed up all night. With a flat expression, Gladwin walked over to the bed, shifted Antony's position and then pulled out the nearest chair and sat beside the bed.

"Your breakfast?" He asked to which Claire nodded in response. "Can I have some?" He asked with a tired face to which she nodded. Claire nodded her head towards the nightstand as if to say there was still plenty of food left and without wanting to know who had brought it, Gladwin casually took the food that was there.

"Why didn't you tell Claire that mommy was going to set her up with a man of her choice?" Richard asked irritably.

Gladwin, who was munching on a sandwich, looked up at his eldest brother. "I already said that." Gladwin replied casually. Claire, Antony and Richard frowned. "Didn't I tell you yesterday?" He said to Antony. "When she was sleeping, I told you that our mother had often set Claire up with a man of her choice but she always rejected him. So what difference does it make if our mother brings another husband for Claire, you will reject him no matter what. Am I wrong?" Gladwin looked at Claire while Claire remained silent. "Besides, she already has him now." Gladwin's thumb pointed at Antony. "She has a stronger reason to reject the arranged marriage that mommy arranged."

Richard shook his head. "Gladwin! You know that's not the case." Richard said irritably. He rubbed his face and then moved to and fro at an indistinct pace.

"Brother, you're noisy!" Gladwin said, returning with his sandwich. "After all, we're used to seeing the war between Claire and Mommy. So what's the difference now?"

"The problem now is, Mommy has brought that man's family to this city to meet Claire in person." Richard replied irritably.

Both Antony, Claire and Gladwin just looked at Richard in disbelief. "Our mother knew that if she just asked Claire to meet that man, Claire would go to any lengths to refuse like she always did before. That's why this time she took the extreme measure of inviting the man's family so that Claire would have no reason to refuse. So that Claire doesn't embarrass our family."

Claire was silent. So was Antony. But Gladwin laughed instead. "Just be Patience, sister. this is a test for you." He continued laughing again. Claire still looked at her twin brother in disbelief. "Just accept all of this because this is your fate as the only daughter in our family." He continued again which made Claire glare in annoyance.

"Don't take this too hard anyway because I know you'll always have plenty of ways to defeat our mother. Especially now that you have him" Gladwin nodded his head towards Antony. "Two heads against one, we'll see who comes out on top." He continued without feeling the least bit uncomfortable at the looks from the three people in the room.

"Gladwin!" Claire snapped in annoyance.

"Never mind, it's better for now you focus on your recovery first. Think of your current arranged marriage as a test of guts. If the prospective brother-in-law who feels like the eldest brother is really serious about getting you, then he will help you to cancel the match that our mother has designed at any cost." Gladwin said again seemingly insinuating Antony. Gladwin glanced at Antony and the man nodded his head vaguely as if he understood what Gladwin meant.

"He can come to our house like the male lead in that Indian movie where when you're about to say your vows he says 'I don't agree' out loud." Gladwin said again with exaggeration. "Or suddenly, before the vows you're sobbing because you can't accept your arranged marriage and he comes to take you away. Wouldn't that be heroic?" He continued to fantasize and ignored Richard who seemed to be trying hard to hold back his laughter. "Besides, his face looks like a mobster, so he fits the role of a kidnapper." Gladwin joked again.

"He's not a mobster." Claire replied defensively.

Gladwin shrugged. "I was just setting an example." Gladwin retorted casually. "So, our mother is back in town?" he asked Richard again.

"Already. She's back together with Harry." Richard replied briefly.

"Alright, then allow me to prepare my energy first to see the show you're going to put on later." He said to Claire and then walked to the sofa and laid his body there.