Filed to story: Dumped by Scumbag Adored by Billionaire
“A-hem?” He cleared his throat, “H-how have you been?”
His grandfather nodded, swallowing down his food, and when he was done, gestured to his plate, “Want a bite? I never knew Reina was a good cook,” he seemed to be enjoying himself.
Julie shook his head, intentionally not pointing out the lie. Reina cook? Pfft! She was the worst cook in history. His best shot was that Niles prepared those but Julie was not going to say that. Not when his grandfather would throw up the food thinking he had been poisoned because Niles made them.
Moreover, Julie was sure Niles would not be delighted if the world knew he was a great cook. The man had a notorious reputation to maintain.
There was no more room for awkwardness because Eden and his wife Camille arrived at that moment and the whole attention was shifted to them. Julie attempted what was called a smile at his future father-in-law and he couldn’t comprehend if the man had given him a silent appreciation or simply ignored him.
As if they were in a race or something, Emerald and his wife arrived almost immediately and the whole place became a beehive of conversation. At least that allowed Julie some time to fade into the background and prepare himself mentally for the judgment to come.
Not long after, the kids – who engaged in the runaway – filed into the living room one after the other – his grandfather as well was done with the sumptuous breakfast prepared by Niles. Julie’s evil mind wished he could finally play the prank on his grandfather by revealing who prepared the food he ate but he couldn’t, not when his fate was about to be sealed. At a moment like this, he needed friends not enemies – especially not one from his family.
“I’m sure you all know why we are here, both the directly involved parties and the ones who had only come to drag their kids home, which was made possible through me – you’re welcome by the way, ” Niles, of course, hasn’t lost his dry sense of humor, “We are here to decide on this engagement which was made without my consent and of course, to which, I don’t accept at all. The floor is open for deliberation. I rest my case,” Niles took his seat, crossing his leg over the other with his expression taut. This was the moment everyone had been waiting for.
George was the next to speak,
“I’m the initiator of this engagement and I admit to the fact that Niles hadn’t been present when the agreement was made-“
“Agreement my butt, that was coercion!” Isabella shouted from her seat but her father Niles hissed disapprovingly at her, she shut up.
“However,” George went on,” His wife Reina was present when the agreement was made and as his wife, her words are the same as Niles’ authority, isn’t it?” the question was thrown at nobody in question.
No one said a word, knowing he was right. That was the problem with aristocratic families, their words held a lot of weight. Be it from the husband or wife. Hence, they had to be careful with agreements. Also, it would be a shame on Niles and his wife as well, if he renounced his wife’s words. Doing that was indirectly crippling her authority in the household.
Reina shrank into her chair, hiding her face and wishing the ground would open up and swallow her. She had agreed to that in the heat of the moment without giving it much thought. Now, she had only brought problems for Niles.
“Perhaps, we should give the kids the opportunity to express themselves?” Cecil suggested.
For her alone, she didn’t care about engagement, betrothment, and all. Her kid Pedro was free to date whoever he wanted. She was still suffering from the effects of the political marriage her father had made with Fernandez. Cecil would not let her son go through the same ordeal.
“That’s right,” Emerald supported her, “Let’s hear the kid’s opinion,”
At the mention of that, Isabella was the first to get on her feet as if she had been patiently waiting for this moment.
She faced George, “I have nothing to say other than the fact that your son has a very gloomy future with me if you insist on bringing us together,” she smiled darkly, ” It’s a promise,” And sat back down.
“Alright?” Cecil tried to lighten the environment. No one was bothered by Isabella’s statement. Yep, no one at all. It must be a joke. Isabella was simply pulling their legs. But inwardly, the woman knew that was no joke. Isabella never jokes.
“So who’s next?”
The third point of view:
George’s face was taut but full of certainty. He knew no matter the verdict today he was going to win but it still broke his heart that his chosen daughter-in-law was not in support of this marriage. Anyway, she’s just a kid and knows nothing. The man was sure that with time feelings would develop between both kids. With a kid as smart as Isabella as his grandson’s wife, he would be at peace wherever he is – including the grave.
“Can I speak?” Pedro raised his hand, “I know I’m not related to the case but Isabella’s my girlfriend hence I have to speak out my grievances,” He said.
“The floor is yours,” Reina permitted him.
Pedro stood to his feet with a deep breath, he looked around his surroundings and finally settled his gaze on Isabella and said, “I love Isabella,”
Cecil whistled.
Camille and Reina swoon.
The men said nothing but there was a look of respect on their faces. George was the only one who had a look of unease. It was obvious that he didn’t like the fact the boy was gaining supporters without even knowing it.
Isabella was the only one who stood as still as a rock. This wasn’t the first time Pedro had expressed his love for her but this was the first time he was saying it in front of everyone; in front of her parents and the whole world. Her heart began to beat so fast she was having difficulty breathing.
“I don’t care whatever decision you guys make but I’m never letting go of Isabella. You might break me, torture me or even worse kill me but I’ll be more at peace knowing my last moments were for her than living an unfulfilled life without her,” Pedro said, all the while holding her gaze.
The both of them stared at each other, the others present with them fading into the background, making it seem like it was just the both of them at the moment. Both of them against the world.
Isabella knew at that moment that Pedro owned her heart. No one could have her, body, mind, and soul but him. She had thought it was over between the both of them when the engagement surfaced, but Pedro stood by her. What else could she ask for?
Tears stung her eyes, but as Isabella would always be Isabella, she blinked them away, refusing to show weakness. If only there was a way to solve this shit or at least exploit a loophole, then things would have been…
Suddenly, an idea hit her, Isabella’s eyes widened. How had she not thought of that? She immediately searched for her father and when their eyes met, the information was conveyed. They needed to talk. Privately.
Pedro sat down as soon as he was done, his gaze following Isabella who had taken off her eyes at the last minute. He was a bit disappointed, why wasn’t she listening?
Anabelle was the next to lift her hands, she wanted to speak; Pedro’s speech motivated her. However, almost immediately, Niles announced,
“I need a minute with my daughter,” He stood, surprising everyone. Niles gestured to Isabella to follow after him while everyone stared on.
George stared at them suspiciously, he didn’t like father and daughter going for a secret meeting. Who knows what they are up to? Niles and Isabella together were a force to be reckoned with.
Thankfully, everything settled down when Anabelle began her speech, “Hi,” She waved at them politely, “I’m sure everyone here has someone close to their heart that they want to protect and I’m proud to say that person is Judy. Yes, he’s made mistakes but we all are humans, who haven’t made one. So I’m pleading we all reconsider this engagement. Isabella and I love each other and she would never do anything to harm me – even though she doesn’t show it – but the engagement is trying to tear us apart,”
Anabelle took a deep breath, “My father, Eden raised me with love and I’m privileged to have my uncle Niles as well, who’s helplessly in love with his wife, Reina. So I’m sure you all feel what I’m talking about,”
Their parents shifted uncomfortably in their chair, her speech was close to home.
Anabelle went on, “You might say that teenage love is a mirage, that it’s just infatuation, it doesn’t last. But the truth is that we are kids still trying to find our way, don’t force us to grow up quickly,” and with that Anabelle took her seat, the living room as dead as a graveyard.
Quickly, Julie stood to share his viewpoint. He knew their speeches were beginning to affect the other parents so he had to strike while the iron is hot.
“Grandfather,” He faced George this time, “I know you have great plans for me but no amount of achievement can give me the joy I feel when around Anabelle. I know it’s wrong of me to go back on my words, but I agreed to the engagement out of carelessness.
“Moreover, the Isabella you engaged me to has another in her heart. How do you expect me to live with that? That would only make me miserable. You said an Alpha needs a strong Luna but then, the alpha is the king already and no two kings can rule a kingdom. I need a helper and a friend, not a fellow ruler. So people reconsider, “