Chapter 4

“MRS. McLean is talking to you,” Raquel’s mother said and warned her with a look.

Raquel scratched her head and looked at the smiling woman in front of her. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Mclean—”

“Please, call me Aunt Emily,” the woman said with a smile.

Raquel smiled shyly. “Aunt Emily, what were you saying again? I’m sorry, I was lost in my thoughts. I didn’t notice that I wasn’t listening anymore.”

The woman laughed. “It’s fine, Raquel. I was telling you that you’re a lovely and charming lady. How old are you now?”

“I’m twenty-seven years old,” she replied. “And, thanks for the compliments.”

The woman’s smile widened. “You know, you and my son will surely look good together. I’m certain that he’ll like you, too.”

“Mom is right, Raquel. My brother will like you. I’m excited to talk about your wedding,” the young lady beside Mrs. McLean added.

Raquel was almost speechless. “W-Wedding? Aren’t we rushing things?” she asked hesitantly.

Raquel’s mother nudged her in the waist. “Raquel…”

Mrs. McLean laughed at them. She introduced herself earlier as the mother of the man they are waiting. “It’s okay. I’m sure we’ll get there very soon.”

Raquel faked a cough to release tension. “Excuse me, I’m just a little nervous,” she lied and smiled awkwardly at the two ladies.

Where is that lucky man? I hope he changed his mind, or he forgot about the dinner date. That will be fun! Raquel thought.

More than half an hour has passed, and the man still hadn’t arrived. Raquel felt uneasy in her seat. Besides being uncomfortable in the red tube dress that she topped with a white fur blazer. She was also uncomfortable with the women’s eyes that focused on her as if watching her every move.

“Maybe he’s on his way. You know the traffic at this rush hour,” Mrs. McLean apologized. Impatience was beginning to show in her pretty face.

“He will be here soon, maybe in a few minutes more,” the young lady with a smiling face added.

“It’s completely fine. We haven’t been waiting for too long, and I know how hectic the schedules of doctors.” Her mother smiled. “I’m even more excited to see your handsome son again, Emily.”

The two ladies told her that they met at a Painting Auction in New York last year. And, the woman named Emily was with her son at that time.

“It was the first time I met his son. He’s a very thoughtful young man. He asked his Mom several times during the auction if she’s enjoying the event,” Raquel’s mother, Imelda, told her. “I’m sure you’ll like him, Raquel. He’s a good man.”

Raquel wanted to roll her eyes, but she restrained herself. Relax, Jan. This nightmare will be over very soon. Behave for a few hours more, she said in her mind repeatedly as she smiled and laughed with the two women on the other side of the table.

“Oh, here’s my son!” the woman exclaimed. She stood up to meet her son.

Raquel didn’t want to stand up, but her mother forced her to do so. She scowled and murmured complaints. She took a deep breath before she slowly turned around with a plastered smile on her face, but when she saw the man, her fake smile immediately left her lips.

“You?!”

Raquel and the man shouted at the same time. They’re both shocked in seeing each other at the dinner date they’re both didn’t want to attend.

“You knew each other?” Raquel’s mother asked. A mixture of surprise and confusion was evident in the woman’s face.

Raquel arched a brow and glared at the arrogant-looking man in front of her. She didn’t expect that she’ll be seeing this man again—and she can’t believe that it will be here!

“Not really,” she said in an irritated tone. “But this is the third time we saw each other today.”

“Oh, what a coincidence!” the man’s mother commented. “The universe is making ways for the two of you,” she added.

“Universe?” the man cynically asked. “You read too many romance novels, mom.”

“Of course, that’s my only escape to reality,” the woman sweetly answered.

But the man just frowned. Raquel expected it. She looked at him and tried to ask the universe why she met this man again. Why? She sighed and remembered how this arrogant man ruined her day, not just once but twice! She’s also sure that tonight’s dinner will be going to be a nightmare.

“By the way, Raquel, this is my son, Ronald McLean,” Mrs. McLean introduced the man, who still not breaking his sharp gaze towards her.

She returned the sharp look with an arched brow to the scowling man named Ronald. “Mom, is he the guy that you’re telling me?” she asked her mother, not breaking her gaze to the man.

“Yes, so please, Raquel, shake hands with your future husband,” her mother replied, who was obviously warning her to behave.

Raquel wanted to throw up because of what she just heard. Husband? No way! “Do I really have—“

“Raquel…” her mother warned.

Raquel blew her breath in surrender. She faked a smile before offering her hand to the man. “Nice to meet you, Mr. McLean,” she said sarcastically. “My name’s Raquel, your future wife.”

But to her shock, the guy just smirked as if she said something absurd. He didn’t even accept her hand.

***