AMELIA POV
I excused myself from the busy family gathering, saying I needed to use the restroom quickly. The fancy chandeliers and shiny wooden furniture of the mansion showed how rich and classy the family was. As I walked through the big halls, I couldn't help feeling nervous.
Finally, I got to the restroom, pushing open the heavy door and stepping into the calm space. I took a deep breath, giving myself a moment alone before going back to the busy family gathering.
As I washed my hands, I saw myself in the mirror. My reflection looked calm, but inside, my heart raced with uncertainty. Wondering if I was ready for the next chapter of my life.
After checking my reflection one last time, I turned off the faucet and returned to the dinner room. Pushing open the heavy door, I stepped back into the room, only to see my arrogant future husband standing there, a smirk playing on his lips. The room seemed silent as our eyes met, and I could feel the unspoken tension between us.
My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met. There was something captivating about him, an undeniable presence that pulled me in. I couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and nervousness as I approached him.
"Amelia," my mother called with a warm smile, inviting me over. "Come meet Alexander Westwood, the man who will soon be part of our family."
As I walked towards them, my mother continued, "Alexander, this is my daughter, Amelia. She's the one you'll be sharing your life with. Make her feel welcomed."
"Well, I'll leave you for a while so you can get to know each other," My mom said with her knowing smile, casually tossing her drink in the air.
A nervous yet sincere smile appeared on my face as I reached out my hand towards him, feeling a gentle flutter in my stomach. "It's really nice to meet you, Alexander," I said, my voice filled with both excitement and nervousness.
He glanced at my outstretched hand but did not shake it. Instead, his eyes looked me up and down, a smirk on his lips. “Well, the pleasure is certainly mine,” he said smugly. The way he talked showed that he was very confident, almost too sure of himself. "Your mother has spoken highly of you."
He was undeniably handsome, with distinct features and piercing blue eyes. Alexander Westwood attracted attention wherever he went, and as he stood before me in his perfectly tailored suit, there was an arrogance about him that I couldn't ignore. His voice was deep and full of authority.
Feeling embarrassed, I was surprised by Alexander's attitude. In front of me stood a man who seemed to really enjoy thinking he was better than everyone, and his smugness was hard to ignore.
I cleared my throat, attempting to calm myself down after the unexpected turn of events. "Well, it's quite... different from what I expected," I said, my tone a bit subdued. Even though I expected him to be confident, his level of arrogance surprised me.
"I've been waiting for you for a while," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of arrogance. "I can't help but wonder if you're wandering through this fancy maze, perhaps getting lost in its beauty." His words had a teasing tone, displaying his confidence as he gestured around.
I held back a sigh, forcing a polite smile as I replied, "Oh, just a quick restroom break. Sorry if I made anyone wait—I didn't mean to inconvenience anyone." I added a small gesture of apology, hoping to show my sincerity and regret for the delay.
I clenched my jaw, determined not to let his arrogance bother me. Instead, I focused on my surroundings: a luxurious dining room filled with well-dressed guests engaged in lively conversation. I wouldn't let his behavior ruin the evening.
Unfazed by the initial awkwardness, I decided to make the best of the situation. "The legacy of your family, the Westwood family, is truly impressive. I've heard stories about their achievements and contributions," I said, trying to show genuine admiration. A delicate smile appeared on my lips as I continued, "It is an honor to be a member of a family with such a rich history. I look forward to learning more and contributing as much as possible." The words contained a tinge of confidence, a deliberate attempt to move the conversation in a more positive and engaging direction.
He raised his eyebrows, a satisfied smile on his lips. "Oh, really?" he replied, his voice still a bit arrogant. "Well, I guess it's normal for people to be impressed with Westwood. Our legacy has a huge impact." His words sounded confident, as if he appreciated the supposed admiration surrounding his last name.
As I stood there, a mixture of discomfort and curiosity washed over me like conflicting tides. My initial hopes of finding a kind and understanding partner, someone who made me feel loved, began to fade with Alexander's attitude. It was as if he was determined to keep me at a distance, his arrogance acting as an impenetrable shield against any chance of a real connection.
I can't help but wonder what's really behind his confident behavior. Does his confidence have some hidden weakness, or is he really as aloof as he seems? These questions swirled in my mind, making me curious even as frustration lingered within me.
Deep in thought, I was suddenly pulled back to the present by the unexpected touch of Alexander's hand on mine. He gestured for me to follow him, his grip firm yet strangely distant. We reached the table where our parents were discussing the business they would be involved in after our wedding.
As we sat at the table, the air filled with the clinking of cutlery and small chatter, Alexander's mother suddenly brought up the subject. "So, honey, when do you think the wedding will take place?" she asked, her tone both curious and realistic. "Perhaps it would be wise to choose an earlier date. After all, as they say, money waits for no one." Her words were accompanied by a knowing smile, as if sharing a piece of wisdom about the importance of time considerations when planning a wedding.
I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before responding. Trying to hide my unease, I replied with a forced smile, "Mrs. Westwood, I appreciate your concern and understanding of the importance of timely arrangements. However, we haven't discussed the details of the wedding day yet. We want to take our time and make sure everything is planned perfectly." My answer received agreement from understanding nods and tolerant smiles from the guests around the table.
"Ah, yes, of course," Alexander said, his voice full of entitlement. "Whatever decision you choose, rest assured that we will follow through. After all, it's completely understandable given Mom and Mrs. Montgomery's busy schedules." His words were drawn out, laced with a subtle arrogance that suggested he believed in his own importance and expected compliance from those around him.
"That sounds good," my dad interrupted with a stern expression, his voice carrying an authoritative tone as he suggested, "How about next week?" His words conveyed a sense of expectation, indicating little room for negotiation as he presented his proposal with firm resolve.
Caught off guard, my mind raced to process this unexpected offer. The idea of a wedding in just one week resonated in my thoughts, and I struggled with the reality of time moving so quickly. A quick glance around the table revealed a variety of surprised looks on their faces.
Attempting to collect my thoughts, I spoke with measured calmness, "Next week could be a bit too soon for us. We want to—." My sentence hung in the air, unfinished, as Alexander unexpectedly interrupted.
"We could do that, it could save us some time," he suggested, his tone casually confident, hinting at his preference for efficiency. Alexander's proposal hung in the air, bringing a fresh perspective into the discussion.
"Then it's settled. Now, put the matter aside and enjoy the evening," Alexander's father said, a note of finality in his voice as he raised his glass in a toast. The sound of glasses clinking echoed throughout the room, signaling that the conversation about wedding plans had come to an end of discussion.
I glanced at Alexander, my disapproving look reflecting my inner turmoil. How could he readily accept a wedding date that felt rushed and lacked the careful planning I had hoped for? I searched his eyes for any hint of hesitation or understanding, but to my dismay, he seemed to align with his father's sentiment.
Feeling uneasy, I turned to my mother, hoping for clarity or reassurance. With a knowing smile, she leaned in and whispered, "Relax, we'll talk at home."
The rest of the evening passed in polite conversation and nervous smiles. My mind was filled with questions and worries, but I realized that bringing them up in a family meeting would only create more tension and misunderstandings.