The Revelation

Dad had this blank expression on his face when he asked “ Are you sure there isn’t something more that we are missing about this arrangement? Because it just doesn't make any sense that he keeps pushing the issue so hard.” I raise one eyebrow while looking at him, because what he said makes a lot of sense. Grandma looked like she was trying to remember or thinking about something. “ The only thing it could be if your thinking is correct is the company. They don’t have any other businesses to my knowledge.” she replied. “Either way, what does any of that have to do with me? You guys didn’t know about me until my mother died, so how would he have solved this if my mother was still alive?” I asked them, sounding very annoyed. “I always knew about you sweetie. Your dad told me about you and your mom when she was pregnant with you. We just kept it from your grandfather, because we were afraid he would have done something crazy.” All I could think was wow, they were really that scared of this man. I still can’t believe that they let him treat them like he is their master. Now I was ready for this lunch to be over, because I don’t want to hear anymore information about this man.
Finally it was time for my date with Kyle, but I really wasn’t feeling as excited as I was this morning. I didn’t want to disappoint him, by canceling at the last minute, so I put on a fake smile and went downstairs to meet him. God he looked and smelled so good and that smile is to die for. I guess he noticed that my smiles are not as bright as the last time we met. While we were sitting in the restaurant waiting for our order, he asked “ Is everything alright? You look like you have a lot on your mind. Do you want to talk about it?” I was looking down at my hands that were in my lap feeling a little guilty about ruining our date. I looked up at him “ I am really sorry for ruining our date. I was really looking forward to seeing you today, but I got some upsetting news this afternoon that spoiled my mood.” I said without the fake smile. “ Do you want to tell me about it? Maybe I will be able to help.” I gave him a sad, but genuine smile this time. “ I don’t think there is anything you can do to help, but thanks for offering though.” I told him. “ You won’t know that until you tell me the issue,” he countered. He has a point there.
I thought what the hell maybe I should get some of this frustration off my chest and since he asked. “ This is going to sound crazy, so be open minded and bare with me.” He nodded and I continued “ My grandfather and his old Army buddy, now business partner, made some stupid marriage pact for their kids and if it couldn’t be fulfilled with their kids it would be passed on to their grandchildren. I am the only grandchild my family has and two weeks ago I found out about this stupid arranged marriage.” Poor Kyle he had this what the fuck look on his face, but he didn’t interrupt me. “ Last week when I came home my grandparents and my father took me to the Holloways house for a meeting to discuss the arrangement. While we were there Justin Holloway burst into the and started yelling that he refused to get married to some stranger. I have never met or spoken to Justin and I was just sitting there listening to him yell at his grandfather.” I paused and shook my head, talking about it is upsetting me again. He reached across the table and took one of my hands and smiled at me, letting me know it was okay. Why is he being so understanding right now? We’re just starting to date and here I am telling him about a stupid arranged marriage. He should be upset right now.
I sigh and continued “ During Justin's tantrum he said I probably looked like a fat pig with bad acne, who couldn’t find a man on my own that was why he was being forced to marry me.” Kyle's face changed from comforting to anger. I kept going “ My family and I were still sitting in the same room, while he said all this. He never once acknowledged our presence in the room and carried on with his vile words. I had no reaction to what he said, because I didn’t really care. I was not planning to marry anyone. I don’t believe in arranged marriages, so all the madness that was going on had nothing to do with me. After Justin stormed out of the room, I did tell my family that I will not participate in that barbaric custom.” The waiter brought us our dinner right then, which I was grateful for, because I didn’t want this subject to be the main topic for the entire date. We ate our meal quietly for the most part. Then he asked “ So what was the bad news that got you so upset today? That meaning was a week ago, so did something change?” I looked at him and said “ Since I refused to marry Justin, I found out today that my grandfather is planning to sue me for breach of a verbal contract he claims we have. Keep in mind we’ve never had any real conversation, much less one about an arranged marriage.” he shook his head.