Chapter 18: A Misunderstanding

Chapter 18: A Misunderstanding

When it was lunchtime, she sat and ate quietly while her parents discussed her engagement happily. And the only time they paid attention to her was when her mother urged her to eat more.

“Stop playing with your food, Lucy. I won’t have you looking skinny on your engagement,” she said, and then poured more food into her plate. “And you need more energy to keep up with the hassle of all the preparations,” she added, before turning back to her father and they continued talking.

“Mummy.” Lucy looked up after a while. She looked into her parents’ eyes, contemplating whether to say it.

“What is wrong?”

Her mother must have sensed her sadness as she asked in a worried tone. And her father’s brows also settled into a frown.

“Can’t you postpone this engagement?” She mumbled softly.

Her father’s frown deepened, her mother gasped, and Lucy dreaded what was coming next.

“What is wrong with you, Lucy?” Her mother scolded. “Aren’t we over this topic already?”

“But, Father–”

“Lucy.” Her mother sighed. “Stop spouting nonsense and eat your food. Your father and I have already given our approval. Do you want to make us look like fools if we suddenly call it off?”

“No, Mummy.” Lucy shook her head and turned back to her food.

Her father did not say anything but from his expression which had already darkened, Lucy knew not to argue further.

She sneaked a peek at him after a few seconds and found his gaze still on her. However, the disappointed look was gone and she could notice a hint of sadness. Why did she even bring it up? Despite knowing how desperate they were. If she told them about last night’s incident, their reaction might even be worse. After all, he hadn’t touched her in a completely wrong way.

Sounds of footsteps came from the living room and her eyes lit up as Gina came into sight.

“Uncle. Auntie,” Gina greeted and without waiting to be scolded about their visit to the bar, she dragged Lucy upstairs.

“How did it go, did he make it yesterday?” Gina inquired eagerly as they entered her room.

Lucy locked the door and went to sit on her bed.

“Come on, tell me how it went. I want to hear everything.” Gina sat beside her with excitement.

Lucy lowered her head with a sniff. “Gina, I think I’m in trouble.”

“Huh?” Gina tilted her head in confusion. “What did you do? Did you break anything? Did you offend Uncle or Auntie? Wait are they going to send you to the basement?”

The girl bombarded her with questions and Lucy shook her head and then told her things that occurred last night.

“I don’t think I can trust him, Gina,” she added with a sniff.

Gina sat still, stunned. As if digesting everything she just heard. Then her eyes widened and she sprang up on her feet.

“This– This is unbelievable.” She paced in front of her with clenched fists. “And you even said he tried to…”

Gina shook her head not wanting to believe it. “But Uncle and Auntie, have you told them?”

“They wouldn’t listen.”

Lucy’s eyes followed the girl, already dizzy from her pacing.

“But the maid… Tell them about the maid, they might listen.”

“No.” Lucy fidgeted with her cloth. She might put Ara in trouble. Knowing her father, he would demand answers from Cedric. And what if he denied it?

“Lucy…” Gina sat back on the bed and held her hand. After calming down, she looked into her eyes and said, “I don’t think you’re in trouble. If you don’t really want this, stand your ground and no one will be able to force you.”

“I don’t know, Gina. This is important.”

Her mind was torn into two and she was hopeless. On one hand, was her parents’ happiness and the benefits it would bring to the family. On the other hand, she didn’t even know what she wanted. The only thing she knew was she didn’t like him. And if she aired this issue, her mother was right, it might make them look like lowly people.

Gina hugged her and patted her back. “But your happiness matters, Lucy… I’m sure they all know that.”

Lucy hugged her back and shook her head. They only care about what she needed and not what she wanted. She was at the rightful age. Even though her happiness mattered, other things were more important.

Her phone rang and she picked it from the bedside table. When they both saw the contact’s name, their eyes widened and Gina urged her to answer it.

“My love.” The deep voice came from the other end and Lucy shuddered.

“B–Brother Cedric.”

“Ahhh, what have I done,” he said with a chuckle and Lucy frowned.

“I scared you last night, right?” He continued. “Must have something to do with the drink.”

Lucy could not pinpoint the direction his words were going. And the more he spoke the more confused she got. “W–What do you m–mean.”

“The truth is.” He sighed. “Things have been weighing on me recently. The engagement as well as the business.”

Lucy bit her lips as he went on.

“So I had a little bit of drink last night. I needed to drown my sorrows. It wasn’t intentional. Every action I did was a mistake.”

“Really?” Lucy’s hold tightened on the phone. She knew last night he was drunk. But his admitting it now, she suddenly felt strange. Was he dealing with the burden just like her?

“Yeah,” he answered. “I called to apologize. I didn’t mean to frighten you. It’s the alcohol… I also intend to take things slow, but the date is already set, right?” He chuckled. “Therefore, you don’t need to worry. The bottom line is, I like you and I’ll take great care of you.”

Lucy felt a lump in her throat and she blinked rapidly. Was it all a misunderstanding? Had she been fretting for nothing?