Her Destined Ride — Chapter 44: ARRANGED DECISIONS

She was silent as she listened to him. She's not usually silent but she didn't understand why she felt weird all of a sudden.

Was she hurt from what he told her just now?

9

"You mean arranged marriage?" She finally dared ask him. Gosh, is that one existing from a long time ago? It looked unbelievable.

"Sort of." She heard him sigh as he glanced at her.

"Have you met the girl you will marry?"

"Y-Yes." He answered right away. She swallowed as she realized that it hurts after all. Does he even love her, then? She knew that arranged marriages were just surprise weddings that parents love to do with their sons and daughters. She never realized that Tyler's parents were also fond of that one for their son.

"Wow...I never knew arranged marriages were a trend during this period."

"As soon as I knew that I would marry her, I felt like I'm the luckiest man alive. But then I realized that I shouldn't get married to someone whom I am not sure if she's feeling the same way as I am."

"T-That's nice."

"If I will ask you, Sunny...would you want to be married to someone whom you don't love?"

"Of course I won't." She answered right away, sounding very defensive.

Tyler sighed as he looked at her but a smile formed his lips.

"That's exactly my point. That's the reason why I don't want to depend on my parents. Just like what you're believing in. Children should be deciding on their own and not wait for their parents to decide for them."

"You know what, Tyler...I admire you for what you're telling me just now."

"You're a dear friend, Sunny. I want you to know these things too. You might encounter this yourself one day."

"What do you mean?"

"Our parents love us. They care for us, even give us what we want but remember, everything comes with a price."

----

Sunny's POV

I can't sleep and it is exactly nine in the evening. I can't forget what Tyler said this afternoon. It still bothered me up until this time. I never thought he'll be forced to marry someone whom he barely knew.

I got up and I drank a glass of water.

"Everything comes with a price…"

This is the sentence that kept on echoing my mind. Will there be a possibility that I will be married to someone I didn't know, too?

This thought could make my head burst into tiny pieces. It is aching terribly no matter how I turn from left to right. I even covered myself with a blanket and closed my eyes.

***Sunny's dream***

"Miss Sunny Grainger! I am a fan!" One of the young ladies inside the mall rushed to ask for an autograph from her. She smiled as she got her pen.

"What's your name, dear?"

"Jinky Spencer." The girl enthusiastically replied. She nodded as she smiled at her. She got her book that she bought. She scribbled her name together with her short message for her.

"Thank you so much, Miss Sunny Grainger! You're the best!" Jinky hugged her tight before she went to her friends. She shrieked with happiness because of what happened.

She then turned her back and a guy held her hand.

"Honey, that's thirty only for this hour alone. Would you like me to make a quick announcement for your fans to gather as they line up for your autograph?" The guy chuckled as she poked his arm.

"No, dear. That's enough already. I informed my guards that I am not going to entertain autograph signing and fans anymore."

"Let's go shopping, then."

****

I opened my eyes right away as I looked around. Gosh, I am still in 1957! I hate it so much! Why am I not coming back? And who is that guy in my dream?

Honey? Oh my goodness! Even in my dream, the face of that guy is blurry and his voice is not even clear for me to familiarize. Who is he? Am I having a relationship as young as fourteen years old? Wait, in my dreams I am in my twenties. I am pretty sure of that.

I glanced at my wall clock and it is already six in the morning. It's Sunday and it is supposed to be our family day, that's what I know.

I slowly got up and put on my bedroom slippers as I went outside. When I am on my way to the kitchen, I can see that my parent's door was slightly opened.

"Why, Adrian? You know that Sunny won't agree to it."

"I just think that it's for her own good."

"My daughter is just fourteen years old, for pete's sake! Are you insane?" My mom's voice raised a bit. I couldn't help but swallow. What are they talking about?

It's still very early in the morning and yet they are arguing already.

I sighed as I passed by their room. I don't care about what they argue all about. I am still young. I guess I've had enough of what Tyler confessed to me yesterday. I went to the kitchen trying to find an appetite to eat.

I can see bagels that's served with hot chocolate syrup on the side. I also noticed mashed potatoes, coffee and hot chocolate on the table already.

"Miss Sunny, we already called your parents and they are coming over any minute from now."

"Thank you so much, Sylvia." I smiled as I nodded at her. She bowed down and stood beside me.

I glanced at Sylvia and she's wearing a long sleeved gray blouse with white collar. She paired it with the same colored skirt below the knee with a white apron. My mom used to wear that when she was still a housekeeper inside Mr. Athkinson's house. How time flies so fast. Mom is the host of the house and the wife of Mr. Athkinson.

They slowly went to the dining room, looking at each other without speaking a single word. Mr. Athkinson moved the chair backwards for mother to sit down. She quietly uttered her thanks as she turned her back. Mr. Athkinson also sat beside her. I am beside mom as I started eating some bagels.

Mom looked at me as if giving a warning for me to stop what I am doing. I almost forgot we should say our graces first before any meal.

"Sorry," I muttered. I saw Mr. Athkinson smiles as if letting me know that it is completely fine. My mom started to utter a simple grace and we started having our delicious breakfast.