A Remaining Podeshire 1

Chapter 5 (Part 2)

     The moon progresses with the shimmering stars in the sky, showering their soft lights on the ground. The moonlight's heavenly illumination reflects on the calm waters of the canal in the park. With the night continuing, the wind howls and blows across the gardens, causing the trees to sway and dance.

     As the night progresses, Oliver, Sophia, and Gregory rest on a long wooden bench in the park after a long walk. They face the canal, watching the full moon cast its light on the gentle waters. They witness the stars glimmer like crystals as comets scurry across galaxies in the colourful night sky.

     While staring at the moonlight reflecting on the canal's calm waters, Oliver, Sophia, and Gregory enjoy warm flatbreads filled with marinated meat and sauces. The aromatic taste of the meat touches their tongues and reaches their noses as they chew and swallow large bites. They glance at each other with playful smiles as they chow down on their food.

"Hey, Greg," Oliver said while chewing. "I want to say thank you very much for the treat." He then took another quick bite of the bread as the sauce dripped onto his thumbs.

"I bid my sincerest gratitude unto you, too, Greg, for the free treats you have bought us," Sophia smiled while politely eating her bread. "It is wonderful of you. I think you'd be a good friend for Oliver."

"Hehe! You're welcome both, and thank you, Sophia! I think you'd be a good wife," Gregory said.

Sophia's smile diminished and turned into a frown. "...Thanks..." she sighed.

Gregory noticed Sophia's frown. He quickly looked at Oliver and saw him pouting as well. "...Hm?" Gregory raised a brow.

"Heh..." Oliver shrugged and took a slow bite of his food.

"What's wrong? Aren't you two happy to become future spouses?" Gregory asked in worry. 

"Sophia, I think it'll be best if we tell Greg the truth," Oliver told Sophia.

"...If it'll be the best," said Sophia.

"...Look, Greg... we may be engaged... but we are only betrothed by force. If you thought we were dating, well... I'll be honest, no... we only met this morning," Oliver confessed with a drooping frown.

"What?" Gregory gasped in disbelief.

"Greg... do you remember the night when I told you that my adoptive father said that... I'll have the best day today?" Oliver asked, sighing out his words.

"Yes," Gregory answered immediately.

"It's because I'll be meeting Sophia this day... who I am betrothed to," Oliver explained.

"And now we're engaged," Sophia ventured. "...Our parents seem to be rushing us."

"I... I can't believe this. How come you two are fine with this?" Gregory asked. "I suppose you should tell your parents not to continue the wedding."

"But they won't listen to me," Sophia complained. "I've tried already."

"Have you told your parents not to continue the wedding, Oliver?" Gregory questioned, concern reflecting in his eyes.

"I haven't, Oliver said. "But, I am sure... they'll just get mad at me for not obeying their will..."

"...If you make sufficient attempts to convince them to call off the marriage before the wedding day, I believe they will respect your wishes," Gregory thought and asked. "When is the wedding day anyway?"

"If I remember, Mrs Casalee told us that the wedding is... uhmm... next week... I think," Oliver answered and finished his food.

"I- uh... uhmm... I believe there's still plenty of time to convince them not to continue this marriage." Gregory continued to question out of curiosity. "Where will the wedding venue take place?"

"I'm not sure. Our parents haven't given us in-depth information regarding the wedding yet," Sophia responded as she finished her food.

"Alright, alright. Uhh... when you two return home, what will you do?" Gregory asked.

"My family and I will book an apartment to stay in until I wed Oliver," Sophia informed.

"You?" Gregory looked at Oliver.

"Surely, I'll do my nightly chores and go to sleep," Oliver said while he consumed his snack.

Gregory processed the gravity of the situation as he finished his food. "Mhm..."

"Wait- uhmm... what time is it?" Oliver asked anxiously.

Gregory quickly checked his pocket watch. "Ten forty-seven in the evening," Gregory answered.

"Oh, shoot! Sophia, we must return home! They're probably waiting for us already!" Oliver was startled, lunging himself off the wooden bench.

"Alright! Alright! Don't worry! Calm down, Oli!" Sophia quickly stood up and wrapped her hands around Oliver's shoulder, attempting to calm him.

"Guys...?" Gregory called his friends.

"Yeah...?" Oliver and Sophia responded as they glanced at him.

"Bow down! Bow down!" Gregory said.