Strangers Attached

Chapter 5

Kiara

"Kiara, we want you to get married."

My parents have amazing joking skills, don't they? They are kidding me right?

No! Please someone tell me that they are kidding?!

Those words came hitting me hard and I was shocked would be an understatement.

"Mum, Dad what do you'll mean by you'll want me to get married? I have come back from London 3 weeks ago, started working 2 weeks ago and you'll want me to get married so early? I have a long career to make, I don't want to be bounded into a marriage in presto and neither do I have a groom to get married." I stated in one breath.

My parents exchanged glances again and this time I gritted on that, "Can you'll stop exchanging code words and talk to me?!"

"Kiara, please relax, we aren't forcing you to get married primitively. You can take your own time but not too long due to unavoidable circumstances dear", dad tried to explain.

Unavoidable circumstances?! What do they mean by that?

"Sweetie, it's been the Pattinson tradition that once the heir of the family is eligible and is almost settled with a job, he or she in our case needs to get married and then your grandfather would hand you your share of wealth." Mum explained.

Wealth? My parents want me to get the wealth and for that they want me to ruin my life?! Is that what they mean?! I can earn enough myself.

"I don't want any wealth right now mum, I have you both, a decent job and that's enough for me."

"Dear, it's not only about the wealth, your grandfather is aging and he is worried about you, he wants to see you settled in your life with a perfect partner and that you should be fairly given your part of wealth. He says he wants to hand it to you himself."

"It's his desire", mum added.

"What about the groom?" I asked them.

"Well, we have someone in our mind but it is totally your decision", Dad said.

"And who is that?"

"My friend's son, you too know him."

"Dad, he should be having a name", I asked him in confusion.

"Noah"

Did mum just say Noah? Noah Hastings, my best friend?!

Why are they throwing these shocking things today all at once on me?

"NOAH?"

"Yes sweetie, he is the perfect man for you. He has been your best friend since childhood; you both have a bond which can't be described in words. We know him very well and so if you have him in your life we would be rest assured about you." Mum said.

"Kiara, take your own time and think about the whole situation." Dad advised me.

I just nodded and went upstairs to my room. I lay on my bed and started to think about the whole conversation and how the world around me had just changed within a few minutes.

I love Noah a lot but not more than a friend. How would he react to this when he comes to know about it? I want to fulfil my grandfather Robert's wish, but Noah? Thoughts danced in my mind as the sleep was drifting to me.

*****

My alarm beeped to wake me for the new morning. Usually I would spring out of the bed and rush for office but today I didn't feel like opening my eyes to the new day. I sighted and got up. I took a warm shower and slipped into my normal office attire and headed for breakfast.