"Mobbed by Matrimony" (wlw)

Chapter 4: First Encounter

The surprise made Sophia's breath catch, and she stared in astonishment at the unexpected revelation. Sophia still stunned, trying to reconcile the sight before her with the expectations she had. Alex, a woman, was marrying another woman, and it felt so out of place that Sophia almost wondered if this was some kind of elaborate joke. Her mind raced to make sense of the situation, struggling to adapt to the surprising turn of events.

"Grandfather, you urgently requested my presence?"

Alex's tone was firm, her face set in a serious expression.

"Yes, Alex. Please, have a seat. There are some important guests I'd like you to meet."

Alfonzo replied, his voice carrying a note of gravity.

Alex sat down beside her father, her eyes scanning the room with a mix of curiosity and unease, unaware of the significance of the moment that was about to unfold before her.

"Alex, dear, let me introduce you to our guests," Alfonzo began, his voice steady.

"This is Henry de Jongh, a close friend of mine. His son Lucas and daughter-in-law, Jessica. And this is Sophia, his granddaughter."

Alex nodded politely, her gaze shifting between the guests with a hint of curiosity.

"Pleasure meeting you all."

She said briefly, still unsure of why her presence was necessary for this introduction.

Alfonzo's expression grew more serious.

"It's time we discuss the matter at hand, Alex. We're here to talk about your marriage to the de Jonghs."

Alex's eyes widened as her grandfather's words sank in, causing her to stop mid-slice with her fork poised over the piece of chicken on her plate. She had anticipated that her grandfather would arrange her marriage at some point, but the abruptness of the announcement left her frozen in shock. The sudden revelation gripped her with an unexpected intensity, and she struggled to process the weight of the situation.

Alex glanced around the table, her gaze flickering from one person to the next. Aside from the couple and the old man, the only other person present was Sophia. The realization hit her with a jolt—she was being arranged to marry a woman, and that woman was sitting right in front of her. Her mind raced in disbelief, struggling to reconcile the unexpected and startling reality with the expectations she had harbored.

Alex released the utensils she was holding and fixed her gaze intensely on her father, who responded with a blank expression. Her eyes then turned to her grandfather, filled with questions and confusion.

"I'd like to be excused, grandfather. I'm not feeling hungry at the moment."

Alex said, standing up with the intention of leaving.

"Sit down, Alexandria!"

Her grandfather commanded sharply.

For a moment, Alex froze, the command echoing in her mind. With a resigned sigh, she complied and sat back down.

"Yes, sir."

She replied tersely, her voice laced with frustration as she returned to her seat.

The de Jonghs watched in stunned silence as the intense exchange between Alfonzo and his granddaughter unfolded. The garden was thick with tension.

"The food is getting cold; let's eat."

Alfonzo said, trying to defuse the situation and encouraging everyone to begin their meal.

As the others started serving themselves, Sophia couldn't help but glance at Alex frequently. Despite Sophia's persistent disbelief, she observed that Alex remained focused intently on the food on her plate, avoiding eye contact. It slowly dawned on Sophia that Alfonzo Van Leeuw was not joking about the arranged marriage. The reality of the situation began to sink in, amplifying her astonishment.

As the thick, dark clouds suddenly covered the sky, the elders had no choice but to move their discussion inside the manor. The unexpected change in weather prompted a hurried shift from the outdoor setting to the comfort of the manor's interior.

"Grandpa, I need to excuse myself to answer an important call. It's about the shipment."

Alex said, seeking permission.

"Very well, Alex. Please join us back inside after that."

Her grandfather replied, nodding.

Alex left for the staircase, heading upstairs to take the call. Meanwhile, the discussions among the elders resumed indoors, shifting to the topic of the marriage arrangement.

"I need to use the washroom, please."

Sophia requested.

A server promptly escorted her to the bathroom. The prospect of an arranged marriage, especially with a woman, was far beyond what she had anticipated for this meeting. As Sophia emerged from the bathroom, her gaze drifted around the manor until it landed on a balcony. Seeking a moment of relief, she stepped outside to breathe in the fresh air and ease the mounting tension in her mind.

Sophia's mind was as clouded as the overcast skies at that moment. Unbeknownst to her, Alex sat in the corner, watching her with a concerned gaze as she struggled to process the shock of their grandfathers' plans for them. Sophia was abruptly startled when she noticed Alex sitting at a distance, calmly smoking a cigarette and sipping from a glass of liquor.

"Have you known about this all along?"

Sophia demanded, her face contorted with frustration as she glared at Alex in the corner.

"No, I didn't."

Alex replied curtly.

"Are you really just going to stay calm and accept this? How can you be okay with everything?"

Sophia's voice rose in anger.

"Yes," Alex said calmly, "It's what my grandfather wants."

Sophia was dumbfounded by Alex's response, feeling as if he was leaving such a crucial life decision entirely in his grandfather's hands.

"Don't be such an ass! Help me convince them that this idea is stupid!"

Sophia exclaimed.

Alex's expression hardened at her words.

"Did you just call me an ass and my grandfather stupid?"

Alex's gaze turned fierce, his voice as cold as ice as he approached her.

Sophia was stunned by the sudden shift in Alex's expression. As Alex approached, she placed both hands on the balcony railing, effectively trapping Sophia between her arms. Alex's expression remained unchanged, even growing more intense as she faced the woman who had just called her an ass.

"You've got quite a sharp tongue, lady."

Alex said, her voice deep and chilling.

"Why don't you go tell my grandfather yourself and prove that your family can't keep their word? I dare you to tell him to his face how stupid this idea is."

Her tone was cold and intensely terrifying, sending a shiver of fear down Sophia's spine.