Marrying Mary

chapter 13

Mary closed the door behind them as they left. She still couldn't believe he had kissed her in front of his friend.
She had been tempted to push him away but hadn't been able to find the energy. He had grinned that his cute grin as he walked away.
She rested her back on the door and shut her eyes. Now the house felt lonely, she really did need to get married quick.
She heard her phone ringing and quickly picked it up. She saw the callar ID and was shocked.
Strange. Her dad barely called her. She picked it hoping all was well.

*****

William Sat down there, in one of his favourite restaurants with his dad and a friend of his dad. he had met Mr cruz a couple of times, with his sons but he hadn't realized that their relationship was this tight.
They sat there waiting for Mr cruz daughter. William knew what both men were probably thinking,but how could he explain to them that he was already married, he knew his dad  would just laugh it off like a child's joke.he sighed as he drank his water,he tried not to take alcohol during the day especially after last night.
He smiled as his mind wandered to mary, he had seen the confusion written all over her face as he claimed her mouth in front of his friend, but he had been sending a message to his friend.
mine!! He had said.
He hadn't been able to control himself but be jealous at the way she had looked at Henry when she had gone to open the door for him.
He had saw his friend checking her out, he grimaced at the thought. Just then his dad's friend smiled at something or someone behind William.
"Oh there she is" he said with joy, william rolled his eyes in irritation as he turned to look at the object of pride of the man.
Mary's eyes fell on his, William watched as she turned with a s a ghost  and stoped in her tracks for a second. She quickly recovered making it seem like he had just imagine everything.
"Hello father" she greeted

***

"Hello daddy" she spoke into the phone.
"Hello dearie, are you busy"
No. Not really anything the problem" she asked worried.
No baby, just wanted to have lunch with you. Want to introduce you to a friend of mine" Mary sighed with relief....atleast nothing was wrong with the old man.
"Okay, what time"
"How about in the next one hour" her dad asked.
Mary glanced at her wrist watch and was amazed at how time had gone already. It was already past 12.
"Okay dad" she said as she ended the call.
She quickly texted Betty, informing her about being late today as she headed into her room.
She hadn't realised how time had gone by with William around. Mary touched her lower lips as she thought of the quick yet breath taking kiss they had shared before he departed.
She quickly pushed all thoughts of him away as she dressed, If her dad wanted her to meet a friend of his she'll have to look exquisite.

****

Mary took the seat William had pulled out, next to him and opposite her father. She sat there with an expressionless face.
She smiled as her father introduced her to the man next to him.
"This is George  McCain" he said patting the man on his shoulders. "Have known him since forever"
Oooh Mary thought, I can see where this is going. "And that's his son"
"I know William father" she said sharply not turning to look at the handsome man beside her.

She could see where William had gotten his good looks from. Just like his son George McCain had sandy blonde hair which seemed to have gotten more beautiful with age. It looked more beautiful because of the little silver grey hair that seem to show itself at all corners either in ones or twos and Mary admired him for not trying to hide it.
He had a fine smooth face with hard lines on his fore head and Mary could only attribute it to years of hard work.

"Yeah I figured that out at your mom's ball" her dad said bringing Mary back to the present.
She nodded in response trying to hide her worry.
"Leave the girl Charles, you haven't even asked her if she'd like to eat or drink something" mary smiled at Mr McCain.
"Thank you, but I'm fine with water"
Charles cruz sighed, he didn't like doing this to his only daughter but the children obviously needed a push, Mary was too stubborn believing in such things as a Prince charming and a castle and he couldn't blame the girl. It was all her mom's fault filling her head with such nonsense from birth. He'd have to talk to her not to do same for their grande children. But it was obvious this two already loved each other but are too stubborn to admit it.

William Sat there quietly. He couldn't help but look at Mary from the corner of his eyes. She didn't seem like the same person he had spent all morning with.
She had been relaxed and homey while at the apartment, but right now she seemed stiff and ready for the worse. She seemed prepared for a battle.
Who would have guessed she was related to this particular cruz. He had asked a detective to look for her but nothing had been said about her family and even if it had he wasn't sure he had read beyond how to contact her.
He had met all her brothers and none had ever mentioned her. He had never seen her in the papers or the news, she must have gone through a lot of measures to hide herself if not her then her family.

"Well father why exactly did you want to see me"
Mr cruz sighed not knowing how to hurt his daughter, he knew she wouldn't want this but it had to be done. He looked at his old friend then turned to his daughter.
"Well..." He began.
"We have decided that your marriage to William be made public" his friend said
"What" Mary said in a low but sharp tone. She looked at the man she had just been admiring a few minutes ago and almost hated him.
She knew it would be something related to the marriage but she had hoped they'd only ask a few questions to clarify things not force her into marriage again.
William turned to look at her, personal he was happy for reasons unknown. He saw a flash of pain the hurt come across her face then as quickly as it came it was gone again.
He couldn't help but wonder what exactly about him did she find repulsive.
"Well Mary since you guys are already married it won't be a problem"
"But father I was drunk" she said as she clenched her fist, she was scared she'll be tempted to hit the tabel in annoyance.
"That's not an excuse Mary, being drunk is no reason to go around getting married. If you can't handle tour alcohol then don't drink. You know how much damage you've caused to both our image" her father said as he waved to himself and his friend. "Talk less of poor William here. His credibility is being questioned"
Mary winced in pain.
She hadn't thought about it, she turned to look at William and he looked calm just like the rest of business men she had met while with her parents.
"I understand father. I see you've all decided my fate again"
William watched as Mr cruz quickly looked away to hide the pain in his eyes. What did she mean by again? Had they thrown her out before because of an incident?
He turned to look at his father " is this necessary father?" He asked
"Yes " was his simple reply. " we would start with announcing to the press that you're both engaged"
Mary nodded in reply unable to talk.
William knew best than to argue with his father here. That would only make the man more firm on his decision.
"You'll also need to move in together" her father said as he reached for her hand. Mary quickly pulled away. He wasn't going to get away with this one by touching her, her family was good at doing that. Making decisions for you then making you feel like it was all your idea.
"Is that all father" she said as she picked up her purse.
The old man nodded in reply avoiding eye contact with her. Mary smiled as she told the rest of their party good bye not waiting for a reply she turned and left.
She stopped a cab and was about to get in when she heard her name, she turned to look around and saw William running towards her.
She tried to smile not wanting to cry in front of them especially not him, she was stronger than that but her eyes betrayed her as a tear slipped down her cheek. She quickly got into the cab and left.