The Other Side of the Door

Chapter 4

"Alayna! How are you, Darling? It has been far too long," Madam Whitmore hugged me.

"Yes, Madam Whitmore. I would come by more often, except we've had some issues lately," I sighed.

"But I heard the happy news, as well! Let's not be a downer, now. Let us celebrate!" Madam Whitmore chuckled, grabbing my hands.

"I'm... sorry? What do you mean 'the happy news'?" I asked her.

"Well, your engagement, of course! My son is very excited. You see, he hasn't ever really showed an interest in very many women, and him to become engaged was very sudden, but we are very glad. You seem to be a perfect match for him. Maybe you can humble him," she chuckled lightly, then her face turned doleful.  "I think this will be good for the both of you."

"I'm afraid I don't know what you are talking about. I am not engaged to anyone, and I don't want to seem rude, but I am certainly not engaged to your son," I took my hand out of hers, and stood up.

"What do you mean you are not engaged to my son?" she got a look of anger on her face. I couldn't tell  if she was angry at me, or angry at him. I got a feeling that it was me, however.

"Madam Whitmore, I think it is time for you to leave. If you would send your son over to visit, I would be most grateful," I told her, ushering her out the door quickly. She didn't reply, but simply walked out the door to her own house.

Within a few minutes Mr. Whitmore was knocking on my door. I almost didn't open it out of anger, but then realized I had requested him to come over, and that would be dumb.

"Hello, Alayna. To what do I owe the pleasure of having been requested to visit you?" he said, walking into the house and sitting on the couch.

"How dare you tell your mother that we are engaged!" I yelled at him. "Haven't you been chasing after Danielle?"

"I actually never loved her... We were friends, sure, but she was too immature for me. Now she is chasing after that one Venetian man, anyway. Did you hear that he went to Vannes just to visit her? They seem to be pretty serious," he replied.

"Oh, so I am your second choice? She falls in love with someone else, so you have to bounce back. Who better than innocent, alone Alayna?" I yelled at him.

"Will you, though? Will you marry me, Alayna? I never loved Danielle. It was always you," he replied. I could see through him, though.

"Monsieur, I do not wish to vex you, but I just cannot accept," I replied.

"Why not, though? You are of age, and you need someone to take care of you," he replied, standing up to take my hands in his.

"I am the last person who could ever make you happy, Sir. I am truly sorry. I think you should leave now," I said, trying to escort him out the door. He was very adamant to stay where he was, though. He stuck his muddy boots on the table in front of him as an act of defiance.

"Alayna, I don't agree with your choice. I believe you would make me very happy," he smirked. "You would make a perfect little wife. Just imagine our children. They would be very handsome."

"Girls don't tend to be handsome, Monsieur," I pointed out to him.

"Who said we would have girls? I will only birth the superior gender. Aren't women only made to take care of the men, anyway?" he stuck his hands behind his head and leaned the chair back on its hind legs.

"How dare you even say such a thing! You need to leave now, Sir," I told him.

He stood up, and escorted him out the door. He soon cornered me on the door, though, and leaned in, as if he was about to kiss me. The man had the audacity to try and kiss me after I refused his hand in marriage!