A Complicated Arrangement

Chapter 9

I head back to Alan and Lana's home. They have been my friends since my lad days. They  happily welcomed me to stay at their home during my time here.

I slumped on the couch and glanced at the ceiling, or nothing really, thinking about my complicated arrangement with Bella.

"You ok there bud?" Said Alan.

"Yes. I'm great" I half smiled.

"Spit it out. You can't fool me. Something is definitely bothering you. I haven't seen you in years and you just show up here. You hardly spend time with us and everytime you are here you look like you have the world on your mind. So you owe me an explanation. You can start with why did you come here. The real  reason."

I groan in annoyance. If it is anyone who knows me the best, it is Alan. He can always read me lile an open book. "Her name is Isabelle Jacobs".

Just then I hear laughter, this time from two persons. I turn to see his wife, our lil Lana, joining Alan in his teasing towards me.

"Isabelle Jacobs is the hardest woman to get in town. You might as well give up while you are at it, you will never get her. She has turned down every might alive." Said Lana.

I raised my brow. For a moment there I felt a little proud to have the most sought after and beautiful woman at my side- well, in the future. "We are engaged to marry. And stop right there- I know you two are wondering why. It us an arranged marriage. My father is her father's good friend."

They both nod in understanding. "Ohhh. I see. Makes sense" said Alan. Lana added, "one thing I dont understand is, why the long face, you should be happy. She is gorgeous!"

"She is having trouble adjusting to me." I sigh. "Like all those men, she is rejecting me as well. I am trying to court her but I feel that I may have been doing it wrong. I keep kn teasing her, to make her want- Lana can you please leave. Your judging is not helping. I cannot talk to a woman about this"

She looks to her husband to complain. Thankfully Alan has my back and defends me, making her leave. He looks to make sure she is gone.

He turns to me. "The look on your face shows regret. If I know you, and you bet I do, you won't give up. And you're right, maybe sexual frustration is not the only approach to wooing her. She has resisted mang men in the past with similar approaches and it has not moved her. Keep meeting her and maybe spend some quality time with her without the teasing. What can I say? Work your way up."

I nod in understanding. I should have known this before. I have never truly understood a woman before, neither loved one. Maybe this will help us.

"But how can I meet her? Her family must not know that I am meeting her." Seeing his confused expression I explained, "They are traditional. They want us to not see each other before the wedding."

"I know!" A muffled voice from the other side of the door screamed excitedly. I rolled my eyes. I know it was Lana eavesdropping. As much as I wanted to chase her out, I was a bit curious to know what she has to say.

She bounced back in happily. "There is a ball this weekend for all ladies in the society. The Jacobs almost always make an appearance to social events. I heard that her parents are leaving tomorrow to meet a business associate which leaves Isabelle to attend on her family's behalf. "

I beamed at the news.

"There is more, Isabelle and I are part of a ladies tea club. We meet every week amd we was looking for men to volunteer their time the next session to accompany all single ladies. All married and engaged persons are wrlcome to invite their partners." She winked.

"Thank you Lana. You never seem to disappoint me. I believe it is time that I took Miss Jacobs on a date"