Ice Queen

Attraction

Rylee

My parents and Mr. and Mrs. Pierce, they hug and shake hands before noticing me.

"You must be Rylee. God, you're so gorgeous. I've never seen you in person and you're so much better," Mrs. Pierce said. I give her a smile because I have nothing else to say. "Please, come in and make yourself home."

My family and I went inside their house and were guided to a room that their children were in. I see all adults, no children. One person stood out to me immediately, and that is Dawson. Her short brown hair are curly and falls to cover parts of her forehead. My eyes examine her further: well darken arched eyebrows, right brow's slit, big brown eyes, a good sharp nose, downward turn lips, square face with strong jaw and cheek bones, and ears pointy like elf-like. I don't know how tall she is or how she sounds. I have heard of her and see her in magazines or pictures from the paparazzi, but I never thought she'll be this good looking in person. Hah, rich and good looking.

"Please take a seat." Mr. Pierce said.

My family sit across from the Pierce family. I purposely sit between my parents.

So one of these five people will be my spouse, I assume.

"These are my children, Nick, Erin, and Dawson. The other two are my son and daughter in law. Rebecca and I already have three grandchildren." Mr. Pierce tells us. Huh? I didn't hear that correctly, so I'm being married off to Dawson?

My eyes went to look at her and yes, she is looking back at me. I don't know for how long but we're making eye contact. I counted the blinks Dawson took before looking away.

"That is a big family, all we have is our precious Rylee," my dad answer.

"We're happy to have your family added into ours. I can't imagine how great that would be," Mr. Pierce comment. "Now, I'm sure you kids had learned that we married you two without your consents. We apologize for it, but we believe that this is better than anything. We hope you kids understand us parents."

"What good will Rylee bring into the family?" Dawson quickly ask.

"I prefer the question 'what will she bring to you', Dawson. And I'll answer that question. You two are very similar to each other so I was the first to go up to Mr. and Mrs. Garland to make the proposal. They saw what I saw and agreed," answer her dad.

"What if that doesn't work?" I ask. For clarity, I also disagree on this whole marriage thing that has been set up.

"If it doesn't work?" Mr. Pierce chuckles. "I don't think we have thought of that, Mr. and Mrs. Garland."

"Oh how could we not?" My dad laughs and my mom smiles, holding her laugh back. What are they doing? This is suspicious. "How about this, Mr. and Mrs. Pierce, let's set up a time. If both children doesn't still get along within the two years, we can terminate the marriage contract."

"I prefer three years, my family have an obsession with the number three," Mr. Pierce suggest.

"Accepted," my dad confirms.

After almost two hours of talking, which was just between the parents, my family and I left. Ah.. we also put the rings on each other's finger, and were forbidden to take it off. After that, I was told that I have a day to pack my stuff then Dawson will come pick me up, which is... weird. The Pierce family is weird.

Dawson

Well who would've known? The Garland family walk behind my parents and I saw the ice skater. Rylee is really lovely with the simple outfit she have on. Her loose curled hair is light brown ombre mixed with dark brown hair, darker than mine. She had put some light make up on her and her hazel eyes, I think I saw them glisten when we made eye contact.

Throughout the whole time of the conversation, I couldn't take my eyes off of Rylee. I tried but my eyes would just wander back to her. Even though I feel my attraction to her, I still can't accept this marriage and hearing that I have to deal with her for three years really hit me hard.

I stand up and watch her leave with her family. Unconsciously, I follow my parents to send them off. All I know is I was behind my parents watching her and her family get inside their car and drive away. I don't know how to feel.

"Dawson looks like she's in love," Erin made a comment which brings me back to reality.

"What is love?" I ask. It was a joke and a serious question. I have never fall in love with someone before. I have never had a relationship with anyone all because I am too consumed in my work.

"What you're feeling now is love. Feeling that emptiness when she goes away," Erin explain.

"My stomach only makes me feel empty." I remember my deal and check my watch. "I have to go right now," The butler hand me my keys and I went to my car. Sighs were heard behind me.

"Don't forget to pick her up tomorrow! Don't embarrass me!" My mom yells behind me. I chuckle and get inside my car.

"I'll think about it!" I yell back at her before driving off.

For the rest of the day, I found myself not doing any work but looking at the portrait of Rylee. What is going on with me? Is this feeling really the beginning of love? It's absurd that me, Dawson Pierce would be in love. No, let's not conclude that. It might not be love, it might be something else.

We gotta stop this.

I agree.