Accepting Owen (Emilia's Perspective)

Chapter One

I posed in front of the full-length mirror in my bedroom to take some pictures for my Instagram of my new body-hugging black dress. When I was satisfied with what I'd captured, I stepped out of my bedroom.

"Emilia," my dad called as I stepped closer to the door. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to a club with some of the girls," I responded.

"Which club?"

I rolled my eyes. "Your club, Dad- 252. You know that."

"Good. I was just making sure. Come give me a kiss."

I clicked over to him, kissed him on the cheek, and waved goodbye as I stepped out the front door.

Malia was already parked outside in her blue Ford sedan. I slid into the passenger seat as she and Grace cheered my arrival.

"Help me pick which one to post!" I said, holding my phone over my shoulder so Grace could see the different images I'd taken in my dress.

~~

We made our way to a booth, nestled in the back of the club. There, the music was a little quieter and the brightly colored lights didn't often swing in our direction. I sipped a gin and tonic as Malia and Grace admired different men on the dancefloor and giggled. I never liked looking at guys in family spots. I didn't want to answer questions to my dad about why I was looking at men when he was going to choose my husband for me.

I finished my drink and reached for Malia's hand. "Come on! Come dance with me!" I shouted over the music.

Malia and Grace grabbed my hands, and followed me onto the dancefloor. We danced together to the music for a couple songs, before retiring back to our booth.

Malia leaned closer to my ear and pointed at a tall brunette man. "He's so cute!" She said. "He's looking. You should talk to him."

I shook my head. "Not here, Mal. You know-'

"Aht! What's your dad going to do over a dance?"

I rolled my eyes, but laughed. "Mal, it's okay, really. I think my dad has his eyes on someone for me anyway."

"What?" Grace asked, leaning closer so she could hear.

"My dad has been talking to a couple families. I think he's ready to get me out of his hair," I joked.

"Really? Do you know anything about them?" Malia asked

"No. Unlike my brother who has always known, I am kept very much in the dark," I said. Elijah was going to marry a young girl who he had met as a kid. When she was three, her dad spouted some prophecy about her marrying my brother with his last breath. So Elijah had known his future wife since he was nine. I, on the other hand, was twenty-one and still somewhat patiently awaiting my father's decision.

"It really is a shame about your brother," Grace said with a pout.

I chuckled, pointing at her. "You aren't his type. You're too rough."

"I can be-"

"Just stop, Grace. He's not gonna hook up with you, okay? Please, just drop it."

She huffed, but changed the subject. "Aren't you curious who your husband will be? What he'll be like?"

"Of course I am, but I think my dad is taking his time trying to find someone who can handle me." I was happy I hadn't been betrothed to someone from childhood. I had changed so much from third grade to adulthood that anyone I liked as a kid would probably not be compatible with who I'd grown into.

"What if you guys dont, like, click?" Grace asked.

I pursed my lips and took a deep breath. My biggest fear. "Who wouldn't love me?" I joked confidently.

"But... right now, you aren't married," Malia said, eyebrows raised, "so why can't you go dance with the cute guy who's been checking you out all night?"

I giggled, sticking my tongue out at her. "Fine. I'll let him buy me a drink I guess." I smiled when I looked up and saw him still carefully watching in our direction. I held my hand out and motioned for him to come over with my index finger.

He walked in an almost cautious way, like he was aware of everyone around him as he moved through the crowd. He approached with a smug grin. "I was wondering how long you'd keep me waiting," he said.

"I was just seeing how long you'd wait for me," I responded.

"I'm Helton. You're Emilia, right?"

"That's right. How did you know?"

"You seem to be popular here. I didn't have to ask about you for long to find someone who knew who you are. Your family owns this place, right?"

I nodded. "Yes. Now, do you want to buy me a drink or are you just going to stand there all night?"

His eyes showed deviousnsss before he held his hand out for me to take. I gently laid my hand on top of his, and winked at Malia and Grace as he pulled me closer to the bar. His hand rested against my back, a little lower than was probably appropriate for a stranger. He leaned into my ear and said, "What are you drinking?"

I sucked my teeth and said, "Why don't you take a guess? Surprise me."

One of his eyebrows lifted. "Challenge accepted." As the bartender approached, Helton caught his full attention and said, "Can she get a frozen marg, and I'll take a highball."

The bartender nodded and took off to get our drinks.

Helton paid him, plus a generous tip, when he brought our drinks.

I took a sip and savored the sweet flavor.

"How'd I do?" Helton asked, before sipping at his drink.

"Pretty well, actually. This is one of my favorites."

He guided me back to my booth, then placed his drink on the table. "Can I ask you to dance, or should I wait for you to ask me?" He said.

I smiled, seeing that he'd fairly quickly made oddly accurate assumptions about my comandeering personality. "You can ask, and I'd love to."

He slipped my drink from my hand, sat it next to his on the table, and pulled me into the crowd to dance. "You come here a lot," he assured.

"I do. My dad likes when I come here so he knows there's someone looking out for me."

"That's smart. You wouldn't want someone to try to mess with you."

"He killed the last person who did," I said, raising my eyebrows.

He laughed genuinely. "You're funny. Are your friends funny too?"

"Oh, god, no. My friends are just for show!" I teased.

He held me close as I danced against his solid body to the hip-hop songs that blared through the speakers. After a few songs, he tried to kiss me, but I turned just fast enough for his lips to land on my cheek.

"Sorry. I dont kiss boys I just met. Especially not after just one drink."

"Then let me buy you another," he said resolutely.