Arranged: Remastered

Chapter 4: Guess Who's Moving In?

Chapter Four
"Guess Who's Moving In?"
- Song: Ordinary People by John Legend -

Venus

The next morning, I saw myself in the living room, lying on the sofa, still in the dress I had worn last night. I waited all night for Carter to return to the point I dozed off on the sofa. I get up from the couch to start my day by getting dressed, eating breakfast, and cleaning my apartment. My place looked dirty, and I hadn't had the time to clean up. So now would be the best time.

While vacuuming the living room floor, I heard a loud knock at the front door. I turn off the vacuum and look through the peepholes to see Carter standing there with flowers. I back away from the peephole and sigh, admiring the ring I was still wearing on my finger. I finally give in and open the door for Carter. He walks in and tries to kiss me, but I block him. "You want to get slapped again?" I ask I take the flowers.

He sits on the couch and stares at me while I stand before him. "Okay, why are you here?" I ask, cutting right to the chase. He scoffs and sighs, "Right, Desire; I'm sorry about the surprise proposal last night that I made in front of everyone at the party and for proposing to you very early in our relationship. When you understand why I did it, maybe you'll have a better understanding. You see-" Before he could start, I heard my doorbell ring.

"One second." I walk to my door and open it to see my parents. "Mom, Dad?" I crack the door so they can't see Carter, "This is not a great time right now. Can we talk in about an hour?" I ask softly.

My Dad fully opens the door, showing Carter sitting on my couch, "Venus, we already know. We all need to talk to you." Mom and Dad walk inside my apartment and sit on the sofa next to Carter. I sigh, shut the door, and stay standing. The room was dead silent. You could hear a pin drop. Dad sighs, "I guess I'll speak first." Dad finally speaks. "Me and your mother heard about the proposal last night."

"Dad, Mom, I'm sorry you had to find out like this. I wasn't expecting Carter to ask for my hand last night. Let alone ask me to marry him early on in our relationship. I promised to tell you about us when the time was right." I ramble on.

"Sweetie, it's okay. This was the right time for him to propose to you." Mom smiles.

I gave a confused look, "What do you mean by 'this was the right time?'" I ask.

"Venus." Dad says, "My family believes in arranged marriages, especially in my country. We have arranged for you and Carter to be wed. Once I give him my blessing, you should get to know him within three months if Carter sees you as his future, which he did. He'll ask for your hand in marriage. We will give you up to a year for you two to plan the wedding and make it official." Dad explains.

I scoff, "Let me get this straight. You're telling me that I'm arranged to be married to a man who is ten years older than me, and that I have met for a few months. Also, you two weren't going to tell me? I thought you two always told me never to keep secrets from this family, but you kept a pretty big secret from me. Don't you think?" I say.

"Sweetheart, we were going to tell you, but-" I cut off my mom before she could continue.

"I'm sorry, but can everyone please leave? I want to be alone right now," I say. I watch my parents and Carter walk out of my place. I close and lock the door. Sit on the couch and sigh.

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"So you're telling me you must marry this man because of your Dad's tradition?" Alicia ask me

I've been in my apartment alone for three days. Alicia was the first person I called so I could explain to her what was going on. She was shocked about everything when I told her what happened word for word.