Chapter 7

“Calm down, would you? Maybe I don’t need to tell you about it anymore.”

“Sorry, I am calm now.” Grace was edgy, almost falling into her phone; she was anything but calm as her stomach rolled into her nervous state.

The three other girls were quiet, they were almost non-existent to the two friendly enemies who couldn’t stay together for a whole day without a fight or quarrel.

"There is an illegitimate son among the two sons and from what I heard, the younger one is the illegitimate son. Did your dad tell you about the one you would be getting engaged to?”

“No, he didn’t. I know you know which one of them I would be getting engaged to, so tell me.” Grace commanded, she didn’t mean to use that tone on Edith but she couldn’t help herself.

“You dare not use that tone on me.” Edith retorted, pointing to the screen as her face twisted in anger.

"All right, tell me.” Grace requested, sounding humbler.

"Tomorrow.”

“Please.” She pleaded.

“No.”

“Please, Edith.” This time, Grace was rubbing her hands together in front of her face.

"No, I won’t.”

“Pl…”

"Would you guys stop this madness!” Jane shouted covering her ears, her eyes had been moving from Grace to Edith.

“She said she will tell you tomorrow what’s hard to understand. You dumb coconut.” Joan’s eyes were trained on Grace.

“Joan!” Irene cautioned.

"Were you informed about the reasons behind the sudden engagement, or were you carried away by the news?” Edith interrogated again and quietness returned.

Not allowing Grace to answer the question, she continued. “Of course, you were carried away by the news, as expected of you. Bye! Till we see tomorrow ma’am Grace.” She jeered at Grace before ending the call abruptly.

“Well, I guess the main gist will be discussed tomorrow,” Joan added with a shrug.

“See you at our usual spot, Gracie,” Jane concluded, and they ended the call.

“Calm down and be positive okay?” Irene encouraged.

“Okay.”

“Don’t do anything stupid without knowing the whole truth.”

“All right, Godmother Irene, I won’t,” Grace replied rolling her eyes.

"Good night and sleep fine.” Irene bided her.

“You too,” Grace replied and ended the call, her head was filled with different thoughts as she went to bed.

*****

“Bye Dad.”

“Bye Mum.” Sienna greeted her as she exited the house.

"Bye!” The couple replied in unison.

“Isn’t Grace up yet?” Mr. Eric asked his wife.

“She isn’t, but dearie I’m worried.” Mr. Yvonne said.

“You shouldn’t be.”

“What if Mr. Owen or Grace change their minds and the company ends up belonging fully to the Owens?”

“None of that will happen Dear. Didn’t you say that it was Grace’s dream to be married into one of the influential families?” Eric asked.

“Yes, but…”

"No buts, Dear, Mr. Owen won’t call off the deal; he gave me four months, and he’s a man of his word.” Mr. Eric assured his doubtful wife.

"What deal Dad?” Came Grace’s voice, and as if a spell was cast on them, they turned stiff till she came into view.

“What deal are you talking about?” Grace asked again, her behavior changed drastically from what it was three weeks ago to the old Grace everyone knew and even more.

“The deal doesn’t have anything to do with you, Grace.” Mrs. Yvonne answered on behalf of her husband.

“Really Mum?”

“Yes, the deal doesn’t have anything to do with you, it’s just a business deal.” Mr. Eric supported his wife.

“But I heard everything you said.” Grace insisted.

“Then you probably didn’t hear it well dear.” Mrs. Yvonne responded, desperate to cover up their big secret.

“Okay.” Grace gave in and they breathed in relief.

“Who among the sons of Mr. Owen is my fiancé to be?” She wasn’t giving up they tensed up again, not daring to move.

“Why do you ask Grace?” Mr. Eric reached out to hold his wife’s hand to keep his hand busy.

"I just want to know.” She answered blatantly.

“Or is it a crime to know who my fiancé is?” When she saw that they wouldn’t answer her question, she decided to throw another question at them.

“Who among the two sons is the illegitimate son?”

“WHAT!” Mr. Eric's eyes were almost bulging out of their sockets while Mrs. Yvonne was too stupefied to utter a word.

“Who told you these?” Mrs. Yvonne croaked after she found her voice.

“Just answer me, Mum.” Grace was getting impatient.

‘This fact has been forbidden years back, how did she get to find out?’ Mr. Eric wondered as he caught his wife’s eyes.

'I told you this just last night.’ Her eyes spoke loudly to his eyes.

'I wish you could just keep your bad thoughts and premonitions to yourself!’ Mr. Eric’s eyes spoke back to hers.

"Hello? Won’t you guys give me answers to my questions? This is my engagement, for Christ's sake!” Grace broke them off from their spell.

It was weird to see her parents still act like they were 19 years old and in love.

“I need answers!” She restrained herself from yelling or sounding too rude.

She made to clench her hand but her fingers were painful from her constant chewing all through the night as she pondered on Edith’s words, praying that there was some falsehood in it.

“Who told you these?” Mr. Eric’s voice was almost breaking at the end.

"Will you give me an answer or not Dad?” Grace glared this time; their actions were pointers to the truth; she just wanted to hear them say it.

“Dear, whether you are getting engaged to the illegitimate son or not, it doesn’t matter.” Mr. Eric finally said, his lips folded and his hand palming his forehead.

"Really Dad?”

“Yes, Dear.” He said softly hoping she understood him.

"Okay then.” Grace’s smile was stiff, and her parents relaxed a little, but when she still didn’t move from her position, they became worried.

“What is it again Dear?” Mrs. Yvonne asked this time, trying to keep herself from coming off as desperate.

“Why did the Owens suddenly want me to get betrothed to one of their sons?”

"Grace wh…”

“Don’t worry, Dad, I will see you guys later.” She cut her father shut and walked out of the house, leaving her parents in a state of shock.

“How come?” Was the only thing Mrs. Yvonne could utter. Mr. Eric couldn’t find his voice, he was sweating buckets.