Chapter 148
I thought my gentle refusal would be clear enough for Finn to understand, but today he seemed determined to play matchmaker.
He called Nola's cousin Joseph Miller right then and there.
"Joseph, what are you doing today? Are you busy?"
Nola rolled her eyes so hard they nearly disappeared. She looked at me apologetically - none of this was under her control, and she couldn't rein in her enthusiastic father.
"Good morning, Uncle Finn. I'm out looking at some furniture. The new house needs decorating, lots to do."
"Well, your sister's good friend Blair is at our place. Why don't you come over?"
Was this really turning into a blind date meeting?
My face felt hot. What was I supposed to do?
"Blair Ember? Wait for me, I'll be right there."
"Uncle Finn, I..."
Finn raised his hand to stop me from speaking and continued, "Alright, alright, drive safely."
I watched him hang up the phone with a big smile, but he hadn't taken my words to heart at all. I had told him I wasn't thinking about marriage right now.
Besides, I was a married woman - how could I go on a blind date with someone else? This was completely messed up.
"Blair, my nephew is really excellent, way more ambitious than Nola. If you two got together, that would be wonderful."
Mia was full of anticipation too. She probably wished Joseph and I would get married on the spot. Parents these days really worry about their kids' marriages.
I looked at Nola and John, giving them pleading looks for help.
John shook his head and grimaced, as if telling me he had no say here at all.
Usually he was chatty, but in the Skye family he didn't make a peep.
Nola also gave me a helpless look and lowered her head, probably feeling a bit embarrassed about her father.
Since I'd hidden the fact that I was married from them, I had no choice but to tough it out and wait.
"Blair, don't feel pressured. This still depends on fate, but I'm pretty confident - Joseph is a good kid."
Finn said proudly, patting his phone and looking out the window.
Mia grabbed my hand again. "Blair, don't worry. As long as you two hit it off, our family will make sure everything is taken care of."
Their understanding of me probably still stuck on that image of a helpless girl. They probably thought I was just one of the many ordinary people the Morgan family sponsored.
But Aiden had doted on me from the start, giving me great resources and never making me feel like I was living under someone else's roof. If I ever felt that way, it was my own narrow thinking.
"Auntie Mia, I've met him once before. Our personalities don't match - he's not my type. I don't want to waste his time."
Mia smiled. "Blair, people change. Joseph is quite outgoing - his confession to you before was impulsive, but he's very mature now."
"Mom, just stop talking. Blair came to see me, not to date. You're making her uncomfortable."
Nola finally couldn't help but speak up for me.
"What do you know? You're married yourself - don't you want Blair to find her own happiness? She's not getting any younger."
"Dad, you always say that. She's not even thirty yet - how is she old?"
"You child..."
I smiled slightly. "I know everyone means well, and I really appreciate it..."
Suddenly my phone rang, so I stopped and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hi, this is David."
"Oh, hello."
"Ms. Ember, I've drafted the contract. If you're free, we can meet to discuss it. Can you do today? Our factory needs to arrange shipping."
This call was truly a lifesaver. I immediately agreed.
"Sure, I'm free right now. Send me the address."
"Okay, bye."
I hung up and stood up.
"Sorry, I have an urgent contract to sign. I need to go."
"So urgent? Joseph should be here soon."
Finn checked the time. "Joseph is nearby. He just said he'd be here any minute."
"Uncle Finn, I'm really sorry, but I have to go. This affects the shipping schedule - it's quite urgent. Let's do it another time."
"Alright then, next time."
Mia interrupted Finn, who was about to speak, giving him a look that told him to be sensible.
"I'll walk you out."
Nola and John walked me to the door. I changed my shoes and just opened the door when I ran right into Joseph, who had rushed over.
"You're leaving?"
I smiled. "Yeah, something came up. Don't see me out."
"Let me walk you out then. Nola, you guys don't need to come - it's cold outside, you need to take care of yourself."
Joseph spoke gently - he really wasn't as impulsive as before.
"Joseph, I'll leave it to you then. We won't go out."
Mia was creating an opportunity for her nephew, hoping we'd have some alone time.
"Sure, Auntie Mia, don't worry."
The two of us walked side by side to the entrance. I looked up and saw Nola peeking from the balcony, with John saying something beside her.
"I'll stop here. I have things to do. Bye."
Joseph's lips curved up. "It's been a while. Can I get your contact info?"
"Uncle Finn will probably send it to you."
"Bye then."
He waved at me. I figured Finn would get my contact info from Nola and send it to him.
I got in my car and took a deep breath. Finally, I could escape. The Skye family's matchmaking pressure was incredibly strong - what Nola had told me before wasn't exaggerated at all.
I followed the address David sent me and arrived at his house.
I'd been in such a hurry that I'd agreed without thinking - I hadn't realized he wanted me to come to his house to sign the contract.
I parked the car. The gate to his yard was open, and as I walked in, the scenery was beautiful, already showing signs of spring.
I pressed the doorbell and the door slowly opened.
"Wow, Blair, you're here!"
I didn't expect the person opening the door to be Ava. I instantly felt like I'd been set up. I was supposed to be here to sign a contract, but when I walked in, it looked like they were throwing a party.
David came over carrying a cake and greeted me. "Blair, welcome to my home."
I looked over and saw Elliot holding a wine glass, greeting me too.
"Surprised?"
Surprised? This was more like shocked!
Ava took my arm. "Blair, it's the weekend and everyone's off. You don't have anything else going on, right?"
Whether I had other plans was beside the point - I hadn't said I wanted to hang out with them...
"I've already signed the contract. Do you want to look at it now, or after we eat?" David's eyes were clear. I didn't think he'd deliberately set this up.