Chapter 39 Challenging Him
Alyssa rolled her eyes at the absurdity of his proposal. Was it seriously a marriage proposal? “No, thanks. I’ll take back my concern.” Nicholas laughed, but although he didn’t admit it to her, he actually liked the idea. Marrying her would more or less solve his own problem. It would entitle him to unlimited se, his mom and granny would be happy too and so would Alyssa, since she would be free of her step-dad and brother’s interference in her life.
“Why not? It’s the best solution for you, me, and my family. I’ll get what I want from you. You’ll be free from your stepdad and brother, while mom and granny will be happy to have you in our family.” Alyssa gaped at him, baffled by his suggestion. Was he really pursuing the matter? She had thought he was joking!
“Seriously? This is the weirdest marriage proposal I’ve ever seen,” she scoffed, and Nicholas shrugged.
“If it solves our issues, why not? So will you marry me, Alyssa?” he asked, giving her a brief glance and driving on.
“No, Nicholas. Those are all the wrong reasons to get married. If I ever will marry, it will only be for love,” she stated firmly.
“What if you never fall in love? Will you forever remain a virgin and never experience the pleasures of life? I didn’t take you to be that orthodox in your thoughts,” said Nicholas, driving in through the gates and stopping the car in granny’s driveway. Alyssa sat dazed and pondered over what he just told her. She had never thought about that before. With her sky-high expectations, it was highly probable that she would like no man enough to fall in love with him. Would she remain a virgin all her life?
“Come on, let’s go in. I can smell granny’s food from here itself.” Alyssa smiled at his enthusiasm and followed him inside. She discreetly watched him and found that his idea didn’t repulse her at all, but excited her instead. What was wrong with her? How could she behave this way, knowing that marrying Nicholas wouldn’t solve her problems at all? It would add to her woes since Alexander would go crazy and beat Nicholas to a pulp before he reached the altar.
His mom and granny came out of the living room to greet them. We were waiting for you two. You’re looking so pretty, Alyssa,” said Nicholas’s mom, taking her hand and leading her towards the living room.
“Thank you, aunt Claudia.” Alyssa was very conscious of Nicholas following her into the room, listening to their conversation with interest. “How are you and granny? I was so caught up that I hardly came this way to Hayley’s house,” said Alyssa apologetically.
“We’re doing fine, my dear. Do you know why?” asked granny animatedly while Alyssa shook her head.
“You and Nicholas have given us so much happiness that we spend the whole day planning your wedding,” laughed granny while Alyssa’s heart skipped a beat and she stole a glance at a beaming Nicholas who looked very interested.
“Really? You both are the limit. She hasn’t even agreed to marry me yet,” complained Nicholas, much to Alyssa’s horror. Was he crazy? When did he propose? He just dropped a bombshell for her in the car.
“What’s the hold-up, dear? Get married fast so that I can see my grandchildren before I die,” said granny with a twinkle in her eyes. Alyssa’s cheeks flushed with color and she felt like vanishing into the air. Why couldn’t they stop this embarrassing discussion? She gave Nicholas a pointed look for placing her in such a predicament.
“Mom, you’re embarrassing her. Let’s munch on some hors d’oeuvres and drinks before we serve dinner,” said Nicholas’s mom, rescuing her from a chuckling granny. “Never mind her. She is just kidding with you. Both of you are free to be sure about your relationship before you take the plunge.” Alyssa nodded, although she felt uncomfortable and wanted to tell her the truth. It wasn’t right to give them so much false hope. However, her eyes met with Nicholas’s across the room and she noted the warning look he gave her.
Maria served the food, and they helped themselves to it, soon savoring the heavenly delights. “You’ve made all my favorite ones, granny. I wonder why!” said Nicholas.
“Because you’re giving me what I have always wanted. I’m glad that you chose Alyssa, my boy.” Nicholas smiled ruefully but his glance was upon Alyssa, who was laughing with his mom, discussing Sienna and her kids. He had seen this carefree side of her only on Preston Island with her friends. Why couldn’t she be this way with him? He could give anything to see her this happy. Anything? He wondered why he felt so deeply about her! Could a simple physical attraction have such deep attachments?
“Dinner is served,” announced Maria, and Nicholas helped his granny into her chair.
“What are you two doing tomorrow? I have a charity event with a midnight ball, and I want you both to be there, Nicholas. All my friends would be there and I can announce your relationship,” said his mom.
“Not possible, mom. Alyssa and I are flying to Singapore tomorrow.” Alyssa’s mouth hung open, as she had completely forgotten about the business trip he had mentioned earlier. So she was going to Singapore!
“Oh, that’s bad. When are you returning?” asked his mom.
“We’ll head to Tokyo and then Melbourne. It’s a two-week trip,” informed Nicholas.
“A pleasure trip?” asked granny, her eyes lighting up with hope. Alyssa looked at Nicholas, waiting for his answer. Nicholas smiled and sat enjoying his food and drinks, gazing at Alyssa with a lazy grin on his face.
“Now that you’re a part of the family, come down sometimes, Alyssa,” said aunt Claudia.
“Yes, aunt Claudia, I’ll definitely come down,” promised Alyssa.
“It’s just a minute’s walk from Nick’s apartment, dear. You can drop in almost every day,” said granny, munching her food, a smug smile lighting up her face. Alyssa froze and looked at Nicholas helplessly, who just winked and continued to eat without helping her out of the sticky situation.
“Um, I’m living in his apartment near the office, granny,” she said lamely.
“Oh, right! He told me a few days ago. No wonder we see little of him these days,” said granny, clearly misunderstanding the situation. Alyssa opened her mouth to correct her, but felt Nicholas’s toe stroking her bare calf. She looked up at him with confusion and he slowly shook his head, gesturing towards her she shouldn’t divulge their secrets.
The rest of the time, they discussed Sienna and the children, their mysterious upcoming trip, the recipes that granny had made, and at last came the topic Alyssa dreaded all evening. The topic of their wedding!
“So when are you two getting engaged?” asked granny curiously.
“I’ll inform you when we do, granny,” said Nicholas.
“Will it be in a month or two?” asked his mom.
“Let’s see. Maybe,” said Nicholas while Alyssa looked at her feet, at the carpet, at the furniture, at everything but them. Their relationship meant a lot to aunt Claudia and granny and Alyssa felt guilty for misleading them this way. Not having such a caring family of her own, she cherished these little things of life she never had time to experience. All her life, she craved a close-knit family who would love her genuinely but never got one. Her mom did not connect to her because she reminded her of her first husband, who was Alyssa’s real dad and whom her mom hated.
“Call us when you return. We can have another little dinner get-together. This time we can call Lucas, Sienna, and the children,” said his mom. At last, they left, but Nicholas noticed how exceptionally quiet Alyssa had been for the last few minutes. He opened the passenger door for her and gave her a look of concern. Much to his annoyance, she seemed to avoid looking at him. He went towards the driver’s side and climbed in.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, turning to give her his full attention.
“Nothing. I felt bad for aunt Claudia and granny. They love you so much that bluffing them really makes me feel guilty. I never had such a loving family as you do, Nicholas, so I care about their feelings. I can’t do this anymore,” she said gravely, her eyes searching his.
“I gave you an alternative, Alyssa. If you’re so much concerned about them, marry me.” Alyssa stared at him in disbelief. She hadn’t expected him to harp on it again. Was he really serious? She searched his face, but his solemn expression confused her further. It didn’t look like he was bluffing!
“My decision doesn’t change either. If you want me to marry you, make me fall in love with you. Without love, I will never ever marry, even if it means staying a virgin and a spinster all my life,” she swore, her eyes flashing with defiance. Nicholas stared at her and then accepted the challenge.
“Fine, if that’s what you want, but mind you, I will not play fair. I will make you fall in love with me by hook or by crook.”