Love Hate Relationship

Sasha pulled into her parents’ garage with a sigh. Her mom had called earlier with a vague but urgent message: “Come home. There’s something we need to tell you.”
And just like that, her already stressful day had taken a turn. She was tired, cranky, and in no mood to sit through another lecture about how she was twenty-six and still unmarried.

She had told them a thousand times—she’d get married when the time felt right. Honestly, even she didn’t know when that would be. It’s not like she hadn’t tried. But none of the men she’d dated turned out to be who they pretended to be, and she’d rather stay single forever than settle for a convenient lie.

She stepped out of the car and walked around it to the porch; she pressed the doorbell and knew her mother would complain once she opened the door to find her; she would be like, ‘what in the world? How many times will I tell you to stop ringing the bell once you arrive here? For crying out loud, Sasha, you are not a stranger!’ She smiled and waited for it.

The door opened to reveal her mother’s face, a bright blonde with light gray eyes; she is just identical to her except that she has her father’s golden brown eyes. She smiled at the already frowning woman, “Hi, Mom.”

“Sasha White, how many times will I tell you, stop ringing the bell, the door is always open to you,” Angelica cautioned her daughter for the one-hundredth time.

Sasha smiled; she knew that was coming. “Can I come in?” Angelica looked frustrated as if she was about to claw her face before hissing and walking into the house, leaving the door open for her to follow. “Is Dad home?”

“Will be soon, called to say he was delayed at the meeting. How is the company going now?”

“Great, taking everything nice and slow,” Sasha replied. Angelica turned to look at her, and Sasha sighed; she knew that look. “Please don’t start now, Mom,” she groaned.

“Don’t start what? I’m not going to say anything. You just sit there and wait for your Dad to come home,” she said and walked into the kitchen.

Sasha dropped her bag on the sofa before walking into the kitchen to meet her. “So, about what you want to tell me, what could that be that you can’t tell me over the phone?”

“I said, wait for your Dad to come home, young lady. Don’t put words in my mouth.” Sasha nodded and looked around the kitchen before grabbing the chopping board to cut the vegetables for her.

***

Nicholas settled in with his family after dinner; he looked at his daughter and smiled. “Sasha, darling, great news,” he said.

Sasha couldn’t help but smile. “What news, Dad?”

“We received a very interesting proposal,” he replied.

Sasha furrowed her brows. “What proposal?”

“Now listen to me, young lady, we have thought about this for a very long time and realized that you are really going to benefit from it,” Angelica put in.

Sasha furrowed her brows more tightly; what are they talking about?

“I don’t understand.”

“I know you don’t,” Nicolas smiled, “we received a marriage proposal from the family you least expect.”

Sasha frowned, “Marriage proposal, for whom?”

“What do you mean for whom? How many daughters do we have?” Angelica asked with a frown.

Sasha gave a desperate sigh. “I can’t believe you guys. Do you really want me to get married that much that you have to accept a proposal? Mom, I have told you I will get married when the time comes.”

“Well, the time is now. Sweetheart, believe me, if it’s anybody else, I wouldn’t even accept it, but the young man is a man to die for. He is reliable, handsome, respected, and every inch of what you want. Trust me; I know a guy you will like when I see one, and you are definitely going to like this one,” Angelica smiled brightly.

Sasha gave an exasperated sigh. If there is one thing her Mom can do, it is to praise boys, and you will end up being disappointed when you eventually meet them.

“I can’t believe you guys.”

“Honey, listen to me; you do know we will always have your best interests at heart. We have already calculated everything, and the odds are not against you. You will be well taken care of; you will lack nothing,” Nicholas was saying.

“I don’t lack anything now, Dad,” she interrupted.

“I know you are capable of taking care of yourself, and you have made your stand in the company, I know, and I’m proud of you. But this, this is an opportunity to rise higher; you don’t know who we are talking about here.”

“Who?” She asked.

Angelica smiled, “You will know when you see him,” she said, and Sasha rolled her eyes; he is even a mystery guy.

“Sweetheart, listen to me. Do you know that Jack and Jones contract you have had your eyes on for months?” Nicolas asked, and Sasha’s eyes brightened at the mention of the contract, “They will get you that and more.”

What the hell? Which family can get her that contract and more?

“Dad, don’t play games with me.”

Nicholas chuckled, “Will I deceive you, my daughter? I’m telling you the honest truth.”

Sasha furrowed her brows, “If they can get me that and more, why did they choose me to be their wife?”

“Well, according to the mother, she said they had given the son three marriage proposals, and he rejected them, but immediately they brought yours to him, he accepted.” Angelica smiled that her daughter was chosen above all else. Did he choose her at first glance? Did he know her, or perhaps an old acquaintance? She wondered.

“So, what do you say? Think about the good part, sweetheart,” Nicholas added.

Sasha sighed; she had always been against the marriage of convenience, and this here now, what is it?

“First of all, I need to meet this mysterious guy. If I like him, then I will accept, and if I don’t, you better forget about it.”

Angelica smiled, “And I tell you, you will like him.”

Nicholas nodded, “That’s good, that’s very good. I have always known I have an intelligent daughter.”

Of course, he will try to praise me now, boot licker, she smiled. After a few more small talks, Sasha went back home thinking about the mysterious guy who was soon to be her husband.