Not Just Play (2 page)

“It’s
gonna
be fine, Garnet. You will think of something. I know you will. Just think what it must be like for your parents. They only want what’s best for you. Also, about this marriage thing, have you met the guy yet?”

“Met the guy? Gosh, Amanda. He could be any guy. He could be this balding man that I kept on seeing at the bookstore. Or that man behind the glasses who could be my father for his age.” She let out an exasperated breath. “No, I haven’t met him yet.”

“You see. Maybe he’s not so bad after all. He could be handsome and sweet and sexy----like all those things you read about in books. Just think about it. It could be a lot better than being stuck in law school.”

Garnet sighed. “I wish I had different parents. I wish I didn’t have to do either. Amanda, can’t you see how messy my life is
gonna
be? Doing any of those two will make me do something I don’t want to do. It plain sucks.”

“Oh Amanda! I wish you were here just like the good old days where we would go to all nighters and have some hot chocolate and talk all night till we fall asleep. It sucks being an adult.”

“Don’t worry pooch, I might see you this week. I just need to do a few things. I promise we’ll talk more.”

After the long talk with Amanda, she felt a lot better. “Amanda is right. I have to come up with a plan.” She said to herself and soon, closed her eyes.

***

She woke up that morning with a surprisingly good mood. She clutched on her robe as she watched the sun’s rays surround the whole village. The balcony is her favourite part of the room. From here, she can see the entire village----the elegant houses, the picket fences, the joggers, and those who are taking their pets out on a walk. The sunlight must have given her a surge of hope and so after a quick shower, she got dressed and headed downstairs.

Garnet was determined to start her day right. If this is
gonna
be the end of her, she won’t allow her father to get the satisfaction that he had dampened her spirits. She is a fighter and no matter how at a loss she is right now, she is very positive that she’d be able to turn this thing around. Donning on a bright yellow dress, with her long hair caught in a ponytail, she looked very young and innocent----without a trace of what she might be feeling inside.

There was a fulfilling sense of being alive that added an extra spring on her every step. She was too preoccupied with her thoughts that she was caught completely by surprise when her father beamingly announced, “Oh, here she is now!”

Her eyes focused on her father and the back of a very tall, dark haired man. She cannot see his face, nor did he seem familiar. Her breath almost caught in her throat as she remembered the conversation last night. She closed her eyes for a bit, hoping that her instincts are wrong. As if sensing her, the man turned and walked towards her.

Garnet stood frozen in place as her eyes pinned on the unfamiliar man walking towards her. He was very tall, and he towered a few good inches above her. For the first time in her life, Garnet felt overpowered. The man is tanned and has this mysterious face that is softened by a pair of hazel eyes. His hair is cut neatly, complementing his strong square jaw. Dear God, he is mighty handsome.

She wasn’t able to speak until the man took her hand and kissed it with his parched lips. “Err, and who is this man, Father?”

Garnet has forgotten all sense of propriety and continued her unabashed appraisal of the man. Her eyes darted on his broad shoulders and slowly grazed his body and her lips almost parted when her eyes passed the bulge hidden by his pants. Good thing her father was busy with the introductions that he did not notice. The man noticed and an amused smile touched his lips. Garnet blushed profusely.

“This is my daughter, Garnet. Garnet, this is Max Dillard. He is the son of Ernest Dillard, the cofounder of Dillard and Stockholm Ltd.”, Said her father----leaving the adjective filthy rich suspended in the air. Garnet knows her father very well to miss it. That grated on her nerves. “This is the man your mother and I want you to marry. His parents are members of the most elite circle here in Palm Springs...”

Before he even finished his sentence, Garnet cut him off. “How dare you do this to me, Father? I will not marry this man or anyone else from your beloved elite circle.” She looked at Max Dillard and faced him squarely. “You came to the wrong place. My father has a shop for all his antiques. I’m not open for any bids.” With haute that only an only child will ever possess, she raised her nose up in the air and walked away. Before she even reached the foot of the stairs, a hand tightened on her arms. “I expected to meet a lady, not a brat. You owe me a proper introduction”, said a cold clipped voice.

She turned to look at her arm and then lifted her face to his. “Get your hands off me. How much money did you have to pay my Father? Can’t you just place ads somewhere? Are you so rottenly desperate that you need to purchase a wife?”

His hold tightened, almost to the verge of pain. Garnet winced. “I said get your hands off me!”

“Why are you acting as though you didn’t want me? I saw the way you looked at me earlier. Your eyes betrayed you, Garnet. Why don’t we give the marriage a shot?” Max trailed his gaze on her face, moving his eyes slowly all the way down to her neck, all the way down to her creamy shoulders. His gaze focused even more on her chest. Garnet’s temper rose to the surface. “Will you stop acting like a pig?”

“Not until you stop acting like a spoiled brat.” He countered. “I cannot see why you are giving me a good time. I just came here to meet you. You wouldn’t even give me a chance. What are you even saying no to? It is not as if I will drag you to the altar any minute now.”

Garnet looked beyond his shoulders and realized that her father is no longer there. She let out a frustrated breath. “Listen. I am sorry for the way I acted earlier. But, there has been a mistake. I don’t know how much money you have paid for me but I will not marry you. Please, just go away.”

She watched as one of his eyebrows rose challengingly. “Okay. I’ll tell your father that the deal is off. You can say hello to law school this semester.” With that, he turned and walked in long manly strides. Garnet stood frozen for a moment, feeling faint. Somehow for her, entering law school is worse than any arranged marriage will ever be. Feeling a surge of desperation, her feet moved earnestly, picking up on his pace. “Wait!”

The man continued walking all the way to the garden and Garnet had to run to keep up with him. She gasped for breath and pulled on the sleeves of his shirt. “I said wait.”

Max looked at her, amused. “What is it this time, young lady?”

“Will you stop calling me young lady? You sound like my father. Look, I’m sorry. It all came too sudden for me. Will you give me some time to think about it? To see if we can work out a deal?”

He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. “I don’t know. You called the deal off a few minutes ago. Or don’t you remember? Besides, I don’t think you’re such a great catch after all. You’re very pretty, I’d give you that. But you’re also a mouthful and high maintenance. You’re a lot of work if you ask me.”

Garnet felt her fists close and was ready to pounce on the man, when she stopped herself. “I see. What a pompous asshole you are! You need not be so terribly insulting.” She took a deep breath and walked away, wanting to kick herself for even thinking about making a deal with this man. The wind blew her hair. As she entered the door, Max focused his eyes on her and shook his head.

****

When she entered her room, she slammed the door and hopped on her bed. She felt totally miserable. The man was a wretch. She couldn’t believe her father would have her married to him. Granted, he was handsome and tall, and manly. However, he’s also pompous and has a mighty big ego. Hell, if she married him, her life would be doomed. She looked out on the window and sighed. Ever since she came back from her vacation, nothing has been going right. She really has to think of something. She thought about marriage----but it is something so alien to her. The truth is----she hasn’t even been involved with anyone. She dated, went to prom, but never was she involved in anything serious. While most girls her age are giggling in the locker rooms talking about kissing boys and allowing them some “liberties”, for Garnet her world was different----despite her own budding curiosity, she hasn’t even been kissed in a way she had read so many times in all her paperbacks. She stood in front of her vanity and looked at herself in the mirror. Her light rose lips were sad---the sadness echoed in her eyes. She very slowly unbuttoned her dress and looked at her reflection. She thought about the man she just met and how tall and manly he looked. If only they were really in love to be getting married. If only he were actually a gallant prince and not an egoistic bastard like the way he behaved earlier, perhaps, there might have been a chance. But just thinking about how those manly hands could be so crude against her delicate flesh send shivers down her spine. By the looks of him----he wouldn’t be gentle and he would be forceful. For Garnet, she’d rather die than give her body to that man.

She went down to the library, knowing her father will not be there tonight. She locked the door and went to the last shelves were some notable architectural and design books can be found. She looked at them and smiled. This is where her heart is. All of a sudden, tears gathered in her eyes as she realized that she might need to give Design up since there is no way that’s she’s going to marry Max Dillard. She flipped through the pages of her well loved books and spent a few good hours reading all her favourite novels. It was not until dawn that she went back to her room. Now she knows exactly what to do.

***

Early that morning, Garnet dressed up early and caught her father during breakfast. She feels inexplicably calm yet inwardly excited as she blurted out, “Father, I have decided. I will marry Max Dillard. However, you have to promise me that you won’t interfere with my life anymore. You’d let me pursue whatever degree I want for myself. Also, I’d like to live by myself. In other words, I am moving out. As soon as possible.”

Garnet’s mother gasped and pushed aside her plate. Her husband held her hand. “So be it. Anymore conditions, Garnet?”

She took a deep breath and prayed silently for her plan to work. “Yes. I would like to speak to Mr. Dillard---just us.”

Her father eyed her for a moment and under the table, Garnet’s hands started to get clammy. Finally, her father remarked. “Very well. I’d ask him to pick you up for dinner tonight.”

Garnet nodded and speared a carrot. Inwardly, she smiled. It is the beginning.

***

Later during the day, Garnet hurried inside her bedroom and took a long hot bath. It was the first time in days that she felt a bit better. She allowed her muscles to release some tension as the hot water caressed her skin, the relaxing scent of sandalwood oil surrounding the bathroom. When the water started to get cold, she got out of the tub and put on a terry cloth robe. Randall prepared all the things she’d be wearing for tonight. The woman is very efficient, but Garnet wished that she did not do these things for her anymore. She feels like a 9 year old.

As she combed her hair, she thought about the meeting she’d be having tonight. She dreaded the thought of seeing Max Dillard again. However, she has no choice. This is the last resort and it HAS to work. She lifted one of the picture frames near her vanity. She missed
Tante
Gabrielle. In her home, she can do whatever she wants and at least there, she was treated like an adult. Unlike here. If her plan worked out, she’d be living in one of the apartments near Amanda’s place. “Everything must go according to the plan.” She whispered to herself.

For tonight, she had chosen a ruby red dress with a Chinese collar that goes up to a couple of inches above her knee. For good luck, she thought.
 
Her face was pale, save for some tea rose tint on her lips. Her stiletto pumps gave her additional height, and somehow wearing them made her feel a lot more confident than she actually is. As she went out of the room, she left a faint trail of Tea Rose and sandalwood.