The Engagement Affair

Episode 6

“So now both of you know each other, I hope you’ll get along well.” Sofia’s dad said. They were all seated at the large dinner table. Emelia sat across from Nataniel, a big angry scowl on her face. Sofia gave her a slight nudge and her sister shot daggers at her. The introduction hadn’t gone on well. No matter how much she begged, Emelia insisted she wasn’t going to stay in the beach house with her and Nataniel. Even when he had finally come to the house for dinner, it was with a lot of effort she reluctantly agreed to come down for dinner. Now with everyone at the table, she just picked at her food and barked at everybody. She had refused to sit anywhere near Nataniel.
Nataniel had tried to be as cordial as possible. He answered all the old man’s questions as politely as he could. Ursula, his wife was more or less the same age range as Sofia, but not nearly as pretty. The dinner was delicious and would have gone quite well but for the dour attitude of Emelia. Her attitude jus ruined whatever good cheer that they initially had. Sofia kept throwing remorseful glances his way. Finally the dinner ended and Emelia excused herself and stormed off.
“I apologize about my daughter’s attitude” the father said. “I know she’s still trying to wrap her head around the whole thing but she’ll get around it. Don’t worry okay?”
“I understand her sir,” Nataniel responded. “I’m trying hard to wrap my mind around it too.”
They all chuckled, glad for the little humor in the dour mood Emelia had put everyone in.
“So what will you be doing now?” Ursula, who had up to now been rather quiet, asked.
“Well…I have to know what Sofia wants me to do.” He turned to Sofia and the others followed suit.
“He’ll help me run the store, among other things. We are rather short staffed at the moment, so I definitely need him down there.”
“Great. He can learn some things that way.”
They all stood up. “It was nice meeting you sir. I hope I’ll be a good son-in-law to you and a good husband to your daughter.”
“You have a lot to prove, young man, but I’m sure you’re up to the task.”
“Have a good evening ma’am.” He nodded at Ursula.
Sofia walked with him towards the door. She gripped his arm. “Look, I’m so sorry for Emelia’s behavior today. I’ll have a talk with her about it. She can’t continue to treat you like that.”
Nataniel smiled. “I know how she may feel. Don’t worry, I’m not upset. I’m sure she’ll come over it.”
“Thanks for understanding” Sofia said affectionately. She ran her hand over his arm. “I may have to stay here tonight to work out the details of what we’ll do with my dad and his wife. You can take the car. I’ll call you when I need you to come pick me up in the morning.”
“Nah. It’s not too far. I’ll just walk down.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s rather dark. Are you sure you’ll be okay alone in the house?” she asked with a look of genuine concern on her face.
“Yes I would. What’s gonna happen to me? I don’t think anyone wants to kidnap me. I’m not worth anything to anyone” he said.
Sofia laughed. “You are worth a lot to us. I won’t forgive myself if anything happens to you.”
Nataniel smiled back. “I’m glad to hear that at least someone cares about me here.”
They stared at each other affectionately for a while. Nataniel felt his heart quiver and he swallowed a bit and averted his gaze.
“I guess I’ll be going now. See you tomorrow?”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”
She opened her arms. Nataniel embraced her, the scent of her hair and perfume filling his nostrils. He felt the softness of her smooth skin under the sheer dress she wore as she clutched him close to her. Her sweet fragrance began to arouse the desires in him and he gave her a quick peck on the cheek before releasing her reluctantly.
“Good night Sofia.” He murmured as he stepped out into the darkness of the evening. Sofia stood at the door and watched him disappear into the night.