Meghan
Houston, Texas.
It's good to be home. Who would ever think that coming back feels this good? Not me. The morning Houston sun warms my skin as soon as I leave the airport. With my luggage in hand, I walk across the bush tarmac, which is flooded with people.
I can head straight home. But there is something I have to do first. I feel weird when I think about going home. How will everybody feel to see me come back? My father won't be thrilled. Maybe he is pleased that I ran away when I decided against the marriage he planned for me. Or maybe I am being too paranoid.
Nevertheless, I know why I am back. If I am going to stop Chloe from getting married, I will have to go through my father. And there is only one person who can do that. His younger sister, Aunt Teresa.
Aunt Teresa will know what to do. She had been radio silent when it was my turn to get married, but I am certain she won't be pleased to hear that Father is forcing Chloe to get married. I believe it is too soon for her. She barely understands what life is about, and now she is already being rushed into commitment with a man she doesn't even know.
I flag a taxi and step into it. I tell him the address of Aunt Teresa, and we speed away from the airport.
My eyes are out on the streets as we zoom past bodies. I almost forgot how warm Houston is. The weather here is more comfortable than in Japan. Japan has been a nice experience. Although I barely spent six months there, I enjoyed my time.
It is crazy that I only realized the pleasures life gives after I dismissed my marriage. It is amazing to see that there is more to lose than being at home.
Since our mother died, I have been the one serving Father. I did anything he wanted just to make him happy. I went to college at a tender age. I took over the company when I was barely twenty-five and made it grow. But that wasn't enough for my father. He had wanted more. He wanted me to commit to a marriage I wasn't comfortable with. There was no way I was going to marry a man I didn't love. And that was final.
The car stops at the address, and I step out. The driver brings out my luggage from the trunk, and I tip him. He drives away a few moments later as I stand before the fence that guards my Aunt's home.
I sigh and step into the lawn, walking through it. The smell of flowers fills the air. They are different species, and they all combine to give a lovely fragrance.
Aunt Teresa is a florist by hobby. She loves to tend to flowers whenever she can. I usually help her when we spend holidays here. That had been a long time ago. Life changed spontaneously after our mother died.
I was only twelve years old then, but I knew I had to step up and take responsibility. I had to take care of Chloe as well. And I did just that until I left. She was mature then. And she was able to make decisions for herself. Or so I thought.
I barely arrive at the porch when the front door swings open. Standing behind it is a woman in her mid-forties. She has long, wavy black hair that falls to her shoulders. The front of her black hair is covered with gray hairs which indicates that she is getting older. Her silver eyes glitter as they stare at me in surprise. She is glad to see me. I can tell.
She is wearing a yellow sundress with a blue apron above it. As I step on the porch, the smell of ginger and onions fills my lungs. I can tell that she is making breakfast.
"M-Meghan?" she calls. "Is that really you?"
I chuckle at her words.
"Yes, Aunt Teresa. It's really me."
Her lips stretch out into a bright smile. She comes out of the house and pulls me into a hug. I sigh in relief as I hug her back. I miss everything about Texas.
"My dear, it's so good to see you again," she says as she hugs me. "I thought I would never see you again."
I frown at her words. They all thought I wasn't going to come back. That is strange.
She pulls out of the hug.
"I'm glad to be back home," I say.
Aunt Teresa nods and grabs my luggage that is on the porch.
"Come in. I'm making my favorite pancakes," she says with an air of exuberance.
I nod and step into the house. The house is filled with the smell of pancakes. She keeps my luggage on the couch and rushes into the kitchen. I can tell that the pancakes are still on fire.
She comes back into the living room with the pan in her hand and a pancake, which is burnt, held up in a spatula.
"I think breakfast will be delayed for another five minutes," she says.
I laugh at that.
Fifteen minutes later, we are seated at the table having pancakes and coffee for breakfast. As I munch a forkful of pancakes, I feel my tongue dance in excitement. I groan in pleasure and lean back on my chair.
Aunt Teresa chuckles at that.
"I've missed this so much," I say.
She nods to that.
"My pancakes are always your favorite," she reminds me.
I smile and lean forward to take another forkful.
"You can say that again."
After many minutes of eating, Aunt Teresa's plate becomes empty, and she sits back on the chair.
"So tell me. What brings you back home?" she asks.
I sigh at that. She goes straight to the point. I look at the last pancake on my plate and lose my appetite immediately. I remember why I came home.
"Dad is forcing Chloe into an arranged marriage," I reply.
She doesn't look surprised by that. Her face is still, which means only one thing.
"You knew," I say, my voice filled with disappointment.
Aunt Teresa sits up on her chair, pushing the plate to the side and gently placing her hands on the desk.
"Yes."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
She bites her lower lip before she answers.
"David would never listen to me," she says.
I sigh and lean backward on the chair, folding my arms below my bosom
"Did you try talking to him?"
"Is that why you came here first, Meghan?" she asks.
I nod.
"Yes. I was hoping you can stop this madness from happening," I say.
Aunt Teresa scratches her chin with her eyes on the table. She is as lost as I am.
"I'm sorry, Meghan. But I can't help you. Your father's decision is final."
I shake my head in disappointment. I should have known that this would be a waste of time. The only thing I can do now is confront my father. And that is what I am going to do.
That is the only way I can stop this madness.
***
As I stand at the gate of my family's estate, I can feel my heart thumping hard against my chest. This is it. This is what I return home for.
I can feel nostalgia grip me as I stare at the lawn of the estate. I am home, but I feel like this is a big mistake. But if there is anybody that can stop this from happening, it is me.
The security guard is surprised to see me by the gate. His eyes bulge out in surprise, and I fear they will pop out of his sockets.
"Ms. Marcher. You're home," he greets.
I nod. He opens the gate and makes way for me. I step into the compound and gaze at the mansion, which is a few meters away from me. I gulp hard.
"Welcome home, Ms. Marcher," he says. "I hope you had a good time?"
I nod at that.
"Thank you, Sylvestre."
He nods in response.
A few seconds later, I am on the porch, and I ring the doorbell. The door swings open immediately, and I find my younger sister, Chloe, standing before me.
She is wearing a black dress, and her black hair is neatly pulled into a ponytail. However, there is something about her brown eyes. They are glittering with emotions.
"Sister. You're home," she says stiffly.
I nod.
"How are you?"
"I'm fine. He is here."
My heart skips a beat as I hear that. Already? How is that possible? She told me about this barely two days ago.
"I'm coming in," I say, stepping into the house with my luggage.
Chloe gets the luggage from me, and we walk through the short hallway, heading into the living room.
As I swing the door open, I see two men in black suits talking to each other, backing me. The first one is my dad, and the other I can't recognize.
They turn to face me, and my eyes widen in shock as I gaze at the other man. I know him. I have seen him somewhere. I can't forget those ocean-blue eyes and beige blonde hair easily.
My lips quiver as I call his name.
"Aaron?"