She looked up from her phone and ran her eyes over my naked body. Until her eyes were on me, I didn't remember that I was stark naked. I made move to cover my frontals with my hands but that only made her chuckle. Then I remembered that apart from my Virgina which was always in pants during show preparations, there was practically no part of my body she hadn't seen before. I shrugged the awkwardness off and ignored the glint in her eyes. The fact that I promised to be docile doesn't mean we have to play catch or hold hands.
"Good evening" I muttered and went to my dressing table where I started my nightly bedtime rituals.
"It's quite sad that all this good body will be going to waste, don't you think?"
I had no idea how to respond to that so i just kept doing what i was doing. There was a bit of silence and when she figured she wasn't getting anything from me, she signed and walked up to my dressing table. She rested her butts on the edge and watched me a bit.
" I heard you got another dress made. What is wrong with the one I got for you?"
"You got it for me."
I had already said it before I caught myself. I knew she would ask this question but I was hoping that it would be at the party when it would be too late for her to do anything about it.
I bit my lips and hoped she wouldn't catch on.
"Yes. So what is wrong with it?"
"Nothing is wrong with it, i just…"
"Oh, I see. You don't like it because I got it for you…" She squinted at me but I stayed my eyes on my mirror and continued doing what I was doing even though my heart was threatening to burst in my chest.
"It's good you are developing some guts. It is about time."
She stood up and went back to sit on my bed. To say I was shocked by her response would be lying. I was more than shocked. I was confused and perplexed. She liked my tantrums now or what?!
"I have had a long talk with your father. It's good that you now know how this family works and it's good you are not throwing tantrums like your brother did. The one you have thrown are forgiven and forgotten but watch your next moves. The next time you cross me, your father wouldn't be able to help you out." Her businessman voice was suddenly back and everything she said was ringing in my ears as if she was imprinting them in there so i would never forget. I paused, gripping my exfoliation cream tub, anger rippling through my veins, ready to burst out.
"It's good that you have developed backbones. But they are for fighting the world and bringing prestige to this family, not for infighting."
I don't know what happened but the moment I heard the word "Prestige", all the tension in my bones dispersed and I started laughing.
She paused and stared at me, her eyes full of confusion.
"What is so funny?" She asked with her head titled to a side. It was clear she thought i had gone crazy. The look in her eyes only made me laugh the more.
"Caitlin?" She snapped' cautiously.
"Erm, sorry..you were saying?" I gathered myself together and swallowed the laughter bubbling in my throat. I really tried to stop laughing but I remembered my sexcapdes with Sylvester at the mall and in the woods, Daniel's drug abuse that was common knowledge to everyone that mattered in Arizona, Mum's and Uncle Ron's affair and then the pristine way she used the word "Prestige." It was just so funny and I couldn't hold it in. I bursted out laughing again. I covered my mouth and ran into the bathroom where I pretended to be coughing.
After settling down, I cleared my throat and entered my room again.
Mum was still seated on the bed but kind of looking angry.
"Sorry about that. I think I had too much to drink." I muttered. "What were you saying?"
"You are drunk?"
"Not really. Just tipsy." I stiffed a chuckle and cleared my throat.
"When did you start drinking?" She demanded in a commanding tone. If she had used this voice for me before, I would have cringed in fear but now, it just washed over my body. I didn't know what was happening to me but i just wasn't scared or bothered. Completely unlike myself. Even though I said I was drunk, i hadn't tasted a drop of alcohol that day. It was just the only sensible excuse for my behavior that i could think of.
"Since i turned 18." I replied.
There was a bit of silence again. I guessed she was trying to figure out how to counter my response. After all, as an 18 year old girl, I had the right to drink and I was presently 19.
I heard her heave and smirked to myself.
"It's okay to drink but don't overdo it. It will just ruin your skin. I will advise more red wine than liquor."
"Okay." I replied. I was done with my rituals and just wanted her to leave but it seemed like she still had something to say so I sat at my table waiting as she turned to her phone replying to a text that came in that instant. I picked up my phone and started pressing it too.
"When would you like to get married?"
"After graduation." I had replied before it hit me. I snapped my head up and looked at her. I was very confused.
"Why are you asking?"
"I had a talk with your father. He said you would be doing artificial insemination like i did. Is that true?"
To say i was thrown would be an understatement. I couldn't remember discussing that with Dad. Was he not the one that suggested it? I never even gave him a definite reply…or did i?
"If that is what you plan on doing then i see no reason why you should wait till after school before you marry.' she concluded.
"Why?" Things were getting really annoying now. Was she trying to decide when to marry now?
"Because the younger a woman is, the easier the process would be."
"What about school?"
"You are a Woods. Childbirth wouldn't affect your education." She smirked.
"I will be having my wedding after graduation. Not earlier, not later. I have already agreed to marry the trash you picked. I am retaining the right to pick when I get saddled with it!" I stood up, losing my temper, completely ignoring the promise I made to Dad even though it was ringing in my ears, prompting me to calm down.
Her eyes mirrored my own for a bit and then she chuckled, dispersing all the anger she had gathered. Heaving for god knows how many times since she got to my room, she stood up and closed the gap between us, staring me in the eyes.
"I like this version of you. But it's too childish. Learn to restrain your anger. It would be stronger and more potent like that." Her smirk grew wider, throwing me off.
"Your wedding is in two years time so start preparing for it immediately after this party."
I gasped and was going to give a retort but what she said next took my breath away. "...And Riley would be moving in with you once you move to New York. It's about time you become familiar with each other again."
"What?!" I screamed.
"I hope the dress you picked favors the occasion. Don't embarrass me."
She completely ignored my outburst. Just like that, she strutted out of the room, leaving me in complete shock.
Was I a joke to this woman?
In fury, I picked up my phone and dialed Dad.
"Princess…," he said with a wary voice. "...Didn't you agree to marry him?"
"Yes, but…"
"But what? Since this wedding will happen, why is when it happens a big deal? Left to me, you guys should get it over with so we can all move on with our lives."
"Dad, i am 19. I am yet to see the world. How can you ask me to get saddled with marriage and kids?"
"Then spend the next two years seeing the world. You can even postpone school. Who cares? Just marry him and have a bunch of kids. That is all your mother needs. In fact, getting it over with is to the best of your interest if you ask me."
"Dad!" I screamed at him over the phone.
"Remember your promise to me. Just do whatever she says. Once you marry and give her the kids she wants, you are free to do as you like."
I was rendered speechless.