Nothing really happened after Shania and Mr. Russel had a coffee. Brandon looks so busy and she didn’t see him this morning while having breakfast. She didn’t say a word and was left alone not knowing what she’s doing.
Shania gets it that it was all arranged marriage but isn’t it a perfect sign of respect if he’ll tell her what he was doing? What Am I thinking? She thought. As if she has the right to demand. “You always made it clear to Shania that this is just an arranged marriage that you shouldn’t expect anything from Brandon and same goes for him.” She said and heaved a heavy sigh of what she thought.
She went down to see if she could do something in the house. She saw the maids were busy walking inside and out of the house. They were cleaning and fixing the table. Is someone coming? Looks like they have important guests.
Shania called one of the maids and asked what’s happening. “Is someone coming ?” she asked the maid.
“Mr. Frank is coming home today, Miss?” She said and I nodded then she continued on with what she was doing.
“Frank?” she said and went into the living area and sat. “Where did I hear that?” She said and tilted her head trying to remember where she heard that name. “It’s Brandon’s brother, he’s coming home.” She said to herself and watched television instead.
She decided to watch a movie alone and ate snacks. The housemaids were continuing to prepare everything before Frank arrived home. She was watching silently when Mr.Russel saw her.
“Shania honey?” he called and Shania looked at him. “Frank with his fiancé will come in any minute now.” He told her about what’s happening.
“Uhm okay?” she said. He looked at what Shania was wearing so she took a look too. “Oh! Yes, I'll change quickly. She said and turned the television off and ran towards her room to change.
Shania chose a peach jumpsuit and brushed her hair and put a little tint on her lips then went down. She sat on the sofa with Mr. And Mrs. Russel who’s waiting for Frank and her girlfriend. Brandon was nowhere to be found.
They heard of a car coming so they fixed their postures and Mr. And Mrs. Russel went on the door to welcome their son, Frank, with his girlfriend.
“Frank.” Mr. Russel said with excitement and Frank smiled at him. Handsome like Brandon, you can’t even deny their brothers. The difference is the aura they both give off when you see them. Frank looks kind and approachable.
“How’s the trip?” Mr. Russel asked at this moment.
“It’s okay.” Frank said and smiled.
“Hi Carmi.” Mr.Russel called the girl behind Frank and she smiled at him.
„Hi! It’s nice to see you again. You look so beautiful. Carmi replied to Mr. Russel, it wasn’t surprising that they were together with their personalities, they eventually clicked.
“Oh! Thank you, I like that you didn’t change.” Mr.Russel said. I stood still on where I stand when they entered.
“And this is Shania, right?” Frank said and looked at her.
“Oh honey! I’m sorry I was just so overwhelmed.” Mr.Russel said and reached for Shania. “This is Shania, Brandon’s fiancé.” He added that it made them smile. She smiled back as well.
“I’m Frank and this is Carmi, my fiancé.” Frank said and smiled at her.
“It was nice meeting you.” Shania said and smiled.
The housemaids got their bags and stuff and took it all upstairs.
“Let’s have a seat so you can eat. I bet you’re tired from the trip.” Mr. Russel said and they all walked towards the table.
“It’s good that you came. Brandon is busy these days and Shania is always left alone. Mrs. Russel said.
“Why won’t he bring Shania in his business Mom? So she won’t get bored here.” Frank said. Shania didn’t bother saying anything.
“Brandon must have his own reasons.” Mr. Russel said and smiled.
“You’re almost 18, right?” Carmi asked Shania.
“Yes.” She answered and smiled at Carmi.
“You’re so beautiful.” Carmi said. I was too shy to smile at her.
“I applied for a dance lesson.” Mrs. Russel said out of the blue and they all looked at her wondering. It’s not like they were discriminating her but for us she’s too old for those kind of activities.
“Don’t look at me like that.” Mrs. Russel said and laughed at them. “I applied for the four of you.” She added.
“You mean, us four?” Frank asked Shania and Carmi.
“Yes, I thought you’re going to be happy if you are together.” Mrs. Russel said in excitement. Frank, Carmi and Shania lowered their heads. She doesn't like this. She doesn’t know how to dance. Shit! “Why don't you like it?” Mrs. Russel asked in a sad voice.
“No! No-we will take the lessons.” Carmi said hurriedly and elbowed Frank for him to agree with her.
“Right. We’ll take the lessons, don’t worry.” Frank said and smiled awkwardly.
While looking at the both of them she was hoping she would have that kind of relationship with Brandon. She wants to be this comfortable but it seems impossible.
“How about you Shania, honey?” Mrs. Russel asked her right now. Carmi was now looking at her and mouthed her “Say yes” and Shania just nodded.
“Yes sure.” She said and smiled.
“How about Brandon?” Frank asked.
“It’s okay I can go there alone.” Shania said and smiled at them. She continued eating.
“Whose going there alone Shania? I will go.” Brandon suddenly appeared and pulled the chair beside her.
“That’s very good then!” said Mrs. Russel and even clapped her hands.
After they were done eating they all went their separate ways. Shania went into her room and laid on the bed immediately. Brandon went inside the room and took off his coat and hung it to the coat hanger beside his computer. She saw a box but didn’t bother because maybe it’s for someone else.
She went out and walked around when she bumped into Carmi on the way. She smiled at her so she smiled back.
“Where are you going?” Carmi asked.
“Hmm outside.” Shania said shortly.
“Do you have plans?” Carmi asked again. Shania nodded again. “Can I come with you?” She asked.
“Sure why not?” Shania said and Carmi went out with her.
They were walking outside when Shania didn’t even initiate some topics to talk about because she felt awkward. She wasn’t used to Brandon talking.
“How is Brandon doing?” Carmi asked her suddenly.
“Alright.” Shania said and stopped from walking.
“You don’t like him?” Carmi honestly asked her. She looked at her and she was amazed by how easily Carmi can ask these questions when they’re still not that close. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.” She said and smiled at her.
“It’s not that I don’t like him but, There’s so many things that happened to be thinked of if ever I like him or not.” Shania said honestly.
“You have time. You’re not just thinking of it. Give him a chance. You don’t have to rush yourself on things like this.” She said and smiled at me. “I’ll be going first. Maybe Frank was finding me already. Carmi said and went inside the house.
Maybe Carmi was right, I don’t like Brandon because I always stop and push him away to the other side from the things he did for me. Shania thought.
“Shania?” Shania heard his voice. He was looking for her. It’s not the first time that Brandon did the things that felt so different now. ”Oh you’re just there.” He said when he saw Shania sitting on the grass. “What are you doing here all alone?” He asked while his hands were on the back.
“I was with Carmi earlier but she went inside.” Shania said and looked at the view in front of her. “Do you have something to say?” she asked. Hoping that he has something to say about what he’s doing all by himself.
“Say? I don’t have one.” He said and sat beside Shania. “Instead I’ll give you something.” He added and held her hands and slid the ring in her finger. She didn’t expect that. She looked at him with confusion in her eyes. “Why? Is it a crime to give you a ring?” he said and laughed a little.
“What is this for?” Shania asked him.
“I just want you to always remember that you are engaged to me and I promise to give you all the beautiful things to the best of my ability. He said that while looking at her.
“One promise.” She whispered. Her mind left everything, and only Brandon’s words calmed her. He made her feel reassured and should have nothing to worry about.
In the morning they went into the dance lesson Mrs. Russel applied for.
“Do we really have to do this?” Carmi whispered in her ear. She just shrugged because she didn’t know why she was in there taking lessons with Brandon.
The dance teacher arrived, it was a woman. “I have a bad feeling about this.” She whispered. Brandon looked at her. Shania smiled unto him and sat.
“I am Vanessa and I will be your dance teacher.” Vanessa said and smiled sweetly while looking at Brandon. Shania’s brow went up when she noticed her being flirty with Brandon.
Vanessa instantly started the class and taught us the first step. She was really soaking in sweat. The dance was not her cup of tea. She really doesn’t know how to do it.
“Okay again, 1,2,3..4,5..6,7...8.” she counted. “Brandon you’re great.” She complimented him. I can’t argue with that because he is really doing great. “You too, Frank.” She said after a few seconds. Shania saw Carmi roll her eyes at her in the mirror, when she noticed me she smiled back at me.
It was getting harder for me to follow the steps, especially when it needed a lot of footwork and Shania was really tired. Her foot crossed and she almost fell when Brandon held her arms that caused him to fall with her on his chest.
“Oh my gosh!” shouted Vanessa. Shania stood up and held her head. She lied down on Brandon but because of his hard chest her head slightly hurt. Vanessa held Brandon’s arms and Frank on the other side helped them get up. “Sit there.” She told Brandon and went to get some towels and wipe his sweat.
“Are you okay?” Carmi asked Shania. She nodded and went to Frank, Brandon and that dog.
Shania grabbed the towel from Vanessa’s hands and all of them looked at me. “I’ll do that, I’m his fiancé by the way.” She said and gave the towel to Brandon. I saw Vanessa roll her eyes that made her go mad at her. She grabbed all of her things and was about to go when Brandon held her hands.
“Where are you going?” Brandon asked her.
“House.” Shania simply said and tried to take off his arms.
“I’ll go with you.” He said and she looked at him without saying a word.
“I’ll go too.” Said Carmi.
“If this is the case then we’ll all go.” Frank said and grabbed his things as well as Carmi’s.
“What’s going on here? The lesson isn’t finished yet.” Vanessa said and looked at me then smiled when she looked at Brandon. Shania will punch her face if she won’t stop. She swears. Brandon stood up and held Shania’s hands tightly, Vanessa looked into it with jealousy and irritation from her eyes. True, you should be jealous! She said to herself.
“We’re done taking lessons, don’t worry we’ll pay you in full price.” Brandon said and dragged Shania with him out of the studio.
“You don’t have to be jealous of someone like Shania.” He said when we were in the car. Shania smiled and chose to be silent.