EAGER TO MEET THE GHOST FIANCE

"The earlier the better, my child," he says, his weak voice giving no room for argument, but I just can't shake the worry of his condition off my mind.


The earlier, the better. But he and I are going nowhere, and neither am I that old that I am in a hurry to get married. I don't know. What about him? His health? He is not fit at all for such things.

"What's wrong?" He asks.

What is wrong is how I tell him that he does not need to rush. This is not good for him. We can even wait until Ge gets better. I mean, the betrothal has been there for years. It wouldn't do anyone any harm to wait for a few more weeks.


'Are you rethinking about meeting him, my dear?"He speaks again.

I shake my head, giving him a smile. "Oh, no, Papa. I am just thinking that we should not rush it so soon. I mean, you need to be stronger that day, right?" I say.


He shakes his head. Talk of stubbornness! Mine has not even reached this height. 'No, Ellie. We will do it tomorrow only. I am fine. I can handle this more. Stop worrying," he says.

'Okay, the Dad. Tomorrow it is." I mumble, albeit with so much doubt. He does not look well at all for anything. But I know I can't win against him. I just hope all goes well.

"Are you sure?" He asks, lifting my chin with his finger, 'You know what this means, right? Are you sure you can stand that person you have loathed all your life just to make me happy?"

That?

Honestly, this is where they call it between a rock and a hard place. I would gladly marry that guy right this minute without a second thought if it meant making my parents happy. But what happens to Damian?

Then again, what choice do I have? At this point, I even doubt speaking to that ghost to end this is an option. What if your father does not take that too well? He already said that one can reject his daughter, which means he is banking all his trust on the success of this betrothal. And if I make a single slight mistake, I will have my lifetime to pay for the outcome.

I don't know.

I just don't know.

But they say that we should live each moment at a time, right? Maybe I should employ that. This minute, my father needs my assurance. My father needs to know that I am with him on this. And I now clearly understand how important this is to him. Whatever he asks of me, I will oblige. Tomorrow will take care of itself!

"Will that make my father happy? Will that give you peace? If so, then yes, father. I will oblige to this betrothal wholeheartedly," I say, grabbing his hand away from my chin and holding it in mine.

He takes a moment to scan my face, and I give all the time so that he can see the sincerity of my words, hoping that he won't see the turmoil lying within. After a minute, he says, "I will be happy with your choice, regardless, my child!"

I am thunderstruck. I am lost. I don't think I heard that right. It might be the weight of this taking a toll on me, right? The word choice has never been a part of this deal from the beginning. It still is not. Can never be!

"Choice? I have a choice." I implore, but I am still doubting if my ears are functioning well.

"Yes." A ticklish chill jolts down my spine as I read the word from my father's mouth. I still can't believe it, but the euphoria tickling within is beyond measure. 'Yes, my dear, because my joy is your happiness. I will let you meet your betrothed, but the choice of marriage is all on you to decide. I will leave the final decision on this betrothal in your hands, my dear. Whatever you decide after meeting him, I, your father, will accept and respect it. I am sure your mother will also understand that there are matters that are totally beyond our control. Matters of the heart are something that we shouldn't, should never deal with."

I like this one!

Heck! Why didn't he bring about this offer soon, huh? How can it come so late because I feel like I am doomed to end up with this son of Riccaforte? I can't let my father suffer more consequences for my actions than he already did. Even if he is the one suggesting it, I know it would still be a joy if I could honor him and my mother this way. And again, there is his health. How certain am I that his heart will take my decision well?

Do I still have a choice? Is there still a way out of all this? Maybe in another way that won't hurt my father, but before anything, it is time to meet the famous angel—the son of Riccaforte—my ghost fiance. My betrothed.

Mother saw him as an angel, so I presume he is just like an angel. Honestly, for the very first time since I learned about this absurd betrothal, I am dying to meet him. To affirm whether he really is everything they say he is. I want to see for myself what my father saw in him, and I hope I will not be disappointed. After that, we will see what happens. Live each day at a time, is the phrase I am embracing.

Two things I can't believe, though: how crazy it is for my mother to fall in love with me, and why, after all these years, I am so eager to meet this ghost that I hated all my life. I am getting a thrill that I cannot explain. It is like all the answers and solutions are waiting for me tomorrow. I can't explain it, but all in all, let's wait and see what tomorrow holds for me.