Chapter 5: A Striking Match
'Click click click'
'tap tap tap'
The clicking of his turn signal and the pitter patter of the raindrops were the only noises to fill the awkward silence between them.
Tears stung the back of Camille's eyes as she stared out of the blurry windshield.
She couldn't tell if the lack of visibility was due to the rain that was now pouring down, or the tears that were creating a layer over her eyes.
Not wanting Neil to see her crying, she looked out of her passenger seat window, leaning her head against her hand.
Neil wanted to say something, so many things actually, but he couldn't manage to get them out.
Either his brain couldn't translate his feelings into proper words, or he couldn't form the right wording.
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, cursing the rain for making him drive slower and dragging out this emotionally agonizing car ride.
Camille glanced over at him, his eyes were glued to the road.
Her heart was racing a mile a minute. What could she say in this situation? How could she make him stay? Was there even a way to accomplish that?
She gulped hard, shoving her tears and her sadness down as best she could, before taking a deep breath.
"I don't want you to go…" The words didn't come out quite as forceful as she wanted them to, but at least she managed to get them out at all.
Neil's breath caught in his throat upon hearing her request.
His wish was the same, but he had no choice in the matter.
Trying his best to control the urge to scream and smack the steering wheel, Neil instead curled his fingers tightly around it, channeling all of his anger and frustration to his fingertips.
Why had his father chosen now of all times, when the time he and Camille could finally be together was finally drawing near?
The corners of Camille's mouth turned downward as she felt a dull pain in her chest.
She liked him so much. She'd liked him since they were kids. He was three years older than her, but only one grade above her. She'd be graduating soon and be old enough to properly date him and now he was going away for her to maybe never see again?!
"I know…" he croaked out, emotion welling up in his throat, "I don't want to go either, but….I don't have any choice…."
Another memory crept into Neil's mind as he began his reminiscent journey.
Everyone was dressed to the nines as they filtered into the large event space.
Crystal chandeliers sat high above the party, twinkling in the light and dazzling everyone.
A long, pristine, white tablecloth was host to an assortment of prime cut meats and delectable seafood with two swan ice sculptures standing guard.
The red carpeting matched the regal red coloring of the walls perfectly.
Classical music and quiet chatter danced through the air as guests mingled.
Butlers and wait staff with perfect posture worked the room, offering out cocktails and champagne. Some even had hors de 'oeuvres sitting pretty atop their sparkling silver platters, their white gloves not having a stain in sight.
A normal person would think it were a party for royalty, but that wasn't the case.
Neil stood next to his father wearing a high-end designer tuxedo, towering over the short man.
His father smiled at the waiter who brought some champagne over and lifted his glass as to say 'thanks', with Neil following suit.
"I've told you time and time again father, I don't want to marry anyone. Let alone some random woman you picked. This isn't the medieval times, arranged marriages are outdated here." Neil said under his breath and through a smile so that any onlookers would be oblivious.
"Watch your tongue. You're already going to be in your 30s, my son. We need to ensure an heir to our company. You should've been married long ago already." He'd said so with a smile, like Neil, although his words hissed through his teeth.
Neil smiled and nodded at a few of the guests that looked over their way, raising his glass to them as a greeting. In return, they did the same.
"I will not trap a woman into an unwanted marriage like you did with my mother. My son will not bear the same coldness we did." Neil clutched onto his champagne glass as he upheld his happy demeanor.
His father broke their façade as he scoffed and rolled his eyes.
"Don't you dare use that against me. Your mother knew what she was doing, and I'll be damned if that witch keeps trying to play victim!"
Neil slowly shook his head as he took a large gulp of his champagne, lord knew he would need it to get through the rest of the night.
"At least meet her. I've selected a woman I know you'll like." He patted his son on the back rather aggressively, causing Neil to cough on his drink.
"There is no woman on this earth that I am interested in, let alone that I'd be willing to marry."
Neil stared down into his drink and took another sip as his father let out an annoyed sigh.
As he lifted his gaze, his eyes met the figure of a woman entering the room.
Wearing a long red dress with a high slit, she scanned the room; her long brown hair curled and flowing down her back.
His breath caught in his throat as everyone else in the room disappeared from his view.
Suddenly, the air felt cleaner, the champagne in his glass seemed higher quality, and his worries seemed to have melted away.
The woman began walking in his direction, waving her head to the side as she delicately pushed a strand of hair off her face.
His heart skipped a beat before it began racing.
'Is she coming over here? Why is she walking this way?' he thought, as she continued to approach.
Neil's father, who had been looking around, landed his gaze on the woman approaching.
"There she is! Ah Camille! So good to see you! You seem to be doing well! So sorry to hear about your father."
He was ecstatic as he reached his hand out to grab Camille's, his face beaming with excitement.
Neil's eyes widened as he looked her up and down, visually investigating her the best he could.
Was this really Camille? HIS Camille? Had that shy girl, grown into this beautiful woman in front of him?
She took a deep breath before giving a small smile, not glancing toward Neil for even a moment, "Thank you. I appreciate your concern."
Neil's father seemed like a giddy child with his excited tone, "Did you he tell you about your arrangement?"
Camille glanced at Neil for a brief moment, the first she'd done so, before returning her attention back to his father, "Yes. He did."
Neil's heart just about stopped when she looked his way.
He turned his head and slowly took another sip of his champagne.
"I always thought you two would make quite a striking match! Well, come along! Enjoy your engagement party!"
He motioned to the rest of the room as Neil coughed on his drink.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Thalia_Ilace
Thalia_Ilace Hello dear readers!
Have any of you been in an arranged marriage? My parents had me betrothed to my neighbor when I was little, and just recently they brought up the idea of me marrying a childhood friend's son and have tried pushing for that too.
Have any of your parents been the same way? Let me know in the comments~
- Thalia
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