The engagement affair part 6

“So now both of you know each other, I hope you’ll get
along well.” Sofia’s dad said. They were all seated at
the large dinner table. Emelia sat across from Nataniel,
a big angry scowl on her face. Sofia gave her a slight
nudge and her sister shot daggers at her. The
introduction hadn’t gone on well. No matter how much
she begged, Emelia insisted she wasn’t going to stay in
the beach house with her and Nataniel. Even when he
had finally come to the house for dinner, it was with a
lot of effort she reluctantly agreed to come down for
dinner. Now with everyone at the table, she just picked
at her food and barked at everybody. She had refused
to sit anywhere near Nataniel.
Nataniel had tried to be as cordial as possible. He
answered all the old man’s questions as politely as he
could. Ursula, his wife was more or less the same age
range as Sofia, but not nearly as pretty. The dinner was
delicious and would have gone quite well but for the
dour attitude of Emelia. Her attitude jus ruined whatever
good cheer that they initially had. Sofia kept throwing
remorseful glances his way. Finally the dinner ended
and Emelia excused herself and stormed off.
“I apologize about my daughter’s attitude” the father
said. “I know she’s still trying to wrap her head around
the whole thing but she’ll get around it. Don’t worry
okay?”
“I understand her sir,” Nataniel responded. “I’m trying
hard to wrap my mind around it too.”
They all chuckled, glad for the little humor in the dour
mood Emelia had put everyone in.
“So what will you be doing now?” Ursula, who had up to
now been rather quiet, asked.
“Well…I have to know what Sofia wants me to do.” He
turned to Sofia and the others followed suit.
“He’ll help me run the store, among other things. We are
rather short staffed at the moment, so I definitely need
him down there.”
“Great. He can learn some things that way.”
They all stood up. “It was nice meeting you sir. I hope
I’ll be a good son-in-law to you and a good husband to
your daughter.”
“You have a lot to prove, young man, but I’m sure
you’re up to the task.”
“Have a good evening ma’am.” He nodded at Ursula.
Sofia walked with him towards the door. She gripped his
arm. “Look, I’m so sorry for Emelia’s behavior today. I’ll
have a talk with her about it. She can’t continue to treat
you like that.”
Nataniel smiled. “I know how she may feel. Don’t
worry, I’m not upset. I’m sure she’ll come over it.”
“Thanks for understanding” Sofia said affectionately.
She ran her hand over his arm. “I may have to stay here
tonight to work out the details of what we’ll do with my
dad and his wife. You can take the car. I’ll call you when
I need you to come pick me up in the morning.”
“Nah. It’s not too far. I’ll just walk down.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s rather dark. Are you sure you’ll be okay alone in
the house?” she asked with a look of genuine concern
on her face.
“Yes I would. What’s gonna happen to me? I don’t think
anyone wants to kidnap me. I’m not worth anything to
anyone” he said.
Sofia laughed. “You are worth a lot to us. I won’t
forgive myself if anything happens to you.”
Nataniel smiled back. “I’m glad to hear that at least
someone cares about me here.”
They stared at each other affectionately for a while.
Nataniel felt his heart quiver and he swallowed a bit and
averted his gaze.
“I guess I’ll be going now. See you tomorrow?”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”
She opened her arms. Nataniel embraced her, the scent
of her hair and perfume filling his nostrils. He felt the
softness of her smooth skin under the sheer dress she
wore as she clutched him close to her. Her sweet
fragrance began to arouse the desires in him and he
gave her a quick peck on the cheek before releasing her
reluctantly.
“Good night Sofia.” He murmured as he stepped out into
the darkness of the evening. Sofia stood at the door and
watched him disappear into the night.
To Be Continued…