I Do, Maybe: A Novella

  Chapter One

  I picked up my phone and texted John. He was the only person I wanted to see.

  I need you…NOW!!

  I continued to pace my bedroom floor as tears came to my eyes. Bed…step…step…step…tallboy…wipe tears…turn…step…step…step…bed. I walked anxiously back and forth across my bedroom until I heard my bedroom window slide open. John slipped in through. He was getting too big to fit in my window.

  I went to him and wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my head against his chest. He didn’t ask me what was wrong. He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me back. John didn’t say anything, he wasn’t one for words. He was more an actions speak louder than words sort of guy. He always had been.

  When I could gather my thoughts and breathe without sobbing I pulled away from John and sat on my bed. John sat next to me.

  “I was eavesdropping on Mum and Dad,” I said.

  John frowned and looked down at me. “No good ever comes from…”

  I interrupted him. “Hear me out, okay? Mum said ‘Emily’s going to be devastated’ and then Dad said, ‘It’s all for the best, it will secure her future and yours’ and then Mum said, ‘So we’ll tell her tomorrow,’ and then Dad said, ‘Yes, tomorrow’ and Mum said, ‘Why can’t she take any personal items?’” I looked down to my hands, which were sitting restlessly in my lap. “Mum was crying. What could be going to happen that’s going to devastate me, John?”

  John shook his head. “I don’t know.” He took my hand. “But your dad said it’s all for the best.”

  “But Mum said I can’t take any personal items. What does that mean? Take them where?”

  John shook his head again. “I don’t know.” John flopped back onto my bed. “But they said they’re going to tell you tomorrow so I guess you’ll find out tomorrow.”

  “Yeah I guess so.” I lay down next to him, staring up the bedroom ceiling. “Sorry I cried.”

  “Yeah, what was that about?”

  I took a deep breath. “Mum said it’s normal for teenage girls to cry a lot because of hormones.”

  “Bloody hormones,” John said. “I have them too you know, but you won’t catch me crying.”

  “It’s different for boys, boys get angry, girls cry.”

  We heard a far off call, “John?”

  We both sighed and sat up. John went to the open window and called back, “I’m over here, Mum.”

  “Oh, okay. You need to come home, it’s getting late.”

  “I’ll be right there.” John turned and looked back at me. “I better go. Will you be okay?”

  “Yeah, I’ll call you tomorrow when I know what’s going on.”

  “Okay, goodnight.” John squeezed back through the window, grunting as he twisted his shoulders to fit through. Before he slid the window shut he put his head back in. “I think I’ll start using the front door from now.”

  I laughed. That’s why I loved John. He could always make me smile.

  John’s father and my mother were twin siblings. John and I were born one day apart, in the same hospital, John being the eldest. And we’ve seen each other almost every single day since then. We always joked that we were twins too, we looked similar but John was much taller than me.

  John and my aunt, Bree, moved into the house next door ten years ago after my uncle died so that my mum could help to look after John while Aunty Bree worked. My mum was a “stay at home” mum because my dad owned his own business and we earned enough money without Mum having to work.

  I looked out the window and saw John climbing into his bedroom. Aunty Bree waved at me and I blew her a kiss back. She smiled and closed John’s bedroom curtains.

  I got into bed and looked up into the darkness. “Tomorrow,” I sighed before I rolled onto my side and closed my eyes. Tomorrow.

  *****

  Mum was a nervous wreck which didn’t help to calm my own nerves. “I wish you’d tell me what was going on,” I said as I pulled my navy blue dress down over my head. Mum moved to pull the zip up.

  “This is for your future, Emily, for a safe and secure future.” She kissed my shoulder. “We’re doing this for your own good.”

  “So you keep telling me.” I looked at myself in the mirror. “So who are these people we’re going to meet?”

  “Business associates of your father. They’re very important to your father’s business so it’s important we make a good impression.”

  “I know.”

  “Remember Emily. Don’t speak unless addressed. Do you understand?”

  “Yes Mum. You’ve told me. Don’t speak, smile politely and be grateful for whatever kindness they show.” I ran my fingers through my brown curly hair. “Not that I’ll have anything to say anyway. It’s a boring business meeting, right?”

  Mum smiled without answering and left me alone to continue getting ready.

  The building was huge, humungous to be exact. Mum and I walked behind Dad as we approached a large reception desk in the foyer of the building. Dad introduced himself to the lady behind the desk, who stepped to her side to give me a critical glance before handing us visitor’s badges. We were told to take the third elevator on the left to the thirty-fifth floor.

  The thirty-fifth floor looked somewhat like a hotel room when we stepped out of the elevator. There was a small bar and lounge suite at one end and a kitchen at the other. A door led to a hallway. A man in a gray suit was waiting for us.

  “Good morning, my name is Ivan.” He shook hands with Dad and smiled at Mum and I. “Mr. Lewis will be with you shortly. Can I offer you any refreshments while you wait?”

  “Two black coffees and a glass of water, thank you,” Dad answered.

  I remembered to smile and followed Ivan’s direction to take a seat. I sat next to Mum on the couch, while Dad took a seat in the armchair.

  “Nervous, honey?” Dad asked me, after Ivan had given us our drinks.

  “Is there something to be nervous about?” I asked.

  Dad was stopped from answering my question when a man and a boy, not much older than me, came into the room from the hallway.

  “Bob, sorry to keep you waiting,” the man said, addressing my father.

  “Trent,” Dad said, standing up. “Thank you for having us.”

  Mum patted my leg and stood also, so I followed suit.

  “Trent, this is my wife, Leslie.” Mum smiled and put her hand out to receive Trent’s, “And this is my daughter, Emily. Emily, this is Mr. Lewis.”

  I smiled and shook his hand when he offered.

  Mr. Lewis laughed. “You have a firm grip, Emily.”

  “Sorry,” I apologised and looked down.

  “Head up,” Mum whispered to me.

  “Bob,” Mr Lewis continued. “Have you met my youngest boy? This is Fraser.”

  Fraser stood forward and shook hands with my dad, then Mum. He didn’t offer to shake my hand. He just looked at me, his eyes running the full length of my body before he smiled.

  I returned his look. He was a bit older than me, but only by a year or two. He was short, not much taller than me. He had brown hair, which I thought was a bit too long and he had freckles on his cheeks. When he smiled, silver braces covered his teeth. He was skinny and kind of nerdy looking. I wondered if he wore glasses.

  “Let’s sit down and have a chat,” Mr. Lewis said as he and Fraser made their way toward the couches opposite Mum and I.

  Dad and Mr. Lewis talked politics and business and golf. I did as instructed; I sat quietly and smiled and didn’t utter a single word. Every time my eyes moved toward Fraser, he was looking at me through narrow eyes; assessing me, scrutinising me.

  “So, Emily,” Mr. Lewis addressed me. “Tell me a bit about yourself.�
��

  I swallowed. What on earth could this man want to know about me that would possibly interest him? I was thirteen years old for goodness sakes.

  “I…umm…” I looked to my mum and she smiled and nodded, encouraging me to speak. “I’m on the swimming and running teams at school and I volunteer at the animal shelter during school holidays.” I could hear the uneasiness in my voice. I took a deep breath. “And I was elected the captain of my debating team for this year.”

  Mr. Lewis laughed. “So it’s safe to assume that you enjoy a good argument.”

  I smiled and relaxed a little. “Yes, sir. I do, if the point is worth arguing.”

  “Ah, smart girl. What would you like to do after school?”

  “I’m not sure yet. I would like to be a veterinarian, or a lawyer. But someone once told me, never to make your hobby your occupation, so I might keep arguing to a weekend pursuit.”

  Mr. Lewis laughed. “I like your spirit.” He looked to Fraser and he smiled. They both nodded their heads.

  I’m not entirely sure what happened over the next few minutes. All I know is that Mum started to cry silently and held my hand tighter than she ever had before. I looked at Dad as he spoke to me, looking toward Fraser and Mr. Lewis who smiled and nodded a lot.

  A sudden sickening feeling hit my stomach and I looked at my dad. “I beg your pardon? Who’s getting married?”

  Mr. Lewis laughed again. “It’s a lot to take in, Emily. I understand that. If I had a daughter of my own I’d be very hesitant to put this sort of arrangement to her also. But I can assure you, my three eldest sons have all been contractually married and it has worked out very well for everyone involved.”

  “I’m sorry…I.” I looked helplessly at my mum.

  “We’re doing this for your own good,” she said, not an ounce of conviction in her voice.

  “So you keep telling me. But I’m not sure exactly what it is that you’re doing.”

  “It’s a very straight forward business transaction.” Mr. Lewis held out a small plastic folder to me. “It’s all outlined in the contract. You can read it en-route to Sydney.”

  “Sydney? Why are we going to Sydney?” I asked.

  “You’re going to Sydney,” Dad explained. I noticed then that his eyes also looked a bit wet. “Fraser has been kind enough to pay for your education at an elite boarding school.”

  Confusion hit me first. “Fraser? How can he pay for my education?” Then panic rose up through me. “I don’t want to go to boarding school. I want to go to back home.” When I tried to stand to run, my legs were like jelly and lead at the same time. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe.

  “Emily, calm down,” Mum said. “It’s a very generous offer. It will secure your future.”

  “What will secure my future?” I yelled. “What is it I have to do?” And yet I knew exactly what I had to do. And I had never been so frightened in my life. “You’re selling me…to…them.” I pointed across the coffee table toward Fraser. “To him?” I said quietly.

  Mr. Lewis stood, motioning for Fraser to follow him. “We’ll give you a moment alone.”

  Mum and Dad explained to me that I wasn’t being sold, although the arrangement financially benefited my father. Dad opened the folder containing the contract. The basics stipulated that I was to receive my education at an exclusive boarding school for girls in Sydney. Once my HSC (higher school certificate) was complete, Fraser and I would become engaged and marry sometime before my twenty-first birthday.

  The marriage would be enforced for ten years after which either party could terminate. If the marriage was terminated I would be paid a fee of ten million dollars. There was also something about a non-disclosure statement and a pre-nuptial agreement to be finalised before the wedding.

  I was to produce two heirs to take over Fraser’s business. If no heirs were produced within the ten year term of the contract, the contract could be extended.

  There was an awful lot of fine print, guidelines – not rules – about my expected behaviour and dress and appearance but I couldn’t look at it. I didn’t want to. I didn’t want the next fifteen years of my life to be written up for me to sign off on.

  I looked up at my father. I felt something other than admiration and love when I looked at him. I wasn’t sure what it was but it resembled hatred.

  “What’s in it for you?”

  “Emily,” he sighed and shook his head. “I’m doing this for you.”

  “What’s in it for you, Dad?” My voice was firm.

  “Once you’re married, Fraser will buy my company for an undisclosed amount.”

  “Undisclosed? You mean you’re selling me off for an unknown amount of money.”

  “Honey,” Mum started.

  “It will ensure a safe and happy future for you,” Dad reminded me.

  “It’s not my future,” I yelled. “It’s the future you’ve decided for me.” I stood up from the couch and began pacing, back and forth along the entire length of the room. “I don’t understand why any of this is happening? Why can’t we just go home?”

  Mr. Lewis and Fraser entered the room again. Mr. Lewis approached me and held his hands out to me. I reluctantly lifted my hands and put them into his. I found myself wishing I was not so mild tempered and forgiving.

  “I know this is a lot to take in. But I can assure you, you will be looked after. We will ensure you have a good life.” Mr. Lewis smiled and looked down as me. “We’re very excited to have you as part of our family.” Mr. Lewis had kind eyes. He could sense my fear and he was doing everything within his power to alleviate it.

  “I’m afraid that I’m only going to disappoint you.”

  “You won’t disappoint us. Be true to yourself. You’re witty and kind and smart and you’re very pretty. You couldn’t possibly disappoint us.”

  God, how I wanted to disappoint them; disappoint them and go home.

  I looked over to my parents. “Do I have a choice? Can I say no?”

  They both lowered their heads.

  “You’ve already signed, haven’t you?”

  Mum kept her head down while Dad looked up. “It’s for the security of your future.”

  “Yeah, you said that,” I said quietly. My stomach was a pit of despair. I looked at Mr. Lewis then Fraser. They were my future now; a handsome older man and a young wimpy looking boy.

  I tried to smile, but my bottom lip shook and tears came to my eyes. I blinked them away. “Then I guess I have no choice.” I looked across to Fraser, his eyes narrowed at me, causing a wave of cold to go through my body. “When do I leave for Sydney?”

  “This afternoon.” Mr. Lewis squeezed my hands.

  “This afternoon?” My anxiety hit all new heights. “I don’t…what about my things, my clothes and…”

  “Emily, it’s all been taken care of. Trust me.” Mr. Lewis gave my hands another soft squeeze.

  Trust? I didn’t know who to trust anymore. I looked at Mum. Her head was still down. “Are you coming to Sydney?” I asked.

  “No, honey. Mr. Lewis and Fraser will fly with you to Sydney to get you settled.”

  “So…when will I see either of you again?” I wasn’t even sure I wanted to see them again.

  “At Easter. You can come home at Easter,” Dad answered.

  “Do I get to say goodbye to my friends?”

  Mum shook her head. “You can call them from Sydney. You can see them at Easter too.”

  Mr. Lewis spoke. “You’ll make new friends, Emily.” He finally let go of my hands and walked toward the table at the kitchen end of the room. He picked up a folder and bought it back to me. “Everything you need to know is in that folder. We leave for the airport in one hour. Lunch will be up in a few minutes.”

  I was hoping that Mr. Lewis and Fraser would join us for lunch so that I could sit in silence and hopefully go unnoticed. But they politely left my parents and I alone. We ate in complete silence; well, my parents ate, I picked at and moved food around m
y plate.

  “There’s something you’re not telling me,” I said. “I can’t think of what’s happened to make you do this.”

  Mum and Dad looked at each other, but neither one answered me.

  “Why is this happening now? Why so sudden?”

  Again my questions went unanswered.

  When our hour long lunch was finished, Ivan appeared at the elevator doors. It was time for me to leave.

  Mum was first to take me in her arms. I stood rigid, refusing to hold her. “Don’t forget that we love you, we can speak on the phone every day.”

  I nodded as tears came to my eyes. Dad took me next. “Mr. Lewis is a good man, honey. He’ll make sure you’re cared for. And you can always call us, anytime, day or night. We’ll always be your parents. We’ll always be here for you.”

  How could they be there for me when they were going to be hundreds of kilometres away? I refused to look at either of them. I was sure I hated them in that moment.

  Ivan quietly stepped forward. “Miss Watkins, it’s time to leave. The car is waiting.”

  “Be brave,” my dad whispered as he turned me around and encouraged me to walk forward. “Be brave.”

  I was ushered into a waiting car. Fraser was sitting in the back seat, Mr. Lewis in the front passenger seat. A man wearing a black suit and dark glasses was driving.

  Once I had fastened my seatbelt, Fraser handed me a small box of tissues.

  “Thank you,” I said quietly, taking the box and resting it on my lap. I had intended on remaining stone quiet, too angry to speak to anyone involved in this arrangement that I felt would ultimately result in me losing my freedom. But that small gesture, passing me a box of tissues, somewhat softened me. It showed that Fraser at least had a measure of concern for my welfare. “I don’t normally cry.”

  “It’s okay, apparently teenage girls cry a lot because of hormones.”

  I smiled. “You’re right, we do.”

  “Only another seven more years and you’ll be done with crying.”

  “Yes, but then comes motherhood, and my mum always said that nothing turns on the waterworks quite like being a mother.”

  “Hear that Dad,” Fraser leaned forward as he spoke. “Maybe that’s why Mum cries all the time.”