Chapter 18
With the look on Calhoun's face, they could all tell he was been serious about the news. Grandfather decided not to respond to Noah's question. They always thought he pampered Calhoun forgetting that he only treated Calhoun that way because he was a very intelligent boy. He focused on his business and grew his empire without demanding from anyone. Noah and Matt were just like their parents, they made a lot of demands and came up with nothing in the end.
"You really are serious about this, aren't you?" Elsie finally blurted after studying Calhoun.
Calhoun gave a quick nod, taking a sip of his wine. This was all the confirmation Elsie needed.
"Oh, my God you are really getting married!" She squealed completely throwing Noah's question off the table.
"It's going to be the talk of the town! Just leave every arrangement to me!" Grandmother beamed with smiles.
"Grandmother, can I be in charge of the flowers?" Little Rosa commented just as Calhoun thought.
"Of course, darling you can pick out all the flowers you want!" Grandmother responded, pulling her cheeks playfully.
"Guys wait!" Elsie screamed, gaining everyone's attention again. Even Calhoun was curious about what Elsie wanted to say this time. Her drama was one of the things that made him love family dinner.
"Oh please!" Lily scoffed getting sick of all the excitement.
"You all are making plans over here," she said waving a hand at grandmother and aunt Bianca, "and some over there, are yet to believe that this is happening. But no one has asked Calhoun who he is marrying!"
"Calhoun, who is the lucky lady?" Little Rosa said.
"Rosa don't you dare steal my line!" Elsie scolded little Rosa playfully.
"Sorry, aunt!" Rosa mouthed. Elsie blew her a kiss and returned her focus to Calhoun.
"So Calhoun, here is the one million dollar question, who is this tough lady that got you so in love you decided to change your decision about ever marrying? Who is she?" Elsie flashed him a toothy smile.
Everyone was quiet as another heavy silence fell over the hall as they all awaited Calhoun's reply. They all stared at him waiting for him to say something but Calhoun wasn't saying a word.
"Calhoun, please say something this suspense isn't good for my heart!" Aunt Bianca whined.
Calhoun shifted unto the edge of the seat and everyone held their tongue hoping he would say something but he didn't.
"Oh, can you spill out the name of this mysterious lady of yours already, Calhoun!" Benson snapped unable to control himself anymore. Calhoun was making such a big deal out of a petty thing. Benson already missed the joy of having his sons take the lead, he just wanted this day to get over quickly so he could go think about another way to beat Calhoun.
"Calhoun, my dear, tell us, who is this lady you wish to marry?" Grandmother asked.
"And if you don't have one, I have friends who wish for you to marry their daughters, I can assure you, my dear boy, that they are good girls. You will like the matches," Grandfather quickly added.
"No, grandfather that won't be necessary. I have a bride," Calhoun said quickly.
The reason why he hated getting married in the first place was because of this. His grandparents always wanted him to marry one of their friends' daughters or granddaughters and none of those girls tickled his fancy. They were all fake and too boring for him.
"And who is this bride, Calhoun?" Little Rosa asked.
"Her name is Ariana Brown," Calhoun finally said.
Lily raised her brow cynically as she tried to think of any rich person she knew with the last name, Brown but none came to her mind. Who was this Ariana Brown?
"Is it Mr. Mathew Brownfield's daughter?" Grandfather asked.
"No, it isn't," Calhoun answered boldly.
The room fell silent again as everyone stared at each other. This Ariana was not someone In their circle. No one seem to know her or from where she came from.
"Who is this Ariana Brown?" Matt asked with a scoff. It was obvious she was a nobody and this made him very happy. For the first time, Calhoun was going to do something that their grandparents weren't going to support him.
"She is my fiancee and that's all you need to know!" Calhoun said getting defensive. He wasn't one to lose his patience much but the way Matt had said Ariana's name was demeaning like she was a worthless piece and this pricked his heart.
"Now, now, dear. Don't fight with your cousin. He is only trying to know who his sister-in-law is going to be. We don't want you bringing in a gold digger into the family, do we?" Lily quickly put in picking up on her son's line. She smirked evilly, happy that she had said something hurtful and no one could reprimand her for it was just smooth.
Calhoun was about to respond to her when Elsie held him back. "Let me handle her dear," she whispered to him. She then turned her attention to Lily, "Lily dear, you forget you were also a nobody when Benson brought you into this family, yet no one thought of you as a gold digger, or did we?" Elsie said and Lily's smile dropped from her face.
"Elsie!" Grandmother snapped, raising her hands. "Enough now!"
"Mother don't scold me, rather scold your daughter-in-law who never knows when to keep quiet!" Elsie retorted.
"Elsie that's enough!" Grandfather interjected.
The room fell silent again and the tension grew stronger.
"Calhoun, why don't you invite this Ariana over so we can all meet her and clear our doubts," Grandfather finally added after a long pause.
"I will arrange a date with her and let you know," Calhoun said seeping his wine.
Grandfather nodded and turned back to the rest of them, "we have all heard him. I hope we are all on our best behaviors when the good lady comes." Slowly, he got up from his seat, "I shall leave first."
As soon as grandfather left, the rest of the family members also started making excuses, and one by one they left. Leaving Calhoun to his thoughts, how was he going to convince Ariana to marry him?