Chapter 19

She got back home after a few more minutes and when she entered, She saw her dad sitting on his usual chair with a solemn expression while her mom was pacing up and down and Alicia suddenly got a feeling of deja vu

"Wasn't this the same position and state I had met my family when they gave me the news of my marriage a week ago, whatever it is this time its definitely not good news", she thought and entered the house,

"Mom why are you pacing up and down, what's wrong", she asked her mother once she was in front of her.

Julie turned to look at her and asked

"My dear you are back from your morning jog"

"Obviously mom", Alicia answered as a matter of fact, "What happened" she asked her mother again.

"Actually my dear Nathan's mom just called and she wants us to go shopping to by you the things you would be needing at Nathan's house after the marriage, and she said to meet at CC Mall by ten am" Julie replied

"So what did you tell her mom", Alicia asked

"I told her I would ask you if you were free and then call her back".

"Is that why you were pacing around", Alicia asked

"Yes i don't know what to tell her", Julie answered anxiously.

"Just tell her what she wants to hear" Alicia answered pouring herself a glass of water.

"But Alicia you haven't even accepted the proposal, how can i tell her that", Julie said

"I wouldn't be telling you to tell her what she wants to hear if I haven't accepted the proposal mom", Alicia said to her mother taking a seat on the dining table. "Get me my coffee Christine" she said to their maid on sitting down.

"My dear do you know what you are saying you are ready to marry Nathan Collins" Julie asked confirming what she just heard

"That was what I said mom you didn't hear wrong but..... I am only giving that marriage a year mom, just a year, if after one year we are unable to make the relationship work I am gonna divorce him okay" Alicia said and drank her coffee.

"Okay my dear but you will at least know that you gave it a try right. God bless you my dear, may all mothers be blessed with an obedient daughter just like you", Julie said with a smile and kissed her forehead

"You are the best princess, i love you", her dad said and also hugged her. "My parents look so happy, nothing is better than this" Alicia thought.

"You are done with your coffee right go upstairs and get ready then we will leave after having breakfast" Julie said and Alicia went upstairs to get ready.

She was about entering the washroom when her brothers came in.

"Boyfriend, Baby Good morning", she greeted them with a smile.

"But wait a minute, I haven't seen you both since I left you at the theater last night you didn't come to wish me goodnight like usual", Alicia said with a frown

"We came pumpkin but you were already asleep. Who do you think covered you with the blanket and closed your windows", Julius said and Alicia smiled.

Justin jumped on her and hugged her very tightly.

"You have always been a jovial and happy go lucky guy since childhood, what made my beloved brother so emotional" Alicia saud hugging her brother back but he didn't reply,

"Baby what's wrong, did Zia break up with you uhumm", Alicia asked

"Baby mom told us you agreed to the wedding with Nathan Collins, I thought that after meeting him yesterday and you saw how rude and arrogant he was you would reject the proposal so why did you agree" Justin asked

"Did mom and dad force you tell us, pumpkin and we will go talk to them, or did Sarah and Susan say anything you know I can handle them, just don't make any compromises Alicia. Marriage is a huge decision because your life partner is the only family you ever get choose, don't choose yours in haste Alicia, please" Julius said and held both her hands.

"Brother Julius, brother Justin both of you calm down please, believe me when I say I haven't made this decision in haste and I would never compromise myself for the sake of an age long promise. When I met Nathan Collins yesterday I saw something in his eyes brother that no human being should have, it was well hidden behind his facade of coldness and ruthlessness: loneliness and longing".

"The whole world is wondering why Nathan Collins never has any expression, its because he is just like a robot have you ever seen a robot have expressions brother. Its like he his living a mechanical life and where he follows a particular calender and nothing changes in his day to day life. I want to change that for him brother maybe God wants to use me to bring happiness to his life, maybe he wants me to be the light in his dark world so let me do this brother and you don't have to worry so much I am only giving this marriage a year if it doesn't work out after that I will divorce him okay", Alicia persuaded her brothers

"But Alicia are you sure", Justin asked.

"Very sure baby and I need both of your support now more than ever because this is the biggest decision of my life, you two have always stood by me no matter what you would do that now as well right boyfriend", I she asked looking between her two brothers.

"Yes Alicia we will always support you and we will do whatever you want as well....but if that guy even does anything to hurt you in any way we won't spare him no matter how rich or powerful he and his family might be", Julius threatened.

"Don't worry brother I will be fine. Come on now both of you get out of my room i need to get ready I am meeting my soon to be in laws today" Alicia said pushing them out.

"Okay we will be leaving" Julius said and kissed her forehead.

"Brother Justin Zia...", Alicia said anxiously looking at her brother

"Don't worry pumpkin, I didn't tell Zia anything you deserve to do that yourself",

"Thanks brother I will tell them after the marriage", she said and they both nodded and left her room.

Once they left she went to get a shower,

"I have a feeling today is going to be splendid, Alicia said to herself standing in front of her mirror, and only left her room and went downstairs once she was satisfied with her look.

Once she got down, she had breakfast with her whole family and left for the city mall with her mother. Sarah and Susan wanted to come with them at first but they didn't want their aunt and grandmother to see them so they decided not to go. They reached the mall after driving for thirty minutes and they were still five minutes early.

"Mom, I don't think they would be here yet, we should go inside and sit and in the meantime you can call them and tell them we are here already" Alicia said to her mother once they alighted from the car.

"Okay my dear let's go inside I will call Kisha now" Julie said and took out her phone from her purse. The call was picked up immediately

"Kisha we are at the mall already" Julie said to the reciever

"We are also here Julie, when you get in the Manager will direct you" Kisha Collins said from the other end.

On entering the mall they were recieved by the Mall's manager,

"Welcome Madam James and Miss ....", the manager paused looking at Alicia, not knowing who she was or how to address her. Seeing her confusion Julie introduced

"This is my daughter Alicia James".

"Oh its Miss James, Good morning Miss sorry I didn't recognize you earlier I had never seen you before that's why, please forgive me", The manager said with an apologetic smile.

"Its okay most people dont know me", Alicia said.

"She would have recognized me if she had been the manager that attended to us yesterday on behest of Nathan Collins but it was a male manager instead and he is no where to be found now" Alicia thought

"Madam Collins already told us she was expecting you I will escort you to where she is", the manager said and led the way to the elevator while Julie and Alicia followed her.