An Unexpected Proposal

As the evening continued we were led into a very grand dining room. The table was set with the finest porcelain china and the lights in the room were slightly dimmed, creating a moody atmosphere. 

I took my seat at the table beside Morgan and patiently waited for the food to be served. 

My heart was still beating rapidly from Christian's introduction so I made a conscious effort to keep my eyes from wandering over at him. 

Instead, I carefully studied the beautiful bouquet that was carefully arranged on the table. It consisted of pure white peonies that were in the peak of their bloom, overflowing out of the small crystal vase they rested in.

Thankfully, the food was quickly served, allowing me to distract my racing mind with many dishes of perfectly cooked and delectable food. The delightful fragrance wafted through the dining room, but I was the only one who noticed.

Dinner events, such as this one, were the few times a month I was allowed to eat whatever I wanted. 

I waited until the food was fully served and for the host, Christian, to lift his fork, indicating that we may begin eating.

Ignoring the rest of the family, I immersed myself in enjoying the food. My favorite among the dishes was the perfectly roasted chicken, which was so tender it melted in my mouth.

My father continued to pester Christian with small talk, doing his best to butter him up. My mother smiled and chimed in occasionally, always agreeing with my father's words. 

Anthony was….well Anthony. He sat beside my father pushing the food around on his plate with a fork, only looking up when my father forcefully brought him into the conversation. 

It was Morgan that amused me most of all. She didn't look at or touch her food at all, all of her attention was in one place, and that was Christian. 

Even the skirt of her dress was now wrinkled from how much she balled it up in her hand.

She was completely captivated by Christian. I feel like if he were to tell her to jump off a bridge right now, she wouldn't think twice before doing it. 

As the dessert was being served by the waitstaff, my father finally pivoted the conversation to his true purpose, the business deal.

"Christian, I'm not sure if you've had a chance to review the proposal I sent over recently, but I really believe it would be beneficial for the both of us", he said with a subtle push. 

Christian maintained a respectful attitude, "Yes, I've read it through. However, I couldn't help but get the feeling that it was rather one-sided". 

I watched my father wipe the sweat from his brow.

"Oh! Well, we can't have that! I ensure that all of my business deals are fair and mutually beneficial", he stammered, quickly trying to mend the awkwardness.

I nearly rolled my eyes listening to my father's excuses and explanations. I didn't even need to look at Christian to know that he could see through all of the bullshit. 

Christian simply smiled, silently waiting for my father to finish speaking. 

"Christian, how old are you this year? Twenty-seven, right? Have you thought about getting married?", my father suddenly asked.

The room went silent.

I couldn't believe my ears. 

Christian was clearly taken back but quickly recovered. "Oh, well I haven't considered it. I've only recently gotten to the point where I can afford myself some leisure time".

My father let out a hearty laugh while the rest of the room held their breath. I couldn't figure out what my father was doing.

Aren't we here for a business deal? Why are you bringing up marriage?

"Well, what do you think about my daughter, Morgan?", he asked, motioning towards Morgan across the table. 

My eyes widened while Morgan nearly fell out of her seat. Her face flushed red with excitement as she bounced in her chair, ready to pounce at Christian at any moment. 

Thankfully, my mother sent her a threatening look with her eyes, calming her down a notch. 

Christian's eyes momentarily landed on me before moving to Morgan. 

"I think Morgan is a very beautiful young lady with a very good reputation", replied Christian after a momentary pause. 

Morgan blushed at his words and looked at him with an infatuated gaze. 

"Good, good! Perhaps we should discuss the details in private so that we don't bore the others", said my father, with a large grin. 

I don't think any of us are bored!

Christian nodded and called over his butler to make preparations.

A few minutes later, Christian led my father to his study while the rest of us were led to the sitting room to enjoy small refreshments.

"Morgan! You nearly made us all into a laughing stock with your behavior! Reign it in!", my Mother scolded harshly. 

Morgan was too entranced to listen to her words, "Mother! Is it true? Did Christian truly agree to marry me?". Her eyes were glazed over and her hands were shaking. 

"MORGAN!", my mother hissed. Her face was turning red from anger. "Ignore me one more time and I will tell your father to offer something else!"

This time Morgan forced herself to calm down, unwilling to lose this golden opportunity. 

A tiny part of me wished that she didn't, but I also knew my mother wouldn't offer me in her place.

This thought alone brought me back to reality. I simply sat on the couch, mindful of my posture and waited for father to conclude his business.

After scolding Morgan for every mistake she made at dinner my mother turned to me.

"And Leslie! How could you eat so much?", she criticized.

I sat up in my chair, bewildered. I only ate a small piece of chicken and a few forkfuls of the side dishes. In my opinion, I ate very little.

She looked at me as if I had vacuumed the entire dinner table and then some. 

Lowering my eyes, I sighed to myself, "Sorry Mother, I'll be more mindful next time".

"Yes you will, and you won't be eating breakfast tomorrow", she stated resolutely. 

I should have eaten more at dinner if I knew this would happen. 

From the corner of my eye, I caught Morgan smirking at me, she loved it when mother punished me. I'm not sure if it's because she was usually the one being punished, but her eyes lit up at the thought of me being denied breakfast tomorrow.

She glanced over and shot me a 'serves you right' look then went back to passionately starting at the door, waiting for her prince charming to come sweep her off her feet. 

We waited for over half an hour before my father returned with Christian. Just based on my father's expression I could tell that things went well. 

Christian kept a neutral expression and didn't even bother looking at Morgan who was holding her breath, staring at him passionately. 

After exchanging a few more pleasantries my father called us over to head back home. 

My mother held Morgan by the arm and dragged her out of the sitting room before she had another chance to make a fool of herself, while the rest of us followed them out. 

I was momentarily left alone with Christian inside the sitting room. As I walked past him to leave I heard his deep, magnetic voice. 

"Have a good night, Leslie".