“Everything is perfect. Just make sure you keep Nona happy. She’s a great housekeeper.”
“I sure will. Any plans for tonight?” I ask, peeling my eyes away from her, and glancing around the room, looking for anyone slightly interesting.
“Plans?”
Her eyes follow the direction of my gaze.
“No plans,” she says. “Who are you looking for?”
I shift my eyes back to her.
I haven’t found anyone appealing and don’t want to tip her off on who I’m actually looking for.
“No one in particular. I was just curious.”
Our eyes connect.
“I thought you were planning to have dinner with the Sandoval brothers,” I toss at her.
“Oh, that.”
Smiling, she takes a sip of champagne.
“Nona must’ve told you about that,” she comments with a pinch of malice in her voice. “That’s the other thing Nona is good at. You should join us in the dining room,” she goes on, shifting the topic swiftly. “They’re discussing business and a few other things that might be of interest to you. You’re a woman now. It’s time for you to meet some new men. Men who are good for you and can take good care of you.”
She drinks champagne again, which is what she does when she’s nervous.
“Hmm… The Sandoval Brothers. Aren’t they too old for me?” I push out to derail her long-winded intro.
I can spot an invitation to a meat market from a mile.She’s not even that good at selling me the idea.
Do I need someone to take care of me? Has she looked around lately? I live like a princess.
And I’ll always live like a princess, no matter what.
Has she noticed that I don’t need anyone around me, let alone someone to takegoodcare of me?
Meeting new men?
Huh?
I met new men before they thought I was eligible for their stupid arranged marriages.
Is this something new?
No.
Am I surprised they’re thinking of using me to secure some deal they make with whomever to gain whatever?
No.
In their mind, I need to be sent away or not be sent away but marry a man of their choosing––these are my two options––so why not start early?
And why not iron out a deal as soon as possible?
It’s not like they’re making a secret out of it?
“They are too old?”
