Page 4 of Fate In Fiction

Or maybe… my mind begins. If no one sees me or can contact me, I’ll get out of whatever’s been planned. Before I can be seen, I bolt up the stairs.

“Phinie.” My father tries to sweeten me with his nickname as he appears through the hallway hosting his at-home office. I know he’s going to ask more of me than I want to give. “I did not get the chance yesterday to inform you that we are having a dinner party tonight, so I need you here, and mentally present.” I halt, looking down over the balcony as I debate about faking sick. Not that my well-being is a concern to him. “Julianne must attend as well. Make sure she is ready.” My father notices my drooping face, but chooses to ignore it. I stifle my eye roll.

“No.” My assertion catches us both off guard. My throat clears as my heart kicks into double time. “Dad, Julianne has dance tonight. I’m driving her.”

“This party is more important than twirling on a dance floor.” He gives me a pointed look. “You have a couple of promising men joining us tonight.” I hate when this occasionally happens for two reasons. First, most of them don’t realize it’s a set-up, and it gets awkward real fast, and second, trying to make conversation with these societal men is as fun as talking to a pile of rocks.

“The right guy might not even be in this town. Give me a chance to snag a foreign prince, perhaps?” The sweetness of hope in my voice earns me a grunt.

“You’re not prancing around other countries alone, Josephine. Don’t be foolish enough to think your peasant job can float vacationing around the world.” My cheeks ache as my molars clamp down to stifle the things I want to scream.

“Maybe I’d rather be poor in another country than treated as if I’m a prize to be won.” I cross my arms, finally vocalizing what I’ve been suppressing since I was my younger sister’s age. “If it’s my trust fund money, why should I have to wait to get full access until I’m married off?”

“Keeping our family in wealth and our bloodline going is important, and you know that.” His voice remains level, though I expected my answer to tip him over the edge. “Grandchildren are important for both families.”

“Dad, you know I’ve tried to explain that with––”

“I don’t have time for your excuses.” Once again, turning a blind eye to my health is easier than facing it. “I think you should give one of them a shot. It’s about time you get your nose out of your books.” He means both types. University and pleasure.

“Let the old-fashioned trend end with me. I’m not a puppet in your game.”

“We are not having this conversation again, Josephine.”

“It’s just sad that you don’t have enough faith in me to pursue my own husband worthy of this family.” The words fly out of my mouth before my brain realizes it. I’m quite impressed that it captures his attention. “You know...” I begin to walk down the steps, but stop mid-way to be sure to look down at him. “If I’m spending my life with this person, at least let me try to choose one who is tolerable. The last thing I want is what everyone around me has.” His throat clears, taking my intentional dig, but he allows me to continue. “I want to enjoy the company of my lifelong housemate instead of having to fake it.”

“You think a man can balance true love and focusing on his career?” His chuckle fills the entryway. “Give up the sappy stories from your books, Phinie. You’re twenty. Start thinking about the future of this family.”

“Oh, I’ve been thinking about a lot of things.” A threatening tone cuts through my voice. “Especially about this family.”

“Fine. I’m done fighting with you.” His hands lift as his head shakes with disappointment. “You win. Partially.” My head snaps back, surprised. “I’ll back off for a few months if you think you’re capable of finding someone worth joining our family.”

Oh my goodness.

“If I do, I want access to my funds early.” I stifle my giddy squeal as my secret objective to take off to Europe might actually come to fruition.

“Prove yourself first and we can talk.” A glint of humor lights up his eyes, as if my foolish request is unbelievable. “You’ve got four months.”

“Four?” And my heart sinks down the rest of these steps. “To have someone fall for me?” His eyebrows raise, waiting for me to admit I’m crazy. “It can be done, I suppose. Happens all the time in books.”

“There’s a reason they’re published under fiction.”

“Well, my future’s yet to be written.” Where the hell I’m going to find someone in Aspen is another story, but the freedom of funds now seems in better reach.

“Our name in the media has died down since Jana’s wedding, and her baby.” My older sister is the prized child, along with my two older brothers. “Present yourself well through dinner tonight, and I won’t plan any more for the next four months.”

“What if things don’t work out between the guy and me? Will you still hound me to jump to the next suitor and lock my funds?”

I need an out, but what am I getting myself in to?

“If you’re giving an honest try, and things don’t work out, you may have a vacation with your funds to do as you please.”

“W-what?” I grip the handrail, completely thrown off.

“You heard me. You need to give a relationship an honest try. If things end sour, with his choice to leave you, then you are free to do as you wish." Am I hearing this correctly? There has to be a catch. “And you and Felix will be tying the knot when you return.” I don’t stifle my gag and wonder if this is worth it. “I’ve tried to mold you to our ways from day one. You’ve remained quiet, and reserved as like a lady should be at every party and event, but I see you desire a different agenda. One I don’t agree with, but I will give you a once-in-a-lifetime break.” Well, aren’t the stakes high with this ultimatum...

“What if my guy does fall for me in the short time and we work out?”

“Then I was wrong about love all along. You’ll be happy with the man of your choice, and I’ll be happy with what he can bring to the family,” he states simply.