To Reach You

Nicolette Perrin was told the week before that she was going to be wed soon. She was not particularly happy nor sad. She was just indifferent and thought, life goes on.

Nicolette's father ran a huge business but she wasn't interested in it nor did she want to compete with her elder brother. Her elder brother Nereo Perrin doted on his one and only little sister so much, but he and the rest of the family never knew her fears. She feared she would fall out with people around her so she always acted more or less servile. Her mother had poor health but she was doing fine.

Mr. Cale was an uncle she had heard of from her father since childhood. The Cales were in the most powerful government services for generations. But the first son, Jean Vonn Cale started his own IT company and it was thriving in finances. Jean has been married to Eloise Cale for two years. Though she never had the chance to meet him or his family, she knew they were close. And today, the youngest son of the Cales was the one brought for proposing marriage.

Vance Vonn Cale was influenced by his brother more than his father and grandfather. He wanted to venture into business as well. He completed his masters in Financial Management and joined the U.Y. Corp as a fresh recruit. After working as an Assistant Manager in the Sales department for the initial six months, he grew in ranks quickly and became the CFO of the autonomous branch of U.Y. in Toulouse. That's where the two families lived.

Nereo told her these details beforehand. The families sat in the living room of the Perrin home. After some chat and catching up between the elders, Mr. Cale said, "Vance, go have a chat with your bride." His face was full of smiles.

Vance smiled at this father, "Yeah." "Nicole, show him your room dear," said Nicolette's mother nudging her get up and go.

Nicolette stood up silently and walked to her room checking if the guy was following her. As the two entered, Vance shut the door. Seeing Nicolette's eyes on the door he hurriedly explained, "Just in case my parents don't keep teasing me if they hear anything. You know even remotely," he had some more to say but Nicolette interrupted saying, "I see," and she laughed softly.

He looked at her smiling and thought this girl was not so bad after all. She was bearable perhaps.

He asked her, "What do you want to talk about?"

"..um. Nothing really," she said and her eyes did not stay on him for long.

"Well, do you want to know anything?"

She thought for two full minutes but nodded in nay after that. He was getting a little frustrated and so he started speaking.

"I talk a lot. You don't seem to. Or are you very shy?" Though he asked her that, he somehow knew that she was not the shy kind. She kept looking at him so attentively while the parents were talking just then and he felt like he was being judged. He might have been probably.

She looked at him straight in the eye, "I am not shy. If I averted my eyes just now, it's only because it was getting awkward." She wanted to say he was also young for marriage but she thought otherwise in the end.

"...okay. You really don't have anything to say then, right?

"I do. I was contemplating.."

"Just say it."

"You are handsome." That was when Vance understood that this little girl has a strong personality.

"You don't deserve me and you see that too. Smart." He did not understand what the irritation was all about but he was annoyed by then.

"What?" She dumbly said looking into his eyes.

"You are not that beautiful, ugly," he stated.

She only looked away and did not say anything. She knew she was not the pretty and sexy type but she was definitely not that bad.

"Good thing I shut the door. You know what, I don't want this marriage."

She was stunned for a while before smiling wide.

"Why?" She asked still smiling.

"..why would you be so happy?"

"You think I don't deserve you and that's why? Well, no problem. Just go out there and say it." He almost felt as if he was being trapped like a child.

"Why are you smiling like that?" She sat on the edge of her bed while he still stood at this point.

"I don't want to marry either."

"Because of what I said just now? I didn't really mean it." He was worried.

"You are awkward at first time meetings." She stated boldly once again.

"Why?"

"I don't believe in this. I would rather have all the time to myself."

"And why is that?" There was a little frown between his eyebrows.

"I have enough people around me." He was bewildered.

"I don't understand."

"You don't have to." She smiled at him again.

"Nicolette. If this is the case why would you not say anything when I first asked you?"

"I asked so much from my parents and I am not in a position to refuse."

"Are you being forced?"

She laughed softly before she said, "Not at all. In fact, if you were okay with it, I would agree and see where things go. Just, I don't want to compromise too much."

She is cool was the thought that invaded his mind. "I actually wanted to choose my wife. I don't want a loveless marriage. That's the only reason I am opposed to this."

"And I'm not good enough." She said. Oh, he had just called her ugly.

He wanted to deny but before he had enough time she stood up.

"Very well then. Let's go. Tell your parents after you go home. I'd prefer that rather than saying no in front of my family. Oh, and don't say anything of what I said to anyone. Forget my reasons and don't bother yourself with those. I hope I can expect this from you." And she led the way the out for her room.

Although he thought he was too young for marriage himself and the girl was even younger, he did not feel very good about rejecting her.