A Warning

At home, Jean Mary found her parents in the living room with an awful facial expression. She was wondering what bad thing did happen since her mom's eyes were swollen red from crying.

"What's wrong mom and dad? What happened to the two of you?" Jean Mary worriedly asked her parents. Seeing her parents like that is heart breaking for her.

"We have something to tell you." Her dad seriously answered her.

Her mom was hesitant while looking at her but she found courage to open her mouth and told her.

"We are sorry my dear for not saying anything to you before. But we never knew that this day would come. We thought all of it was forgotten since your grandfather died." She told her.

"Wait, I don't understand what do you mean. Is it something so difficult for the two of you? What have you hidden from me?" Jean Mary was confused.

"Okay, I will tell you from the start. Years ago, our family had been serving the Reynolds family for generations. It was a mysterious but powerful family in this town. But many people despised that family and called wicked because every woman who married into that family died every time they gave birth to a son." Mae said. "Your grandfather was the last to serve them because the Reynolds decided to migrate. But before they left, your grandfather and the master of the Reynolds family had an agreement that if your grandfather had a granddaughter, his granddaughter will be married to master's grandson. The Reynolds family left your grandfather a large sum of money which we enjoy right now." Mae continued. "We thought all was forgotten since they never came back for years after all. But yesterday, a person came looking for us and reminded us about the agreement. They warned us not to turn back against what had been agreed and ordered us to deliver you to them by the end of this month." Jean Mary's mom wailed again after telling her all of it.

Jean Mary was speechless upon hearing the revelations. She didn't even utter a single word and left her parents and went back straight to her room.

Marriage. Jean Mary was thinking about it deeply. For her, she is too young to get married. She just turned 18 years old and had no experience when it comes to love.

Then she remembered the guy earlier that morning. It was the first time in her life that she came to admire someone of the opposite sex. Maybe her first crush experience was just meant to last for a day. She sighed upon the thought of it. Then she remembered her dream last night. It was such a scary dream. Maybe it was a warning for her, and she felt scared of her upcoming marriage.

Jean Mary was not in her usual self because of that news. She was absent for a week in school. She even ignored her parents because she was resentful by the fact that her single days were over. If her parents just told her the truth earlier, maybe by now she had accepted the fact that she's getting married.

She made her research about that family, and she couldn't find any news about them except about what her parents told her. She is afraid of that family. Will she die after she give birth to a son? She couldn't help but only shiver in fear.

In the Reynolds' manor. Jan was in his dark and gloomy room. Mr. Smith knocked into his room but Jan didn't respond. Still, Mr. Smith entered the room and saw Jan sitting on his favorite chair still wearing his black hooded jacket.

"Sir, I went to the Caster's family and informed them about the marriage that your grandparents agreed." Mr. Smith told him. Upon hearing no response, he continued, "I know that it is hard for you what the master wanted but you have no choice but to agree. If you don't get married this moment, you know what will happen to you."

Jan looked at Mr. Smith and said, "I just don't want to inconvenience any person. And you know that I have no desire to any woman. I know that the woman my grandfather wanted is now anxious just like me. I also think that she already heard the ill-fated tragedy that happened to my mom and grandmother, and to all women who entered our family." Jan told Mr. Smith.

Mr. Smith sighed when he heard what Jan said. "I know that it is not easy for you but you have to do it still. Marriage is the only solution you could come up now. The time is running out."

"I know." Jan dismissed him then.

After a week of contemplation, Jean Mary decided to go to school.

She met with Kaye and her friends. Jean Mary told herself that how unlucky of her to see Kaye. She tried of avoid Kaye but Kaye purposively stand in her way.

"Hmmm. I thought you're dead for not appearing in school. I was already happy because no one would steal anymore my limelight." Kaye glared at her with wide eyes. Kaye looked like a witch by doing that paired with her pointed nose. Her face was obviously undergone a plastic surgery. She envied Jean Mary because Jean Mary is natural beauty, she's the prettiest in her school and boys admired her. She is slim but has a glass hour body figure that even in her uniform couldn't conceal. She is even tall, and she will pass as a model. Aside from being a beauty, Jean Mary is the most intelligent in her batch but since Kaye has power, she always ranked second. Jean Mary is also a kind girl. She is pure at heart. She could be seen giving food to homeless people and to stray animals. For the most students in their school. Jean Mary is a one in a million girl. Beautiful, intelligent, and kind. Knowing this, Kaye was even more envy of her.

But Jean Mary didn't mind Kaye. If she retorted back, Kaye would make a big deal out of it and cause a mess. For Jean, winning an argument is to keep silent. She just gave an awkward smile and left them.

Kaye planned to provoke Jean Mary and if she bickered back. She will cause a ruckus to drag Jean Mary to the guidance. Of course, it will appear that it was Jean Mary's fault because no one will dare to find fault in her. Sadly, she didn't succeed in her evil plans, and glared at Jean Mary. She thought that one day, Jean Mary's perfect image would be ruined by her.