A Date.

Gianna thought that Arwen was considering her challenge. "So, what do you think?" she asked again, a little excited. 

But Arwen didn't take it seriously at all. Reaching for her crutches, she slowly stood up and took the plates in her hand. "I think there is no need for that. In just a few days, I will be getting the certificate with Ryan. So, why waste the effort." 

Saying that, she took the plates and walked slowly towards the kitchen. "Come, let's finish this up."

Gianna walked after her but she clearly looked dissatisfied with what Arwen had said. "Are you really going to marry him, Arwen?" She repeated the same question, even though she had asked her about it several times before. She just wished that, for once, Arwen would say her plans were different. 

But Arwen had no other plans. With a smile, she said, "I have never kept any secrets from you, Anna. You know I can't back out now. 29th is the date, and it's been fixed. But I will still take a picture of my marriage certificate and send it to you for confirmation." 

Gianna rolled her eyes. The humor didn't go unnoticed, but it failed to entertain her. She took a step ahead of Arwen and stood near the sink to do the dishes. "Arwen, you deserve better. Your mother just can't see it. How about you talk to your father? I am sure he will support you."

Arwen nodded thoughtfully and then said, "He might, but that would only further upset my mother, and that wouldn't be good. Besides, I still think Ryan and I can work things out. We have known each other for almost a decade; marrying him wouldn't be that bad of a choice." 

Even though Arwen said that confidently, her heart wavered—it had long lost its confidence in Ryan and their relationship. 

"Like really?" Gianna turned around to face Arwen and asked, "Do you really believe that? Even after what he did? Stop fooling yourself. Arwen. If you marry him, it will be a loveless marriage and –" 

"Then I will live in that loveless marriage." Arwen said, without holding any hesitation. It felt like she had long thought about it and had already accepted her fate. "Anna, this is the last time we are discussing this. After this I am not hearing about it anymore. And this time, I am serious." 

Gianna didn't want to give up, but with the seriousness in Arwen voice, she couldn't refuse. Turning her back to Arwen, Gianna resumed her work and said, "Fine, if that's what you wish. Have a good future ahead! I don't mind you marrying a douch*ag." 

Arwen knew Gianna was really upset, but there was nothing she could do to appease her at the moment. So, she silently stood there, just to accompany her. 

When the dishes were done, Gianna removed the washing gloves and said, "You can take your time to plan your special day. I still have some work to do, so I won't disturb you. I will be in the study for the day." Saying that, she didn't turn to look back but walked away straight to the study room. 

Arwen pressed her lips into a thin line as she saw Gianna shut the door audibly hard before locking herself in. 

Left alone, she walked back to the living room. Sitting there, she tried to busy herself with a magazine. But with her thoughts in a mess, she simply couldn't sit still. In the end, she walked back to the room to take a nap to wash all her stress away. 

In the afternoon, while she waited for Gianna to come out for lunch, she received a call from Beca Foster, Ryan's mother. 

Arwen had always been close to her, so when she saw it was her, she answered the call. "Aunt Beca." 

"Arwen, you should start calling me Mom now. I had already thought of you as my daughter-in-law, and in a few days, you will officially become a Foster. Try getting used to it already," Beca said with a small laugh. 

Arwen also smiled, out of politeness, but her smile didn't reach her eyes. "I will do that soon, but until then, let me enjoy calling you Aunt. I like it this way." She didn't know why, but even with Beca's insistence, she could never bring herself to call her 'Mom'. 

Beca Foster has treated her better than her own mother. However, she was Ryan's mother to Arwen, and that alone prevented Arwen from addressing her as 'Mom'. She wanted to take the time in future to get herself used to it. 

"Fine, if that's what you want, then you have still a few days to call me Aunt. After you officially become a Foster, I won't allow it." Beca said, not minding at all. "By the way, I called you to ask if you have any plans for the day after tomorrow? If not, come and accompany Aunt on a shopping trip. We need to go shop for gifts for our relatives." 

Arwen could hear excitement in her voice. If it had been some other time, she would have agreed, but with her legs still recovering, shopping didn't seem quite suitable. "Aunt Beca, I don't think I will be able to accompany you. I have got some plans that day." 

Since Arwen hadn't told her parents about her accident yet, telling Ryan's mother didn't seem appropriate. So, she avoided it. 

"Oh, is that so?" Beca spoke meaningfully, and Arwen felt confused. "Arwen, I feel good whenever I see you and Ryan happy. Stay like this always. My son seems human around you; otherwise, I can't even imagine him thinking about anything that's not related to the company. Planning a date with such earnestness only shows his love for you."

Beca Foster's words puzzled Arwen. "Date, Aunt Beca?" 

"What, Arwen? You don't have to be shy about it. I love my son, but I love you more than him. If he does or plans something special for you, I don't mind. In fact, I think it's great." 

Arwen's brows furrowed as she pieced everything together –Ryan had planned a date, and Aunt Beca thought it was for her, yet she hadn't even received a call from him. Arwen didn't need to ask to know who the date was actually for, if not her.