3 Another Suitor…?

Jamie was having his well-made breakfast when his phone rang. It was Vincent, he shook a little but then he remembered he was the heir in waiting and so he braved on. “Hello, Mr. Vincent? To what do I owe this pleasure?” He asked. Vincent cleared his throat and then spoke… “I know what you did. There is no need to go through it on the phone. Go wherever she is and ask her to come back home.” He explained as Jamie listened. “Come on, I am not going to do that. You are the one who pushed her by forcing her to do things she didn't like. I'm sure you know that,” he defended his friend. “Okay, I hear you, Jamie, please go and talk to her. Tell her I am a changed man. I know I wronged her and I am going to be a better father. I don't want to lose her. Tell her I love her so much and that she should come home,” he said as he struggled to keep his tears off but Jamie could hear the emotions from the other side. Jamie did as asked and went to their spot where he found Emmy. “The Paradise Lost! I love this place!” He said and then started explaining everything to Emmy but it was not easy to believe it. “How are you sure he is a changed man because the way I know my father, he can never change!” She said but Jamie convinced her even more. “I think he is different. I'm telling you, Emmy, your father cried when he sent me to you,” he thought he was being convincing. “Stop lying, did you see him cry?” She asked sarcastically. “No, I didn't see him but I heard him on the phone. He was begging me to come and tell you how sorry he was. Please go back home,” He said and somehow managed to convince Emmy. Emmy got home and just as promised, her family was welcoming. They allowed her to mingle with friends and she remained free henceforth. She even forgot about her cage where she had spent most of her life in. She was happier and even more beautiful as the workers complimented her.  “Freedom makes one look beautiful, look at you, shining bright like the sun,” the workers would say when they saw her. For a moment she felt valued and loved.   Just when she was enjoying her freedom, her parents called her in and reminded her that she was still a part of her family and had to behave like one. The Vincent’s were people of class and so she had to behave like one. “We are the Vincent's and we roll differently. So keep your head high!” Her stepmom said.   “Exactly, and we want you to enjoy that. For that reason, we have organized a birthday party for you just to show you how much we appreciate you!” Her father let it out. “Thank you so much, Father! Thanks, Mom! You have no idea what that means to me,” She said as she hugged them. The party was supposed to happen in a week and so she had to get ready as it was her first time to appear in a crowd. “I'm going to be looking good! I promise you guys. I won’t fail you!” She said as she left the living room. She could not hide her joy. A week later, dignitaries showed up. It was a “who is who” in the society and they showed up in large numbers. As expected, the birthday girl was looking georgious as her stepmom had made sure she was dressed to kill. She wore a red dress that complimented her red lipstick and shiny eyelashes. She also wore beautiful heels and walked majestically like the Vincent's! Jenny introduced her to the guests and would often throw glances at them shyly until she stumbled on the man she had helped in the woods at night. He was still handsome but was preoccupied with other things and so she continued to meet and greet new faces. After the long introduction, her father took center stage. “Please let us all calm down. As you all continue to enjoy your food and drinks, there is something that I would like to announce. It concerns my beautiful daughter,” Vincent started and everyone listened keenly. “My girl has turned eighteen and it is my pleasure to announce her wedding which is set to happen in two weeks. I hope to see all of you there!” He said and Emmy almost fell to the ground. “Who's the lucky man?” The crowd muttered. “Eduard Philips, the man I have respected over the years. The man with the most treasures in the land is going to give the hidden treasures to my beautiful daughter and guess what, she is also a treasure. We are simply handing over our treasurer to go and become a treasure in Eduard's home!” He said and the crowd cheered. “This is unbelievable. You cannot do that, father!” Emmy screamed as Eduard came to hold her hand. Ahe figured it would have been better to get married to Jamie than Eduard!  This is because Jamie was younger and better looking compared to the old ugly Eduard! Deep in her mind, she felt played. “How could you?” she said while trying to trace Jamie who had brought her back with his father’s lies. The dream she had had in the woods came back to her and she remembered that her father didn’t change in the dream and that simply meant, he would never change! “He can never change, just why did I believe him? I should have known better!” she was so mad at herself. The screams got to the guards and as instructed, they came for her and were ready to take her back to her cage if it were not for Marty. The man she had seen in the woods! “Let the girl go, Mr. Vincent! You are tormenting her. Don't you think you are being too hard on her?” Marty said. He was from a wealthy class. He was a prince and Vincent respected him. Marty’s words made Vincent blabber.