Matchmaking
A quick glance at the time showed that it was already three in the morning, so he wondered why she
might be calling at this ungodly hour.
Vinson answered blandly wearing a frown on his face. “What is it?”
Susanne’s displeasure seeped through the receiver from the other end. “Didn’t I tell you to come home
earlier tonight? I have Mrs. Greene over for cards and have held her back until now, so why aren’t you
back yet?”
Vinson replied with indifference, “I was at a dinner and had a little too much to drink, so I’ll be putting up
at a hotel tonight.”
Susanne’s voice elevated several notches. “Dinner? Don’t you start bringing some loose woman back
from there! The Greenes’ young lady seems to be of good breeding and is highly educated, and not bad
looking as well. Their whole family would be returning to Horington tomorrow so you must come have a
look at her right away!”
Vinson sounded a little impatient. “I’ve no plans to get married these few years, so don’t bother
introducing women to me.”
That got Susanne vastly worried. “My dear boy, why are you talking like that? What do you mean you
have no plans to get married? It’s not like I’m asking you to do so right away. I’m only suggesting for you
to keep an eye out for prospective partners, that’s all, cause you’re always either working or hanging out
with those three friends of yours. What about yourself, seeing how they’ve been swapping one girlfriend
after the other?”
“I’ve my own plans,” he stated plainly.
“Tsk! Your plans are exactly what I left you to the last two years, and what happened after that? I’ve
organized so many banquets for you, and yet you’ve shown no interest in anyone. So, how do you
expect me not to worry? You should know for yourself that things have not been dandy inside the
company, and it’s only by bearing me a grandson could we stabilize things.”
“You can rest assured that I won’t allow things to go sideways there.”
“I… Ah, there are some things that I can’t share with you right now, but you absolutely have to bear this
in mind—get married as soon as you can.”
Amidst his own vexation, Vinson found his gaze falling upon Arielle.
“Don’t think you could wriggle yourself out of this by staying silent. If you won’t find a partner for yourself,
then I will…” Before Susanne could finish speaking, someone else was heard urging her along over the
other end. “Are you done inside yet, Mrs. Southall? It’s your turn to deal.”
“I’ll be right there…” Susanne then continued in a hushed tone, “Are you listening? Hurry up and get
yourself back here!”
“I won’t be coming home today.”
“What? Not coming home? I’m doing my best to stall them, so you better get yourself in no matter what!”
“Like I said, I’m not coming home cause I’m outside with your future daughter-in-law.”
“What!” Susanne howled in horror.
He could not be bothered to continue prattling, Vinson hit the end-call button, and looked quite dour
when he walked over to Arielle’s side.
Since it was Arielle’s wish for him to repay her by virtue of marriage, and with his own family also piling
on the pressure, he thought he might as well choose Arielle in spite of his own reluctance.
He figured that since the whole point was to get married, why should he not just settle for someone who
was easier on the eyes?
……
As the hours whiled away, dawn had crept up upon them.
Arielle was awaken by a knocking at the door.
The moment she opened her eyes, she was greeted by the sight of Vinson hunched over the side of the
bed with his face laid on the inside of her palm. He appeared to be fast asleep.
He flinched, perhaps because he heard the knocks too. Arielle took the opportunity to withdraw her hand
and whisper, “Someone’s out there.”
“Okay…”
The man’s half-sober voice was languid yet alluring. He stood up nonchalantly to answer the door.
“Vin…”
In came Carter with two set of reports in hand.
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