Decision-Making Policy
"If you insist, I will explain." Hilton sighed. Before he spoke, he dragged Romeo to an isolated corner.
"Bro, take it easy on me.
You're going to hurt me," Romeo frowned as he pulled himself away from Hilton.
Hilton's sharp nails nearly ripped his skin apart.
"I'm sorry, bro.
I was trying to evade my father.
I don't want him to hear what I'm about to disclose to you," Hilton explained and further apologized.
Despite taking Romeo away from everyone, he still wasn't satisfied.
He kept glaring around as though someone were going to shoot him with a sniper.
"We're here now,
Can you stop glaring around?
You're messing with my head already,"
Romeo groaned.
He wasn't comfortable with Hilton's moves. He feels there was more to it.
"I got this now.
There's nothing to worry about,'
Hilton assured him as he prepared him to speak up. He already got the assurance that the coast is clear.
"When I tried to question Dad's decision, he threatened to deprive me of all inheritance and declare you his heir apparent," Hilton finally revealed after holding on to the information for too long.
At some point, Romeo was scared that Hilton was hiding away from the local authorities.
"Is this a joke?" Tell me that Dad did not say that. Romeo doubted.
He nearly screamed. It took him a while to realize that the conversation was meant to be confidential.
"If you doubt me, you can ask Dad yourself. What do I have to gain by lying to you?" Hilton further buttressed.
While he spoke, Romeo focused on his lips and eyes.
Those were the areas he needed to be certain that Hilton wasn't lying to him.
"I now understand why you agreed to marry her. How are you going to handle it? After today, she will become your wife." Romeo posed another question.
He felt that Hilton shouldn't have accepted the deal.
"I don't understand what you're talking about. Can you be more specific?" Hilton pleaded.
He can't tell where the conversation was heading.
"Drop the pretense. Will you have sexual relations with her?
You two will be married for all eternity, and I know you do not love her.
What will you do when you are horny?" Romeo spelled it out without leaving a stone unturned.
"I might revert to being a fuck boy. I cannot even look her in the eye, much less have sex with her." Hilton replied with a disgusting look. He made it seem like Mary oozed an unpleasant odour.
Romeo tried to caution him about his choice of words, but he refused. He was still adamant that Mary belonged to the gutters.
"Now listen to me. My inheritance is the reason I am doing this.
If it were not for that, we would not be having this conversation right now." He went further to despise Mary to the point where Romeo started feeling pity for her.
"Patronizing club girls would be expensive; is that how you want to spend your money?
But Mary's situation will be different.
You do not have to pay anything because you are legally married." Romeo advised.
"I may need to consider your feedback. It might take some time to decide," Hilton said, nodding.
It didn't seem like he was gonna heed the advice.
He only said that just to end the conversation. He was getting ready to join the other guests who had just arrived.
"Look behind you. Check to see who is coming.
You will not believe it!" Romeo pointed to someone who was approaching them.
"I do not see anyone coming," Hilton looked sideways but saw no one approaching.
"It's Dad!" Romeo muttered succinctly.
"What does he want?" Hilton hissed and attempted to walk away.
Unfortunately, Antonio quickly arrived and stopped him from walking away.
"Please, Dad, not now.
What is the purpose of your visit? You should spend time with your friends." He grimaced.
It was mid-afternoon, but the skies were dark grey.
The afternoon sun was high in the sky, bathing the revellers in summer heat as they gathered near the intersection of Sixth and Main Street.
The afternoon was half gone, and the trouble was growing, but the pastor who was supposed to officiate the wedding had not arrived yet.
Alejandro was becoming increasingly concerned about his delay
Some guests had already left the venue. They were unable to wait any longer.
"Hold on a second. I believe the officiating pastor will be arriving soon. Be not disheartened," Alejandro pleaded with some departing guests to stay.
"I am not going to stay here for another minute. What does it take for the pastor to show up and start things off?
I am fed up with waiting for eternity." One of the guests walked away after he lamented.
"Shit!" Alejandro reacted angrily.
"Why is this happening to me right now? Pastor James is not even answering his phone.
Where the fuck is he?" He became irate as Mary attempted to console him.
"Take it easy on yourself, Dad. I am certain something is not right.
He could not have done it on purpose. Let us give him some extra time." Mary advised.
"How do you expect me to remain calm when the guests are leaving?
You appear to be calm regardless of the circumstances." Alejandro wailed.
He was shocked to see Mary still waxing strong. He expected her to feel a bit disappointed that things weren't going her way.
"Bothered? I don't think so. I am the happiest person alive. I am glad the pastor has not arrived yet.
Do you think I would enjoy marrying that monster?" Mary expressed her satisfaction with how things turned out. Her wishes were gradually becoming a reality.
"Stop it, Mary.
This marriage means a lot to us.
Don't even start right now," Alejandro fumed. He was careful enough not to land a punch on Mary's face.
"Dad? I cannot believe you could say this to me. It is now clear to me that you never cared about me. This has all been about you.' Mary scolded her father.
"Stop it. I am still your father.
Alejandro was outraged.
"Really? Prove it.
Call off the damn wedding."' Mary demanded what seemed like a challenge to her Father.
"Walk up to Antonio and tell him you would rather not be a part of this madness any longer." She threatened Alejandro.
She put him in a difficult situation that will be difficult to come out of.