Afraid to Love
Episode 11.
Purity couldn’t believe what she heard. Mr. Broderick was sick. He wants her to marry his only son to get better. What connects them both? How is that even possible? Does he even know her? Seen her? Doesn’t he have a wife? Her papa. Now she knew why.
“He doesn’t know me? Or our fathers? They are close.”
“I guess so. I can’t lose him. Please.”
“Your mother. She should be the one to help him.”
He looked away. The pains, feelings of despair came back. How could she? Why did she bring up his mother into this? How could she not? His mother had to stand by his father but she was dead now.
“She’s dead. Four years ago. Cancer took her.” he painfully explained.
She gazed at him with shock. Oh, he must have felt really bad. It must have been very difficult for them to cope. She couldn’t imagine herself without her parents even if she acted as if she didn’t value them.
She felt his pain and felt very sorry for him.
“I’m sorry. Very sorry. I never knew.” she trudged to meet him and embrace him, patting his back. Purity, when did you take consoling lessons? You never do this.
He was amazed on seeing her open her arms for him. He welcomed the hug and felt secure, felt at ease in her arms. She was good despite her tongue filled with cur$es. She had human feelings.
“Thanks.” he mumbled.
She broke free and looked into his eyes. “You say your father will get better if we marry?”
“Yeah. I know you hate me. I can’t force you against your will-”
“Its alright Jeremy. I agree to help him. Its not a real wedding, but helping your dad.”
He grinned. “Thanks. I appreciate.”
“Its gonna be hard.”
“It will. Lets start by being friends. Agreed?”
She smiled sheepishly. She held out her hand for a handshake.
He shook it firmly.
“Friends.”
*
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*
“Papa. I need to talk to you. Mum, you too.” Purity solemnly requested.
Two heads went up simultaneously. Aaron and Prudence Theodore’s eyes peered at their daughter- Purity Theodore. They must be thinking the same thing. And had Purity spoken on a calm manner.
Prudence smiled.
Aaron beckoned to Purity. “Come. Come sit with us. We’ll listen.”
Purity consented.
Seconds later, she found herself seated in the middle of both her parents. This is what she hadn’t done in a very long time. She doesn’t even give them the chance to speak with her, feeling they’ll always control and manipulate her life. Hearing of Jeremy’s loss, she had to show her parents that she loved them. Tomorrow might be too late. Not that she hadn’t heard of someone losing a parent before, but she had not been really close to such people. So, their pains, she never really felt. No close friends. Just her. And Jeremy coming into the picture, seeing how hurt he was about his mother even if it had been four years, taught her something. A lot.
*
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*
“My darling,” Prudence held Purity’s hand firmly. “What do you have for us?”
Purity was brought back to life by her mother’s question. She smiled weakly. “Papa,” she looked at her father. “Mama,” she turned to look at her mother. “I want to know why. Why you chose Jeremy Broderick to be my husband.”
Aaron frowned. “Are we back to this again?”
“Baby, its what’s best for you.” Prudence assured her.
“Its all I’ve been hearing. I’m sure there’s more to that.” Purity argued.
“About the company?” Aaron raised his brows.
She shook her head. “There’s more to that.”
Prudence sighed.
Aaron lifted his hands, a sign of surrender. “Fine. I’ll tell you. I’ve noticed you don’t have or rather you’ve never had a boyfriend. Am I right?”
Oh, yeah. He was right. Boys, men. She’d never had time for them. Always kept them at a distance. Scared of them. But there was a time she met one and…
“And you are twenty-five years old. I hate to live to see a time when you’d be going crazy, searching for a mate. And I would want to see my grand kids.”
“Then you’d have let me made my choice. We talked about this once and we decided I’ll choose my husband. Didn’t we, mum?”
“Yes, dear.” Prudence stroked Purity’s hair with her other hand. “But at that moment, your papa and I had already chosen Jeremy for you. We just told you to find yourself a mate to end that discussion. You were all mad and you know…” she trailed off.
“I know you too well. I knew you would not be able to provide a suitable marriage mate.”
What? Was she that careless? Not being able to find a marriage mate? And her parents had already picked Jeremy even before they had discussed marriage. She had thought they chose Jeremy because of her inability to bring one at the due date. Even if she had, her parents would reject him. Purity resisted the urge to get angry. Calm down, calm down girl.
“So Jeremy’s the right guy for me?”
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