Chapter 14: 14. The Joke's On Me
"Alex??" Zachary finally found his voice.
Alexandra's attention was pulled back to the figure in front of him. She smiled sheepishly and said, "Hi Zach, long time no see."
"Haha! Yeah, it's been years. How have you been?" Zachary tried to lighten the awkwardness by asking routine questions.
"Well, unless I'm now engaged, which I totally have no clue about, everything else is good." Not one to avoid issue, Alexandra straightaway addressed it. She needed to know before they got home. Did her father arranged something for her?
Zachary Croft was stunned. But looking at the serious face before him, he sighed and shook his head. He smiled and immediately hugged the girl. He sensed the girl's body became tensed so he unwillingly let go and took her hands. Zachary Croft looked her in the eyes and nodded. "Yes Alex. You heard me right. I only got to know last night. Our parents planned it when they met early this month. The engagement ceremony will take place once we both agree to a date."
"Oh..." This confirmation sent mixed feelings to Alexandra. A lot of thoughts rushed in and she subconsciously retrieved her hands from Zachary's and held them up to her forehead, closing her eyes while taking a deep breath.
Zachary Croft felt worried and immediately held her shoulders with one hand while pulling her forward. "Let's talk at home, shall we? I think you need to sit down. This is not the place."
Alexandra agreed and guided him to where Benjamin was waiting. Noticing her uneasiness, Benjamin sensed something was off. Did something happen when they met?
"Zach, this is Benjamin, my driver and bodyguard. Benjamin, this is Zachary Croft, my ...errr..." Alexandra really didn't know how to address him!
Should she say fiancè? But she has not agreed to it, and she definitely doesn't want to hurt Benji for something she's unsure of. Brother? That's an express rejection definitely, and she would hurt Zach. Friend? No way, I told Benji that Zach's not my friend. Aaarrrgh!! She had never been so nervous and conflicted before.
"Her long lost neighbour and mentor. I practically taught her everything she knows!" Zachary Croft filled in the blank for her.
"Mr Croft, pleasure." Benjamin formally shook Zachary Croft's hand.
"The pleasure's mine. Thank you for taking care of Alexandra all this time." Zachary Croft said with a smile.
Benjamin simply nodded his head and opened the car door for the both of them. Alexandra flashed a helpless smile at Benjamin and got into the car, followed by Zachary Croft.
Benjamin heaved a heavy sigh before getting into the car himself. 'Boy, oh boy, this guy was not easy and he definitely had feelings for Alexandra. It was so obvious! Thank you for taking care of her? Who did he think he was? Alex was mine to protect, who is he to thank me!' Benjamin grumbled inwardly while driving to their destination.
Once they reached the Croft's old mansion, Benjamin stopped the car in front of the main door, hoping that this annoying guy would leave immediately. Along the way, Zachary Croft had chatted with Alexandra although it was obvious that Alexandra wasn't really enthusiastic as she was before she met him at the airport. Something had changed the dynamic in their relationship.
Sensing her lack of interest in engaging in further conversation with him, Zachary Croft attributed it to the shocking news that he had informed her earlier. Not one to push his luck, Zachary Croft decided to let her go home, despite longing to spend more time with her after being apart for so long. He figured she must be anxious to meet Sir Dominic Zane to talk about their intended engagement. With that, they said goodbyes after she promised to meet him tomorrow for dinner.
On the way back, Benjamin saw Alexandra seemed lost in her thoughts and decided not disturb her. It was not until they had reached home and he sent her to her room that she broke the silence.
"Benji, my father has arranged a marriage for me." Alexandra dropped the bomb without notice.
Benjamin's hands on the door knob tightened until his knuckles turned white. He didn't say anything but wait for her to continue.
"It's with Zachary Croft." She continued with a deep sigh.
"Do you love him?" Benjamin plucked his courage to ask her.
"What? No, I don't. I knew this day would come but I didn't expect it to happen right after I turned 18." Alexandra explained the knots she had in her heart. Unexpectedly, she teared up as she had never felt this helpless before. She had always assumed that she could handle it when the time comes but looked like she couldn't after all.
Looking at her teary eyes, Benjamin felt a heavy blow to his heart and immediately hugged her. She welcomed his comforting embrace and hugged him tight. The front of his shirt was already wet due to her tears. He guided her inside and they both sat on the bed. Benjamin continued to stroke her hair while kissing her teary eyes. They sat there quietly, both feeling a sense of helplessness to a problem which was hard to solve.
"Alex, you know I'll always be here for you, right? I won't leave you no matter what." Hearing this, Alexandra cried louder and hugged him tighter.
A month later, at the Croft old mansion, a splendid party was taking place. Esteemed and renowned guests were chatting happily in the spacious ballroom, beautifully decorated to commemorate the engagement of the young miss and the young master of both the Zane and Croft families.
In a room upstairs, Alexandra was looking at herself in the full length mirror and couldn't help but sighed. She was wearing a custom made A-line cream-coloured dress which accentuate her slender form. The dress had a high slit on one side which exposed her sexy long legs whenever she walked. The upper part of the dress was a halter neck designed to reveal almost half of her fair back. The make up on her face was light and fresh. However, no matter how hard she tried to appear happy, her smile didn't reach her eyes.
Benjamin walked into the room and the moment he looked at her, he had to struggle with the urge to hug and kiss her right there and then. She was so dazzling and beautiful in her dress. Her face finally lit up at the sight of him, and for a moment she felt comforted, as if her saviour had come to save her from the gloomy episode that would take place in a while. Benjamin looked splendid in his suit jacket. However, his eyes appeared cold and sad at the same time.
"Ms Zane, you're required downstairs. Please follow me." Benjamin addressed her promptly. Alexandra was taken aback with the coldness in both his eyes and voice. She decided not to inquire and assumed he was just doing his job. Tonight there were many guests around and therefore it's best to maintain their professional relationship, lest trouble might come.
Alexandra nodded and proceeded to go downstairs, while Benjamin followed slowly behind. At the bottom of the stairs, Zachary Croft was waiting for her. When she emerged, the guests all went silent and loud gasps could be heard. As she rarely attended parties or mingled with the other socialites, not many had seen her before. Those who had, had only seen her at charity galas which she attended with Sir Dominic Zane. Therefore, for most, the moment they saw her, they were instantly taken by her beauty, both men and women, young and old alike. They couldn't help but praised both the Zane and Croft for a match made in heaven.
Benjamin stood at the head of stairs and looked down at the beautiful scenery before him. Alexandra was paraded around like an object with that darn Zachary Croft next to her. Benjamin knew Alexandra was not happy with the engagement but reluctant to go against her father. Benjamin knew how much love and respect Alexandra had for Sir Dominic Zane, she would rather die than break that old man's heart. Therefore, Benjamin knew he couldn't be hasty to persuade Alexandra to do anything against her conscience. No matter how deep the love he had for her, he couldn't be selfish. His brother had on countless occasions reminded him that choices made outside of free will would only backfire and cause heartache in the end.
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