My parents' reaction to the news of my engagement was unexpected.
My father was throwing a fit at the airport. I was supposed to wait to tell them the news in person but I just couldn't. I had no idea what their flight schedule was so it was a pure coincidence that I told them the news whilst they were waiting for the driver to get them to my sister's home.
"He was supposed to ask for our blessing before proposing to you. You are my first daughter, you have to do things properly. Everyone else is looking up to you!"
"By everyone you mean Amaka who is already married?" I retorted.
"You have younger cousins." My mother said before my father could utter another word.
I fought the urge to mutter under my breath that no one should be looking up to me as their role model for anything. I didn't need that kind of pressure. The one with Amaka was enough.
"Find a way to come to New York. I need to meet that boy that is making you misbehave." He ordered.
I gaped. "You want us to fly all the way?"
"Did I speak with water in my mouth?" His sarcastic response was enough to clamp my mouth shut.
"No sir." I mumbled.
He ended the call before my mother could say anything else. I knew she would call me later.
I heaved a sigh as I ran my fingers through my braids.
This wasn't going the way I wanted. They were supposed to be happy that I was finally bringing a man home. So happy that they would gloat about it to my sister.
I didn't expect them to ask to meet Alessandro so soon. Knowing my father, he was going to probe him with several questions..
And Alessandro was a busy man. He couldn't just leave his job to follow me to meet my parents.
But he wants to marry you and he said he'd do whatever is necessary.
My thoughts were right but this was too sudden.
I mulled over it for a few minutes. My off day was officially ruined.
Alessandro and I hadn't spoken much since our engagement two nights before. We were keeping it under wraps until when the wedding date was close. Something about the nature of his family to interfere in what doesn't concern them. I could relate. But there was no hiding an engagement from my family. It was a big deal.
Eventually, I summoned the courage to text him because I wasn't sure what my voice would be like when I told him.
Concisely, I told him there was an emergency and what it entailed.
His call came in about fifteen minutes later.
I took a deep breath before picking up.
"Ada,"
I clenched my thighs immediately his baritone reached my ears.
If only he knew the effect his voice had on me especially when he called my name with a tinge of that Italian accent of his.
Focus Ada!
"Alessandro, I'm so sorry for the inconvenience but -"
"Hey, hey, you don't have to apologize for anything. I have to do things properly. That was the deal right?"
The deal...
Of course. It was all about the deal.
I needed the reminder.
"Yes," I breathed out.
"When do we leave?"
"They just arrived. So maybe...Saturday?" I said, checking my calendar. It was two days away.
"That's perfect."
"I'll handle the flights."
"You'll do no such thing."
"But-"
"I'll let my assistant handle everything. You sit back and relax."
"Um," I swallowed, short of words. "Okay."
Barely an hour later, I heard my doorbell ring.
Alessandro sent his personal assistant to deliver his card and a few gift items with a note that said, 'Spoil yourself.'
His P.A had barely left when I called Nunu.
"Girl!"
"Okay Doctor, why are you screaming? I have a client who is messing with my head." She groaned.
"Alessandro just showed off and showed out." I said, taking a photo of the card and sent it to her.
Her tone immediately changed.
"Girl, I'm up. Where are we going?"
I laughed so hard.
"Let's meet up at the spa." I said.
She knew our usual spot.
"On my way."
~
"Ada, this ring is gorgeous!" Nunu squealed, examining the piece of jewellery on my finger.
We had been so busy with our different work schedules, she hadn't seen the ring in person.
She was the only friend who knew about the engagement, so I immediately filled her in on the situation with my parents.
"You know I didn't think this through. I was just so carried away. Why am I bringing a man from an entirely different continent when my parents would typically want a fine Igbo guy or at least a Nigerian?" I vented to her.
"I'm sure they'll come around." Her eyes were still fixed on the ring.
I exhaled. I really hoped they would.
I loved my parents to death but they could go off at the worst possible time. I didn't need any of that right now. Especially not after signing the contract.
Deciding against overthinking everything, I chose to relax and enjoy my day of self care whilst catching up with my best friend.
She had the craziest ideas for the wedding.
"My parents haven't even approved yet." I reminded her.
"Is it them you're getting married to?"
Her sarcastic question made me cackle. She was definitely going to be my maid of honor. For this wedding and probably the next after this is over.