Fan Fiction |
by Ling
“Hey, would you rather our son to be unhappy? Gosh! Imagine that! Forcing him to accept an arranged marriage! I tell you. He’ll be in a royal snit!” Felicity formed an immediate rejection, knowing that Ximen would definitely not agree to the idea of an arranged marriage. Why, it’s practically curtailing his freedom! And freedom is something that their son holds in important regard.
A frown marred David’s handsome forehead. “An arranged marriage? Whoever said that we were going to arrange his marriage? We are just merely speeding up his decision and providing him with more choices. It can’t hurt to prompt him into thinking in this direction right?”
“Oh, so the ultimate choice of his bride would still be his. For a moment, I thought you actually had a change of heart, placing the importance of your business over him.” Felicity explained, relieved.
‘That would never happen. Don’t worry. It’s just that I’ve been thinking about him for the past few days. I know he is unhappy. And, recently, I found out from Meizhuo that a girl had made an impression on him a few years back. The problem is that I don’t have the knowledge of who she is. Ximen has never confided that aspect of his thoughts and feelings towards me. I suspect that he just wants to keep that part of him private to himself. Don’t misunderstand me. I respect that, but I’m very concerned about him. His behaviour is often masked. I really doubt even F3 knows the true Ximen.”
“A girl has made an impression on him?” Felicity asked incredulously.
‘Is it so difficult to imagine Ximen loving someone?”
“No, it’s just that I never imagined that a girl had actually managed to reach into his inner self.”
“Well, believe it. I think that he is just stubborn headed. He refuses to allow anyone into his heart. The reason for it – I’m not sure. But, it could be because of the fear of being hurt miserably.”
Felicity and David discussed about Ximen’s future for the remaining of the day. Although both of them were hesitant in the beginning, they were eventually convinced that their son has to be nudged in order for him to start going into this particular direction in his life. They agreed to discuss this topic with him this coming weekend.
**********
“You are inviting people to our weekend dinner?” Ximen asked, disbelieving what his parents had just told him. “Our very private, thrice a week – and if I might add, family dinner?”
“Listen to us. It’s just some people who will occasionally grace their presence with us. It’s not like as if all three dinner would be with them. It’s going to be most probably just one dinner!” David argued.
“One? I have dinner with mum only three times in a week! One is more than enough to annoy me!” Ximen retorted, raising his voice to a slightly higher level. “And why are they suddenly invited to dinner? Who are they? Ximen asked suspiciously.
For the past three days, Ximen felt that David had been acting weirdly. When asked, he would just shrug it off and told Ximen not to concern himself with it.
“Oh. Just some of my business associates and their daughters.”
“Their daughters?” Ximen asked, raising an eyebrow. A strong suspicion began to form in his head. No. It can’t be. For goodness sake! His parents are open-minded people!
“Yes. Their daughters. Your mum and I feel that you have been neglecting your social circle after you graduated. What can we say? You’ve only bothered yourself with F3!”
“What’s wrong with them? They’re practically the best of friends that one can have!” Ximen retorted, trying to defend F3.
“Nothing’s wrong with them! I’m not saying they’re a bad influence! We just feel that you should start mingling with female, not -as a lover, but a friend!”
“Why do I need female friends for” Ximen questioned his father calmly.
“Just broaden up your circle alright?”
“No.” he replied, trying to rein in his temper that he rarely showed to people. “I don’t need match-making sessions.”
“Ximen!” He heard his father call him but refuse to turn back as he remove himself from the dining table with the intentions to head back to his room.
Hearing the slam of the door brought about by Ximen’s fury, Felicity and David could only stare at each other helplessly.
“I told you he’ll be in a royal snit after telling him this.” Felicity sighed. “What are we going to do now? Are we still going ahead as planned?”
“Of course. If he can be that stubborn, there’s no reason why his father can’t!” David said furiously. It’s been a long time since Ximen had treated him in this manner, giving him the cut direct. The last time, he reflected, was 5 years back.
**********
Ximen sighed as he lay on his bed. He can’t believe that his parents had actually tried to match-make him. Deep in his heart, he knows the real reason why they decided to take this tack. He too, could not explain his behaviour of having his one-week flings. True, the number of flings had gone down drastically. After all, he had to ensure that Ximen enterprise was managed excellently. He is, however, still, a man – with needs. Sighing, he closed his eyes and tried to divert his thoughts.
Lying on his front, he reached for his pillow and hugged it, thinking about the past – about the only woman that ever had the power to reach into his inner self. Restraining himself, he pulled out of his reminiscence and forced himself to drift into blissful oblivion.