3: 3
3
Mom and Dad started to get up, ready to talk them out of it, but I shook my head at them.
His phone was still sitting on the table, so I picked it up and went after him.
At the entrance to the restaurant, I saw the three of them.
"Mom, what are you doing? You're making a scene."
"Otto, a scene is exactly what we need. In a minute Eve will fall in line and agree to everything."
"So what if Eve doesn't have the money herself. Her parents do."
"If they won't buy it now, they sure won't after the wedding."
I never imagined his family could be this calculating, or that they'd set their sights on my parents' money.
"I think I left my phone."
Otto patted his pocket, then turned around and saw me.
Surprise first, then that awkward look, and he stammered.
"Eve, why are you here?"
I held the phone out to him. "I came to bring you your phone."
"My mom was just joking. Don't take it seriously."
I let my eyes travel over him, head to toe. He felt like a complete stranger.
Two years ago, we'd met at a party.
He had that gentlemanly manner, always thinking of others, and before long we were together.
After we got married, he wanted a place to ourselves, just the two of us.
His family wasn't as well off as mine, and he'd joke that he was practically marrying into my family.
And I'd done well for myself these past few years, well enough to buy a place outright.
A newly launched development, and Otto set his heart on it the moment he saw it.
He said the area had everything, schools nearby, so it would be easy for our kids someday.
We looked at other developments too, but he didn't like any of them. He only wanted that new one.
He'd insisted over and over that he would never accept a resale place.
Then overnight he was like a different person.
"Eve, the renovations can actually wait."
"If we have to, we can just make do for now and redo it later once we have the money."
Otto's voice pulled me back.
Cicely chimed in at once.
"Otto has a point. The first thing to do is buy the jewelry set and the car."
"Gold only gets more expensive, Eve. Otto's trying to save you money here."
That was when Mom and Dad caught up too.
"Everything can be talked through. We ordered all that food, it'll go to waste."
"Why don't we go back inside and discuss it?"
Otto nodded at that. "Sir, ma'am, let's go back in."
"My mom just got carried away for a moment. Please don't be upset."
Just as they were about to head inside, I stopped them.
"Otto, I'm not buying the jewelry set or the car for now."
"And I'm not using my parents' money either."
His eyes went red in an instant, both hands clenched into fists, veins standing out on the backs of them.
"Eve, you really have to do this?"
"Then let's just not get married."
Once again he was using the wedding to force me to give in.
I let out a small, helpless laugh. "Fine."
