Luxury of LoveChimes sounded the first time, which meant it was time to put the whole plan in motion.
Asa: "Meet me tonight," he said, "at the Prosper Room."
Now for a speedy engagement and wedding before she started 'showing' and caused a scandal.
There was just one that thing Marissa needed to do first.
After all, she was pregnant, even if just barely, and going to have a nooboo.
Surely Marisela would understand.
Marissa: "You know that bit about being a dynasty heiress, and how I have to have a baby? Well, I'm having one. But it's alright, you see. I mean, I still want to see you. I just have to marry Asa tomorrow so as not to cause a scandal."
Marisela: "Wait a minute, you're carrying my
brother's child, but it's alright because you still want to date?" she shouted. "You think I'd have anything to do with you after you've been with my brother? Gawd, what are you, twisted or something?"
Okay, so that was the one detail of the plan she clearly hadn't thought through all the way. In her eagerness to pick a suitor and be done with it, Marissa had forgotten they were siblings, but it was too late to go back now.
Not that she could actually admit that to Marisela.
Marissa: "Humph, your loss, then."
By the time she was done wrapping things up with Marisela, it was time to meet Asa at the Prosper Room for a 'romantic proposal.'
She had to admit, Asa was playing his part in all this far better than she'd anticipated, and she was pleased that he'd chosen the most lavish venue in all of Bridgeport to pop the question.
He even got down on bended knee and everything! And when had he found time to go ring shopping?
Marissa: "Oh, yes, yes, yes!" she cried, making a big show of jumping into his arms. "Finally!"
And then just to seal the deal, just to show the whole town what a beautiful, happy, power-couple they were, they danced.
It was all going according to plan, she told herself. She was wealthy and beautiful and young. She had a handsome fiance and a rising political career.
Everything was perfect. And wanting anything more was just . . . a luxury she couldn't afford. The idea rankled. After all, Marissa wasn't exactly the sort of girl who'd ever had to shop on a budget before.
She rode home in silence, leaving the city--and some long treasured notion about her future with Marisela--behind her.
But when they got home and she began to head upstairs, Asa abruptly turned to her and said,
Asa: "One more dance, 'Rissa darling? The moon is so lovely tonight."
So she acceded, for politeness, for the sake of keeping the peace.
"Alright, now it's my turn," he insisted. "Twirl me!" And then he batted his eyelashes effeminately just to really ham it up.
And somehow she found herself laughing, maybe actually enjoying herself.
The beginnings of love? she wondered. Or was she just making the most of a bad situation?
Honestly, even she couldn't tell.
