I. Calm Before the Storm [VOL 1. In Finding and Pursuing]

There were good things a month before Oneil and Essi parted. They were like the tamed seas for smooth sailing. All was well when they were in Bordeaux.

Distinct lights oscillated in and throughout the chateaux of the Paulssons. Inside, the lights gave off warmth and a welcoming ambiance to anyone that entered. Outside, the shafts reflected the hidden romantic side of Bordeaux. The scent of the vineyard mixed with the wind. It was a perfect spot for people to know each other. It was also a pleasant evening for the Paulssons and the Mercators to have dinner.

There was Madame Deleila, going back and forth to check the arrival of her visitors. Butler Roman was beside Madame Deleila to assure her that everything would run smoothly. However, the madame could not relax. Everything was ready except her daughter. The daughter was still on her way back to the chateaux.

“Madame Essi, your mother is asking when do you get here?” Butler Roman asked with his baritone voice. His expertise and proximity to the Paulssons reveal the length of his service to the family. He would always know how each of their joys and troubles. He would share the same delight that the child he used to help with turned into a lady and would face her fiance later. Even without the directives of Madame Deleila, Roman would take the time to inquire Essi of her whereabouts. His formal composure was concealing his worry that Essi might get late. “About how many minutes should we wait, Madame Essi?”

“Perhaps an hour, Roman. There was a problem at Willoughby.”

“Your mother is worried that you might not make it on time. The Mercators might arrive any time sooner, mademoiselle.”

“Tell her that I will arrive all prepared. I assure you, I will not be late.” Essi hung up the phone and proceeded to a nearby boutique. She entered with her horseriding gear, tangled hair, and boots with touches of grass. The boutique staff recognized Essi and offered to assist her in choosing a dress.

“Madame, did you have a tough day at Willoughby Riding School?” asked the staff with a knowing smile. “Let me guess. Is it a new horse or new kids to teach?”

“Both,” Essi answered the shop owner.

“Que horror…” Steffan uttered while imagining the scene at Willoughby. 

“Willoughby is still fun. But some things just got out of hand. I would love to tell you what happened, Steffan. But I have to rush to catch up on a formal dinner.”

Another staff entered her room with a set of clothes to try. “We have new dresses here. Perfect for tonight.” She keeps on suggesting dresses of varying colors and sparks. The combined glamour was overboard.

“Just take a corporate one, Dahlia,” Essi said while struggling to tidy her hair. Steffan came to help her after looking for a new pair of shoes to fit Essi.

“Will this be your dinner with the Mercators?” asked Steffan, reminding Dahlia to pull their elegant designs. With Essi’s nod, he got pressured to doll up Essi. The reputation of his boutique is at stake if the Young Master of the Mercator would not get impressed by it. They thoroughly helped Essi with all the necessities she needed. “It’s too bad that I don’t have pieces of jewelry for you to wear.”

“It is alright, Steffan. I will try to find a shop."

Dahlia came to them with a phone in her hand. “Madame, you don’t have to find one. I referred you to a jeweler friend of mine. The shop is just next door.”

The shop was still open with its amber-like lights making Essi struggle to adjust her sight. It was fortunate to hear that Dahlia held her arm while walking toward the shop owner.

“Rushing for a late-night date, I see,” the owner said. Aurora looked young at sixty, and her wisdom was beaming through the fancy greyish streaks of her hair. “Choose darling Essi. Something that would make you feel good.”

Essi chose a pair of pearl earrings and a golden bangle. It was perfect for her diamond necklace. She checked herself in the mirror and asked her company if it suited her.

“Darling, you’re so lovely,” the jeweler commented.

“How do you think my fiance would see me?” Essi asked. “It will be our first meeting ever. I’m worried about getting him disappointed.”

“Well then… how about asking the young man there?” Aurora said. Her gesture points to the man looking at the arrays of earrings.

“Pardon?” the man said as he knew they were talking about him.

“How does this lady look for you?” Aurora asked without holding back. She puts Essi’s situation as her hypothetical question.

Essi felt a little shy. But she has to smile and wait for his comment.

“Your fiance would be enthralled to see you,” he said sincerely. “He might feel bad for not preparing a better attire because of the beauty waiting for him.”

“So poetic, monsieur,” Dahlia commented. “Now, Madame Essi. What else do you have to do before dinner?”

“I must go there now,” Essi said while handing her payment to Aurora. “By the way, Dahlia, I already wired the payment to Steffan. I will visit you guys when I have time.”

Bidding farewell and thanks, Essi immediately took her way to the chateaux. The car of the Mercators already got volley parked. She rushed to another door and sneakily made her way to her room. She had a retouch before going out again, taking the grand hallway where the Mercators and her family were waiting for her.

The people looked at her. Madame Deleila almost cannot contain her relief that Essi made it on time. The Mercators are pleased to see her person. Butler Roman courteously smiled his way to appreciate Essi before leading them to the grand dining hall. There awaited them was Essi’s fiance.

“Oneil,” Essi uttered like a half-question. He was that man in the jewelry house, a gentleman of appreciation. She was without a hint about Oneil’s features because of her reluctance to see his photo after ten years. He looks different, or maybe because she was busy to recognize him. But looking back, he still has the same charisma as the first time she saw him: sweet, imposing, and warm.

“Indeed, Essi. He is my Oneil, my Prince,” Madame Latifa said.

The elders caused Essi and Oneil to sit next to each other. Deleila and Latifa sought for their husbands outside, picking some grapes to add to the dining table.

Although it was a formal dinner, the two families maintained their friendliness. The parents talked about good things and their industries. It was both riches and responsibilities. None of the two can separate from each other. Hence, the merging and strengthening of their corporations to join the global competition could be further expanded and deliberated by the marriage of Essi and Oneil.

Essi and Oneil understood the background of their arrangement. So they treated it as a match made in heaven, a sweet reality given to them. By this, Essi and Oneil have their communication and topics.

“It must have stunned you to know I was there at Aurora’s,” Oneil said. He kept his voice audible enough for Essi.

“I did not expect it was you,” Essi replied with a smile. “I’m so surprised. But I’m no more bothered if you see me in simple attire and no jewelry.”

Oneil beamed as well. “Won't you ask me why I was at Aurora’s?”

“Tell me,” Essi added before taking another food.

“Later, I will tell you once we go out,” Oneil said, giving Essi a thrill she only felt when reading romantic books. 

Oneil has done eating. But Essi was still hungry because of the long tiring day at the riding school. She skipped her lunch as well. While she retained the dining etiquette, and her refined behavior is already part of her personality, none of this prohibits her from eating more. 

“You must have been hungry, dear,” Monsieur Mateo commented.

“Oui, papa. I forgot my lunch because of the schedule. Now, I’m compensating for what I’ve missed,” she said, full of jest.

“This seems like no more a formal dinner,” Monsieur Paulo said with a hint of satisfaction. “It’s like a family dinner because I’m very comfortable.”

“Now, I’m sure my son will have a warm home to arrive in when he is tired from his work,” Madame Latifa added.

“Well, we can have this kind of dinner weekly,” Madame Deleila suggested.

Essi and Oneil glanced at each other. They cannot fully agree because they have a lot of work to do. They barely have time for themselves.

“No worries if you two cannot join us,” Madame Latifa said. “We can have our dinner while we let the two have it on their own.”

“Well, that would be better,” Essi agreed. “Oneil and I can negotiate when we can have our next dinner.”

The dinner could not match their late-night walk outside the chateaux. Essi put off her heels and took a comfortable sandal. Her eyes were on Oneil as she waited for him to talk. But later on, she realized the scenery before her. 

Everything around was full of lights. Some were floating gradient spotlights. Their surroundings confirmed their indistinguishable yet sweet bond.

“I heard you had a hard time at the riding school?” Oneil started the conversation.

Essi nodded. “Somehow manageable,” she answered.

"Don't you find it quite inconvenient?" Essi casually said, spiced with laughter, in case Oneil would not take her words. "The things we only hear from dramas and stories are now coming to us."

"Why do you think so?" Oneil does not see anything inconvenient or embarrassing with this kind of deal.

"Nothing. I'm just worried that the things I only heard and watched are now happening to me, to us," Essi stated before setting her gaze on him.

"So you still like books and movies, huh?" Oneil rightfully said. After all, they departed for more than ten years. "And you're thinking that you might get arranged with a reluctant rude man."

"Let that be far from us," Essi retaliated. "I believe that mom and dad are wise in choosing you. Even without the purpose of business, you're good."

"Do you like me?" Oneil suddenly asked.

Essi halted for a while, although she managed to avoid his gaze. She smiled gently and turned to the still moonbeams upon the waterways. "How about you? Do you like me?"

"It is a sort of I'm not worried. I'm comfortable with you. At least I don't have to worry anymore about finding a spouse and being single," Oneil stated and chuckled a bit. How smooth his answer was. There was never a hint that he tried to make it vague.

Essi smiled after hearing it from Oneil. Hence, she proposed, “Though they arranged us, you can count me as your friend too.”

Those were the words that made Essi and Oneil comfortable with each other. In the present time, Essi suddenly realized that what might have been wrong with her taking Oneil back was her sudden intrusion. She should have at least been friendly to him so that he could trust her.

“That’s right. That should have been the thing,” Essi convinced herself. Staring at the ring on her finger that was a present from Oneil, she could only hope that he would return to her.