Chapter 2

His name was Reynolds Bennet.

His family was old money but from what she had learnt, he had taken on a different path for himself. What reason would he have to be willing to take on an arranged marriage? She wondered how her father made his list. Did he simply mark out sons who would serve useful to him or were they also families planning arranged marriages?

There had not been much details on Reynolds Bennet except from the facts; aside from his family’s wealth, he was quite wealthy himself, and to have achieved that at his age, Amy was impressed. Though she realized his family’s name had to have helped. Also, he’d had just a single public relationship. She was not a fool to believe that meant he had been celibate all these while. If he had any dirty deals, he hid them well because there was nothing shady to learn about him. As a matter of fact, she came to a realization that he was the perfect candidate. He seemed okay but what if it was all just a façade and he was something devious underneath. You can never know with these businessmen. The devil you know, they say, is better than the one you do not know.  It bothered Amy, that she knew not nearly enough about him. She did not notice her mother coming into the balcony.

“Amy”, her mother called, touching her softly.

“What are you doing out here alone? You know it bothers your father to be out of his sight”.

Of course it did. Father was very controlling. She had learnt it all her life. And even now at twenty five, she knew it better than anyone. But maybe not as best as her mother.

Giving her mother a small hug, Amy offered a tight lipped smile while guiding them both back into the party.

“Of course mama. I only needed some fresh air. You know its my first time at gatherings like this”.

‘Mama’ was a term she had started using for her mother in an attempt to feel closer to her. It had worked for a while, they would both smile and laugh over it, before it lost its charm and she got used to it. Now she called her mother whatever came to mind first.

Her mother smiled back, “I understand dear. I was only worried your father would get concerned”.

Concerned was putting it mildly, but Amy had learned early enough the art of euphemism when it came to her father. The truth about him was being ungrateful but every extremities he did was for the good of whomever was at the receiving end of his attention.

Amy’s mother led them to where her father was. Thankfully, he was engaged in a conversation with a trio and not concerned of her whereabouts. Once they were noticed however, it led to another round of introductions and smiles. Amy responded as interested as she could, but not long after, she found herself searching for someone. She looked around for a while before she finally caught him talking with a man. She observed him from then on, every person he talked to, his expressions, whom he offered a smile to, which was not often. Even when the older men let out hearty laughs, he simply sipped from his drink and offered a smile afterwards before resuming the conversation. 

She would feel intimidated in his presence, she thought to herself. His appearance of ease and how he did not bother doing what he preferred not to, even though others around him

She tuned in just  as her father rounded up the conversation with the man he had been talking with. They shared a final laugh before he called, “Come Amy”.

Turning to face her father, her attention went off Reynolds. With her father’s hand rested slightly on her arm and her mother on her other side, they walked through the groups of people, greeting some as they moved past. But it was no longer just moving around, greeting and discussing the next business deal. Amy realized her father had a destination. It was not until they approached a table that she noticed it was Reynolds she was walking towards. This time he was with his parents. Gerald Bennet was on a wheel chair but the woman, his wife, Amy thought was quite stunning, even for her age. It was obvious Diana Bennet was aging well. Reynolds was positioned behind the wheel chair.

“Mr. Bennet! How long has it been”, her father called and the two men exchanged deep laughter. If the room was not so loud already, it would have surely bothered her more. But as it was, it was simply a laugh amongst many others that continued ringing out at intervals. She tuned them out from then on, choosing to observe. She tried not to make it obvious but her focus remained on Reynolds. 

Interestingly, he listened to whatever conversation the two fathers were having. But he never spoke, simply observed. Not until her father directly asked him a question.

“You should come by sometime, so we can discuss things more hmm?”

At this, Reynolds father turned his stare to his son as though answering this question decided many other things. He glanced at his father and his mother and then longer at Amy before replying, ‘We’ll see”. Amy was not sure if his response was a confirmation or a consideration that they would see . She wished she had paid more attention then she would not have been so lost as to what they needed to discuss more about.

Her father let out another laugh to which Gerald Bennet responded with a satisfied one of his own. The two continued with their talks, Reynolds excused himself while the mothers complimented each other. Diana especially showered Amy with a lot of praises causing her to smile shyly, only because it was the only thing that had felt sincere the entire night. Amy could not help but return the praises.

It was when the party had come to an end for them, and they had entered the car back to the estate that it finally dawned on Amy.

Her father had after all decided for her on her future husband; and it was Reynolds Bennet.