Caelen came to pick Mariana up sharp at twelve, all dressed. He usually wore shirt, waistcoats and trousers. But today, he wore a dashing coat and a cravat. His blond hair was combed back neatly and his boots were polished brightly.
Mariana smiled looking at him, genuinely happy to see him look this handsome. "You look amazing, Caelen".
But he was not smiling. He eyed her up and down. "I thought you too, would dress nicely. Aren't you exicited for the lunch?"
Mariana's smile lowered. She didn't expect him to tell her something like this. He always called her pretty, beautiful, gorgeous. She hardly ever thought he would be concerned about her dresses.
She binked. "I-I-I am, of course. I thought this dress would do". She caressed her hands over her skirts.
"Yes, of course." He agreed not so agreeably. "Shall we?" He gestured towards the door.
"Yes, just a bit".
Mariana went to talk with Mr. Roberts who was doing his work.
"I'm leaving, Mr. Roberts. You wrote down everything?"
"Oh yes, Miss Mariana". He handed her a list. She wanted to shop some glitters for the princess's birthday gown and decided to visit The new market ouside the village after her lunch.
She asked Mr. Roberts to write down the things he wanted so she could shop for them as well.
"I'll send Mr. Lawrence at the market to pick you at four, miss".
She nodded.
As they left the shop, Mariana saw Caelen had brought his carriage. They were not going at some nearby inn.
Smiling at her, he offered her his hand and helped her into carriage before sitting beside her. "I hope you like where I'm taking you".
She smiled. "Why are you being so formal, Caelen? Of course, I would like it." She chuckled.
Merely within minutes, the carriage haulted. Caelen got down first and helped Mariana down. She eyed the inn. It was the expensive inn. They had two big inns in the village and everyone called this the better one. Only people who could afford costly food visited here.
She looked up at Caelen. "I love this place."
He smiled and offered her his arm. She chuckled at his formalities and took it.
They entered the inn and a working man lead them to a round table in the open space. Since winters were near, sunlight was pleasant and the table seemed pretty comfortable. Shrubs and grasses were neatly cut at the edges and the view looked adorable.
They sat and Caelen ordered for them. A beautiful vase was placed on the burgandy table cloth.
"So, what is the important matter?" Mariana asked curiously when they were alone. She had been worried since he had asked for this but being here with him, his best friend, seemed normal now. She realised she was worried for nothing.
Caelen smiled sheepishly. "I would like to eat first, if you don't mind. That will put me at ease".
She was worried again, now. If he wanted to be at ease then probably the matter wouldn't be a small one.
"Of course".
They ate pretty much in silence. Mariana would have loved the steak Caelen had ordered for her but his nervousness took away all the flavours. She washed it down with the glass of wine and dabbed her mouth with the cloth the inn provided.
Seeing Caelen finishing his lunch, Mariana asked, "Shall we talk now?"
Caelen cleared his throat and pulled his collar, clearly a sign of nervousness. She found he looked cute like this.
He cleared his throat again.
Mariana felt her throat drying. This didn't seem to be in her favour.
"Marie, I really respect you a lot. I hope you know that".
"Of course".
He cleared his throat again, frowning his green eyes as he continued. "I like everything about you. You are perfect."
She smiled.
"I wanted to tell this to you since very long, but I was nervous.".
Mariana swallowed. Where was he going with these lines?
"Now Veronica too, encouraged me to tell you."
Mariana widened her eyes. She got an idea where this was going and hoped from the core of her heart that it wouldn't go there.
Caelen placed his hands on the table, palm up and Mariana realised he was asking for hers.
She raised her hands from her lap and was about to place them in his. But then stopped. Wouldn't it look like she was ready to accept whatever he was going to say?
She looked at him and chewed her lower lip.
Caelen turned his hands, understanding her confusion.
"I wanted to ask aunt Penny about this but I thought your decision must be the first".
Mariana's heart stopped. She didn't want to face this. She didn't want to break his heart. She closed her eyes. Please don't tell me you love me, she thought.
"Will you marry me, Marie?"
Mariana opened her eyes, shocked.
Caelen was smiling, now that he spoke everything he wanted to. It was her chance to be nervous now.
She started to breathe rapidly. Her palms turning cold. She rubbed them together and found them wet with perspiration.
Chewing her lip, he glanced at Caelen who looked hopefully at her for an answer. How could she say no to him? It would make everything awkward. It would ruin their friendship.
She licked her lips. Eyeing her empty glass, she hoped she had left some wine in it to drink now. To moisture her dry throat and also to gather courage.
"Caelen, I-I-", she closed her eyes again. It would be better to speak it swiftly and clearly. Prolonging this moment didn't seem very agreeable.
She opened her eyes.
"Caelen, I never thought like this about you. You were-"
"What?" His eyes were confused.
"Caelen I-"
"You were always with me. We were always together. Of course you must be liking me all this time".
Mariana frowned hearing that. Was that the reason he always was with her?
"We are friends, Caelen. That's why we were together".
She remembered whenever she said a 'no' to him, he always persisted to a 'yes'. Escorting her, bringing her gifts, accompanying her somewhere. She always refused him first but he never listened. Surely that wasn't her fault, was it?
"Yes, we are friends but I always thought you felt more. Just like me", his green eyes looked like he was seeing something he never tought he would see in his life.
"Forgive me, Caelen if you got any wrong ideas but-"
"Wait", he raised up his palms and Mariana stopped speaking. "Let's forget about past. We will forget about everything that had happened. But tell me what you think now. Surely you will marry me, yes?"
He raised up his eyebrows hopefully.
Mariana swallowed and shook his head. "Caelen, I can't marry now. I have my job, and my family to take care-"
"Yes, we can marry later", he nodded his head happily.
Mariana shook her head vigorously. "No Caelen. I am not saying like that.".
"Then What, Marie?"
Mariama swallowed. "Forgive me, Caelen for I cannot marry you".
There.
She had said it.
Caelen closed his eyes and shook his head. "I don't understand. Why
not?".
"I don't love you like that, Caelen. You are my best friend but-"
He slammed his hands hardly on the table.
Mariana jerked.
People from other tables looked at them. Caelen straightened his collar again.
Mariana frowned looking at him. He never behaved like this before.
Clearing his throat, he spoke, "By marrying me you could stay close to your aunt and Voilet, Marie"
"Forgive me, Caelen but I don't want to marry you".
He ran a hand through his face. It looked like he was holding his anger.
Mariana didn't feel safe.
She wanted to get away from him. Her hands were shaking seeing her best friend like this. She wanted to run to aunt Penny and share this with her. Perhaps she should take her leave.
She took her satchel and stood up.
"Where are you going?" Caelen asked.
"I think we should-"
He stood up and came around towards her. Before she could take a step back, he clutched her arms.