Chapter 10 (1/1)

Everything was in chaos, early in the morning at Rae's house. An important event was being held at their mansion, and Rae's mother was sending maids scurrying in an out of the house. Florists were arranging newly arrived flowers on every window sill, chefs were making dishes and arranging a buffet on the long table, and everyone else were either scolded for things not being perfect or their presence being an eyesore. Nonetheless, everything had to be in flawless condition in the end. Rae had been dragged out of bed for a dress fitting. Her personal stylist and maid were adding the finishing touches on her long, gold, Chanel gown. It  had a tight bodice and was laced in the back delicately with three silk ribbons. The dress flowed down hip down in a watery, elegant like feel. "It looks wonderful on you.", Miss Rae, her maid said adoringly. Rae smiled at her reflection, ignoring the tiny jabs from the stylist, who was trying to fix the hem of her dress skirt. "Perfect. Absolutely flawless.", the middle aged woman commented. As soon as she could, Rae slipped out of the tight dress, feeling like she could breathe again and changed into comfortable skinny jeans and a sheer tunic. "Miss Rae, you have a hair and makeup appointment at 4. Today is Sunday and right now is 9am. Which means you must get going for your piano lesson, which starts in half an hour. At 11, you have your ballet class at Elite Dance Academy, at 2, you have your figure skating session. You might have to rush getting back here before your hair and makeup appointment." her butler informed her. " In that case, I will send the driver to retrieve you, so you won't have to walk.""Thank you, Butler Park.", Rae said, truly grateful for him. She made her way to the concert hall that was located in the east wing of the mansion and began her piano lesson.-Fast foward to 4:30 pm- :)A hair stylist and make up artist were fluttering around her, yanking her hair, and applying foudation onto her clear skin. Her hair was curled in a elegant style and her face was made up up naturally, just the way she preferred it. When she was finished, the maids hastily slipped the dress onto her slim body, and finally the preparations for the event was done. Rae could hear the guests arriving 3 floors down and she dreaded the fact that she had to join them in a few minutes. Her brother appeared at her doorway, "Ready, princess?", he asked, smirking."Oh, definetely. I'm so looking forward to this gathering.", Rae replied sarcastically."Let's get going then.", he replied and held out his arm for her. She hooked her arms with his and they descended down the stairs together. Their parents spotted them at once, relieved that they didn't bail and made their way towards them."My dear, Rae. You look lovely this evening.", her father said."Rae, could you smile a bit? You look like you are attending a funeral, not a celebration.", her mother said, eyeing Rae's every move. She plastered on her most fake smile and stifled a laugh. "Let me introduce you to some VERY important people.", her mother continued, hoping Rae and her brother wouldn't be disgraceful. Most of the people Rae shook hands with her old men and women who were business partners with her parents. She was itching to get out of there and she could feel her brother tense up everytime he had to talk. "And this lovely family here has a son..", her mother started to say and the finished with a whisper in Rae's ears, " fitted to join our family.". Rae shuddered at the thought. An arranged marriage was just what she needed. "Hello, I'm Lay.", a gentle voice approached her. He extended his hand for a handshake. Rae looked up to see a boy around her age or older. He had an oddly familiar fake smile on his face, similar to hers. His hair was slightly curled and he had dimples whenever he smiled. She shook his hand and nodded. They stood in silence until their parents conversation caught their ears."We're hoping not to only merge companies, but families as well!", her parents said. Lay and Rae looked at their parents in horror."That sounds great. Lay, honey, what do you think?", his mother crooned. "Er...I don't know exactly.", he said, hesitantly. He surely didn't want to go through an arranged marriage. He didn't even like attending these stupid rich people crap. He was more comfortable in the EXO manor, planning funny schemes to do. This high class status didn't suit him at all. However, he could never let his parents know about EXO. It was like leading a double life. If he were to get married to rich girl, he wouldn't be able to escape the path he dreaded and feared so much. "I've only just met him. It's too sudden to assume.", Rae said in fake politeness. "Oh you two,  being shy. Why don't you run along and get to know each other!", Lay's mother suggested and pulled Rae out of her  brother's arms and shooed her and Lay to a patio on the side of the house. "Look, don't get me wrong. But I'm not going to do an arranged marriage. It doesn't matter with who, it's just what I refuse to do.", Rae explained and turned to the boy who had an amused expression on his face.He let out a chuckle and opened his mouth to speak, " Hey, same with me. I hate this part of my life as it is, so an arranged marriage is the worst that could happen. Which means it'll never happen to me."."Good, then everything's out in the open. We just have to blow off our parent's plans and decline the marriage proposition.", Rae said, summing up the situation."Yeah, that's going to be a hell of an argument.", Lay said in his soft, gently voice. Rae laughed, understanding exactly where he was coming from. They returned back to their parents and pretended they didn't get along well under any circumstances leading to their point that the marriage couldn't happen. It was better to get it over fast and quick rather than wait and drag it out."My, my. These two have such chemistry together. It's the first time I've seen Lay with any sort of emotion on his face!", Lay's mother said in delight."Yes yes. I can see the connection between these two. Oh how perfect they look together.", Rae's mother complimented. Rae and Lay stared at each other in horror, looking at one another for Plan B. "The marriage must go on for sure. In fact, as soon as Rae graduates, the wedding must happen immediately.", Rae's mother announced. "WHAT?! No, I can't. I have to go to medical school and I'm going to be a doctor remember?", Rae almost shouted, but controlled her voice."A doctor? What a wonderful accomplishment. Lay will be helping his father in the company. Rae can still study to be a doctor. In fact, they will match perfectly with such pedigrees and upbringing.", Lay's mother casually said. "The company? I'm not ready! I haven't even finished college.", Lay argued, even though he wasn't remotely interested in neither studies or working."We'll sort out those little details later. For now, there's a wedding in just a few months!", Rae's mother said excitingly. With that, the mothers began chatting away excitedly, while Rae and Lay glared at the ground in disappointment. They had to get out of this arrangement, but had no idea whatsoever.