CHAPTER 33
THE INTRODUCTION PLANS
(JERRY'S POV)
The moment I ended my conversation with Rosie, I sat quietly on my bed and allowed everything that had happened to sink in.
Things were moving faster than I had expected.
Rosie was no longer just the woman I loved. She was my fiancée, and very soon, our families would officially meet. The thought alone brought a smile to my face.
I picked up my phone and looked at the date my uncle had given me for the family introduction.
Everything had to be properly arranged.
I knew very well that marriage was not just about two people falling in love. It was about two families coming together, understanding one another and accepting the decision their children had made.
And that was exactly what I wanted.
I wanted Rosie.
I wanted her family to accept me.
Most importantly, I wanted the introduction to go peacefully.
But there was one person I couldn't completely take my mind off.
Her stepbrother.
I remembered our conversation and the strange demands he had made.
School fees.
An Italian shoe.
I shook my head and laughed quietly.
"What kind of man asks for Italian shoes as part of a marriage discussion?"
I knew he was trying to take advantage of the situation, but I had decided not to react angrily.
Rosie had already warned me about their relationship.
I didn't want to make matters worse.
After all, he was now regarded as her father, and I understood that his presence could affect the traditional marriage process.
I picked up my phone and called my uncle.
"Hello, Uncle."
"Jerry, how are you?"
"I'm fine, sir."
"And how is your fiancée?"
A smile appeared on my face.
"She's doing well."
"Good. Have you spoken to her about the introduction?"
"Yes, sir. She knows the date."
"Excellent. I want us to prepare properly. I don't want anything to be rushed."
"I understand, Uncle."
There was a brief silence before he continued.
"I also want to meet her before the introduction."
"Yes, sir. Rosie is aware."
"I've already been to her office twice, but I haven't met her personally. I want to see the woman my nephew has decided to marry."
I laughed.
"Uncle, she is a wonderful woman. You will like her."
"I hope so."
"You will."
"Then give me her number again. I'll call her myself."
"I'll send it to you."
"Good. And Jerry..."
"Yes, Uncle?"
"Marriage is bigger than love. You must be patient. There will be moments when people will try to provoke you. Don't allow anger to control you."
His words immediately reminded me of Rosie's stepbrother.
"I understand, Uncle."
"Good. I don't want any unnecessary quarrels during the introduction."
"Neither do I."
After ending the call, I sent him Rosie's contact.
I sat for a while, thinking about his advice.
He was right.
I couldn't afford to lose my temper.
Whatever happened, I had to remain calm.
Rosie was worth it.
(ROSIE'S POV)
My phone rang while I was going through some documents in my office.
I glanced at the screen.
An unfamiliar number.
I hesitated before answering.
"Hello?"
"Hello. Am I speaking with Rosie?"
"Yes. Who is this, please?"
"My name is Uncle Charles. I'm Jerry's uncle."
My eyes widened slightly.
"Oh!"
I immediately sat upright.
"Good afternoon, sir."
"Good afternoon, my dear. How are you?"
"I'm fine, sir. Thank you."
"I hope I'm not disturbing you at work."
"No, sir. Not at all."
"I wanted to introduce myself properly. Jerry told me quite a lot about you."
I smiled.
"I hope he didn't say too much."
He laughed.
"Only good things."
I felt a little shy.
"Thank you, sir."
"I also wanted to let you know that I'll be visiting your office soon. I want to meet you personally before the family introduction."
"That would be lovely, sir."
"I've already spoken with your MD."
"My MD?"
"Yes. We have met before."
I smiled.
"Wow."
"Jerry has spoken very highly of you, and I can see that he is serious about this relationship."
My heart skipped.
I lowered my voice.
"Yes, sir. We are serious."
"Good. Then we have something important to prepare for."
"The introduction?"
"Exactly."
I looked at the calendar on my desk.
The date was getting closer.
"Sir, I'm really looking forward to it."
"That's good. And don't worry. Everything will be fine."
"Thank you, sir."
After the call ended, I remained seated for a few moments.
There was something about his voice that made me feel comfortable.
He sounded calm and welcoming.
I immediately called Jerry.
He answered almost immediately.
"Hello, sweetheart."
I smiled.
"Jerry, your uncle just called me."
"I know. I gave him your number."
"He said he wants to visit my office."
"Yes. He told me."
"He sounds like a very nice man."
"He is."
I paused.
"Jerry?"
"Yes?"
"I'm nervous."
He laughed softly.
"Why are you nervous?"
"I don't know. Everything is becoming real now."
There was silence for a moment.
Then he spoke gently.
"Rosie, this is what we've always wanted."
"I know."
"We're getting married."
I smiled.
"Yes."
"And nothing is going to stop us."
His words gave me a strange sense of peace.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
I closed my eyes briefly.
"Then I'm ready."
"That's my girl."
We both laughed.
But somewhere deep inside me, I knew that the days ahead would not be completely easy.
There were still unresolved issues with my stepbrother.
And I couldn't ignore the possibility that he might try to interfere.
I didn't tell Jerry what was going through my mind.
I didn't want to spoil his happiness.
For now, I chose to focus on the good things.
My introduction.
My marriage.
My future with Jerry.
And the beautiful life we had dreamed about together.
I looked at the ring on my finger and smiled.
Soon, I would become his wife.
And for the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to believe that everything might actually work out.