Arwen was lost in her thoughts. She hadn''t realized she had spoken them aloud until she heard her mother''s reproach.

    "Arwen, what are you talking about? Are you even in your senses?" Catrin rushed, almost panicking. "Ryan is a good child. You two have grown up together. If not him, who could be a better choice?"

    Arwen might not have intended to voice her thoughts, but even if she did, she never expected her mother to reproach her instead of asking why she felt that way. "Mama, I –"

    "Enough, Arwen! I don''t want to hear anything. The date is already fixed. Now, don''t try to embarrass us in front of the Fosters. What will your Aunt Beca think? She has always adored you." As her mother continued listing reasons why she should not make such a decision, Arwen heard her father interrupt her mom.

    "Catrin, at least hear what Arwen has to say. She might have a reason. Don''t force her into something that she doesn''t want."

    But just when her father took her side, her mother chided him. "Honey, you are spoiling her. Don''t you know Ryan? We have seen him grow. How could he be the wrong choice for our daughter? And I have known Beca for years.

    With her in the family, our daughter will become everyone''s favorite. What other family could be better for our daughter than the one that adores her? She will have beautiful life with the Fosters."

    "But Catrin, if Arwen is having hesitation –being her parents, we should listen to her."

    Arwen heard her father try again, but her mother was simply too biased. No matter what happened, she wouldn''t try to understand Arwen''s heart and wishes.

    "I don''t care, Idris. I am her mother and I know what''s best for her," Catrin said adamantly. In the end, Arwen interrupted them.@@@@

    "I was simply speaking, Mama. I have no intention of backing out. Don''t worry," she said, and then added for her father''s sake. "Dad, please don''t fight over such a small thing. I am sensible. Of course, I won''t back out now that we are so close to the date.

    Ryan is really good to me, and I am happy with him."

    Arwen gave a sheepish smile and then said very seriously, "You are not going to start talking about your uncle again. I am all bored with it and definitely not interested in him."

    "Shouldn''t you be interested in him?" Gianna asked, and Arwen raised her brows.

    "Why should I be?"

    "Because I wanted to set you two up. You both are my favorites, and you would look good together." Gianna said, and Arwen pointed a finger at her. Setting her up with her old uncle? What absurd revenge was Gianna planning on her?

    Gianna, you better give up that thought. Or else, I will curse you to have an aged husband who simply won''t be able to sati–"

    "Arwen, you better not say more," Gianna warned, picking up the jug of water, ready to throw it on Arwen. "How could you even curse me like that? Am I even your friend?"

    Arwen pursed her lips, before saying, "Same as you could think of marrying me off to your uncle. Am I your friend?"

    "My uncle is better than anyone. You haven''t met him, so you don''t know. He might be a little older, but that doesn''t matter. Come with me to meet him, and if you don''t start drooling on his looks, I will admit defeat." Gianna challenged.

    But Arwen wasn''t interested. "No need. Beauty and looks are very subjective topics. I don''t want to debate with you. You can consider your uncle''s look drool-worthy, but I am not interested."

    "Want to take up the challenge?" Gianna suddenly asked, making Arwen tug her brows together.

    "What challenge?"

    "Come with me to meet him. If you still don''t agree with me, I won''t pester you again," Gianna confidently set out the challenge for Arwen to consider.