Kiera smiled at Old Madam Liu as she slightly bowed to thank Old Lady for letting her speak.
She hoped it turned out well and they could accept her simple explanation.
"First of all, our family would like to thank the Lius for inviting us to your home and for the warm welcome and dinner," Keira said as an introduction.
"My parents had great respect for the Liu Family and have mentioned to me how the family stands tall under Old Madam Liu’s heading and I’m really impressed. Whoever it is that joins your family, I believe it will be such a great honor for that person. However, I have to be direct as the main person involved, I do not agree on this arranged marriage." Keira paused and looked at Madam Liu closely whose smile suddenly disappeared and was replaced by an arched eyebrow.
"Did I hear it right? Are you turning down our family’s good offer?" Old Madam Liu asked, her voice became slightly sharp but she remained calm and controlled herself.
Jeru who was silent all the time murmured, "But why?"
Keira did not want to be rude. As much as possible she wanted the evening to end up with pleasant talks but she was going to do the whole talking on behalf of her parents because she was the one involved.
She sighed and looked directly at Jeru with a blank expression, "I am sorry, Jeru, but I don’t like the arranged marriage set-up. I will only marry for love and not because my family wants it or arranged it for me. It is I who will get married not them. It is my life and I want to decide on things on my own."
Old Madam Liu was beginning to redden. ’How dare this brat reject us like this.’
With her calm voice, Old Madam Liu said, "Child, you can learn to love my grandson with time. Love can be developed. This is how our society runs. Families agree for marriages for their own protection and safety and to maintain the balance of the family name and reputation."
Old Madam Liu reasoned out, obviously, she was not going to let Keira subdue her.
Keira’s eyebrows arched as she replied, "What if I don’t fall in love during that period? I don’t take risks like that Madam and my parents are well aware of that. If it ends up not falling in love with him, both parties will suffer. The worst ending will be separation, which I believe will not be a good scenario for both families’ reputation. Besides, I’m too young for these matters. I’m only eighteen, so please don’t expect me to be in a relationship at this age. I’ve got a lot of plans in my life and I want to enjoy my youth being single."
Old Madam Liu’s face muscles were starting to twitch because of her suppressed annoyance.
Keira, on the other hand, was not letting her guard down.
"I get your point, child, we don’t need to rush everything about the marriage. You and Jeru can get along and get to know each other well during the engagement period. I believe all your worries can be worked out for both sides’ efforts. You can marry once you turn twenty-three. I believe by that time, you would have already enjoyed that youth of yours and achieved everything you want." Old Madam Liu replied.
Keira deliberately shook her head as she sighed. Good reasoning would not make the famous Old Madam Hitler budge and she had already expected that much. However, she would make sure she had the last say at this meeting.
She had considered mentioning that she had her eyes on another man but refrained herself as she weighed everything out and reviewed the profile of Old Madam Liu.
She would not risk Zach’s life by being bullied by this Female Hitler.
She hated being wordy and the sight of not being charismatic in other people’s opinion but this was her last resort.
Keira, after letting out a heavily long and deep sigh looked closely at Old Madam Liu, her eyes never blinked and met the piercing gaze of Old Madam, then she spoke, "If you push this talk about marriage any further, then I will have to take precautionary measures."
"I hate to do this to my parents, but if they agree with you for the sake of having a good relationship with the Lius, then they will have to consider me as dead and disown me. I will leave them and will no longer consider myself as a Chan, I will start living on my own, and no doubt, I will run away from this engagement and arranged marriage."