Frans began to understand what he meant, as did Siska. They both looked at Maxime next to him.
"Who is this woman and what is your special relationship?" Siska said, harshly.
The atmosphere in the house was getting worse, Siska demanded answers from her son for what had happened.
"Do you know her well, Maxime? qissssssw
Maxime was silent. In the end he answered and explained a little about the incident that night which was considered an accident.
Maxime said that Arabel was his coworker at the office. However, that night Maxime invited Arabel to date at a club. There things went wrong and Arabel lost her chastity for the first time.
"That means, you and this girl...."
Siska was about to get very angry. However, Frans intervened. On the one hand, Arabel did not remain silent to continue to ask for responsibility from the Frans family for what their son had done to her.
"I ask for responsibility. This is Maxime's child, this is his flesh and blood."
Siska tempered her anger. She asked Arabel to convince her that the child in Arabel's womb was really Maxime's flesh and blood.
"Prove to me that it's Maxime's child. How can I believe it? There are many women who want to marry my son, so you can make up stories that are not." Siska accused.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I wouldn't have wasted my time doing all this if Maxime had nothing to do with me. This is his son and he did it."
The conversation became more relaxed. Frans took over the conversation. The middle-aged man asked Arabel again about her relationship with Maxime.
Arabel told the story very straightforwardly, she also admitted that the incident that night was accidental. They had been under the influence of intoxicants, causing bad things to happen. Even so, Siska did not want to give in.
"This is your fault as a woman. Why can't you take care of yourself? This is the result," Siska snapped. She was furious. She felt that her family's good name had been tarnished by this incident.
"Already, mom, don't get emotional, it will hurt." Frans nurtured his wife.
They all fell silent. Frans' family asked for half an hour to talk confidentially, they had to confer to find a decision.
Half an hour later, Siska returned with Frans. They put on a flat face and approached Arabel who was still sitting on the sofa. Arabel had been praying to get justice for her son.
"Okay. I've found a decision for this problem of yours." Siska opened the conversation again.
Maxime accepted the settlement. He just kept quiet and waited for his mom and dad's answer.
"Tomorrow you and Maxime will get married. You stay here tonight, because tomorrow is the happy day you've been waiting for."
Arabel widened her eyes. She was happy to hear Siska's answer, which she had been hoping for.
"Is Madame serious? Are you serious, sir?" asked Arabel.
Siska smiled wryly. She folded her arms across her chest, then stepped towards the window.
"You will marry my son, the only son of the wealthy Frans family. But there are conditions."
Arabel frowned. Her smile disappeared.
"What condition is that, Madame?" asked Arabel innocently.
"A marriage contract. The marriage will only last for about nine months until the child is born. Your marriage with Maxime will be dissolved after the birth of the child. You don't have to worry because I will handle all the affairs."
"Marriage should not be played with because it is sacred. Arabel firmly rejected Siska's offer.
"Don't you want to do this? You want your child to be born without a father? What if your family finds out that you got pregnant out of wedlock? They would be ashamed, and probably wouldn't recognize you as a child!" Siska replied with a sly smile.
"Siska has a point. Dad has a heart condition. What if Dad finds out? I don't want my family to know about this," Arabel thought.
"I will follow everything. But, ma'am, please don't tell my family about this," Arabel said, forced to accept that the agreement was the only option available.
Siska and Frans left together. Arabel stared at the spot in pain. It was suffocating to have her marriage used as a game by a wealthy family.
***
When the wedding day arrived, Arabel and Maxime officially became husband and wife, just like everyone else there. Frans' family held a very lavish wedding in a luxury hotel. Arabel was very happy. She was very grateful that Maxime accepted her child and that her pregnancy was not in vain. Arabel believed that this would change her life and improve her social status. Later Arabel would feel that becoming a Madame was every woman's dream. Maxime's mistress title was in sight and Arabel couldn't wait for it.
"You look very handsome today, Maxime," Arabel praised with a smile.
"Thank you." Maxime replied indifferently.
"Why aren't you excited about this wedding? Isn't all this your fault?" Arabel said. She dredged up the incident again.
"You should also realize, being a woman, you have to take good care of yourself. Understand?" Maxime replied. A small commotion ensued.
In addition, the invited guests secretly talked about Arabel, saying.
"That woman used to be Mr. Maxime's personal assistant in the office, she seems ordinary, and from a simple family. Could it be that Mr. Maxime wants to marry a woman who is not equal to him?" Frans and Arabel's family overheard the innuendos from the guests.
"If it weren't for the thought of my family's good name, I wouldn't marry you!" Maxime whispered in Arabel's ear, and she immediately replied sadly.
At the party, many people congratulated Maxime, including his ex-girlfriend. Not a few people asked about Arabel's family until they heard the sarcasm.
Some of the guests who came, telling Arabel, were surprised by the wedding that the bride's family did not attend.
The reception lasted one day, and in the evening the event ended. Arabel and Maxime were seen getting off the aisle throne and getting ready to go home to rest.
"Are you satisfied with tarnishing the good name of our family?" asked Siska harshly. There was no one around anymore, except for the wedding organizer and other event officials.
"What does that mean, Mah?" Arabel was confused.
"The guests are asking about your family and you don't know where they are? What kind of wedding is this?" Siska snapped.
Arabel was silent. She just bowed her head, because the truth was that no one in her family knew about the wedding.
"Maxime, let's go home. Our job is done and let this woman go." After pulling Maxime's hand, Siska got into the car. Arabel gave Frans a sharp look, and he didn't allow her to get into the family car. As a result, Arabel used a taxi to return to Maxime's house.
***
All of Frans' family members were still seen sitting on the living room sofa. While Frans was next to her, Siska put her hand on his head. Maxime was playing a game happily, and several other families joined in. Meanwhile, Arabel had just arrived home.
"What are you coming home for?" Frans asked.
"This is also my home, I'm officially Maxime's wife." Arabel replied.
Siska got up from her chair. Remember your promise! There is no right to my child because you are only a contract wife. You're not Maxime's anyone after your child is born, are you?"
Arabel looked down. She still believed that Siska would change her perspective after the birth. Maxime's family's hearts would surely melt when they saw the little baby.
Maxime closed his cell phone and walked towards the room. He didn't glance at Arabel, who was obviously his wife.
"Excuse me Mom, Dad, I also want to rest. We'll continue this discussion tomorrow." Arabel stepped after Maxime. However, Frans forbade her.
"Where are you going? A dirty woman like you doesn't deserve to sleep in my son's room. Stop walking!"