(Carissa was led into the dinning room where Catherine along with several high dignifies were in attendance. Her parents were also seated. she bowed and sat courteously opposite Edwards who stood as she made her way comfortable)
CATHERINE: (chatty) Now you meet again. not as two children but outrightly as lovers. and how beautiful you've grown.
MICHAEL: Your Excellency, allow her pour you some wine. Carissa dear?
CARISSA: (reluctant) my arms are extremely sore. I beg your pardon.
EDWARDS: That's not a problem. (laughed) can I pour you a drink instead.
CARISSA: (snapped) I can't drink. (everyone was surprised)
EDWARDS: (Grinned) of course! I totally understand. cheers all the same. .
CATHERINE: carissa dear, is there something you want to tell Edwards? you can do a lot of that now.
CARISSA: I need not bother. After all my opinions are not recommended.
CATHERINE: (tongue-tied. faced Edwards with a smile) you must have something to say to her at least. seeing you travelled this great journey just to be a bit closer to her.
EDWARDS: (to Carissa) my lady, mind if we stepped out?
CARISSA: (she looked up. cooly) certainly. (they stood up together and were ushered out by some servants)
EDWARDS: (upon getting out) you can leave us. (the servants bowed and left) it's been a while.
CARISSA: too long. you've changed.
EDWARDS: so have you.
CARISSA: really? I didn't notice.
EDWARDS: it's been years. of course you have.
CARISSA: just not the kind you'd fancy right?
EDWARDS: you look different now. really gorgeous
CARISSA: (rolled her eyes) I give you to have changed too. soft spoken, what have I missed?
EDWARDS: Nothing. Im the one who owes you an apology. For not checking in on you after all those years. And now, I'm here, asking for your hand in marriage.
CARISSA: Except you're not really asking for my hand in marriage.
EDWARDS: (he smiled) I am.
CARISSA: (confused) I know I didn't just hear you say that. you are supposed to be in love Edwards. with my cousin. Heck, I think she feels the same because she's been worried I might accept it.
EDWARDS: is that the reason she's been disrespecting you? (she is surprised) you think I'm too far away to know what's going on, don't you?
CARISSA: I know you're not, I just didn't peg you to ever be the inquisitive type.
EDWARDS: Does it take inquisition to know more about the girl I claimed to have once loved?
CARISSA: Edwards... Are you saying?...
EDWARDS: yes, I will not be approaching her. But I'm the one in the wrong here. I should have known more about her before I decided to commit.
CARISSA: It wouldn't have been easy finding that out. It also took me being here to know what she's really like. a green snake under the green grass is just an understatement.
EDWARDS: That's why I want to marry you.
CARISSA: Edwards...
EDWARDS: I know you. a lot more than I know her. we grew up together, and were even inseparable at some point. we would be good together. didn't you like me too? when we were younger and all of us cousins come together every year, you would tell the girls how much you admired me, not knowing those you trusted couldn't keep a secret. and you would repeat it the next year, having already forgotten how they you talked about everything you meant to hide. (chuckled) you were so loosed lipped, Carissa.
CARISSA: And childish too.
EDWARDS: I'll take that anytime.
CARISSA: (smiled sadly) Unfortunately, I'm no longer that girl.
EDWARDS: what changed Carissa?
CARISSA: a lot. (they rested on the rail) it's the human heart. it cannot be trusted to be constant.
EDWARDS: is this because your heart yearns for another?
CARISSA: (looked at him) there's nobody Edwards.
EDWARDS: then why are we stuck here?
CARISSA: well for one, you're trying to use me as a rebound.
EDWARDS: no no no, aye? I didn't ever think of you as that.
CARISSA: you didn't think of me at all either, till you fell out of love with her.
EDWARDS: my feelings are not out of spite or
CARISSA: neither are they real. you'll agree they're impromptu though. like you thought it up before coming because why not, Carissa also cared for you. a win's a win after all.
EDWARDS: Carissa..
CARISSA: shhh! (soothing) I don't want you to abandon Diane Because of me.
EDWARDS: it's not..
CARISSA: she won't know that. how would she take it? no matter what, you can't finalize things with me. I won't be able to look her in the eye ever again. Help me.