Forced To Be His Bride

Four- Marietta

Marietta

I sat still in my seat, taking slight notice of how warm my butt was starting to feel. Mr Eugene, a man with 90s lenses perched carefully atop the bridge of his nose, stared at me in scrutiny for a while.

He stopped chattering for a while but resumed, he was gossiping trying to bring out a response or affirmation from me but I remained unyielding.

“Everyone was shocked to their bones when Mr Romano, your father revealed he had another daughter. A successful Alumni he had been, donating to the success of this school at every chance he gets. We can't forget such a great man, it'd be an atrocity to do so“ He had a mix of a French accent and British accent if that was possible.

It made him sound like Queen Elizabeth's butler.

I smiled at him in a silent response, awaiting his signature on all my documents so I could submit them all to my head of department for further processing.

“So are you adopted?“ He asked and I raised my brows at him.

I squinted my eyes at him, one thing I have learnt is that they gravely fear and respect Mr Romano. I can use that to my advantage.

“I fear only my father can confirm that, Mr Eugene.“ I smiled in a tight line. He reciprocated, signing the last documents.

“Hmm, though I see some semblance between you too. Haha, but what do I know?“ He laughed awkwardly before slamming the school stamp on his signed document, gathering it in an orderly manner.

“Your documents are just about ready, Ms Marie. You can have them now.“ I reached out for them and was ready to walk myself out of his office.

“ I am grateful for your help, Mr Eugene.“ I muttered politely.

“It's a pleasure.“ He smiled tightly at me.

A huge sigh of relief escaped my lips as I walked through the door

Every office I have entered was more interested in confirming I am Mr Romano's daughter than my study with the school.

It was easy to pass all their qualifications, I have beautiful grades, and I don't beat the nerdy allegations I just so happen to be one.

Once I submitted my papers at my HOD's office and went through an odd interview, I was almost done for the day. I held my stacks of files in my arm and walked along the pristine hallways of the administrative building. I was heading to the accommodation office.

Today threw me into the realization that I can't possibly study from home. It's a bit near to the school, thirty 30-minute drive but… it's too far for me. What if they throw an 8:00 am class, it would be such a struggle to wake up from such a comfortable setting like Mr Romano's home and want to leave.

My second reason is the major reason, I can't be around my new family, I need to get away from them and campus accommodation is the key. Mrs Natasha strikes me as someone I should try and avoid, and Clarrisa demeaning my identity in front of her boyfriend tells me all I need to know.

Unlike Mother said the last two days, I should fight and not let anyone intimidate me, it's like she knew exactly what she was pushing me into. All my life, I avoided confrontations to prevent conflict and I would keep doing that.

Lost in my thoughts and hardly paying any attention to my environment, I bumped quite hard into someone.

The hit was so brutal I fell straight to the floor, my head aching. I noticed one of the lenses cracked a bit at the impact. Cursing myself and the careless individual who wasn't watching his way too. I was met with a 6'3 bulky giant. Wearing tight jeans, and an equally tight shirt.

He looked like a hockey game star mixed with a football player build. His finger raked erratically through his curly dark hair, his golden skin reflecting the rays of the sun. He had light sunny eyes, almost the shade of honey, a straight nose crooked at the septum, and thin but wide lips coloured the fainted shades of pink. They seemed parched for a while then he passed his wet tongue over them.

It was kind of inappropriate to watch him do it, I thought. I noticed I was still on the floor and Mr Bulky had annoyance etched on his face. It was a slight throw from anger, he glanced at something on the floor and I noticed it was his phone.

“Have you never seen a man before? You stare too much to realize you are in deep shit.“ His trebled voice broke through me for a brief second. I took him as seriously as I take Jean, my 3 years rascal of a Cousin.

I stretched out my hand for him to draw me up but I was ignored. Annoyed by him, I stood to my feet, before rolling my eyes at him.

“Whoever told you are a man? A big little boy is all I see here. A man would have apologized for bumping into me and offered a hand.“ I scoffed at him and noticed a girl, my age was walking towards us. She had a curious look on her face as she approached him. I glanced around to see the mess our mini-accident produced, and a string of curses leapt off my lips.

“Oh, and you have it mistaken who is in deep shit.“ I stared in unflinching horror, as the files that had been arranged for me had their papers thrown in all directions.

I glared at him. “You should have watched where you are going to.“ I yelled, visibly infuriated. I put so much effort into this for it to be repeated.

“I would have said the same for you but you are blind as a bat.“ He said as a matter of factly, all seriousness strewn on his expression.

How dare his tight ass?

I folded my fist and walked straight at him feeling extra brave, what happened to avoiding confrontations to prevent conflicts, Marie?

“You are going to pack my files, and documents, back in their initial arrangements. If anyone is found to be displaced, God help the both of us.“ He looked at me, unflinchingly. Unwavered by my threat.

“You don't want to mess with me.“ I warned I pointed my index finger close to his face. With a swap of his index, he pushed mine away. I stood just in front of his chest, my head not any taller.

“My phone screen is broken to smithereens because of you. Clumsy clown of a girl.“

It's going to be a losing battle on my side but I have never been so irate to the point I felt like tackling someone down.

The girl noticed the inflamed tension between us and came forward.

“I am so sorry for Nathan's behaviour.“ She apologized. “I know how much work this is and I am willing to help you arrange your files.“ I was softened by her approach, Mr Bulky on the other hand drew her back.

“Help who?! you are only going to help her when she pays for my broken screen and she seems too poor to afford that." He looked at me with contempt.

I wanted to say something horrid about his crooked, sickle-shaped nose but I held my tongue.

“You cracked my lens as well, now I am going to need a new one.“ I retorted.

“That s**t is worth less than ten dollars.“ He said.

I crossed my elbow on my chest. “ It is not.“

The girl came between us once again, tired of our fight.

“Enough both of you. Nathan, you are going to help with this and that's final. As for your phone, you can afford to buy ten if you want.“ He rolled his eyes at her but didn't refute her.

“You should be grateful for your girlfriend. She has the common sense you lack.“ I scoffed at him.

“I am his cousin.“ She corrected me.

“Your beautiful cousin.“ I rolled my eyes at him, faltering her.

We bent low to pick my papers. “You tolerate his ass every day, how heroic of you?“ I roasted him at every opportunity I got. She laughed heartily at my joke.

“I know right.“ She played along, irking him further.

“I am Natalie, you?“ She introduced.

I smiled at her, “Marie.“

Natalie had almost the same features as her cousin but she was the most feminine I have ever seen. She was an exact depiction of sunshine, softhearted, beautiful and logical. Her hair was straighter, and in exchange for Nathan's sunny orbs, she had bright green orbs.

Almost an imagery of how green she was with life.

She wore a short cotton flared jumpsuit, complementing her long legs and olive skin. Around her chest was a sling purse just like mine. She wore a pair of brown ankle boots to finish her outfit.

“You are new here?“ She guessed, packing her second file and handing it to me.

“Yes, a transfer student. I just got these signed today.“ She nods in silent understanding.

“I Major in Marketing, business finance, you?“

“Aerospace engineering.“ I replied, finding a conversation with her quite easy. I wasn't exactly an introvert but I find myself shy in new environments. So far this wasn't unsettling.

Nathan handed his second arrangement to me, his tight face still showing he was holding a malice.

“Thanks, Mr Grumpy.“ I teased, earning a peal of laughter from Natalie again. She was enjoying this more than me.

“You two are in the same department.“ She beamed at me, excited.

“What year?“ She asked me.

“My second, Mr Grumpy?“ I asked, genuinely curious. A part of me would be glad if he was in my class. I have so much fun troubling him it seems. At least I have someone I am familiar with, even though we are not exactly on friendly terms.

“His third year, “ She said, reaching out to pinch Nathan's cheek.

Mr Grumpy or Nathan, handed me the last part. I added it to my file and handed it to Natalie who was confused by my act.

“He was right when he said I am as blind as a bat, can you cross check to see everything's in order? I can't see too well with my cracked glasses.“

She nodded at my request, there was a smirk on Nathan's lips.

“You say the truth sometimes, shocking.“

I rolled my eyes at him. Natalie nodded at me, handing the files back. “It seems okay.“

“Thanks.“

We started a walk towards the exit. “So where are you headed to? I know you are yet to familiarize yourself with the school environment.“

She understands people, I loved how nice she was.

The map in the brochure I was handed did nothing for me, it would only get me lost.

“I want to apply for campus accommodation.“

“We are headed in the same direction but I am not going to the student accommodation office, I have an application to submit at my club .“ She said excitedly.

She hesitated before speaking.“But Nathan on the other hand.“ His eyes widened.

“Natalie.“ He said through gritted teeth, warning her against something.

“He will take you there.“ She finally said.