The Deceiver's Game

Chapter 1: The Unwanted Engagement

ARABELLA

Being the only successor isn’t just about having the family’s pride and fortune all to yourself and to your future family. It’s also about being a pawn, a puppet, a dealing tool and everything just for your parents to succeed on every plan they make for the sake of the family’s future and business.

But do you think they ever asked for my opinion? For my approval on every decision they made in my life solely for my future? Yes it’s mine. It’s my life. But they never let me make any life decisions as they label me “the only heiress who only thinks of herself and not the image of the family” because of that one time when I decided to do what I want and not what they told me to do.

It's just one time, yet, they always bring it up everytime I tell them not to make me do anything that don’t want to do. To choose what my heart doesn’t want and doesn’t feel right. And the last time it happened, it came down to this.

Standing in front of the stage is my father. A high-profile person who owns one of the most successful real estate development business in our city although only five families are in the said so competition based on success rates and whatever their basis are.

“I’d like to thank everyone who came and gathered tonight in our humble abode despite of all your busy schedules. But this night is also a night of a big announcement”

My heart hammered inside my chest as I look around the crowd. From above here on stage, you’ll see lots of reactions from all those elite families’ representatives. Those who are happy to be here and those who had no choice but to show up just for their family’s image.

“—my beloved daughter, the only one who’ll continue our legacy, Arabella Laurent, is now betrothed to one of the most successful man in our country and the youngest CEO in Nova Haven”

I clenched my fist while waiting for the next information he’s about to say. That was what he said last night. Just last night.

He decided for me again but I can’t do anything about it his time. It’s an engagement and it’s kind of expected for me, the only daughter of the family. Daughter. I’m a lady which isn’t expected to manage our family fortune really well. A lady who doesn’t know anything about business and estates because all we do, as they said, is to shop for all the pretty and luxurious things we could think of and make ourselves look good in front of men. Those men’s ego really kills me.

“It’s just a week before this when he decided to ask for my daughter’s hand and with all my heart…” that was a lie and I have an idea why you agreed “I gave him my approval as I see the love in their eyes as they inform me of their engagement”

My eyebrows almost knitted into one when he said that part. Love in their eyes?! And that’s the worse part. Their? I wasn’t there when they discussed about that thing! I don’t even know that father meets some men to have me marry them.

“My love, your knuckles are almost white” my mother whispered on my ear as she reached for my hand.

I looked at it and saw that what mother said is true so I opened my hand and relaxed myself. I even almost had my nails dig into my palms.

“Relax, everything will be alright” my mother smiled and turned her face again to the front where people are waiting for the name of the guy I’m about to marry.

“I know all of you are familiar of name of this man and I’m very, very proud that he chose my lovely daughter” he turned his face to me and that’s a sign for me to go and stand beside him.

I straightened my dress and walked to his side as gracefully as I can. Image is very important in our world, what else can I do? I then tried my best to show a genuine smile but it’s even harder than dusting the whole estate alone.

“I know that all of you are excited to know who the lucky guy is and to be honest, I think that my daughter is just as lucky to have him. And the very man I was talking about is no other than he who’s behind the success of the Blackwood Corporation”

My whole body stiffens and I feel my heart beats faster. I can’t feel my hands anymore because of the clenching that I’m doing which I don’t even realize that I’m doing. Nauseous. I want to throw up. This is worse that the idea of being engage itself. It is the worst idea of all.

“May I call on my side, Mr. Darvian Blackwood, the owner of the Blackwood Corporation and one of the most successful man in our country. The youngest one, if I may add. Please come here on stage”

My smiles faded and my eyes widened in so much shock. I’m already panicking inside so much that I feel my insides twirl.

I know this man. I hate this man.

When I said that only five families are competing, all of those three are a lot far from us but not so behind that they’re not recognized. The two families standing on the top of the competition and the rivals for decades, are us. The Laurents and Blackwoods. But why would my father do this?

I looked at my father and saw a smile on his lips. His smile didn’t fade as he turned his head on me and our eyes met.

“It’s all for the best” he whispered on my ear and regained his posture.

I hurriedly looked infront to look for the man that he mentioned but no matter how hard I find, my eyes can’t see a speck of him on the crowd.

“Looking for someone?” I flinched when an arm snaked around my waist.

“Seems like the devil himself isn’t so hard to find” I mumbled while not taking my eyes off the crowd.

I heard him chuckle while I’m doing my best to remove his arms on my back without anyone noticing. Everyone is in obvious shock and surprise. Who wouldn’t? Looking back on our families’ history, it’s more probable to announce that a family member of one killed someone on the other said family. Now, an engagement? Not even me could imagine.

I can see them whispering and nodding. Others are shaking their heads and have an expression of disapproval and disappointment.

I wasn’t in my mind when my father continues to speak as well as the man on my other side who’s continuously resisting his arm’s removal. Wish I could just chop it off.

The claps pulled me back to my senses and I didn’t even realize that everyone is now looking at the two of us. The two competing families are now almost tied to one another.

I can’t let it happen. Something’s clearly wrong. It’s not the right thing. My father knew what happened in the past so how could he?

I deliberately turned my head to stare at the monster beside me.I want to twist his arm, the one which is currently touching me.

I can’t do all of this. As inelegant and rude it is, I stormed out of the grand ballroom and found my way out the garden on the back of our house.

“None of this is happening. I can’t be wedded to that fiend” I continuously recite to myself while walking back and forth.

I was actually planning to calm myself but the idea of marrying that man really icks me. The calm wind didn’t even help soothing my boiling blood.

Fuck.

I gave up and let myself sit on the grass.

“That’s so unbecoming for an supposedly elegant heiress” a deep voice came from behind me.

I suddenly got up without facing the owner of the voice and brushed the dirt off my behind.

Okay, be calm. Be preserved. Have elegance. Damn, I can’t.

I heaved a sigh and gathered all the courage in my body then at last, I turned to my back before nearing the distance between us and gave him an as-hard-as-i-can slap.

“I don’t know what you did and said to my father but you haven’t won yet. I despise you and I’ll do everything to have it all turn my way” my breathing gets hard with all the emotions working up as I get a step back.

He’s still looking at his right because of the slap but what infuriated me is the mocking smile he have when he finally faced me. He shook his head and closed the small distance between us. I can’t move. Why is the pressure he bring with him so dense that I didn’t have the chance to take a few more steps back.

“Do whatever you wanna try to do” he said and leaned slightly forward to make my face look up to him with his forefinger.

“But your choice will end up on letting things go my way, or no other way” his smile faded and leaned closer to my ear.

I can’t breath properly.

“You can hate me all you want, but in no time, you’ll be mine”