Chapter 4
1171 Words
Chapter 4
The preparations for Genevieve’s wedding to Mr. Trump Mophi were moving at a very high fast pace. Days felt like minutes, and every passing hour brought her closer to a life she never imagined for herself.
Marriage to a man she barely knew, one whose presence chilled her to the bone.
Genevieve woke up that morning, and she sat at the edge of her bed, her fingers nervously twisting the delicate lace of the wedding veil laid out beside her. It was beautiful far more beautiful than anything she could have ever afforded.
But instead of excitement, all she felt was sadness. Judging by the way she felt deep down the wedding gown and veil would have been in black color because for her it was more or less a mourning session.
Her mind wandered back to her late grandmother, Lucy. Grandma Lucy had always been her rock, her guiding light in the darkest of times. It was Grandma Lucy who had sacrificed so much selling her prized possessions just to ensure Genevieve had a decent upbringing.
The memory of her sweet voice brought tears to Genevieve’s eyes.
“I wish you were here, Grandma,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Her father’s footsteps interrupted her thoughts as he entered the room, his face filled with forced optimism.
Mr. Donald, a frail man who had aged prematurely due to hardship, sat beside her, reaching out to gently pat her hand.
“This is for the best, Genevieve,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
“You know that, right?”
Genevieve’s heart ached at the words. She knew her father was right, yet every part of her wanted to run. She wanted to escape this nightmare, to hold on to her fleeting moments of happiness with Santiago moments she now feared would forever remain in her past.
“How is this the best, Dad?” she asked, her voice barely holding back the sob that threatened to escape.
“I’m marrying a man old enough to be my father... a man I don’t love.”
Mr. Donald sighed deeply, looking away.
“Genevieve, we don’t have a choice”.
“ We do Dad let's us let him.have our house. Let us go leave by the country side, in streets any where” Genevieve said crying.
“ Ok Genevieve let's go and Grandma Lucy don’t forget to come along with her. Her remains I mean including the memories we shared together. in this very house” Mr. Donald said, sounding insensitive.
This future broke Genevive down.
“This marriage is the only way to secure our future. Our house, our land... it all depends on Mr. Mophi’s goodwill. And Grandma Lucy... she would’ve wanted you to be safe, to have security.” Mr. Donald Continued.
“Grandma wouldn’t want this,”
Genevieve said bitterly, shaking her head.
“She wouldn’t want me to give up everything for... for this.”
Her father’s face hardened.
“We don’t have the luxury to think about love, Genevieve. You’re marrying into wealth, into security. Do you think love kept our roof from collapsing? Do you think love bought you your education?”
His words stung like a slap to the face. Genevieve closed her eyes, fighting back the tears that blurred her vision.
Her father didn’t understand. No one did. Except Santiago.
Speak of the devil, her phone buzzed on the table beside her. Her heart jumped when she saw Santiago’s name flash across the screen.
She quickly grabbed the phone, her fingers trembling as she opened the message.
“Can we meet? Please.”
Genevieve’s pulse quickened. She had been avoiding him ever since the engagement was finalized. She didn’t have the strength to face him not when she knew what was coming. But now, with just days before the wedding, she knew she couldn’t avoid him forever.
“Vieve?”Her father’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She quickly placed the phone back on the table and forced a smile.
“I’ll be ready soon, Dad.”
With a heavy heart, Genevieve rose from the bed, her mind already racing with the thought of seeing Santiago one last time before her life changed forever.
Later that day, Genevieve made her way to their secret meeting spot, a small park tucked away from the busy streets. She spotted Santiago before he saw her. His tall frame leaning against a tree, his face clouded with a mixture of anger and confusion.As she approached, Santiago turned, his eyes locking onto hers. The pain in his gaze was unmistakable.
“ Baby what is this rumor I hear about you wanting to marry some old Money monger?” Santiago asked with bitterness in his voice.
“ Santiago please let me…”
“You’re really going through with this?” He cuts her short, his voice laced with disbelief.
Genevieve lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze. “I don’t have a choice, Santiago. You know that.”
“Genevieve, this isn’t you,” he said, stepping closer. “You can’t marry him. Not like this. Not when you….”
“I have to,” she cut him off, her voice breaking.
“I can’t let my family lose everything. This is the only way.”
“There’s always another way. You don’t have to do this. Okay Genevive name your price my Dad is a billionaire I will get him to pay the old fool off.You don't have to do this Genevieve.
If only Santiago knew his father was the so-called old fool
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears. “You think I want to? You think I want to marry a man I barely know? A man who... who could be my father? But it’s not about what I want. It’s about survival. It’s about my family.”
Santiago stared at her for a long moment, his face contorted with frustration.
“And what about us? What about everything we’ve been through? Do you think I’m just going to stand by and let this happen?”
Genevieve’s heart ached at his words. She wanted nothing more than to throw herself into his arms, to run away and leave all of this behind. But can she? Of course No. She knew it wasn’t possible. Their love, no matter how strong, couldn’t save her from the reality of her situation.
“I don’t know what else to do, Santiago,” she whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks. “I’m trapped.”
For a moment, Santiago said nothing. Then, with a deep sigh, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest. Genevieve closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of his warmth, knowing it might be the last time she ever felt it.
“We can still find a way,” he murmured into her hair. “There has to be a way.”
Genevieve shook her head. “It’s already too late Santiago sorry"
- Writer
