Arrange Marriage Gone Right

CHAPTER 4

VICTORIA'S PERSPECTIVE

“Yay!” Jennifer did a little dance and then went straight to telling me more places we could visit here in Mexico. She told me how delighted she was to know me and how she couldn't wait to show me around.

She wouldn't stop talking and I listened, indulging her and returning her enthusiasm.

If I was going to get her to spill on an exit route of the mansion, then I needed to play the part of the best friend.

We arrived at a store called Carla Fernández. It was huge and fancy. Immediately we entered, the ladies shopping as well as the aesthetics showed that this was a place only the creame-de-la-creame shopped.

It was beautiful. For a short moment, I took in the place and I was awed. Beautiful attire, bags, shoes greeted me.

I have always been one for fashion, a girlie girl who loved glitz and glamor. I loved everything about beauty and this, this was it.

“Hola, Miss Jennifer,” a woman in her mid forties welcomed us immediately we entered her store. She was gorgeous.

What is it with Mexicans and beauty?

“Buenas tardes, Diana,” Jennifer responded and they coursied. They exchanged a genuine smile that could only be bred by long term friendship. “Have you prepared our fitting session?”

“Of course, miss. You're our top notch customer. If you ask us to jump, we will ask how high,” Diana teased and they both laughed.

They led us into a room filled with clothes. Beautiful white bridal dresses. At that moment, I had a mixed reaction. I was marvelled at the beauty of the dresses but at the same time, I was sad because of my predicament.

“Come on dear, let's get you fitted.” Diana held my hand inside and began showing me several clothes until we settled for one.

I was allowed to change into the gown alone.

When I glanced at the full length mirror, I smiled sadly. I was beautiful. I would make the perfect bride.

But happiness was far from me. I would make the perfect bride for that devil.

This was not the kind of life I dreamt of, or the kind of wedding or even wedding dress fitting I dreamt of. Rather, I dreamt of one where my groom, preferably Maxwell, would be outside waiting to see me and be awed when he does.

Now, I'm having a loveless marriage.

I sniffed back the tears that played on my eyes, lifted the remains of the gown and walked out.

On seeing me, their expression was priceless. They were stunned.

"Oh! La Mujer, you look exquisite!” Diana exclaimed happily while Jennifer went dead silent, eyes widened in shock.

I must be so pretty that it shut the chatterbox up.

Diana shook Jennifer by her shoulder, asking her what she thought.

“Waw! Just waw, Toria. You look magnificent. Oh my world! Don Rodrigo must be impressed with how you look.” She jumped in glee.

She continued, “I can not wait to see how the don's mother reacts to such a pretty bride! You know what we need, a matching shoe. Glass heels to feet.”

“Of course, Miss Jennifer. Girls, let's get my lady a befitting shoe.”

They were all happy and I knew that this was my cue.

Operation find the exit route activated.

“So, Jenny…” I sang her name, making her giggle. “I heard one of the don's captives escaped from his clutches successfully through an exit route? Is that true?”

She whipped her head fast at me, I thought it would fall off her neck.

“Where did you hear that?” She was serious. Tensed even. This was not the time to get her suspicious of me.

“Well…” I giggled. “I heard it from just one of the maids, ya know.” I shoved her softly, trying to get her to relax.

“Oh… you must have heard wrong, Toria. There's no escaping the don's clutches and there's no exit route whatsoever. Whoever enters the don's clutch, either gets free through a deal or ends up dead.” She said the last part in a hushed tone. It sent a chill down my spine.

He's really a beast.

How? How in the world could father make a deal with such a man? How could he decide my fate without as much as giving me a say in it?

I mean, he could have gone to anyone. Anyone less cruel than the don. Anyone more human.

Why did he have to sacrifice me? Why couldn't he negotiate for something better? Why did he have to dine with the devil?

Worst part, either this or I become a w***e. No way in hell am I doing that.

So, that's it. My fate is sealed. There's no escaping this. I'm supposed to just accept this.

I'm toast.

I guess the operation escape through an exit plan just went down the drain.

Diana came in with sets of shoes and we picked one which I wore. It was pretty, matched the dress and yet again, got the awe and admiration of everyone present.

Suddenly, they all began to leave the store, one after the other like they were ordered to.

I wanted to ask what was going on when he walked in, his usual domineering aura intact.

Our eyes met and for a beat, I saw the look in his eyes. Admiration. Awe. Longing. Love?

Was I seeing things?

“You look beautiful in those,” he complimented but I wasn't buying it.

“You don't deserve me.” I rolled my eyes, took off the heels.

“Excuse me?” He asked, bewildered.

“You heard me. You. Don't. Deserve. Me!” I was speaking from anger, meaning every word that left my mouth.

“What?!”

What was he expecting? That I would jump up in joy or blush like some teenage girl over a mere compliment coming from the root of my problem? My own nemesis? He's joking.

“You don't get to waltz in here and compliment me like we are some loving couple when you know fully well that this is a dubious arranged marriage. Keep your sick compliment to yourself, Don,” I poured out. He looked annoyed but I could care less.

His face went cold. Icy cold and for a beat, I was shaken.

“Are you done?” He asked, his tone going baritone.

“You know what? I'm not. You are one evil, vindictive, kidnapping, murderous beast who just loves taking advantage of the poor and helpless.” I laughed sarcastically.

“Take me for example, I'm just a girl from Louisiana with a bright future ahead, a dream, a man I love but what did you do? You took advantage of my poor father's lack of money to pin me here for heaven knows what. So yes, don, you don't f*****g deserve me!”

I was done now. I turned around, heading for the changing room to change into my previous dress.

“You stop right there.” His voice was low, almost like a growl. It scared me so much that I halted on my tracks.

“You do not walk out on me when I am not done with you, Victoria.” He was standing behind me now, his six foot height towering over my small frame.

I turned around to face him. The look on his face reminded me that he was the don. He had a murderous look like he was about to blow my head off.

“I said, you are beautiful, Victoria.” This time, his words didn't sound like a compliment, it sounded like a threat.

But no, I was not backing down. I pushed the fear down my throat, faced him head on and replied, “And I said, you do not…”

Next thing I knew, his hand was wrapped around my neck, choking me.

I struggled, using my hands to try and push his off my neck but he wasn't budging. I was losing my breath. I was seeing my death.

“You are beautiful. What do you say to that compliment, Victoria?”

“Thank… you… don,” I managed to force out.

He released me, dropping me to the floor like I weighed nothing. I placed my hand around my neck, gasping for air, coughing, my eyes tearing up.

“I own you, Victoria. And as long as you are mine, you will obey me. If I compliment you, you will appreciate it happily and you will be my fine bride. Understood?”

“Yes… Don.” I sniffed. Already regretting my earlier outburst.

“That is the gown you will be picking for the wedding. Get a red dress for the party after.” He walked towards the front door and said;

“Do not embarrass me, Victoria. Your life depends on it.”