The Billionaire's Second Wife

CHAPTER 3: ARRANGED MARRIAGE

CHAPTER 3: ARRANGED MARRIAGE

CELESTINE POV

It's been 2 weeks since what happened in London and after that, I never had the chance to meet Mr. Armani again.

Besides, I don't really want to see him again after what happened between us that night.

The scenario that time suddenly flashed back in my mind and I can't help but blush.

"Hey, darling. Are you okay? Why are your cheeks turning red?"

I was brought back to reality when my dad asked me. We are now in a fancy restaurant because he said that we will meet his childhood good friend.

I don't know who that is but I am sure that he and my dad are so close with each other since my dad is so excited since he woke up earlier and he can't hide his happiness especially now that his friend has sent him a message that they are already on their way here to the restaurant.

"I'm fine dad, the weather is just a little bit hot today that is why my cheeks are turning red," I simply answered and had a sip on my lemonade.

My dad said we will just order our food when his friend already arrives so I just ordered a lemonade so that my throat won't get dry while we are waiting for that special person.

"Celestine, sit properly and fix yourself. I can already see my friend approaching us right now. Make sure that you will be good and don't forget to be polite to them. Did you understand that?" my dad reminded me again before standing to approach the friend that he is talking about.

He keeps on telling me to make myself look good and be polite since we are still in our house until the very moment now.

I don't know what he is up to that he really needs to bring me here to meet his friend. I sighed, I was supposedly just staying in our house and reading books today if my dad did not force me to go with him.

"Oh God, it was so nice to meet you again after a long time, Andrew. Please take a seat. Is this your lovely wife?" my dad asks the man who is probably his friend.

He arrives here with his wife. I think they are the same age as my dad.

However, you can instantly say that they came from a rich family because of how they dressed with all the complete jewelry and how they appear to be very intimidating.

"Yes, she is my wife. It was nice to meet you again too, Nick. So, how are you doing? Is this your daughter that you have mentioned to me?" Uncle Andrew turned to me after they had their seats.

He smiled at me so I just smiled back at him even though it looked so awkward since this would be the first time that we will meet each other.

"Yes, she is my daughter and I am doing good anyhow except for the problem that I have told you about."

My dad's voice suddenly became sad and Uncle Andrew just tapped his shoulder and tried to console him.

"Don't worry about that, Nick. I know that your problem will be solved as soon as we finish our discussion for today," Uncle Andrew simply said, giving my dad an assurance.

He looks kind and I am sure that my dad will not be friends with him if he is not a good person.

"Thank you so much for your concern, Andrew. By the way, where is your son? I'm so excited to introduce my daughter to him," my dad said while smiling from ear to ear.

I just arched my eyebrow because of what I have heard.

What is he talking about?

He never mentioned to me that he will introduce me to his friend's son because he only said that we will be meeting his friend today.

"Oh, he is just parking our car. Don't worry because he will be here anytime now. Let's just wait for him for a while."

It was like a clue because a familiar guy was approaching us and Uncle Andrew immediately waved his hand to him so that he would see us.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, it's so crowded today so it is very hard to find a good parking slot," he said to the elders and this is the first time that I will see him very respectful.

"It's fine, son. Please take your seat. I want you to meet my long time good friend, Nick and his lovely daughter."

The guy looked at me and his eyebrows met like he was trying to remember my face.

"What are you doing here, Ms. Lopez?" he asked me with his furrowed forehead.

The elders look so shocked right now. I just rolled my eyes at him instead of answering his question because I still hate him until now.

"Oh God, do you know my daughter?" my dad asked him with an amazed and shocked face at the same time.

"Well, I already met her before when I attended a business conference in London. I just don't expect that she will be the daughter of my dad's friend," Adrian simply answered with a bored tone. His face just turned blank and you cannot trace any emotion in it.

"Wow, that's good to hear, son. At Least you already know each other so it won't be hard for you to be closer, right, Nick?"

Uncle Andrew said and looked at my dad meaningfully while smiling widely.

"Yes, I am so happy to hear that. Because you already have encountered it before so I am sure that it will help a lot in your future union," my simply replied and smiled back.

"May I ask what you are trying to imply? Why do you want us to be closer with one another?"

I can't help but ask them since the way they communicate through their eyes is really irritating me.

"So, since we are already complete here. We would like to have an announcement. I think this is the right time to discuss the main reason why we need to meet up today."

Uncle Andrew started and his face turned serious.

"Just tell us about it, dad. Stop beating around the bush because I don't want to waste my time with your nonsense," Adrian told his dad with a serious and stern voice.

"So, as you know, Nick has been my good friend since childhood and he helps me a lot during my hard times before I became successful.”

“He has mentioned that his company needs more investors so that they can continue operation. That is why, I want to help them by making a decision to acquire his company – The Lopez Enterprises."

Uncle Andrew explained with a long litany which made Joaquin's forehead furrowed.

"Why do we need to acquire a dying company, dad? It will just be our loss. And also, what is the connection of that to us and you really need to summon all of us here today?"

Adrian asked in disbelief and I think that he is starting to lose his patience.

"Just listen to me first, son. I can't afford to not help my good friend. That is why, I found a way so that we can acquire their company and merge our businesses quicker," Uncle Andrew simply replied with a calm voice.

"And what is that way that you are talking about, dad?" Andrew asked curiously with a raised eyebrow.

"We can do that through your marriage with Nick's daughter."

It was like cold water had poured on me because of what I heard.

I can see how Adrian showed his violent reaction with the sudden news.

Damn, I never see that coming.

"Are you out of your mind, dad? I am still recovering from what happened to my wife and now, you already want me to get married again?" Adrian asked his dad with a gritted tooth.

"I understand that, son. But I think this is the time to let go of Erica's case. Just accept that we will never have her back again."

Uncle Andrew is making his son understand him. I am also shocked by it since I basically don't know anything about Adrian's personal life.

"How many times do I need to tell you that my wife is still alive? I will do anything to bring her back to me. Always bear this to your mind, Erica is ALIVE and I will find her soon," Andrew said with finality while his jaw was clenching.

"I'm sorry about my son's reaction. We should understand that he is still mourning for his bereaved wife." Adrian's mom finally speaks for the first time.

I almost forgot her existence until this moment.

"Shut up, woman. You are not my mom so you don't have the right to speak for me," Adrian told her mom and I can see how his fist is clenching while he is glaring at his mom.

"Stop it, Adrian. My decision is already final. You will get married to Celestine next week and I will handle everything. All you need to do is to attend your wedding. Did you understand that?" Uncle Andrew said strictly.

"No, I will never marry that stupid woman."

That is the last thing that Adrian said before he walked out to the restaurant.

"I'm sorry about that. I will talk to my son first. See you again next time." Uncle Andrew bid goodbye to us with an apologetic face and he also left the restaurant with his wife.

"What is the meaning of this, dad? Do you really want me to get married to a man that I don't love?"

It's my turn to ask my dad and to tell you honestly, I was so disappointed at him because I never expected that he could do this to me.

"I'm sorry about that, darling. But that is the only way that I know in order to save our company. Please just cooperate with us. I did not arrange your marriage with Andrew's son for nothing," my dad answered with assurance.

I just took a deep breath and I really don't know how I should handle this complicated situation in my life right now.