In Love With The Billonaire

ROSELINE “ Beep Beep”. The blaring alarm jolts me awake, yanking me from my sweet sleep. With a groggy stretch, I struggle to find the source of the noise. Finally, my fingers locate the alarm clock, and I slam my palm down to silence it. I slowly sit up, rubbing my eyes and attempting to shake off the remnants of my vivid dream. I stood up, put on my robe and went to pull aside the blinds on the window to let in the early morning sun rays. As I stood by the window, gazing outside, I couldn't help but ponder on last night event. I had eavesdropped on my mum and aunt's discussion that she and my dad will be giving me off in marriage to one of her fathers debtors. One of the things I dreaded the most, not marrying someone I love, was finally going to happen to me. A sigh escaped my lips as I strode to the bathroom and on my way, I caught a glimpse of myself in the full-length mirror. My blonde hair is a tangled mess, and my pajamas are crumpled from a restless night's sleep. I shuffle into the bathroom, and proceeded to brush my teeth and have my bath. My dream has always been simple. I wanted to marry my high school sweetheart, David. Our love was a storybook romance, one that had begun in the halls of Willowbrook High School. David, with his sandy blond hair and athletic build, had swept me off my feet with his gentle kindness and charming smile. He was a few years older, and while I had just completed my studies at the local community college, he was already working at the town's library. I swiftly dressed up, slipping into my work attire I had picked out the night before. Blue was my color for today and I looked elegant in this blue blazer and pants I had put on. I grabbed my bag and made my way to the kitchen where the aroma of breakfast greeted me. My mum was already busy preparing the morning meal. She looked up and smiled as I greeted her. "Morning, sweetie," she replied, handing me a cup of coffee. "How did you sleep?" "Alright, I guess," I replied. My father, Henry walked into the kitchen at that moment, a furrow in his brow that didn't go unnoticed. Something seemed off. They exchanged greetings. “Join us at table this morning”, he said to me as he grabbed his cup of coffee and then went to the dining room. I was suddenly curious and turned to my mum for any hint but her eyes were on the eggs she was frying. The family gathered around the table, and for a while, we ate in a peculiar silence. My aunt walked in some minutes later, greeted everyone and sat down. “Cutie I love your blue blazer, it compliments your hair so well”, she said as she spread butter onto her bread. I looked up and smiled, “thank you, Aunt Nora”. Her father, after clearing his throat finally said, "Rosie," he began, hesitatingly, "there is something important I need to discuss with you." “Don't you think this can wait another time?” , my mum asked but she was greeted with a stern look from my dad. My heart skipped a beat at his serious tone. Even though I could already guess what he was about to say, I just wasn't ready to hear it. I glanced at my mom who wore a solemn expression, and then turned my attention back to my father, waiting for him to continue. "What's wrong, Dad?" I asked. Henry sighed deeply, "You know that the company has been struggling lately, Rosie. Business has been slow, and I have been borrowing money to keep it afloat." I nodded in agreement. I had seen my father's sleepless nights, the stress etched into his every move. I had heard rumors and late-night discussions of her parents about selling the shop. "I tried to keep this from you, but there's something you need to know," Henry continued, his voice heavy. "I owe a significant debt to someone. Someone powerful." My heart sank. I had never heard her father speak in such a defeated tone. This must be worse than I imagined. "Dad, we'll figure this out together. We always do." Henry nodded, "That's the thing, Rosie. I've made a deal to clear the debt." Roseline's eyes widened, her mind racing with fear. "What kind of deal?" Henry handed her the envelope he had been holding. I opened it and read the contents, my hands trembling. "To settle my debt, l've agreed to give you away in marriage. Therein is a proposal for your engagement," he announced. I felt a rush of emotions flood through me - shock, confusion, and then a rising anger. "Engagement? Who?" I managed to stammer, struggling to process the information. "To the son of Mr. Brown," he said. I sat there frozen, the words on the contract blurring before my eyes. It couldn't be real. This was a mistake, a cruel joke. I looked up at my father. "Dad, this...this can't be true," I stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Henry's eyes were filled with anguish, "I'm so sorry, Rosie. I thought I could handle it, but the debt kept growing, and I had no other way." Tears welled up in my eyes. She had always been her father's confidante, his pillar of support, but this was a burden too heavy for her to bear. "You can't just give me away like some...possession," she choked out. Henry reached out to hold her hand, but she pulled away. "Rosie, please try to understand. I'm trapped, and this was the only way I saw to keep the company and ensure a future for you”. My heart wavered between empathy for my father's plight and the overwhelming feeling of being betrayed. I stood abruptly, needing space to collect my thoughts. I thought of David, our plans, our love. "What about David, Dad? What about us?" I finally managed to say. "I know, Rosie, I know this is tearing you apart. But I promise, I'll make it right somehow." The idea of an arranged marriage, particularly to someone I didn't know and had no feelings for, felt suffocating. It clashed with my dreams, with the love I had found in David, someone I deeply cared for. "I can't believe you'd make such decisions without consulting me!" I burst out. My mum and aunt exchanged concerned glances, and my mum gently spoke as she caressed my hand, "Roseline, we thought this would be a good opportunity for you, a chance for a secure future." "Look at the brighter side Rose. It's a promising prospect, and it could bring many benefits to our family”, my dad said. "I won't be a pawn in some strategic game," I repled. I pushed my chair back and stood up abruptly, my heart pounding, "I already have my love and I am old enough to make such decisions for myself. I will not sit here and allow you to ruin my life for me. With that said, I left the table, grabbed my bag and stormed out of the house, tears stinging my eyes. “I am not done talking to you, Roseline”. My dad only called my name in full when he was angry. “ You will come back to the table so we can finish this conversation”. I was too angry to listen. Left to me there was nothing to discuss again. “Roseline!,” he shouted again. I left the sitting room and slammed the door right after me. As I walked, my thoughts were consumed by the morning's confrontation. The image of my parents' faces, torn between their decision and their concern for my happiness. I was torn too—between my love for David and my desire to please my family. “How could they? How could they do this to me?” was all I could think of as I made my way to work.