Unwanted Marriage

“Thank you, come again!” Ivy was very pleased that she has many customers. “God! That was great.” Her friend, Ivanna said. “I’m tired. I need water.” Ivy said and her friend give her water. She finished drinking her water and her cellphone was ringing. “It’s my dad.” She said excitedly, she answers it. “Hey dad! How are you and mom?!” She said happily. Her father from the other line is so silent. “Dad? Is something the matter?” She asks nervously. “Hmm honey, you need to go home.” Her dad said in a firm tone. “Why?” She asks and her face turns pale. “Just come home, please.” He said and she was nervous. “Why do I need to go home? Tell me dad.” She said. Ivanna was watching her uncomfortable talking to her phone. “Just come home. We’ll tell you.” Her dad said and he even ended the call. “Urgh! How come they’re telling me to go home without telling me the reason?” She asks in the air. “Why? What happened?” Ivanna asks her and she sits beside her. “My dad is telling me to go home. I don’t know. Maybe some emergency.” She purely loves her parents. “Can you get me a flight ticket to L.A. i’ll go home.” She said desperately and even nervous. Ivanna agreed and called the airline. Ivy was in her office clearing her schedules. “Ivy, your flight will be at nine in the evening. When are you coming back?” Ivanna asks her. “I’ll come back soon.” She said. Ivy told Ivanna to manage her business first, Ivy has her own designer company in Las Vegas. Her parents are billionaires but she needs to work for her own funds. She was packing her clothes and Ivanna was helping her. “Maybe it was really an emergency that’s why they needed you there.” Ivanna confronted her. “No, I’m feeling something’s not right.” she murmured and sits into her bed. Ivanna hols her hands, “Ivy, whatever the reason, you have to be strong.” Ivanna smiles at her and Ivy hugs her. “Thank you for always being with me. Take care of Ivy’s okay?” Ivy told her pinching her cheeks. Ivanna nodded, Ivanna and Ivy were best friends since high school. Ivy treats her as her sister though Ivanna’s an orphan anymore. Her parents were already dead and that’s why she and her parents helps her to cope up. They adopted her to their house and treats like their own family. “Sure thing.” Ivanna said and they continued packing. It was already eight in the evening, Ivanna drives her off to the airport. “I’ll surely miss you. Say hi for me to them.” Ivanna said driving. “I’ll miss you too, no problem with that.” Ivy said. She’s looking at the window. Time passes, it was already 8:45 when they reach the airport. Iy was waiting for her flight to be announced. “Good bye sister! See you soon!” Ivy hugs her and went inside the airport. Ivanna from behind is waving at her. Ivy falls in line going to the airplane. She keep on waving to Ivanna and even fly kiss her. They were so inseparable. “Okay, this is it. Welcome to America again later.” She said and wears her headphone. Ivanna drives back to their condo. She called Ivy’s dad. “Uncle, she just took her flight. She’ll be there soon.” She informed them and he was so relieved. “Thank you Ivanna. You should also take care there.” Ivy’s father told her. “Yes uncle. Where’s aunty?” She asks. “She’s talking to someone.” He said. Ivanna already understands it was about business again. “Okay uncle, i’ll hung up now. You must be very busy.” Ivanna said. “Take care!” He said and ended the call. Ivanna sighed and roomed her eyes and she felt sad. “I’ll be home alone again.” She said and lay down to her bed. It takes her trip for like five hours to travel. They had already landed and it takes her to minutes to wait for a can. Luckily, an occupied cab came near her. She told her her address and they drove off. After like twenty minutes, they already reached their gate. “Ma’am, you’re reach but you don’t have any car who fetch for you.” the driver stated that made her laugh. “Yes, they were all busy and in fact they don’t know about my flight. I just wanted them to be surprise.” She explained, half-truth of it and the driver believes at her. She gave her an extra tip, “thank you ma’am.” The driver said. “No worries, drive safe!” She said and the driver went off. The maids were shock, “ma’am Ivy! You came home. Welcome back.” Their maids said in unison. “Thank you.” She said back to them and smiles at them. The maids took her luggages to her room. She was rooming her eyes unto their mansion, she sighed “nothing changed” she said. “Ivy, you’re here! Tina, our daughter is here.” Her father yelling for her mother. Her father quickly hugs her and kisses her forehead. “Dad, i can’t breath” she insisted and her dad laugh. “I’m sorry I just missed you so much.” Her dad said and she whispered “miss you too dad.” Her mom gasps and slowly hugs her, “My baby is now a lady.” Her mother said emotionally. “Mom! Stop calling me a baby.” She rehearsed and her father pats her head. “Even you’ve grown up already. You’re still our only baby.” Her father said and she smiled at them. Ivy remembered something, “By the way, what’s the fuss all about making me to come home like ASAP?” she asks them and her parent’s reaction were priceless. She was already smelling fishy that time. They came into their father’s office to talk. “What?! Are you kidding me?” She can’t control or bear for what she heard. “I’m sorry honey, we know that it was such a hard decision but it’s the best for us.” Her father said sadly. “Why? Why so sudden?! I don’t even know him and more importantly i don’t even love him!” She retorted. Her mom came near her and holds her hand. “Honey, this is the best we can do to save our business.” Her mom said brushing her hands with her own hands. “What? What’s going on?” Ivy asks them. Her mother gazed her father signaling him to tell Ivy. “Our business is going down and the only thing we can do is for you to marry Dwayne.” Her father said that made her speechless. “Why? Why did you just informed like now? How much do you need? I have my own savings.” She said proudly not wanting to marry Dwayne. “Sorry darling, but we already agreed to the Villareals and they already helped us.” Her mother said looking at her eyes. Ivy was speechless and don’t know what to say. “I’m sorry, can I rest for a while. I’m tired.” she said and her parents nodded. Her parents understand what she feels that’s why they let her to rest first. “Are you insane?! I don’t wanna f*****g marry that woman! I have a girlfriend and I love her more than anything else.” Dwayne shouted to her father. “I know it was hard for you but it’s already settled. Break up with her. You don’t have a choice.” his father told him in a serious monotone. His mother was looking at him helpless. His father left, “I’m sorry son. I can’t help you with that. It’s your father’s choice.” She said to him with a sad face. Dwayne was hopeless. “But mom. I love Andrea.” Dwayne straightly looks at his mother’s eyes. His mother cups his face, “I know, honey. It’s better for you to follow your dad. You know him.” His mother told him and he was left speechless. Ivy closes her door and thinking her future. She can’t do anything for them. “All of things, why do they needed me to marry a man i don’t gradually know. I thought of marrying someone I love.” She sighed. She looks upon her clock and it was already four in the morning. Good thing she slept during her trip. She stands up and decided to take a shower. After taking shower, she dials Ivanna’s number. “Hey.” Ivanna said sleepy from the other line. “Hey did I woke you up?” She asks laughing. “Yes probably.” Ivanna said from the other line. “So, what’s the update?” Ivanna asks from behind. “I’m going to marry someone for the sake of our company.” She said in disgust. Ivanna was very shocked, “what?! For real? OMG!” Ivanna yelled. Ivanna was sorry for Ivy to encounter those arrangements of marriage. “So, what are you going to do?” Ivanna asks. “I don’t know. I’m still thinking.” Ivy said brushing her hair. “Whatever be your decision, uncle would still wants you to marry that guy.” She said. Ivy sighed and decided to rest and sleep first. Dwayne was preparing to go to his office. His parents are having their breakfast. “Dwayne! Come let’s eat first.” His mother told him. “I’m sorry but I have no appetite.” Dwayne said in bitter tone. His father bangs the table that made them shocked. “Don’t talk to your mother turning your back!” His father said and he sighed. “I’m sorry.” He then said and faces his parents. “You have to come home for dinner. The Hendrix’s will come over. You’re going to meet your future bride.” His father frankly said. “What?! Are you for real? You’re really making me to marry someone i don’t even know?!” He yelled. His father stands up and faces him. “I’m still your father and you need to follow my rules here.” He said but Dwayne ignored him and left. His parents were yelling at him but he still ignored them. He started his car’s engine and drove off to his office. He dialed Andrea’s number, “yes babe?” A flirty voice of hers. “Andrea, we need to talk.” He said. He told her to meet him to the restaurant they used to eat every date. “Babe, what is it? You’re so quiet.” Andrea holds his hands. “Oh sorry. I am just hungry.” He said and started eating. “Okay, let’s eat.” Andrea told him. After a minute, he finally talk “I’m marrying someone.” He frankly said and Andrea drops her spoon. No one intends to move, Dwayne knows it was hard for her to process into her mind. “Wh-what?” Andrea asks him smiling. “Is this some kind of your another corny jokes?” Andrea laugh bitterly but Dwayne’s face is still serious. “This is serious, Andrea. My parents wants me to marry their friend’s daughter.” He said and Andrea started to tear up. “What about us? What about me?” Andrea’s voice is broken. She wants to cry but she don’t want Dwayne to see her crying. “Is that so? You have to follow your parents.” Andrea said in normal way. “You’re into it also?!” Dwayne yelled at her that caught the attention of the other customers. Andrea was continuing to eat her meal. “I don’t have the power to fight with your parents or the girl they want you to marry. Dwayne! I’m just a simple girl. I am not rich either.” Andrea said simply but deep inside she wants to cry. Dwayne couldn’t think what to do. It was a long moment they didn’t talk to each other. “Let’s go. I’ll give you a lift.” Dwayne said and Andrea stands up and walks out. Dwayne was driving and Andrea was quiet. They had already reached Andrea’s condo. Andrea went out and Dwayne followed her. He hugs her tightly, “I’m sorry. I promise that we can work this out.” Dwayne whispers to her and Andrea was already crying. “I’ll marry her but still you’re the only one I love. Nothing will change.” He said and wipes her tears. She nodded and he kiss her. It was a moment for them to take. “I love you so much, Andrea.” He said and Andrea hugs him back. “I love you too, Dwayne. Promise that nothing can change.” She said and he nodded to her. Dwayne went home and his parents were waiting for him into the dining. “Prepare yourself, they’re coming.” His father said and he went upstairs to change. “Sir, your father requested for your presence.” their maid said. “Okay, i’ll go.” he said. They were already in the kitchen, he saw Mr. and Mrs. Hendrix but can’t see their daughter. “Oh! Dwayne. Come on.” His father waves at him. He sits beside his parents. He can’t see a lady in front of them. “Nice to see you again, Dwayne.” Ivy’s father said and smiled to him. “It’s a pleasure sir.” He said. “Ivy will be here in a minute, she went to the bathroom.” his mother told him. He was curious what she really looks like. He was shocked to see a beautiful woman in front of her. “Ivy, this is my son Dwayne and Dwayne this is Ivy” His father introduced them to each other. Ivy smiled at him but he just stares at her. Ivy’s smile faded away with his expression. “Uhm I’m sorry Ivy. Dwayne isn’t just in the mood.” Mr. Villareal told them and he glared at his son. Ivy sits down with her parents. They have a sweet dinner and their parents are happily talking about businesses. Ivy went to the garden area and Dwayne followed her. “You’re really happy huh.” He said that made her shocked. “What? I wasn’t.” She said in return but he glared at her. “Why it’s so easy for you to agree with this marriage?!” Dwayne yells at her. Ivy was mad and insulted. “It’s not easy for me because marrying a man i don’t even know is such a big mistake but I needed to do that for my parents!” She yells back at him. Dwayne was impressed, “really? Don’t you think you and your parents planned these for our money?!” Ivy was really insulted and she slaps him. It was such a loud noise that tenders his face. “Never insult me and my parents. I don’t even care about your money! To be honest, i don’t want to marry a man who’s so dumb!” Ivy said and left him. Dwayne holds his face and he grinned. “Okay, you want to play, I’ll play with you then.” He said brushing his swollen face. “Thank you for coming! Ivy, such a pleasure to meet you. You’re so nice and pretty.” Mrs. Villareal told her that made Dwayne rolls his eyes. Ivy saw him and she glared at him. “It’s also nice knowing you and your son.” She said gazing Dwayne with a sarcastic voice. “My son recently isn’t in the mood. I’m sorry with his reactions.” Mr. Villareal told them. “It’s okay. We’ll go ahead. Thank you again Abraham, Genevieve and Dwayne.” Ivy’s mother said to them. They hugs each other and Dwayne was just staring at her like he wants to kill her. Ivy took the to kick his foot and run. “Ohmy! That girl.” Dwayne said holding his private area. Ivy smiles for victory and peeks him into the window. She waves her hand to them and smirks at Dwayne.