The Forbidden Passion

Chapter Two

  TWO WEEKS LATER.

"Make yourself beautiful. Your fiancé would be here in thirty minutes" Clara said.

"He is you and dad's business partner not my fiancé" Ariana deadpanned as she continued with writing in her diary.

Clara heaved a sign as she sat on the bed, placing her hand on Ariana's.

"Don't touch me" Ariana snapped as she retracted her hand from her mother's.

Clara felt embarrassed. Her own daughter wouldn't let her touch her and had declared her hate for her. She felt horrible but at the same time felt she was doing it all for the good of the family.

She got up from the bed and made her way towards the door. "Get yourself ready. This lunch needs to go well." she said before closing the door

"Whatever." Ariana rolled her eyes. "You want a good lunch. I'll give you a good lunch"

When her parents broke the news to her two weeks ago, she prayed and wished for them to change their mind. For them to find another way to save their company. To save her from getting married to an old man and save her happiness. But no they didn't. They went on with their absurd plan of forcing her to marry the old man. They gave her up for sale so easily. All because they didn't wanna go poor. They would rather sell their daughter than become poor. Wow!

What amazing parents they are!

Twenty-minutes later Mr Samuel Anderson and his family arrived at the O'Brien's mansion in elegant clothings. Sarah, the housekeeper ushered them into the living room where Clara, Peter, Brie and Cole—Ariana eldest brother who had just gotten back from his honeymoon- were seated.

Apparently he had been told that Ariana's fiancé would be coming today so he had to be there. But he wasn't told about the company state and who his precious sister would be getting married to.

"Samuel.... My friend. Welcome to my home" Peter greeted with a joyful smile as he and Samuel embraced themselves.

"Welcome to our house" Clara smiled sweetly as she greeted Nina and Benjamin— Samuel's two children. "Thank you Mrs Clara" Benjamin said, smiling as Nina rolled her eyes.

Ever since his dad announced to the family that he would be getting married, Benji has been so anxious to meet his new mom. His mom died while giving birth to him so he didn't get to have the luxury of  having a mother. He hoped Ariana would fill the space, and become a good mother to him. Unlike Nina who hated the idea. She felt she didn’t need a new mother, more so a mother who is just four years older than her.

"Do you think she'll like me" he said to Nina nervously as he tucked his long coffee brown hair behind his hair. "Relax. I'm sure she will when you give her one of those killer smile you've got. And if she doesn't then it's her loss." Nina smiled, calming the cute nine year old nerves. "Just don't talk about rocks. Girls don't care or want to hear about rocks." she added, jokingly.

"Got it. No talking about rocks." Benji nodded as he looked around nervously.

Cole who had been watching the whole scene unfold stood there perplexed about what was happening.

Peter ushered everyone in the room to settle down as he was about to discuss his newest business deal with his friend. They chattered and laughed when Cole spoke, stopping their conversations.

"When is the man of the hour gonna get here? I mean we can't start lunch without him right." He said, a confused expression plastered on his face.

Everyone kept quiet. The atmosphere awkward as Peter and Carla shared a knowing look. Cole still confused as f**k had no idea why everyone was awkward. "What? Did I say something wrong?" He asked, looking around innocently.

Clara cleared her throat. "Let's go to the dining room now" she ushered them into the dining room.

Series of food and fruits was served on the table with different bottles of fine red wines and champagnes. They went all out to make this lunch perfect.

"Sweetie can you go get Ariana from her bedroom." Carla said to Cole. "Sure mom" he replied as he excused himself for Ariana's bedroom.

"Ari can I come in" he said as he knocked on the door. "Come in" she replied and Cole came in.

"Why aren't you dressed yet. Your fiancé family is here and they're all waiting for you"  Cole said.

Ariana laughed " You're about to experience the best lunch of your life big brother". Taking her scrunchy from the bed she tied her hair into a messy bun.

"You bet. I'm absolutely confused about everything going on here. Back there I asked why your fiancé hasn't arrived yet and everyone went awkward and stared like I'd said something wrong"

"I see mom and dad haven't told you yet." Ari said.

"Told me what" Cole asked, bewildered.

"Never mind. You'll find out very soon" she smirked. "Shall we go" she asked.

"Wait! You can't meet them like that. First impression matters you know" he said, utterly bewildered by his sister look.

"Exactly brother. First impression matters."  She said smugly.

"Okay. Ariana, what's going on" Cole asked, looking serious.

"Oh c'mon Cole let's just go. You'll understand soon" she grabbed his hands and dragged him out, making their way to the dining room.

Laughter and chatters was brought to an abrupt stop when Ariana spoke. "What's up family" she whooped enthusiastically.

Carla, Peter and Brie stood up in shock. Staring at the person in front of them. There she stood in a grey sweat pants and a grey oversized hoodie she had stolen from Devon—her best friend—, her spongebob flip flops and her hair tied in a messy bun as she chewed on her gum loudly. She looked a mess. A comfortable mess.

Carla and Peter both shot daggers at their daughter but Ariana stood her stand and looked away from them. They asked for a perfect lunch and she was going to give it to them. Did they really think she would dress up elegantly, smiling and all like she was happy. Hell NO. She wouldn’t be doing that. Have they forgotten that they’re forcing her to attend this lunch and also forcing her to marry the man. So NO. She’ll expressing her disagreement anyhow she likes.

Get ready for the drama folks.

“Ariana what’s this” Clara gritted her teeth in anger.

“What is what?” Ariana said, looking around innocently like she didn’t understand what Clara meant. “What do you mean what? You know perfectly what I’m taking about. Why are you....” she looked at her from head to toe trying to find the right word to describe her. “A disaster” she finished.

“Sweat pants and hoodies are the latest trend incase you don’t know ma. Besides you said to make myself beautiful and that was exactly what I did.” She answered,smiling and pleased by how stunned her mom looked.

You thought I’d give in easily. Well you thought wrong mother and father.

Clara opened her mouth to talk but shut it back immediately. She was dumbfounded and surprised at how immature her twenty-three year old daughter was. She had expected Ariana to put up a fuss about the whole wedding but she didn’t expect her to disgrace herself and the whole family in front of the Anderson’s. In front of the man helping their family.

“Ariana go to your room now and change now” Brie commanded. “And who the f**k are you to order me around” she turned to Brie sending her a death glare.

“Okay” Nina cleared her throat. “I think we better leave now. This seems like some serious family issue” she said, biting down a smile. She was enjoying this more than everyone

“No.” Peter said, a little too quickly. “Please excuse us” he said to them. “Come with me. All of you” he commanded before walking out of the dining room. He made his way to his study and the rest of them followed behind.