The Forbidden Passion

Chapter Five

Ariana wept bitterly as she slipped on her black Maxi gown, her mind all over the place. She still couldn’t believe it. How could her own parents do this to her? Was there no other way to save the company. Why should she have to sacrifice her happiness for the sake of everybody?

She thought about what her father had said about the organization. How he had threatened to take it away from her, stop sponsoring it and also makes sure she never gets to see the girls and the children again. The organization is her everything. She’s always had the mindset of changing the world, so what better way to do that than helping the needy and providing shelter for the poor. It always made her happy whenever she saw those homeless little children play around in laughter. Those little children are the future of tomorrow and she wouldn’t want them turning into criminals. They deserve a better life too.

So for three years, she worked hard to make it what it is hard in making sure those abused girls and homeless children gets the help and comfort they truly deserve and without her fathers company donations to the organization then those children wouldn’t get all they deserve. They don’t deserve that. If the marriage is what is going to make her keep the organization then she has no choice than to do it. It’s either her happiness or their happiness and she chose the latter.

She wiped her tears and applied light make-up, removes her hair from the ponytail as it fell freely before on her back before putting on her black heels. Taking a final look at herself in the mirror she looked beautiful. Unhappily beautiful.

Meanwhile In the dining room Peter and Samuel chattered and laughed like nothing had happened minutes ago while Carla sat quietly thinking about what her husband had said to her. If only she hadn’t done what she did then maybe Ariana wouldn’t have to be sacrificing her happiness to pay for her mistakes. Although Peter said he’s already forgiven her, she knows he would always hate and blame her for it and she’s going to live with the guilt forever.

Ariana walked down the stairs and made her way to the dining room. The moment she entered all eyes were on her. Cole who was siping on his glass of water dropped it as he smiled at his beautiful sister, Brie who was pressing her phone dropped it and stared at Ariana. Even in an unhappy state she still looked beautiful and that made her jealous. Why can’t she be as beautiful as Ariana?. Nina had an unknown expression plastered on her face as she looked at her, Benjamin had a wide smile on his face as he stared at the beautiful lady who was about to be his mother, Clara and Peter smiled at their daughter, even if they’re forcing her into doing what she doesn’t want to do they would acknowledge the fact that their daughter looked beautiful while Samuel stared at her with his mouth wide opened. The beauty in front of him would soon be his to behold.

Ariana pulled out the chair beside Cole—which was opposite Samuel— and she sat. She felt awkward with the stares so she spoke causing them to avert their eyes away from her“Are you all just gonna keep staring at me or what”.

“You look beautiful Ari” Cole said, placing his hand on hers and gave it a light squeeze. “Thanks” she replied with a small smile. She was in no place to smile or laugh, all she wanted to do was run away. Away from this sham of a lunch, away from her horrible family, away from the country and away from everything but she can’t. Running away would cause harm to the one thing she loves the most and she wouldn’t be able to live with the guilt. So she has no choice but to stay.

Since the Anderson’s had arrived and she had displayed that little rebellious scene, she hadn’t thought of looking at Samuel to know what he looks like. Sure she caught glimpse of his slicked back brown hair and his blue tuxedo but didn’t actually looked at him. So she did. She raised her head up and looked at the man she was expected to marry.