Chapter 3: A marriage or I am lost
1382 Words
I cannot marry, father! Wait, was this why you tricked me to come home?”
Elena was seated in their dilapidated mansion, gazing at the worn out drapes and torn couches. It used to be a glorious house when she was younger but now, it was a mere roof over her father's head.
It had been almost seven years since he sent her away and he had aged a lot.
Claudia, her cruel step mother still looked as young as ever and that was laughable.
Elena could not help but imagine how much her father had to fend for her.
Scarlet had called him yesterday and told him her ordeal, and that was why she was let in with just an order to agree on.
An order to marry?
“Wait, you think I brought you home to clean up your messy arse and give you the life you couldn't give yourself?” Demetrius, her father reminded her.
“But you told me you have a way out for me, father. This cannot be the way!” Elena shrieked, her voice dying off in sobs. She was exhausted, hungry and sad.
“This is the only way, Elena. You destroyed my life. Do you remember that? You have to earn my love and respect.” her father reprimanded.
His voice was cold, filled with rage as his eyes pierced through her soul, making her gasp for breath.
“Who is this man that I am to marry?” she asked, finally resigning to her fate, believing she'd get another option.
“His name is Alexander Banks,” Claudia squealed, her eyes flashing with a mocking laughter.
Her heart sank deep and her breath was hooked, as though it was the first time she heard it.
“The same Alexander that the whole society considers a ruthless man?” Elena reminded, dwelling on it.
“Yeah… that Alexander!” her Father affirmed and her eyes widened with shock .
“I cannot marry that man, father! Where is your conscience? This man was rumoured to have killed his fiance because of his ruthless rage and you want me to have the same fate?”
Her tears rode down her cheeks, she was crying so much now and choking on her tears, as her words became almost inaudible.
“He isn't going to kill you. He needs a woman so badly to save his face from shame,” Claudia purred, her eyes filled with contempt.
“Besides, you do not have a choice, Miss. It is either marriage to him or I will throw you out into the streets once more.” her father said staring at her.
She yelled at her father, her voice rising. “I will never marry that man. I cannot be your sacrifice for a better life.”
Claudia burst into a hysterical laughter.
“You are too proud for a girl who has nothing to her name.”
Her words tore Elena apart and she hated her so much.
“I have my mother's trust fund. I am going to claim it once I turn twenty-three , which happens in a few months.”Elena hissed at them, it caught them off guard, they looked at each other wearing edgy smiles.
Demetrius cast a leer at her.
“Oh, was that your hope? Well, news flash, she added a clause to it too. That you must be married first and I am adding my own clause now, you must be married to Alexander Banks. Else, you'd be the same broke and hungry Elena that you are.”
She felt her whole world clamping down. She was pinned to the ground by these two bitter souls.
“My Lord! I have never seen any parents as selfish and as cruel as you two…” Elena sobbed, crumbling to the bare, cold floor.
“Sounds hypocritical coming from a daughter who reported her father to social care. Aren't you the reason your father's life was shattered?”
This was the reason he sent her away and she never got a chance to explain herself or defend herself.
She sniffed back the tears that were threatening to come down her cheeks. She had no choice because her right had been stripped off from her by her gloating parents.
The way it was, it was either this marriage or she'd be back there peddling with men who want nothing more than to rip off her soul.
“Fine,” she said with a tone of resignation, “I accept the marriage. But I won't stay married to him for more than a year. That man could end my life,” the tears that streamed down her cheeks were nearly choking her throat.
“Six months is all he needs. You'd be married to him for six months straight and after that, I am sure he would have gained trust back. Just play your part well. That's all.”
“You'd have to get ready because we have informed his assistant and he is expecting you later this evening.”
Her eyes glistened with pain as she gazed at them.
“It is a bit too early to do that , Dad. I mean, I am not even mentally ready and I need some time to recreate myself because I look like a hot mess.”
“Nobody cares how you look, Elena. Claudia will get you something decent to wear. You are meeting Alexander today.” His voice was stern and his gaze cold and piercing.
“But why can't Diana marry him?” she pressed further, hoping to make them change their minds. This felt like a life sentence.
Claudia's face formed into a frown.
“Because Diana already has her life figured out,” Father retorted. “You are the one who is living a shameless, and destructive life.”
Elena slumped, her hair dropping as her face stared down to the floor.
They were right and the accuracy of those words left her shattered.
Diana was her stepsister, Claudia and Demetrius’ daughter. While Elena was out there struggling for survival, she was busy acquiring degrees and making her parents proud.
Elena felt pain clutch heart as she sat there on the floor, thinking about the life she had hoped to have.
***
They were supposed to meet Alex in his office, the Banks Dynasty Complex.
A very high tower with glass embedded at the top.
It was the tallest building in Toronto and it stood out amidst other towers.
The Banks had all the money in the world and their name caused men to stumble and bow.
Demetrius and Elena got down from his old, rickety Prado. In its dilapidated state, it was still the best car in his fleet of dying cars.
“Straighten your hair,” he said with a cold expression and she did that, obeying selflessly.
She wore a flowered dress with tiny sleeves.
It was a free gown that only hugged the upper part of her body.
Her hips swayed carelessly as they walked in through the doors into the building.
“We are here to see Mr. Banks,” her mumbled to the receptionist.
“Mr. Parker?” She asked for confirmation and Demetrius nodded.
The receptionist pointed to the elevator and they walked to it and got in.
Elena felt her heart splitting in her chest as they approached the floor on which her future husband's office was situated.
They got out of the elevator and walked to the door that had his name boldly written on it on a name plate:
ALEXANDER BANKS.
Elena gasped for air as her father placed his hand on the handle.
“I hope you're ready?” He squeaked at her, his gaze filled with haughtiness.
Elena nodded gently although deep down, she was not near ready. Her heart was racing with anxiety.
He pushed the door open without knocking and they walked in, Elena tagging along behind him with her hands tucked within the bodice of her dress.
She was scared and anxious.
Elena raised her lowered gaze and it fell on the man seated behind the table and my head turned as she felt a loud scream in her heart, “holy s**t!”
- Writer
