Love or hate

Why did you marry me?

Twenty-four hours ago, Zendaya was sitting on her bed while working on her laptop when her dad suddenly walked in. He looked anxious and excited. "What's the occasion dad?"

"My daughter is getting married" she was confused

"Which one of your daughters?"

"How many daughters do I have?"

"Two. I and my sister" she was confused. When did her sister become engaged talk-less of getting married.

"Well, it's you. You're getting married"

"No I'm not" she argued. She wasn't even wearing an engagement ring. Was her father teasing her?.

"Yes you are."

"But to who?".

"The CEO of Z empire. Zayden Anderson."

"What are you talking about dad? I'm not getting married" she was confused. Was she in a coma and seeing things?

"I say you're getting married so you're getting married. Think about it, Z empire could be the boost my empire needs to become number one in country A. If you marry him, our companies can become business partners and take over country A."

"I don't even know him. I can't marry him dad"

"You don't have to know someone before marrying him. Besides, come to think of it, his father is a good friend mine and in order to strengthen our relationship, we arranged a marriage between you and his son."

"What!! If you really want to strengthen your relationship, why not let Guinevere marry him? Why use me? Guinevere is my older sister and I can bet they're the same age. Why would he want to marry a younger woman? Please dad, don't make me marry him" she was already on the verge of tears.

"Because you're more beautiful and young. Men want younger women. Besides, the wedding has already been planned and your dress arrives tomorrow morning. The wedding holds tomorrow by noon. It's an arranged marriage so not much people are invited. The party will be held before the joining so you had better prepare yourself."

"So you mean the wedding was planned without my consent and the wedding is tomorrow?" She was shocked.

"Yes" was his short reply

"But dad... I can't marry a man I don't even know"

"You'll know him once you marry him" with that, he left. She broke down in tears thinking about what tomorrow holds for her.

Zendaya lay in bed with her so called 'husband' who had just technically r***d her or so she thought. She was sad and in pain. She was angry and frustrated. She turned to look at him, he was frantically typing on his laptop and didn't even act like she was there. She turned her back to him giving way to her tears.

The next morning, they were both seated at the dinning table eating breakfast. She felt choked up and couldn't even eat well. His cold demeanor was killing her but he on the other hand, didn't even seem to notice her. He ate his breakfast in silence and when he was done, he left immediately and only then did she have the appetite to eat. About ten minutes later, she was done eating and went to the living room. No sooner had she gotten there that she heard his cold voice.

"Did you already drop your resignation letter?"

"What?"

"Are you deaf? I said, did you already drop your resignation?"

"Yes. I did early this morning" her voice shook as she spoke.

"Good."

She sat down on the sofa opposite him staring blankly at his cold face. She had a lot of things she needed to ask him but because of his attitude towards her, she was scared to.

"You have something to say?" She heard his cold voice

"What?"

"I asked you if you have something to say. Spit it out" his face was cold and his pitch black eyes were like swallow holes which were going to eat her up. His black wet hair fell on his face partially covering his left eye making him look like the devil.

"Why did you marry me?" She asked but immediately regretted it. This man looked like he could swallow her whole. Why did she ask the question? Was she stupid? These were all the thoughts running through her mind.

"Because our parents want us to and also, I'm a man, I have needs."

"So you married me because of pleasure?"

"You could say that also"

"Is that why you r***d me?"

"I wouldn't exactly call it r**e. I'll call it claiming my rights as your husband."

"I was unwilling" she was yelling already which angered him. Who does this woman think she is?

"You have no right to yell at me and whether you were unwilling or not, I don't give a f**k. And if you remember clearly, you have no say in this marriage so you'd better be at your best behavior woman or you'll regret ever meeting me. b***h" he picked up his phone, walking away directly. Zendaya burst into tears. Is this the man she is supposed to spend the rest of her life with? He is a monster. She couldn't hold back her tears so she continued crying...

"Do you think Zendaya is happy where she is?" Barbara was asking her husband.

"Of course she will be. I trust Jamie so I should trust his son right?"

"You can't say that dad. Just because the father is nice doesn't mean the son will be. Right mum?"

"I agree with Guinevere. You can't just trust him."

"Mum's right dad. You know what, I think we should give her a call to know how she's fairing" she picked up her phone but her father snatched it

"No one calls her under my roof. She's married now so she belongs to them now. If she ever wants to talk to us, she'll call but under no circumstances should you two reach out to her"

"But dad..."

"My decision is final and not open for discussion. Am I clear?"

"Yes dad."

"Good" he handed Guinevere her phone before walking towards the door.

"Where are you going honey?" Barbara called out to her husband.

"I'm meeting with Jamie, we're celebrating our children's marriage with a drink"

"Don't drink too much dad" Guine called out and he nodded before leaving the house.

"Are we really not going to call her?"

Barbara sighed. "I think we should listen to your father Guine."

"You too? My sister is in a stranger's hands and you're just gonna brush it off?"

"He must have his reasons Guine. I'll take a nap now." She left

"What's wrong with everyone?"...

...."Cheers!!" Two cheerful voices echoed at the same time as they clinked glasses. The laughter of the two old men echoed in the empty restaurant. It was a first class restaurant so only few socialists could afford it and they were one of those many few socialists.

"Now that our children are together, I'm guessing we can talk about merging our companies now"

"Yes of course we can. Have any idea Jamie?"

"We could merge the company and hand over everything to the government. What do you think?"

"Government? They'd benefit more than us."

"But our income would be twice as much as now. Think about this, if we sell our companies to the government, it would be easier to bring up another one. You'd gain more than you are now and you'd have enough money to take care of your daughter and wife. What'd you say?"

"No Jamie. I don't think it's a good idea. We're talking politics here. We could lose everything if we hand over to the government"

"I know your fears my friend. Think about it and get back to me." It was then that Gerald knew he had made a mistake by making his favorite daughter marry Jamie's son...