Trapped into Love

Chapter 3

Sabrina Meyers (POV)

Time is running too fast. Two months after my ex-fiancé screwed up, I'm here doing great as if nothing happened. One week after I caught him cheating, my father asked me to take a vacation away from everything. From work and from the pain. And it did help me a lot. I realized that it's not me who loses the game. It's him after all.

When I came back from that five weeks' vacation, my parents were glad to see me happy. "Excuse me ma'am, your father wants to talk to you," says my secretary Luz. I didn't even feel her presence.

"Sorry for inviting myself in. I knocked a million times but-"

"It's okay. I was zoning out. Anyway, I want you to reschedule all my meetings this afternoon," I said smiling at her.

She nodded as an answer before leaving. What could be the reason why my father wants to see me. And yes, my father is my boss. But unlike others, my father doesn't want me to act with formality when I'm talking to him in the office. His reason is that everyone knows that I'm his daughter which is quite unacceptable for me. I feel like my colleagues are just working with me with enthusiasm because they know that my father is soft towards me at work.

I stood from my seat and fix my things before heading to my father's office. I knocked before inviting myself in. "You want to see me," I said.

"Yes, have a seat Sabrina," he replied gesturing at the seat across him. As a good daughter, I immediately followed his order. I was about to ask him about the reason why he wanted to see me when he started to talk about the company's rivals. According to him, he doesn't want to have a lot of rivals that is why he entered into an agreement or a contract to one of his friend.

"Okay, and that is?" I asked even if I already had an idea about the said agreement.

"You, my daughter is marrying one of the Stewart's," he immediately replied. Stewarts are known for being on top of the business world not just in the country. They own some of the biggest hotels and shipping lines in the country. They even have a bank. Yeah, they're very wealthy human beings.

My jaw literally dropped. I cannot form a word. What was my father thinking? Is he trying to sell me without me knowing it? I know that he has enter into an agreement but I didn't know that he is serious about it since he never mentioned it for the past days. "Tell me - uhm, tell me that this is just kind of a joke, right? "

"Not at all."

"Yes it is."

He smiled at me that made me relax. Maybe he is just trying to make the atmosphere alive with his joke. "Whether you like it or not you're going to marry him. They'll be having dinner with us later," he said that made my smile fade and eyes widen.

Holy f*****g s**t! That's what I want to say but of course, I'm in front of my father. I wanted to protest but I know I don't have any other choice. This has been what my father is telling me. I thought he will forget about it but he's pushing it through. And a thought came to my mind. The last time I argued with my father and turned down the marriage he arranged for me, bad thing happened. He became distant to me. Aside from that, going against his will, scarred my heart. Maybe, going with the flow of my father's plan will not harm me at all.

"Okay," I replied making him flash a smile. I really don't know what has gotten into me that I just agreed with him.

"Oh, thank you Sabrina my daughter."

"Welcome dad. Anything for the company," I replied. "Now, can I go home and prepare?" I added.

"Of course, go. I'll tell your secretary to do some of your work," he said standing from his swivel chair.

I push myself up and hug him before saying goodbye. I went to my office to collect my things and instructed my secretary on what to do before leaving.

I reach the house as early as I expected. My mother is busy cooking in the kitchen when I entered the house. I greeted her before I went to my room. It is still early to prepare so I called Ema to tell what's going on. And as expected, she's been bubbling things out. After talking to her, I worked on some things related to the company. I cannot just sit there and wait for our visitors. While reading a file a thought of the Stewart's hit me.

William Stewart is a great businessman just like my father. He has two sons, Nathan and Caden Stewart. It's Caden who took over his father's place after he announced his retirement. That was unexpected because Caden is his second son. And now Caden is one of the famous businessman. To whom I may be engaged? I really don't have an idea.

I came back to my senses when I hear a knock. "Come in," I said.

My mother came in wearing a smile. "You're not yet prepared? Are you not excited to meet your soon to be husband?"

"I don't know mom."

My mom walk towards me and pulled an empty chair. "Come on, move on my dear. I know, you don't want this and believe me if I say I feel the same way."

"Don't worry mom, I understand. Maybe this is my fate."

My mother tapped my shoulder. "Fix yourself, they'll be here soon," says my mother before going out my room.

I walked inside the bathroom when my mother left the room. After somehow, I'm done with the business. I chose to wear a simple dress. I let my hair in a bun and put a minimal make up. I glance at myself for the last time before finding my way out of the house.

I was still in the stair when I hear laughter from the living room. When I finally reach the last step, I saw my mother coming out from the kitchen. "Oh, you're here. Come, I'll introduce you to them while the food is not yet ready," she said ushering me towards the living room.

There I saw my father talking to William Stewart. The woman sitting beside him is his wife, Elizabeth Stewart. She was the one who see us and acknowledge our presence. "Oh, they're here," she announced that caught the attention of the four man in that room. They all look towards our direction that made me even nervous.

We walked towards them and I greeted them until I came face to face with the two young man in the room. I recognized them easily. Thanks to social media. Yes, this two people is always the talk of almost all news in the country because of their achievements. From their business down to their personal life.

"Hi," I said to Nathan who is sitting beside Caden. He smiled at me and for pete's sake, I almost lost my breath after he flashed his perfect teeth to me. He is really handsome. He let out his hand for a handshake which I took politely. When I looked beside him, I almost shiver because of the way Caden is looking at me.

"Hello," I said not knowing what to do. His looks and the way he carries himself intimidates me. He just nodded at me as a reply.

How could this person be emotionless towards a total stranger? And I'm not even doing anything that will make him look at me that way.

Caden Stewart (POV)

My heart skipped a beat as she walked towards us with her mother beside her. I must say that she's more beautiful on person than on those pictures of her that I've seen in social media. Her picture doesn't give her justice. She started greeting our parents wearing her smile that I can say a forced one because it didn't reach her eyes.

My eyes are still fixed on her when she greeted my brother. I saw her blush when my brother smiled back to her. I feel a sudden annoyance towards my brother. When it's my turn to be greeted by her, I just stayed serious that made her shiver. I can feel and see that through her eyes. I simply nodded to her.

"Dinners ready," announced their maid as we are at the middle of our conversation.

Surprisingly the dinner went good and it was not what I expected. We talked more about business. Much to my dismay, I never heard Sabrina talk. She prefers to just nod, shrug her shoulder or say yes or no to answer some questions for her.

We continued discussing things at their living room. "When will be the wedding?" asked Dexter, Sabrina's father.

"Wedding?" replied Sabrina. She was surprised. I doubt it.

"Yes honey. What are you expecting?" asks her mother. She looked at all of us not knowing what to say. She tried to open her mouth but no words came out.

"Four days from now, Caden and Sabrina's engagement will be announced," says my father.

"What?" both Sabrina and I blurted out.

"That's on Saturday? Everything is happening too fast. Can't we not know each other or maybe - urgh... Fine," she said rolling her eyes that made our parents laugh.

"You can do that when you're already married. Besides, you'll be having your wedding two weeks after the announcement," says my mother who is smiling towards Sabrina.

This time it's only her who reacted. I may say that she's cute. "What an actual f- What have I've done? We cannot prepare for that short period of time!"

"Don't worry dear, everthing is almost done. Trust us," says Luna, Sabrina's mother.

I just stayed quiet as I watch the way she reacts every time our parents throw new unexpected things to her. A small smile was formed on my lips. I don't have any choice on this, so why not play along with it.

"Okay, I want you to pack all your things today," I said interrupting whatever they're talking. All pair of eyes was on me. I want to laugh because of their reaction but I need to maintain my so-called seriousness and profesionalism. Silence filled the room.

My brother Nathan whistled. "In a hurry huh?"

"What?" I asked raising an eyebrow. "Well, everything is happening too fast so staying at the same roof is not a problem," I added.

"Trust me brother, it would."

"Shut up, you're not even involve here."

"Yes I am. What am I doing here if I'm not involve in this? Might not believe it but I think, I'm going to change my mind. I'd rather take over the company and marry this lady than to just let go of the company," he replied that earned a chuckle from Sabrina. I feel a little bit mad at Nathan after hearing that. Would Sabrina really change his mind of not pursuing his own career?

"Yeah, why did they even invite you?" I said as I glared at him.

"Seriously?" Luna asked that made me look at her. I just shrugged my shoulder as a reply.

I thought they'll argue with me but I was wrong. The time Luna asked one of their maid to accompany Sabrina pack her things proved me wrong. After they're gone for a minute, I excused myself to follow them in her room. Her mother told me where her room is.

The door of her room is slightly open that anyone could hear what a person inside is talking. "Sabrina, we will surely miss you. Is it really necessary for you to go with him tonight?" I hear the maid, who looks two years older than Sabrina said.

"I don't know. But you know my dad Irene," she replied.

I knocked at the door that caught their attention. "Can I come in?" I said peeping my head at the door.

Irene, the maid look at Sabrina. Sabrina just nodded giving me the permission. The room that I expected to see is not actually what it likes. The room is too clean that suits her. It's not as girly as other girls. "Can I excuse myself out?" says Irene.

Sabrina nodded reluctantly. When Irene is already out of sight, Sabrina continued packing her things. "Need any help?"

"No thanks," she replied without looking at me.

Silence once again coated the room. I look around the room until a certain portrait captures my attention. "You're into pageants?" I asked still staring at the picture that is hanged at the left side of the door.

"No why?"

"Really huh?"

She look up at me with furrowed brows. "Seriously, I'm not."

"That explains that portrait of yours," I sarcastically said motioning to the hanged portrait. She followed my gaze.

"Oh, that was long time ago. I just did it once," she said as her expression changes.

"Oh, I see, are you done?"

"Yes, I just pack few things that I really need."

"I see."

She then she lifted her bag, I immediately took it from her. "Uhm, thank you," she shyly said. I just nodded as a reply.

I cursed myself for acting differently from what I expected. The time I show up tonight, I decided to act rudely to her. But now, I'm not aware of what I am really doing.

My parents are already saying goodbye when we set our feet at the last step of the stair. Nathan is not already there, meaning, he is already on his way home. We walked towards her parents for her to say goodbye.

"Oh dear, we will miss you."

"Me too, mom," she replied hugging her mother.

"Behave daughter," her father said before hugging her.

I ushered her towards my car and no one said a word. "You can take a sleep, I'll wake you up when we reach the house," I said before starting the engine.

Our ride was filled with silence. Sabrina is leaning at the car window with her eyes close. She really is beautiful. A thought of marrying her suddenly crosses my mind.

After driving for I think an hour, we finally reach our destination. I woke her up and lead her inside. Her eyes widened as she stepped her feet inside. "Wow, you only live here alone?"

"Nah, Magie and Roger are living with me," I replied as we climbed upstairs.

"Who are they?"

"A family. Not blood related but a family."

"I see," she simply replied.

When we reach the room beside mine, we stopped. "This will be your room for now. No one uses it," I said as I opened the door for her.

"Wow, this is wider than my room, thanks."

I watched her as she walked around the room. Tomorrow, I will ask Magie to call someone to clean this room for her. I cleared my throat to get her attention. "I guess we both need some rest."

"Yeah, thanks."

"Gotta go," I said before walking out. I was about to close the door when she called out for my name.

"Yes, need something?"

She smiled at me and said, "Goodnight."

"Yeah, goodnight," I replied and closed the door. I smack my forehead. This isn't how I planned everything.

I just walk towards my room and had my shower and change into my comfortable clothes. I tried to dial Nathan's number but he didn't even pick his phone up. After my fourth call, I gave up.

@Marcela Francisca