It All Started With A Bet

Chapter 8

Stella POV

Stella, do you have a boyfriend? Or any man that you want to marry?" I choked on my food hearing those words from his mouth.

"Something is wrong! First those emotional talks and now this boyfriend thing. What is my father up to?" I thought because my father was never the one who would ask these kinds of questions from me.

"Why are you asking this all of sudden? I was baffled as he never chatted with me on this subject. Moreover, it was awkward to chat with your father on this topic.

"You are grown up. It's time to marry you off" he declared as if he already had a candidate. Or a line of boys was standing in front of my home.

"It's not in my plans yet. My only focus is my career right now" I tried to end the annoying topic while speaking the truth at the same moment.

"Then add it to your plans because I have already selected my son-in-law" he dropped the bomb. This was not something that I was foreseeing.

My hand stilled in the midway to my mouth. My body froze and my mind became blank. The unexpected statement threw me off guard completely. I couldn't comprehend its meaning. It was as if the broken letters were flying in front of me. And I was trying to stick it together.

"Why are you so shocked, Stella?" my father's voice pulled me out of the terrace.

"You must be joking with me, right? No need to test me father, I am not going anywhere. I will stay by your side" I told him as I put my spoon down while examining him.

"No, I am not. I really have selected my son in law and he is a good kid" he said flatly

"I won't marry like this. I will marry the person I love. I don't want an arranged marriage" I declared firmly so that he can drop off the idea from his mind.

"I am not asking about your opinion. I am telling you my decision. Your engagement is next week. Make preparations accordingly" his words took the ground from under my feet. I felt as if a cold bucket of water was thrown at me. Or someone had pushed me off from the plane.

"It is my marriage! How can you decide on your own accord" I suddenly lost my calm and busted at him.

"Why are you yelling? I thought that you would be ready for this. You are the only daughter of the Blade family. Your marriage would definitely be business related!" he scolded me in a loud voice which terrified me to another level.

I whimpered under the effect as my father had never in his life raised his voice at me. Tears welled up in my eyes.

"I won't marry him!" I shouted and stood up from my chair. Leaving my food, I came out of the dining room and took large steps towards the exit of the villa. I could hear him shouting my name in anger but I didn't turn back.

"How can he make such a big decision without my consult" I opened the door of my car and drove off to my secret base to cool myself off.

My eyes skimmed at the sea of lights from the mountain top. The blue and yellow lights of the large buildings, small houses, and moving cars gave a calm effect to my disturbed mind. It was just like I was seeing a world of fireflies. A cool breeze blew past me blowing my hair in all directions. I took a sip of wine to warm myself.

"My father was never hungry for power and wealth then why did he make such a bold decision?" I mumbled as tears slipped past my eyes.

"Why?? Why is this world testing me? Mom, did you see how father shouted at me today? He wants to use my marriage as a business arrangement. He wants to use my lifetime happiness for wealth and business dealings. He might think that he is doing his best for me but I know that I will never be happy in this way. Mother, I don't want to fight with him but what should I do to stop him? I miss you, mom!! If you were here today then things wouldn't be like this." I sat there crying for some time. After stabilizing my heart and my mood a bit, I stood up

"Don't worry mom, your daughter is strong, she can endure all of the tests. She will win in the end. You must bless me from heaven" I shouted out loud pouring all the troubles out of my heart. I wiped out my teary face and finished the remaining wine in one gulp. With a broken smile, I made my way back to my car. Carefully I made my way back to my apartment without bumping into anything or anyone.

"Tomorrow will be a better day!" I whispered laying on the bed. I closed my eyes allowing myself to end the pain for today and forget the worries in my dreams.

The nonstop ringing of my mobile woke me up from my deep slumber. With half-closed eyes, I ran my hand over the bed to pick up my mobile but failed to do so.

"Who is blasting my phone so early!" I yelled when the ringing did not stop. I huffed and got up to look for my mobile. The voice was coming from the floor. I bend down and grabbed my purse. Taking my cell out, I found 60 missed calls from Kyle and 20 missed calls from my dad. I sighed as the scenes of last night invaded my mind. Shortly the vibration turned on, in my hand indicating the call from Kyle. I attended the call. Before I could burst at her she shouted through the speakers

"Finally, you picked up the call. Where are you?"

"You blasted my phone just to ask this?" I rolled my eyes at her question.

"You know how much worried I was for you. You weren't picking up the call. Your father called me and said that you left in anger. I thought that you would either come to me or go for a drink. I called all the bars that you go to but you didn't go there. Where were you?" I could sense worry dripping from her tone.

"I was in my apartment. Next time use your brains before searching for me" I taunted her as I got up from my warm bed to freshen myself.

"What!! You were home and here I was about to call the cops. Then why were you not picking up the call?" she questioned me in anger.

"I had a drink then I went to sleep. I didn't hear any call from you" I replied in a flat tone as I stood in front of the bathroom mirror gazing at my messed-up look.

"Are you okay? What did your father say that made you this angry?" she calmed down a bit and asked the topic that became my sore spot since last night.

"He asked me to marry someone for business evolution," I told her the words that I was not even willing to believe. Because my father was never like this who would sacrifice his daughter's happiness for some wealth or a deal.