I Do Series: Betrothed

Chapter 2

Andrea’s mind shut down for a second upon hearing the announcement. It feels like something is ringing in her ear when he hears her engagement with Alexander. Everything turned black for a second while she slowly processed in her head the situation she was in at the moment.

Just a few minutes ago, her heart was in bliss because she was sitting not far away from the man she secretly loved. She finally saw him again since they barely talked and met ever since she graduated from college and began working. But, now her heart almost sank into a deep ocean. She’s torn between accepting what her grandparents want her to do. Because for her, it's her responsibility as the only heir to secure the future of their family business. But, she can’t comprehend enough why they must get married when both families are already close enough to have a frequent dinner, just like this.

It was already the twenty-first century, but their grandparents still decided and chose whom they wanted for them to marry. She knew that arranged marriages are not something new for families in the business world. She didn’t expect that she would be one of the unfortunate sacrificial lambs to ensure the future and strengthen the ties of both companies. To make sure that they will be one of the top leading companies in the shipping industry.

“Andrea?” Mrs. Klarise Wilcox called her name that revered her back into reality.

“Yes?” she mumbled in confusion as she lifted her head and saw the pairs of eyes intently watching and waiting for her answer.

“What’s your opinion about your engagement with my son, Alexander?” Elaine asked her soon-to-be daughter-in-law.

“I don’t know, Ma’am,” she answered in a whisper.

“Clear your schedules next week. I already booked an appointment with Violet,” Mrs. Luisa Servante said, referring to one of the most sought fashion designers both locally and internationally.

Both Andrea and Alexander’s eyes widen in shock upon hearing Violet’s name. It clarified that their grandparents were not joking or playing tricks when they announced their engagement a few minutes ago.

“I’m sorry, Mom, Dad, Grandpa, and Grandma. But, I don’t think I can stay longer. I need to go,” Alexander excused himself. He stands up and bows his head a little in respect to the elders. “I’m sorry, but I can’t accept this engagement. I hope you consider my opinion. Goodbye,” he continued before he turned his back and walked towards the entrance of the restaurant.

“Alexander!” his father called him, but he didn’t bother turning his back in their direction. He just continued with his pace and stepped outside the restaurant.

“I’m very sorry for how my grandson acted right now. You all know that he’s a good child, right?” Mr. Alejandro immediately apologized.

Both of the families then assure the older man that they don’t mind and understand him. With that, the Zamora’s guarantee the Servante’s that the wedding will proceed just like what they already planned out without caring nor considering Andrea’s opinion, who is still in a state of shock.

“Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa. I’m sorry, but I need to go too,” she excused herself as the discussion about their marriage continued despite Alexander’s disagreement.

“Me too,” Augustine said right before her father could speak. “I’ll drive you home. Is it alright, Uncle Rupert?” He offered and asked for permission before they left and drove Andrea home.

Later that night, Andrea remained wide awake as she stared at the ceiling of her bedroom. She knew that she couldn’t easily convince her grandparents to cancel their plan. Still, Andrea couldn’t accept the idea of marrying someone she didn’t love. By just imagining herself walking on the aisle with a groom waiting for him that isn’t Augustine makes her chest tighten in pain. It was like someone was smashing her heart into pieces. But, she also knew her obligations and responsibilities as the future Chief Executive Officer.

“Ms. Andrea,” Rina, her secretary, called her attention as soon as her video conference meeting ended.

“You can leave the papers I need to review here on my table,” she instructed without glancing at her secretary.

“It’s not about that, Ma’am,” Rina hesitantly said.

“Okay, so what is it?” Andrea asked as she turned to face her secretary, that was standing next to the door

“Mr. Zamora is here; he said he wants to meet you.”

“Zamora?” she mumbled. “Who?”

“Me,” Alexander said as he stepped inside her office. “You may go now, Rina. Thank you,” he told Rina before he walked past her.

Andrea just nods at Rina as confirmation.

“What does someone like you, a CEO, do here at the office of an operations director?” Andrea asks while she picks up one of the folders on her table that she needs to review.

“We need to talk,” Alexander said in a firm tone as he approached her and sat at the chair in front of her table.

Andrea exhaled as she stared at the man in front of her, who looked gorgeous in his navy blue suit and tie.

“Is it about the engagement our grandparents talked about yesterday?”

“We need to convince our grandparents to drop that idea,” Alexander said in his business tone as if he was talking to one of his clients. “You hate that idea too, right?”

“Of course,” Andrea agreed as she put down the document in her hand. “No sane person would agree to get married in that way,” she continued. “Even though we have known each other since we were young.”

“That’s what I am pointing out!” Alexander exclaimed in joy to know that he and Andrea were thinking the same way. Maybe it is not exact reasons, but their point of view in their sudden engagement is the same boat.

“But, my words don't matter to our grandparents,” Andrea said, ruining Alexander’s excitement in knowing that they may be in the same boat.

“What?” Alexander asked her in confusion about her statement.

“I can’t ignore nor go against what they want me to do. I have my obligations as the only heir,” she answered.

Alexander shut his eyes close for a second and then ran his finger against his hair.

“Are you telling me that you can’t oppose what those oldies want us to do?” he asked in frustration. “Andrea, what are you? A doll that they can manipulate?”

“It’s not like that, and I’m not like that,” she defended herself.

“Then, you should have told them yesterday that you also don’t want this freaking engagement!”

“I can’t! They already made up their mind.”

“You can. We can change their mind.”

“How?”

“I’ll convince my parents, and you’ll do the same to yours,” Alexander suggested.

Andrea’s shoulder immediately drops as she imagines how it will turn out when she tries to talk to her parents.

“It’s not that easy, Alexander,” she said in a low voice. “My family is different from yours.”

“But you can try. You like Augustine, right?”

Andrea’s eyes widened when Alexander mentioned Augustine. “How did-”

“It’s obvious since way before when we were still in college,” Alexander cut her off. “So, you have enough reason to stop this stupid engagement.”

“But, he already has a girlfriend.”

“So what?” Alexander retorted. “It’s not like they are already married,” he added.

Andrea stares at him as if a huge question mark and exclamation point popped up above her head. She couldn’t believe what he had said.

“Are you really going that far?” she asked.

“Yes, I’ll do whatever it takes to stop my grandparents,” he answers without hesitation in his voice. At the same time, he stares at her earnestly, making sure that she understands that he’s not backing out until their family listens to him.

Andrea stares back at him. And then she heaved a sigh as she averted her eyes away from him.

“Okay, I’ll try my best to ask my parents for help and convince my grandparents to stop their agreement,” she said when she gave her attention back to the man in front of her. “But, I can’t guarantee you a good result. It will be hard to persuade them.”

“We need to work together, or else we will be stuck with each other for the rest of our lives,” Alexander stated as she stood up and fixed his suit.

“I’ll do my part to make this engagement end without the need of marrying each other. So, I hope that you will do your part,” Alexander continued before he turned his back at her. “Thank you for your time. I’ll see you at the meeting tomorrow,” he added as he turned in her direction before he stepped out of Andrea’s office without waiting for her reply.

Andrea lazily leans her back on her chair as she stares at the ceiling of her office and massages her temples.

“How can I convince them? When I was like thin air to my mom?” she mumbled. “My voice and opinion don’t matter to them.”