The Orphan's Goddess

I Met Him

-Lucy’s POV-

It has been a week now since my mother told me that I am to marry a stranger. I haven’t had enough sleep for 3 days thinking about what’s going to happen next. Today is Saturday and I just want to shake off everything from my shoulders and enjoy the rising sun. I am sitting at the balcony, sipping a cup of coffee and taking pleasure of the view in front of me. I breathed in deeply and rested my head on the back rest of my couch when I was startled by the knock on my door that I almost spilled my coffee on my chest. Who could it be? I am a little pissed, but I was determined enough not to ruin my day. I opened the door and saw the smiling face of my mother, but there’s a slight touch of worry in that smile. “Hi mom, good morning” I kissed her on the cheek before letting her in my condo. “What brings you here so early in the morning?” I asked as we both sat on the couch in the living room. “I came here early so that you can prepare yourself.” She said in a very straight-forward manner. “Prepare for what? It’s Saturday and I have finished all of the documents that needed my signature yesterday. What’s with the rush?” My mother held my hands and said “There will be a welcoming party tonight and this will be the night that you will be introduced to the nephew of my friend who is going to be your future husband.” My eyes widened and I truly felt scared. “Can’t I back out?” my voice trembled as I asked my mother. “Honey, we have talked about this. What will happen to us if we lose our only treasure? You know very well how precious our company is to us. I built it for our future, for your future. I don’t know how to pull ourselves up if ever we lose it.” A tear fell on my mother’s face and I couldn’t help but feel the pain inside my heart seeing her that way. I tried to put on a smile and assured my mother “Don’t worry mom I will prepare myself for tonight.” I wish to be selfish, but how can I? She is my mother and I know very well that my parents put up so much in our company and if we lose it we will literally start from scratch. Although I have a few thousand dollars in my bank account I will still struggle to survive if I can’t find a job immediately. There is so much at risk and there is no doubt in my mind that I have to swallow my pride and marry this stranger for the sake of my family. I wiped the tears from my mother’s cheek. “Can you come with me and go shopping? I have to find a nice dress for tonight’s affair.” The worry on my mother’s face faded, smiled at me and nodded.

My mind is totally pre-occupied. Who could this man be? Will he be strict? Is he a nice person? What if he is a lunatic? I shoved away the thought. No, my mother knows best. She wouldn’t put me into deep trouble. Somehow she trusted her friend. I put on a light make-up to emphasize my natural beauty. I wore an elegant Channel navy blue dress that complimented my soft, fair skin. I remember my dad saying that navy blue fits me the best and so I bought this dress which captivated me in an instant when I saw it. It is a simple dress, not revealing so much skin, but it hugged my whole body that accentuated my curves. I made one last glance at myself. This is it. No more turning back. I heard a honk from outside signaling me to go downstairs. I went outside to see a Rolls Royce Phantum waiting for me. The driver immediately greeted me “Good evening Ms. Summers, I am Ronald, your driver for tonight’s event. Please make yourself comfortable.” Ronald took my hand to assist me when somebody grabbed my arm. It was Nick. “I’ll take her with me.” He eyed on Ronald. “I am simply following rules here, sir. Please excuse us, the guests are waiting for her arrival.” Ronald rebutted calmly. Nick then faced me, “Why are you doing this Lucy? I have long expressed my feelings for you, but I didn’t have any chance of being with you and yet you decided to get married to somebody you don’t even know?” I got a little frustrated “Nick, can we talk some other time? My parents are waiting for me I’m sorry I have to go.” With that he loosened his grip, “Promise me that we will talk about this.” His head down. “I promise.” Having said that he let go of my arm and I made my way inside the car. I was relieved that Nick didn’t act viciously. On the way to the event I looked around the car and was fascinated by the interior design of this luxurious car. Well, this is the Rolls Royce Phantom there is no other word to describe this car but magnificent. We were getting nearer to a gate wherein there is an encrypted Letter L on its humongous gate. This must be it. “We have arrived Ms. Summers.” Ronald offered his hand as I went out of the car. The mansion was breath-taking it’s as if I was entering a castle from a fairy tale. My parents were already waiting for me at the hall. My father immediately took my hand “Oh honey, you look amazing.” I smiled at my dad “Thank you, dad.” My mother hugged me tightly; her body seems to tremble as she held back her tears. “Honey, thank you so much for coming. I knew you would look wonderful in that dress we bought a while ago.” Her eyes filled with pride. Then, a man in a black tux approached us. “Hello there Mr. and Mrs. Summers.” My mother broke away from the hug as she heard the man’s voice. “Oh hello there Jack! Well, let me finally introduce to you my daughter, Lucy. Lucy this is my dear friend Jack Lowell.” Lowell? Well, could be anybody’s surname. I lent my hand to the man “Nice to meet you, Mr. Lowell.” The man shook my hand in a shake. “It’s my pleasure to finally meet you Lucy and please don’t call me Mr. Lowell that’s too formal. Call me uncle Jack instead since you will become my future niece.” My face instantaneously turned red. “I have been waiting for this moment Lucy. Let me take you to my nephew. Shall we?” He bent and offered his arm. I looked at my parents to excuse myself and there was no hint of disapproval. I placed my hand on uncle Jack’s arm and he guided me to where his nephew is. My heart is beating really fast like it wants to get out of my chest. I am finally going to meet this man who will turn my life upside down. I didn’t realize that I was holding my breath until I saw the back of a man who is wearing a navy blue suit. “Son.” Uncle Jack started “This is Lucy your future wife.” His nephew turned his back and my jaw dropped when I saw who it was. “Mr. Wise Man?”