Chapter 4
1746 Words
Liliana's POV
When the party was done and guests started leaving I walked toward my father and held his arms.
"Dad please don't don't leave me here," I pleaded to hope that he will still see me as his daughter but my father did the opposite thing. He brushed my hands off his arms and then held my shoulders tightly.
"You will stay here Liliana. You will marry
Leonardo Lopez. You have to save our company," he uttered firmly and looked at me intently as if in that way I will understand his point.
"And to save our company, you will sacrifice me?" I asked in disbelief. I used to idolize my father. When I was a child she always treats me like a princess but when our business started falling apart the perfect image of my father was gone and now he is nothing but a cruel father.
" I am doing this for you. This is all for you Liliana can't you see? You will be the one handling Keller Company that is why I am doing my best to make it on top," he responded as if that reason is enough for me to agree with his idea.
"Dad you never asked me if I wanted to handle our company. All you think about is yourself," I lashed out. My father raises his hand ready to slap me but halted when Francis called me.
"Liliana my father is looking for you," he uttered then walked towards us.
"Good evening Mr. Keller," he greeted my father politely. My father bowed his head on Francis to acknowledge his presence then shifted his eyes back to me.
"I will leave now Liliana. Our maid will bring your things tomorrow morning," he uttered before leaving me at the López's mansion.
I wanted to run toward him and begged once again to take me home but I know no matter how hard I try he won't allow me to leave this mansion.
I turned my head on Francis who is looking at me intently.
"Where is your father?" I asked. Francis pointed at Uncle Leonardo who is busy talking to the helpers.
I walked towards him and I felt Francis following me.
"Are you looking for me, Uncle Leonardo?" I politely asked. His eyebrows furrowed then shook his head.
I turned my head on Francis but he just shrugged his shoulder, so he just say that to stop my father from slapping me.
"Drop the Uncle, Liliana. You will marry me a few months from now, just call me Leonardo," he uttered and even though that sounds uncomfortable I still nod my head.
"Okay Leonardo," I uttered which made him laugh. He walked towards me and then snaked his arms around my waist. He leaned his face closer and then kissed my temple and when he did that I wanted him to throw up.
I plastered an awkward smile and then slightly pushed him.
" Can I ask for a favor?" he looked at me and then nod his head.
I turned my head to Francis who is just watching us intently then back to Leonardo.
"My mother raised me as a reserved woman. She taught me that marriage should come first before giving myself to a man. Can we do that?" I asked and I have no idea if he gets my point but later on, Leonardo laughed and nodded his head.
"Looks like I got myself a Virgin Mary, right son?" Leonardo turned his head on Francis. When I looked at Francis he looked disgusted by his father's words but he smiled and nodded his head.
"Yes Dad," he politely respond making him like a robot who was meant to follow his father's order.
I took a deep sigh and then smiled awkwardly.
"Where is my room?" I asked wanting so bad to be alone and leave their sight.
Leonardo looked at his maid and then called their attention.
"Guide Liliana to her room," he commanded before leaving the front yard.
He walked inside and then walked to the other part of the mansion while I am left with the two maids and Francis.
After a few minutes of walking, we stopped at the wooden door. The maid opened it for me and upon entering I was overwhelmed by how big the room is.
I roamed my eyes around and it has everything that I need. A queen size bed, a big TV, a small library, a walk-in closet, my room, and a balcony where I can get some fresh air.
I turned my head to the two maids and then smiled at them.
"Thank you," I politely uttered. They bowed at me and then leave the room, leaving me and Francis alone.
"I think you should leave," I uttered then walked towards the bed and sat at the edge of it. I removed my heels and started massaging my feet. It is a bit red and it hurts a bit.
When I lifted my hand I saw Francis looking at my feet intently so I immediately hide them using the gown that I am wearing.
"I want to rest," I uttered. He nod his head and then left my room and when he was gone I laid my back on the soft mattress and stared at the ceiling.
Why did this happen to me? I am still young. I have a dream to fulfill. I want to live but how can I do that if I am stuck in a situation I don't want to be in, in the first place?
Francis' POV
When I left Liliana's room I walked towards mine and headed towards the balcony.
I called a maid to bring me some whiskey and after a while, I heard her knocking on the door.
"Here is your whiskey Sir," she uttered politely when I opened the door. I took the liquor in her hands along with the glass filled with ice.
I walked back to the balcony and sat on the couch. I pour some whiskey into my glass and then leaned my body on the couch.
I closed my eyes to feel the fresh air but instead of attracting calmness, Liliana's face crossed my mind and her hurt face while massaging her feet.
I took a deep breath and then drink another shoot before standing up and walking towards the kitchen.
When I reached the kitchen I immediately searched for a big where I can put ice, when I am done, I headed back to my room carrying the cold compress.
If I walked into the hallway to go to Liliana's room my father might notice me and it might create suspicion.
Having no choice I walked back to the balcony. Each room in our mansion has its balcony and since Liliana's room is two rooms away from mine I have to cross two balconies before reaching her.
Our rooms were located on the 4th floor so one wrong move and I could die but since I am up for some adventures I bravely climbed each balcony. I almost slipped but luckily I was able to grab the railings.
When I reached Liliana's balcony, her glass door is closed so I knocked on it. It took multiple knockings before she woke up and notice my presence.
She looked shocked and looked at me in disbelief. She immediately walked towards the door and opened it for me.
"What are you doing here?" she whispered afraid that someone might hear us. I raised the cold compress that I am holding and she looked at it with a creased forehead.
"Sit," I commanded but she didn't move so I held her hand and made her sit on the couch on her balcony.
I kneeled on the floor and placed her feet on my lap. She was about to pull away when I tightened my grip putting her feet in place.
"What are you doing?" she asked still whispering. I looked at her and since she is bowing down our faces became inches away when I lifted my face.
I used that as an opportunity to steal a quick kiss.
"Payment first," I uttered with a wide smile plastered on my face. She wasn't able to react all she did was stare at me dumbfounded.
I focused on her feet again and then started applying a cold compress. Her feet are still a bit red so when I am done putting a cold compress O softly massages her feet.
In the middle of doing that I heard her soft sobs which alarmed me.
I looked at her and then cupped her face full of tears.
"Why what's wrong?" I asked and my voice is full of worry to the point that I can no longer recognize it.
I wiped the tears from her face then pulled her and hugged her tightly.
"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" I asked because maybe I massaged her feet too hard.
"I don't want this," she uttered in between her sobs, and by just saying those I already knew what she meant.
"I don't want this Francis," she confessed and she sounded hopeless. I tightened my hugged and kissed her temple.
"I will help you I promise," I uttered even though I have no idea how to stop my father from marrying Liliana.
If I get in my father's way I will lose everything. I will lose López Group of Companies, the company that I had been dreaming to lead ever since I was a child.
" You can't even help yourself," she responded and that made me realize how powerless I am. That I am nothing without my father's name.
"I will escape this f*****g place," she uttered eagerly and I wanted to have that compassion that kind of determination to do what you wanted because up until now I am still under my father's wing.
I am still his puppet but for the first time, I wanted to disobey my father.
Liliana pulled out from the hug and looked at my eyes intently.
"I will leave this place, Francis," she uttered determined to leave this cage.
Ever since I met Liliana I knew she is danger. She will make me do things that I know I am not capable of doing.
While looking at her I created a strong promise to myself. I will fight my father because this time I have someone to protect.
My Lili.
- Writer
