chapter 3
1769 Words
Andrea was waiting outside for me when I got home. She rushed towards me and held me. "What did he say?"
I stared blankly at her. What will I do? I can't marry Damian. I don't love him, I don't know anything about him. He's cold-hearted.
"Answer me. What was his response?. Does he want you to pay back his money? Is he suing you?"
She asked so many questions and I was too tired to answer them.
"I will go in"
"Are you ok?. Did he try hurting you?"
I shook my head.
"No. He did not. I just need to rest"
I entered my room and lie down on the bed. I was confused about what to do. Damian seems to be a man of his word, making running away not an option.
"What did he say?" Andrea asked again and I sat up.
I needed to speak to someone. And Andrea was the best option.
"He wants me to marry him"
"For real?"
"Yes. It's not a real marriage though but I don't think I want that"
"Did you not tell him no?"
"Yes, I did. Of course, you know I will put up a fight"
"And what was his reply?"
"He will pick a date and let me know"
"That was his reply?"
I nodded.
"Isn't that a forcible marriage?. Forcing you to marry him, is against the law. You should report"
"You don't understand Andrea. I signed a contract with him, to do anything he wants if I can't pay him back. That was the content of the contract"
"What will you do now?"
"I don't know. I wish there is something I can do. But there is nothing. Nothing at all"
"Nothing?"
I nodded. "Nothing"
**
Damian sent two men to bring me some clothes. "He doesn't know your preference" one of them had said when I asked why the clothes were this much
"Why did he send the clothes and shoes. I don't need them"
"You will be meeting with his family"
I blinked. Why do I have to meet with his family?.
"Did he say why?"
"You are going to be his wife soon, you need to know his family" one of the men answered, irritated I asked too many questions.
"I don't have to meet his family," I said to myself
I wasn't sure if I was the timid type but right now, being caught up in a situation where I have no say, I couldn't help but feel timid.
"You should get dressed. He asked us to come with you now"
"Why does he always want things done in his way?" I thought.
He always wants things done snappy, fast, in his way, and without questions or complaints. He was a typical opposite of Daniel who was calmer and kind.
"Yet he jilted you" my subconscious mind reminded and I scoffed.
The two men stared at me, in disapproval. They were just like their boss, rude, cold-hearted, and bossy. I wondered how he came about them. I couldn't help but wonder also if his family will be just like him.
I have heard of how most rich families detest people from a poor or mid-class background. They had always behaved like they own the world and every other person is a foot mat they could step and trample upon.
I have always prayed not to get involved with them, nor get into their bad book, but right now I could not help but hope I get into their bad book and get rejected by them. That way I won't have to marry Damian and just work for him instead.
"Your time is clicking," the chubby one said and I scoffed.
"I will go get dressed but in my wears, not any of these"
"He asked you to wear one of these"
"I might be a puppet to him but he can't tell me what to do" those words came out of my mouth like a bomb just before I could stop myself from saying it.
They stared at me but I left before they said a word. When I got to my room, I released the breathe I had been holding. It was difficult to breathe freely amidst those two. The look on their faces was domineering just like their boss.
To avoid getting into trouble with Damian, I quickly got dressed in one of my dressed I thought to be nice. Applying a little makeup, I was good to go. I picked up my handbag and joined them in the car.
**
The car came to a halt. "We are here" the chauffeur announced and I stepped down from the car. We were in front of a mansion I guessed to be Damian's house or his father's.
"I will walk you in," a man in his late fifties said. He had dreamy eyes and was a bit kind compared to the rest.
As we walked in, the maids kept staring at me. I could tell from their looks that they were not happy. Some glared at me for no reason.
"Is she the woman our boss wants to spend the rest of his life with?" One of them asked and the others scoffed
"She doesn't worth him. Why did he choose her?. Aren't there other beautiful and classic ladies out there?. Why her?" Another asked and I frowned
"I heard he wants to marry her to stop his parent from bothering him"
"He isn't marrying her for love?"
"No. That's what I heard"
"That's a relief"
"You don't have to be bothered about them," the old man beside me said and I smiled.
"I wasn't bothered" I lied
I was bothered but I had to pretend I wasn't. We stopped in a living room and he asked me to sit. "He will be with you shortly"
I nodded, staring at the massiveness of the room. The arrangement of the couches was awesome and the color combinations showed that it was done by a professional Interior decorator.
I knew this mansion belonged to him, not his parent. Someone cleared his throat and I looked up immediately. He stared at me and frowned.
"This isn't one of the clothes I sent to you"
"I-i..." I swallowed nothing. "I changed it"
"You did what?"
"I..."
"I heard you. I am not dumb like you. Do you want to wear this to my parents' place with me? Huh?. You want them to reject you, right? That's your plan. You get rejected and then boom you are off"
I stared at him. Yes, I wanted them to reject me but can't he just pretend he doesn't understand my reason?. Why does he have to let me know how smart he is?
"I..."
I brushed my hair backward. I was short of words. There was nothing I would say that will count.
"You are changing that. I can't let you disgrace me"
I blinked my tears away. "W-why are you doing this?"
"Doing what?. I haven't done anything yet or have I?"
"W-why do you hate me?"
He scoffed. "My assistant will bring you a new dress. Don't you dare try to play smart on me"
I watched him leave and I sat down on the couch. Why has my life suddenly gone messy?. Why do I have to pay for Daniel's mistakes?
"You are Charlotte, right?" Someone said and I nodded without raising my head.
"Are you, ok?" He asked
I was surprised someone had asked me that. Aside from the old man who was friendly with me every other person here loathes me for a reason best known to them.
"Are you ok?" He asked again and I looked up
He was a young man in his mid-twenties. The way he was dressed, showed he was from a rich home. "Maybe his brother," I thought
They do not look alike. Maybe his friend.
He cleared his throat.
"I-i am fine. Thanks"
"I'm Hunter, Damian's friend"
"Charlotte"
He offered his hand for a shake. "Nice to meet you"
"Nice to meet you too"
"Hunter!" Damian called
"Damian. You're here"
"What are you doing here?"
Hunter frowned. "Can't I visit a friend?"
He ignored him. "My assistant is not here yet?"
I nodded and he glared.
"Yes"
"Hunter, follow me"
"I want to chat with Charlotte for a while"
"Hunter don't you dare me"
"Whatever"
I watched how Hunter spoke with Damian without getting pissed up with the way he was answered.
"How many years have they spent together as friends?" I thought.
"You should get dressed before I come back," Damian said and he headed upstairs.
"I will" I replied even when I knew he was long gone.
**
The gown was a flowing one and I felt so uncomfortable in it. The heels were tall and glassy. Thank goodness he made no complaint about my makeup. He made me wear a diamond ring as a sign that he had proposed.
"You should not say a word unless I ask you" he had warned sternly before we left his house.
"Don't make a scene either" he added
As we stepped out of the car. He held my hand and I flinched a bit. We walked into the house and were welcomed by his parents. His mom stared at me.
"She is the one we've been waiting for?" There was sarcasm in her words and I knew she doesn't like me.
Damian ignored his mom. "Aren't you supposed to offer us a sit?"
"You should have your sit," his dad said, smiling.
Though he had smiled, I couldn't tell if he was friendly or not. Damian waited for me to sit down before sitting beside me.
"What's your name, young lady?" His dad asked
"Charlotte. Charlotte Raymond" Damian answered quickly.
There was silence as the dad stared at me. I was scared to death, sitting with his parents.
"I don't want her" his mom suddenly spoke up
Though that was what I wanted. For them to reject me but I felt sad that she rejected me that way, without hearing me speak at all.
"I don't want her. She can't be my daughter in law" she insisted
"She is the one I want, mom. You can't choose for me"
"Aren't there better women out there?. Woman of great caliber. Why her?"
"I have made my choice mother,"
"Let the young man make his choice" his dad supported.
His mom stood up. "Damian, I am your mother. I know what is best for you. And her," she glared at me. "Is not the best choice"
- Writer
