Their Forceful Marriage

The Family Dinner

Finally, after a few days of mulling it over and accepting the fact that he was actually going to a dinner that could determine his fate, Killian finished getting ready wearing the usual two piece suit, leaving out the tie. He had on a white long sleeved button down paired with his navy blue blazer, fitted slacks, and his Cartier watch. He put on his shoes, grabbed his keys, input the security code to his penthouse, and soon made his way to the elevator. 

As he waited, he began losing himself in the thought of getting married to a complete stranger. He didn't care to admit it but, he did remember faintly how he spent time with a little girl at some point when he was a kid. He didn't remember much of it except that he gave her a little blue flower. That's it. Not that that's going to mean anything since he was just a kid.

At least Warren was going to be there with him as a buffer, especially, since he already felt like he was being cornered when he was told that they were going to have dinner at one of his mother's restaurants. Even his brother, Lucas, was told to come down, as if his parents were finding some kind of assurance that he wouldn't say or do anything reckless. The elevator doors slid open, made his way to his car, and drove off to the restaurant.

Meanwhile, Kennedy was looking at herself in the full length mirror, smoothing out the imaginary wrinkles on her dress. She was wearing a emerald green velvet bodycon dress with a square neckline that showed off her collarbones and it falls just above her knees. She wore diamond mini hoop earrings and a necklace to go with it. She lightly combs through her wavy hair with her hands. Just as she gathers her phone and clutch, her mom starts calling for her.

"Kennedy! Come on, we have to go!" Katrina called.

"Be right there!" she shouts back.

She looked at her phone to see a text from Lucas, her best friend and cluelessly known to her, the brother of her betrothed.

See you soon :) … and good luck, I guess. My brother's not exactly at his best mood tonight. 

She chuckled to herself.

I don't need luck. You'll see. See you soon! 

She stashed her phone in her clutch and proceeded to go downstairs to her impatient parents and two knucklehead brothers.

"You look beautiful, darling." Katrina complimented as soon as she saw her daughter coming down.

"Glad you approve." she teased.

"Mom's right, Kenny. You look amazing." Riccardo assured.

"Yeah, for what it's worth, you certainly look ready." Reece added.

"Whatever." she shrugged.

"Ready?" Richard walked to her and held her shoulders.

Kennedy teasingly scoffed and looked at her father in the eye.

"I'm a Pierce, remember? I'm ready for anything." she confidently stated.

"That's my girl." Richard smiled and lightly pinched her chin.

"Alright! So, we're all accounted for. Your father and I will meet you there. Drive safe, please. Yes?" Katrina lightly instructed Riccardo, looking him down.

"Of course, Mom." Riccardo affirmed as he, Reece, and Kennedy turned to follow them out the door.

“Oh! Reece.” Katrina called.

“Yeah, Ma?” he looked up at his mother.

“No funny business tonight. Yes?” she warned and reminded at the same time.

Reece only rolled his eyes at her teasingly.

“Yes, Mother. I know.” Reece assured but then, he added mischievously…

"I mean, I'll try." he shrugged. He then smiled at his mother staring daggers at him, which made raise his hands in surrender.

"I'm kidding! I'm kidding! Let's go already. We're gonna be late." he reminded before quickly but playfully escaping from his mother's grasp.

Since Riccardo drove himself and Reece to the house, Kennedy decided to ride with them while their parents we're driven by a driver in another car.

Their parents' car drove out first before being followed by Riccardo. While on the way, the older brothers decided to interrogate their sister, who was sitting at the back with her face staring at her phone.

"So, Kenny… you're ready for this?" Riccardo started, glancing at her quickly before turning back on the road.

Kennedy looked up from her phone, settled her hands on her lap before taking a deep breath.

"Not really. But, really, what person could ever be ready for something like this?" she mutters, looking out the window.

"Come on, Kenny. You know this was bound to happen. I mean, sure, it's a freaking arranged marriage which literally means you're going to be spending the rest of your life with a stran-"

"Reece, you're not helping." Riccardo mumbled.

"What? I mean, I'm just saying-"

"Don't you think you should say something more… I don't know… comforting, maybe?" Riccardo asked as if he were talking to a 5-year-old.

"Oh. Right." Reece cleared his throat.

"Uh… it's gonna be fine, Kenny. Fingers crossed." he decided to add.

"Wow. Thanks, bro. That really got to me. Really encouraging." Kennedy sarcastically commented.

"You know I suck at these things, Kennedy. What do you expect?"

"Exactly. That's why I expected silence from you. Not the other way around where you attempt to say something comforting but end up saying something that makes me even more nervous than before. But, thank you for that, Reece." she reiterated and rolled her eyes.

Reece scoffed at her comment while Riccardo just chuckled.

"Don't worry, Kenny. At least I'm gonna be right there with you." Riccardo added.

"Thanks for not including me, Ricc. Although, what he said is true, Kenny. He's gonna be there, I'm gonna be there, especially Mom and Dad. Not to mention, Lucas, your best friend since college." Reece intercepted.

"I know. I'm not worried. Just nervous, is all." Kennedy muttered.

Riccardo and Reece glanced at her then at each other before shrugging it off.

Before they knew it, they had arrived at the restaurant owned by Giordano Dukes' wife, Catherine Leona Dukes. The woman is famous for her food and people look to her reviews considering she is also a well-known food critic.

It didn't come as a surprise to Kennedy that their parents would agree to dine there as it was more convenient. No need for reservations. It was that simple.

She didn't realize she was deep in thought until the valet opened the door for her. She gathered her clutch and stepped out the car before muttering a quick 'thank you' to the valet.

She and her brothers walk into the lobby, looking around to see if their parents had arrived. After a while, Riccardo decided to check with the receptionist only to be affirmed that they have arrived and are already seated with the Dukes. The receptionist asks them to follow her but was intercepted by Kennedy.

"Excuse me. Could you show me to the rest rooms first? I need to freshen up real quick." she asked nicely.

The receptionist signaled for the other receptionist and instructed him to escort Riccardo and Reece to the Dukes and Pierce table, muttering something about the table being in the "Coral Room".

Riccardo and Reece looked at Kennedy, asking with their eyes if they should go ahead.

"Go ahead. I'll see you there." she assured them.

Kennedy was led to the rest rooms. She washed her hands and dried them with a paper towel. She then looked in the mirror, checking that her light make up looked fine and looking over her outfit. She looked at herself. She let out a nervous sigh and breathing deeply.

"It'll be fine, Kennedy. You got this." she whispered to herself before going out the door and being led to the 'Coral Room' as the receptionist called.

They arrive at the table and she sees her family. Of course, Lucas and Giordano were there, and oddly enough, she sees Warren, too. Although, before she could see everyone else, her parents and Lucas and his parents greet her.

"Ah! There you are." Richard stood up and met her halfway.

"Sorry if I took a while. I just stopped by the rest rooms." she stated.

"Not at all. Well, here she is." Richard began, presenting her to the family. 

"You remember Giordano, of course?" he uttered.

"How could I forget?" she teased as they share a quick hug and Giordano complimenting her look. She thanked him and complimented him back before being introduced to the next. 

"This is his wife, Catherine." 

"Hello, dear. Welcome! Oh! You look absolutely gorgeous." Catherine greeted her with a cheek kiss.

Kennedy smiled at her "Thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you. I can't wait to eat."

Catherine giggled "That's what I like to hear."

"Alright, Mom. Kennedy doesn't need to be smothered." Lucas intercepted as he made his way to Kennedy, giving her a big hug, though not before getting smacked playfully on the arm by Catherine. They pull away from the hug and Lucas pecked her lightly on the head.

"Sup, Kens." he greeted.

"I'm good." she assured.

Lucas eyed her knowingly.

"You sure?"

"Yes." she said firmly then turned back to the table.

"Finally, we'd like you to officially meet our eldest son, Killian." Giordano presented with his hand.

Kennedy's eyes followed where Giordano was pointing only to be met with a familiar face.

The same face she ran into at the parking lot and at Chateau Destiny. The arrogant jerk. The i***t.

She was going to marry him?!

Also, immediately, she can tell that the same thoughts were going through the man- Killian's head as he stared at her with widened, confused eyes. She, too, found herself staring at him back with the same expression. 

Assuming Giordano gestured for him to greet her, the man, whose name is Killian, stood up from his chair and walked to her. He cleared his throat.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." he tightly muttered.

Kennedy only raised her brow at him. 

So you decide to pretend we don't know each other. Okay. Fine by me. she thought.

Kennedy tilted her head to the side and smiled at him.

"Pleasure's all mine." she mused.

This will be interesting…  she thought.

Unbelievable. f**k my life. he thought.