Chapter Two
881 Words
Adeline stiffens, startled. “But… I’m not ready,” she protests.
She knows she has been engaged to Haynes Van Doren since high school, but she never liked him. She is in love with another man whom she hasn't been able to bring to her parents because she knows for sure that they would refuse to accept him. Not just because she is engaged to Haynes, but because the man she loves isn't in their caliber and isn't presentable. It's a forbidden love.
Her mother’s gaze sharpens. “This isn’t just about you. Refusing him means forfeiting your inheritance. And think of the Van Doren Group. They have been our most powerful allies. A marriage would secure our family’s position and strengthen the business.”
Adeline hesitates, torn between personal freedom and familial duty. The weight of expectation presses down, leaving her with little choice. She nods reluctantly, understanding that the path laid before her is not one she can easily refuse.
Her parents have always focused on the company, business, and all but never on her personally, right from her childhood.
“We love you, Addie Heart” Adeline’s father’s reaction becomes loving unlike his expression from earlier which was very much grumpy. Addie Heart is the nickname he gave her right from when she was a baby. She loved the name but not anymore because he now used it rather against her than lovingly as it should be.
“You are to meet him tomorrow evening. Get ready.” he continues.
“Look your best, Addie and act right as usual. I trust you” her mother adds with a smile hanging at the sides of her lips.
She storms out of the place angrily.
****
Adeline drives to Seraphina’s place, hoping not to get lost because it had been a year since she went there and wasn't sure whether she remembered the route or not. She drives carefully, watching the familiar roads and places.
“Phinaaa! Come out right now!” Adeline exclaims with a mix of anger and tears.
“Why do you sound this way? What happened, Adeline?” she responds worriedly.
Seraphina, who was asleep and had been awakened by Adeline's call, rushes down to see her. The way Adeline sounds is how she does when she is extremely furious.
“Adeline, what happened?” Seraphina anxiously asks immediately after reaching Adeline, who stands next to her car.
Adeline doesn't respond. She just looks at Seraphina sternly.
Seraphina takes her in. It's already late, and they discuss the matter. Adeline tells Seraphina everything.
“My parents want me to marry Haynes Van Doren, but I don't want to!” Adeline cries out.
“Haynes Van Doren???” Seraphina is shocked. “That man of all people? Why him?” Seraphina, who doesn't know they were already engaged, asks.
“Because of his influence, Phina. I hate this. My parents are using me for politics. For their own personal gain.”
Seraphina is bewildered by the mention of Haynes Van Doren, that cruel and ruthless billionaire the public complains about.
In the silence, Adeline receives a text. It's from her boyfriend, whom she had texted after her arrival. She had inquired when they could meet, and he had just replied.
“Let’s meet tomorrow evening, baby. I have a tight schedule, but I cleared the evening for us. I can’t wait to have you in my arms. I miss you, babe. XOXO,” his text reads, with several love emojis.
“Phina, Felix wants me to come see him tomorrow evening.”
“Tomorrow evening? Is that not when you are meant to go on a date with Haynes Van Doren?”
“Yes, and don't call it a date. It's clearly not.”
“What do you want to do now?”
“I don’t know, Phina. I don’t know.” Adeline murmurs, lying on the bed with her back laid straight, her eyes fixed on the ceiling above.
She seems to be lost in thought as the patterns of light blur with the whirlwind of her emotions.
Adeline quickly storms out of the bed and moves very fast to Seraphina, who is sitting at her study table in the corner.
“I have an idea, Phina,” Adeline says, beaming radiantly contrary to her previous demeanor and expression.
“Were we thinking of an idea for something?”
“You are so foolish, Phina,” she retorts. “You know I can’t be with Haynes and Alex at the same time. Neither can I fail to go see either of them.”
“Yes, of course,” Seraphina uninterestedly says and sips water.
“Yes, so please, please, please. Stand in for me by going to see Haynes in my place.”
“What!!” Seraphina chokes on the water she is drinking, and the glass falls from her hand to the floor.
“You want me to go to Haynes Van Doren's as you?” she asks, as if expecting Adeline to say, "Of course not, how could I ever say you should do such?"
Instead, Adeline says, “Please, Seraphina. I beg you. This is really important and you are the only one I have. I can only rely on you ”
- Writer
