The Academy Of The Rich And Powerful

Chapter 3

The whole day was not what I'd expected. The only normal thing that had occurred was Nick following me like a lost puppy. Other than that, everything else was annoying.

This whole thing is just a mess waiting to happen. How could my mother not see that? Marrying me into the rival? Our enemy? Rubbish!

Staring at my reflection in the mirror, it was more than enough. I looked the part. I dressed myself in a black matching suit-jacket and pants, and a lace camisole beneath it. My hair lay loose behind me with a single diamond slide on my right.

"Wow," Zaylee comments, entering my room. "Why do you look like you're going on a business meeting rather than a family dinner?" She was in a simple pink dress and ballet flats.

Zach came in next, wearing a navy blue polo-shirt and jeans. "Why are you all dressed up?" He asked.

Serafina came in adding, "You look stunning and all, but don't you think it's a bit much?"

I scanned her from head to toe. She was wearing jeans and a T-shirt; typical.

"You rather I look like you?"

"Diana," Zaylee groaned, "can't you just tell us why you look like that?"

"We're meeting my future husband," I dropped the bombshell. "Any other questions? No? Good. We're leaving."

"No, we're not," Zach says, pointing at my feet. "You're not even wearing any shoes."

I felt a slight embarrassment. "Right," I say, putting my black stilettos on. "Off we go then."

Ride to dinner was quick and filled with a load of questions. How could I possibly answer their questions when I myself don't know the answer? I just found out I'm getting married today.

"Mother," I say, greeting her. She was wearing an outfit similar to mine but in red and her hair was an updo.

"Kids," she says, "Finally." She then turns to the Soul's saying, "Mr. & Mrs. Soul, this is Diana, my oldest; Serafina, age thirteen; Zach, my only boy who's nine; and lastly, Zaylee, my six-year-old."

"A pleasure to meet all of you," Mr. Soul shook my hand. "Everybody, this is my wife; this is my son, Aries; and this is Orion."

Aries went forward planting a kiss on my hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he says, his eyes trying to seduce me.

I pulled back, only to be pulled closer to him. We're only a breath away from each other and I'm sure everyone could feel the tension between us.

"Where are you going?"

Orion interrupted, pulling him off me. "That's enough greetings!" He says, laughing sheepishly. "Shall we go to the dinner table?"

Everyone got seated on the long table. I, unfortunately, was sandwiched between the twins. Serafina looked as though she could die holding back her laughter while Zaylee and Zach looked like they were genuinely enjoying dinner.

"So," Mom began, "How was school? I assumed you've met earlier today."

"Yes!" Mrs. Soul agrees, "Tell us something interesting! It was your first day!"

"I have something interesting!" Orion says, giving me a weird look. "Today, I met the most beautiful girl I could ever imagine. She had beautiful, long black hair and mysterious eyes."

"That's it?" My brother Zach questioned. "You met a beautiful girl with black hair? My sister is sitting right next to you, bro. That girl is beautiful."

"Okay, Zach," Mom says, "We get you." Then everyone started laughing.

Orion continued, "So as I entered, I saw her sitting on her chair reading a book about manipulation or deception."

"Orion, don't," Aries says in attempts to stay out of trouble.

Orion grinned, continuing the story, "Anyway, I introduced myself because I wanted to be friends with her, and she straights up punches my balls!"

"Hahaha!" Mr. Soul laughed, "What a woman!"

Laughter filled the room as he continued his tale about how he met me. If only they knew who he was talking about. I wonder how they'd react. Their future daughter in law punching their other son's balls; how awkward.

"And who might this mystery woman be?" Asked Mrs. Soul, "She left quite an impression. You never talk about a girl like this before."

He looks at me with a wide grin on his face. Everyone else followed his direction and all eyes landed on me.

"Oh god," Serafina says.

Mother adds, "Don't tell me it was you."

"Yours truly did it," I said coolly. "Come on." I then turned to Mrs. Soul and said, "If a stranger randomly flirts with you after you repeatedly asked him to leave you alone, wouldn't you be annoyed? If you ask me, justice was served."

Mrs. Soul applauded in delight. "I like you, Diana. We're gonna get along just fine."

"I have a question," Zaylee raised her hand. "Is it true that Diana's getting married? Isn't she a little too young for that?"

"Honey," mom says, "marriage is just a form of business."

"And you decide to have business with your sworn enemy and business rival," I muttered. Unfortunately, it was loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Diana," mom says, "best behavior."

"Nonsense," Mr. Soul says shaking his hand, "Let her act as she pleases. We will be family soon enough. No need to be a people pleaser."

"Anyway," Aries interrupts, "to answer your question, Zaylee, I am going to marry your sister."

"You?" She asked.

He nodded in response.

No one expected what Zaylee dropped on us. She said, "Why not Orion? He's the hot one."

A smirk appeared over Orion's face followed by hysterical laughter. "Oh my god, Aries!"

Aries only smiled whilst the others laughed along with Orion. I myself couldn't hold my laughter after Zaylee's comment.

"Zaylee," I explained, "I can't marry Orion because he's the second born son. Aries inherits everything in the business therefore he's the better candidate for my hand."

"Too bad," Zaylee says, pointing at Orion, "I would marry you if I could."

"Don't worry," I said looking at Aries, "I could always marry Orion in case Aries dies. Who knows."

"Diana Regina Wu," my mother snapped. "Mind your behavior."

I glared at her refusing to play the part of the obedient daughter. "I don't want to marry Aries."

"Do you think I want to marry you?" He says, "I don't either, but we have our parts to play. Don't be such a spoiled brat."

"Oh hell nah," Zach covered his mouth, "You do not want to piss her off."

"I agree," Orion grins, "unless you wanna get your balls punched."

I could feel the tension surrounding us. I could care less. This set up ain't fair.

"I will not marry a stranger."

"We gave you a month to get to know each other," Mrs. Soul said, "Don't worry, dear. You'll fall for my Aries; I'm sure. Looking at you, I'm sure he'll love you too."

Before I knew it everyone started quarrelling about marriage. Zaylee is out of control and standing on her chair screaming at the top of her lungs about why I'm being forced to marry. Serafina was arguing with Zach about God knows what. Mr. And Mrs. Soul are fighting with Orion and blaming him for this fiasco.

I found myself in an imstense staring contest with none other than the man I'm supposed to marry.

"What?" I questioned.

"This is your fault," he says casually.

"ENOUGH!" My mother growled angrily earning all our attention. "You, Diana, are marrying Aries within the next week!"

"I suppose that will be better than a month," said Mr. Soul.

"Excuse me?" Mrs. Soul argues, "We can't do that. They need a month to get to know each other."

"What for?" My mother questioned, "at the end of the day they are to be married. They can get to know each other on their wedding night."

"Mother!" My siblings and I growled in unison.

"Ew," Zaylee stuck her tongue out.

"Absolutely digustsing," Serafina adds, "I did not need a mental image of that rubbish."

"Indeed," agreed Orion and Zach.

"Settled then," Mr. Soul applauds, "You'll be married on Friday night. Invite your friends. Everything else will be prepared by us."

"Perfect," mother agrees, "End of discussion."

How could she do this to me? This is f*****g insane! First of all, I'd understand it if it were Nick. But to marry me off to this man? This man who came from our rival?

I looked at Aries who was already staring back at me. He's unreadable. Why isn't he doing anything? It's obvious that he's not in favor of this. Why can't he help me out?

"You're just gonna accept this?" I asked.

He nodded in response. "It's what we're born to do, Diana. Get over it."

I can't believe what I'm hearing. Not only am I marrying my rival, but I'm marrying someone who can't even fight for what he wants! I was defeated. It was five against one. I can't get myself out of this. They leave me no choice. Only one person could get me out—my dad.