Chapter 2: Agree

"Concerning your marriage, Cassandra."

When she finished speaking, there was complete and utter silence in the room. It seemed to me that my ears had picked up the wrong sentence. 

It's possible that I misunderstood what she have said.

 "P-Pardon, Mom?" I asked my mother when I finally mustered the confidence to speak.

Marriage?! Why would I get married when I don't even have a boyfriend or a potential suitor?

She took a few slow breaths before looking at mewith an apologetic expression on her face.

Tell me you're joking, Mom. Tell me. I kept my hopes to myself.

But, based on what I know of my mother, she would never joke about something like that. When it comes to certain situations, she tends to take things seriously than she does to joke about them.  

"Cassandra... Let's just discuss later, sweetheart.With your dad." It was her response.

"Mom, I'm still waiting for you to tell me it's a joke. Do not make light of that really serious matter." I attempted to calm myself down by laughing, thinking that would make the uneasiness go away. I was trying to make the situation light.

"Cassandra, I am not joking." She retorted in an absolutely serious tone. 

"Who am I going to marry, mom? I am not currently in a relationship!" This entire situation..is a complete mess!

"Let's discuss later, Cassandra. You are welcome to head up to your room first while our maids getthe dinner ready." She said that to me before she left me dumbfounded.

"Mom!" I called, but she didn't turn around and continued heading up the stairs. 

With a disappointed expression on my face, I walked to my room to prepare. I was still thinkingabout what she said. Is she truly serious I'm going to marry someone?

I had an idea on what's going to happen but I opted to shrug it away because I knew that my parents cannot do it. They may be protective but I understood it's for the best and they're not going to engage me in that.

I was combing through my dark hair, which cascaded all the way down to my waist, as I looked in the mirror. I had high hopes that our talk over dinner will go off without a hitch and be successful. I really hope.  

I became distracted from my thoughts as I heard a couple knocks coming from the door. The door cracked open, showing the face of one of the maids.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you, Ms. Cassandra, but the dinner is ready. I was told by your mother to call you so that you could go downstairs." 

I gave her a friendly smile and nod, "Thank you, Sally." I thanked the maid.

Before I stood in front of my vanity mirror, I let out a long, deep breath. I took a glance in the mirror one more time. I was dressed in a white outfit that clung to my curves and was the perfect complement to my fair, light skin tone. 

My parents didn't want me to show a lot of skin, especially if I wasn't really going somewhere, so the dress wasn't too revealing. My lips are a fuller shade of pink, and my cheekbones have taken on a rosy flush.

It's a relief that despite my lack of interest in wearing makeup, I don't have a pale complexion.

I left my room, still anxious about what was about to take place during our conversation, but yet determined to face it. The descent of the stairs causes my heart rate to quicken with each step.  

I looked around and noticed that my family had already made their way to the exquisite dining room.Caden and Calvin are talking, but you won't see any signs of humor on either of their faces, which is rare. It is really unusual for  those two to be having a serious conversation at this moment because they almost always joke about everything. 

Both Mom and Dad are maintaining a blank look as they do nothing but sit in their normal seats in complete silence.The first person I went to wasmy father to give him a warm greeting since I hadn't seen him earlier.

"Dad, it's good to have you home. You have arrived." I said as I flashed a tiny smile. I offered him a brief side hug, and he returned the gesture.  He expressed gratitude to me before nodding. Flavian Acosta continues to project an air of authority even though he is not actually doing anything. 

After a moment, I made myself comfortable in the seat next to Mom. In front of us was a spreadof several foods that were being prepared. When I looked at all of the mouthwatering meals, I immediately felt my stomach growl, but at the same time, my anxiety levels continued to rise.

"Shall we eat?" Following the conclusion of our little prayer, Mom expressed her gratitude to Godfor the food that is currently present on our table and thanked him for providing it.

I have some dishes on my plate, just like they didfor themselves. The only sound that we can hear is the sound of our cutlery.If only it weren't for it,I'm certain that the dining room would have a stiflingly quiet atmosphere. It's not that I'm not used to it, but the silence is making it harder forme to bear, especially with the news that I got from my mom.

"Cassandra, I believe your mother has previously mentioned about your supposed wedding." The tone of my father's voice was cold.

I had done consuming my food, so before I turned to look at him I used some tissue to cleanthe corner of my mouth and then I looked at him.

"Dad, are you and Mom really going to do that to me?"

"Cassandra, please understand that it was done for your own good."

Yes, it was intended for my own good. Since then, I've held to that understanding consistently. That regardless of the choice they make, my parents will always act in a way that is for my own good.

When they decided that I should take a business course in college rather than one linked to arts, which is what I would have preferred to do, I went along with it because I was confident that it would be useful to me at some point in the future. It was for my own good that they did that.

When they commanded me to turn into a prim and proper girl who is only allowed to be friends with children who are from decent families, I was fine with it because I believed it was for my own good even if it meant cutting ties with my best friend from high school.

When they urged me to achieve the top position in the class, despite the fact that I was so exhausted from constantly studying, I did so because I knew it was for the best.

But this time... marrying someone who is a total stranger to me—was it really for my own good?

"I've told you before, Cassandra, that it was for your own goo–"

"No, why…me? Why not Calvin, considering that he is the oldest? Was it because I've always been someone who would follow orders from you, as opposed to Calvin or Caden, who chose to be independent?"

Cassandra, you know that Calvin has a girlfriend.

Yes, I am aware of it. Calvin is in a committed relationship with his girlfriend, and they have been together for close to a year at this time. Caden is pursuing a relationship with a certain person, too. Both of the girls were people that they had picked out for themselves. They don't feel obligated to be with those girls because they genuinely like to be with them.

"But, Calvin has a significant affection for Kayla. They are together not because of any pressure from you but rather because of the love that they have for each other. The same may be said about Caden, she is dating Sophia because he likes her. So, why? Why is it necessary for me to wed a person who I do not like? Even little do I know about him." I said that while also attempting to let go of all the acrimony I'm feeling.

"Cass---"

"It's for the development of our company, Cassandra." My mother, who had been quiet while my father and I were talking, finally broke her silence.

"Cora!"

"What, Flavian? Let's not sugarcoat to Cassandra. This marriage was solely for the company. Why, Cassandra, do you have someone you like that's the reason you're entirely against this marriage?" My mother asked me while looking at me with her piercing eyes.

After hearing my mother's comment, I was so taken aback that I couldn't even close my mouth. Why does she act that this arranged marriage, which is solely conducted for the purpose of gaining financial advantage, is an unimportant matter and should not be treated as such?

"Is the lack of response an indication of confirmation? Do you feel a deep affection for a certain person? I take it you're referring to that Adrian."

"Mom, don't conclude. I can almost guarantee that Cassandra is stunned by all of this information. Let's allow her some time to process what has been said." She was interrupted by Calvin.

"No, Calvin, I'm not talking to you." It was a commanding statement that Mom made, yet she didn't even look at Calvin.

"Mom, Adrian is simply my friend." I responded with all honesty.

"Then, that's fantastic. Now, we can talk about the marriage." Mom replied with no emotion apparent on her face.

"Mom!"

"Mom!"

Both Calvin and Caden said the name of our mother at the same time while wearing expressions of displeasure on their faces.

"Mom, I think we should wait till Cassandra gives her consent first. Give her the opportunity to talk about how she is feeling about this situation." The comment was made by Calvin as he worked to convince my mother.

As my mother deliberated about a matter that would significantly impact my life, she did not show any leniency. As though this subject matter ought to be lightly considered.

"Cassandra, you will have a respectable husband who will definitely take care of you after you get married. That is very certain to me." My father's eyes were on me.

Is it actually the case that the company requires immediate assistance from another business? Is it because we are going to go bankrupt that I have to get married to someone in order to secure our company?

My family has invested their blood, sweat, and tears into AC Real Estate Company. It was a business that had been operating for a very long time before my grandfather was born and that had been bolstered by the tenacity of both my parents. It was a valuable possession that belonged to our family.

"Is it really necessary for the firm that I get married?" I asked with absolutely no emotions.

I recently came to the realization that it was imperative for me to keep my family from being upset. They worked hard enough just to ensure that I, or we, are living a nice life. And if they are serious about wanting me to get married to someone, I will comply with their request, even if it requires me to give up the freedom to be with the person I genuinely like. Even if doing so requires me to once again defer to their judgment in making a decision for me.

After they had heard the question from me, nobody dared to answer the question, and there was a lengthy period of silence.

 "Yes." It was my mother who said that one word, "It is necessary for the business that you do get married. Cassandra, a business that we have put a lot of effort into working for." Her tone was forceful when she uttered those words.

"If I were to do that for all of you, would it make you happy?" I asked again.

"Yes." She responded.

Although my father and my brothers are maintaining their silence, I can see by the expressions on their faces that they disagree with what my mother has said.

"Alright. This marriage arrangement is fine with me." I said that with every ounce of power that was left in me.

"Cass..." My father called me in a low tone.

"I agree. I am going to marry someone for the good of the business." I iterated.

They glanced at me as if they couldn't believe I could so readily agree with it, but I turned my head away. I got up from my seat and glanced at them.

"Excuse me, but I have to go upstairs." I made my excuses before leaving them there and did not wait for a reaction from them.

As I made my way upstairs, tears started rolling down my face. When I agreed, I realized that I had once again given them control of my life, and I feel like such a coward.

Even so, at least I was able to make them happy... even if doing so obliged me to give up my own happiness.