Chapter 5

Javier's Pov

After I kissed Natalia's forehead I turned off her lamplight by her bed and made my way out of her room quietly. I made my way downstairs and towards the wine cellar to grab myself a bottle before heading to bed. To my surprise the kitchen lights were on.

Cautiously, I walked further into the kitchen to see nanny Penelope. She was having a glass of water. She seemed surprised to see me as well.

Why is she still up till this time?

"You are still awake?" She asked.

"I was about heading to bed, just wanted to grab a bottle of wine to tag along." I said with a shrug.

"Will you be needing anything else Javier?" She asked.

"No, thank you." Nanny Penelope had been my nanny since childhood. Even after my parents passed away, she stepped in as a parent figure for me and she had single handedly raised me into the man I am right now. And now she's not just taking care of me but my daughter as well. At times I really don't know how I can appreciate her for her kindness and loyalty.

"The lady from earlier today, who is she?" She asked, the gleam in her eyes tell me the question must have been dancing on her tongue for a while now.

"Which lady?" I asked, not sure of what she's talking about.

"The lady who came by this afternoon, who is she?" She explained more.

I tried recalling the events of today, and then it hit me that she is referring to Daniella. I haven't really told her about Daniella or my plans of getting married to her. Perhaps it's better I say it now.

"She's my wife to be." I said, not wanting to look Penelope in the eye. I could tell from the side of my eyes she paused for a moment though.

"Your wife to be?" She asked, sounding rather shocked.

"Yes, that's only if she accepts."

"I thought you said you won't remarry after what Natalia's mother did, what changed?" She asked, sounding curious.

"Nothing changed ma, I am not marrying her for love. I am getting married for the sake of Natalia and the debt she owes." I explained, not wanting to go into details.

I don't want to give her the real reasons behind my actions. it isn't yet time.

"Debt?" Penelope asked, urging me to explain further

"I paid a loan her family owes and in exchange for the loan, she will have to spend eternity with me in replace of the loan." I explained as I made my way to the cellar.

"This is more like subduing the poor girl into marriage. Does she want to marry you? Do you even know if she's ready for marriage?" She asked as she followed me, concern written all over her wrinkly face.

"There's really nothing for you nor I to worry about Penelope. Everything will go just fine, trust me." I said reassuringly, giving her a small smile. "Goodnight." I said, making my way to my room with bottle of bourbon.

I understand what Penelope is driving at, but I don't really have a choice.

🔹🔹🔹

Daniella's Pov

It's been two days now since my last visit to Mr. Ruiz house. After that day I had gone back to see little Natalia on her request, but I didn't stay for long because I didn't want to see him. I am not hiding away from him, but I'm not ready to sign those papers yet. I have to think all this through because this is a life time commitment, plus my dad's completely clueless about it.

I sighed.

Entering my house, I came to a halt when I saw my father lost in thoughts at the dinning table. Some papers scattered in a way on the table.

I wonder what's going on.

I made my way to him, my eyes widened when I saw the contents of the papers on the table.

How did he find my marriage contract file?!

"What's all these, Daniella?" My father asked, not looking at me.

I sighed, I will have to tell him everything now. I sat down on the chair beside him, not wanting to meet his gaze as I explain.

"After you told me about Carlos and the loan you took from him, I was scared of what he'd do to you if he doesn't get his money. Helena introduced me to another loan shark by name Mr. Ruiz, I went to him for the loan which he cleared while you were at the hospital…we have no colleterals to give to him in exchange of the loan, so…he asked me to marry him in exchange." I explained.

"Why did you accept the offer? I could have cleared up my debt with Carlos sooner or later, you shouldn't have ruined your life!" He half yelled in bitterness.

"There is no way we can be able to clear Carlos debt without putting your life at risk, I had to do what I had to do at that point in time to save us all from a man like him, even if it means ruining my life for it." I said, trying to hold in my emotions.

There was a bit of silence between us, only our beating heart could be heard.

"Fine. But you don't have to marry him, I'll talk to him that I'll work hard to pay him back the loan we took. But marry you against your will, I can't let that happen." Father said, not looking at my direction.

"I already told him that but he isn't accepting it. Besides, even if we worked for a whole year or two we won't be able to raise one quarter of that money." I said sadly.

"So you have accepted to marry him?"

"I don't want to…but if this is what fate has in store for me…then I accept." I stated, looking up at my father while trying to hold in my tears.

He turned to look at me, his eyes teary as he took my hands in his. "I am very sorry…it's all my fault for not able to be a good father to you or a good husband to your mother…"

"What are you saying dad? You have been the best father anyone can ever ask for, and I know mother is proud to have you as her husband." I said, quickly wiping his tears while trying to hold mine in.

He kissed the back of my hands and rested his head on it, I tried so much to hold my tears in but it just couldn't be held anymore.

🔹🔹🔹

I looked at myself in the mirror, perfectly dressed in the most expensive wedding gown ever. I should be happy that I'm getting married in the most luxurious way possible, but sadly, I am not.

This marriage is nothing but a loan marriage and a loveless one at that.

I couldn't help but let my tears roll down my cheeks, ruining this beautiful make-up. I accepted and signed the contract marriage last week and immediately the wedding was fixed next week which happens to be right this moment.

My thoughts got interrupted when my room door went open, looking through the mirror it happens to be Helena who is all dressed beautifully as my chief bridesmaid. I turned to face her as she walked up to me, looking all sad too. Not sad of the wedding I suppose because she was really happy for it, I guess it's because we won't be seeing each other much often as we use to after today.

"Why are you crying and spoiling your makeup you stupid girl." She said.

She went over to the dressing table and took some filler to apply to my cheek where my tears had spoiled. While at it I could see her teary eyes, she's holding in her tears.

"Let it out now." I said.

As if waiting for me to say that to her, she hugged me and broke down in tears which made me emotional as well. She stayed like that for a while till she stopped crying and only sobbing, she pulled out of the hug but not wanting to meet my gaze.

"Listen. I know this is a whole lot to take in and I know you never wanted any of this to happen, but I believe you can handle it just like you have handled every situation since our childhood till this point." She said, encouragingly, looking up at me now and grabbing my hands.

"To you, marrying Mr. Ruiz is a death sentence. But to me it's fate, more like destiny…so I want you to be calm and explore what this destiny holds for you, and flow with it in whatever direction it takes you." She said, giving me a small smile.

"Thank you for being my best friend." I said with a small smile.

"Sisters you mean." She said jokingly.

"Sisters, exactly." I said and we both laughed.

"I'll miss you so much." She said, sadly.

"I'll miss you too." I said sadly.

She pulled into yet another hug which lasted for a couple of minutes till we had to pull away when we heard the door open. I looked to the doorway to see it was my dad. He looks all handsome in his grey suit, and perfectly styled hair.

"I'll leave you two." Helena said with a small smile before leaving the room.

After she had gone, father just stood there for a moment before he walked up to me. He paused his lips for a moment, taking my hands in his. He careess the top of my hands while looking at them.

"Although this is on a different circumstances, I never thought that this day would come sooner." He uttered, still looking down at my hands. Probably to hide his sadness from me.

"Father.."

"I know you do not want this and because of me you are in this situation, but I believe that this is for good as well. You are getting married to a billionaire so your future is one hundred percent secured, that's what every father wishes for their daughter." He said, now looking up at me.

I know he's trying so much not to break down emotionally in front of me, but I can't hold in mine after hearing his words. I hugged him, breaking down into tears in his arms.

"I'll miss you dad." I uttered in a rather whisper tone, crying more into his shoulder.

🔹🔹🔹

Javoer's Pov

I looked at myself in the mirror, I am perfectly dressed in a well fitted white tuxedo with my hair perfectly styled to march my outfit. The last time I dressed like this was seven years ago when I was getting ready to marry the woman I loved, now am standing here dressed just the same way to marry the woman I do not love.

Life is really playing too many games in my life while it's short, it's really heartbreaking.

The door cracking open got my attention, I looked through the mirror to see who it was and it happens to be Penelope and my baby girl, looking all beautiful in her little bride dress.

"Daddy!" My baby girl yelled as she ran to me.

I quickly turned and picked her up into my arms, she really looks so pretty.

"You are looking so beautiful." I complimented her, kissing her cheek.

"And you look so handsome too daddy." She said, kissing my cheek too. "Daddy. Is it that after today, Dani will be my mom?" She asked, her big eyes filled with curiosity and excitement.

"Yes baby." I said with a small smile.

"Yay! I am going to have a mommy now!" She shrieked in excitement with her hands in the air.

She really does like Daniella this much. I'm glad she's happy because that's the main reason am doing all these.

A/N:: Hi guys!

I thank you for your love so far and am so happy you all are enjoying the story. Sit tight and continue the ride because this is where the main story begins.