Chapter 2: Canceled Marriage

"Olivia?" asked a middle-aged man as Olivia entered the empty hall with only a few of her family members.

"Grandpa?" called Olivia. "What's going on? Why is everything quiet?" asked Olivia in confusion.

"Where have you been, Oliv? How could you leave on the eve of your wedding?" asked Simon, looking angry.

"I had a drink with Penelope last night," Olivia replied, walking over to Penelope, who was standing with her mother. "Pel, we spent some time together last night, right?"

"Yes, Grandpa. Last night, Oliv and I were drinking to celebrate our bachelorette party. But when I went to the bathroom, Oliv had disappeared. Until word got out that Olivia had gone off with a strange man," Penelope replied, clearly making his eyes widen.

"Wh-what do you mean?" asked Olivia in shock.

"Didn't you see the video that circulated, Oliv?" Simon asked.

Just then, Olivia reached for her phone, and sure enough, there had just been a viral news story. There was a video of Olivia entering a hotel room alone, and then a few minutes later, a man entered. They left the room in the morning. Rumor has it that the woman who emerged is the granddaughter of Simon Mateus, who is getting married today, while the identity of the man remains unknown.

Olivia widened her eyes as she read the news; clearly, the reporters were not there by chance.

"Did Aland know about this?" asked Olivia.

"Obviously, he knows. Aland's family canceled the wedding unilaterally, and everything that had been planned fell apart," said Simon. 

"No way!" exclaimed Olivia, who immediately ran away from Simon, who continued to shout her name. 

"How is this? Aland must have misunderstood and canceled the wedding," Olivia complained, getting into her car and driving away from the area. 

It didn't take long for Olivia to arrive in front of the office where Aland worked. She ran into the office and entered, ignoring the security screams as she barged in. Olivia entered the elevator and headed to the floor where Aland's office was located. 

"Oh God, why is all this happening? The marriage that I dreamed of must be destroyed in an instant," she muttered. "What exactly happened last night? Why don't I remember anything?"

Olivia thought, "Yes, apart from the face of that comfort man."

Ting!

The sound of the elevator doors opening snapped Olivia out of her reverie. She rushed out of there and walked quickly to Aland's room.

"Aland!" called Olivia, opening the door. The man was indeed in the room and was busy talking to his secretary. 

When he saw Olivia's arrival, the man told his secretary to get out of there. Until now, there were only Aland and Olivia.

"Aland, you misunderstood," said Olivia, walking up to the man who had a flat face.

"Misunderstood about what?" asked Aland, folding his arms across his chest.

"Aland, I don't remember what happened last night, but I need to emphasize one thing. Nothing happened between us last night. Last night, Penelope asked me out for a drink, and I didn't remember anything until I woke up this morning," Olivia explained.

"Penelope explained it to me first, Oliv," Aland said, making Olivia frown.

"She should've explained it to me before you came. Clean up your appearance first; the red mark on your neck disgusts me."

Degh!

Olivia quickly held her neck; she was completely unaware of it. She took out her cell phone and looked in the mirror. How surprised she was to see two red marks on her neck! 

'Damn, it's all because of that comfort, man!" Olivia thought.

"I'm busy. Get out of here, or I'll call security to kick you out!" said Aland viciously, refocusing on his work.

"This is all a misunderstanding. Believe me, someone set me up. Indeed, someone set me up; I didn't even realize I was in that room. Please believe me, Aland, we've been dating for a year. You know me very well," Olivia pleaded pleadingly.

Brak!

Aland pounded on his desk, making Olivia squeal in shock. "Enough!"

Aland got up from his seat and gave Olivia a sharp look. "I'm sick of you. Starting today, our relationship is over. There will never be a marriage between us!"

Degh!

Olivia's body shook violently when she heard Aland's words. She had been in love with a man for a year—almost all of her hopes for a happy life were with the man in front of her. 

"A-aland?" Olivia's lips trembled, and tears hung in her eyes. Her heart was clearly broken and tight.

"Now get out of my room. I'm busy!" Aland picked up the receiver and asked the secretary to call security to get Olivia out of there.

"Is there no more chance for me?" asked Olivia, trying to hold back her tears.

"You called us, sir." Two security men came into Aland's room.

"Get this woman out of here. Make sure she never enters this office again!" Aland said it emphatically and walked out of the room.

"Aland?" called Olivia, but the man didn't want to hear her and just left.

"Miss, you must leave this room immediately," said one of the security guards. 

"I can go by myself. Don't touch me!" said Olivia as they both approached her. 

Olivia walked quickly out of Aland's room, feeling devastated.

"Damn it!" raged Olivia, hitting the steering wheel of her car with a feeling of destruction and pain. Aland's words were still ringing in her ears, and they really hurt her feelings. 

"I'm certain that someone set me up. What exactly happened?" Olivia muttered until she remembered the man with whom she slept.

"That man—I'm sure he knows something. I have to go and ask him," Olivia muttered until her cell phone rang and Simon's name appeared on it.

"Hello."

"Where are you, Oliv?" asked Simon from the other side.

"I'm driving. What's wrong, Grandpa?" asked Olivia.

"Hurry home. I have something to tell you," said Simon, who immediately disconnected the phone.

"Huft. Instead of a happy day, it's the most unlucky day of my life," Olivia complained.

Olivia drove her car and left Aland's office.

When Olivia arrived at the Mateus family's opulent palace, Simon welcomed her right away.

"Sit down, Oliv."

Olivia complied and sat on the sofa, right across from Simon.

"You know, right now, because of you, our family is the talk of the town." Additionally, we're canceling your wedding today. Since then, there have been many incoming calls from investors asking about this news. "You have ruined our family's good name!" Simon was very angry there.

"Grandfather couldn't understand. You wanted to marry Aland, so I fulfilled everything. But what? You embarrassed the family by fooling around and sleeping with a strange man! Aland's family even pulled out of their partnership with our company," Simon complained.

"I was set up, Grandpa. It's all a trap; I never intended to betray Aland," Olivia said, becoming frustrated to explain.

"Trapped by who? You're sure you're trapped. Your cousin's brother is there; he said you just left. Enough of making excuses, Oliv!" Simon yelled, leaving Olivia feeling extremely frustrated.

How could she explain it when she herself didn't remember what happened last night?

"Tell you what. The wedding is still on; Grandpa will announce that your wedding is postponed until next month," Simon said.

"Wh-what?" Olivia furrowed her brow in confusion.

"Either way, you have to find a husband within the next month. Grandfather will have no problem with it, whatever it is, as long as your marriage continues. However, there is one condition: don't go back to Aland. Damn, that family insults you and our family like they're perfect people," Simon complained.

"If not with Aland, who should I marry? Grandpa thought finding a future husband was like choosing clothes. If you find something you like, you just buy it," Olivia complained.

"There is no argument. That's Grandfather's requirement; if you can't find one, he will choose a man to be your husband. Maybe Mr. Holand wouldn't mind," Simon replied.

"Grandpa! He already wants grandchildren!" protested Olivia, and Grandpa just shrugged his shoulders.

"Remember one month, Oliv." Simon rose from his seat.

"Oh yeah, bring your credit card and car keys," said Simon, holding his hand out to Olivia, leaving her confused.

"Why?" asked Olivia in confusion.

"Grandpa will punish you because you're causing trouble. No going out and no facilities for the next week."

"Grandpa!" whined Olivia.

"You can't, Oliv. I've spoiled you too much." Simon sighed. "You must obey this time."

After that, Simon walked away, leaving a completely frustrated Olivia there.

***