BOUND BY DECEIT

The Romano Mansion was as vibrant as ever, Amaya stepped in to the familiar scent of vanilla she grew up in, loved by her mother and hence, the Mansion's signature scent. As expected, big plans and preparations had been made for the doted heiress.

Law had been Amaya's dream since her childhood and now she had finally accomplished her dreams and she was back home, this was finally her time to be independent, start her own firm and probably become the family lawyer, so many things in store, her head was throbbing with joy and overflowing with the thoughts of all the possibilities awaiting her.

She was finally back home, home to her mum's embrace and her father's doting smile, she could not wait to announce to the world she was back home not as Amaya Romano but now Barrister Amaya Romano.

'' Amaya darling, you're home'' A familiar voice came through the halls. ''Mum!'' Amaya smiled ''My darling, your dad has been expecting you, there's something important we need to discuss, come darling.'' Amaya's mum said while dragging her along without even letting her reply ''umm mum slow down, where are Michael and Christian?'' Amaya asked while being dragged along ''Oh you know them, workaholics at best, they're at the company, come now we have more important matters to discuss so don't worry about them'' Bailey said this time increasing her pace making Amaya wonder what was so important that made her mother so excited anyways, she'd find out soon.

Stepping into the study, the familiar scent of Oak filled her nostrils, this was the scent she was used to, the scent of the room she'd often peek through to silently watch her father and older brothers, she was given a rather different upbringing from both brothers under the guise of being a girl but all she wanted was to be treated the same and to be seen as highly capable and intelligent too, she did not want to be seen as just a fragile girl and now it was different she was finally on par, finally she could boast of some level of achievement.

''Amaya dear'' Gerald acknowledged, even in his fifties he still looked considerably young and able, you would not expect he was old till the peeking strands grey hairs which were increasing rapidly came into sight. Gerald had always doted on Amaya but they did not always agree on certain topics like Amaya going to Law school, he was reluctant for a while but seeing his daughter's persistence he gave in.

''Dad'', Amaya acknowledged as she made her way in for a hug ''I missed you so much'' she said ''of course you did'' Gerald replied quite smugly. ''I'm sure your mother has informed you we have something of great importance to talk about " he asked rather expectantly "yes dad she literally dragged me here too" Amaya said sending a knowing glance in her mother’s direction letting out a small giggle ‘’don’t laugh Amaya, this is serious’’ Bailey said with a now stern face ‘’what’s this decision of yours?’’ Amaya asked, now perplexed about the whole situation ‘’it’s a wedding, darling’’ Bailey answered, ‘’oh Michael and Grace finally decided to tie the knot, I mean they have been together since forever, you guys are so extra making me worried’’ she said stifling back a chuckle at the end. "Yes, this decision has been made based on a lot of thought and consideration and you might not like it but it has been made with everyone's best interest at hand and we cannot go back on it, we're informing you and not asking for your permission'' This statement by Amaya's father left her puzzled, what could be so important? If it was a wedding? Why was she being mainly involved, was it about her? and if it was, why was her opinion seemingly not being considered? ‘’Amaya it’s your wedding’’ Bailey said rather slowly seemingly weighing her daughter’s reaction ‘’My wedding?’’ Amaya asked now looking at her mother like she had grown a second head ‘’your marriage has been decided on and arranged’’ Bailey said now making her way to her dumbstruck daughter, ‘’what do you mean my wedding?’’ Amaya asked ‘’It’s been arranged already you don’t need to do anything just appear and behave right’’ Gerald answered ‘’what are you guys even saying, this has to be a joke, how can I be unaware of my own wedding? ‘’ Amaya asked now feeling aggravated.

How could this be, not just a wedding but her own wedding, what would happen to her plans, how could this be happening and why to her?

So many questions were running through her mind but she was sure of one thing she would not agree to this at least not now, from a young age she was determined to not fall for the propaganda of high society planned marriages, so NO! this would not be her life, this would not be her story not to get married to a man she doesn’t know.

‘’Amaya, this is my final decision and there’s no going back, breaking this alliance would be destroying this family’’ Gerald said now getting riled up ‘’Dad you set this up of course you can fix it, who even is this family it can’t be that hard really’’ Amaya said ‘’we can’t just break this one off it’s the Allucci-Rossi family, breaking it off would be asking for trouble and you know this’’ Gerald replied ‘’The Allucci-Rossi family dad! , why would you even do this, that cruel family and without my permission I don’t even know this man in question, why would you do this dad? , mum please speak to him’’ Amaya moved anxiously towards her mother holding her mother in tears ‘’please mum don’t make me do this, tell dad too he’ll listen to you, I don’t know why he’s doing this, is it because of law school dad? , you still want to punish me for going against you right? That’s it right?’’ Amaya moved around frantically, it seemed to be a mix of Anger and Anxiety.

Why was this happening to her and why now? She had everything figured out so why now, didn’t her parents love her anymore so why this family and why so sudden, most importantly why without her consent? All she wanted to do was run away but she couldn’t as much as she hated to admit it, she knew this was now beyond her control, that horrible family even the Elites hated them, they only got respect from fear, it would take nothing for them to pull down anyone in their way so why would her parents do this in the first place this was so annoying it was now giving her headaches.