CHAPTER 1

The atmosphere was very tense and silent. Nobody spoke since the dinner had started. The soft beat of the rain against the roof of the house didn’t seem to help matters. The only sound was the sound of the spoon meeting the plates and the heavy breathing of the occupants of the table. Camila looked around the table, wandering what was wrong. She looked at her eldest brother Ace, his dark hair and eyes seemed than usual and he had a scowl on his face but he always had a scowl on his face, Diego sat beside him with short hair and blue eyes, he looked sad and annoyed and his twin Xavier shared the exact look. Matias just looked bored out of his mind and slightly worried.

“is something wrong?” her mother asked in a distraught voice which finally broke the silence which hung over the family table for so long. Ace seemed happy at this development because finally he could speak since someone had spoken.

“yes papa, please tell them what is wrong?” he hissed at his father who raised an eyebrow and dropped the glass of wine he was holding.

“well, it has been decided that the engagement ceremony of Camila and Roman will be tomorrow” there was pin drop silence in the room. Camila’s heart dropped to the ground. She couldn’t believe it. They were giving her to someone she’d never met and of all people, Roman Romero.

“Leonardo, how come I wasn’t told about this?” her mother argued in a sad tone.

“I wanted it to be a surprise”

“surprise my foot, she’s only 19 years” Diego spat out gesturing to Camila who was still shocked. “she hasn’t even finished school yet”

“as much as I hate this, this is no way to speak to your father” her mother said in a warning tone.

“she can still school” her father said annoyed with his sons’ bickering. “we are not going to cancel the engagement and it is final” he slammed his fist on the table and everybody went silent. “Camila?” he turned to face his daughter but she was long gone. They all stared at the chair in silence unsure of what to do. Ace stood up alongside Diego and the rest of his brothers.

“search around the house for her” he ordered and they scurried off. He gave his father a stink eye before walking silently out of the room.

Camila walked down the dirt road, her hands held firmly around her body to try and keep warm. The weather was chilly though the rain had stopped and she   had nothing on but the thin silk frock she’d worn for dinner. Dinner was a disaster. She never thought this would happen in a million years. That they’ll give her to some random guy.

She stopped when she came to the stream. The sound of the water seemed to have a calming effect on her. It helped relax her mind whenever she needed it. She sat on her favorite rock and started to throe pebbles into the river.

“you could get a cold, you know” Ace’s voice rang through the air. She turned swiftly to face her brother. He stepped forward and sat on the rock beside her. He placed his jacket over her cold body “I’m sorry, I tried but papa can be stubborn at times” Ace said with a sigh.

“it’s so stupid” Camila said with a sniffle.

“but it doesn’t mean you are getting married yet” she nodded and leaned on her brother’s shoulder. Her eyes were closing.

“sleep ti amore” Ace murmured.