Chapter 3.

“I cannot believe this! It’s insane Hazel. Do arranged marriages still even happen?”

Well, my father is a psychotic sadist, so yes, anything is possible with him as long as it benefits or entertains him. Even if it means sacrificing his child’s life. I can never put it past him to do.

“What are you going to do now Hae…”

“Will you put the damn bread down and listen. Oh my goodness, am I the only one panicking?

I think I'm the only one panicking.” I look at my best friend anxiously pacing round the room.

I let out a heavy sigh and dropped the flour goodness Freya excitedly brought me this morning before I broke the news to her. Now she’s sitting on my couch with her head between her palms, waiting for a response from me.

“I lose everything…”

“I lose my current position, everything I've worked hard for over the years will be gone, taken from me. I can’t handle that Fre, I-I just can’t”. I felt my voice break at the end. I tried to play it off cool, but damn this is just bullcrap.

“Now I have to marry a man I've never met in my life just to fuel my father’s greed.”

“The De Luca heir right?” Freya starts to pace, looking even more of a nerve wreck than I. “No one has ever seen him before, so we don’t even have a clue on what we’re getting ourselves into.”

“This is a big mess.”

And I couldn't agree more with her. It indeed is a horrible situation to be in. God, I hate this so much.

I take a seat on the wingback chair right next to my couch and reflect back to last night.

```

“You must get married to the De Luca heir. Don’t even dare try object to this. I have made the arrangements, the deal is finalized and preparations are ongoing.”

I just sit there like a statue.

Unmoving.

Numb.

My heart broke into a million pieces, then the fear came, and a wave of nausea hit me. This feels like a movie. The biggest stunt my father has ever pulled on me. Who knows what else he’s capable of?

Well, I do. I know he can do much worse and there'll be nothing I can do about it.

“That’s lovely! She gets to marry into a rich family and inherit the position of CEO as well!”

I could hear the masked envy and hate dripping from each word my stepmother spoke. If looks could kill, the death stare she and her son gave me would bury me six feet under, that moment..

“You’re so lucky, you really don’t deserve what Dad’s doing for you. I mean, this literally is the biggest hookup ever, and you just got it on a platter. Urgh, I even heard he was hot, too bad not many people have seen him.” The overenunciated and slurred words of my step sister just added to the irritation building up in me.

“Your marriage will ensure the merging of both companies as business partners. This is an opportunity I won't be missing out on, Marie. And if you choose to jeopardize this arrangement, say goodbye to your position as director and any other special privileges given to you.” My father spoke in such an eerie, calm demeanor that demanded complete silence and subservience.

He said the last part, like I didn't do so much to earn where I am and what I have today.

I hate this man. I hate him.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Today is the day I formally meet the De Luca family to fulfill all acts of courtesy and shit.

I’m dressed in a beautiful nude-coloured mesh sleeveless dress paired with the Chanel pumps I got earlier this year.

I let my hair down because father says it’s uncultured of me to have my hair up in public, talk less of having dinner with the most important clients or business partners that are soon to be our in-laws.

My father, who wants to keep up appearances, decided to have a ‘casual’ dinner at one of the most popular five-star restaurants.. A VIP area was booked for maximum privacy, considering the status of both families.

“Of all the dresses you could have selected, you chose to wear this tacky outfit on such an important occasion. I wonder if you did this to deliberately embarrass us.” My stepmother says, eyeing me up and down while clutching my father's arm like a leech.

Two reasons for her statement.

One, to spite me.

Two, to get my father’s reaction. And she always gets what she wants. She managed to irritate me and get my father to really scrutinize my looks again.

“They will be here shortly. Why do you always manage to disappoint me, Marie? “

“You could have done better with your choice of clothing, but apparently you get that from your mother too.” The devil himself has the audacity to look disappointed. 

Fuck them both.

Before I could respond and probably start a family drama, our guests walk in and I immediately compose myself.

I only see two older people who I assume to be Mr Arthur De Luca: the chairman of the De Luca Refinaries and his wife, Mrs Rosemary De Luca: CEO of Marrs Stitches, a popular worldwide fashion design brand. 

The main person I have been anxiously waiting to meet is absent.

“Ah, it’s a pleasure to have you meet us tonight. This is my wife, Veronica, and my first daughter,  Hazel.” My father introduced us to both couples, and I must admit, they look absolutely stunning for their age. 

Arthur’s poised and straight form only gave him more aura. He had strikingly attractive features that no pictures could do justice to. His wife was equally just as gorgeous. Her demeanor exuded grace and softness even when she spoke. She was radiant.

“Lovely to see you too. My goodness, your daughter looks even more beautiful in person.” Mrs Rose complimented, turning to me with a hug that caught me off guard. I did not expect her to be so warm. I could tell how genuine she was.

Before anyone could ask where their son, Alexander was, a figure walked into the room and once our eyes locked, it took a second for both of us to realize we’ve met before…

It was the bloody hot man-child stranger who stole my manga from me!

Goddamn.