E I G H T.

ACCEPTING DEFEAT.

Giordana.

Without bothering to knock when I came across the door that had PHILIP FORBES inscribed on it, I barged into the office.

The office was breathtaking. The background colors were white and black, a Black chair, and a cream table with an apple laptop on the top. Behind the chair was a large transparent glass window and you could see the city through it.

To the left was a large shelf with books of different sizes and colors, then to the right was a black wall with bold letters of ROYALTY in Golden color and a coffee table in a corner with two couches and a three-seater. All in all the office was just fascinating.

Behind the desk sat Philip Forbes in his glory staring at me, then he broke into a smile, an actual smile not his usual condescending smirks. His smile was cute and he had round deep dimples. The man is a fine specimen without any doubt.

However, that is not my reason for coming.

All the anger that I tried to bury came back with full force, scratch that I was livid. He even had the nerve to smile.

Glaring at him, I stepped forward to the front of the table.

"What the fuck do you think you are?" I asked with as much venom in my voice as possible.

"Well, well, well pretty Little Dana has decided to grace my office with her presence. You look beautiful today and by the way, I'm human so it's 'who' and not 'what'," He replied.

"Fuck you, Mr. Forbes, cos as far as I'm concerned you do not qualify to be called a human. A human does not force anyone to marry him. You're not even qualified to be called an animal either as that would be an insult to the animal kingdom in general!" I sneered.

He just sat there looking unbothered by what I said with a smirk on his face that I so wished I could wipe away.

"We'll talk about fucking me later, why not sit and let's discuss this like adults?" he answered.

"I don't want to sit down neither do I have any intention to discuss anything with you, I just came to ask why you pulled that stupid stunt on the Television," I demanded ignoring his crude remark.

"Well you're aware that we are getting married so I decided to let everyone know," he said with a careless shrug.

"Are you freaking kidding me right now," I shrieked. "'we are getting married', what's that supposed to mean? because I don't remember agreeing with you on any stupid marriage."

"Well I told you that you had to agree as it was not negotiable so why not sit down and let's discuss the terms?"

"To hell with you Philip Forbes, I'm not getting married to a jackass like you, not even at gunpoint!" I yelled.

"You really are stubborn Aye?, So you want me to tell them it was a lie? Or that it was a joke?"

"Whatever rides your boat, all I know is that I refuse to marry you!" I retorted acidly.

"So you'd rather prefer 'Giordana Quinton, daughter of George Quinton owner of the Quinton company rejects fiance Philip Forbes says he's not good enough for her' on the headlines? Don't be selfish, if you won't care about whatever they'll say about you at least think about your parents' reputation, what do you think the public will say about them?"

That Statement weakened me, Ella had told me the same thing.

Feeling defeated I dropped down on the chair with my head in my hands. If there was one thing I had come to learn about the man seating before me, it was the fact that he never gave out empty threats.

"And what if I still refuse?" I prodded, unwilling to lose the argument.

"Then your parents bear the brunt of your actions. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't like to see your father dejected because he's receiving termination of contract messages." He deadpanned, a dark look replacing the smile he wore earlier.

"You manipulative pig! I'll deal with you just you watch and see." I sneered.

"Mind your language and tone Miss Quinton, I can do so many things to you, things that you would not even imagine," He voiced in a cold tone.

There was no other way out, I had to do it for the sake of my parents. They've done so much for me, I can't repay them like this because of my own selfish reasons.

So I did what was best it's now or never.

Taking a deep sigh, I asked the question that would change my life forever, "What are the terms of the marriage?"

"Now you're talking. Was that hard to say? No, it wasn't," He replied, his plump pink lips curling up into that captivating smile.

Lifting my head, I glared darkly at him.

"Just get straight to the point please Mr. Forbes," I sighed, a tinge of irritation and anger still in my voice.

"Okay, first of all, as you saw on the news the engagement party will take place on Saturday. Today is Monday so you have four days to prepare. My sisters will be back tomorrow, you will go with them together with my mom and whoever you like to start the preparations for the engagement and the wedding which will take place next week Saturday it's up to you to choose your bridal train the funding will be on me," He ordered.

"Is that all?" I asked.

"For now yeah. You are to come tomorrow so that we'll meet my lawyer and draw up the contract, after that we'll meet your parents then on Wednesday we meet my parents, I'll call the hospital and inform them so no need to go to work for the rest of the month."

"Okay," I muttered.

Picking myself up from the chair, I turned to walk out but I paused then turned to face him.

"Why me?"

"What?" He asked.

"I said why me, why didn't you choose someone else, maybe a model or an actress or someone that fits with you, why did it have to be me?"

"I'm not answerable to you," He replied in a cool tone.

Scoffing, I marched out of the office, not stopping until I reached my car.

The tears I had been struggling to hold came pouring out, I shed tears of frustration.

I felt horrible like I had just sold my soul to the devil. Only that this devil was in human form, named Philip Forbes.

Maybe if I had told Ella she would have been able to do something about it, but it's too late to cry over spilled milk.

God, please help me, I prayed.