Chapter 6

Mike hugged me tightly and rubbed my back when I lost control of my emotions, I just couldn't hold them in.

"it's going to be ok my dear sister, you know I love you and it's not under my watch will you get hurt. This contract signed by dad is surely going to change a lot of things, I for once thought I wouldn't have anything to do with the Pendragons but guess our parents thought differently.

I'm with you in this tragic situation, I won't leave you, a bullet to your heart is a bullet to mine" Mike said softly

he kissed my cheek and rubbed my hair slowly, we walked out of my mom's room and he drove me home out of fear that I might kill myself if given the wheel.

"are you going to be fine all by yourself, I can pass the night with you if you want" he suggested

"It's okay, I shouldn't deprive you of a goodnight's sleep, I will be fine. Thanks, Mike" I said

we hugged each other again and I watched him book a ride back home, my maids showed concern about my moody situation but I gave none of them a chance to even ask a question. I cried for an hour after locking myself in my room, I deliberately ignored my boyfriend's calls because I don't even know what to say to him, how do I tell him that I'm going to get married to a Pendragon?.

He called again and I summoned the courage to pick up the call, I was silent, trying as hard as I can to stop myself from shedding a tear

"babe, I have been calling for a while, I'm close to your apartment, can I pull over?" he asked

hot tears rolled down my cheeks, it's hard betraying a man I have been dating for nearly three years.

"Please don't..." I said with tears rolling out of my eyes

"Bella, what's wrong, babe talk to me!" he asked with a troubled voice

"you won't understand, please I can't talk to you now" I replied and hung up the call

I closed my eyes to catch some sleep since my eyes are red and hurting, I slept off slowly for a while before my door was opened. I couldn't even move my mouth to ask who it was, Derrick walked in slowly with rose flowers in his hands

"I told you not to come!" I said sadly with a frown on my face

"I can't run away from the only woman who makes me smile, your problems are my problems, together we will solve them," he said

his words made me feel so guilty and terrible, his cute face is just too innocent and soft, I'm not sure he will be able to move on after this.

"you don't understand" I replied

"Hey, calm down, catch some sleep, we can talk about this tomorrow, I will pass the night here," he said

we hugged each other and I couldn't take my head off his chest, my heart is heavy and I feel like the world is against me, what will my life look like without Derrick?.

"I love you so much babe" I whispered softly

"I love you too" he replied and kissed my forehead

I narrated everything to my boyfriend the next morning, he was more than devasted, he felt crushed and weakened for nearly three hours before he spoke a word. He left my house shortly and he switched off his phone so I can't reach him, my life is fucked up now and my boyfriend is even making it worse, he had a bad experience with the so-called Alexander Pendragon and that beef earned him a spot close to other inmates in jail who molested him.

I spent thousands of dollars to bail him out and as at then, I didn't even know who put him in jail. I kept reminiscing through my past memories when my phone rang, my brother was the one calling.

"Hello dear sister?, how was your night?" he asked calmly

"it was horrible, feel like ending it all, I would be better off dead" I replied sadly

he went silent for a while, I said nothing either

"Don't say that sister, the Pendragons are inviting us for brief lunch at their mansion, you can boldly say your mind and I believe everyone will respect your decision" he said

"doesn't sound like a bad idea though, I will be at mom's place before noon"

"sounds good to me," he said and hung up

this might be the perfect opportunity for me to say what's on my mind, I can't tolerate this bullshit for long else I might just lose my mind in the process. I ate breakfast and did some work with my laptop before zooming off to my mom's place

I stared at her as she walked out of the house, she knows that I'm angry with her, hence the reason for avoiding eye contact with me.

"Bella, can you please get in your car and stop staring at me?" she asked

I said nothing and simply obeyed her, Mike sat on the front seat of my car and we all moved in a long convoy until we pulled up at the Pendragons' house.

"calm down sis, you know I am here for you," my brother said, placing his left hand on my thighs

I felt a bit relieved when he said those words, so many beautiful cars were packed around the mansion, and perhaps the people inside are from wealthy backgrounds. I walked inside elegantly, holding my purse and iPhone, I plan to make whatever deal I have here quick and straight forward.

"welcome ma'am, I guess you are here for the lunch party?" a male butler asked

I stared at him for a while, what kind of stupid question is this young man asking me?, I walked past him and moved to the center after sighting some elegant people dressed in dazzling outfits, I barely know the so-called head of the Pendragon.

"Bella, it's a pleasure to see you once more!" a voice called from behind

I turned at once and saw a man with a white beard, dressed in a white suit

"Who are you sir?, and how do you know my name?" I asked

my mother and sister walked to where I stood and they greeted the old man before me

"I guess we haven't met each other in a better circumstance but that's about to change, I'm Edwin Pendragon, the great and fearless man, and also the biggest oil mogul," he said

I'm so disgusted by his ego, I simply smiled and he stretched his hand, I shook his hand and he led me to the long dining table. We all sat down and I observed the twelve unknown guests, they all stared at me with smiles on their faces, I'm yet to see Alexander Pendragon, he has to be here before I drop the bomb.

"It's a pleasure to be in your midst Mr Pendragon," my brother said

"I'm delighted to have the Rhee's understand my roof, I have dreamt of a day like this and I'm glad it's happening" he replied

Alexander Pendragon walked in with some maids at his back and he carefully took his seat.

"Now that my son is here, it's time to enjoy some delicious food before any discussion, we all are here for something extremely important," Mr Edwin said

some beautiful women brought appetizing foods to the table but I lost my appetite a long time ago, I looked at my mom and she winked at me, signifying that I act normal but we both know that's not going to happen. Everyone served themselves and ate with delight, the dining room was quiet for some minutes and I just had to force myself to eat.

"Now that we are done eating, why don't we head to the living room for a proper discussion," Mr Edwin said after some girls cleared the table

He led us to the living room but someone pulled me to the other side, I was quite surprised by my mom's attitude

"What is wrong mom?" I asked

"Bella, don't ruin your life and the lives of the people you love" she whispered

"that's not your choice to make, fuck these formalities, I'm going to say my mind and there's no one who will stop me" I fired back at her

"you dare not!, you might not recover from the consequences, I love you too much to see you suffer, this marriage is not an optional event," she said

I tried to free myself from her grip but it was just too tight

"we will see" I replied and smiled

all of them are going to be taken aback by what I have to say. I walked to the living room and some of the guests clapped, I sat by my brother and crossed my leg. Waiting for the right time to drop the sweet decision I have taken