Chapter 1: The Match-Making Ceremony

Mina POV

I literally held my breath as I was being led to the room where the women were waiting.

I could feel almost all their gaze shifting to me the moment I stepped in, but I didn't mind as I just kept my gaze to the floor and let the women do their thing.

Well, today's the last day of the matchmaking process, and as expected of a lady getting married into a rich family, the lady was to strip before the elderly women of that family, who were going to see to it that the lady had a perfect, spotless body.

And for someone like me who had fantasized about a day like this almost my entire life, you could imagine how anxious I felt.

Yeah, this was my chance!

And I just couldn't miss it!

"Strip," I heard one of the women suddenly say, cutting through my train of thoughts,

Immediately I reached for the hem of the towel and unwrapped it from myself letting it drop to the floor.

I took in a shaky breath as I felt the cold air hit my bare skin, but more than that, it was the sudden chillness that unexpectedly took over the air that really got me.

I knew they were discussing my fate. From the corner of my eye, I could see them whispering among themselves, but the look on their faces…

Oh God!

Please don't let them reject me. I knew how much my family was counting on me for this, and also this was my only redemption from the hellhole I call a family.

God, please!

"Well, you can now leave," one of the women suddenly said in a dismissive tone after a while, for what seemed like eternity.

What? Huh?

Immediately I looked up to her with my brow creased. She can't be serious, right? Leave to where? What about my result?

I wanted to ask, but it was at that very moment the woman who led me in walked in wearing a gloomy expression on her face which of course said it all.

I didn't pass the test

"Please come with me," she said grumpily and turned to lead the way out

I followed silently behind her my heart aching in pain as the thought of my failure weighing down on me

Somewhere deep I felt like crying

God how could I have failed the test like how could I have failed it when I've spent the past three days preparing earnestly for it.

I mean, I made sure to take extra care of my already delicate skin, making sure to wash it properly at least thrice a day

I'd also used a lot of skin care products that would make it glow and glitter than it already was

So how come I still didn't pass?

"Well, you should know," the woman suddenly stopped walking and turned around to face me. We were already halfway out of the building.

I noticed how her mood seems somewhat brightened now and couldn't help but wonder with raised brow,

What's going on her?

I thought she was pissed with me earlier?

"Well, you should know..." She continued her eyes beaming as she said

"You just got qualified as a potential bride of the Bills family. Congratulations, my dear; you just got chosen,"

Whaaaat!

My eyes widened insanely as the news hit my ears.

What did I just hear?

That I passed? Me?

"Wait, what! You have got to be kidding, right?" I said to her still having some doubt hell I just couldn't believe it

"What, you think I'd come all this far to lie to you?" She said with a small frown and I shook my head slowly

"No it's just that—"

"You deserve it my dear, judging from how clean your smooth look it's obvious you prepared so much for this" she said with a small smile and I grinned brightly

"Thanks alot ma'am" I said and she nodded before leaving

"OMG! Yessss." I squealed excitedly feeling so overwhelmed

Indeed this was a dream come true for me, finally I would be feeling the hellhole I called a family.

God I just couldn't wait.

* * *

I got home that evening, and by the look of things, the news must have gotten home because Dad was all smiles;

And for the first time in many years he even thought of hugging me, something he hadn't done for ages.

Even Aunt Finna his equally wicked sister was all smiles too, that for a moment I couldn't believe this was the same person who maltreated me and my younger sister Kira, speaking of which—I looked around the living room, but she was nowhere in sight; obviously she hadn't returned from work.

Kira POV

"C'mon, babe, one more time please," I chuckled softly as I watched Jamison pleading like a kid

" I promise I won't bite you again just please kiss me..." he pleaded softly puking his lips out for another kiss

I giggle softly and leaned forward to place a soft on his lips

"Satisfied now?" I pulled away to asked, and he nodded with a grin.

"Sure, babe," he replied, and I smiled then stood up from his lap

I turned to the mirror behind us and stared at my reflection for a while before picking up to comb to comb my already messy hair

"So, we would be going out on our first date tomorrow, right?" I asked, still combing my hair.

"Sure," he nodded standing up

"I'll give you a call when I'm ready" he said, placing his arm around my waist

I blushed brightly as I felt his warm breath against my neck, where he was now placing wet kisses on it.

"And please don't forget to wear something s*xy for me," he whispered against my ear, and I giggled.

"Oh, Jamison!"

"Here, let me help you with that," he said and took the comb from me and began combing my hair.

* * *

I returned home that evening and noticed my whole family was in a jolly celebration mood, even my father, whom I'd swear it's been ages since I last saw him crack, was smiling so brightly as he drank wine with Aunt Finna in the living room.

I couldn't help but wonder what was going on, and not until I got into Mina, my elder sister's, room and found her celebrating did it finally dawn on me.

"Oh my God! Sis, tell me you did pass the test," I squealed excitedly jumping on my feet

"Of course I did." Her face stretched into a grin

"You did?" My eyes beamed as I asked and she nodded

"Oh my goodness! I'm so happy for you," I said, pulling her into a warm embrace. my joy knew no bound

Of course I felt really happy for her even though I wasn't really thrilled with this arranged marriage of a thing, knowing quite well such marriages never tend to be happy.

But then I knew how much Mina had been longing for an opportunity like this, and I couldn't really blame her.

I mean, coming from a poor, wretched family and having a callous father like mine, you would be so desperate to leave.

* * *

That evening we were made to eat dinner as a whole family, and this time around we were given real food and not the usual crumbs Aunt Finna used to serve us before.

The entire time Dad kept talking non-stop about how Mina made him proud, and gosh! You need to see my sister during the time she was so red, like an overripe tomato.

Well, it's been such a long time since my dad ever spoke well of us; if he wasn't abusing or swearing at us, then he was beating and mistreating us, so you could see why we were so happy.

Dylan POV

"Wait what!... What do you mean you already found me a bride?" I growled into the phone, running my hands frustratedly through my hair as I listened to the 'bullsh*t' Mom was spewing from the other end of the line

Jesus Christ!

"And how could you do something like that without informing me? What if I'm not ready to settle down yet?" I rasped agitatedly feeling so pissed

How could she get me a bride behind my back when I'm not ready to settle down yet.

I'm a playboy for crying out loud and marriage—that was the last thing I ever wanted

"Well, I just told you what I want for you, son, and unless you want to provoke me, then try going against me. You know what I can do son—I'm sure you don't want anything happening to your precious Bills Limited," she threatened and my eyes widened

"What! No, Mom, you can't do that to me." I protested immediately

"Fine! Then come over to America and take part in the introduction which will be happening in two days' time," she deadpanned firmly and hung up on the phone even before I could speak.

Geez!

I sighed frustratedly ruffling up my already messy my hair.

Me—a playboy—get married?

What the hell?!