Chapter Three: Wedding bells

Arianna stood rooted to the ground uncertainty visible in her eyes purely out of fear of the unknown. What could possibly be the reason for this gathering? It looked like an intimate family dinner yet the roomed was filled with unfamiliar faces. Had her father given in to one of the witch's schemes?

Left with no other option she walked besides her endearing and loving mother who was smiling so sweetly that her stomach churned.

The settings in the massive living was elaborate, tasteful even, it was obvious a certain someone went all out to impress the guests. It had to mean these guests were important and could not be offended.

Most of them were elderly except for three or four youngsters like herself. She quickly introduced herself politely and asked to be excused, all eyes descended as she backed away quietly without drawing attention to herself, little did she know she was in for a surprise.

Arianna hurriedly dressed up in a simple and chic black dress paired with silver jewelry and black sandals, style her hair up in a ponytail and simply applied a sleek lipstick over her lips, keeping it simple as she was clueless about whatever was going on downstairs.

Clutching her phone tightly, she rushed back downstairs and sat on the furthest seat from her stepmother, she tendered her regards proper lady and started to dig in, even though she had dinner just a few hours ago.

Just before she could swallow her second bite of savory meal she heard glass clinking so she looked up just as her father began making a toast. Uninterested she looked down to focus on her food but the words that came out from her father's mouth made a knot in her stomach.

"Raise your glass and toast to the unification of our family, to love, partnership, fruitfulness and marriage. To the future of Hedge corporation and the Pearson's family" He said grinning ear to ear like a child in a candy store.

She choked!!!!!!!!!

Something is wrong!!!!!!

Next thing she knew a young man in his twenties was handing her a glass of water looking concerned, without bothering to care she gripped the glass and gulped the water down like her life depended on it before asking in condescending manner "Who is getting married?"

She had noticed a few seconds ago that her delightful half sister was absent which seemed unusual as mother and daughter were tied to the hip

Her father turned red "Mind your tone young lady we have guests. Is this how you treat your in-laws? He chided like a doting father

Turning his guests he simply said "Pardon the intrusion, my daughter is still very young and you know how youngsters can be "

Laughter rang out immediately and then everyone continued eating like nothing happened.

Bells began to ring in her head, the knots in her stomach tripled, her forehead creased and she began to feel faint. What in hell happened in the last twelve hours?

The victorious look on her stepmother's face explained the scenerio but without deliberating further she stood up abruptly then uttered in a firm tone "I am not getting married!!!!"

Her stepmother panicked immediately running to her side with feigned sentiments written all over her face

Dear dear, don't be silly, your father and I are simply making arrangements for your future, don't gett involved " Her tone was laced with a warning.

Her ears pecked, she was growing angrier by the second. It was simply a fluke, her true intentions was to sell her off, she knew it.

" I will not let that happen" She screamed in her head but just as she began to negotiate her fate a strange yet soothing voice interrupted her.

"Come here my child, you have no reason to worry, my grandson is very handsome gentleman, he's tall, kind and courteous. I realize that he is not verbally inclined but he is one of the good ones besides you are way too young to get married, you are still a child. You just have to get engaged right after your eighteenth birthday just so there will be no surprises, that's all, there is no rush" The elderly woman in their midst quickly assured.

Hello Mrs Pearson I apologize for my outburst but you must be mistaken. I am not getting married to your grandson despite what my father must have said. It is nothing personal of course. I am only seventeen...."

Mrs Pearson simply chuckled "No my dear, There's no need to be formal, call me Grandma like everyone does. I know this is sudden but we have your best interest at heart, don't be afraid my child, we are practically harmless.

"I will not get married" Arianna uttered in a rush and silence ensued but before she could persist a thundering voice rang out

What insolence!!!!! Who else if not her doting father-in-law

"Is this how you treat us in your home? Belittled and embarrassed like peasants. How can this alliance work when you can not contain your household?. I demand that we call it off with immediate effect!!!!!" A man around his Fifties said with eloquence and aura that revealed his role in his family.

Remain calm Mr Pearson, there is no cause for alarm, this alliance with proceed as planned, she's just a child uttering pure nonsense. I apologize on her behalf" Arianna's father responded with assurance evident in his tone.

Before she could refute his claims a rather strong hand pulled her outside the room, the minute the door shut her expression changed exposing the witch before her basking in all her glory.

"If I were you I would succumb to my fate, as there is no escape route. This is where your story as a young heiress ends, stop resisting rather accept it while you still can" Her stepmother advised with victory evident on her face.

You're so evil!!!!!!!!!