Chapter 02

Rhoda didn't know whether to start laughing or start crying. She didn't know the right emotion she could express to show how she was feeling, so she settled on forcing a laugh which ended like some terrible car honk. "What kind of joke was that? Stop it, dad. It's not funny at all."

Her mother sighed and held her hands. "It's not a joke, my dear. And I am so sorry we did not tell you until now. You wouldn't have come home if —"

"I still find it hard to believe all of this," Rhoda said. "Why would I get married? All of a sudden? To whom? The last time I checked, we were apart for years and I don't remember bringing someone home to you. So, why… how? Please, tell me this is a prank because it is getting serious," she said as calmly as she could and looked at her father. Not that she didn't feel like raising her voice at the two of them. She wouldn't mind the whole building hearing them.

Imagine so many people coming to a wedding that the supposed bride was not even aware of? Did that make any logical sense? She couldn't even bring herself to imagine herself married. 

Or was she dreaming? What was happening wasn't a book or movie. It was happening to her. For real. Well, maybe, one of her parents might utter something like, 'Surprise! We were just kidding.'

But...

"It's not. You're getting married to my friend's son and —"

"An arranged marriage!" Rhoda lost her cool and raised her voice. "Who the fuck does that these days? Come off it, dad. Is this like some novel or something? Why are you marrying me off? Are you going bankrupt or what? I am not getting married to anyone!"

"Sssh! Please, don't shout. We know this is wrong and very unfair to you since you're our only child. But please, only you can help our family out in this mess."

"Now, I'm your only child? Really? What the fuck—" She was shouting but her mother covered her mouth with her palm. Rhoda jerked her face away from her reach and lowered her voice. "What the fuck are you talking about? What? Is there a problem? Is the marriage a must? Tell them your daughter can't do it, simple!"

"We can't do that, Rhoda. It's just like you've guessed. We're going bankrupt and we might lose everything we've worked hard to build until now. This marriage is the only way to save our business," her mother explained and Rhoda's jaw hit the floor hard. 

 "You're trading my lifetime happiness for your business." That wasn't a question, so she didn't make it sound so. It was just an affirmation of what her parents were doing to her.

"No, no, no. Don't think of it like that," his father said.

"Then, how should I think of it? I should think of it like what, dad? I am going to spend the rest of my life with a stranger. A total stranger. You didn't even care if I have someone I want to marry." And she did have someone.

"But you're sing.."

"I'm not single, mum. I am not single. What do you even know about me?" she cried. "I wanted to settle down here for a week or two before I introduce him to you," she said as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"We're so sorry," her mother said as Rhoda took her seat and sobbed.

"And how could you do this to me? You both abandoned me for eight years! You were only sending me money, when that's not what I wanted. And to think that you called me back into the country just to get me married to save your business is…," she halted as tears streamed down her face. She couldn't hold it in. 

"The ceremony is about to start. The officiator is here," a man who would be of her father's age said as he entered the room with a young man who looked so much like him.

Rhoda wiped her tears as her eyes widened at the face of the young man who looked at her unfazed, making it obvious that he knew who she was. 

"You two should get to know each other, but you can do that after the wedding. So…."

"You?" Rhoda exclaimed. "Mum, dad, kill me if you want to because I am not getting married to this pervert of a jerk. Not now. Not ever."

The young man gave her a small smile. It was obvious he didn't want the marriage either. He was just left with no choice. Her only hope of calling off the wedding was Rhoda. And that was why he had kissed her earlier. 

A day before, his father had called him to his study and told him about the marriage. 

How could he forget the look he shot his father when he gave him the most shocking news of his life. He had thought he must be kidding. Why would he just conclude about something like that? He was not even aware and he was not telling him in a calming tone. His father was ordering him to do what he asked. Who does that?

"That's final, Jeffrey. You're getting married to her." That was what his father had told him. He had wondered why he would do that. He might be thirty, but he wasn't ready to get married. And arranged marriage for that matter? Oh, come on! 

"Are you kidding, dad?" That had been his reply. He had asked him, hoping for a different answer. Perhaps 'April fool' in early February. 

But his father was just as stubborn as he was and always stood by his words. "Just because you're doing well doesn't mean you can rebel. I am still your father," he had said. 

But Jeff wasn't surprised. And he wasn't just doing well, he was a billionaire and his companies were doing great.

"You can't just tell me to get married to a fucking stranger in this twenty-first century. Just because of what? Stop this, dad. I'm not getting married to any bitch," he had said and the next thing his father would do was to slap him, telling him not to call the fucking lady a bitch. 

Well, she was one and he didn't give a damn about it. And that was why he kissed her to give a bad first impression and hope it would make her reject the marriage. That might have been lame, but it was the only thing he could think of. He desperately hoped the kiss would do the thing he had hoped for. There was no way he could wriggle himself out of the marriage except she refused it.

Who would want to spend the rest of their lives with a pervert? So, he was hoping she would get the marriage canceled even though there was only a slim chance.

When he had seen Rhoda, he had recognized her instantly since he had been shown her picture and he had told his friends she was his supposed wife-to-be. 

It was all crazy, especially because he didn't know the reason he was getting married. He wouldn't have shown up if his father hadn't blackmailed him with that one thing no one knew about except the two. And that was one of the reasons he hated his father's gut. 

He didn't need his money and he knew that. He was a billionaire without his father's help. If only he didn't know that one thing, he wouldn't have found himself in a dilemma that he wouldn't be able to whisk his way out.

And besides, he wasn't single. How could he be thirty and single? 

He knew he was irresistible and any woman would have loved to have his lips on theirs, but he hoped Rhoda would be different. Given her reaction earlier, she seemed tough.

So, he was glad that she was refusing the marriage. His plan was working.