Engaged

Leo moved closer to Elliana.

"Elliana, I need you to understand that your father made a deal with me. He promised me your hand in marriage, and I expect him to honor that promise. If he doesn't, I'll have no choice but to involve the police."

Elliana felt the world spinning around her. How could her father have done this? She couldn't believe what was happening. "But I can't marry you, don't do this!" Elliana yelled , tears streaming down her face.

Leo looked at her with a cold, calculated expression. "I'm afraid it's too late for that," he said. "Your father has already agreed to the terms. If you don't go through with the marriage, he'll be arrested for breach of contract. I'm sorry, but you don't have a choice."

"Handcuff him" Leo orderd the police.

Elliana felt like she was in a nightmare. She looked at her father, who was being handcuffed by the police. She knew that accepting this marriage would save her family and she had no other option.

"I'll get mar...ried to you" Elliana stammered.

"Just to be clear, I'm not in love with you. I just need a wife to help me with my business. You'll be well taken care of, but this is a strictly business arrangement." Leo replied.

Elliana's heart sank. She felt like she was being sold into slavery. "I understand," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Leo nodded. "Good. We'll get the paperwork started right away. In the meantime, I suggest you get used to the idea."

Leo tells her that there would be a small engagement party in the evening by 6pm. He then ordered the police to unhandcuff her father and with that he stormed out of their house.

After Leo left, Elliana's father turned to her with a look of regret. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart," he pleaded. "I didn't mean for this to happen. I just wanted to help our family."

Elliana could feel her anger bubbling up inside her. "How could you do this to me?" she asked. "You've ruined my life!"

Her father's eyes filled with tears. "I know I've made a terrible mistake," he admitted. "But I need you to forgive me. I'm your father, and I love you more than anything in the world."

As Elliana went into her room, her younger sister, Amy, quietly slipped into the room and sat down next to her on the bed. "Hey," Amy said softly. "Are you okay?"

Elliana just shook her head, unable to speak. She was overwhelmed by all the emotions swirling inside her.

"Hey, it's going to be okay," Amy assured. "We'll figure this out, I promise."

Elliana looked at her sister, and a small smile crept across her face. "You always know what to say," she replied.

Amy smiled back. "That's what little sisters are for, right?"

It was almost six pm and Elliana stood in front of the mirror and looked at her reflection. She had chosen a simple blue dress, and her hair was pulled back in a loose bun. She applied a light coat of makeup, and tried to smile at herself. But she could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on her. She took a deep breath and left the house, heading towards the venue where the engagement party was being held. She felt like she was walking to her doom.

As she approached the venue, she could hear the sound of laughter and music. The party was already in full swing. Elliana's phone beeped, and she saw a text message from an unknown number.

"Where are you?" the message read. "You're supposed to be here by now!"

She didn't recognize the number, but she had a feeling she knew who it was from. It had to be Leo.

"How did you get my number?" she typed back.

"I have my ways," the reply came. "Now get your butt over here. You're late!"

Elliana felt a wave of panic wash over . She goes into the engagement hall, and Leo suddenly takes her by her hand and pulled her to the front. He announced that she would be his contracted wife. He gave her a golden ring to put on as a sign that they are engaged. After she put on the ring, he tells her to leave. The crowd erupted into applause, and Elliana could feel everyone's eyes on her. She felt like she was in a dream, or a nightmare. She looked down at the ring on her finger and felt sick to her stomach.

Leo leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "I'll see you at the wedding, now go." With that, Elliana walked through the crowd as eyes turned to look at her in mockery and pity.

She didn't know what to do. She felt trapped. This wasn't what she wanted, but she couldn't think of a way out. And then she remembered her sister's words. "You're not alone," she had said.

Elliana walked to a nereby bar, she sat at the bar and her eyes fixed on the golden ring that glinted in the light. It was a beautiful piece of jewelry, but it felt like a shackle around her finger. She felt like she was stuck, trapped in a life she didn't want. She ordered a drink and downed it in one gulp. The bartender came over and asked if she wanted another. She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She couldn't let anyone know how she was really feeling. She didn't want to burden anyone else with her problems. She took another drink, and then another, and another.

As Elliana sat at the bar fully drunk, a man sat down next to her. He was clearly inebriated, and he was slurring his words as he spoke.

"Heeeyyyyy there!" he said, leaning in close. "What is a pretty lady like you doing all alone?"

Elliana gave him a polite smile. "Just having a drink," she replied. She didn't want to encourage him, but she didn't want to be rude either.

That night, Elliana's judgment was clouded by alcohol. She was unaware of the dangers that could come from being in a vulnerable state. The man approached her, and she barely registered his presence. He led her out of the bar and into the night, and she followed the stranger without resistance.