Chapter Two:
The next morning, Arya tried to sneak out of the house early to catch the bus. She had to rush to university and get the details of the summit. She knew it’d be by evening.
She had been missing so many class at university because of her father’s incessant calls to come home to meet one need or the other.
Her boots were in her hands as she tiptoed down the stairs. Hearing no movements in the sitting room, she rushed to the door but on closing it, she made a loud sound, jolting the sleeping father.
“Huh? Who’s there… come back here.” He grumbled and went back to sleep.
A sigh of relief left her lips, she put on her boots and arranged her hair while looking at the mirror. Memories of her father’s talk with her aunt Jenna had tormented her sleep, much that she had eye bags.
Her mother, while she was alive, never burrowed huge amount of money. It could actually be a lie and her father was just looking for a way to use her to earn money.
As she finished with her hair, she returned back to the house. She wouldn’t concentrate in class till she knew exactly what debt it was that needed to be paid.
She knew she could get hit on the face for waking him from sleep, but even if she had blood on her face, she needed to know.
His eyes opened, red and angry.
She went back, trying to keep a distance. “I want to talk. Yesterday, I overheard you and aunt Jenna’s conversation and I have questions.”
His eyes darted to her, boring hole in her body. “You heard us, huh? And you thought waking me from sleep is the best way to go?” He rose from his chair.
Arya held unto her bag. “If you keep hitting me, I would run away from here. And do you think a girl with wounds is desirable for a wife?” She stumbled and fell as she had been taking steps back.
Her father stood moving towards her and pursed his lips. “That makes sense, since you’d be married off soon, I guess I have to stop hitting you to see if you’d ever look pretty.”
Arya sat on the cold ground, glaring at the floor because she’d get hit if she glared at him. She stood up, holding her fists to her sides. “What debt did my mother not pay that warranted $10,000?”
Her father chuckled. “Your mom isn’t the one owing $10,000. I am.”
Arya frowned. If he was why was the involving her mother, and he should handle his debts.
“But then, your mother owed me and my family a debt of $100,000 and never repaid, making me unable to pay my own debts. So I decided, sell her daughter, pay my debt, everyone wins.”
Arya hadn’t heard a more despicable thing in her life. “How did she owe you such…”
“Well, from a contract marriage. Your mother and I had a contract agreement, if she doesn’t give me a son within five years of marriage, she pays me $50,000. If our marriage doesn’t last ten years, she gives me another $50,000.”
Arya folded her arms. Her parents marriage had been a contract all along? Did her sister know this? And it wasn’t her mother’s fault she didn’t bear a son! Her mother died of terminal illness when she was five, and their marriage was only nine years old. So she owed her husband $100,000 by that?
Her voice came out in mumbles. “Did you ever love my mother? And do you hate Anna and I because we aren’t sons?”
“I bet you know the answer to that.” Her father smirked. “Your mother’s debt would be outstanding, but if you get me $10,000 within five hours, better. Or else, before you come home, they’d be a man waiting to take you away.”
Her father sat back on his couch when he was done laying out the requirements. He didn’t care that his daughter was sending death glares his way. At least, she knew what she was supposed to do, she should get on with it.
Arya finally left the house, keen on finding $10,000 within that day. Her eyes were stinging with the loaded tears but she dared not shed them.
She had always known her she wasn’t important to her father but she didn’t think she was this unimportant. If he had to kill her to get a bottle of beer, she was sure he won’t hesitate to end her life.
She got to class twelve minutes late but her lecturer didn’t mind. She sneaked behind her best friend, Winx, and plopped down besides her, taking out her notes.
“You’re late, again.” Her best friend told.
She only nodded. Her mind was beclouded by so many thoughts and emotions that she barely understand what was being thought.
That class finally came to an end and Arya quickly narrated every bit of her conversation with her father to Winx, who had a rather blank expression.
“Your mother did you guys dirty by marrying such a man.” Winx sighed.
Arya wrinkled her forehead, shaking her head. Her mother wasn’t at fault here. She may have been in love and agreed to everything.
“Do you think you can ask someone for the money? Do you know anyone that can pay such huge amount?” Winx asked.
Arya’s mind went to Sir Damien, she had been thinking of him for a while but she didn’t want to be indebted to him as he had been acting weirdly with her.
Her sister line hasn’t been going or she could have asked her to meet her boyfriend instead.
“I don’t want to ask him for money.” She said.
“Then ask him to talk to your dad to give you time. You told me once that your father respected him, ask him to beg your dad not to sell you cos you’re very not wife material.” Winx ran her hands through her hair while saying.
“Is that the point?” Arya grunted. Even if she had time, where would she get such money? And her father seemed bent of selling her to clip her wings.
Just then, she got a call. Checking and seeing it was Damien made her mood change, it was as if he knew she was talking about him.
Winx peeked and saw the caller. “Tell him your problem and sees what he says.”
Arya stared at the ringing phone, heavy and annoyed that she can’t help herself.
She picked up. “Hello, Sir Damien. I just heard that the summit was canceled.”
“Hello, Arya. How are you? And yes, some speakers and I had an impromptu call to Singapore recently. Don’t be displeased, okay?”
Arya glanced at Winx, who was listening on their conversation. Winx gestured to her to chip in her issue to him.
“Um… yes. And Sir Damien. I have a problem. My father is planning to send me off to a man for marriage against my will. He needs it to pay his debt.” She bit her lips as the words came out.
“Marry you to a man? Like he’s arranging a marriage for you?” Sir Damien asked.
She nodded frantically. “Yes, I really need you to talk to him for me. I don’t know how I can be a wife at nineteen and he is bent on this.”
Sir Damien paused before clearing his throat. “Your father is a little bit too much. How did he accumulate such debts?”
“I really don’t know.” Arya pouted.
Winx gestured to her again to ask him for money. Arya shook her head, she didn’t want to beg, the least he could help her in, was make sure she wasn’t sold.
“Um… who’s he trying to sell you too? Do you know him? Try to have an agreement with the man. He may not turn out bad.”
Winx looked confused. Was he telling her to go ahead with the marriage? Arya immediately bought the idea. She could have a contract marriage with the man behind her father’s back and work and pay the debts to the man later.
“Sir Damien, that’s a good idea actually.” She smiled. Winx shrugged, as long as she wasn’t sold to complete slavery.
“Yes, because right now, my family is looking for an arranged wife for me, I also hope to just sign a contract with her and break up later. If you can find a man who would do that, then you’re good to go.” Sir Damien assured.
Winx snapped her fingers and Arya caught on her message quickly and asked. “Sir Damien, can I be your arranged wife?”
There was a five seconds pause before he replied. “Arya, I didn’t ask you to.”
“I know but I’d feel better if it’s you and…” she trailed off, she just remembered that the man she was asking to be her arranged husband was her sister’s boyfriend. And why was he looking for an arranged wife when he had her sister?
“Fine. I’d arrange it.” He hung up before she could take back what she said.
Winx looked at her and she looked back at her.
“Wait, is this guy still dating your sister?” Realization hit Winx and she asked.
The both of them stared glued to the ground, surprised at how fast he agreed. Arya didn’t want to annoy her sister. She tried calling back but Sir Damien didn’t he didn’t pick up. What did she just do?
Chapter Three:(At the Wade Mansion)A young man in his mid-twenties, sat, leg crossed on a leather couch, staring at the ceiling, where a massive chandelier hung.A glass of red wine was wrapped in his long fingers, his eyes were dark like he had a smoky makeup on.As he rested on the headrest, his dark curly hair spread on the couch, his eyes were a shade of gray and green. The door of the room opened and a middle aged man sauntered in, closing the door behind him. He walked nimbly and with high head to where the young man sat.“Sir Damien Wade, I had made the arrangements, everything is going as planned. Arya’s father, Mr. Stark, has bitten on the fish hook, he’d be dragged to the surface now.”The young man, Sir Damien, raised his eyes to the middle aged man. “Butler Jim, you speak like my plan is to marry her father and not Arya.” He placed his wine glass on the silver stool besides him.“Since everything is going as planned, start with the wedding preparations.”Butler Jim frow
Chapter Four:Arya gulped down saliva and decided to walk to the young man. He looked expensive, like the rich CEOs she imagined after reading romance books, that was her method of escapism.She stopped halfway when the man diverted his gaze from hers and took his phone. Maybe she should just leave? And how dare she try to have a conversation with such a hot guy, he might have come to pick his girlfriend up from school. She turned and headed home, ignoring the young man, who looked at her again. The young man was Sir Damien, he took a picture of Arya and sent it to Anna to confirm if she was the one he came for. He had never meet Anna since their middle school, where he was basically someone who caused fear in her. During his early teen years, he had been diagnosed with the yandere syndrome and had to stay away from her. He received a text from Anna. “She’s the one. Go get her bro!”He smiled, getting back into his car. The driver, noticing his smile, suggested in a low tone. “Sho
Chapter Five: Romance counselor.Outside the house, it was raining cats and dogs, she walked under it despite having low tolerance to cold. At worst she’d catch a cold, then overwork herself till she sweats out and gets better. Tears rolled down and she sucked it in.Remembering that she’d be the wife of a CEO, she ran out of the rain and inside a café.She shouldn’t look sickly for her wedding but look expensive and materialistic. She didn’t even know where to buy quality things. She indulged herself in hot coffee till she received two texts on her phone at the same time. One was her sister asking if she was accepting Sir Damien. The other was Winx also asking if Sir Damien was really getting married to her. Arya ignored all and switched of her phone.Across her table, in the café, a man in a simple suit was staring at her. He tilted his head, like he was thinking of where he knew her before getting up to walk to her. “Hello, Miss.”Arya dropped her cup and raised her head, seein
Chapter Six: Starting Over.Arya raised a brow, how’d he know if he was an amazing person? Or was he just speaking as a relationship counselor? “Well, I bet he is. He is my sister’s friend and also Mr. Dean’s friend so he’d be a nice guy, I hope.” She said. “Anyway, let’s assume he is, you’d need to be comfortable around him. Let your body gradually adopt the lifestyle. Be honest about your feelings.” He enumerated. Arya’s eyes were on his veiny hands as he took out a finger for each point he made. She pursed her lips and nodded. “I will take that part slow.” Mr. Wade paused but then shrugged. “You know anything about wedding dresses and clothes for rich people? I'll need a hint or two on it.” “I am very open to help you shop for it.” Mr. Wade offered. Arya’s eyes widened. He would shop for her? What if he met his girlfriend in the mall? Wouldn’t that give her a bad label? “I certainly can’t do that to you. Or is it part of your job description?” she asked, politely. “Personal
Chapter Seven: Cat amongst Tigers. Arya had never seen so many pretty things in one place before. She felt her card will go dangerously red soon but didn’t speak of it to Mr. Wade. She ran to a short red dress but when she stood in front of it, the mirror reflected her image on it and she saw it will be quite too short for her. “Do you want it?” Mr. Wade asked. She moved away, shaking her head. “It’s short.”With her disappointed tone, Wade looked back on the dress and without her seeing him, picked it up, along with it’s leggings she might not have viewed. Minutes later, they walked out of the mall, her hands full with bags. He noticed her little hops when she got outside and could tell she was excited about everything. Just when he was about dropping a taxi for her, he sighted a young girl who had been watching him while he shopped. He paused, keeping a distance from Arya. The girl came closer and bowed, before passing by. She peeked into his bag and frowned. He sighed. Yet
Chapter Eight: Won’t love him.Anna heard a knock on the door, she rose from the couch and paused the movie she was watching. “Arya, is that you?” she opened the door and smiled. “Good evening.” Arya bowed, and went to her sister for a hug. Anna brightly enveloped her in a hug. She noticed her little sister wasn’t letting go and gave her a pat on the back gently. “Don’t worry, everything will work out dear. Come inside.” She ushered her in. Arya wiped her wet face, she smiled seeing the series her sister was watching on Tv. “I never knew these household dramas could happen in real life.” “Oh, it can. It surely can.” Anna exhaled, plopping down on the couch. She got up again. “Do you want me to make food for you. You’re staying here, right?” The younger sister nodded. “Yeah, do you have chicken?” Anna rolled her eyes, sighing. “Look how you are being picky? Do you know how expensive chicken is?” Arya smiled, she watched her elder sister, still grumbling, leave to make food for h
Chapter Nine: Goddess Selena.Arya grabbed her sister’s phone and glared at it. That man was really Sir Damien.The picture she was looking at, Damien was wearing a white shirt and was cheering with some other students. The background looked like her sister’s university, the current university Arya attended. How could it be? She had met Sir Damien already without knowing. She slapped the phone on the table and screamed. “I told Damien about my marriage and spoke about feeling weird about it!”How could the universe be so cruel to her? She wanted the ground to open and swallow her that instant. Anna squinted her eyes. “Wait, you guys have met?” she took her phone away from the table, her sister was slamming. Her sister rose from the chair, in panic. “He helped me get the taxi I used to get here. You see those clothes?” She pointed at the bags she brought. “Damien helped me shop for them.” “That’s weird. Was he stalking you?” Anna frowned.Arya shook her head vehemently. “No, actu
Chapter Ten: If it becomes real. Arya ran to the standing mirror with the wedding gown, that had just been delivered and checked on it. She made a spin and smiled. “This is pretty.” Her smile fell. “And also very familiar.” She had seen a sample at the boutique, was the dress in trend? Perhaps when Damien shopped for it, he saw it and liked it. Her smile returned. At least, they had similar tastes in clothes. “What are you doing? Thinking of you two being compatible? Forget it, it’s a contracted marriage.” she dropped the gown to the floor. Why was Damien being so kind to gift her a gown? Did he know that she didn’t have a single coin with her to buy anything? “Arya! That dress belongs on your body and not the floor!” Anna shouted, entering her room. Arya picked it up hurriedly and threw it on the bed, she rushed to her sister’s side. “You said he called? What for? About me or something?” Why was she curious? Anna wondered. “He called to ask how my marriage plans with Jim are