Surprise Wedding

Ivanna had just graduated alongside her best friend, Ivy Simmons. To celebrate, some of their friends decided to go clubbing at The Ash Club, one of the most famous clubs in the USA. She was wildly dancing when her phone started ringing.

“Ugh, Ivy, who is it?” she asked, slightly out of breath.

Ivy took out her phone, glanced at the screen, and mouthed, “It’s your mom!”

“Oh, shit!” Ivanna cursed.

She quickly grabbed her phone and rushed out of the club. Her parents were incredibly strict and never allowed her to go out, let alone party with friends.

“Hello, Mom,” she answered hesitantly.

“Honey, we need you to come home as fast as you can,” her mother said from the other end of the line.

Ivanna froze. What?

“Mom, my flight isn’t until the second week of the month.” she groaned, rubbing her temples.

“I know, but you need to come home immediately.”

Before Ivanna could protest, her mother ended the call.

A wave of frustration washed over her. She walked back inside the club, only to find her friends completely wasted—except for Ivy, as expected.

“So? What did she say?” Ivy asked, concern evident in her voice.

Ivanna groaned. “I hate this. They’re telling me to go home.”

“What? All of a sudden?” Ivy exclaimed.

“Obviously! I don’t know why, but she told me to come back as soon as possible.”

Ivy sighed, knowing there wasn’t much she could do. When Ivanna’s parents made a decision, there was no changing it. It had made them very worried. But Ivanna doesn't has any choice.

The next morning, Ivanna packed her things while Ivy helped. Soon after, they headed to the airport.

As they stood near the departure gate, Ivy pulled her into a tight hug. “So… this is it.”

“I’m going to miss you,” Ivy murmured, squeezing her.

“Going to miss you too,” Ivanna replied.

They waved goodbye as Ivanna walked toward her flight. Leaving Ivy was difficult, but her parents needed her.

After a long journey, she finally landed at the London airport. She texted her mother to let her know, and moments later, a familiar car pulled up in front of her.

“Welcome home, Miss Ivanna,” the driver greeted her.

“Thank you, Uncle Roman,” she replied with a small smile.

Uncle Roman placed her luggage in the trunk while she slid into the backseat, sighing in exhaustion.

“So… how are my parents?” she asked.

“They’re doing well,” he answered simply.

Ivanna only nodded. As they approached their estate, her eyes narrowed at the sight of two unfamiliar cars parked outside their mansion.

“Uncle Roman… who’s here?” she asked, sensing something was off.

The driver’s face went pale.

A sense of unease settled in her chest as she quickly stepped out of the car and headed inside.

The maids greeted her at the entrance. “Miss Ivanna, your parents are in the dining hall.”

She nodded in thanks and walked straight toward the room, her stomach twisting in anxiety.

As soon as she stepped in, she found her parents seated with three unfamiliar people. They were deep in conversation—about her.

“Hi,” she blurted out.

All eyes turned to her. She forced a smile despite the nervous flutter in her chest.

“Oh, dear! Perfect timing.” Her parents stood up to embrace her.

One of the older men at the table eyed her closely. “So, is this Ivanna?”

“Yes, she is,” her father responded proudly.

Ivanna studied the three guests. Two of them—an older man and woman—smiled warmly at her, but the young man sitting across from her had an unreadable expression. He was around her age, with striking features, but his cold demeanor unsettled her.

“Honey, sit down,” her mother urged.

Ivanna hesitated before taking a seat beside her mother, directly facing the mysterious young man.

“Mom… who are they?” she asked.

Before her parents could answer, the older man cleared his throat.

“Ivanna, this is Mr. Abraham Villareal, his wife, Genevieve, and their son, Ashford,” her father introduced. “They’re here to discuss an important agreement with us.”

Ivanna blinked. “What kind of agreement?”

Her parents exchanged hesitant glances before falling silent.

“Mom? Dad?” she pressed.

When no one responded, Ashford leaned back in his chair and spoke in a straight, emotionless tone.

“You’re going to marry me.”

Ivanna’s breath caught in her throat.

He’s joking… right?

But her parents’ expressions said otherwise.

Not wanting to make a scene in front of their guests, she forced herself to remain calm and pretend to accept it.

“The wedding will happen soon. The sooner, the better,” Mrs. Villareal added.

Ivanna barely touched her food during dinner. Her mind was spinning, making it impossible to focus. Across the table, Ashford was watching her carefully, probably aware that she was just playing along.

“So, Ivanna, you just graduated, right?” Mr. Villareal asked.

She nodded stiffly.

“From Harvard, correct? Oh! Our son also graduated from there—cum laude,” Mrs. Villareal said proudly.

Ivanna’s mother beamed. “Oh, our Ivanna also graduated cum laude!”

Ivanna rolled her eyes and poked at her food, her appetite long gone. She couldn’t believe she was supposed to marry the man sitting in front of her.

She spent the rest of dinner waiting for it to end. The moment their guests left, she turned to her parents.

“Mom, Dad… what kind of surprise is this?” she asked, crossing her arms.

She wasn’t exactly angry—just curious. Deep down, she had always known something like this would happen. After all, in their world, arranged marriages were normal.

Her father sighed. “I’m sorry, honey, but we need to cooperate.”

Her parents explained their reasons, but Ivanna barely listened. That night, as she lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, she wondered…

What if I run away from my groom?

She sighed, closing her eyes. Instead of dwelling on it, she prayed.

God, please guide me and save me from this mess…