CHAPTER 1-MARRIAGE PLANS

My heart raced as I walked down the hall leading to my father's office, my footsteps were heavy and loud to let him know that I was coming his way.

I placed my hand on the doorknob and turned it slowly, hesitant to walk in, but I did so anyway, I stood confidently in front of my father determined not to let him see my fear but I don't think it's working because he could see my trembling hands.

"Yes father"?, I questioned strongly standing in front of his desk that filled half of the room. It had papers and his previously spilling beer bottle which is now empty on his desk.

The room was dim and his curtains were closed, not letting the sunlight through, The intimidation was seeping out of him and yet his back was to me as he spoke.

You are my youngest child and only daughter he said, "You are going to get married to Nikola Hernando".

My father put out his cigarette as he turned his chair around to see my reaction. My heartbeat froze from just hearing the name.

Nikola Hernando as in the Mafia man.

"They are the biggest mafia's family father", I responded with fear in my voice , I didn't want to marry someone because of power, I wanted to marry because of love.

Exactly one week from now you are going to meet him and I want you to make a good impression or else there will be consequences, "Do you understand"?.

My father spoke demandingly gritting his teeth in anger.

The stench of alcohol filled the room, He was drunk as usual and I shouldn't be surprised because he has always been like this.

"Yes father" I stated attempting to hide my anger and frustration, "Get out of my office, He grumbled turning his back away from me, A tear rolled out of my eye as I shut the door.

I strutted down the hallway feeling stunned about what he had just announced to me, I headed straight for my room, shutting the door behind me.

I lay on my bed feeling overwhelmed by hopelessness and shock. I had mixed emotions, I didn't know if this Nikola could be violent, aggressive or a drunk like my father. Lost in my thoughts, I heard a light knock on my door.

"Marilyn?", My mother uttered softly before entering my room.

"mama" I responded sadly and frowned, finally letting the sadness consume me. My mom wrapped her arms around me, trying to comfort me. I was upset but I couldn't change the situation so I will have to accept my fate now, She rubbed my hands soothingly, trying to console me.

"Your father told me today what he was planning I wouldn't have let him if I had known sooner" She said trying to hold back her tears, Your brothers are not going to like this especially Aaron, My mom shook her head disappointedly.

Aaron is my oldest brother and surprisingly I got along with him the best, I have four other brothers so five in total.

Aaron,Raul,Peter, Justin, Stefano and I being the youngest.

We are all Russian but my father had forbidden us from learning even a word of Russian because he used it to talk to his friends and Mafia alliances so we couldn't listen to the conversation and know his ideas unless he wanted us to.

"Anyways, come down and eat with your family dinner is ready", My mom spoke calmly as she stroked a strand of my loose hair behind my ear.

Hey sis, Aaron cheered hugging me before noticing that I seemed upset, "What's wrong"? He asked worried making all my other brothers turn to me, "Nothing, just a long day". I smiled reassuring sitting down at the table.

We all sat and everyone started eating and talking about their day, so Marylin, "How was your day?" Raul asked me

My father stared at me sternly while he cut his steak, His harsh look warning me not to tell them .

"Boring", I replied with a small smile before cutting into my steak awkwardly they all blinked at me a couple of times but I shrugged it off before going back to talking.

"I have an announcement",My father deep voice boomed from the head of the table, grabbing our attention immediately, All my brothers immediately stopped talking since it was one of my father's many rules.

If I talk, stop what you are doing immediately and listen.

"Your sister is getting married soon",he declared. I saw Aaron's face drop and suddenly become flooded with rage.

"You can't do this!"Aaron jumped up from his seat angrily,

"Sit down boy" My father spat I haven't finished speaking causing my brother to sit down in fear,don't disobey my rules or questions me, "it was my decision" My father's voice echoed through the room,"she's only 20 !"peter slammed his fist on the table in anger.

" How can you allow this"?

Raul yelled at our mom disgusted by her. She's the youngest of us all," You can't do this".

Aaron pointed furiously at my father while my mother is trying to calm him down.

I sat down at the table quietly unable to eat my food. The table was chaotic with the noise of my brothers as I stayed silent, not wanting to add to the commotion.

"STOP!" My father voice roared scaring us all. I have a headache and I don't have time arguing with you guys.

"The wedding is happening whether you boys agree or not". My father stormed out of the dinning room, leaving us all at the table,

My father like calling my brothers boys instead of men, I think it is to belittle them.

Aaron left the table and stormed out of the room, he was more upset about this than I was. Everything is going to be fine,Raul tried to reassure me but we all knew that our fathers decision was final.