One

“Honey, I am telling you. You are not going to sell our child to that man. You can give Elsie instead!” A woman in her 40s shouted at her husband, sitting on the couch and placing his hand on his chin.

“Marrying her off does not mean I am selling our daughter. We don’t have a choice. This is our only way to help our business. We are lucky that the Valencia family approach to help us. Honey, Elsie is still in college, not Damara, who is old enough to marry him.”

They are Madam Olivia and Sir Damian. My foster parents who adopted me when I was young. I lost my parents in a fire. I don’t even know if I have relatives. Sir Damian tried his best to find and contact them, but years have passed; we cannot track them down.

“If you want to marry our daughter to save the business you can just try the Daurelle family. They are much better and have almost the same amount of money like the Valencia’s! Aside from that, he already told us he wanted—”

I decided to walk away, never wanting to hear any words from that woman. I went to my room to at least breathe some fresh air. Yeah, every air in this house feels so toxic except in my room. I bounce on my bed and close my eyes.

Father is a good person. He treated me as if I were also his daughter however, his wife is different. I already know their company is going to go bankrupt due to the family's multiple debts. And for this to be fixed, the man that maybe I’m supposed to marry on paper gave father a deal.

I don’t know why he had to offer a deal to a family like us when he can just marry a daughter from a richest family like him. Men are really complicated.

I heard that this man rarely spoke. His stare can intimidate everyone; there is unsettling about him that I can’t explain. I already seen her from a previous party where our family was invited. When I wanted to study him, he caught me in the act that made my heart rush. I could feel my chest about to explode because of those stares!

“That was the first time and last time I saw him. And now? I just heard that I will marry him? Well, not that I am complaining though. It is just that this man is not even my type,” I murmured, gazing above.

If father needs my help, I’ll gladly do it. The moment he raised me so well, feed me, and adopted me. I think this is my time to return the good deeds he gave. I have already heard about it months ago, cat first, I was having second thoughts but seeing father stressed, I can’t help it.

Minutes pass by, I heard someone knocking. I slowly reached my eyes at the door.

“This is your father, may I come in?” Sir Damian’s voice always soothes me. It always made me feel so calm and relax. I smiled and speaks.

“Yes, you can come in father.” After my response, he immediately opens the door and walk straight to me. I get up and look at him. He smiled at me.

“I know you overheard our conversation earlier, Elsie. Don't worry I will find a way not to marry you off. Just continue to study. I will help you, okay?” His words made me feel relief. At least, I am assured that father won't let anything happen to me. But–

“Father, if marrying me off can help you, it is fine. You have been so good to me as a father since I was a child. I want to replace your kindness.” I cupped his hands onto mine and gave her my sweetest smile. “Don’t worry, I will still continue college while being as his wife.”

“A-are you sure about it, Elsie?” He stuttered. I laugh at him and gave him a slight slap in his shoulder.

“It’s fine, father. I swear!” I raise my right hand as a sign of promise. “You have to worry nothing. I may be still studying but I am not a child anymore, okay?” I assured him.

I caught him smile a bit made me tease him.

“I am really grateful for having you. You always saved me in everything, Elsie. Don’t worry, if things will become better again, it is fine if you will file a divorce and marry someone you love.” He sighed. “It’s just that, I mess up and I can’t fix it anymore. I am sorry if I need to passed the burden to you.”

It aches my heart a bit after hearing it.

I just shrugged it off and smiles at him. “Don’t be sorry, Father. You need my help and that is why I am helping you, okay?”

He just patted my head and gave me his sweetest smile.

“Thank you.”

.

It’s been weeks already after we had a conversation with father. I had already seen and read the papers regarding the deal. Father let me see it. Damara also about me getting married. She was gone mad after hearing it. Everyone knows how he loves that man.

Well, it is right that they suit very well since aside that they’re both in the same age, they are also ridiculously gorgeous. While me? Just an average woman where you can say beautiful and ugly because I always get mogged by Damara! I can’t deny that.

While waiting, I saw father opened the door and look at me sitting at the waiting area outside the office. “Come here, Elsie. You can come in now.”

I stood up and slowly approach the door. When I finally get in, I was too stunned to speak after seeing the guy beside him. He was fvcking gorgeous!

“Elsie, this is Lacrus Valencia,” father speaks and points the man who has been staring at me for a quiet long time.

His stares really give me chills.

“It is nice meeting you, Sir Lacrus Valencia. To introduce myself properly, I am Elsie Madrigal.” I gave him a slight smile but he still could not let go of those deadly stares!

“Leave us.” And with that authoritative tone made father and the other guy left us, alone here in his office.

I look at him and speak. “Why?”

He stood up and slowly approached me. I walk backwards a bit and hold my hand tightly as he gets closer and closer. I gulp and stares at his eyes. “W-what are you doing? A-are you trying to do something? F-for your information, w-we are not yet married!”

He holds my chin up and began to open his mouth to speak. “I don’t know why I was drawn to you when you’re so ugly the closer I look at you. Your sister’s face is better than yours.”

I slap his hand and glared at him. “Then marry my sister instead!” Who the fvck is he to offend me like that!? I am the only one who can speak like that to myself!

“Her? Why would I request to marry you if you ask me to marry Damara?” I was dumbfounded to hear those words. What does he mean? He what? Request to be married by me?

I sarcastically chuckled and respond. “What do you mean?”

He just gazes his eyes on me causing me to be a bit uncomfortable. It was like he was studying every part of my body.

“You look tough, witty, and clumsy,” he paused for a moment. “And very ugly.”

My jaw almost dropped. Is that what he said that I’ve caught his attention? He is literally straight-up bullying me!