Chapter 1: Betrothed

Chapter 1: Betrothed

Feliza sat at her cluttered desk, her eyes fixed on the pages of her textbooks. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow across her room. The air was filled with the faint scent of aged paper and the soft tapping of keys on her laptop. She was engrossed in her studies, the impending finals demanding her full attention.

She stretched her back as she yawned. Exhaustion began to envelope her for the hours she'd spent studying. But she has to endure it, or else she might not pass her exam.

"This better be worth it," she uttered under her breath, her green eyes glaring at the papers she's reviewing. She's already in her 3rd year as a Journalism student.

A knock on her door disrupted the tranquility of her study session. The maid's voice seeped through the door, informing Feliza of her father's urgent request for her presence.

"Why?" she asked, but the maid didn't say anything.

Confused but curious, Feliza made her way to her father's office, the anticipation causing her stomach to churn with uncertainty.

Upon entering her father's office, Feliza found herself amidst an air of tension. Her adoptive parents sat opposite her father, their faces wrought with concern.

"Dear, here you are!" her mother exclaimed upon seeing her. A huge, forced smile was plastered on her face. "'Come, come!"

"Mom?" she asked, confusion was laced upon her voice. Her mother held her wrist and pulled her down to sit on the couch. Feliza suddenly felt like something was wrong as she glanced at her parents.

Her adoptive mother, Ysabel, was smiling at her oddly sweet. She was never like that to Feliza. Most of the time, the old lady has a scowl expression on her face and was always irritated to see her.

"Have you eaten, my dear? How's school, anyway? I heard it's already your final term. Are you even taking care of your health?"

Feliza flashed a small smile, covering the suspicion that etched on her face. She really felt that there was more about asking her well-being. And she knew it's just a matter of time before this pretension will shatter.

"I'm doing good, mom. We only have 3 more major exams, then the semester will be over," she quietly said.

"Oh, that's a great news, dear. I have never imagined you reaching this far!" her mother said with fake happiness. "I could still remember when we take you home fifteen years ago and raise you up as our own. Time flies really fast, right?"

She pursed her lips into a tight line as her heart stung. She knew what her mother was doing. She was reminding her of the fact that the Gray family took her in their abode and raised her up like their own. They dressed her up, gave food, education, shelter, and financial support to buy whatever she wanted.

For all she knew, it was only for political purposes. They wanted to gain the mass' attention for taking care of a child that isn't biologically related to them.

Nonetheless, Feliza was grateful for what they have given her.

Feliza nodded her head with a smile still etched on her lips. "Indeed... and I'm grateful for your kindness, mom."

"Heh! Don't mention about it. You know we love children so much, and if I could, I would definitely take more children in this house," her mother said before sitting next to her and holding her hands on hers. "I'm pretty sure your real parents are so proud of you, Feliza. Look at you right now; a beautiful lady with a dream so big."

She couldn't help but to look down. Her heart constricted with pain upon the mention of her deceased parents. It was a sensitive topic for her and her adoptive mother, Ysabel, just knew where to hit her weakness spot.

Her father, Robert, cleared his throat to have her attention. Looking at her adoptive father, Feliza suddenly remembered why she was called. Her father has something to say to her.

"You're already nineteen, Feliza—almost twenty. You are no longer a kid," he started, and Feliza's heart began to beat fast. "Sooner or later, you will need to have a partner in life. A person you will spend your life with. Just like your mother and I."

Feliza's hands started to tremble. She knew what's coming next, and she's not ready to hear it from them.

She closed her eyes for a split second to stop the tears that threatened to fall on her cheeks. She felt a soft squeeze on her hand and saw her mother giving her a false, comforting look.

"I-I... I understand, dad," she uttered.

"We all know you're not getting any younger, dear. We worried about your future. When the time comes we wouldn't be able to support you, then who will stand up for you?" Ysabel said.

I can support myself. She thought to herself.

Ysabel sighed. "Think about it, dear. You need to find a suitable and reliable partner who can give you whatever you want. As a parent, I want all the good things for you."

Feliza wasn't dumb not to get what they are implying, and yet, she chose not to speak against it.

"Let's cut the chase here," her father finally spoke. "We have found a potential husband for you, dear. He is a man of wealth and is also capable."

Everything suddenly became numb for Feliza. She could hear nothing but silence as her pounding heart busted her eardrums. She could feel her whole body becoming cold after those words slipped of her father's mouth.

She was right all along...

But, no matter how much her heart screams to decline such matter, her mind wouldn't let her. She owes the Gray family her life, and she's not that ungrateful enough to refuse.

"O-Okay..." she whispered, unable to protest. She cleared her throat before regaining her thoughts. "But... there must be another r-reason, right? Please, tell me there is," she said.

She will not just agree to this whole set up if the reason was just that vague. At least, she deserves to know the truth.

Her adoptive parents looked into each other's eyes, as if deciding whether or not to tell her the truth.

In the end, her father sighed. "Well, there was a little problem..." he trailed off, fixing his glasses on his eyes before looking at Feliza in her eyes. "I lost a bet from the Casino, and if I couldn't pay the exact amount that we've agreed with, then all our money, as well as all our properties will be taken away from us."

Her eyes widened.

"But, we learned that the man was in search for potential wife. And upon seeing the opportunity, I thought it wouldn't be bad for you to be his wife. As your mother and I said, we care for your future. You also don't have to worry about this person, because he is a young man, dear. No history of marriage at all."

There's a long pause of silence after that. Feliza didn't know what to say or how to react. The unsettling emotions in her chest overwhelmed her.

The news hit her like a ton of bricks. It weighs heavily on her shoulders.

She knew their real intention of this whole situation. It wasn't because they truly care for her and for her future, but they cared for themselves. They wanted her to be a payment of their huge debt to this certain man. That's the real point.

However, she just cannot take it in her heart to refuse. She owes them a lot.

And if the only solution to this sudden predicament was her arranged marriage to this stranger, then so be it…