Chapter 2 : Arranged marriage

Two days passed and a meeting was arranged with Eric Wilson. I had to be on my best behavior or I get disowned by my father. Eric Wilson was the second son of the Wilson family. I never really got to know the first- I mean, not like I cared. The night before the meeting, thoughts ran through my mind. I was getting married to someone I do not love, because my father wanted his reputation back. I had Henry- my first and hopefully the last boyfriend I’d ever have, before this scandal that resulted to me marrying Eric. I thought of how Henry would feel when he hears that I would be getting married- I would be breaking our trust. I sighed deeply, I needed to sleep for the next day ahead of me.

The next morning, it was barely dawn when I heard my room door open loudly- it was my mother.

"Get up Olivia, you must prepare yourself. Remember to be on your best behavior so he can at least think you're worth marrying" Mother said flippantly, going straight to my wardrobe and pulling out my two luggage boxes.

"But mum, I love Henry ,and I have plans to marry him ...I don't like Eric... I don't even know him"

"You should have thought of that before you maliciously attacked your sister in front of your father's guests and showed what an embarrasment you are to this family" She shot back venomously.

She looked at me and I could see a mixture of disgust and hatred in her eyes that I'd never really noticed before, if I didn't know better I would have thought I was an adopted child.

"Get dressed, we your cab will be here soon and we wouldn't want you to miss it" she said finally, and with that last barb she swept out of my room like a tornado, leaving crushed feelings and a sense of abject abandonment behind.

Slowly and painfully I got up in a daze, "I should be accustomed to her words by now" I told myself sternly as I started stuffing all my clothes into my boxes... "I will not cry, I won't give them the satisfaction" I promised myself.

I wanted to tell myself not to hold it against my parents... to make excuses for my family so the betrayal I felt would dull a bit so this bitter pill would become easier to swallow, but I've never really been one to lie to myself.

Just as I reached for the last few outfits, I noticed something that gave me pause... It was the pink dress that started all this... the symbol of my little rebellion and seemingly the cause of all my problems.

“Olivia!!!” I heard my mother shout again.

After a final glance at the mirror, I quickly rushed down so as not to keep the cab driver waiting. I locked eyes with Veronica on my way downstairs. Her eyes gave a mixture of jealousy and hate, making me wonder why a sister would hate her twin this way. I looked away and rushed to my cab.

Reaching the restaurant, my nerves coiled tight. I surveyed the dimly lit restaurant with my eyes flicking over a red-checkered table cloth. My eyes met with Eric. He walked towards me and my breath caught in my throat. His aura, like the icicles that hung from eaves, carried a subtle chill that bespoke a carefully guarded demeanor.

Clad in impeccably tailored attire, he moved through the world with a grace that mirrored the dance of snowflakes in the cold breeze. His steps left an imprint as delicate as the first footprints on fresh snow, each one a testament to the measured elegance he brought to every moment.

His eyes, as sharp and penetrating as a winter’s night, held secrets known only to him. “Olivia?" he asked, his voice a warm baritone. The name felt unfamiliar on his tongue.

“That’s me” I replied, my own voice was surprisingly steady. “And Eric I presume”

His hand extended, calloused but gentle as it enveloped mine. "The one and only." Still holding my hands, he led me to the table reserved for us and help me with my chair. A part of me was interested in Eric- he is a nice guy, I thought to myself. But then again, I felt a surge of emotions. I had Henry, how would I break the news of my marriage with Eric?. The sound of Eric’s cutlery brought me back to reality.

“What would you like to eat” He asked, “By the way, you look beautiful….””Too beautiful to cause troubles like I heard from people” He added.

I struggled for words, news were spreading like wildfire about that night? A night I did nothing? My countenance changed as I managed to hold back my emotions. I wanted to tell Eric everything, I wanted to tell him it was Veronica and not me. Even if I did, of course- he was still getting to know me,telling him would be useless.

“Thank you”, I said , with a forceful smile while using my hands to pull my hair to the back of my ear.

Few hours later, the we finished talking about our marriage plans. Eric offered to take me home. My heart pounded in my chest as Eric pulled his car to a stop in front of my house. Relief washed over me – I was finally done dealing with the getting to know him.

"Thanks for the ride," I said, stepping out and offering him a grateful smile. He returned it, a hint of coldness in his eyes. "No problem at all. It was..." He hesitated, searching for the right words. "Nice spending time with you."

"Likewise," I agreed, the compliment warming my cheeks. Maybe Eric wasn't so bad after all. He wasn't exactly Mr. Excitement, but there was something genuine about him, something I found... comfortable.

As I turned towards the porch, a sharp voice sliced through the morning thin air. "Well, well, look who's found happiness again."

Veronica- Of course. My smile instantly dissolved, replaced by a familiar knot of dread in my stomach. She stood framed in the doorway, arms crossed, eyes narrowed in a way that promised trouble.

"Veronica," I sighed, bracing myself for whatever drama she was about to unleash.

"He's not that bad, you know," she sneered, gesturing towards Eric's car with a condescending wave. "You seem to have forgotten that I wanted him pretty quickly." Veronica sneered.

My jaw clenched. "It's been years, Veronica. We were kids back then."

"But clearly, some things never change," she shot back, her voice rising. "Just like some people never learn their lesson."

"What are you talking about?" I snapped, my patience wearing thin. “You got me into this marriage mess in the first place…I never wanted to….”

"Oh, come on, darling," she drawled, stepping closer. "Don't play innocent. Just know the marriage wouldn’t work!”

A cold shiver ran down my spine. What was she up to?

Before I could respond, a booming voice erupted from behind me. "What marriage”