Chapter 2 002

"Who does that belong to, Mom?" Ara asked, her voice laced with curiosity. Her parents exchanged a nervous glance, their lips pressed into a thin line. Mason cleared his throat before speaking up. "We weren't expecting you to find out like this, but now that you know, you're getting married." Ara's eyes widened in shock. "What?! Who am I marrying? What are you even saying?!" she exclaimed, tears already welling up in her eyes. Mason hesitated before dropping the bombshell. "The president." Ara's face turned ashen. "No, that's not possible! I'm only 18, still in college. I can't get married! What will my friends say? No, Mom, I can't!" she protested, her voice cracking. "Ara, this is not up for discussion. Your father and I have already agreed to this arrangement, and it's final." Janet's expression turned stern. Ara's eyes brimmed with tears as she gazed at the wedding dress and accessories. "You're selling me off to him, like a commodity! What do I expect from parents like you? You don't care how I feel! You're selling me off to someone I don't even know, just because I'm a college student!" she accused, her voice trembling. "He's promised to continue your education, if that's what you want. But the fact remains, you're getting married." Janet spoke up, her tone devoid of empathy. Ara's anger and hurt boiled over. "You're not supposed to be my parents! You're the devil incarnate! I hate you both!" she spat, tears streaming down her face as she ran up to her room. Mason turned to Janet, concern etched on his face. "Do you think she'll be okay?" "Don't start caring now, Mason. She's the reason for our misfortune. Get that silly sympathy out of your mind." She closed her eyes, dismissing him. "Come, continue my massage," she commanded, and Mason reluctantly obliged, his eyes fixed on his daughter's retreating figure. _______ Holly sat at the pool's edge, his leg submerged in the blue water. The dim light from the pool cast a bright glow on him. He clutched his phone, having sent Ara countless messages with no response. She was usually online by this time, but her silence worried him. He suspected her mother's involvement and tried calling her, but she didn't answer. Just as he felt like throwing his phone away, Sofia's call came in. "Hey, have you heard from Ara since we left college?" Sofia asked. "No, I thought I was the only one," Holly replied, his concern growing. "I didn't want to tell you this before, but... Ara came to college on an empty stomach today. Again." Sofia hesitated. Holly's eyes widened. "What? Why didn't you tell me?!" "I just felt... uneasy about it. But I gave her a fish roll." Sofia sighed. "I don't understand why her parents are treating her so harshly. It's like they're making her feel like an adopted child." Holly's frustration mounted. Sofia agreed. "I know, it's weird. But we'll see her in college tomorrow, so try not to think about it too much." The call ended, and Holly dialed Ara's number again, but it went unanswered. In a fit of anger, he threw his phone away, watching it shatter into pieces. He ran his hands through his hair, feeling helpless and worried about Ara's well-being. _______ 𝐉𝐄𝐍𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐒 𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐄* The black Lamborghini screeched to a halt in front of the Jenkins empire, a palatial mansion that exuded wealth and power. The exterior walls, made of sleek black granite, seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, while the roof's dark tiles and towering spires evoked medieval grandeur. The massive wooden doors, adorned with intricate carvings, swung open to reveal a cavernous interior with high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and lavish artwork. Vesper stepped out of the car, the maids bowed their heads in unison. "Welcome back, Master Vesper. How was your day, sir?" they chimed, but Vesper ignored them, his expression stoic. A maid quickly collected his suitcase and jacket, while another approached him with a bow. "How's father?" Vesper asked, his voice low and even. "He's fine, sir," the maid replied, her eyes downcast. Vesper nodded and strode upstairs to his father's suite, his footsteps echoing through the foyer. His father lay on the bed, surrounded by beeping machines and an oxygen mask, a constant reminder of the coma that had claimed him on Vesper's birthday, the day his mother had left them. Vesper's eyes narrowed as he clenched his fists, the pain and anger still raw. He approached his father's bedside and grasped his hand, his voice firm. "Campbell debt will be settled tomorrow, Father. And she'll be mine, as promised. Please get well soon." His expression remained unchanged, a testament to the emotional numbness that had become his armor. ________ Ara stormed into her room, slamming the door shut behind her. She was still reeling from the news of her arranged marriage, her mind racing with thoughts of rebellion. How could her parents do this to her? She was still a college student, for crying out loud! She paced back and forth across her room, her anger and frustration building with each passing moment. She couldn't believe her parents were willing to sell her off to some old, wrinkly president without her consent. The thought alone made her want to vomit. Just then, her door burst open and her dad walked in, carrying a wedding dress. "Dad, what are you doing?" Ara demanded, her voice firm. "We're not selling you off, Ara. You're just getting married," Mason replied, his tone calm. "It's the same thing! You're marrying me off to someone I've never met, someone I don't love. Who does that?" Ara exclaimed. Mason sighed, about to respond, when Janet appeared in the doorway. "What's going on here?" she asked, her eyes darting between Ara and Mason. "I brought the wedding dress," Mason explained. Janet's gaze narrowed. "And who do you expect to prepare dinner? Ara, get downstairs and start cooking." Ara's eyes flashed with defiance. "Why should I? You can't force me into this marriage and expect me to obey you like a robot." Ara shot back, her defiance met with a swift slap from Janet's palm. "Don't forget, I brought you into this world, and you'll obey me, even if it means acting like a robot. You'll marry Mr. President, and that's final." Ara's cheek stung, her eyes welling up with tears. "You brought me into this world, fine. But why treat me like a stranger? Why control my life? Why can't I live it my way?" she asked, her voice trembling. Janet's expression remained unyielding. "Don't question my decisions. Go prepare dinner for your father and me. Now." Ara reluctantly climbed down from the bed, her eyes cast downward. Janet's glare at Mason seemed to hold a warning before she stalked off. Mason released a held breath, his eyes filled with a mix of guilt and concern. ________ (𝐊𝐈𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐍) Ara leaned against the kitchen wall, tears welling up in her eyes. This birthday had turned into a nightmare - forced marriage and now kitchen duty. She began slicing an onion, the pungent flavor releasing tears she couldn't hold back. The onion's bitterness mirrored her mood. She cooked, her mind raced with thoughts of rebellion. She served the pasta and fried chicken, her eyes cast downward. "Dinner's ready," she announced, her voice barely audible. Janet and Mason entered the dining room, and Ara's heart sank. Her mother took a bite, nodding in approval, while her father just stared at her. "Darling, shouldn't we feed her properly, lest she faints at the cathedral?" Mason suggested. Janet agreed, and they motioned for Ara to join them. But instead of a seat, Janet pointed to the floor. "Eat there, where you belong." Ara's tears fell anew as she reluctantly sat down and forced herself to eat, her stomach growling in protest. ________ Adriana was seen running through the busy street of Russia. She's going to buy the coco milk for her son, cos if he doesn't have it he wouldn't be able to sleep. She just got back from her part-time job and her five years old son said he was craving for his coco milk. She got to the stall and began searching for the coco milk, she found it and went to give the money to the cashier. She ran out of the stall and got to the busy roads again. Inside a car sat the CEO of Sweet Spicy wines, Fred Reynolds, he was scrolling through his tab. "Boss, Vesper wedding is tomorrow." Dennis said and Fred sighed. He suddenly looked up from his tab and windows came down, the night breeze blowing his face. His eyes landed on Adriana, who seemed to be walking through the road. And a smile cascaded his lip, she was dressed like a tomboy. "Dennis, look at that girl in yellow baggy, I want you to find out everything about her." Fred said. "But boss, you just met her, why do you want me to find out everything about her?" Dennis asked, and Fred glared at him. "Sorry, boss, I'd do what you asked." Dennis muttered, and Fred smiled. Meanwhile, Adriana got home and met her son watching Disney on the TV. "Mom, you came back early than expected." Alvin squealed, and Adriana squatted in front of him. "Mom had to do that so your cravings will end soon." Adriana said, and Alvin smiled. "Okay, sound cool." he muttered, and Adriana handed him the coco milk. "What will you say to mom?" Adriana asked. "Thanks, mom, you're the best." he said and placed a kiss on her cheeks. Well, she gave birth at the age of eighteen, and now she's twenty-three, but he was the best gift God has sent to her. Her apartment isn't that luxurious, but it's small and cozy, so comfortable for her and her son. "Mom, come and join me and watch this Disney, it's amazing," he said, and she smiled. ________ (𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆) The chirping of the birds and the morning early sun shone through the window, directed to Ara's room. As much as she didn't want to open her eyes, she did and used her hand to rub her eyes. Another day, another misery, it was the day she was going to be getting married to the mysterious man. The door of her room suddenly burst open, and Mason stepped inside. "You need to get prepared, we need to be at the cathedral by 11:00 am," Mason said, and Ara rolled her eyes. "I don't care, I just wish to go late so they will call off the wedding," she muttered inwardly. She had to come up with a way to call off the wedding, she really needed to, else she would be trapped in that loveless marriage forever, she would be doomed. Janet and Vesper's maids suddenly entered the room. "The maids are here to assist you to get dressed, Ara," Janet muttered, and Ara scoffed. "I don't want to get married, I don't want to get married," she sneered and went to her lighter, grabbed it. She then walked back to her bed, where she saw the wedding dress. "What do you think you're doing, Ara?" Janet spoke. "Exactly what's running through your mind, mother," Ara said and threw the lighter at the wedding dress. The dress caught fire and began burning into ashes. Janet palmed her hand on her face, looking at how the wedding dress got burned, without her being able to do anything. "What have you done?" she said, but before anyone could guess, Janet ran to the wedding dress and took her duvet, beginning to use it to blow the fire away.