CHAPTER 4- SHOCK

GENEVIEVE POV

It was at that moment I felt it all. Pain, anger, sadness, disappointment, shock coursed through me, the day's events replaying all over again.

I rolled my hands into fists, trying to hold it all back- most especially the tears that were trying to force it way back.

I was still face to face with my betrothed husband. I forbid it, though. I would rather kill myself at this moment.

“We will leave you two to talk.” Dad paused, his eyes roving over me.

“Genevieve, behave.” My dad’s stern voice came through, jolting me back to earth.

Silence eloped, the young man and I in a staring competition. I was pretty sure anger was boldly written on my face. I wish I could pounce on him.

Men are scum!

I have promised never to get into relationships again, not to mention falling in love. It hurts. It still hurts.

As much as I felt like strangling the man, a thought occurred to my mind and I hope it really works.

“You look more beautiful when you are angry?”

What?

I tried registering his words, as my brows raised at his words. I blushed slightly, as I cleared my throat instantly.

“I think that line is old.” I deadpanned, as I walked closer, taking a seat opposite him.

All this while, I could feel his gaze following my every move.

“See. We are adults and looking at you, you should be in your mid-twenties. We can’t get married,” I stated, as his lips curled into a smile.

“Be patient Genevieve. It seems your beautiful eyes do not seem to be doing justice to my age. I am thirty-five years old.” Italian accent reeked from his words, as I tried to take the words in.

I felt my breath hitch for a few seconds, my eyes almost popping out.

He looked so young and vibrant. Yet, I couldn’t trust him.

“Whatever. See, I just went through the worst set of days in my life. My boy….”

“Your boyfriend broke up with you, his loss, my gain. You became the best graduating student, congratulations to you. And you are getting married. It seems so much to handle, right?’’ He cut me off, and his words only left me stunned.

I felt speechless on how much he knew about me. Was he some kind of obsessive fellow who would stalk the person they are obsessed with?

I felt goosebumps instantly.

“Don’t be scared. I mean no harm. You can take your time to think about the marriage proposal.” He stood up, revealing his tall and muscular self.

Why was I speechless?

I can’t just let him go like that?

“What if I don’t agree to the marriage proposal?”

He chuckled, a tight filled smile on his lips.

“Genevieve, I hate it when people reject me,” he stated, his expression neither angry nor happy. He wore a blank look.

I was keen to know more, even when I shouldn’t. What if I make him angry at me? He might leave me.

“I just did and it is final. Not you nor my parents can stop me. I don’t even know you, yet you know so much about me,” I spilled, with my voice rising.

My 5 ‘7 (1.7 m)feet body could only stop at his chest. I had to look at him, by raising my head.

“Feisty, huh?” A smile played around his lips, as he took steps closer.

We were a few inches apart, as my brain almost froze at the distance between us. His cologne wafted through my nostrils, as the urge to sniff was stronger.

It was a mixture of musk and sandalwood. And its emitting force seemed to be blocking my thoughts.

I felt his warm hand on my shoulder jolting me out of my reverie, as my attempt to flinch back wasn’t successful. For some weird reason, I had an ounce of calmness, comfort eluding from his hand.

“I will leave you to make your decision. Goodnight.” He flashed me another smile before turning abruptly to leave.

“I hate you.” Founding my voice, I thundered through gritted teeth.

He stopped on track, as I hoped intently that he would get annoyed and call off whatever drama I was already thinking would happen between us.

“I like you,” His Italian laced accent trickled down my ears, as I watched his fading silhouette.

I clamped my hands to my chest, trying not to cry. I was both happy and sad. Angry at myself and my parents, for thinking it would be best to get me betrothed.

I paced for a while, wondering why my past two days had seemed to be my worst nightmare. The insecurities locking in, along with the break-up with Bryan. The betrayal, then my graduation, which brought joy to me. Realizing my parents were hiding a lot from me only makes me scared.

What if ….

I shook my head, determined to find answers to my questions as I stormed into my room hoping they would be there. And there, they were.

My dad had a complicated expression on his face, even when he saw me. My mum, who was on my bed, stood up, her face concocted with worry.

“Mum, dad. I can’t marry him,” I stated, my hands firm to my chest.

“You have to. You have no other choice.” A frown etched on my dad’s face as he spoke.

“I am not a toddler, dad. This is my decision. I can’t just marry somebody I know nothing about. I just got out of a relationship and I have decided to stay far from men. Please, dad,” I pleaded, hoping he would yield.

“That makes it even more perfect. If you are not in a relationship, then go for Anderson. Don’t worry about love. You will both love each other after marriage.” My breath hitched at my dad’s words.

I bit my lips, trying to stop the tears that seemed to want to fall. It was at that moment I blamed myself for spilling such information.

“Genevieve, honey. Try to listen to your father.” My mum held my hand as she spoke softly.

It was the tone she used when she wanted me to do as she wished. I stared at her, trying to see the conviction in her face, but it wasn’t there. She doesn’t look happy herself.

“I’m sorry, mum, but I can’t. I can’t just jump into marriage with someone I barely know.”

“It’s fine. You can get to know yourself better. You two will be going on dates. Not only that, but you..”

“Seriously mum?” I cut her words off.

“Did this man bribe you? What are you hiding from me?” I asked, as my mum darted her face to the other side, not meeting my eyes.

“Woman, tell her. Maybe then she would come to her senses and at least be grateful for once,” my dad stated.

My mum stared at me, a faint smile on her face, as she pulled me closer. We sat on the bed, as she held my hands, kissing my knuckles gently.

At that moment, my heart was beating with both calmness and anxiety. My throat was slowly getting dry!

“While you were in your fourth year, your dad’s business went downhill. The loans we took were not enough as we went into more debts.” She sighed, my heart suddenly troubled.

“Why didn’t you tell me? I would have figured out something,” She shook her head at my words.

“We couldn’t. All these years, you have been a wonderful daughter. You are independent. You even gained scholarships through your high school and College. Because of us, you stayed for many years before entering College to learn skills that will earn money and make life easy for us. We couldn’t bother you anymore.”

My heart felt full at that moment. It was as if everything were playing in front of me. My mum remembered everything and it really touched my heart to know that.

But yet, the story was still incomplete. I was at the end of asking what later happened when my mum finally spoke.

“During your dad’s search to find collaboration with some other company, he met Anderson. He was a well-renowned businessman in the States. He agreed to help, only on the condition that he gets married to you. Apparently…” I raised my hand, stopping her from spewing more words.

“So you traded me for wealth. Really?” I couldn’t hold it any longer, as my voice rose.

“No darling. Please be patient.” She tried pulling me closer as I flinched.

“We had no choice. The man in question seemed interested in you. He likes you.”

“I don’t care. I hate men, mum. All they ever want is to use and dump you. I have promised not to ever love again. It hurts. And I am definitely not getting married,” I stated firmly.

“You are going to get married, Genevieve.” His voice was higher this time, that my heart almost skipped.

“If you really love us, you will do this. We have raised you for over twenty-five years. Is this how you want to repay us?” Dad faced me, his words burning into me, making me furious.

I needed to get out soon. Everything seemed suffocating.

“Seriously dad? I am your daughter, am I not?” I asked in fury.

“Why are you treating me like this?”

I watched as my mum stood up, standing in front of her husband.

“Please don’t,” she whispered. My dad’s eyes lingered from her to me.

What are they hiding?

“Maybe she deserves to know the truth,” my dad retorted.

What is the truth?

My heart hammered, hoping it was not what I was thinking.

“Please Stephen. Don’t,” my mum pleaded yet again.

“What are you hiding?” My voice came out as a whisper, as I simply looked on.

My dad pushed my mum aside, as he took a few steps closer to me.

“We are not your real parents. Yes, we got you betrothed to that Billionaire to help our business. And you deserved to obey us for all the love we showed you all these years.”

And just like that, I felt my heart suddenly become too tight.

I wished and hoped this was nothing but an illusion.

But sadly, it wasn’t.