Arranged To Be|18+✔️

'20

"Are you ready to go?" Czar asked as he sat down his fork.

"Yes, I'm actually full." I sat back in my seat, regretting wearing the too-tight dress that now pressed into my stomach uncomfortably.

Czar called the waitress over for the check and left her a generous tip. I raised an eyebrow but said nothing. After all, this was the same waitress who had all but ignored me through dinner. We walked toward the front of the restaurant when we were stopped by an older man with a salt-and-pepper mustache and balding gray hair.

"Czar? Is it really you?" the man said, his face lighting up with a slow smile.

"Luis," Czar said in surprise before pulling the man into a hug.

I blinked. In all the time I'd known Czar, I hadn't seen him show that much emotion toward anyone. Not even his own mother. Seeing him hug someone—let alone smile—felt surreal.

"Who is this beauty?" Luis asked, pulling away from Czar and directing his gaze toward me.

Czar glanced my way. "This is my wife, Zariah."

Luis's brows shot up. "Wife?"

"Yeah... I decided to settle down," Czar replied, clearing his throat.

You decided to trap me into marriage.

I smiled at Luis politely and shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you."

"He's practically a son to me," Luis said proudly. "His parents brought him and his siblings here all the time when they were younger. They were regulars. I loved the whole family."

"We used to have sleepovers at his house all the time," Czar added with a small chuckle.

Luis leaned in with a mischievous smile. "He used to pee the bed."

I snorted, and Czar gave Luis a pointed look while we both burst into laughter.

"It was great seeing you again, kid," Luis said, patting Czar's shoulder. "Come by more often. And bring your beautiful wife."

We thanked him and headed outside. As we walked to the car, I glanced up at Czar, who—shockingly—still had a hint of a smile on his lips.

"Are you smiling?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Of course not."

"You were actually nice to him. I'm surprised."

He didn't respond, and I silently cursed myself for ruining the moment.

Once we were in the car and on the road, I turned toward him.

"I was wondering if I could go see my parents tomorrow."

"Why?" he asked, glancing at me before returning his focus to the road.

"It's going to be our yearly family trip soon. We always vacation around this time. I know I can't go, but I still want to see them before they leave."

"I thought you were mad at them."

"I am," I admitted, voice trembling. "But I still want to see them."

He nodded once. "I'll come too."

My eyebrows pinched together. "No, no you're not."

"I am. I don't trust you enough to send you on your own."

My jaw clenched. "What? Are you afraid I'm going to run away? That I'm tired of being held against my will?"

"Don't be mad at me—be mad at your father. He's the reason you're in this mess."

"Yeah, but you didn't have to threaten to kill him! Why did you even want to marry me in the first place?!"

He was quiet for a long moment. The only sound was the steady hum of the engine.

"I don't know," he finally said, voice low.

I turned away, blinking rapidly to keep the tears from falling. I didn't want him to see me cry. Not again. I didn't want to give him that power. I wiped my cheek and took a deep breath.

"I really wish you wouldn't come," I said softly. "Please. This is something I have to do on my own. I promise I won't run away."

He was silent for what felt like forever.

"Fine."

*~*

Hiiiiii my lovelies! Short update I know but I just wanted to get an update out for you guys, the next chapter will be a lot longer. I am currently working on a schedule so you guys will know when I am updating . Don't forget to comment, vote, share and follow. Until next time my lovelies.