If Love Was Forced

Chapter 1: Marrying Who?!

Camila's P.O.V

"Camila?"

Gretchen, my assistant, says as she walks over to me. "Hey, what's up?" I said as I placed the book I held back on the coffee table. "Your dad told me that you were both going somewhere, and he's picking you up at six." She said as I looked at her puzzled. What did he want now?

"Where?" I asked as I took a sip of my coffee. "I don't know what he didn't say, but knowing your father it's probably just about business." She explains, I chuckled. "Does he want me to participate in another charity work of that Mr. Grimaldi? Cause I'm saying no." I commented. "That guy already left the country. But I have a surprise for you." She chirped as the maids gave her something.

"Tiramisu!" She says, as my face lightened up when she handed me the plate, I'm a big fan of tiramisu, and everyone knows that about me. "You're the best!" I said and hugged her.

"You're welcome." She said as we both broke the hug apart. She left my room as I smelled the fresh and sweet aroma of the tiramisu. I took a big bite as I moaned at how great it tasted.

After I was done eating, I went back to my work, I had some things to research since the hospital was so busy, and I studied some information about some illnesses.

I looked at the clock to see it was five. I grabbed my phone and went to my wardrobe I picked a light blue, spaghetti-strapped gown. I took a quick shower and did my skincare. After that, I wore the dress.

I picked up some diamond earrings and a simple necklace that had a heart charm. It was from my mother. She gave it to me when I was little and told me that I should keep it safe. After that day, she was getting weaker and unhealthier, and on the day of my graduation, she died. I didn't even get to see her.

I was so miserable when I found out.

But that's the past, it's time to move on. I cleared my mind as I walked over to the mirror and grabbed my watch. I looked in the mirror and smiled as I saw the dress look gorgeous on me. I grabbed myself a pair of stilettos and now I was all good to go.

I took my phone in my right hand and my handbag in my left as I left my room. Gretchen approaches and says, "Camila, your dad is waiting downstairs in the living room."

I answer, "Yes, so how do I look?" I was so anxious, because my dad and I hadn't spent much time together lately, and because I wanted to present a positive image.

She winked at me, "Perfect." I replied, "Also tell Miss Holly to clean up my room before I get home."

My dad was on the couch, speaking to someone in Italian, when I went downstairs.

He mentioned meeting up with someone today in his conversation. I have gone off my thoughts and approached him from behind. He said farewell to the person he was speaking to and hung up the phone.

I was about to hug him when he said, "We're going to be late. Let's go." He then walked past me and headed outside. No hello or hug? As I went outside, I sighed and pouted.

The security personnel escorted me to my father's automobile. The driver opened the door for me, and I sat inside. I looked over at my father, who was looking gloomy as usual.

"So where are we going?" I asked as he glanced at me and stared back at his phone and entirely defied me. I sighed and lunged into my seat and just glanced at the window.

When we finally arrived at our destination, my father stepped out of the car and I came after him. I scrutinized the restaurant and saw it was an Italian restaurant.

My father and I walked in and went straight to the VIP area. I'm curious if we were meeting someone or if he simply wanted to have dinner with me.

When I was following my father, I acknowledged we were approaching an old man and a woman's table. The man looked quite knowledgeable, and the woman too, but I don't know why.

"Maria, Pietro, I'm glad you both came." My dad asserts that both the man and woman named Pietro and Maria stood up. "I miss you, my old friend." The old man announces as he and my dad shake hands.

"The feeling is mutual my dear friend. I want to introduce to you both, Camila, my daughter." My dad told them as I shook their hands. "It's delightful to meet you both," I say with a smile. "You're such a beautiful girl." The woman, called Maria, told me, I gave her a warm smile in return.

We all sat down as the waitperson came up to us and took our order. "Wine, all around," Pietro says, as the waiter nods. We all ordered steak with some vegetables on the side.

The wine arrived, and the waiter poured everyone a glass. I quickly conversed as the waiter was about to pour some into my glass. "I'll just have some water," I whisper as he nods in approval.

"So what do you do for a living, Camila?" Maria tells me as Pietro and my dad talk about the company. "Well, I'm a family doctor," I say, as she smiles. "Well, now I know why everyone says you're an intelligent kid." She said this as I laughed strangely. Everyone huh? Yet all the crap that comes out of my father's mouth says I'm incompetent.

After we finished the appetizer, the main dish came, which was pasta. If there was no one in this room right now, I would've put that whole thing in my mouth. But I had to keep myself formal, elegant, and flowy, like my instructor said the air that glides softly around the wind which until now I still don't understand, french people are so hard to understand.

"Well, I'm glad you recalled our agreement, Franco," Pietro said to my dad as I looked at them curiously. "Of course, I wouldn't forget about our agreement. I'm a man of my word." My father says. HUH?

Wait hold up. What do they mean by "agreement"? Of course, I said that in my mind with Pietro's extended British accent that was thick.

I stared at Maria with astonishment as she blabbered out, "Camila and Alejandro would be a good couple."

I interject, "What are you guys saying?" as my father steps in. He stated as I felt my spirit plummet to the earth, literally.

"I and your Uncle Pietro aim to arrange you and his son Alejandro for marriage."

Wait hold up?! I ain't marrying anyone.