If Love Was Forced

Chapter 2: Heart Locket

"Why?!" 

"Camila, this agreement has been made since the day you were born. It's not an option, this is your obligation." My father explained, really now? This agreement was made my whole life for years now and I'm just being informed now? OKAY, I'M JUST SAYING THAT JUST BECAUSE THEIR SON IS UGLY DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY SHOULD JUST FORCE SOMEONE TO MARRY HIM, THAT IS OBLIVIOUS!

"Remember when your mom said you had an obligation to fulfill, and her last wish was for you to fulfill that? This is it," He said and I looked at him flabbergasted, what was going on here are these people crazy? "I'm sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Huxley, with all due respect, why does your son's life, have to affect mine, I barely know him, and based on your appearance, I'm sure your son can have anyone he wants as his bride?" I questioned them in pure curiosity, they didn't even feel surprised by my question. 

Maria was about to answer but my father quickly grabbed my hand and excused us from the table, his grip was menacing and tight. He led me to the balcony, and as soon as we reached there the cold wind glided around my fair sensitive skin, he let my hand go. He looked furious, "How dare you say those things to my business partners? That was disrespectful Camila." He shouted at me, massaging his temples as he walked around in circles in front of me, so my opinions were still invalid even if the topic was me being married. I'm not stupid, this is my life, and marrying this guy would be like me throwing all my years just in a void to waste my life.

"You guys, can't make these decisions for me. Dad, why are you like this? Are you happy in making me miserable that you're ready to marry me off to a man, are you crazy?" I asked him, suddenly he stared at me his facial expressions changed, his glance wasn't furious yet it went soft. 

"Do you think me and your mom are happy to marry you off to someone you don't know? Do you think I was happy forcing you to destroy yourself to train yourself for this very moment? You don't know how much your mom cried every night and how guilt killed her making this decision yet this is not just a random decision my dear, this is the thing that would predict the future of our company. The Huxleys can take everything away from us if we don't make this agreement. Do this for me and your Mom, please." He begged, I couldn't believe what I was hearing, this was so crazy, yet I can't deny I felt that small piece of heartache when he mentioned Mom. I looked at my dad, he was staring at me, trying to read my emotions, "Please say something." He breathed out, and I felt my heart drop when I saw a tear in my father's eye. 

"I'll do it, but please explain to me everything once we get home," I told him, and for the first time my dad hugged me, this wasn't like the hug that felt forced for the cameras it was genuine. "I promise, I'll explain everything but for now, let's face them first, I want you on your best attitude." He whispered in my ear and pulled away, I gave him a nod, and he let me go and walked off, I stood there, my mind confused yet my heart was worried, what did mom and dad do to force their only daughter to get married to a random stranger?

I put on a straight face and walked back inside, and I saw the three of them waiting there, I walked up to them with a smile, "I'm sorry about what happened Mr. and Mrs. Huxley, I was just shocked by the news," I said to them, Maria gave me a warm smile and reached out for my hand.

"It's okay, dear." She says, she soon let my hand go and they started discussing again, this time it was all about the wedding. "It will be done next month, right away." Mr. Huxley said and I was shocked yet who was I to question, rich people always made decisions fast. "Dear it's Alejandro's birthday in a few days, you should come." She said and chuckled awkwardly, yet my father quickly intervened.

"We wouldn't miss it." My father said and I nodded smiling, Mrs. Huxley kept going on and on about her plans as I just nodded. To be honest, I wasn't listening that much, I was just focused on eating the pasta, which by the way was fantastic and very flavorful, of course, we love it the Italian way. Finally, dinner was done, the Huxleys paid the bill and we walked outside, we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways I couldn't even express how happy I was when they finally left. Seriously I just graduated college 3 years ago, and you're telling me I'm getting married, I haven't lived life to the fullest yet. 

The butler opened the car door of the limo and gradually as usual my father entered first and then me. I sat beside him and in a few seconds, we were off to head back home.

I was about to speak and ask about what happened in the restaurant when my father out of nowhere handed me a bracelet, a bracelet that had a locket on it. "What's this?" I said taking it in my palm carefully. I was allured, it had many diamonds and the locket was in the shape of a heart.

"Look inside." He whispered to me and smiled. I opened it and I couldn't believe what I saw, it was a picture of me, well technically 4-year-old me but I was with a guy, he seemed like he was older by a few years. "Who is this?" I said as I looked at it as if it was something that I'd never seen, so intense and curious yet a bit weirded out.

"That's you and Alejandro-" Oh dear kill me now.

The Next Day

Waking up at 6:30 in the morning I was severely tired, I spent the whole night researching Alejandro Huxley, I'd never heard of him before which is crazy, being told he was the hottest bachelor in Manhattan, crazy absolutely.

I walked out of my room, still in my silk black pajamas, which showed probably most of my skin, but who cares this is my house and I should be wearing whatever I want whenever I want.

I walked out of my room and went downstairs. "Good morning, sexy lady!"Gretchen shouted as she stuffed her face with the waffles From the dining table. "Good morning, my lovely," I said chuckling at her comment, I glanced around and saw her iced latte from Starbucks beside, in her perfectly manicured hand. Walking over swiftly I stole it from her hand and got a groan of annoyance from Gretchen.

"That's mine!" She says pouting as I snickered and drank it. "I'll buy you 10 more, later," I promised and sat beside her, taking a sip of the milky bitter goodness. I needed this badly, and finally, I felt alive.

"What happened with Father dearest last night?" She asked and I sighed, "Oh no what happened?" She asked knowing something big happened. "So don't be shocked, please, and don't tell anyone," I said taking her hands in mine as she chuckled not taking me seriously, yet I glared at her and she nodded.

"I'm getting married." I breathed out sadly and she quickly let my hands go and practically wanted to barf what she just ate. "What the fuck?! To who?!" She asked and quickly looked at my finger to see if it had a ring. "It's a treaty," I said to her and she looked at me and raised her eyebrows. "Girl be for real, who is this guy?" She asked and crossed her arms giving me attitude.

"Alejandro Huxley," I replied, closing my eyes to at least make her reaction bearable yet I was shocked when her jaw just dropped.

"The most handsome bachelor, CEO, model, volunteer, son of the richest family in Manhattan, the multi-billion-" she continued yet I quickly shut her up.

"Yes," I said, well now that I heard someone say everything, I mean it's not that bad, he is rich and handsome, WAIT NO! STOP I DON'T WANNA GET MARRIED.

Gretchen suddenly blurted out bursting me from my bubble. "So that explains why there's a handsome, hot, rich guy, waiting for you in the foyer."