Bound To You

4 | engagement party

B e l l a

I stare blankly at the dark oak wood, my body full of nerves.

This is my one shot, I tell myself.

Breathing in and out a couple more times, I will myself to knock and wait patiently for a voice on the other side.

"Come in." I hear my father's low voice grumble.

As I open the door, I'm greeted by four of his men dressed all in black clothing. They look up at my arrival.

My father sits behind his desk dressed in his usual three-piece suit. Oh, God, this is awkward.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realise you were in a meeting." I mumble, starting to turn away and leave.

My father waves his hand, putting out a cigarette. "Don't worry, we're just finished here."

He says a few more words to his men and stands.

The four burly men stand as well and step towards the door. They are my father's men, Aiden included. Aiden looks my way with an emotionless expression as he walks by.

He never talks much, but when he does, it's always one word answers or commands. Frankly, I don't see why Angela finds him so fascinating. It would be like talking to a brick wall. I'd rather watch paint dry.

"Are you alright, sweetheart?" Father says, sitting back on his chair.

I slowly move inside the room, closing the door behind me. I take a deep breath, twiddling my hands together. "Yes. I'm fine. I was just wondering if I could speak to you in regards to the wedding?"

He leans back in his chair. His head tilts to one side, regarding me.

"What about the wedding?" he says in a gruff voice. Here it goes.

"I'm not so sure if it's a good idea, Papa. I mean, I'll be eighteen, and I'm still in school. I want to go to college and travel before I marry and settle down."

My father's dark eyes pierce mine, and suddenly, I want to run away again.

"It's already been discussed with Mr King. He's agreed you can carry on with your studies when you move to England. That's no problem."

My jaw almost falls open.

What?

He's already planned my future without even discussing it with me? How could he do this to me?

"So I have no choice? I have to move?" I ask, horrified at the thought.

He provides a stiff nod, his face a picture of composure. "That is a part of the agreement, yes."

My throat closes. I can hardly breathe, and my lungs struggle to find the air I need to breathe.

It's not fair. I hate this.

"Papa... I have friends here. I have a life, and what about you, Mama and Alyssa? I-- I can't leave."

My heart aches, and all my emotions from the last few days come bubbling to the surface.

My father stands, walking around his desk and keeping his steely gaze on me.

"We can visit or vice versa. Your friends too. Don't look so mortified. This isn't the end of the world." He smiles gently, "Now are there any other questions you have? I have business to attend to."

He stops a few feet away from me, his tall frame leaning against his desk.

I glance at the far wall, thinking about all the burning questions I wish to ask him. "Who is this Nicolas guy? Do you know him?"