Arranged Hate

Chapter 2

Knock. Knock. Knock.

I opened my door and saw my sister with a sad look on her face. I ushered her inside then closed the door. We sat on the couch by the window.

"Is it true?" I asked.

"Unfortunately yes. Father thought its a great way for you to get forced into a relationship. By openly saying it to the public so there's many witnesses. Also many will come from other islands to claim you and they won't come all the way here for no reason at all so you'll have to talk to them. You can't escape. Its impossible to get out of this" she said.

I put my head in my hands.

"I hate this. He can't force me to do this" I said.

"He can if he wants the whole family to keep the image of love and many loved ones. Also to make sure there's many future generations to go" she replied.

"I don't want to be force into love. You cannot force some to love another. I will find my guy without help and I'll find one I will love truly with my entire heart" I said.

"But can't you see, Tracy. That won't happen. Father already made the announcement when we were in the garden but there's something more..." She trailed off.

"What?" I asked curiously.

"He might have told the guys that he'll pay the one that can break the lock into your heart a ton of gold. So I guess there's going to be lots of guys coming" she answered.

"Kill me now" I groaned.

"Don't worry I won't kill you but I'll help you scare them away. I'm good at finding out information" she said smiling.

"My devious little sister. I can't believe that you're only two years younger than me and you got more tricks than me" I said.

She giggled.

"Well a fourteen year old girl needs to learn fast if she wants to survive this family" she chirped.

"Miss Tracy and Miss Lucy, the Governor would like to see you" the gossip maid said when she came in.

"Any news?" I asked.

She closed the door after looking to see if anyone is there. Then turned to us.

"If my information is correct then the first person to arrive is Sir Janus Hilton from Tarzan island. Also all us maid have to make sure there is not one spider in the mansion for he is deadly afraid of them. Also the Governor wants to tell you about the news now" she gossiped.

"Why thank you" I said.

I went to my purse and took three gold coins out then gave it to her.

"By the way, what's your name?" Lucie asked.

"Annmarie, Miss Lucie" she answered.

"Please stop calling me that when no one is around. I sound like I'm older than you if you call me that" Lucie said.

"Of course. You two better go to you father's office quick for he did not sound very happy" Annmarie said.

"Ok. Come let's go quickly" I told Lucie.

We said goodbye to Annmarie and speed walked to the other side of our mansion. Lucie knock on the golden doors before walking in with me following. We put on straight faces so they don't know we know what's this family meeting for. Everyone in our family stood around the huge wooden desk. My father is the only one sitting. My mothers and newest bride stood on the side on the table where my father sat. My siblings and I stood facing them. When we are all together you can see the resemblance in our family. My true mother stood in front of me and gave me that don't worry smile that I got from her. She was forced into the marriage. We look almost identical with our hazel brown eyes, long silky brown hair and tall hourglass figure. My step brothers have some of their mothers looks but mostly our fathers. Lucie has half half. The newest bride to be looks half my father's age. She could be my sister.

"Since we all here I'll start. If you do not know already, I have asked every available boy around Tracy's age to be able to get to know Tracy to be her husband" he said.

Everyone looked at me with curious faces wondering when I'm going to explode with anger but I kept my straight face. I looked straight into my fathers waiting eyes.

"Honey, I don't think that's a very good idea. I mean young love cannot be forced" my mother came to the rescue.

"We were forced together, Sapphire" he said.

"But we loved each other even before the deal" my mother said which I know is a lie.

"Well it doesn't matter anymore. I already made the announcement and she will not be a virgin no longer. She's bringing the family name to ashes and I'll even force guys to rape her if I have too. I can do lots of things with money. If she doesn't do as she is told then there might be an accident. A very heartbreaking accident" he said with so much venom in his voice.

My mother knew it was hopeless to change his mind so she backed away from the conversation.

"You are all dismissed and Tracy. You better do as you are told" he warned.

I turned and walked out the room with Lucie following.

"Tracy! Wait" Tony said.

"What!" I snapped turning around.

Kevin, Tony and Malcolm stood there looking nervous because they knew I am about to loose it. The one thing no one else got in the family but me is our father's stubbornness and anger. I just know how to control it better than my father.

"We'll help anyway we can with the guys" Kevin said.

"And why would you do that? You barely even speak to me let alone help" I said.

"We're sorry ok. We thought it was better to ignore you so father won't punish us. We though only about ourselves and not about you. That was our mistake but now we realize it" Tony explained.

"And we want to help. I don't want my sister die because I know you won't accept the guys. Please let us help" Malcolm pleaded.

I looked at Lucie and she had her puppy dog face on, pleading me to allow them to help.

"Fine. I'll let you help. Let's go to the garden" I suggested but more like demanded.

I changed course to Lucie and I's spot. Lucie skipped beside me on my left and my brothers walked next to me on my right. I glanced at them from the corner of my eye and saw them looking at each other sadly. Then they looked at me and I quickly looked in front of me. We reached our spot. Lucie and I sat on them bench and my brothers sat on the green grass.

"So what's the plan?" Kevin asked.

"We are going to scare them away. The first guy is Sir Janus Hilton and he's deadly afraid of spiders" Lucie explained.

"So what? Are you going to slide a spider into his bed sheets? I would pay to do that" Tony smirked.

"We haven't chatted about it yet but its a good idea. Isn't it, Tracy?" Lucie asked trying to bring me into the conversation.

I shook my head and said, "How will we explain that? I do not want any maids to get into the line of fire. They going to clean out the whole castle to make sure there isn't a spider".

"She's right" Kevin said.

"So how?" Malcolm asked.

"What if Tracy brings him out into the garden? Lucie can come running up to you two and show a cute spider she found" Kevin said.

"And I'll say its so cute and pretend to want to ask our father if we can keep it. You're a genius" I said excitedly.

"I'll find a spider" Tony volunteered putting his hand out.

"Plan spider phobia is in action" Lucie squealed putting hers on top of Tony's.

"I'm in" Kevin said adding his hand.

Malcolm added his.

I smiled and said, "Let's all do this together" then added mine on top.

They all agreed.

"Please can you stop sleeping with my maids" Lucie said randomly.

We all burst out laughing. This is how its supposed to be. Family fun.