A Love After Marriage

Seven

The moment when Bea and her parents reached home, Bea quickly walked straight to the stairs, wanting to go back to her room as fast as possible. But as expected, before she could even take the first step on the stairs, her father called after her from behind.

"Beatriz."

A long, breathy sigh escaped Bea's lips as she just stood there without turning around to face her father.

"We have something to discuss with you." Elmer said.

Taking another deep breath, Bea slowly turned around to look at him. "About what?"

"Do you remember I told you about the land that we bought in Taguig?" Elmer asked.

Bea nodded. "Yes. The land that we bought with multi-million pesos."

"That's the one." Elmer said. "Taguig is a city that focused on green industry development such as solar energy, sustainable garden development and electronic transportation. The reason for us to buy this land is for our new project... the green concept luxury condominium. But for a residential building to build on the commercial land title, we have to get the approval from the government. And the person who have the power to do it... is Billy Viray"

"What does any of this have to do with me?" Bea asked. "Dad, you are the president and also the majority shareholder in De Leon Corporation. You can make the decision and do whatever you think is right."

"But the problem we are facing now is Billy Viray." Elmer said in a deep breath. "He will not stand at our side unless... we agree to his condition."

Bea narrowed her gaze sceptically. "What condition?"

Elmer turned to his wife, staring at her with a meaningful gaze. Dette understand right away as she slowly walked closer to Bea and held her hand. "Beatriz, anak, we know... this is too much to ask and... its very unfair to you... but..."

"What condition?" Bea cut her mother off, her lips pressed firmly together as her eyes glared at them with fury and rage. She has no patience for all this and wants them to get straight to the point.

Dette parted her lips but found herself unable to speak. She understands her daughter very well. She is definitely not that kind of person who will follow instruction obediently and let other people to control her life.

"He wants you to marry his daughter." At last, it was Elmer who said it out loud.

A sarcastic chuckle immediately escaped Bea's lips as she looked at her father. "Impossible." Her answer is short, simple and firm. "I'm your daughter, not your puppet. Nobody have the right to control my life except myself. I will not sell off my marriage for a business."

Dette shook her arm softly. "Beatriz.. I know this is not right. But... we met Caitlin just now. You saw her too. She is so... pretty, well-mannered and..."

"I don't like her! I don't like Caitlin!" Bea raised her voice, pulling her arm away from her. "I already have a girl that I love very much. If I were to marry one day, I will only marry her."

"Are you going to watch our company went down because of your selfishness?" Elmer cut in angrily. "Because of your so-called naïve love, our company will going to face a very big problem. Without Billy's help, the land that we bought with multi-million dollar will become a scrap."

Bea shifted her gaze back to her father and looked at her in disbelief. "I'm selfish? You think I'm selfish just because I refuse to marry a girl that I don't even know but could help your company? You think I'm naïve to be with a woman that I love just because she couldn't help your company? What kind of reasoning is this? De Leon Corporation is your company, buying that land is your decision. Why must you put all the responsibilities on me?"