Arranged In Marriage

Fate

Natalie's POV:

I could not even believe what I just heard from my parents.

They were asking me to marry a random stranger while I was just 20.

"No" I shouted at them.

I am not going to do that.

"You will have to! "My father ordered.

"Why? Why should I?" I shouted back.

Before I could even realise I felt a tight hard slap on my face."Because I have decided it for you!" My father said.

He was determined.

"You never treat me like your daughter, you just treat me like a garbage which you can dump on anyone!".I shouted back at my father.

"Shut up!" My step mother Laura shouted.

Tears filled my eyes.

"You will be married, soon", my father screamed before shutting the door on my face.

I heard the click sound of door and jingling of keys.
They were locking me in my room.

I wanted to study further and secure a job for myself and be free from this cage, my own father built for me.

But he just hated me. He could not even let me be happy for once in my life.

I jumped on my bed and I cried. I cried for hours, I was missing my mother. My mother who died in an accident 8 years ago and my life was never the same again.

My father James Morgan, had his own business and we owned few retail outfits.

My mother was an doctor and was respected by everyone. But my father started losing his business after few years of marriage and become an abusive husband.

My mother paid his debts and took care of me and him but she was no more.

She died in a car accident. And my father married this bitch Laura. He isn't even a good to Laura but she is even worse.

I hate her.

Maybe it was this bitch's idea. That bitch asked my dad to take my phone too.

I cried looking at my mother's photo till I could not cry anymore and I did not know when I was asleep.

******

I woke up next morning with my eyes swollen and got up from my bed.

I looked myself in the mirror and could feel nothing but anger for my father and this entire situation.

I did my morning business and took bath. I wore my Shorts and Tshirt.

I did no makeup nor did I comb my hair. I had no energy or motivation to get ready.

I wasn't allowed to go to college and my only friend Elena was in other city. Even if I could ask her help, I needed my phone to contact her and I did not had that either.

My stepmother Laura unlocked the door and entered inside. I saw her enter with two ladies, I did not recognise they had their bags with them.

"They are professionals, they will help you look good and presentable".Laura said.

"They arrange their set up, till then you have your breakfast". Laura handed over a plate of coffee, and some sandwiches.

I did not take that from her. She smirked and kept that on table.

"Don't push too hard!", she barked.

"Your father will know if you cause trouble"she shouted before leaving.

Tears rolled down my eyes and I got up taking a sandwich started to gobble it down.

The artists made me wear a blue body con dress.
And they began doing my hair and makeup.

The dress hugged me perfectly and they did open hairs on me.I was ready to be presented.

I artists left doing their job and I waited in my room for another half hour pondering about my situation.

I was called downstairs and I saw an elderly man and women talking to my father and my step mother cheerfully, sitting at the guest table. The lady wore a simple white dress and her husband too looked professional in his suit.

"There she is" Laura said smiling.

I could not believe how good she was in acting.

The elderly lady was too enthusiastic and she approached before engulfing me in her hug.

"Aww, she looks just like her late mother Grace, isn't she? " She said asking her husband.

"Indeed she does! " The elderly man to his wife.

"You are really beautiful, you will look good next to my son Ethan". She said smiling holding my hands.

So his name Ethan I thought to myself.

I fake smiled and looked at my father, who seemed happy with the way things were going.

They all sat on the dining table for lunch.

I could see the efforts my family did.

Laura knew how to throw a good lunch!

The plates were neatly arranged and my parents brought out the nicest silverware we owned. Cloth napkins and a simple vase with fresh lilies was at the centre.

Roasted chicken and glazen ham was prepared, with bread. Mashed potatoes, green beans and garden salad.

Iced tea and lemonade was also there.

We waited for 10 more minutes when tall fair handsome guy arrived looking neat in his professional suit. I could see he had same blue eyes as his mother.

"Ethan, come sit next to "Natalie"." His mother said.

He approached towards the table and sat beside me.

The family kept on talking and I saw him taking no interest in conversation either.

I ate quietly and I found this lunch insufferable.

Their conversation was like murmur and suddenly I heard the word 'marriage- date'''.

I focussed my attention again on my parents.

"Next week is perfect!" My father said.

"Next week? Are they crazy? So soon?" I thought to my myself .

"Can't wait to make Natalie my daughter in law".Ethan's mother said.

They congratulated each other and Ethan's mother congratulated me while I saw my father hugging Ethan.

They were about to leave when I saw Ethan looking at me. I looked at him and he kept on looking, as if studying me.
I could feel his gaze watching my curves intently.

He said nothing to me his expressions were cold and then they all left.

I moved towards the stairs to run and cry in my room but I heard my mother Laura ask my father "how much is the cheque signed at? "

"Fifty millions dollars". I heard my father reply to her.

"Harrison Sterling has sure loads of money" She replied happily.

"Sterlings" I murmured loudly enough for Laura to hear.

"Yes, Ethan Sterling would be your husband" She said.

"You would be filthy rich" She said again.

I felt betrayed. At least I thought the reason for my father marrying me to someone would be atleast something good. Something which would atleast try to pretend he cared, but no.

He was doing it for money. Money to gamble and drink to his life again, with this bitch step mother of mine.

I ran back to stairs only to jump on my bed and cry some more.