Arrange Marriage

Chapter 2

Victoria's POV

I massage my temple trying to ease the forming headache I feel. 'My god! You're going to be sick with what you do to yourself!' my mind screamed at me. It's almost a month since I've known about the arrange marriage thing and all I did was drown myself to work. I avoided my friends. I lost interest in having fun. Gosh! I hate my freaking life! I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard my phone vibrates. I picked it up and read the message.

'YOU HAVE A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO!!!' – Dianne

Shit! I'm so much in trouble. From the capital letters of my best friend's message, she is really mad. And I'm dead.

I was about to stood up when my office doors swung open making me stop. My eyes widen in disbelief of how fast they arrive. Ugh. I couldn't escape anymore.

"VICTORIA ANNIKA TAYLOR, EXPLAIN THIS BULL WE HEARD THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE MARRIED THIS SATURDAY?!!!" Dianne screamed at the top of her lungs. I could hear the hurt in my best friend's voice even if she is very mad right now. This is what I'm saying! That's why I don't want them to know anything about my ruined life! She marched towards my direction with our other close friend Julia and Mark.

I rolled my eyes. "Calm down D, it's no important."

"W-WHAT? No important? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND Victoria?!! We are talking about your wedding! M.A.R.R.I.A.G.E. there I spell it out for you if you forgot the meaning of that damn word!" I covered my almost bleeding ears because of her shout. Bleeding ears, really V?! Hahaha...

"Calm down D! I-"

"Don't you calm down me Victoria!" She cut me. "You've been avoiding us for a whole month and then we'll hear that you're getting married!"

"D is right Vic, please explain this stupidity we heard! Were getting insane with your attitude lately and then, Bam! We'll hear that damn marriage!" Julia chimed in. I look at them and see how upset they are to me. Mark was just looking at me with a blank expression.

I closed my eyes tightly and walk to where they are standing.

"I'm s-sorry okay! I didn't know where you heard that damn news! This was supposedly a secret event!" I explained.

"WHAT THE FUCK!" Mark cursed loudly making me jump in surprise. "So it's really true that you're getting married Victoria?!" I cringe at the way he spoke my name. I look at him who was already looking at me with anger and pained expression.

"Y-yes Mark. I'm getting married." I said with a weak voice. Mark K. Evans is one of my very close friends. Though he is my friend, he is also one of the many admirers I have. Mark is a very good man, gentleman, handsome and hot, everything in a guy that I love is on him. But, I don't look at him in that way. I don't feel those sparks and butterflies when I'm with him. He is just a friend to me.

"W-what?!" all their eyes widen and mouth hanging open in disbelief. I just nodded my head and sat down on the couch.

"H-how? Why? Y-you don't even have a boyfriend! P-please explain to us Vic" Julia asked confusedly.

"D-dad has a debt, 500 million dollars." Julia and Dianne's mouth formed an 'O'. Mark only gives me an expressionless face so I continued.

"You knew about my parents building in Manhattan collapsed right?" they nodded. "T-they said they can handle it. That's what dad thought. They didn't tell me a single thing about it until later. When that building collapsed, my parents business also collapsed. And then there came the Knights" their eyes widen for the hundredth time. Well, Knights are much known powerful family and business men.

"And then this" I pointed myself and let out a bitter laugh. "To pay that debt, I-I have to marry the heir-" I haven't finished because Mark choose to throw his tantrums.

"Fuck! Fuck!" He cursed while punching my office wall. My eyes widen in shock. Why is he acting like this?!

"M-Mark calm down please."

"Shit Victoria! Why haven't you said anything to us, to me! Fucking 500 million! And to that Asshole!" I look at him confused. Asshole?! Who is he referring to?!

"I-I couldn't do anything Mark. I beg them. I said I would pay it but they won't accept it. They want a marriage." I let out a sob; I couldn't hold my emotions anymore. Mark grab me to his arms and hug me tightly.

"Y-you're more than just 500 million to me Ann. You know how special you are to me." he said softly rubbing my back. I could feel the burning gazes of my friends whom I assume giving me their knowing looks but I ignore them.

"I know Mark. I don't want you guys to see how my life ruined." he hug me tightly and kissing my forehead.

"Were sorry Vic, we didn't know anything. We couldn't even help you" I heard Dianne's voice.

I let go of Mark and wiped my tears away. "Ugh. C-can we stop this drama please." I said while laughing quietly.

They give me a bitter smile and nodded eventually. Then I see Dianne's face brighten up. I give her a pointed look. She has this silly look on her face.

"You're getting married right?" she asked and I nodded with a raised brow. "Have you already celebrated your bridal shower and those bachelor party stuffs?"

I rolled my eyes. "Do you think I could still have fun in my position right now?" I answered sarcastically.

Julia and Dianne give each other knowing looks. "Cut the sarcasm Vic" rolling her eyes, "And oh, make sure your free the whole day tomorrow" and with that they left my office dragging Mark with them. 

'Just great!' i thought sarcastically.  

I walk to my office table and push the intercom button. "Allie please come to my office now" then hung up.

I heard my office door open and close, so I look up to see my oh-so-nervous secretary. She thinks I'm going to scold her.

"Yes Ms. Victoria"

I stood up and gather my things ready to live any minute. "Please move all my tomorrow's appointments and meetings next week. I'm going to be very busy for the next days; I'll just email you or call you when I'm going to be back, so you'll be in charge in the shop. Call me if you really need me here, kay?" she nodded her head.

"Alright, I'm going"