Stuck With You

Chapter 3 (Prince Charming is a Jerk)

Emma's POV

I stared out at the clear sea as the waves crashed onto the shore and ebbed back away. I could see surfers rode on their surf boards and people swimming or splashing each other in the water. Giggling little kids were running on the shoreline whenever the water flowed back and forth as if they were playing catch-me-if-you-can game with the waves. Beach umbrellas were set up with people under it while many other sun-lovers enjoyed a nice tan under the sun. Vendors and snack bars were swarmed with customers. Basically, the beach was absolutely crowded with people as it was a public holiday today. As for me, everyday is a holiday. Or so I thought.

"Emma? Hey, Emma!" I snapped back into reality when I felt somebody shaking my arm. "What?"

Beth who was looking at me with a questioning look said, "Were you daydreaming? Wow, that's a first."

I looked back at the ocean view and sighed. "I don't know, Beth. I feel like throwing myself into the water now and drown. I mean, why set me up in a motherfucking marriage with a stranger when they can just send me off by killing me. Now that will be faster and less agonizing."

"Jeez, you can't die now. Who's gonna keep me company during our girls night out? I thought you're all about 'life's-too-short-to-live-with-regrets' thing." Beth joked.

"Beth, you don't understand. I'm going to be a stranger's wife that will be living with him forever until the day I die. I'll have to cook, clean, take care of the house, wash his dirty underwear, help him tie his tie, polish his shoes, come running to kiss him when he comes back from work and sleep on the same bed as him. Not to mention I'm not even 21 yet." I listed as I imagined what a miserable life I would be living soon as a future wife.

Beth cringed and was about to say more when she saw my gloomy expression. She paused for a while, probably finding words to comfort me which was completely useless because there's nothing that could comfort me right now. Not even a free VIP front row ticket to Shawn Mendez's concert.

"That's partially true, but look at the bright side. He's rich which means you don't have to worry about paying a single cent for as long as you live. Plus, the Rodriguezs' are quite a prestigious family. Living as one would be a blessing." She said dreamingly.

A small summer breeze passed, making my long hair flow with its direction. I put my hair back behind my ear as I continued staring at the vast, never-ending sea in front of me. Far away in the distance, a flock of seagulls flew around freely among the puffy white clouds and clear sky.

"I don't need his money nor reputation. I just want to be out of this marriage and live however I want. No orders. No restraints. Free."

"Well, sorry, Emma. Can't help you for that. You know your parents and how strict they can get. I guess you just have to give in this time. Maybe for once, they will actually be happy and proud of you." Sympathy lingering in her words. Beth understood and knew how I have lived my life for the past 19 years under my parents' wings.

It was exactly five days ago I just discovered that my parents were going to marry me off to a total stranger but up until this day I couldn't accept the fact. Due to being a huge burden for the past years, they finally couldn't take it anymore and was going to get rid of me with the last resort which is making me into somebody's wife to grow the fuck up. Well, technically they said 'to be more mature' but what's the difference.

"You are marrying Zachary and that's final, Emma!"

"I'm only 19. 19, Mom!"