Fix You

Prologue

The Kings are enjoying their peaceful and sumptuous dinner in one of the luxurious restaurants in New York City. It was their third time this year to have their dinner outside as a whole since the eldest child’s work deployment in Texas for his training while the head of the family was too busy with their business.

It is a rare occasion of the family for they only spend their dinner outside if someone is leaving or there is an important matter to talk about and obviously, it is the latter.

It was then, George King, the head of the family, who broke the deafening silence.

“So, Arman, how’s work? It must have been hard for you to adjust on your working environment”, George asked his eldest son.

“It’s fine dad, it doesn’t seem like my first day of work to me, my co-workers never let me feel like I'm a newbie in the industry. They were all amazing,”Arman answered.

“That’s good to hear. As early as now, you must have built a strong relationship with your colleagues because sooner or later, you’ll have to lead your own people. If you want to gain your people’s trust, then you must prove that anyone can rely on you,”George said, making a point.

“Dad, what’s with these sudden teachings from you, like you are leaving the company to Arman’s hand?”Paulo, the youngest, interjected.

“Because that’s what I’m trying to say. What do you think is the main reason why I deployed Arman in Texas. That is because I wanted him to train on his own and prove his self that he is worthy of handling our company. You see, I am not getting any younger, sooner or later, I’ll be retiring as the company’s CEO. But before I officially step out of the CEO’s office”, George looked at her only daughter, Belinda.

“I am planning of extending our business in Italy. My friend in Italy, Parker Neville, is also running their own business through his son, Oliver, and they wanted to invest in our company.”

The moment her father’s eye looked at her, she suddenly felt uneasy, thinking what her father has in mind when he looked ate her. Although she has an idea of what her father is trying to say, she just shrugged that thought off and silently uttered her prayer that her father won’t do such thing. But just then when their mother spoke, her hopes crushed.

“This is not what I think it is, is it honey?, the wife, Pauline, asked.

All eyes were focused towards the head of the family, and a sudden silence came of their table as if everyone is waiting for his response.

George cleared his throat before answering.

“It is. I am planning of marrying off our daughter to Parker’s son to achieve the business extension that I told you a while ago.”He stated as if it is his final decision.

“But George, I thought we have talked about this, that since our daughter has a different passion, she’ll be out of handling our business. And besides, she’s still 18, very young to be married.”, Pauline said angrily, clearly showing that she’s against the idea.

“She is not going to handle our business Amore, she just have to marry Oliver, think of it as a start of our business partnership with the Neville. Besides, Belinda and I have talked about that passion of hers, and that if she really wants to pursue her dream, she’d oblige to what I say. I wanted her to atleast make a name in the business and this is the only way. And besides, she's our first child, so she has to do this. I want her to marry my friend’s son in exchange of her dream.”George uttered with finality in his voice.

“I-…”Belinda wanted to say something but her mother cut her off.

“Darling, you don’t have to do this. I’ll try to talk some sense—“

“My decision will not falter even if---“, their father tried to interject.

“--with your father when we get home.”Pauline said, looking at her dearly while caressing her cheek.

“Dad, maybe there’s another way. We don’t need to drag Belinda into this_...”It was her brother, Arman, who tried to defend her but she cut him off.

“It’s okay. I’m okay with it.” She said trying to erase all her emotions. If it’s the only way for her to achieve her dreams then so be it.

She looked at her mother and siblings.

“If you are worrying about the fact that I’m entering a marriage in convenience, you don’t have to. You may think that it is a loveless marriage but we don’t know what tomorrow holds, maybe someday, we’ll find it in our hearts how to love and care for each other.” Then she look at her father intently,

“If this marriage will make you happy,”she muttered, squeezing her eyes shut, trying to hold the tears that are about to fell off,

“then I’ll do it.” She said, making others, except for her father, stunned with what she just said.

A smile instantly grew on his father’s face the moment she said those words.

“You made the right decision my daughter, you just made me proud,”he said happily.

“Don’t worry, Oliver is aware of your fascination towards arts and it’s totally fine with him. He’s also very eager to meet his bride-to-be.”

“I still don’t think that this is a good idea. I can’t believe that you are letting our only daughter in a marriage for convenience,”their mother said warily.

Though it’s also against her will, Belinda held her mother’s hand tightly,

“It’s okay mom, I’ll be fine. I’m sure we’ll get through the first chapters of our soon to be union and I know you always got my back, yes?” She assured her mother.

“Of course dear, we’ll always be here for you.” Her mother said with teary eyes.

“Oh, you’re such an obedient child,  it’s not wrong to say no to your father, alright, but since you have agreed with your father,”her mother looked at her father murderously,

“I’ll probably try to assassinate your father when I get the chance for doing such thing to you.” Her mother said while caressing her hair.

Belinda gave her mother a tight smile, and when she looked ate her brothers, they have this pitiful face, but she assured them that she is going to be fine by nodding her head and giving them her tight smile.

“Now why don’t we flash those sad and pitiful emotions off and enjoy our dinner,” their father said breaking the heavy atmosphere in their table.

“Dad is right, let’s talk about this when we get there, alright? For now, let’s enjoy the rest of the evening.” Belinda said, trying to lighten up the mood.

Everyone continued digging in but no one enjoyed the rest of their dinner except for their father. On their way home, the couple continued arguing but then Belinda’s decision was final.

That evening, Belinda was trying to sleep but to no avail. She kept thinking of what will happen now that she is about to get married.