Fix You

Chapter 1

Few weeks after the family dinner wherein her father suddenly announced her marriage to his friend's son in Italy, the Neville family travelled all the way from Italy to New York to formally meet their son's soon to be wife and of course, to decide when and where the wedding is going to happen.

They are now sitting around their oval-shaped dining table as they consume their meals and talk about some stuff, mostly about business.

"You never mentioned to me before that you have a very beautiful daughter, my friend," Parker Neville who changed the topic.

"Well, that's because she was never into our family business. As you know, she is my only daughter. There is no point of dragging her into the business since I have my two boys to take charge. Better yet marry her off to a business tycoon and Oliver is a good one," her father said grinning.

"I am lucky then," Oliver, interjected, looking at her intently and arrogantly.

"To be able to marry such wonderful woman. Can't wait to call you my wife."

Belinda suddenly felt anxious with the way Oliver looked at her while uttering those words so she just looked down not responding.

"Me too darling, I can't wait to plan for the wedding of my only son. I know someone who could help us arrange their wedding ceremony and reception. Let's prepare for a grand wedding for my son and my soon to be daughter-in-law, what do you think Pauline?" Connie, Oliver's mother asked my mother excitedly.

"I'd like that too, but it is still up to my daughter, after all, it is her to be wed and it must be according to her likings." Belinda's mother answered politely and looked at her dearly.

Belinda can sense that deep down, her mother feels irritated with how conceited Oliver's mother is. She did not expect this kind of attitude from her soon to be in-laws, if she have known, she would not have agreed when her father told her about this marriage.

"About the wedding arrangement, since it's our wedding," Belinda paused, looking at Oliver.

"As much as possible, I'd like it to be simple, with just our families." She added. Her father and Oliver's parents seems to unlike her idea but she stopped them and looked pleadingly at her father.

"Please dad, I know I agreed with the marriage thing but I have one condition. If you want us to marry now, then we have to keep this simple and private but if you do not want it, then you will have to wait for me to reach the age of 23 because apparently, I'm too young for this." She said, hoping that they would agree with the latter so that she could still think of getting out of this union.

All of them went silent for a while until one of his brother, Arman, broke it.

"I think she's right Dad. She has never been used to the spotlight and this wedding will surely catch a great number of eyes and ears around, specially that her groom is a famous business man in Italy."

Their father looked at the parents of Oliver as if asking for permission but they shook their heads.

"No, if we want the business merging to happen then it has to be now. But if you are asking for a simple and private one, then that is impossible, you two came from known families and this thing must be known to the public so that , who would want a simple wedding for their children? That's totally absurd!" Oliver's mother said with slight anger.

Really, these people would spend a lot just for this marriage in convenience and the fact that they want to publicize our soon to be wedding, they are really something, seems like they are after what people would say about them, Belinda thought.

"With all due respect Sir, Maám-" She was cut off by Oliver.

"It's alright mom, the most important thing is Belinda and I gets to marry, right? Since Belinda is going to be my wife soon, then, I'll have to agree with what she wants. After all a happy wife is a happy life, isn't it?" He said smirking, obviously trying to get on Belinda's side.

The heads of the family laughed heartily.

"I like you son, you never fail to surprise me." Her father said proudly.

"It seems that my son really can't wait to marry your daughter, my friend. You haven't known each other for a long time but you are much into her." Parker said, looking at his son while uttering the last sentence.

"What can I say, I have a very beautiful bride to be," Oliver replied, smirking while looking at Belinda.

As soon as Belinda felt Oliver's eyes on her, she got scared all of a sudden but she just shrugged it off.

The Neville couple look at each other then nodded like they agree with what she wants.

"Okay, if that's what you want, but as soon as Belinda bears a child, than we have to tell the world their union." Oliver's mother said, surrendering.

"Mom you're pressuring her." Oliver replied to his mother, but it Belinda knew that Oliver was faking his concern.

"Fine with me." Belinda said, agreeing. Although it makes her feel nauseous of the thought of bearing Oliver's child. It would be the least thing she'd want.

"It is settled then, now let's plan for the wedding." Belinda's father said.
Just like what her father said, they planned everything for the upcoming wedding. It was only her father and the Neville family who were talking the entire planning, Belinda and her mother would just speak whenever they ask their opinions.

It was already ten in evening when they finish their dinner, literally, they planned the wedding over dinner.
When they were about to bid goodbye to the Neville, Belinda excused herself because she suddenly had headache. But before she could climb up the stairs, Oliver stopped her.

"Belinda, would you mind if I take you out on a date tomorrow? For us to know each other more." Oliver asked her.

She was ready to decline but she doesn't want to be rude especially that everyone was looking and waiting for her response.

"I have an art class tomorrow in the afternoon, so if it's okay with you, we can go in the morning." She replied.
Oliver smiled widely. "It's fine with me, as long as I get to hang out with you, anytime of the day would be fine. I'll pick you up at 8 then."

"Okay. See you tomorrow."

Oliver walked near her and she was shocked when he held her right hand and lift it up so he could kiss the back of her hand.

"Goodnight Belinda," he said after, looking intently in her eyes.

Fortunately, she was able to recover immediately but she stuttered.

"G-goodnight!" She smiled then turned her back to climb up the stairs.

She walked speedily towards her bedroom. The last thing she would want is to spend more time with the Neville. As soon as she entered her room, she did her evening routine. She badly wanted to go to sleep, the dinner a while ago seems to have exhausted her.

As she laid on her bed, her mind can't erase the thought of spending the morning tomorrow with Oliver.

Guess tomorrow will be very very long day, she thought to herself.