Chapter 6 Why Did He

Tessa's POV;

I'm stressed, upset, pissed, tensed, annoyed, paranoid, and loads of other emotions. A tsunami of emotions is ravaging every single inch of me right now, and I don't know what to do.

"Are you sure you want to wear this dress? "Mrs. Peterson, the head of the villa's domestic staff questions with a scrunched face as she helps me tighten the laces of my corset behind me, and I give her a death glare through the mirror. Causing her face to fall into a startled expression.

"I'm... I'm sorry ma'am. "She then apologizes and begins to comb my hair.

"That's enough. I'd take it from here. "I say to her as I stare at my reflection, and she quickly drops the comb, bows, and rushes out of the room.

I'm not surprised that she asked that question. I'm in a very skimpy, free, off-shoulder dress that shows a considerable amount of cleavage. I'm meant to meet my "soon-to-be husband " today, and this is what I chose to wear. Honestly, I don't intend to look sweet or innocent.

I know this is what my dad wants, but I'm not ready for it. So, I'd just be myself. I'd let whoever this man is, know that I'm a crazy ass bitch and not some sweet naive flower he's coming to pick from my father's garden. If he's okay with what he sees and meets, then we can get married. But a huge part of me hopes he wouldn't like what he sees.

I can't turn this down because of my father, so I hope that he does. I love my dad, but I don't want to do this. I'm not ready to get married. I can't be tied to one man... This is not the life I planned for myself... At least, marriage isn't...

I pick up my hairbrush, brush out the tangles in my hair, oil it, and then pack it into my usual high ponytail.

I stare at the mild makeup on my face and sigh in exhaustion. Causing my firmly packed breasts to rise and fall.

**********

Cameron's POV;

I walk into Mr. Gold's villa, and take a deep breath as the feeling of nostalgia hits me hard. It's been years since I last came here, and ages since I've felt this way. Since I've felt truly welcomed in any place.

As my men and I step into the house, I begin to head straight for the guest living room without directions from anyone, as I know this place like the back of my hand. I grew up in this house and gained a great amount of knowledge on these grounds.

After my father shut my mother and me out, and I watched my mother die, Mr. Gold took me in, and gave me a home. It wasn't a typical home though. I knew how to use a Glock from the age of eight and started to kill without mercy, at the age of ten.

Mr. Gold taught me how to survive in this cruel world and helped me through the trying times of my life.

I had just gotten into the guest living room when a woman bumps into me. I raise my head, and my heart flutters a bit on seeing her.

Mrs. Peterson...

The old woman was a mother figure to me during my time in this house. She used to feed me and was always very caring toward me.

"Cameroon? "She questions as soon as she sees me, and I smile at her.

"Nice to see you again, Mrs. Peet, "I reply, and she smiles for a few seconds before her smile drops.

"You've grown so big... And changed too... As expected... "She says as she tries to touch my face, but stops herself. I understand what she means.

I used to be a sweet child. But there's nothing sweet about me anymore. I'm a changed man. A changed man with a heart of stone now. I lost my sweetness the moment my mother died in my arms.

"Excuse me. I need to go prepare tea for master. "She Then says, and I smile yet again. The way I always do.

A smile that is never really a smile. One that anyone would miss if they don't look closely.

I remain silent as she walks past me. Then I walk up to one of the comfy couches in the room and make myself comfortable as I sit in it. Waiting for Mr. Gold to arrive.

In nothing less than two minutes, Mr. Gold appears in the doorway, and as soon as he sees me, although he's with a cane, he throws his arms open and calls my name with a hearty smile.

"Cameroon!! "He yells, and I smile as I get up and walk up to meet him and embrace him. It's been so long since we last saw or touched each other. We talk a lot though, and it broke me when I heard that he was sick.

So, as soon as he called for me, I knew that I had to turn up...

"So glad to see you again, father... "I say to him as I pull away from the hug, and he chuckles.

"I am more than glad to see you again, my boy. It's been so long... Since I showed you the path to success, you just kept firing on and didn't bother to look back. "He says, and I laugh as we head back to the couches.

"It's not like that, father... "I reply, and he simply pats my back as he makes it to the couch opposite the one I was sitting on, and sits on it.

"I want privacy, son. "He then says to me in Spanish as soon as he's comfortable on the couch, and I nod.

"Privacy! "I order after he does and both our men immediately leave the room.

"Good afternoon, father. "I greet him, and he smiles.

"How are you? "I question, and his smile drops into a somewhat sad expression.

"I'm not going to lie to you, Cameroon. I don't have many days left... "He replies, and my heart stops beating for a second while I glare at him in fear and confusion. My eyes asking the questions I can't bring myself to ask.

"I have leukemia... And I'm in the very last stage. There's no cure for me. I have just a few days left to live... "He replies, and I freeze.

I am instantly taken back to the moment my mother looked into my eyes before taking her last breath, and how her tight grip on my arm slowly loosened.

"W... What? "I question, and Mr. Gold gives me a smile. How could he smile at a time like this??

"Cameroon, do you remember how we met? "He then questions abruptly, and I blink a few times to chase my tears away.

"Of course I do. How would I ever forget? "I reply, and he smiles.

"You were a little man. Just eight years old and picking pockets to survive on the streets of Texas, all alone. While also hiding from child service with the other street kids.

It was a Sunny afternoon and you were starving. You needed a big hit, and then you saw me... "He begins to narrate, and I inhale deeply to calm my racing nerves.

"I was wearing a diamond-plated watch my wife gifted me before she passed, and you bumped into me. The next thing I knew, the watch was gone... I was so stunned. You are the first and only to ever steal from me without me noticing..."He says with a laugh, and I chuckle lightly. He loves telling this story so much.

"Normally, I would have punished you, but I was too impressed to bring myself to do that. And when I found out that you were all alone with no one to look after you, I knew I wanted to take you in... "He continues, and I smile.

"And I'm glad you did, father. "I reply, and he smiles.

"Cameroon, my days are numbered. And I called you here for a very important reason... "He then says with his smile dropping, and my heart clenches.

"I'm sure you know how it feels to be alone. I tried to take that feeling away from you by trying to give you a family. You had me, and after my wife left me, I had Tessa. But if I leave now... Tessa would have no one... "He continues, and for the first time since I got here, I remember Tess.

That little fireball that was always at loggerheads with me. She saw me as a competition and for some reason was always trying to prove to her father that she was better than me. She hated me. Thought I came to steal her father away from her.

When I first got to this house, she was just 2 years old and was very sweet. She'd always follow me around and want to do things I did. We were practically inseparable. I loved the little girl a lot. But she began to change as soon as she clocked 6. I could sense the competition in the little girl's glares at me and her actions toward me. And it only grew worse as she grew.

As at the time she was 10, I had to start keeping my distance from her. Her dislike for me was very evident and she really wanted me to leave. And that is why as soon as I turned 22, I left to start my own dynasty.

I left to give Tess her space, and I tried my very best to never come back or make it look like I was invading her personal space.

"Cameroon, I want you to get married to Tessa. "Mr. Gold suddenly announces, and I turn to ice on the spot.

"What? "I question in shock, and Mr. Gold gives me a straight look.

"Listen, Tessa is not incapable of getting any man she wants. She's not sick or a burden, but she's my little girl. She's going to take over the gang when I'm gone, and I know my brothers would have it out for her. The hot-headed young lady tends to think on impulse when she's hurt and after losing me, I'm scared she'd be vulnerable and very open to attacks. That's why I need your help, Cameroon. Marry my little girl. Help me take care of her. Shield her..."He begins, and I can't help but cut him off.

"But, father... Why me? ... Why this? There are so many other ways I can take care of Tess without getting married to her... Has she agreed to this? "I begin. Panicking a bit, and Mr. Gold stops me.

"It's you because I trust you. It's this because this is my dying wish. And yes... Tessa has agreed to get married to any man of my choosing. "He replies, and my throat dries up.

Tessa agreed to get married to me!? How is that even possible??

"Does she know it's me? "I question, and as Mr. Gold makes to speak, a voice interrupts us.

"I'm just finding out. "

Third Person's Narrative;

Theresa had just walked into the guest livingroom, and heard when Cameron was asking her father why he had to be the one to marry her, and suddenly it all fell into place.

"Dad, you never told me that it was Cameron you wanted me to get married to. "She states with a troubled face as she marches further into the room, up to the two men, and Cameron is taken by shock at the sight before him.

Mr. Gold assesses his daughter's appearance and he instantly understands the young woman's intentions.

"Tessa..."He calls in exasperation, but Tessa ignores him and turns to face Cameron.

As Cameron stares at the tall, blue-eyed young lady, he instantly remembers where he had seen her, and why she looked so familiar to him that night.

"It was you. That night. Outside the club... "He says in awe, and Tessa is at first confused, but soon she understands, and her face is taken up by a shocked expression.

"You!? You were the man!? "She questions in irritation and disgust, and Cameron falls silent as he doesn't know what to expect.

On the night when Cameron was attacked by the golden dagger clan, Tessa wasn't in the right frame of mind to register his looks or think much about him. All she wanted was to get to the doctor and find out what was wrong with her father. And now, finding out that the man who was once so helpless and close to death by his fellow men is the man her father wants her to get married to, doesn't sit well with her.

"Seriously, dad!? This man?? Just a few nights ago, I had to save his life! And you want someone like that to be my husband!? Someone who can't even protect himself! Come on, dad! "Tessa begins to rant in irritation, and Cameron can't take her words.

"Tessa... "He calls in annoyance, and Tessa turns to glare at him.

"Dad, this is Cameron! The same Cameron. You know we have never seen eye to eye on anything. How would you expect me to get married to him? When he clearly isn't even capable of being a man. "Tessa says, and Cameron loses it.

"Theresa! "He yells in rage, and Tessa glares at him. Unpleased by the way he called her name.

"Father, I would rather jump into a lagoon, than get married to Cameron. "She then says to her father while still glaring at Cameron, and Cameron returns her death glare.

"This is how you chose to treat my dying wish, Tessa? "Her father replies, and Tessa's breath hitches in guilt before she turns to her father.

Cameron suddenly gets up and adjusts his two-piece suit.

"I agree to the marriage, father. I'd like to get the rest of the details. How, when, and where you want the wedding to hold. "He says, and Mr. Gold and Tessa turn to him in shock, and Tessa almost chokes on her breath.

"I have to take my leave now if you don't mind. I have an impending deal to settle. I expect to hear from you, soon. "He adds, and Mr. Gold smiles.

"Alright, son. I'd send you the details. "He replies, and Cameron bows a little.

"Bye, father... "He replies in Spanish, and Mr. Gold simply nods with a grand smile as he walks out of the room, leaving Tessa frozen in shock.

Why did he agree to the marriage!?? She can't help but wonder to herself.