Chapter 2 Argument.

Anna Narrating.

Tânia and I were in my room choosing our dresses when my abuela came in with a huge box in her hands.

She put it on top of my bed and sat looking at me with a sad face.

"I'm sorry hija..." She said patting the space beside her.

I sat down and she hugged me tight.

"I have no choice, right abuela?" I asked sadly.

"Unfortunately not, my beautiful... I tried everything, but unfortunately you will need to fulfill this contract." She said wiping my tears.

"We're with you, Anna." Tania spoke approaching us.

"You have a real friend, Hija!" My grandmother smiled at Tania.

Everyone wants my best, but no one is able to get rid of this madness that is being forced to marry someone I don't know.

I love Carlos and I idealized a life, a family with him.

What hurts the most is knowing that there is a possibility that he will simply abandon me, not forgive me for not telling him the truth and still hiding my true identity.

"I don't know what to do, Abuela... I love him..." I said lowering my head.

"Hija, listen... If he really loves you, he'll understand and he'll wait for you." My grandmother spoke.

"Rosa is right, my friend... give it time." Tania spoke confidently.

"See Hija, your fiancé bought it for you to wear tonight." My grandmother said opening the box and showing me a shiny black dress.

"That's great, I'll be ready for the funeral." I made a joke.

"Don't be a boring friend, until he has good taste." Tania smiled.

"You only say that because you're not marrying an old man..." I looked at my abuela and she smiled. "Nothing against old people."

"Go get ready, my beautiful.. Your daddy arrives soon and you know how he is when it comes to time." My grandmother said getting up and leaving.

"I'm going to take a shower then..." I told Tânia. "Have yours in the bathroom in the guest room, my friend."

Tania nodded and walked over with her red dress in her hands.

I went into the bathroom without an ounce of desire to get ready.

I hate doing things against my will, but I have no choice.

I took a long, hot shower to relax, did my hygiene, turned off the shower and wrapped myself in a towel.

I slathered moisturizer on my body, slathered on deodorant, and let my hair dry.

I styled my hair in some light waves and sat down in front of the vanity to apply my makeup.

I did a perfect eyeliner, highlighting my blue eyes, I put on a red lipstick and lit up my features.

I put on my black lingerie and grabbed the black dress.

Looking at it well, it really is very beautiful and will fit my curves well.

I stopped in front of the mirror and dressed it, as I imagined, it was perfect. I slipped on my black stiletto sandals and sprayed myself with perfume.

"Perfect." I said looking in the mirror.

"Wow, how beautiful!" Tania said as she entered my closet.

"For me it is torturous." I replied picking up a shiny black bag. "You're amazing, thanks for being with me."

"I always will be, Anna!"

We went down the stairs and found my dad walking from one side to the other, he seemed to be anxious.

As soon as he saw me, he opened a smile and came towards me, but I was extremely sad with him, I preferred not to hug him.

"You look beautiful, Hija!" He spoke without grace. "Reminded me of his mother."

"I hope you are not disappointing my mama wherever she is." I said in an arrogant tone.

"I know what I'm doing Anna... Don't be an ungrateful daughter and behave yourself." Papa said irritably.

"Of course, sir... what else should I do?" I said sarcastically.

"ENOUGH, ANNA." Dad said coming towards me.

"Me vas a pegar ahora, papa? (Are you going to attack me now, daddy? )" I said looking into his furious eyes.

"Don't be ridiculous, Anna... I wouldn't lay a finger on you." He said backing away. "Just understand me, it will be a good contract for all of us, I don't want to lose you."

"But you're losing me one way or another, daddy, you're giving me away to the enemy."

"They wouldn't hurt you, Hija. Papa looked at Tania." It's not nice to argue in front of your friend.

"Oh no... don't bother sir... pretend I'm not there." Tania said heading towards the kitchen, where Abuela was.

"I like her." Dad said smiling. "This child knows how to behave in places..."

"A child, just like your daughter who is selling." I rolled my eyes.

"Un día me entenderás... Un día! ( One day you will understand me... one day! )" Papa went to the kitchen door. "Come on... we're late."

"Sure, let's go..." Abuela said.

She and Tânia came into the living room and we divided into the cars.

Tânia and I went with our driver, Ruíz and Papa with Abuela went in his car.

He would certainly come forward to soften whatever Eduardo Mallardo's face was, that one over there, they say he's bad-tempered from birth... imagine if I'm going to succeed living in the same house as a man like him.

But I think the following, if the father is like that, imagine what the son must be like.

Imagine, I'm going to be forced to lose my virginity to a man much older and more experienced than me...

Just thinking about it made me feel a chill run down my spine.

How can my father do this to me, he knows the Mafia rules and if I don't marry a virgin, everything goes downhill.

Is this the way out for me?

The way was fast, we arrived at the Casino, it is located on top of a ship on the west coast, when the last gambler enters, the ship sails a short distance from the city and docks on a small island called Palma de Mallorca.

This island is considered the Spanish paradise, it is perfect, romantic, it looks like an enchanted island.

Every time we go to this island I remember my beloved mother.

If she were alive, I'm sure things would be different and my father would never sell me.

With all the certainty in the world, my mother would never agree with my father's attitude and only she would be able to convince him that this is madness.

Tânia and I got on the big ship with the help of the security guards, they accompanied us to the big hall, I looked inside and saw how many people were there, I could see my dad from afar with Abuela talking to some people.

I turned around and left, I went to the front of the ship, I needed to breathe, going in there is like signing my death warrant.

"Anna, where are you going?" Tania asked coming after me.

"I need to breathe." I said walking quickly.

We reached the front of the ship, I leaned on the railing and spent a few minutes watching the ship heading towards the small island.

"The problems won't go away if you keep putting it off Anna... you need to be strong and face it soon." Tania said watching the water.

"I've been thinking... and if I turn myself in, do you pay Carlos?!" I spoke with some doubt.

"¿Estás loca, Ana? (Are you crazy, Anna?)" Tania's eyes widened. "The Mafia kills you... along with Carlos."

"At least I wouldn't live this hell... try to understand me." Asked whimpering.

"Don't do that... face it at once. It's only one year, Anna. You can." She said hugging me tight.

"All right, there's nothing to do..." I let go of the hug. "This whole thing is crazy."

"Everything will be fine in the end... you just need to talk to Carlos!"

"I will go tomorrow!" I said sad. "Dios me ayude! ( God help me! )"