Chapter 3 THE MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE.

Clarissa P.O.V

The flight to East Delva was quite a quick one, probably because I didn't want the plane to land this early, am not sure I was going to be ever ready to face everything I left behind.

Upon coming out of the airport to get a taxi to go see my Father, everything became Nostalgic, and I began to remember the last time I was here at the airport. I had just finished my University, and all I wanted was to go start up my own business in Salva, to run from everything and everyone, but here I was, back to where I left.

The airport wasn't really different, somethings never changed, even after eight years. Reminiscing about the past wasn't the right thing for me to be doing right now and what mattered to me now was my father's health. Immediately I took out my phone from my pockets and called Claudia to ask what hospital they had taken him to.

"Your Father is at home, he is being treated from home. We want the accident saga to be very discreet and far from the public" Claudia replied after I asked her about my Dad's whereabout.

In no time, I took a taxi and headed to the Alexander mansion. Immediately I arrived, I stared at the gate and the mansion from outside, still remembering the past, but I didn't care any longer. I was here already, and it was time to face my past head on.

The securities at the gate wouldn't let me in at first, I wasn't surprised, as at the time I left the mansion, they were not hired. While I kept on trying to explain to the securities who I was, I heard someone shout my name, it was Nanny Pearl.

"Nannnnyyyy!!!" I screamed.

"My baby, is this really you?, Is this really my Rissa?" She asked in disbelief.

"What are you doing here Rissa?, come in. Everyone meet Clarissa, the first daughter of Our boss, Alexander" she explained as she faced the securities.

"How's my Dad, how's his health?, How's he doing? Was he hurt really bad" I asked Nanny Pearl in a disorganized manner.

"Rissa calm down, you just arrived, I don't understand what you mean by him getting hurt really bad" she replied with a confused look.

"Where is Claudia?", I asked, not waiting for a response from her. I walked quickly into the mansion's main living room.

But to my greatest surprise, when I got into the living, I couldn't believe my eyes. Right in front of me was my Dad, Alexander Jones, sitting Hale and hearty on the couch in the living room.

"What the hell is going on right now? Claudia I need a freaking explanation. WHAT...IN...THE... WORLD...IS... GOING...ON" I screamed at the top of my voice.

Everyone was silent. And at this point, I felt like exploding. They deceived me, they fucking deceived me into coming back to East Delva. I felt like a fool. What was I expecting?, Pàpà would do anything for his precious daughter's wedding, even if he had to use his health, because he knew he was my weak point.

"Clarissa calm down, it's not what you think" Claudia replied.

"Claudia, so tell me what is going on, Pàpà... what's going on, why is the man whom I was told is currently unconscious, looking at me hundred percent conscious?, hmmmm...tell me Claudia" I asked again.

"Rissa, It was all my idea, Claudia has no hand in this. Left for her, we wouldn't need your help" Pàpà answered.

"Am not surprised, Claudia rather dies than call me, and talking about my help, why would you need my help" I replied still in a harsh tone.

"Your sister, sorry, your half-sister as you always say, was Kidnapped few days ago on her way to attend a meeting with her wedding planner, and right now, we need all the help we can get from everyone to find her" my dad replied

"Wait, wait, wait dad, so let me get it straight. Eloise was Kidnapped and you brought me all the way from Salva, to do what exactly?, join the search team or what?. You should have told me from the start that this was the reason you wanted me to come home, you didn't have to lie" I said in a more calm tone than before.

"Rissa, with your actions, I didn't think you would have responded to my call, but am glad you came. Now stop the shouting and come give Pàpà a hug" he said with a smile on his face.

I couldn't lie, I missed my Pàpà so much, and I needed that hug. Without hesitation I dropped my bag and ran into his already opened arms.

Just as I was about to break free from his embrace, the door to the living room opened. Mr Miguel Divit and a fair young man walked in.

"Good day everyone, how's the investigation for our bride going" Miguel said as he sat on the couch.

Our Bride???!!! Hold up! Was Eloise getting married to Miguel's son?, Wow, just wow. Am sure this marriage was for business purposes. At this point, I wasn't even a bit jealous of Eloise. I know they were going to hide under the disguise that their children were in love.

As a kid, Pàpà and Miguel had always had a dream of being United in business and in marriage. They always spoke about how their kids would bind them together through marriage. Then years later, when we all became of age, I heard Eloise and Miguel's son were dating.

I didn't know their relationship had reached the point of marriage, I guess I had been away from home for so long.

Immediately we all began to work on how to find Eloise. I began to contact all my Investigator-Friends. But then I wanted someone more private. I still couldn't get why someone would kidnap Eloise, without asking for ransom or anything. But if I spoke up, as usual, everyone would think I was unreasonable.

I then called Ace, he was very good in the art of espionage, and am sure he was going to get some valuable info on Eloise's whereabouts.

As I was on the phone sending the necessary information to Ace, which he could use to start his job, Miguel called everyone's attention, he had a suggestion to make.

"The wedding is in two days, and it has to hold. I have a lot of potential business partners who I have made plans for during the wedding period, and I can't turn them down right now" he said.

"Miguel, what are you trying to say? How can a wedding hold without a bride? Pàpà asked.

"Adrian should marry You first daughter, Clarissa".