Chapter 3 Running Away From Her Groom

Nancy was in her bedroom, drying her long, wet golden hair and combing it to cascade down her back. She left her room and went downstairs to the living room to have dinner with her parents.

Nancy's stomach was growling with hunger, so she held onto the iron railing for support as she descended the stairs, making sure not to miss a step.

Upon reaching the living room, Nancy noticed some guests had arrived at her parents' home. This made her frown, as she disliked how her father's mansion was designed; the living room was connected to the dining room, allowing guests to easily intrude on their private affairs. She valued her privacy and hated being watched.

She saw a tall, handsome black man exuding authority, standing in the living room and watching her intently. His gaze made Nancy uncomfortable, feeling as though he were undressing her with his eyes.

Looking away from the man, Nancy turned to her parents, who were standing nervously in the room. She approached her mother and asked, "Mom, is dinner not ready yet?"

Mrs. Olivia Marlon was nervous, as she hadn't expected Charles to visit their home personally. She replied, "Nancy dear, come meet your groom."

"My what?" Nancy gasped in shock, swiftly turning to face Charles. His handsome gaze was fixed on her, never wavering.

Snapping out of her daze, Nancy asked her mother, "Mom, when did I get married to him?"

"You're not yet married to him, Nancy," Mrs. Marlon replied. "This is Charles Alejandro, the only son of President Nolan Alejandro, and the wedding is in two days."

"Two days?!" Nancy gasped, feeling faint.

"Calm down, Nancy," Charles said, his deep, masculine voice sending shivers down her spine. Nancy couldn't believe she was getting married to him in such a short time. Gathering her courage, she said with trembling lips, "I cannot marry you, sir."

"Nancy!" her father shouted, trying to hush her. Charles Alejandro was the most feared young man in the city. Senator Logan warned, "Nancy, you have no right to object to this marriage. Charles chose you after seeing many young women's photos. You should be grateful to become the country's future first lady."

"No, Father! I cannot agree to this marriage. I can't marry him!" Nancy yelled, backing away and bolting up the stairs to her bedroom, her hips swaying as she ran. Once inside her room, she shut the door and locked it.

"Nancy, come back here!" her father called, but Nancy refused to answer. She didn't want to marry Charles. She lay on her bed and cried.

"Let me go upstairs and talk to her," Mrs. Olivia Marlon offered, but her husband stopped her. "That won't be necessary."

Senator Logan apologized to Charles, "We're truly sorry, Your Excellency. We hadn't informed Nancy about the arranged marriage."

"Hmm," Charles said, speechless as he stared up at the second floor, hoping Nancy would peek out. Her movements had stirred something in him, and he doubted he could control himself if left alone with her.

Charles turned back to Nancy's parents, meeting Mrs. Marlon's gaze, which was reminiscent of Nancy's. Mrs. Olivia Marlon smiled nervously and said, "Not to worry, Your Excellency. I will speak to my daughter, and the wedding will proceed as planned."

"That's alright," Charles replied. "I came to welcome my bride back to the city, but it's clear she doesn't want to see me. Please give these flowers to Nancy and let her know that I truly love her and want to marry her," he said, handing over a bouquet of roses to Mrs. Olivia Marlon.

Mrs. Olivia Marlon accepted the flowers and smiled nervously. Senator Logan apologized again, "We are sincerely sorry, Your Excellency. Please forgive our daughter's behavior."

"That's alright. I understand her fears," Charles said, "but that's not a problem. Please let her know that I want her. I should be on my way now. Goodbye, Senator Logan."

"Goodbye, Your Excellency," Senator Logan said, escorting Charles out to his car.

As Charles entered his Jeep, flanked by his security team, the cars drove away from Senator Logan Marlon's residence.

---

Nancy watched from her room window, seeing Charles leave and get into his car. She couldn't believe her parents wanted her to marry Charles Alejandro, the president's son, whom she had never met. She had heard of his reputation online, where he was ridiculed and accused of scandalous behavior. Nancy didn't want to marry someone rumored to be unfaithful.

Her door opened abruptly, interrupting her thoughts. Her parents entered, her father angry, her mother holding the bouquet of roses.

"Nancy! What was the meaning of that display with Charles Alejandro today? Many young women would jump at the chance to marry him!" her father demanded, glaring at her.

"Dad, that's not the kind of man I want. I don't love him, and that's the truth," Nancy replied, sobbing, knowing Charles wasn't the husband she wanted.

"You speak of love, but do you know what it is, Nancy? Love will come with time, after you're married. That's how your mother and I started, and we're still together. What if you wait for someone you love, and he doesn't love you back?"

"I cannot reject the Alejandro family's proposal. They are powerful, and rejecting them would be an insult. Charles chose you from many others, Nancy. You will marry him, whether you like it or not."

"No, Father! I can't marry him!" Nancy cried, overwhelmed by her father's insistence.

Her father turned to leave, telling her mother, "Speak to our daughter and prepare her for her new life. She goes to the presidential villa this Saturday to live with Charles, whether she likes it or not."