Chapter 6 Pretend To Be Me.

The words kept replying in her head. "You have been matched with Alec Helios.

Viola exhaled deeply as she clutched the letter, feeling overwhelmed by its contents. How on Earth does her grandmother expect her to marry a stranger? Glancing over at her, she couldn't help but voice her concerns. "Grandmother, I know you want the best for me, but this is all happening too quickly."

"Time waits for no one, Viola. You are getting older with each passing day, just as I am. That is why I am arranging this marriage - so I can have peace of mind knowing someone will take care of you after I am gone."

Viola let out a frustrated groan. "Please don't talk about death like that. It pains me to even think about losing you."

"Don't be so sentimental, my dear. You must face reality. I will not be here forever, and before I depart, I want to ensure you are taken care of." She rolled her eyes. "Your parents are not dependable - always out and about. Who knows where they are now? They don't even answer our calls or give us any updates. It's like they've disappeared off the face of the earth."

She nodded her head in agreement. "You're right."

Her grandmother chuckled as she placed her hand under Viola's chin, lifting it up so she could look at her. "Who would have thought they would end up so in love? When they were in an arranged marriage like this, they were just as unsure as you are now. But look at them, they can't imagine life without each other. They are like children again, going on adventures and enjoying the best moments of their lives after giving me grandchildren. That's the kind of happiness I want for you."

But how could she be so sure that this man she wants her to marry will be a good match? What if he turns out to be crazy? Viola couldn't wrap her head around this sudden revelation. While her grandmother sees it as securing her future, she fears it's just a ploy by the Helios family to gain more money and power from them. With a heavy sigh, she looked at her once again.

"My dear, there is one more thing you have to do for me to make me happy."

Viola rolled her eyes. "I have not even accepted the marriage." She then sighed and spoke in a low tone. "...even though I don't have a say in it, and I must do as you say. Speak, grandma."

"You two are to meet tomorrow to introduce yourselves before we proceed."

Viola gasped. "A blind date?"

"Viola, it is not a blind date. Just think of it as seeing your fiancé for the first time."

Viola groaned. "That is the definition of a blind date, grandma." She has had enough. It is about time she told her grandmother that she is in love with another and can't proceed with this. "Grandmother, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it, my dear?"

Just as she was about to reveal her boyfriend Dusty, Korra stormed in, fuming with anger. "You always cause trouble, Viola! Why are you even talking to her? You should let her rest."

"It's fine, Korra. I wanted to chat with her," her grandmother reassured her.

"Grandmother, you should rest," Korra insisted, turning her attention to Viola. "And you, you need to leave now."

She rose from her seat. "As much as it pains me to admit it, my dear grandmother, you must rest. I will visit you later." Viola planted a gentle kiss on her cheeks before exiting through the door. As she traversed the hallway, she retrieved her mobile device from her pocket. "I see you pick my calls now after so many tries?" she said angrily at Jojo.

"I am so sorry, Viola. I have so much going on and I will make a proper explanation tomorrow."

"Don't bother. My tomorrow is already occupied."

"Really? But how? Staying home all day/"

"No. I have a place to be."

"You sound restless." Jojo's voice echoed through the phone, accompanied by the sound of a door closing shut.

"Because I am restless, my dear Jojo. I am consumed by restlessness. I cannot fathom the gravity of this situation at present."

"What situation? Please speak calmly, I can barely make out your words."

Viola turned the corner and walked towards the hallway leading to her room. "There is talk of an arranged marriage, Jojo."

"An arranged marriage? Whose? Korra?" Jojo's query caught her off guard.

"No, Jojo. Me. I've been matched with Alec Helios. Who the heck is Alec Helios?" She retorted sharply through the phone as soon as she entered her room and closed the door behind her.

"Calm down, Viola. Yelling over the phone won't solve anything," Jojo reasoned.

Viola scoffed. "How can you not be surprised, Josephine? I'm being forced into an arranged marriage with a stranger. I've never heard of this person before. I've never even laid eyes on him. How am I supposed to stay calm? I have a boyfriend, Jojo. What am I supposed to tell him? Sorry, Dusty, I can't be with you anymore because I have to fulfill my grandmother's wishes and marry someone, she chose for me?"

"That could work," Jojo suggested.

Viola groaned loudly and flopped onto her bed with her hand on her stomach. She grabbed a pillow and clutched it to her chest while wiggling her legs in frustration. "You're not helping, Jojo."

She could hear Jojo sighing on the other end of the line. "I knew this would happen, Vi."

Viola sat up, placing the pillow on her lap in disbelief. "You knew?"

"Just listen to me, Viola. You come from a wealthy family. You're the heiress. Obviously, Avery Linn wouldn't allow you to marry the man of your choice. Remember what happened with your parents?"

"How could I forget?" She let out a heavy sigh.

"Exactly, Viola. Your father was in love with Korra's mother, and they had her out of wedlock. Avery Linn couldn't let that ruin her reputation, so she forced him to marry your mother. Now they're happy and travel to different countries without a care in the world. What if that's your fate?"

"That can never be my fate, Josephine Smith. I love Dusty with all my heart. I've only ever pictured a life with Dusty, not with any other man." She stated firmly.

"Does he know?" Jojo inquired.

"Know what?" Viola asked, confused.

Jojo reiterated her words, "Does Dusty know your true identity? As an heiress." Viola swallowed and hesitated to respond. Jojo chimed in, "You couldn't even bear to tell him. Does that mean you planned to introduce hired actors as your family to the man you love? Or will you reveal your actual family?"

Viola was perplexed by Jojo's words. She didn't disclose her lineage to Dusty because she wanted him to see her as an individual, but there was little to see. After all, she has always conformed to the expectations of Avery Linn. But she couldn't bring herself to tell Dusty. He may not have accepted her if he knew the extent of her power. She sighed as she pondered Jojo's words. She had a valid point.

"So, you suggest I employ actors to pose as my parents when Dusty visits?" Viola inquired.

"No, Viola. Absolutely not! Your initial mistake was keeping your true self hidden," Jojo asserted.

"I understand that now, Jojo. I don't know what to do, and now I will be tied to a man I don't know."

"I know him," Jojo's statement piqued Viola's interest.

"You do?"

"Yes, Vi. Alec Helios is making headlines. He is also an attractive man. His family is the second wealthiest after yours, and rumor has it he is the illegitimate son of the Helios patriarch."

Viola was taken aback. "Illegitimate?"

"Yes, Viola. From what I heard, his mother passed away when he was young, and she had an affair with his father. When Artemis's mother discovered the truth, chaos ensued."

"Who is Artemis?"

"Your future sister-in-law," Viola cringed at Jojo's remark. "I hear she is a formidable woman who doesn't tolerate nonsense. She oversees most of the Helios enterprises and has achieved success in all of them. She dismisses employees for minor infractions, and yet everyone dreams of working for the Helios company. Insane, isn't it?"

Viola nodded her head. "Truly insane."

Jojo continued, "But once you and Alec are married, everything will be fine. This could be the love story I've been waiting to write."

Perplexed, she scoffed. "How did you even come by this information? I doubt it's available online."

Jojo's laughter filled the room. "Viola, the streets have ears. The walls listen and speak. Some of my colleagues at the school I teach always have the latest news to share. My ears bleed. So, whatever you're up to, make sure it doesn't get out. Now, back to Alec Helios. A Greek lineage. I'm thrilled he's the one they've chosen for you. You two will have gorgeous offspring and-"

"Enough, Jojo!" she cut her off before she could finish. "Just stop talking. I'm already exhausted and angry about this arranged marriage, and you're talking about babies?"

"I'm talking about having babies with Alec Helios. I know I told you to focus on your business and not let Korra take over, but this is Alec we're talking about and he's so attractive. You're the luckiest girl alive, my friend. Everyone wants that bachelor and he's just handed to you so easily? Incredible. In my next life, I'll make sure to be born as Viola Linn instead of Josephine Smith."

Viola chuckled at her words and could picture Jojo rolling her eyes after that sentence. She then sighed. "By the way, I have to attend a blind date tomorrow."

"This is moving so fast."

"I know, Jojo. I can't talk my grandmother out of it. She seemed determined and now she wants us to meet up tomorrow to talk before proceeding. I guess she wants the wedding to happen before I take the heiress title."

"I am sorry that you are going through this. What can I do to help?"

Viola sighed as she stared at her ceiling. "There is something you can do. How about, you start by bringing my luggage to me tomorrow morning before church and you are going to be given the biggest task of all. What do you think about playing Viola Linn for a few hours?"

"You don't mean..."

Viola nodded. "Pretending to be me and meet with my so-called husband to be."