Chapter 1 AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE

AUDREY'S POV

"This is for the good of our family, Audrey. You must never lose sight of your duty as my only daughter." My father said,

"And beside I know that you have a secret crush on Liam. This is finally your opportunity to be with him. Don't blow it." He says and leaves me to my raging thoughts.

I sighed after the door to my room closed.

Yes! I did have a crush on Liam but that was when I was so little. Mother wasn't alive to help me out of this situation. My eyes was stinging at this point and a lump seemed to erupt in my throat.

I felt very sad that my life would experience nothing fun because sadly I would be married off very early. I was just twenty-three for God's sake.

"It can't be so bad." I thought to myself, after I had fought back the tears that threatened to fall from my eyes earnestly.

I used this to make myself feel a lot better.

I slept that night thinking about how the next day would be. I could not understand why my father would so easily throw me off into a marriage I have never anticipated.

The next day, Liam came by. He was looking a lot better now. He had broad shoulders compared to the times when I had known him as a child.

He was scrawny and small but now he looked manly and very handsome. Butterflies flew around in my stomach when I saw him. His father came out of the limousine behind him.

My father had made me wait at the door to welcome them into the house. His father smoked when he saw me,

"Dear Audrey, you're now so grown. That's really wonderful. You'll make the most beautiful bride." His father says.

I smile in response.

Liam remained mute not showing any expression. I could not even see his eyes because of the black shades he had on.

"Your father?" He asks.

"Please follow me." I said to them,

We got to the front porch where father was waiting for his friend, Liam's father, Robert.

"I'm glad you chose to honor me with your visit." My father exclaims and engulfs his friend in a very tight manly hug.

A mini feast was held in front of our house on the front porch.

"It will be the best the city has ever seen, I will make sure of it." Robert, Liam's father says.

"I can't wait." My father chip in

"When do you want it to be held?" My father asks Liam.

Liam clears his throat and replies, "In the following week from now."

His voice sounded so sweet in my ears but I wasn't very happy that he had made that decision without me.

I cleared my throat to signal my presence which they all seemed to ignore. I was the one who they were marrying off for goodness' sake.

"I believe that I did not agree to that." I said with a smoke plastered on my face.

"Audrey!" My father called my name.

"No dad, he can't come to this decision without telling me about it. You all are planning a wedding I never agreed to in the first place at least give me this." I said to both of them.

Robert sighed and looked at my father who looked at me, "enough of this Audrey, you're getting married in one week."

My father said with a tone of finality. My heart sank.

"Father!!" I exclaimed but he said nothing.

I scoffed and angrily went inside.

Just breathe Audrey. It really can't be that bad.

My father opened my door and shut the door quietly behind him.

"Look Audrey, don't spoil my hard work alright." He said.

"I wish mom were here, she would never have agreed to this." I yelled

"Don't ever talk about your mother again. I won't talk about this again either. Come back downstairs. " He instructed.

My mouth gaped. How could he just tell me to do that?

I was rooted to that spot without moving because I was so scared and angry. I was feeling a lot at that point. My father then held my hands and pulled me towards where he was hosting his mini feast.

He plastered a smile on his face ,"I'm so sorry, she didn't mean to he disrespectful."

"It's fine. We can't stay for long anymore. We will send her all she needs to start getting ready for the wedding." Robert says.

My father stands up and stretches his hands out to Robert who took it in glee.

"We shall see once again. I can't wait for this perfect union." He says and then looks at me ,

"I know how you must feel but it's normal to feel that way . Please, take good care of yourself ." He said to me and then turned to leave.

Liam also stands but doesn't say a word as he follows suit behind his father.

Few days later, my father came up to meet me. He was holding a box in his hands. Ever since that mini feast, all he ever does is complain and tell me how I'm going to be a terrible wife.

He knocked and then peered his head through the open space.

"You're still awake." He said but I didn't reply.

Our relationship has been strained ever since.

He sat down beside me and placed the box in front of me.

"Look I know that this has been really hard for you but also consider how hard it is for the one who will be getting married to you." He started.

"Since you know then why are you subjecting me to this father?" I asked him frankly

"It's for the good of our family and I wish I didn't have to but I believe that you will be in good hands ." He said.

"And how can you be so sure about that?" I asked him.

He smiled, "Robert promised me."

"I'm not getting married to Robert, father, I'm getting married to his son ." I had to remind him .

He sighed, "there's nothing else we can do. Just prepare for the wedding tomorrow."

He said and dropped the box in front of me.

A wedding or a funeral, I wouldn't know what kind of marriage im getting into until I've had a taste of it.